Awake (open)

[DAMION ALVARADO]

The sun was just setting over the Manhattan bridge as the streets became crowded with its usual Friday night traffic. People were welcoming the long weekend by heading to the parks for a relaxing walk, while the more interesting were setting out for a club or bar to drink the night away. It was the usual here in New York, bumper to bumper traffic and crowded sidewalks. In a way it made it easier to blend in, but in this temperature it was simply just hell.

Rising from his king size bed, Damion stretched his arms over his head before letting out a low yawn. Checking the clock on his bed side table, he made sure it was safe to open the curtains that normally blocked the sun. Grabbing the remote, he flipped a switch and the curtains around the whole apartment began to rise in union. Rubbing his eyes to clear the long days sleep from them; he stumbled over to the half open windows and glanced around his favorite city. The lights at night seemed to make the city in a way seem larger. The Empire State building stood directly in front of him, and the vampire rested his forearm against the warm glass and sifted his weight. What to do tonight? he thought to himself as he glanced at the people walking far below his building. Had he have thought about it earlier he would have thrown one of his usual lavish parties, however it had slipped his mind that week and now it seemed he was going to be stuck going to a mundane club instead. They were alright, but he was looking for a bit more fun than that.

Walking across the soft white carpet, Damion opened his closet and pulled out a pair of tight black jeans, and a grey t-shirt. It only took him half an hour before he was standing in front of one of his favorite clubs downtown. Walking in he immediately spotted a few downworlders prowling about, trying to take advantage of the poor, senseless mundanes. Rolling his grey eyes, the vampire decided to ignore it and headed to the long bar. Ordering a glass of whatever, (he didn’t plan on drinking it) he took the dark glass and quickly dumped it in a nearby plant. Slipping a flask from his back pocket, he poured deep red liquid into the empty cup before returning the container to his pocket. Running the glass under his nose, he let out a low sigh as his sense peeked. Taking a sip he swished it carefully through his mouth, savoring every taste before finally swallowing the coppery liquid. Licking his lips he was forced to retract his fangs quickly as a group of girls walked by. It was going to be a good night.

[NATALYA BLACKMOOR]

After a long day of training, a particularly strong wanderlust had struck Natalya. It seemed a perfect time to further explore her new city. And by explore, she meant go clubbin'. After the sun had fully set, she shed her tough black armor in favor of something more comfortable; a simple, black, strapless dress, with a thin jacket thrown on to cover the permanent runes swirling over her shoulders and upper arms. Open toed black heels completed the ensemble, her long dark hair tied back from her face.

After successfully navigating the subway and eyeing several potential clubs, she chose one and entered. Her eyes roamed the bar, noticing that there were several downworlders milling about, surprisingly. Surprising because, well, she hadn't thought downworlders would visit a mundane night club. How she'd come to this conclusion, she wasn't sure; she'd never actually met a downworlder.

The young Nephilim approached the bar, using it only as a vantage point to better eye the club on the whole. She wasn't of legal drinking age in this country, irritatingly enough, which is why she waved off the bartender with a smile.

[DAMION ALVARADO]

Deciding to finish the remaining blood in his cup before it turned cold and coagulate, Damion turned his back on the girls passing by. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see one of the girls watching him as she passed with her friends. As their eyes made contact, he blushed and looked away quickly. Laughing a little, Damion kept his eyes on her waiting to see if she looked at him again. Indeed she did, and the vampire knew there was a good chance he would have someone to take home that night. It had been so long since he had had fresh human blood.

However, before he could walk over to her, he caught a whiff of something. With a snarl of his nose, Damion turned to the young girl that had planted herself next to him. She’s a young Nephilim that’s for sure he thought to himself as he studied her wondering if she could even spot a vampire. Noting that she had waived off the bartender, the vampire knew he was correct on her age. After several centuries in this world, he knew by now how to spot age. And of course the smell of the Shadownhunters was one he knew all to well. He had had several run-ins with them about the parties he held at his apartment. Of course, they could do nothing about it since he was technicaly doing nothing illegal. They had informed him that a vampire without a group was more dangerous and had to be watched carefully. Damion had rolled his eyes at this, and was force to bear the constant checkups and drop-ins. Besides this meant his dinner, at least for the moment, would have to be put on hold. Taking a girl right under the clave’s nose would be suicide even if he didn’t intend to kill her.

Sliding closer to the young girl, he leaned in close as to be heard over the loud music. “Anything you want me to order you my dear?” He flashed her a charismatic smile as the Brooklyn accent rolled off his tongue. Living in the New York so long had completely changed his accent over the years and his once fluent British accent had been replaced with a hard American one.

[NATALYA BLACKMOOR]

The young Nephilim's attention moved from the hustle and bustle of the crowd to the man who approached her. He leaned in close, asking if he could order her anything. It took her a moment to note that he was a vampire, a fact she found very interesting. His accent was distinctly American, unique to this city, though who knew if this was where he was originally from. There was no telling how old he was, how many places he'd lived.

His smile was rather charming, and she was a friendly sort, so the grin she gave in return was warm. "A rum and cola sounds nice about now. I appreciate it." she replied, her own Eastern European accent apparent in her speech.

Natalya had to admit, she was curious. There didn't seem to be any other vampires in the club, and it was her understanding that they mostly operated in groups. She had not been in the city long enough to learn of the covens that lived here, but if he was here alone, perhaps he didn't belong to any of them. Were this true, that changed the situation; after all, she had always been taught that lone vampires were often rogues, and dangerous.

This may have been her over-thinking the situation, however. The young Shadowhunter was not one to jump to conclusions, especially when she didn't have all the facts. Besides, she was here to have fun, if at all possible. She ought to have been glad she was getting a chance to speak with a Downworlder.

[DAMION ALVARADO]

Damion’s smile widened as he glanced over his shoulder and whistled at the bartender. Ordering the young girls drink, he watched as the handsome man made up a rum and coke and slid it across the bar to him. Inclining his head in thanks, the vampire returned his attention to the Nephilim across from him. Handing her the drink, he said “Ask and you shall receive.”

Taking the last drink from his glass, Damion returned the empty, red coated goblet to the bar. Thankfully it was close enough to the color of a Bloody Marry to pass as being just another cocktail drink. He figured drinking blood in front of these mundanies would in some way be against the laws of the clave. How pathetic they were with all of their rules and regulations. It seemed to him as if they had too much time on their hands. Of course he didn’t dare go against them, well that’s not to say he didn’t stray from the path now and again, but for the most part he was a good little vampire. They didn’t care for his smart-ass attitude towards it though, and they were sure to let him know that.

Pulling himself from his inward ranting, Damion leaned his back against the bar and looked down at the girl. At the base of her neck he could see the blood pumping through her veins, and an overwhelming feeling took over his body. The thought of drinking from a human that night seemed to be the only thing on his mind. Of course, he would have to get the shadowhunter to leave first; or perhaps he could persuade her. After all, Nephilim blood was said to be the best, coming from the angel himself, and what Damion wouldn’t give for just a sip. An insane thought none the less, but it was worth the shot. The worse that could happen would be a good scolding from the you Nephilim, and he would be on his way to another club to find an easier specimen to prey on.

Therefore, the seemingly young vampire put on his best charm and leaned over to the girl again. “So might I inquire as to why such a beautiful young girl is out in a bar by herself?” It was a simple enough question, with of course a little flattery thrown it. The amiable smile was still plastered on his face as he waited for her reply.

[NATALYA BLACKMOOR]

Natalya accepted the drink gratefully. "Thank you." She raised it a bit, inclining her head. "Cheers." she said, taking a sip. The cool drink was a welcome relief after the walk to the club, and she noted it was a bit heavier on the rum than she was used to. She eyed the stranger as she drank, noticing that the look he gave her had been distinctly predatory and mildly unsettling.

She felt only a twinge of fear, enough to slightly speed her heart rate. She had come unarmed and alone, perhaps not the smartest choice. She was a Shadowhunter, however, and a skilled one at that. Anything could become a weapon in a pinch, and she was confident in her own abilities. She shook off thoughts of violence; not every glance held ulterior motives, she mentally scolded herself, and it was unfair to judge so quickly.

The look was fleeting, however, as the charm returned. "Beautiful, hm?" she said, brow raised for a moment as a smile formed. "I am new to the city, and I've heard quite a bit about New York's club scene. I decided to come have a look myself." she replied. "I'm Natalya, by the way." she added.

[DAMION ALVARADO]

Inclining his head, he gave her a quick “you’re welcome” before noting the clear accent in her voice. A newcomer from England eh? he thought to himself as he studied her a little more. He knew that shadownhunters came from all over the world, but he had never met one a new as her venturing off in an unfamiliar city by themselves. She was indeed an adventures ones. Perhaps he stood a better chance than he had previously thought.

However, a movement in her neck caught his eye. The blood was pulsing more rapidly than it had been before. This could only mean she knew what he was, and fear was now making her heart race. So she was slightly afraid of him, which could mean she was unarmed. After all there was no room in that little black dress to hide much. His best chance was to try and calm her down a little; show her he was no threat.

Thankfully, he could see his charm was working as she as she responded to his question. “Why yes you are quite beautiful,” he said with a laugh. He was impressed to see how correct he was on her situation. “Oh well if you need a tour guide, I’ve been in this area for quite some time now.” Actually Damion had been spending most of his free time at his Brooklyn home instead of here. It was somewhat of a mini vacation so to speak; time to get away from all the noise and the pesky Vampires that lived around these parts. “I’ve been to nearly every club in this town. So I could give you quite a tour,” he added casually. “Are you here visiting family, or just coming to see America?” His question implied that he had no clue she was a Shadowhunter. For now he wanted her to believe he had no idea that under that thin jacket were the scars from the marks of a stele.

Extending a pale hand, the vampire intended to shake hers in welcome. “Ah such a stunning name Natalya,” he mused. “I’m Damion Alvarado.” He wondered if introducing himself with his actual name was the best of ideas. Surely she had no idea who he was anyways. She was new!

[NATALYA BLACKMOOR]

The young Nephilim sipped her drink as he responded. Ah, so he had been in New York for some time, then, to be so familiar with the city. "I wouldn't mind a tour." she said. This was actually the first time she'd been out of the Institute in awhile, and it was definitely the first time she'd navigated the streets alone. She hadn't quite had a chance to wander, to get her bearings in the city. It didn't help that this place was so foreign, with a totally different vibe than her home city.

"Neither, I suppose." she answered. Natalya couldn't quite consider these newly met Shadowhunters her family, and she was doing more than simply visiting. "I'm from Belarus, originally, though I'm here for the foreseeable future. On business, you might say." She couldn't quite tell if he knew she was a Shadowhunter; he'd given no indication. It was fairly common knowledge that most downworlders held the Clave and its Shadowhunters in contempt. She could only wonder if he held those same views.

In any case, the jig was up when he reached for her hand. She extended her own and shook his firmly, making no attempt to hide the scars criss-crossing along her hand and up her arm. If he didn't know yet, he'd know now for sure now. "A pleasure, Damion."

[DAMION ALVARADO]

Watching as she took a drink from her glass, Damion quickly responded to her agreement. “Well anytime you would like then,” he said returning a small smile to his lips. Perhaps showing her around would build a trust between them, and hell maybe it would get the Clave off of his back for a while. She could assure them he was doing nothing wrong, and then he wouldn’t have to deal with those blasted drop-ins on his doorstep. Being friends with a Shadowhunter could indeed have its perks.

“Business eh?’ A look of fascination passed across his face for a minute. Could the Nephilim have caught word of what was happening amongst the demons? Surely she meant this only as a cover-up for her actual excuse for being here in New York. Besides there was no reason for the Shadowhunters to know what was happening. The Clave, after all, was doing a good job of subduing all the panic that had recently spread through their community. No she only meant this in a euphemistic way of hiding her replacement to a new Institute he assured himself.

It was a waste of time nonetheless. As she took his hand, he grasped her hand firmly pulling her closer to him as he pushed her sleeve up above her elbow. Raising a thin eyebrow, he looked up at her with a sneer. “Either you have some serious issues,” he mumbled indicating to the long scars up her arm. “Or you’re one of the infamous Nephilim.” His voice was calm, and steady as he released her hand that was still trapped in his.

(Sorry its so short. I'm on my phone today )

[NATALYA BLACKMOOR]

Natalya was certainly glad to hear he'd be willing to show her around. With an experienced guide, learning her way around the city would be fall easier. She had a knack for getting lost, it seemed; she'd found herself losing her way around the New York Institute alone. At least her fellow Shadowhunters had a chance of stumbling upon her while in the Institute. The vast city was another thing entirely.

She hadn't been expecting Damion to literally pull her out of her reverie as he drew her closer and pushed her sleeve up, eliciting a surprised sort of squeak. She cleared her throat and nodded. "Ah, yes. I'm a Shadowhunter." she said. She took great pride in being a Shadowhunter, and it showed her voice even as she admitted she was one.

"Infamous? Not a fan, I take it?" she asked cautiously, raising a brow. The Nephilim were not very popular among certain groups of downworlders. While she didn't always agree with everything the Clave said, she was still a Shadowhunter, and that was enough for most. How he felt, she couldn't tell for sure. He seemed unperturbed outwardly, and his voice was calm. Reading people was one of her strong suits; she was a people person. Her inability to really pinpoint him was both a cause of mild frustration and slight nervousness. He'd released her hand, which she gratefully withdrew.

[DAMION ALVARADO]

Laughing a little at her initial reaction, Damion shook his head. “I’m not going to hurt you my dear girl,” he informed her. His tone was believable enough as it was in fact the truth. He did not intend to hurt her, against her will that was. “I’m sorry if I startled you. Sometimes I forget my own strength.” Even as old as he was, sometimes he would forget how fast or strong he was causing other to become alarmed or curious. Normally he was good at hiding such abilities, but now without his normal amount of blood supplies, he was having a bit of a problem concentrating.

Rolling his eyes at her comment, the vampire shook his head. “No you misunderstand me,” he began his face cracking into a smile, “By infamous, of course, I don’t mean any offence. I’m merely pointing out that you are, oh how do you say it….”Pausing for a minute Damion rubbed the bottom of his chin trying to find a more suitable word. “…Legendary,” he said, snapping his long pale fingers as it crossed his mind. “The clave is in fact legendary. Every downworlder throughout the dimensions know who they are.” If you were a downworlder you knew who the Nephilim were, and you either hated them or liked them. There were very few who were left in the middle. Thankfully, Damion was one of the small minority left in the middle. He used different sides only to gain advantage, and he was sure to know which side he was for when talking to different people. As for right now, he was on the side of the Nephilim.

Glancing a way for a quick minute, Damion noticed his empty glass still resting upon the bar. Snatching it up, he emptied the remainder of his flask into its empty depths. Unfortunatly, it only filled it half way to the top. He hadn’t expected to be out this long to night, and was regretting for not planning a little better. Taking a slow drink, he watched the Natalya over the top of his glass. He now could care less whether she disapproved of his acts. After all, he wasn’t drinking from a human at least. “I suppose you know what I am by now. I’m surprised you didn’t recognize me before hand,” he said causally as he lowered his glass.

[NATALYA BLACKMOOR]

Natalya chuckled, if a little nervously. "No problem." Perhaps she wasn't as completely at ease as she thought. And who could blame her; she was out alone, unarmed, in an unfamiliar place with a lone vampires she didn't know at all. He had sounded sincere when he'd said he had no intention of hurting her, and she believed him, even if she wasn't completely reassured.

His clarification amused her. Her brows rose, the corners of her mouth turning up in a grin. "Legendary. That's one way of putting it." she said, finishing off her drink. She hadn't really gained any insight into how he felt about the Nephilim, only that it seemed he didn't hate them enough to simply end their conversation and leave.

She set her glass back on the bar, watching as he retrieved his glass and refilled it with...something. Likely blood. This didn't faze her overly much; it wasn't against the law for vampires to drink blood in public. It wasn't even against the law for them to feed from humans, so long as they didn't kill them, obviously. She nodded. "Yes. I'm...not quite as experienced at detecting downworlders as some of my brethern." she admitted, a bit sheepishly.