Ches Hightower--
He tucked his hands into his pockets. "Alright. Let's go."
He slid a coat on over his gear jacket, then opened the front doors, letting in the brisk night air. @HeavensBlade
Melea Skycrest@MasterOfSai there was snow outside, and Melea realized she may freeze to death. But? At least she would look damn good while doing it. Her legs were long, yet muscular . Her arms were strong and bulging just slightly from underneath the light jacket she threw on.
Melea could see how over dressed she was—
@MasterOfSai Or how under dressed he was.
Let’s just say, she didn’t know what to expect. “Ready.” Melea left the institute and instantly she felt some snow dampening her curls.
“So…” she spoke, eying him as they walked. “What happened with Leon? He wouldn’t come.” She spoke, pursing her lips.
Ches had to chuckle at the mention as he headed down the sidewalk. He'd looked over some maps and guide books before heading out, that way he wasn't going to get himself lost.
"He was interested in shagging... I had to remind him that we were related." Distantly. Still, the thought of hooking up with someone who had the same name as his mother before her marriage to his father made him uneasy enough to deter him from such an endeavor.
Additionally, Ches was who he -- @HeavensBlade
-- was, so there was... a fair bit of mocking that had followed. @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai Now that was something Melea didn’t know. About Ches that is. She knew very well Leon would be on him like white on rice. The minute she moved in Leon was on the prowl. He was very sexually ambitious and let’s just say… he didn’t let anyone stop him. Melea considered it before. Leon was good looking … but he was so damn arrogant. And she knew he would never leave her be.
—
@MasterOfSai “he will “shag” anything with a pulse.” Melea spoke, a small laugh escaping. Though she had no idea they were distantly related. “I didn’t know you were related to the Verlacs. Then again… aren’t we all related?” She looked to his skin. Maybe not. “Well, The Skycrests are a newer family..”
Ches let out a chuckle, his breath visible in the night air. He was not offended that Leon didn't specifically prefer him. He applauded him for knowing how to have fun in life.
"Most Shadowhunter families are, at the very least, very distantly related, true. Though unless the progenitors of the Skycrests were both born mundanes and turned into Shadowhunters, I'm sure you are also in there somewhere.
However, my mother was a Verlac. That's where I draw the line." @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai “oh I know that. That’s why my ex was a vampire.” Melea spoke, shrugging at that as she walked with him through the streets. It was easy to enjoy Paris. The lights, the bridges… the fashion. And some sun … well during the day.
“Your mother was a Verlac. So now I get why Élodie is glad to see you.” Melea spoke in a soft tone. —
@MasterOfSai “So you’ve been to Paris before?” Melea asked, noticing a couple arm and arm, looking so happy .
As they got to a part of the city more inhabited by mundanes, there was the signature smell of cigarettes in the air... And some piss.
"At this rate, you probably won't have to worry about marrying someone you're related to..." He mused, taking a moment to look around and get his bearings. "Since the war, so many Shadowhunters died... We're getting more mundanes with the Sight than ever. Pick one of them," he suggested. He then began walking in the right direction.
--
"Élodie never met my mother... Though I suppose simply knowing we're related may please her. I don't think there are many Verlacs left anymore." @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai Melea felt herself tense up at mention of all the dead Shadowhunters . It was one of those things that reminded her… her parents were dead because of her . They were /fierce/ warriors. And yet… they died to protect and save her. Melea forced her shoulders to relax . “We —
@MasterOfSai Were kids then. But our entire race was nearly extinguished.” Melea spoke, voice dark at that , not ready to share her trauma or how she begged to have her runes stripped. “Where were you during the war? I mean… you don’t have to answer.” Melea spoke.
Ches had to laugh. He looked towards her. "We're about to go partying and you want to talk about the war? Pass. I think someone needs to teach you how to have fun."
He looked ahead and stopped walking. There was a line out the door of a building up ahead, the loud music could be heard from where they stood.
"... Technically... It would be cheating to use glamours to get in unnoticed..." He looked towards her and grinned. That was exactly what he was going to do.
--
@HeavensBlade
--
He withdrew his stele and pushed up his jacket sleeve before beginning to draw the rune on his arm.
"Now before you give me the good girl speech, think about how cold you are, and how long you want to spend outside in a queue." @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai Melea definitely thought about the war way too much. Maybe that was her problem. Or maybe it was because no one ever took the time to ask her how she really felt. She chewed on her bottom lip, knowing she did need to lighten up and have some fun. Didn’t she deserve it? Melea—
@MasterOfSai Looked at the long queue like, shivering as she looked down to her exposed legs. She knew glamouring to cut the line was wrong, but she /was also/ cold. “fine. Be quick.” She let her jacket slouch down, exposing her shoulder and leaning closer to him as he worked.
Ches turned towards her and held her arm where the coat still covered her to steady her.
"Didn't you think to apply a warming rune?... I suppose you didn't. Too late now." He carefully applied the rune, trying not to mess it up thanks to her shivering.
Once he was finished, he released her arm and slid his stele back into his pocket.
"Right." He started towards the club, the music growing louder as they neared the building. He slipped right by the bouncer, -- @HeavensBlade
-- unnoticed, then made his way inside.
The music inside was loud enough to feel in your chest, and the lights were down fairly low, most of which was blue. There was a crowd of people inside, probably around their ages, all dancing or drinking.
Ches looked back and waited for @HeavensBlade to keep up. It'd be easy to lose track of one another in this place.
@MasterOfSai “Will you shut up and draw the rune? Yes I forgot.” She snapped, shivering once more and exhaling as he finally drew the glamor on her caramel skin. She quickly replaced her jacket, trying to loosen up. She would need more than half a glass of wine at dinner.
Melea walked forward, easily sliding past the bouncer—
@MasterOfSai As she made her way inside. The club was dark except for the light on the dance floor. She could feel the base from the music in her chest. She was a singer, though no one had to know. Being musically inclined meant that she enjoyed almost all music. Even the loud base of club music.
She made her way—
@MasterOfSai Quickly to the bar , thinking about dancing to loosen up.
Ches made his way up to the bar beside her, leaning his arms onto the bar. He had to get the bartender's attention, thanks to the rune making his blend in, and ordered a cocktail in French. He then pulled out some Euros and paid for the drink upfront in cash. @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai Waiting at the bar was not fun no matter where you were. There was always too many people and not enough bartenders. Melea waited , annoyed that Ches was served first. Then again, the bartender was a young pretty mundane who probably thought he was cute. After she lapped for the hottie on melea’s right, she finally ordered her own—
@MasterOfSai drink, a simple Tito’s and soda water with lime. Grabbing her drink and squeezing the lime, she left her tip and began to wiggle her way through the crowds, wanting to edge towards the dance floor as she sipped her drink.
While waiting for his drink, Ches lifted up his arm and pushed up the sleeve of his jacket, then slashed through the glamour rune. Now that he was inside, he wanted to be seen.
After getting his drink, he followed @HeavensBlade to the edge of the dance floor, sipping his cocktail. The song changed to "La Musique" by Riot In Belgium, and Ches spoke loudly to Melea could hear him over it.
"I'm going to dance. Come get me if you need anything." He raised his glass, downing the rest of--
-- the contents, then making his way onto the dance floor to join the other bodies. @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai “I’m going to dance too!” Melea spoke, though she realized she was practically screaming over the music.
She quieted down, her social awkwardness apparent. Melea sipped her drink, noticing him disappearing into the crowd of people.
—
@MasterOfSai Melea began to dance, her hips moving without thought to the music. She was in her own little world, moving on beat and having a lot of fun, despite not initially wishing to come.
Ches got into dancing himself, moving his body to the music. He looked very natural in his element, despite having expressed never doing this before.
He found a dancing partner before long; a shorter man, dancing closely enough to make it apparent that neither were heterosexual.
Still, despite the fact that he was busy, he would occasionally glance over at @HeavensBlade to check on her. She could handle herself, he had no doubt, but he still had a protective instinct.
@MasterOfSai Melea felt her body move with ease to the music and she closed her eyes. It was like this was the first time she really felt free in a while. She was pushed between different people, but she never focused anyone or gave attention. She looked up to see Ches dancing with some very obviously not straight man. Not that she was surprised. Ches certainly gave the I go both ways vibes. She caught his eyes for a moment, not responding to that and turning to dance again. A —
@MasterOfSai half faerie approached her to dance. He was tall and flighty, with swooping blue gray hair and green eyes. His skin was a shade lighter than hers, but had some melanin. And he was /trying to/ give her a drink. First faerie rule was never take food or drink from them. She took the glass, passing it back to him. “No, no.” Melea spoke, pushing it back and dancing with him anyways, despite knowing he was a downworlder and she would be better off dancing alone again.
Seeing the faerie, Ches got naturally concerned, and checked on her more frequently. But once again, @HeavensBlade seemed to be handling herself alright.
Though, Ches got /very/ distracted when the mundane he was dancing with decided he wanted to make out. Ches was very interested in this. He appeared to know exactly what he was doing. And somehow, even with his eyes closed and his tongue in someone's mouth, he still could tell when someone was trying to pick his pocket, and caught --
-- the person's hand, who quickly retreated after it was clear he was caught. @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai Melea was worried about her own dance partner and the drink he was trying to force onto her. Of course she didn’t show any interest. Her brown eyes glanced back to see Ches making out with his dance partner. She rolled her eyes, dancing with a bit more seduction as she moved her ass onto the fae behind her,—
@MasterOfSai abandoning all care as she did so. Melea only backed up when he did, sneaking off to the bar to get another drink. It was clear she didn’t need it at this point, but she was ordering that and a shot of Jameson, eyes forward and glistening. She could use some fun.
Ches continued with his little escapade, occasionally opening one eye to check on @HeavensBlade. Overall, he was enjoying himself. It was a welcome bit of fun, the sort he expected at a place such as this.
@MasterOfSai as he was alone again, Melea took this time. She wanted to say sometning smart to him. Maybe if was the alcohol kicking in….
Tucking back her curls from her face, they kept springing back creating a beautiful halo around her —
@MasterOfSai features as she sipped her drink. “Where did your boyfriend go?” She asked, tongue twisting the lime in her mouth to suck before releasing it back into her drink. Her hips were still shaking the entire time from side to side.
"He had to go," Ches said with a nonchalant shrug. He furrowed his brows a little at her spitting her lime back into her drink, but did not comment.
"You feeling alright? Didn't drink anything from that faerie, did you? Or perhaps you just don't drink very often."
He had a feeling @HeavensBlade was a little off balance. Didn't matter to him, so long as she didn't overdo it and he'd have to take care of her.
@MasterOfSai “you scared him off didn’t you!” Melea spoke, her smile apparent as he asked her how she was feeling. “I’m feeling fine, dad. Thanks for asking. And no. I may not have parents but I still know not to eat or drink anything the fae give you.” Was it that obvious she didn’t drink much? She wasn’t a partier—
@MasterOfSai Like Ches. She snuck off, wiggling between him and another girl. She found a spot in which she could dance freely. Everything so utterly /normal/ so far that she knew eventually it would end— or something would happen.
Oh yes, he could definitely tell @HeavensBlade did not drink much. And she seemed already drunk.
"Sure," he said. He didn't scare the other man away, but he didn't feel the need to make excuses. It was just a little bit of kissing. He didn't even know the chap's name.
He watched her go on dancing for a moment before he ordered himself another drink.
Her calling him 'dad', due to his mildly protective nature, reminded him of someone. Ah, he thought. So that's why he cared.
@MasterOfSai Melea looked to him at the bar, making sure he was good out of the corner of her eye. He seemed to be fine. She continued dancing, guzzling down her drink as if it was the last few drops of water before setting it aside. She could feel the sheaths of her two blades on her thigh, just as a mundane’s hand reached —
@MasterOfSai Dangerously high under her dress. She quickly smacked the hand away, shooting a venemous glare. “I wouldn’t.” Melea spoke, causing the mundane to stumble off, which made her grin and continue her dancing.
She could handle herself. She was a Shadowhunter, he reminded himself. If anyone tried anything, she could easily snap their bones.
Ches took a seat at the bar, making conversation with someone sitting on the adjacent stool while he nursed his own drink. @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai Whenever she decided she needed another drink, she made her way to the bar and wedged besides Ches.
She grabbed her vodka soda and moved to lean back closer to Ches. “Are you ready to go? We should go.” She spoke, moving to reach her hand over to brush his forearm as if staking —
@MasterOfSai some sort of claim she didn’t actually have on the Shadowhunter.
Ches eyed @HeavensBlade. It was probably a good idea to leave. She seemed pretty drunk.
"Might as well." He looked towards the woman he'd been speaking to, and told her in French that it had been nice to meet her, and good luck on her traveling. Apparently that was what they'd spoken about.
"Come on," he said to Melea, placing his hand between her shoulder blades to guide her out so she didn't sway.
@MasterOfSai “So nice to meet you.” Melea spoke to the pretty lady talking to Ches as he guided her from the club with ease. She inhaled sharply at smell of the fresh air, cigarettes, and weed outside the club. She turned back to face him, chewing on her bottom lip. “What’s it like being you? All the cute guys and all the cute girls into you? I mean your head must be really—
@MasterOfSai Big from it all. All I get is fae trying to give me their drink and mundanes trying to finger me on the dance floor.” She mumbled, clearly inhibitions gone as she hopped on the cement like a kid again. Avoiding the cracks as in the old wives’ tale.
Ches slid his hands into his pockets and followed @HeavensBlade, taking his time at his own pace. They were in no rush.
"I'm very charming, what can I say?" He chuckled. "Though I think your experiences have more to do with misogyny than charm. Still, that faerie should have known better than to try to fuck with a Shadowhunter.
He inhaled the night air, which smelled mostly okay, but there was a bit of city stink mixed into it.
@MasterOfSai “oh shut up. We get it. You’re good looking and charming.” Melea rolled her eyes as she unintentionally landed on a crack on the pavement. “Shit!” She announced in defeat with a pout. “Of course but do fae ever learn? He was cute too.” Melea huffed as she stepped aside and continued walking regularly on the sidewalk again. She glanced around to Paris, embracing the … regular city of it all. Smelly, dirty, and edged in romantic charm.
Paris was a strange mix of the ancient history and the modern innovations. Cobblestone roads side-by-side with blacktop. Old Stone buildings that were almost as old as the Shadowhunter race with crass graffiti on them. There was a unique sort of charm to it.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. They were knew, since he wasn't a smoker. "Want to see what all the fuss is about?" He asked @HeavensBlade as he took one out of the pack.
@MasterOfSai As they walked, she fell into the silence, step by step. Glad he didn’t pick up that she called him handsome and charming. It was the alcohol talking surely. Travel year was for adventures such as this. Making her way to his side, brown eyes widened as she saw cigarettes. She was a good girl through and through. Never smoked. But this Melea was /new/ and adventurous. —
@MasterOfSai “you smoke? No way.” Melea spoke, grabbing a cigarette and looking at it curiously, she placed it between two fingers like she has seen, offering it to him to light it. “I’ll bite.”
Oh, he'd noticed. And surely he'd tease her about it later.
"No, you don't bite it," he teased @HeavensBlade, though he knew what she meant. He took out his lighter, pausing in his stride so the little flame wouldn't go out. "I don't smoke frequently. Only on occasion. I figured I should get some French ones here, see if they're any different."
He lit his own after he was finished with her's, taking a drag, then blowing out a neat line of smoke into the cold night air.
@MasterOfSai “I know that, idiot:” Melea rolled her eyes , which she seemed to do a lot in his presence. Leaning forward, she let him light the cigarette, wondering if she would hate it.
Melea pressed the cigarette back to her lips, taking a slow drag. The smoke filled her mouth and lungs, the bitter taste making her cringe. “Still tastes and smells like cancer.” Melea explained, though she took another drag, shaking off ash with her fingers flicking.
A lot of people rolled their eyes in his presence. It made him grin.
He held his own cigarette between his fingers and flicked the ash. "Most Shadowhunters don't live long enough to experience those consequences." He took another drag, looking thoughtful. "I do like this brand better," he decided. @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai “What’s that saying? Only the good die young.” Melea spoke, knowing it was part of being a Shadowhunter…. Growing up way too young…. Dying way too young. Melea knew she’d be lucky to live to 40 or even 30.
“It’s still… not worth it. Is it? You like it I guess.” Melea continue to smoke her cigarette, feeling the edge sliding off regardless of her view on it. “Everything is better here…. It’s easy to run away to Paris.” She mused, leaning back near a wall.