The Black Flag

[vesper]

For Frizz Marlow all the trouble began in his mother's dining room one Sunday in August. Outside it was raining, contrary to the assumption that in summer the sun was meant to shine, inside it was quite, uncomfortably so. Frizz's plate was clear and he sat in silence as his mother mopped up the last trace of gravy and laid down her knife and fork.
Then she spoke, "You know Francis, I've been thinking." Frizz groaned inwardly, that did not bode well, when his mother started thinking it surely meant trouble was to follow.
"You need to get yourself a proper job Francis."
His mother looked at her son sternly across the dining table littered with the remains of roast beef and what she liked to term 'trimmings'.
"You can't keep relying on Robert for odd jobs. I didn't send you to a decent school so I could watch you doing cash in hand jobs for a mate with a white van. You need to make something of your life, make your father proud of you, Lauren too. You may need to support her one day."
"Mum..." Frizz shuffled uncomfortably at the mention of his girlfriend. He neglected to mention the fact that he already supported her by way of her living in his flat without paying any of the bills.
"What? I mean it, she's a a lovely girl." She saw the look on his face, "Oh don't tell me, you've argued again. Really the pair of you are ridiculous. Perfect for each other but you just don't see it."
"Mum..." Frizz tried to get her to notice that he wasn't happy discussing this topic, at least, not today.

"Anyway you need a job, why not ask around. I'll see if anyone at the office needs a hand. Maybe you could work in a bar, it's better than nothing."

Copyright © Vesper

[vesper]

Chapter 1 - Entrance to Darkness

It was that conversation which brought him, three months and two hopeless jobs later to this gloomy side street in Wapping, staring up at a half derelict pub.
He hadn't come here in search of a job, who would, he was on his way back from yet another failed interview when he caught site of the tatted notice notice nailed to a bordered up window. It was a job advertisement, asking for a barkeep, 'Experience preferred, open mind required'. He read through the notice carefully several times as if to find a second, hidden meaning in those few words, and looked up at the building.
It was in a sorry state, a grim edifice of peeling paint and damp brick, its widows either boarded up or blocked by curtains. The sign, which creaked slight in a breath of wind, was painted plain black, and above it faded lettering spelt out the name, 'The Black Flag'.
Yet despite it's appearance, which screamed at Frizz that this was not a decent place of work, something drew him to it, something about the place felt odd. It seemed almost to call to him, as though it was somewhere familiar, a childhood home that he had forgotten - which was, of corse, complete nonsense, he'd never been near the place before. For a moment Frizz felt like he was on the brink of something important, that his decision in this moment was a major one, that it would cause change, for better or for worse he didn't know, but deep down he knew that if her went into this place, nothing would be the same again.

Copyright © Vesper

[vesper]

There was no address or number on the notice so Frizz knocked gently on the front door, not really expecting a answer. He jumped slightly when a woman's voice replied,
"Who's there?"
Frizz replied, trying to sound confidant and open minded, but truthfully rather worried about even entering this place - let alone working there.
"Um... Francis Marlow, I've come about the job." Not really a lie, but not really the truth either.
"Well in that case you'd better come in. The door's not locked."
Frizz carefully opened the door afraid that the fragile looking latch would break off in his hand. It didn't and he stepped across the threshold from the cold morning outside and into the dingy warmth of the pub.

Copyright © Vesper

[vesper]

The room was warm and dark, with soft,flickering light provided by a pair of lanterns that sat on the bar and by the small fire burning in the grate. The floor was flagged with large pavers of worn stone, the walls paneled with dark wood and the ceiling crossed with low wooden beams. Frizz had the feeling that he had stepped back several centuries in time.
Across the room from him was the bar, the wall behind it holding shelves of different shaped bottles. In front of the bar a figure sat on one of the stools, her back to him, immersed in the paperwork that covered the surface. At the sound of his entrance she slid down from the bar and turned to face him.

Copyright © Vesper

[vesper]

The woman was an unusual sight, her delicately boned face framed by a mass of red brown curls, which tumbled down across her shoulders, contrasting boldly against her green dressing gown.
She was small and Frizz had to look down to meet her eye. When he did he was startled, her eyes were violet. Not soft blue violet like the girl he had one dated in the sixth form, but bright violet, intense purple pink. These eyes now studied Frizz, raking up and down his body as though scanning him for job suitability.
She seemed moderately pleased with what she saw and smiled, showing a neat row of sharp little white teeth.
"You'll do."

Copyright © Vesper

[Mansion]

I like this. :) yay!

[vesper]

"What!"
"I said you'll do. Your hired."
"But you haven't asked for my address or experience or anything. I could be anyone."
"Yes you could, maybe I should give you an interview."
She sat down on one of the threadbare armchairs and patted her hand on the one next to her.
"Sit down."
Frizz did so. He was beginning to think this might all be a dream and that he would soon wake up and find himself staring at the damp patch on his ceiling.
"So here goes. Interview commencing." The woman sounded like she was enjoying this immensely, which was more than Frizz could say for himself.
"So, question one. What is your name?"
"Um. Francis Marlow. My friends call me Frizz."
"I hope I will soon be counted among them." She smiled again and offered him her hand, "I'm Antoinette D'Evil, landlady and owner of The Black Flag. You can call me Annie."

Copyright © Vesper

[vesper]

I like this. :) yay!

Thank you. Any tips?

[Mansion]

not thus far. But if you want; I will give them out along the way.

[vesper]

That would be great. Thanks.

[vesper]

Frizz took he hand and the shook briefly before she pulled hers away and sat up straighter.
"Okay. Introductions over. Question two. Do you believe in god?"
"What?... How is that even relevant."
She smiled at him, this time however it didn't feel kind. It felt like she were laughing at him "It's not. I just felt like asking. So tell me. Do you?"
"No not, really. I mean, it doesn't make sense does it?"
"Doesn't make sense." Antoinette spoke slowly, as if analyzing his words, "Interesting." She looked up into his eyes, no longer smiling and her tone was serious, "Question three. Do you believe in vampires?"

Copyright © Vesper

[vesper]

"What? Why?" Again Frizz was confused, these weren't the type of questions he had been expecting. "Look. Are any of these questions going to be relevant?"
Antoinette looked almost sad now, she sat watching him, not moving a muscle. Fizz pulled himself together, he couldn't behave like that if he wanted the job.
"Sorry. I was just a bit confused as to why your asking me these things. The answers no. They don't make sense either."
"My dear boy." She sounded years older than she looked, "Nothing in this world makes sense."
"What do you mean?" Frizz sounded annoyed, and he was. She couldn't be more than ten years older than him at the most, what right had she to call him a boy?
"You see." she paused either for effect or out of pity. "Vampires are real."

Copyright © Vesper

[Mansion]

teehee... :)

[ginger20037]

awesome job I like it :D

[vesper]

"Vampires? Real? You've got be kidding."
"If by kidding you mean telling childish untruths, then no, if you mean performing anatomically difficult exercises with young goats, then still no."
Frizz stared at her, rather confused by the last part of her comment.
"Okay, you're taking the piss now aren't you." Frizz got to his feet and prepared to leave.
"No. I never 'take the piss'. Vampires are real, and so are werewolves, shape-shifters, witches, fairies and much more."
Something about the way she said it, or perhaps it was the look in her eyes - her strange inhuman eyes made him falter and he sank back down into his chair.
"Tell me more."

Copyright © Vesper

[vesper]

Annie drew her legs up into the chair and crossed them,"What is there to tell? The supernatural world has lived alongside the 'normal' one for centuries, no millennia. In some places the two wolds touch but most of the time you humans remain blissfully unaware of our existence. Except in stories of course, tales told to chill the blood or warn little children."
"You say 'you humans' as though you weren't one."
She grinned, "I'm not"
"What are you then?"
"I don't want to tell you. At least not yet, one day I may. If you take the job that is."
"I've got it then, if I want."
"Of corse you've got it you fool. I've had that poster up nearly two months now and your the first person to reply. I'm getting bloody desperate."
"Before I accept, will you tell me more? - about the supernatural world that is, and what it has to do with the job."

Copyright © Vesper

[Snitcakes]

Ooh hoo hoo.... Me like... Yo muy mucho me gusta...

[Mansion]

SI! what Snit said

[vesper]

"This," she said waving her hand to indicate the room around them and nearly clipping Frizz around the ear, "Is a supernatural bar."
"A what?" Frizz peered into the dark corners, but apart from being more old fashioned and dingier it looked more or less like any other he had visited. "what does it do."
"No the bar doesn't do anything, you idiot. I mean that the people who drink here are supernatural. Seriously, how stupid can you be?"
Frizz blushed, feeling very silly.
"You mean vampires and werewolves and the like. Do they drink."
"Of course they do. Vampires especially."
"Blood you mean."
"Among other things. There's one who comes on Tuesday's who particularly likes vodka and orange. Drinks it like there's no tomorrow."
"But... I thought vampires couldn't eat or drink..."
She laughed, a soft, slightly mocking sound, "You, boy, have been reading too many books. I doubt that half the vampire I know could survive without a good strong drink."
"You mean... do vampires get drunk?"
She laughed louder at his confused expression "Of course they do."

Copyright © Vesper

[vesper]

Frizz couldn't help but laugh, the image of a count Dracular figure, reeling from side to side, was just too much.
"You've got to be joking."
"No, I told you earlier, I don't joke."
"Actually you said you didn't 'take the piss'"
"Same thing."
"So vampire exist and they drink and they get drunk, anything else I need to know."
"How to fight off three huge werewolves armed with only a cocktail stick and a dishcloth."
"What?"
"Only joking,"
"I thought you said you didn't joke."
"I don't usually. Anyway it would come in handy..." She looked him up and down, "Okay maybe I'll save that lesson for later. For now you just need to learn the rules."

Copyright © Vesper

[Snitcakes]

Brilliant =)

[vesper]

(Thanks snit)

"What are the rules?"
"Just a simple list, six rules, easy to remember."
"What are they?"
"Hold your horses, I was just getting to that. Rule number one; no killing on the premisses."
Frizz was a bit surprised, "Isn't that well, a bit obvious?"
"Not to some of the customers."
He shifted uncomfortably, "When you say on the premises do you mean that killing people off the premises is allowed."
"Don't get any ideas boy. The police can still get you."
"I didn't mean..."
"I know that, look, these are vampires, they survive on blood. Some of them only animal but many prefer human. It's a fact of life, well death, and there's nothing I can do about that. But I do let them all know that I will be very angry if anyone even touches my staff, let alone kills them."
"Right..." Frizz wasn't sure that was very reassuring, if something from the bar killed him, he wouldn't really care how angry Antoinette was.
"What am I meant to do if someone breaks the rule?"
"If anything you can't handle happens, just call me and I'll come."

Copyright © Vesper

[Snitcakes]

Sorry, I'm borderline OCD: Spelled allowed, not aloud. Aloud is when someone speaks aloud. The other is "you're allowed to do that." :D

I like Annie, she's so matter-of-factly lol

[vesper]

Thanks for the spelling tip, I'm hopeless at it and I would be lost without spell check.

[Darnasius]

great so far :D

[beautiful_xo]

I'm really liking this thus far. ^^ Keep it up. :D

[Mansion]

What's the next rule!? :)

[ginger20037]

please keep going Its great :D

[grim282009]

when's the next part. waits while bouncing off the walls.

[vesper]

He looked her up and down taking in her thin frame and dainty looks, "And what do you do then?"
"I handle it, I'm tougher than I look."
He struggled to imagine Annie dealing with a large angry werewolf that had just killed another customer, the picture would just not form.
"Anyway, enough of that. Rule number two, no turning into anything."
"what do you mean by that?"
"I mean that if they want to be served they need to at least make an effort to have the right amount of arms, legs and hair. You have no idea how confusing it is as well, one minute your serving a great hulk of a bloke from bulgaria, next minute he wants his drink in a saucer. No. i've draw the line, humanoids only and no transformations. If it looks like an animal it's treated like an animal and I won't have animals in my pub. Understood?"
"I think so..."
"Good if they break it they get one warning, if they don't turn back or if they do it again then they're out."

Copyright © Vesper

[Snitcakes]

I chuckled a bit at that one, heh. I like her rules =)

[vesper]

"Good. You get that. Now the third rule, no letting the customers climb on the furniture, walls or ceiling. Especially not the ceiling, because, as you may have noticed, I am not that tall and I find it very difficult to wipe mud off the ceiling."
Frizz couldn't help but laugh slightly at that one. Annie stared at him coldly, "You may think it's funny now. But wait and see."
"Oh.... er .... sorry." Frizz stifled his laughter. "What's next?"
"Rule number four, no human blood or flesh to be served."
"What?... why would I want to serve human blood?"
Exasperated, Annie sighed "I didn't say you would. These rules are for the customers, you just make sure they're kept."
"Do the customers expect to be served human blood?"
"The regulars. No. But occasionally I get a new comer asking for a glass of O positive or such like. You just have to tell them we don't serve human."
"So... do we..um ..you serve other types of blood?"
"Yes. Animal."

Copyright © Vesper

[Mansion]

sehr gut!

I'm liking this dialogue between the two.

[vesper]

Thanks. Your too kind.

[ginger20037]

keep it coming please :D

[vesper]

"Animall?" Frizz sounded rather disgusted at the idea, "What kind of animal?"
Annie beamed back at him, aware of his discomfort, "Oh whatever I can get. Hare, rabbit, chicken, dog, cat, rat if I'm really stuck... anything goes really."
"But..but...but...."
"Yes Frances? Do continue."
"But where in London do you get animal blood from?"
"Oh. It's not as hard as it sounds. Butchers, abortoirs, pest control. Where ever there's dead animals there's blood. You just have to know the right people."
"Oh right. Um what's next."
"Next is the most important rule of all..." She paused and stared into space.
"Which is..." Frizz prompted.
"Oh yes." Annie snapped her focus back towards him, "No fairies. Under any circumstances."

Copyright © Vesper

[Mansion]

What?! Wait! Why? Why no fairies?

[vesper]

aahhhh thats for me to know and you to guess at.

[Mansion]

or I can wait and find out. Right? Right!? Don't leave me here!

[Darnasius]

hmm it's turning out pretty well xD

[ginger20037]

I'm in the rp of this and I'm not even sure about why no faries. xD

[vesper]

Frizz was confused, "Why no fairies?"
Annie leant towards him, "Because Frances, fairies are trouble."
"Yes but aren't vampires and werewolves trouble as well."
Annie thought for a moment, "Yes but not as much as the Fair Folk."
"The Fair Folk?"
"Another name for the fairies, Fair Folk, Mab's people, The Fey, the Sidre. All names for the same."
"Right, and what makes them worse than vampires and the like?"
"Vampires are partly human. Okay they're dead humans whose life force is the blood of other's but deep down there is that spark of humanity. A soul of sorts. It's the same with werewolves - even more so.
But fairies, they're not human at all. They may look it , they may sound it and they may even act it but they are not. They are wild and changeable, one minute they are your friend the next your worst enemy. They have no morals. They are truly the most dangerous creatures of all."

Copyright © Vesper

[vesper]

"But still..." Frizz paused, when he had woken that morning he hadn't even believed in fairies now he was arguing for their right to visit a pub. Life had suddenly gone crazy.
"Okay... so no fairies. And if one comes in and won't leave I call you."
Annie nodded, "Or better still, hit it around the head with frying pan."
Frizz was getting used the her strange sense of humor by now, "Yes. Of course." he replied sarcastically.
"No I mean it. Although it has to be steel or iron. Iron's best but steel is better than nothing."
"Why? Um ... what are you on about?"
Annie stared at him as if he had just confessed to not knowing his own name, "Fairies are allergic to iron. It is poison to them. Surely you knew that."
"Er.. no. They don't exactly teach fairy combat skills in school."
"But it's in all the stories, you hang an iron horse shoe above the door to keep them out."
"Not any more. People just don't do that. And the fairies in stories are nice and help princesses ..." Frizz trailed off, "You know."
Annie sank he head into her hands and Frizz thought he heard her mutter something about princesses that he had no wish to ever repeat.

Copyright © Vesper

[Mansion]

Hahaha... Fairies! ... Frying pans... :) good work.

[vesper]

Frizz spoke to the top of Annie's head, "So what's the final rule?"
Annie sat up, smiling, "The last rule. Enjoy yourself."
"Does that apply to customers or staff?"
"Customers, I'm afraid. With Erna around the staff bit is just too hard."
"And what do I do if they aren't enjoying themselves. Hit them with a bar stool?"
Annie gave him a look of mock outrage, "Frances. How dare you even suggest that. No you cheer them up. ask if they want another drink, chat to them. the purpose of bar staff is to absorb all of life's woes and be someone that anyone can talk to."
"And to serve drinks."
"Well of course to serve drinks. It is a bar."

Copyright © Vesper

[grim282009]

wonderful so far. wonder if the rest of the cast is going to appear in this story?

[ginger20037]

I'm not sure

[vesper]

Neither am I, this is a few months before the role play and I'm not sure where I'm going to end it. Any ideas?

[beautiful_xo]

Oo I love it! Hehe fairies and frying pans. :D

[vesper]

"So.." Annie stood up and walked over to the bar, "I think that is all the basics covered. I can can give you a trial run... let me see." She flipped open a large leather bound ledger and ran her finger down the page. "Well it's Friday tonight so that means both Malik and Erna are working." She looked up at him, "How do you feel about coming at sunset tonight, just to see what you think to it?"
"Erm... yes sounds good." He felt more than a little apprehensive though he tried not to show it.
Annie patted him on the arm, "Don't worry boy. I won't let anyone eat you."
"Thanks."
She showed him to the door and a moment later he was standing back in the street wondering if he had imagined the whole encounter. No; he he looked down at the square of black card Antoinette had pressed into his hand, it had been real and the world was much stranger than he had ever dreamed.

Copyright © Vesper

[Snitcakes]

Frizz was confused, "Why no fairies?"
Annie leant towards him, "Because Frances, fairies are trouble."
"Yes but aren't vampires and werewolves trouble as well."
Annie thought for a moment, "Yes but not as much as the Fair Folk."
"The Fair Folk?"
"Another name for the fairies, Fair Folk, Mab's people, The Fey, the Sidre. All names for the same."
"Right, and what makes them worse than vampires and the like?"
"Vampires are partly human. Okay they're dead humans whose life force is the blood of other's but deep down there is that spark of humanity. A soul of sorts. It's the same with werewolves - even more so.
But fairies, they're not human at all. They may look it , they may sound it and they may even act it but they are not. They are wild and changeable, one minute they are your friend the next your worst enemy. They have no morals. They are truly the most dangerous creatures of all."

YOU ARE EPIC!!! You read the Dresden Files!

[vesper]

No. never heard of them.

[Snitcakes]

What??? What about the whole Queen Mab thing and Seelie Courts? And... And... And... Well, read them!

[vesper]

Fairy courts and Mab are folk law. I will read them though, who are they by?

[Snitcakes]

Oh. I'd never heard of them until I read the series. It's by Jim Butcher.

[vesper]

Chapter 2 - The First Night

When Frizz rang his mother that afternoon she was full of questions about his new job;
"So where's this pub then?"
"Um. Wapping - not far from the river."
"What's it like?"
Frizz paused at that, well on the outside it looked practically derelict and inside it would be full of vampires and witches. "Quite nice, a bit old fashioned but.. um ... cosy."
"And your new boss, a woman did you say. What is she called?"
"Antoinette D'Evil."
"French is she?"
"Um... I'm not sure, maybe." That was a good question he thought she had a slight accent, but it didn't really sound french - just a lilt of otherness to her voice.
"What's she like then?"
Another good question. Unpredictable, probably not human, possibly crazy. " She's quite friendly. Small. Laughs a lot." No more a true description of even the snapshot of Antoinette he had seen than wrote a bit was description of Shakespeare.
"Well I only hope it lasts." his mother's tone suggested that she didn't think it would and that feeling of uncertainty remained in Frizz's heart as he put down the phone.

Copyright © Vesper

[ginger20037]

can't wait for more :D

[beautiful_xo]

ooo yay ^^

[vesper]

He arrived at The Black Flag a short while before sunset, having been rather unsure of what time the sun did set. Did Antoinette not have a clock. He opened the door and a wave of warm, wood smoke scented air spilled out into the street. Annie was by the bar, straightening a line of glasses and looking, Frizz thought, like a cross between a magpie and a hippy. She wore a white tunic over black cotton trousers, her feet bare, a black and white scarf around her hair and a necklace of feathers and beads. Hearing the door she turned to greet him.
"Frances! You came." She turned and called into the kitchen, "Malik, Erna come out here!"
Two figures stepped into the room; the first a pale skinned, back haired girl about Frizz's own age, in a long black dress and a lot of back eye make-up. The second was a giant of a man, with a mane of blonde hair and watchful amber eyes.
"Erna, Malik, meet Frances, our new bar help. Frances, meet Erna and Malik." She pointed to them each in turn, just in case he thought the huge man might have been called Erna.

Copyright © Vesper

[ginger20037]

More please :D

[beautiful_xo]

teehee a man called Erna ^^ this story amuses me very much and i likes it lots ^^

[Snitcakes]

More please :D

[Mansion]

Very Nice... I agree with Beaut... A giant of a man called Erna! :D

[mirta000]

The funniest story and the most interesting one in the hole internet that I have ever read! Keep writing.

[vesper]

Thank you very much everyone.

[vesper]

Erna, who had turned out to be the woman, gave him a look that was half was between curiosity and disgust. Malik grinned at Frizz, showing a set of large and rather discolored canines. Frizz tentatively offered his hand to Malik who took it and almost crushed it in his own strong grasp as he shook it.
"Good to meet you Frances. You can start by checking if any of the spirits are running out. There's new bottles in the red cupboard in the kitchen."
Malik's voice was as Frizz had expected, low and gruff and as he spoke he saw Erna and Annie slip away into the kitchen. Frizz stepped behind the bar and began to sort through the bottles, he had almost finished when the door swung open, letting a blast of cold air and two customers into the bar.
They were clearly a couple, arms wrapped around each other. He was tall, thin almost to the point of sceletal, with paper white skin and and sombre clothes. She was shorter, striking but not pretty, with curly black hair, skin as pale as her partner's and red lip stick several shades too bright. They looked ordinary enough - if a little old fasioned, but there was something predetory about their eyes, which coupled with their pallor, led him to only one conclusion.
"They're vampires, aren't they?"
Malik sighed, "No. They're flower fairies. Of course they're bloody vampires. and it's rude to stare."

Copyright © Vesper

[ginger20037]

lol I like Malik

[vesper]

Frizz barely heeded Malik's words and stood rather dazed as the pair approached the bar. Only when the man ordered a glass of vodka and a gin and tonic with ice did Frizz's mind switch back on fully. Frizz's hand shook slightly as he poured the drinks and several ice cubes ended up on the floor. The woman went and took a seat but the man remained and watched him curiously,
"New boy Malik?" The man's accent was strong, Russian? perhaps, definitely eastern European.
"Yer. His first night. Anyway, how's things with you Mishki? You and Vianne still holding things together I see. Still got the night job at ... where was it again."
"In zi ospital. A cleaner. Not great I know, but vhen you are an 'unqualified' Russian oo vill only vork nights, zere is not much choice."
"I know what you mean old friend. And..."
Friz however was distracted from this conversation by the door opening, he passed the drinks across to Mishki and turned to face the next customer.

Copyright © Vesper

[Mansion]

Exciting... :)

[ginger20037]

very exciting can't/don't want to wait for more

[vesper]

The woman was beautiful, long dark hair falling around her in silken strands, outlining a pale face with cupid lips and deep black eyes. She moved towards Frizz, her movements smooth as a snake's, her long black velvet coat sweeping the ground. He couldn't move, the very sight held him to the spot. She reached the bar and leaned towards him, wafting a musky fragrance of spice through the air.
"A glass of house red, please." Her voice was soft, enchanting, rich with an otherworldly music. "That is of course unless you can offer me anything better."
"I would do anything for you." The words fell automatically from his lips, "Anything."
"Would you now?" She reached towards him and ran one slender white finger along his cheek.
Frizz felt the rest of the bar fade away, Malik and the russian vanishing into darkness. The only thing that remained was her face, her beautiful pale face.
"Step away from him this instant!" Antoinette's sharp words cut through the darkness and he felt the noise and colour of the bar return in a rush. He clutched the bar for support and as his eyes focussed he saw Antoinette had grabbed hold f the woman's arm and was forcibly dragging her away from the bar. The woman turned back and he saw in an instant the fire burning in those black eyes. The room tipped and spun around him and he would have fallen were it not for Malik catching hold of his arm.
"Steady there Frances."

Copyright © Vesper

[ginger20037]

way to go this is really good :D

[vesper]

Thanks. .

[ginger20037]

your quite welcome :D

[Darnasius]

wow...cool :D

[vesper]

The woman lashed out at Antoinette - clearly aiming to strike her too the floor. But by the time her arm had moved the small red head was no longer there. The woman screamed with rage, her face no longer beautiful at all her hair snaking like a living thing. From the other side of Malik Frizz heard the Russian gasp in surprise, "Veela."
The woman spun around to face Antoinette, who stood on a table, clutching a chair with both hands. With a shout of something Frizz couldn't understand, she brought the chair crashing downwards and the woman crumpled to the floor.
The room was silent. Then Annie jumped down from the table, "Malik. Take out the trash would you." She gestured to the fallen figure. " And Frizz. Don't act like a complete moron, next time."
"But... but"
"Yes. I know. She was beautiful, you were helpless. Well I'm telling you - women looking like that don't really exist. So next time, resist it."

Copyright © Vesper

[ginger20037]

dang Annie's tough 6 thumbs up :D

[Darnasius]

nice.....id never like to get on her wrong side :)

[ginger20037]

got that right

[Snitcakes]

Credit where credit is due. Snaps for Vesper.

*cheer*

[Mansion]

Haha! Women like that don't exist. :D Good job

[vesper]

"Here," Malik's voice was kind, but tinged with amusement, "Sit down for a minute. Get yourself back together again."
He offered a chair to Frizz, who sank into it gratefully. Malik then returned to the bar to serve the next customers; a group of rather tough looking men in leather jackets who ordered pints all round. They were followed closely after by a thin looking young man in a long purple velvet cloak and high heeled snakeskin boots. The latter ordered some sort of shocking pink cocktail with several umbrellas in and went to join Mishki and Vianne in the far corner.
Frizz watched the bar fill up, paying attention to orders and making a mental note of names - the tall young man was Darrion, that pretty blonde was Sophia, her gruff companion Dmitrich. All this he stored away for later use.
"Enjoying your first night then Newbie?"
Frizz turned to see Erna lent in the kitchen doorway, smiling gleefully.
"It's um... interesting."
"that's one way of putting it I suppose - almost as good as my first night."
"Why, what happened then?"
"Oh... an enthusiastic vampire danced on the tables, a warlock set fire to my hair and someone nailed a dead werewolf to the back door."
Frizz stared dumbly at her, "Hectic"
Erna laughed, "It never is calm around here. You'll get used to it."

Copyright © Vesper

[ginger20037]

talk about an interesting night lol

[Darnasius]

at least it wasn't boring :D

[vesper]

With that parting comment Erna turned away, her long black hair sweeping around behind her. For a moment Frizz just stood there, then he went to help Malik on the bar; the pub was getting crowded by now and he had to work his hardest to keep the queue down, it took several hours for it to calm down. Meanwhile Antoinette appeared to be acting as waitress, appearing from the kitchen with a seemingly never ending line of dishes. Whatever else he might be it seemed that Erna was considered to be a great cook - although some of the steaks looked like they hadn't required much attention.
"So Your new right, "
Frizz turned to see one blonde girl standing at the bar, she was pretty, but in a lost and delicate sort of way, her wide blue eyes reminding Frizz somehow of a trapped bird, she looked fragile, as is one touch might snap her in two.
"Yes, I'm Frizz. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you as well... I'm Sophia."
Sophia. He remembered her name from earlier, she was the one that had been hung on the arm of that rich looking gentleman. Although gentleman hardly did him justice - he had looked like someone from a gangster film - the suave and merciless villain.
"Where's your ... um... parter."
"Dmitrich. He's over there - talking to friends of his." Her tone was bland, empty of any feeling. Frizz realised that any spirit or character that Sophia might once have had was long drained out of her - she was mealy that man's doll.
"Not friends of yours then?"
"No." Still there was no expression in her voice, "Not friends of mine."
Frizz looked back to Dmitrich who had turned and now beckoned to Sophia. Sophia slipped down from the bar and moved, automatically towards him.
"Sad isn't it?"Frizz turned with a start to see Annie standing beside him, tray of glasses in hand. How had she got there so fast, "She no longer has the strength to fight him." Annie's tone was resined.
"Can't you do something to help her?"
"No. It is not my place to interfere in the lives of my customers."
"But..."
"No. Besides, she needs to free herself."
Annie turned away from him and returned to the kitchen but Frizz payed her no heed. He was watching Sophia sat in Dmitrch's lap, and a single tear fell down his cheek. He brushed away, there was nothing he could do for her, and returned to his work.

Copyright © Vesper

[vesper]

The night dragged on towards dawn and the customers began to leave, finally the last stubborn drinker slipped away into the night and Frizz stood in the empty room with Malik.
"What do you think then lad. Will you stick it?"
Frizz thought for a moment, yes it was dangerous and very, very odd but it was also exhilarating, exiting, the fact that the world was so strange and varied made him feel more alive than ever before.
"Yes," he said happily, "I'll stick it all right."
Malik clapped him on the back, "Well said lad. For a minute there I thought you'd come unstuck, after that veela came in."
"No, almost but not quite."
"Good then I'll see you here the night after tomorrow, nine O'clock. Just me, you and the boss as it's misery guts night off."
Erna shouted through from the kitchen, "Watch it hairy palms! I heard that!"
Malik laughed, "She's not that bad really, just been a bit hostile since Morphius ran off home to Romania."
"Morphius? He was the last barman wasn't he?"
"Yes. A vampire, not a bad sort, bit odd at times."
Frizz picked up his coat, slipped it on and headed to the door, "Bye, um... see you all again soon."
"See you!" Malik's gruff voice carried out into the street as Frizz stepped out into predawn cold. He whistled as he walked home, hands deep in his pockets.

Copyright © Vesper

[ginger20037]

misery guts and hairy palms lol I love it

[vesper]

Chapter 3 - Lauren

Lauren was waiting for him when he reached the flat. He opened the stiff and creaky door to see her curled up in the comfiest armchair, knees hunched up and stands of blonde hair falling across her face.
"Hi Lauren. How are you my love?"
Lauren stood hands on hips, "I told you to stop calling me your love. It makes me want to puke." She paused then her tone grew less confrontational, "How was your new job?"
"Um..." Well I nearly got eaten by a weird demon woman, my coworkers are a werewolf and a .... a.... an Erna. Oh and the boss is an insane, ninja, chair wielding, red head. "It was fine. Bit dull actually, but it pays."
"Good. I'm glad you've finally got a decent, normal job." Lauren turned away from him and walked into the kitchen. Frizz was glad she wasn't looking at his as he was finding it very hard to keep a straight face, decent normal job. If only she knew.
"Pity the hours are so bad, I won't get to see you at night." She turned back to him, smiling slyly.
He walked up to her "Oh, I don't know. I'm sure I'll find some time."
She giggled softly, "I sure hope so."

Copyright © Vesper

[Snitcakes]

I hate girls like Lauren. But I'm LOVING this story =D

[Darnasius]

I love the way he thought about his boss xDDDD ' Oh and the boss is an insane, ninja, chair wielding, red head.' one sentence is worth a 10 milion words :)

[ginger20037]

xD love it

[vesper]

Thanks.
Any ideas about what could happen?

[Snitcakes]

Maybe go into a bit of detail about why the guy left to Romania. Or perhaps a bit of Fey history between Anna and Mab.

[vesper]

Lauren wrapped his arms around his neck and he swept her up in his arms, "I hope so too." He bent down and kissed her softly as he laid her down carefully on the sofa, " I hope so to." He ran his fingers though her soft light gold hair and was glad he had the the love and affection of this beautiful, difficult thing. Well, fifty percent of the time at least. Lauren sighed softly and moved against him.
***
Frizz awoke, his neck cricked into an uncomfortable position among the cushions. Lauren was gone. He stood, stretched and walked into the bathroom to shower, as he passed the table he noticed a scrap of paper tucked under the edge of the empty flower vase,
Gone to work, see you later.
Lots of love, Lauren.
xxxxx
He crumpled the note and dropped into the bin as he passed. This he supposed was the downside of working in that other side of the world; you were divided from those who kept, 'normal hours' and yet he knew that now he had had his first taste he couldn't pull away from the darkness. Even for Lauren.

Copyright © Vesper

[Snitcakes]

Oooooohhhhh... Those last few sentences were epic. I loved the whole post, though. "yet he knew that now he had had his first taste he couldn't pull away from the darkness." EPIC.

[vesper]

Once showered, Frizz went to the kitchen and began to make himself a sort of mid afternoon breakfast. The cupboards were surprisingly well stocked, it looked like Lauren had gotten round to doing the shopping yesterday afternoon after all. He flung a couple of slices of toast into the toaster and turned on the radio. It was still on Radio four, his favored station; the one with satire and political squabbles rather than the overplayed hits and trivial chit chat that Lauren preferred. To this stream of dismal news he moved around the kitchen, digging out his favorite mug and made a large cup of black tea, sugarless. This was another thing about which he and Lauren could not agree, her insistence that tea should be pale and sweet, her shivered at the thought.
So far the Israeli government has refused to back down and the offensive against Lebanon continues. Over to out correspondent Damian Gramaticus in...
The smell of smoke drifted through the room and Frizz hurried to extract his singed toast, "Ouch f***", his fingers brushed the scorching sites of the toaster and her swore loudly, dashing to run them under the cold tap and glad Lauren wasn't here to chastise him for using bad language.
Thank you Damian. Now the chancellor of Exchequer has this week announced a new initiative in which single parents will be given vouchers for childcare. We have him here in the studio now to answer some questions. Mr Darling...
Finally Frizz's burns were cooled and he sat down to eat his rather blackened slices of toast, smearing them heavily with jam in effort to hide the taste of soot.
Well the government is committed to building a fair state with a multi sector approach to integration of single parent families into mainstream work and... Yes. But how do you answer accusations made only this week by leading sociologists....
Frizz crunched his toast and stared vaguely out of the window at a little old lady tottering along the pavement with a large carrier bag in each hand. It was hard equate the dreary calm of a London afternoon to the darkness and fantasy that lay beneath its surface. Hard indeed.

Copyright © Vesper

[vesper]

The afternoon faded into evening and Lauren returned to find Frizz curled up on the sofa with a book and a cup of coffee, Lauren's offensive began as soon as she entered the room;
"What do you think you're doing lying around like that? Do you think all the house work gets itself done?"
Frizz tried to get his words to her, "Erm no... I did..." to no avail.
"You're too right it doesn't. Who has to do it? Muggins here, while you lie around reading fantasy books."
Frizz sighed inwardly, Lauren was always to quick to get at him, chastising him for every minor or imaginary discretion. Finally he managed to speak to her, "Lauren. If you would stop talking for five seconds then I would have chance to tell you that I've done the washing, emptied the dishwasher and ironed the clothes."
"Oh..." Lauren's confidant and bolshy face slipped for a moment.
"Precisely, so please think before you jump down my throat about these things." He paused, thinking how to get a rational conversational Lauren, "Shall we start again? How was your work?"
Lauren smiled, perching on the edge of the sofa "Not so bad, Jenny was off sick. Oh and Jez and Freya are having a party tonight."
"Where?" Frizz wasn't sure weather he should be glad of the fact, he liked Jez, but Freya was almost as bipolar as Lauren.
"Halo night club down near Soho."
"Sounds good." And it did, usually an event with Lauren's friends involved a concert with some terrible girl band, "We going?"
"I'd like to.... but I haven't got anything to wear."
"Haven't got anything to wear!" Frizz couldn't believe she had said that, "Lauren you have an entire wardrobe full of clothes."
"Yes but they're not the right clothes."
"What about that dress you wore for Morag's birthday do?" He liked that dress, for a start it wasn't as tarty as some of he others.
"I wore it for Morag's party. I can't wear it for this one."
"Lauren dear. Hardly anyone at this party will have heard of Morag, much less care what you wore to her party."
"I suppose. in that case I'd better start getting ready."
"But... but surely it doesn't start for hours yet." But his protests went unheard, Lauren had already vanished into the bedroom, Seriously. How long can it take a girl to brush her hair and put on a dress?

Copyright © Vesper

[vesper]

Three hours later...
"Lauren are you ready yet? you just got a text from Freya saying there outside halo already, it'll be midnight by the time we get there at this rate."
Lauren's voice drifted though, muffled by the closed door, "Just a minute, I'm putting some lipstick on."
Frizz lent back against the wall in the hall way, tapping his foot to in impatience. true to her word Lauren emerged less than a minute later. She looked truly gorgeous, her blonde hair falling in soft curls onto her bare shoulders and her green dress clinging to her gently curves, revealing just enough, but not too much.
"How do I look?"
Frizz kissed her softly on the cheek, "Beautiful Lauren. You are beautiful. As always."
"Thank you Frances."
They walked out of the flat, down the narrow and damp smelling stairwell and out into the November night, it was a warm night for the time of year and the sky was a mass of dark cloud, a blanket above the earth. It wasn't' far around the corner to were Halo stood, it's neon lights shining out onto the street. Outside the queue of party goers was making its way into the club, each person checked by bouncers as they passed the door.
'Yo hoo, Lauren! Frizz!" Freya called out across the street to them, jumping up and down excitedly, "Over here!"
Frizz and Lauren crossed the street and joined the group of Freya's friends on the other side.

Copyright © Vesper

[vesper]

Ten minutes later and Frizz was already sick to death of the continual stream of chatter between Lauren and her friends. Neither he, nor any of the other associated boyfriends and tag alongs could get a word in edgeways between Lauren, Lucy and Freya. Finally they entered the club and the pounding music drowned out their jabbering.
Inside the darkness was broken with the flash of multi coloured lights a and the air was thick with the scents of sweat and perfume, mingling in a not altogether pleasant cocktail. Together the group made there way through the crowds to the bar to buy drinks. Frizz then edged towards thew edge of the room while most of the others headed to dance. He hated dancing, always had done. He reached the edge of the room and sat down, he was then surprised to hear someone say his name,
"Frizz isn't it. Annie's new barman."
He turned to see Darrion standing about a metres away, his arm around a sharp faced girl with glittery pink dreadlocks.
"Um... yes. Hi."

Copyright © Vesper

[Darnasius]

interesting.... :)

[vesper]

Anything i could improve?

[Darnasius]

no,but that's just my perspective and I'm not renowned for porfesional writing

[vesper]

Well neither am I.

[Snitcakes]

Ooh, running into a regular at a club, this should be interesting >=)

[vesper]

“I thought so, saw in the Flag last night and I rarely forget a face. isn’t that true Taz?”
The girl, Taz, nodded, agreeing emphatically “You have a nasty habit of always remembering who every one is. Annoys me to hell.” She paused jigging her foot to beat then continued the shouted conversation, “But he’s also very rude, he’s not introduced us properly. I’m Taz,” She held out her hand and he shook it, feeling that the gesture was rather too formal for their current setting.
“I’m Frizz, well, francis really but people call me Frizz.”
Taz released his hand and as she did so he saw a strange silvery scar like mark on the inside of her arm, interlocking stars that looked to be either a very odd birthmark or a weird burn. Odd, but then this is a girl with pholerescant pink sparkly hair, and who is part of the other side, what should I expect.
Taz gestured towards the dance floor, packed with seething throngs, “Not dancing I see.”
He shook his head, “No, I don’t really Like it that much.”
“Shame I love it, don’t I Darri”
“She sure does, have to drag her away sometimes.”
“Hey. That was only once, and it was at The Mound”
“Okay okay,” Darrion shook his head disbelieving, “You take jokes too seriously sometimes Taz.”
Frizz doubted weather Taz ever took anything seriously, but something they had said caught his attention. “Um, what’s The Mound?”
Darrion and Taz both looked astonished, “You’ve not heard of The Mound.” Taz spoke as though he had just asked who the queen was or what you did with a can opener. “Seriously. It is one of the most important places in the city.”
“What about places like Westmister,” frizz had decided that if they were going to act like he was clueless then he would play the obtuse act.
“No, I mean in the other side of the city.”
“Well, Seeing as I only found out about it yesterday I haven’t had time to view the sites yet.”
“Oh, right sorry.”
Frizz smiled to let her know there were no hard feelings, “So, what am I missing? What are the must see sights on the dark side?”

Copyright © Vesper

[ginger20037]

awesome :D

[vesper]

Well obviously it starts and ends with The Black Flag. Nowhere else is a patch on Annie’s place, especially not when she throws a party. After that there’s Underworld, that’s not bad, but you have to ...”
Frizz interrupted her, “Sorry, what’s Underworld? Besides a film of course.”
Darrion provided the answer, “It’s a vampire club. Fun, but not a place to go alone.”
“Um…”
“They don’t have such strict rules there as Annie. Your either with a vampire or your free prey.”
“And you go there?” It sounded to Frizz like a rather bad idea.
“Yes, when the Flag’s full or I fancy a change of scenery, but I’m not exactly a free snack. I have protection.”
That puzzled Frizz, “Protection?”
Darrion smiled and held out his hand, “Yes,” a small flurry of blue sparks burst from his fingertips, causing Frizz to jump in surprise, “I have protection.”
“What are you?”
“Ah well, that’s not so easy. We have many different names.”
“Such as..”
“Magicians, Warlocks, Wizards, the Gifted.”
Frizz’s mouth had dropped open in surprise. “What?! You mean that.. that you get wizards and magic and… Wow. Just wow.”
Taz laughed, “Wow indeed.”
“and you, are you a wizardess or witch or something.”
Taz held up her hand, it was surrounded by a soft golden glow, “A witch.”

Copyright © Vesper

[Snitcakes]

Amazing as usual =)

[vesper]

For a moment Frizz just stood there, letting his mind digest the latest development. Witches. Then someone grabbed his shoulders and spun him round,
‘Hey. Frizz mate. How you doing.” Frizz moaned inwardly, Chaz. The not actually friend from school who seemed to think he was Frizz’s best friend in all the world.
“Um.. hi Chaz. How are you?”
“Good, very good. The question is, are you”
“Yes…” Until you got here.
Chaz caught sight of Taz and Darrion, “Hey, these your mates Frizz?”
“Erm… sort of, yes.”
Chaz tuned smiling to tax, “Hello sweetie, you with Frizz or the other one, ‘cause if your with Frizz I have to warn you, Lauren bites.”
Darrion cut in, “She’s with me.”
‘Alright mate, sorry. Hey speak of the devil, here come the witches.”
Frizz whirled at the mention of witches, but it was only Freya, Lucy and of course, Lauren, pushing there way through the crowd to the space where Frizz stood.
Lauren was holding a glass in one hand, and for once, smiling, “Hey Frizz, having fun.. Oh hi Chaz, didn’t expect to see you here… “ She saw Taz and Darrion and her cheery face fell. She looked them up and down with more than a hint of dissaprovement; her eyes scanning from the tips of Darrion’s green snakeskin boots to the top of Taz’s glittering pink hair. “… hi.” It was a rather unenthusiastic greeting, Lauren clearly thought little of the pair, “Do I know you?”
Chaz butted in cheerfully, “They’re Frizz’s friends.”
Lauren turned to Frizz, he blue eyes almost accusing, he could hear her unsaid words, Frizz, what do you think your doing, those are not the kind of people you should hang around with. Seriously, that girl was so like his mother at times it was scary.
Frizz really didn’t know what to say to this and was grateful when Darrion spoke up, “Yep. Guilty as charged, though I can’t say we’ve been lifelong pals. We only met last night.”
Now Lauren did definitely look accusing, “You said you were at work last night.”
“I was… so was Darrion.”
“Oh yeh. And I suppose your going to tell me that he works there too”
“No, he was a customer. It is a bar you know, people do visit it.”
“Oh…” Lauren trailed off, Lucy and Freya snickered slightly. She blushed and ceased that line of conversation, looking a little uncomfortable. Frizz didn’t think Lauren would be pleased that he had made her look a fool in public, he’d pay for it later, but for now he was happy that she had stopped nagging him.

[Snitcakes]

lol, priceless.

[vesper]

Help! I'm stuck... what can happen next? I've got something for later on but I ned to link to it by finishing this night.
Any ideas?

[Snitcakes]

Taz and Darrion invite him to their table or something to meet other supernaturals? Just a thought.

[grim282009]

too bad this one stopped. was enjoying it