View source for Logs:Unruly Shoppers

{{Log
|chars=[[Arnaud]], [[Faith]]
|gamedate=2022.10.08
|location=Corner store
|categories=Changeling, Vampire
|log=+----+ Arnaud +----------------------------------------------------------------+

It's night-time in this area of Chicago where street lamps either flicker or have been brutally murdered. A 24-hour cornerstore is open, daringly - the owner has to make a living, and the lamps outside of it actually works, defiantly, or perhaps because even the scum like to have a store around. However, some are worse than others, and right this very moment it is being robbed by two knife-wielding thugs with hoods over their heads. Both of them seem rather volatile, like people on drugs are.

Unaware of this fact, a tall and lean guy who looks like the type that would perhaps also rob cornerstores, wanders into it in search for snacks. Arnaud takes one look at the situation and pauses, glancing at the store owner, a middle-aged stocky man who is already shakingly opening the cash box. The robbery duo turns slowly, and the store owner freezes.

"Hi," Arnaud says. "Do you have some of those bright blue lolipops here?"

+----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+

The store owner's expression is pleading, as he stares at Arnaud. Begging some kind of assistance. And given both the thugs have turned away to look at this newcomer, he's slowly -- so slowly -- reaching for his phone, rather than keep getting out cash while they're not watching. Emergency services are just a quick phone call away! Not that they're likely to get to a place like this in time to get anything done.

The two kind of look Arnaud up and down from beneath their hoods. "You want some fucking lolipops huh? Help yourself!" One of them chirps. The other follows up with a quick, "Just give us your fucking wallet!" And gestures menacingly with the knife.

That's about when Faith just wanders on in. She has had to stop by the convenience store in the dodgy neighborhood. There's things that even a vampire needs. Like a new toothbrush. At least, that seems to be the way of it. Though, she might be taken for one of the group of robbers, given her own hoodie. The hood is up, and she's got sunglasses on like the lights in the store are an affront to her sensibilities, and she just pauses as she realizes she's walked right into the middle of something!

+----+ Arnaud +----------------------------------------------------------------+

The pleading doesn't seem to work so well. Arnaud's expression was initially uninterested, but now it's switching to slight annoyance when they ask for his wallet. He walks slowly towards the robbers but stops when another potential customer shows up behind him, turning sideways to glance over his shoulder at the woman under that hood. "There's a bit of a queue," he explains helpfully. His accent is very very French. "Let me clear it out."

He barely finishes that sentence before he leaps at the two robbers like a completely insane person, totally disregarding their knives. Maybe HE is also on drugs.

+----+ Arnaud +----------------------------------------------------------------+

So... most people don't immediately BITE other people when starting a fight. The way Arnaud flies at the thugs is crazy, and how he bites down on one of them, in the upper arm, is not normal. There's a scream of pain and blood gushes. What kind of teeth does he HAVE? He bites right through the clothing and seem to literally tear a chunk of flesh off, and it's fast and furious. Like an animal.

+----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+

So much happens at once, but Faith is paranoid by nature, and her own knife is out before she even knows it. And then this guy just //bites// someone. Okay. That's ... not that unusual, actually. The scent of blood fills the air, and the vampire can't help but just breath it in. Intoxicating. She doesn't say anything. Instead, she just advances on the other thug, slashing at him with her own blade. It'd score him across the chest if his arm didn't lift to get in the way. Instead it leaves and angry red cut across his arm.

+----+ Arnaud +----------------------------------------------------------------+

The bitten thug flails like someone that just got bit by someone. Even in his drugged up state, he's suddenly realising he's facing someone worse than himself. Remembering how to fight, out of pure survival instinct if nothing else, he stabs Arnaud in the side where he can easily reach, and more blood scent fills the store. Maybe this blood smells even nicer!

The other thug yelps in surprise as he gets his arm slashed by Faith and retaliates with a bit more coherency, going low to stab her in the side as well. Little does he realise that it's mostly just a tickle for her, and an annoying hole in her hoodie now. Clothes get spent fast for people like Arnaud and Faith.


+----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+

The store owner takes full advantage of the situation. If full advantage means /not watching/. He starts to, really, but then someone is getting viciously bitten, and knives are flying and he just sort of huddles down on the floor. At least he's got himself his phone, and a shaky hand dials 911. Some words might be heard. "My store is being robbed and now there is a fight happening!" He's quickly giving address details, as well.

+----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+

A stab into her flesh, and Faith grunts as the pain of it. In truth, it doesn't even really matter to her. The hoodie itself is of more value. So she's annoyed at that. She lashes out wildly with her own knife, teeth clenched, and damn if the drugged up thug doesn't manage to just step aside at the perfect moment. It's not good, because she's putting more of herself than she probably should into these attacks.

And now? Now she's getting Hungry.

+----+ Arnaud +----------------------------------------------------------------+

Arnaud is stabbed but entirely ignores it for now. Still, he stops biting and shift his mode of crazy animalistic fury, moving back with considerable speed, only to punch his fist right into the thug's chest. There's a disturbing sound of bones breaking, ribs not holding up to that sort of violence.

+----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+

Once again she's cut, and Faith sizes the guy up before her, and her Blood works hidden beneath her clothing to repair the damage she's taken. She waits for her moment to lunge out towards him for a stab. And once again he's just got her number, shifting and causing her blade to swipe at nothing but air. She's getting angry, and he's probably feeling pretty good about this.

+----+ Arnaud +----------------------------------------------------------------+

A shelf is falling over and spreads out cheetos and crisps, making it easy to slip if stepping on them. There's blood all over, and shouting and a wheezed scream from the thug that now has a piece of his arm bitten off, and several ribs broken. Still, he stabs wildly at Arnaud who, to be quite frank, should learn to defend himself a bit better. Maybe he relies on surviving longer than the other person? Either or, Arnaud gets stabbed AGAIN, this time in the upper shoulder. The other thug gets a slash in on Faith too. MORE holes in the hoodie. The audacity. He's in a much better shape, and he now grabs his comrade by the arm and shouts about them leaving NOW. He drags his friend out of there.

Arnaud is about to pursue but then he spots blue lolipops. He grabs a handful and slams them onto the counter, bleeding all over, standing unsteadily.

+----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+

Faith is surprised once more. From her point of view the fight wasn't going so well, but to be fair, she wasn't really paying attention to Arnaud's half of it. And now that it's suddenly over, she's left with a bloody knife, standing in the middle of the mess, and she's suddenly very hungry. She hadn't fed yet tonight, and this effort has left her really feeling it. So she's kind just staring at the blood, her free hand clenching and unclenching as she struggles to control herself. She can still hear the heartbeat of at least one human ... 

Of course, the clerk takes this moment to pop his head up after hearing the thugs beat feet. Eyes wide, phone in hand, he's staring at Arnaud mostly, looking at him dubiously. On one hand, this guy probably saved him a lot. On the other, he's bleeding all over and bit a dude. "Uh, thank you! Thank you. It's on me," he moves to shove that candy back towards him.

+----+ Arnaud +----------------------------------------------------------------+

Arnaud squints at the store clerk, unaware about Faith's struggle. A normal man would probably ask her if she's alright, or complain about being stabbed or anything else but what he is doing. Sloooowly he reaches for a few more of those lolipops because it seems he's getting a good deal here. He also grabs a pack of napkins and raises an eyebrow; the store clerk just nods vigorously and agrees to him taking a pack. Pleased, Arnaud tears the pack open and stuffs a wad of those napkins under his shirt where he was stabbed in an attempt to stop the bleeding on his shoulder and side of his belly. Then he hands over the pack to Faith, and a blue lolipop. "You best grab what you needed real quick. Cops might show up. I mean, probably not, but it's best not to jinx it, eh?"

Arnaud sways after he says that and grabs hold of a shelf, looking surprised. Having two holes in his body is not good.

+----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+

It takes her a moment, but Faith finally comes to her senses, resisting the call of the Beast to feast upon the veritable buffet of life that is spilled out before her. She even lifts her head to stare at the clerk, his fear and worry making him seem like prey to the predator lurking beneath the surface. She even takes a step towards him ...

And then suddenly comes back to herself when she's being handed those lolipops. A breath is taken in, exhales slowly, and she tilts her head. "You are not doing well." She says after a moment to him, looking him over. It's not a question, really. She then spends a moment, picking a few things out at the store. Mostly, it's medical supplies. A first aid kit. A proper one, with good supplies. And a toothbrush! "Come," she gestures to Arnaud when she's got what she needs. "You need to have your wounds looked at." She doesn't even acknowledge the clerk, and just takes all the stuff without so much as a glance at him!

+----+ Arnaud +----------------------------------------------------------------+

The store clerk calculates the items taken and realises it's still not much compared to the losses he'd have suffered if the robbers had taken all the cash. He pretends not to see it, and glances anxiously outside in the hopes the police will be here soon. Because, those thugs might've been bad, but he's not entirely sure these two are better. Realising they're sticking around, he slides subtly back into the bathroom and locks himself in there for now.

Arnaud pays him no heed, shaking his head because he's getting a little dizzy from blood loss. He's not about to die, but getting treated would be smart. There's some curiosity watching her pick things out, then a dubious look at her when she gestures for him to come with her. "You gonna do it? Why?" he asks, looking her over more closely. Or tries to - she's covered up pretty well.

+----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+

It's a good idea for him really, though he doesn't know it. His heartbeat was very distracting for the hungry vampire. At least she knows there's something not quite so appealing about Arnaud. His examination of her might reveal some things, if he's particularly attentive: primarily, the fact that she's not breathing. Except for when she has to, when she speaks. She's not pretending to be alive right now, and it kind of shows.

"I'm a doctor. It's what I do. If you don't want me to, I won't force you, but you've been cut pretty badly. Would you prefer to go to a hospital?" So has she, but apparently she's fine! "If you can stay on your feet for a bit longer, we should get out of here either way. If you can make it to my car?"

+----+ Arnaud +----------------------------------------------------------------+

Arnaud glances back, sees the store clerk is hiding, and then decides to just go with this weird doctor who, after all, fought right next to him moments ago. "No hospital. Let's go to your car." He could've sworn she got stabbed, but it was pretty chaotic. The holes in her hoodie are suspicious but maybe she was just scratched? Either or, he paces along with her, clutching a hand against the wound in his stomach to stop the bleeding as much as possible while he's mobile. Seems this isn't his first time, nor is he complaining about it, like someone who is used to this. "Arnaud," he introduces himself.

+----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+

Faith leads the way. She didn't park terribly far away, and it's a short trip to her vehicle. "I'm Faith," she says quietly. The car is a simple 2 door compact, and she opens the passenger door. "Sit here. It's not the best but I'd rather not drive you across town before looking at it. Show me how hurt you are. Shirt off." While he's preparing, she's got a proper medical kit in the car (naturally!) and so she's getting even more supplies. The knife wounds could be pretty deep, after all. She's calm, professional, and her expression is just very neutral. There's no nonsense about her now.

+----+ Arnaud +----------------------------------------------------------------+

Arnaud shrugs his leather jacket - now with a hole in it - and his T-shirt, before he sits down in the car. The bloodied napkins spread out on the street. He groans from the pain of sitting down and he takes a deep breath. He fumbles for the lever to lower his seat back so she can get better access: the cut on his shoulder is a slashing wound, but his stomach has been stabbed fairly deep, but one look at it and it's clear it missed vital organs. Lucky him. He shakingly unwraps one of those blue lolipops and puts it in his mouth, staring at her with rapt attention. He sniffs the air, and focuses in silence. "You're not breathing." This guy just doesn't do subtle prodding. Straight on like a bulldozer. There's a wheezing laugh. "Someone asked me the other day if I ever ran into someone that was dead before I was born. You one of those?"

+----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+

Faith frowns a little at the situation. It's not the best way to do first aid, but it's better than the shop floor. Even if she's going to have a lot of bleeding done in her car. But she sets about examining the wound. She's not ungentle, but she's not particular kind about it either. And the shades remain on as she works, though her hood has been lowered, allowing more of her pale skin to be easily seen. "You got very lucky," she comments quietly, "This is going to need stitches." So she's getting ready everything she needs for that. "That depends on when you were born." She says, talking to perhaps keep him distracted. "You're a bit different too, right? Not a lot of people start a fight by biting someone."

+----+ Arnaud +----------------------------------------------------------------+

Arnaud shifts on the seat to give her better access, sniffing the air to get her scent too. He grins toothily, blood on his teeth and all over his lower face still, but remembers about that when she talks about it and wipes some of it off with the back of his hand, and licks his teeth clean. No problem eating human blood for him, clearly. "I was born nineteen-fifty," he drawls and outright admits that he is indeed a bit different, or he'd be one damn good looking 72-year old. "I ran into some of you in Miami, but we didn't exactly hang out." He does give some thought into how MUCH to reveal here, but he's not from the Winter court. "I'm one of the Lost. Some of you can see our real selves - I'd show you, but it takes some effort and it's dangerous for reasons I can't explain. But, I got horns and alabaster skin and red-yellow slit eyes, and scales down my back and arms. Like a half-dragon."

+----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+

Faith nods as he speaks, making the casual conversation as she works. She's very focused on what she's doing. "I've met a few of the Lost here in Chicago. Never before. I was still alive when you were born though; I was just a child. I died in nineteen seventy-four." She remembers the year perfectly. Because of course she does. The talk of him being a half-dragon though, that causes a pause. Thankfully her shades mask the widening of her eyes in surprise.

"I swear, feels like my knowledge of human anatomy is woefully inadequate when we’re dealing with people like us. Does your body still all work pretty normally?" She returns to her medical work, but with a lot more curiosity about her.

+----+ Arnaud +----------------------------------------------------------------+


Arnaud bears her medical administration with no protests. A wince here and there, and sharp intakes of breath, but he clearly is used to enduring pain. To keep this as private as possible, he rolls down the side window a notch and hangs his jacket to give more cover, because if someone did walk by and saw him - well, rumours might start for no reason. "I'd probably get yelled at for even telling you, so... please be quiet about this?" He puts a finger to his lips and grins at her again. "And uh..." He is loathe to say it, like someone not used to showing gratitude. "Thanks. For this. If you need help with something sometime, gimme a call. I might actually come along and do it. As for the anatomy, it's no difference, least not... per se. It's weird ass magic. It's weird even for us."

+----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+

Faith is very curious, but also trying to focus on her work. She's actually pretty good at it, though it helps that his blood is not at all appealing to her. "I understand that, being quiet about it, of course. But you clearly have less issue. We all like our secrets, hmm?" Soon enough she's done, and she's packing her supplies away after applying some bandages. "I think ... you're good. Be careful for a day or two. Don't tear open the stitches. You'll be fine. Nothing major was hit, as far as I can tell. So are all the Lost like that?" She shakes her head. "Questions for later, I think.”

+----+ Arnaud +----------------------------------------------------------------+

Arnaud glances down at himself and blinks. He sits up carefully and though he's still hurting, he can literally feel the difference. He focuses on her again, studying her curiously. Pale skin, sunglasses, hoodie. He doesn't prod or try to see more, content with where they're at - she didn't ask him either, he just told her anyway. Her queries has him grinning, and not replying. Indeed, some secrets to be kept for another time. "I feel... fine. You're very good." Is that the flashing of blue lights and the sound of a siren? Are the cops here already?! Wonder of wonders. Arnaud finds his phone and holds it up. "Can I have your phone number? I promise I won't drunk call."

+----+ Faith +-----------------------------------------------------------------+

Faith stares at him for a few long moments, as though willing herself to see what he’s been talking about. She even reaches out, as though to find those mentioned scales. It’s probably because she’s so hungry. "Sure," she says after a moment, rattling off her phone number from memory. "I have a clinic over on the West Side, if you ever need assistance. It's a quiet place, no questions asked, no paper trails. That sort of thing. Normally I don't work for free, naturally. But just text me and I will give you directions if you need." She packs up quickly while she speaks. "Sorry. I'm sure I'd ask you a million questions, but I really am -very- hungry. I need to go and deal with that."

+----+ Arnaud +----------------------------------------------------------------+

His skin feels entirely normal. Didn't he say it was weird-ass magic? Even if she touched his hair, she'd not feel those horns or ears either. He doesn't mind the touch, but it makes him snort amusedly. He puts the phone number in and nods along with her directions, before he shrugs on the bloodied T-shirt and opens the car door. "I'll be able to pay you next time. I'd totally come along and hunt with you, but --" He pauses, staring into thin air for a moment. "I'm not... supposed to eat people." And with that, he disappears out, jogs across the street and then CLIMBS up the wall to disappear before the cops arrive. Like a dragon-spider.
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