Melea Skycrest@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.
Ches HightowerSeeing 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.
"I do like it. It's in my blood," he said, exhaling another puff of smoke. "I would watch what you lean on. Sometimes people just piss on things.
As for running away, it never solves anything. All your problems are still waiting for you, and will catch you eventually. Best thing to do is figure out how to live with them, or defeat them." @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai “Well you should /stop/ eventually…. But I guess this is a losing battle then.” Melea spoke, taking one more drag of the smoke and then moving to stomp it on the ground. “Maybe you can’t run, but I can.” She spoke, small laugh ex’s self
"Funny, I didn't take you for a coward." He looked at the passing traffic on the street, horns blaring. People were still busy at night here.
"And I never said I ran away from anything. Not my style." @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai “I’m not.” She snapped, defensively as he looked back to the traffic. She continued smoking until it was near nothing, stomping it away under her feet. She was envious of his care free attitude.
He wasn't care free. Not at all. He simply acted that way.
"You wouldn't be offended if you didn't think it was true on some level." He finished his own cigarette, dropping his in an idle puddle just off the curb. It was already filthy, one more cigarette wouldn't change that. @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai Melea’s expression soured at his words, already walking off as he dropped the cigarette butt in the dirty puddle nearby. She shook her head. She didn’t say anything, didn’t need to. “Why are you such a smart Ass ? Who hurt you?” She spoke, curtly.
He walked after @HeavensBlade as she stormed off, sliding his hands into his pockets and not bothering to try to keep up with her pace. He'd rather a leisurely walk.
"I wasn't even being mean that time. Just honest." He shrugged.
@MasterOfSai “Did you ever think that sometimes you’re brutally honest to a point , asshole?” Melea asked him, slowing down . His Non chalant nature was infuriating .
Melea stopped in front of him. “Do you give a shit about anyone!?”
He blinked slowly as she screamed in his face, reaching up to wipe off a little spit she'd accidentally spewed on his cheek.
"You're resorting to personal attacks because I struck a nerve, but you're having a difficult time with it because you don't know me, so you're taking stabs in the dark... You can keep going if you want, but it won't change anything." He was calm, not really phased by @HeavensBlade 's drunken screaming. He'd seen worse.
@MasterOfSai “Whatever, Hightower.” That was the last thing she said to him. Annoyance and anger high in her tone. As she made her way home, she didn’t take a scenic route. She would be fine by herself. She made her way into the institute and directly to her room.
Ches continued his walk, enjoying the view of the city. He usually had that effect on people, so he wasn't too worried about it.
He got back to the Institute a little while after @HeavensBlade did, then headed to his own room to go to bed.
@MasterOfSai Melea was quick to get some sleep, showering and passing out with her hair wrapped in a silk cap. She woke up the next morning and instantly went to wash her face up. She dressed in leggings and a green crop top, making her way down to breakfast.
Ches was already there, dressed in workout clothes and his hair damp with sweat. He'd already trained this morning, and was now drinking a protein shake with his café and croissant. He had a French newspaper in hand, seemingly interested in the local happenings. @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai Melea was quick to work on getting her coffee and water, after all she was feeling the effects of yesterday.
She stepped past him and grabbed her croissant, sitting in her usual spot as Élodie came in and fussed over them both. Asking about their night. “It was great..”
"She gets handsy when she's drunk," he chimed in, not looking up from his newspaper to insert the obnoxious comment. He simply took another sip of his coffee.
He also didn't seem to be feeling any effects from the night before. He'd even gotten up early. @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai “Oh not for him.” Melea spoke, rolling her eyes again at him as she made her way back to the table: he seemed fine. Annoyingly enough.
She could still taste the smoke in her mouth.
He picked up his croissant, taking a bite of it before putting it back on his plate. "Never said that. Though you were a little overly friendly with my arm, for some reason." He still hadn't looked up, simply chilling while reading. "Iratzes help with sobering you up, by the way," he informed her. @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai Melea narrowed her eyes at him into deadly slits as Élodie moved to sit at the head of the table. “Your arm? I don’t remember.” She spoke, knowing he really was a smart Ass. “I will have to get an iratze then. Won’t I.”
"You should. You're an obnoxious drunk," he commented. "Then again, you're obnoxious sober too. I don't see an iratze helping with that." @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai “fuck you.” She spoke, finding the venom in her words. She didn’t know why.. he just crawled under her skin. Melea stood up, gripping her croissant. “I’m going to train.” She announced, walking off.
"Have fun," he said as she walked out. At the look the other remaining people wore, he simply replied: "I tend to have that effect on people." @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai Melea didn’t answer as she went up to train. Iratzes drawn on, she trained with the lovely son who just wanted to flirt with Melea and comment on her ass in those leggings. She focused on training regardless as she worked with him.
Ches was off doing his own thing for a few hours.
Eventually, Elodie went to get all of them. There was a demon report. @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai The one thing that would actually require them to attend. Of course Melea was soon in her gear, duel knives apparent. She was quick to pull on her boots and make her way to the main entrance waiting for Leon and Ches to appear. Élodie would wait back.
Ches got ready, armed with various knives and steles, as well as his signature twin sai.
He strolled up to the front with a leisurely gait. "How come the demons are out in the middle of the day?"
"They're at the metro," Elodie replied.
"Ah. That explains it," said Ches. @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai “That explains it.” Melea was right back to business with the boys. Once she knew where they were going, she quickly began to glamour herself with her stele so that they would be hidden to the mundane eye. She looked over to the boys to make sure they were applying runes for speed, agility, strength, and swiftness. She copied some on her dark skin, the black runes shining gold before seemingly settling on.
Ches had already applied some of his runes beneath his clothes, but was applying more on his arms.
"This will be my first demon hunt in the big city. Hope I don't die," he said cheerfully and grinned. She appeared enthused. @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai “Leon and I will make sure you don’t die.” Melea spoke, right black into battle mode as she finished her runes. She had her dual knives ready and in their holsters. She began to make her way to the exit, rushing past the boys and taking off in a run outside.
"Someone's in a rush," he said, then walked outside after her. Leon just behind him.
"You know where we're going?" Ches asked Leon, who did. Ches gestured for Leon to lead the way, then followed him. @HeavensBlade
@MasterOfSai “Demons don’t wait for slowpokes.” Melea felt rejuvenated by the edibles on her arms. She took off in a steady jog, noticing the boys lagging just a bit behind her. She let it happen and went off, arriving first and immediately getting to work as she pulled out her duel blades and began to slice through the demons that were terrorizing the metro.
Ches had taken out his sensor when they'd approached the Metro. Glamoured, the mundanes didn't seem to pay them any mind as they descended the steps and hopped the ticket reader.
He followed the instruction of the sensor, arriving at the sparse crowd of waiting mundanes.
"Where'd Melea go?" Asked Leon, not seeing her in the crowd.
Ches shrugged. "Getting herself run over by a train, I guess. According to the sensor, the demons are on the tracks. We're going to -- @HeavensBlade
-- need to time this so we don't get hit. It comes every few minutes."
Leon frowned. "How'd /you/ know that? I thought you'd never been to Paris before."
Ches pointed at the electric sign, listing off how many minutes it would be until the next train. "Because I can read. Let's go." He hopped onto the train tracks and started jogging down the curved, tiled tunnels into the darkness.
Leon was a little embarrassed, but followed. @HeavensBlade