First-Time Outing

[Black Philip]

The doors of Sticks and Stakes Pool Hall opened abruptly. The old west jumped into the present, and it wasn't a pool hall at all. It was a salon, and now all the cowpokes were looking at the latest varmint to roll into town. The varmint in question entered wearing a wry smirk proudly, his eyes narrowed, and his overall expression a mischievous one. The noise of his entrance had drawn attention, and it was clear that the person making the noise wanted attention. He sauntered inside, letting the doors flap closed behind him and moved towards the pool tables. Jimmy Barrow needed to blow off some steam, and his less fun half had been put to bed. Cain hadn't been called. He needed something different. He hoped the pool hall would scratch his itch. If not it was on to Venture or maybe even the White Rabbit.

He was bobbing and weaving slightly, the natural grace of a refined man... who also happened to be incredibly drunk. He carried it off well considering that vampires needed a lot of laced blood to get this intoxicated, and he was proud of this recent accomplishment. As he looked around at the humans on display there were a few that popped out as potential refills. At first Jimmy saw a redheaded boy that he might like. He was staring -

why wouldn't he stare?

... and had a pouty lip. Jimmy loved a pouty lip. However, the voices whispered something, a few soft scratches in the madman's ear.

Power struggle
Dom and Sub
Ash and Pickachu are really from Montana

The last one sounded like Archie, and Jimmy tapped his head to get that voice out. He realized that whatever the voices wanted, it wasn't the pouty lipped redhead, and so the child of Malkav moved deeper among the tables until he stumbled upon the game in progress. He liked the look of the pair and so while whistling an unfamiliar tune, the vampire made his way over. He wore blue skinny jeans, torn to shreds at the knee. A cute flannel and grey beanie made up the rest of the outfit, with casual sneakers on his feet. The suits and glasses were James's thing. Jimmy knew how to dress for a pool hall. His hair was a sculpted form of bedhead, and on his left hand was a claddagh ring made of pewter. A quarter came out of his pocket and he placed it down firmly on the table.

"Can I get winner," he asked, a working-class London dialect meshing well with a baritone tamper. His eyes moved first from Aislin to Dom. His breath smelled like mouthwash. "Unless you're doing a tourney." His eyes lingered on Dom's physique for a second longer than anything else.

[Existentially Odd]

Aislin's answer told Dom everything he needed to know; she was ignorant. He was encouraged by the fact that she was open to the conspiracy theories about the city's gas leak, it meant she wasn't a sheep and that she might even be open to finding out the truth. He wondered how many articles she'd read and what they'd said. Not all proposed theories came close to the truth; very few had mentioned supernaturals, as far as he recalled - he'd had reason to research it when he'd lived with his ex, around the time he was debating coming clean about his, uh, kink regarding vampires. She probably hadn't found any articles that accused vampires of being real or the supernatural community as a whole of being responsible for the 'gas leak' disaster.

"Yeah. I was sixteen," he answered her question about the Apocalypse, not elaborating because it wasn't a subject he could discuss at length. The topic had served its purpose. She began wiping the table with him after that, which was embarrassing. He watched ball after ball go down, feeling a tightening in his gut at the thought of losing to this petite scrap of a redhead. He was a local, he knew this table well, he needed to get his head in the game and stop worrying about everything going on beyond the border of their table. He needed to focus!

All hope of that was blown completely away when the newcomer approached them and put his coin on the edge of their table. Of all the tables in the room, he just had to come to theirs? Dom, who'd been leaning forward to take his shot, straightened like a soldier called to attention, his eyes widening when he got a good look at the guy's face. Doctor Barrow. He remembered him, from Lazarus' trial. In fact, he'd had a burning desire to seek out this very man ever since that night and see if he could help him with his Lazarus problem. Obsession? Whatever. And now here he was, loud and in the flesh? A shiver ran down Dom's spine and he blinked, realising he should say something. He wanted to make a good impression and communication was key.

"Uh, sure. It's going to be Ash, at the rate I'm going," Dom answered, attempting a joke that came with a nervous smile and no mirth reaching his eyes. It was difficult for him to stop staring at the doctor, his mind a whirl of activity and calculation. If he played his social game right, could he score some time alone with Barrow? Had he effectively negated the notion that they were playing a tourney? He hoped Ash hadn't thought along those lines; he doubted it, because nothing had been discussed beyond the loser buying the winner a drink. Now, the winner would also be obligated to play the third in their spontaneous little trio. Focus! "I'm Dom," he added, because he couldn't remember the doctor's first name and he needed it. He didn't lean down to take his shot, waiting instead for his answer.

[Black Philip]

Jimmy heard the names and the words from the voice's whisperers reentered his mind.

Ash.

Does she want to be the very best, like no one ever was?

Dom.

Well boy I hope so, he thought darkly about the name's owner.

"Name's Jimmy," he offered, waving his hands with a fair amount of dexterity. He turned to Dom's partner. Was this Sub? She didn't look like a sub. Then again, one could hardly know what people were into these days.

"Are you from Montana, and do you have a Pikachu?"

He gave a winning grin, and didn't bother to explain his guesses. What was the fun in that? He made an innocent expression as he waited.

[pentagrandma]

What was it like? … Ash had wanted to ask, but she wasn’t given the opportunity.

The newcomer made enough of an impression on his own. He was attractive - dressed casually, but in a charming sort of way. Her attention, however, was drawn toward Dom and his abrupt change in demeanor. The way he uncoiled and tensed; the widening of his eyes and the loss of levity therein; the effect of nerves on his previously-placid way of speaking. Had she missed something?

She turned her focus toward Jimmy with a grin, prepared to attribute her current gains to a mere streak of good fortune. Likewise, intent to supply a polite introduction, despite having already been named. A hand had even begun to lift in offer, but fell swiftly away - echoing the drop of her smile. What the fuck? Allusions to Pokémon had been a prominent enough facet of her childhood that she was able to dismiss the second part of his query, but how in the fuck had he guessed where she was from?

“Um,” she offered eloquently, casting a skeptical glance toward the bar. The bartender had checked her ID - could he have given away the information? … She’d sworn he’d only given it a cursory look, doubting he’d even bothered to peek at the photo. Finally, she brought her attention back to the man, a deluge of contending emotions flooding her tone as she asked, “How’d you guess?”

[Black Philip]

Jimmy gave Ash a shrug, and kept his expression the same.

“I know things for a living,” he replied.

[pentagrandma]

… “Right,” she replied, apparently unconvinced. His expression was innocent enough, she supposed - but that didn’t make him reliable. Apprehension had etched itself into her brow as she looked again toward Dom, as though in seeking some sort of affirmation. She wasn’t the only one who found this weird as hell, was she? She hadn’t even told him where she was from yet. What kind of living could this dude make investigating someone as insignificant as her? She was a literal nobody.

Could he be-- gasp! --a stalker?! Immediately, she shook away that thought, and forced her features to smooth. It was probably nothing; she was overthinking.

[Existentially Odd]

Jimmy. So that was his name. Okay.

Dominic's expression was reproving but he couldn't say anything. It wasn't in him to chastise a vampire - let alone one he wanted a chance to get help from - but he thought the doctor's parlour tricks (he assumed he'd read Ash's mind and wondered if he was observing his thoughts in the same way) were entirely inappropriate. How could he get away with spouting things he shouldn't know to an ignorant mortal? Dom knew the new laws and, in every district, they were all still concerned with maintaining the illusion of normalcy. He hadn't been blatant but Dom could see what had been said was irrational enough to have unsettled Ash.

"Ash is brand new to the city," he told the Englishman, doing his best to sound nonchalant as he moved into a shooting position, bent low over the table. "Try to make a good impression by not freaking her out, yeah, Jimmy?" Dom requested. He focussed on his shot then, aiming to skim the outside edge of the ball he'd sent near the other middle pocket and sink it on the way to the cluster he'd broken up at the far end. He knew he needed to put a bit of bottom spin on the cue ball so it didn't bounce too hard off the far cushion. He breathed out as he took the shot. Finally, his plan worked when the middle ball went in and he was left with position on two more of his balls.

As he walked past Ash to get to where he'd shoot from next, he raised his eyebrows and rolled his eyes upward, indicating their new playmate. "Bet I'm not looking half bad at all, right now," he joked quietly, smiling at her so that his dimples showed. He hoped it was a reassuring smile and that she was encouraged by his gesture of solidarity. He gave her forearm a light touch and then spun to take his shot.

He managed to sink the next two balls in quick succession, his setups working in his favour, but his last two balls were back at the other end of the table, blocked by the eight and one of Ash's balls. He'd have to take his time and measure out some angles in order to hit them without giving away two shots; he found a midway point for his cue to rest on on a far cushion and did his best to work backwards and calculate the exact angle, the place he'd need to strike the cushion and then where he'd have to hit the white ball. Tension rose in him and around the two sets of eyes now watching his every move but he fought it off, took his shot... and failed to connect with his ball first. He knocked one of Ash's balls closer to the corner pocket instead.

"Damnit!" he swore, disappointment flooding through him. "Two for you," he told his opponent with a wry grin, reclaiming his customary position drinking his beer while leaning against the wall. Surreptitiously, he watched Jimmy, not game enough to go over and stand beside him while he waited for Ash to have her go.

[Black Philip]

Jimmy looked at Dom with an annoyed expression. He didn’t see what the big deal was. It’s not like he was reading their minds! His desire to play with them had been blunted. Perhaps this wasn’t where he we supposed to be after all.

“Well we cant have that,” he replied with a healthy dose of cheery. “Enjoy your game you too. I’ll be at the bar until there’s a winner to face. Welcome to the city Ash.”

He nodded at Ash and was all polite smiles as he walked away from the table, leaving his quarter in place. Maybe that redhead was still around. He’d come for a good time and if he needed someone to tell him how to behave it wouldn’t be from a human he’d only just met.

[pentagrandma]

There were those dimples, coaxing Aislin back toward peace of mind. She laughed at Dom’s joke, finding additional comfort in his brief touch. Her lingering smile only began to subside in observation of his last shot. Ouch. A part of her had hoped that he’d gain the lead, and triumph against her. She had half a mind to throw the game, if only so she wouldn’t have to oppose Jimmy. Two shots were really all she’d need to win; it would be too obvious if she did that now, wouldn’t it?

She looked toward Jimmy as he spoke again, providing a smile and the customary, “Thank you,” in response to his welcoming words. She watched as he walked away, waiting until she believed him well out of earshot before finally giving voice to her most repeated thought since he’d come to join them. “What in the actual fuck?”

With brows raised to further convey the sentiment, she returned her focus to Dom. “Do you know that guy?” She inquired. The fact that they had exchanged names had suggested they’d never met, but she still felt the need to ask. A contemplative glance was cast toward the game table. Still, she made no move to yet take her turn, apparently in no hurry to wrap things up. She needed another drink.

[Existentially Odd]

Dominic was mortified by Jimmy's departure, watching him head for the bar with a fluttery feeling beating in his chest. He regretted saying anything untoward now, even offhandedly. It hadn't been his place, he should've just kept his stupid mouth shut. Shit, fuck, motherfucking fuck! He'd offended a vampire! Unless... unless he'd moved away so that Dom could speak with him alone? He would've read that thought in his head. Of course! It was all a strategy.

Feeling less panicked, he turned to smile at Ash, unsure how to reassure her without giving anything away. He knew they were in the district of Saraekiel, a dark angel, and suspected that a place this busy would have 'observers' placed around it, listening in. The only angel he'd ever known - Gene - hadn't been the type of guy anyone would fear, but a dark angel sounded like an entirely different story to Dom. He wasn't interested in breaking any laws, but how could he reassure Ash, answer her and not incriminate himself?

"Uhhh, yeah, I know, right?" he laughed, pulling a face that matched her 'wtf' query, finishing his beer and putting the bottle down on the sill again. "I know of him but we've never officially met. He wouldn't know me. He's a head doctor of some sort. I heard a rumour he's psychic. I never believed it but... maybe it's true?" he shrugged. "There's a... lot of strange people in this city. You kinda get used to it," he nodded thoughtfully, as if he was encouraging her to agree with him. "Want me to go have a word with him and get us new drinks while I'm at it? Pretty sure it'll be my shout anyway," he grinned.

He hoped she couldn't tell just how badly he was quivering with the desire to stride away from the table and sneak a word with the doctor in private.

[pentagrandma]

Psychic? Aislin mulled that over for a moment, lips twisting into a thoughtful little pout. She turned her attention toward the bar, seeking out the strange man with her gaze. She didn’t find it completely implausible. There’d always been a part of her that wanted to believe in things like that; spiritual and mystic things; supernatural things. Maybe she’d misjudged him. She felt somewhat guilty over it now.

When she returned her focus to Dom, she rolled her shoulders in an easy enough shrug. “Sure, if you want,” she said, words carried out upon a calming exhalation. If he wants; not her. She didn’t know him well enough to recognize his facade, but she still felt that something was slightly off. “Vodka tonic,” she disclosed thereafter, spanning a composed smile of her own. “Should I wait for you to come back for my turn, or do you trust me not to cheat?”

[Black Philip]

At the bar, the redhead was proving to be not that interesting.

Oh you went to Duke?
Who's your father know?
Yes, yes, you're very pretty.

Jimmy was already bored, and the whispers were silent on this one. That was no fun at all. He naturally disengaged, letting the boy down gently by completely ignoring him. After a few pissy digs, the boy got up and left, leaving an open bar stool next to Jimmy. He wondered if the pair from before would actually get him when the game was over, or whether guessing Ash was from Montana was a step too far. Humans were such uninformed creatures and he sometimes forgot how limiting the conversation could be. In truth, Jimmy had trouble remembering the importance of the Masquerade. That was James's department. He was also starting to sober up, and hoped that a neck would soon rear it's head.

[Existentially Odd]

Dominic's heart performed an excited somersault as Ash declared she didn't mind if he went to speak to Jimmy and he laughed good-naturedly at her question. "I trust you. I won't be surprised to come back here and find it's all over," he grinned, grabbing their empties to take with him to the bar.

As he approached, he was relieved to see the seat beside the doctor open up. He moved closer cautiously, unsure what sort of reception to expect. "Doctor Barrow?" he queried, sidling onto the stool like any man of his size trying to sit down at a child's tea party might; carefully. "I'm sorry for the way I spoke. It was wrong of me to question you. Obviously, you know what you're doing and I can't apologise enough for thinking you wouldn't know Ash is ignorant. Of course you didn't need a warning! I... I told her I'd heard you were psychic, I hope that's okay?"

Dom kept his head low, his entire body cowed with regret as he tentatively placed the empty glass and bottle on the bar ahead of him while he spoke. Doing so magically summoned the bartender and he hastily ordered another beer and Ash's vodka and tonic before he turned to look humbly at Jimmy. It'd been too long since he'd come into contact with a vampire and, truthfully, this one had a far more alluring vibe than Ben and Kerr had (when they'd coached him to present evidence that had never come to fruition). As quickly as the notion occurred to him, he tried to shuffle it out of his brain. Such thoughts weren't going to be helpful.

[Black Philip]

As he was about to leave - bored out of his mind - the delicious looking human Dom approached. He felt almost double Jimmy's size, and the delicateness with which he sat down only added to his Hulk like appearance. Jimmy didn't like being called Dr. Barrow. That was James, but he remembered that not everyone knew that, least of all a human like Dom. Then the rest of his words were so apologetic, almost like grovelling. Jimmy liked that very much. He turned on his stool, "accidentally" brushing their thighs together. "Oh excuse me," he said innocently, fidgeting in the seat and only managing to rub against Dom more. After a few more seconds of fidgeting, he finally managed to free his leg from the human's, unless of course Dom pulled away at first touch. Jimmy doubted that would happen, and he didn't even have to read Dom's mind to make that guess.

Once they were sitting more congenially, Jimmy waved away the apology with a flick of his wrist. The wry smirk of his entrance resumed on his face, and he looked at Dom like a cat stares at a yummy looking mouse. "Oh no need to apologize," he lied, loving every bit of the apology. "I sometimes forget not everyone in this city is in the know. It's why I chose to relocate here."

He locked eyes with Dom and found them ever so pretty. The human was named Dom and looked Dom, but his apology was so submissive. Was he both Dom and Sub? Was this the power struggle; Dom's attention? He thought of Ash as an opponent for a moment, before dismissing the thought as too simplistic. After all, she never answered if she had a Pikachu or not. There were still unchecked boxes on that one too. He found it humorous Dom had told her that he was a psychic. Humans would believe anything, and what better lie was there than the truth? Maybe he should set up a fortune teller booth in Chinatown? No, that felt done already for some reason.

"Oh that's fine," he replied, "I'll do her star chart or something." He found a piece of fuzz on Dom's peck, and quickly snatched it away, pinching a bit of flesh as he did. "That's better," he said, showing the piece of fuzz to Dom. He made the same innocent expression he'd given Ash.

I'm sooooooo not up to anything, the look suggested.

[Existentially Odd]

The interplay with their legs had Dominic's eyes widening and his mouth dropping open ever so slightly. Wetting his lips with a nervous tongue, he did his best to accommodate the vampire, only to become even more tangled before they got everything straightened out. By then, his heart had started pumping a little faster as the thrill of contact whispered through him.

The drinks he'd ordered were placed on the bar before him and he shifted his hips to pull his wallet out of his back pocket, creating a little friction of his own as he leant forward to pay. His gaze returned to the doctor as soon as possible, his pupils slightly dilated once he'd looked down at his chest at where he was touched and then back up. A hand strayed to the firm spot, swiping idly across it as if he were relieving the sensation of being lightly burnt.

"I've wanted to talk to you for a while," he confessed, leaning closer and lowering his voice to a more intimate level. He knew he'd be heard by the man that mattered. "Ever since I saw you at the trial. Lazarus was my first and I've had a, uh, a bit of a problem with... you guys ever since. I can't say no, to any V-man, even if I want to! I was wondering... is it anything to do with Lazarus or am I just fucked up and weak? I kinda... I mean, the guy ruined my relationship, he raped my boyfriend and Ben and that Jake guy, so... why aren't I madder at him, y'know?" he frowned, truly flummoxed by his own subservience.

If Lazarus walked into the pool hall at that exact moment, Dom was pretty sure he'd go home with him and let him do anything he wanted to him. Was that addiction? Was it trauma? Or was he just being a fucking pathetic loser?