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Post by Shea on Feb 28, 2015 4:06:20 GMT
He gets woken up at 3:27 in the afternoon, the sun unable to break through the dark curtains he'd hung up over the single window in his room. His entire body aches from the hunt that kept him out until well into the dawn the prior night, and he has to swollen down a scream of rage, though forcing himself up doesn't stop his body screaming in protest.
A vampire had gotten lucky; tossed him away as he went in for the kill. He'd shattered the wall and his shoulder in the process, and while Sierra worked magic on the wound, he was still sore and ached all over. And of course Markus and Bryant -- and he knew it was them, the room above his and to the left -- were as inconsiderate as always, the banging of their headboard making an echoing in his throbbing skull.
If it wasn't bad enough that he had to see them in love. He had to hear it, too. Cradling a 9mm in his hand, he contemplated shooting a bullet at the roof in hopes they'd take the hint. But he's more afraid of K's reaction to a hole in her precious building than he is pissed with them, and so he sighs and sits up more fully, rubbing his knuckles over his eyes.
His guns and blades are spread out across a desk, clean from the night before -- the only thing he managed before he collapsed, still in his dirtied clothes. It's with a stiff leg that he rises, grabs clean clothing, and makes his way to the bathroom. The shower is blistering hot, but it washes away the gore and grime, and he's feeling a little more human when he steps out in a pair of loose sweatpants and makes his way downstairs to the kitchen for a meal.
There's a figure at the large table, one he doesn't recognize, and he's slipping back into the shadows before he realizes it. A thousands courses of action run through his head, ways to take the person out, before his racing heart calms. There's no way someone would be sitting there, so casually, with books and laptop open, odd artifacts before him, unless he was allowed.
So. Another hunter, then? He thought he'd known of them all around here.
"Rare thing to find a new face in here anymore," he calls as he steps back into sight and moves to the table.
The man has dark hair, short on the sides, but the front looks to have grown out; nearly covering his eyes. The stubble across his face is light, but well-maintained. His first thought is no, not a hunter -- but then he noticed the veins in the backs of his hands, the corded muscles of his forearms and biceps. Maybe? A frown pulls at his lips as he grabs a chair opposite the man and spins it around to straddle it. The knife in his pocket appears, and he stabs it in an apple in the basket Connie always keeps full of fruit, taking a large bite.
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Post by lizzie on Mar 2, 2015 22:39:58 GMT
He doesn't pay attention to the shift of the atmosphere around him, not for lack of perception buy for lack of concern. K has been known to run a tight ship and Markus, for his many social draw backs, would never let something through those doors without cause. The silent movements and quiet footfalls told him it was a hunter. Probably one of the many who had taken to living in k's bar turned boarding house for hunters. It is, after all, far too early to care about some potential random slob playing at ninja. Lazarus had too much to do.
Lazarus at come at the behest of K and Markus. They were always calling the broker for one thing or another. Some artifacts they wanted to take on lawn...aand prey it didn't break like the last time, and hard to find ingredients. Markus was still paying for that unnecessary slip up. Of course, Laz had him pay him back in favors or jobs. He did know a great deal of interesting people he could use to his advantage, afterall. Logging the amount of things they wanted today took a great deal of time and calculation.
His attention was torn from his work only momentarily when the hunter plopped down and stabbed a piece of fruit. Was that necessary? Hunters and their need to show their knives like they're waving around their cock for all to see how manly they are. He had to say, however, there were some he didn't so much mind seeing either. Only a fool would find himself unable to admit the bruised hunter was attractive. He wasn't sure what made him so if it was his attitude with how he held himself in that chair or if it was the angles of his face and muscles. Maybe he'd make a determination once his job was done here. The thought pulled the corner of his lips into a smile.
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Post by Lizzie on Mar 3, 2015 6:26:13 GMT
Laz tossed a look to the hunter after putting in the final value in the document he was working on. Looking over him he narrowed his eyes and gave a small grin. "I'm not entirely new. You, however, are new to me. A passer by or one of K's newer boards?" He asked, turning his attention back to the laptop , typing away intently. He wasn't as work focused as SOMEONE he knew but he did like to keep a small record of who he met when here. He, also, wasn't one to give out introductions eagerly. Satisfied with what he recorded, he closed the lid of the laptop and leaned back in the chair. Lazarus pushed up the rolled sleeves of his suit jacket before swiping a small vial off the table and looking it over. The tan skinned man leaned back in his chair and glanced back at his new companion.
"Phoenix tears. You have no idea HOW popular this stuff got after those Harry Potter movies. Even amonst supernaturals. Pretty ridiculous. If only people knew what they were ACTUALLY used for and it's not healing some 12 or 13 year old's wounds." He laughed. "But they are worth a lot. Higher demand, higher cost, afterall." and he winked at him before setting it back on the table. "I'm the broker, if introductions are to be had. I feel it's somewhat impolite to sit here eyeing up a man without so much as a formal title." There was that half smirk again.
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Post by Shea on Mar 4, 2015 2:01:41 GMT
Matteo waited for the man to speak. If he were trying to make a show of waiting to reply, Matteo didn't take any offense to it. Let the man keep him waiting, if it made him feel better. He continued to eat the apple as he listened to the sound of keys and pen against paper, idly turning his sprained wrist.
When he finally spoke, he knew who the man was as soon as he said he wasn't new. Markus and K had admitted to they were going to find him the same night he'd left to find the vampire coven, but he didn't cut him off. He just hadn't been aware that they'd meant to bring him back with them. He made no comment, instead grinning behind the apple, "Ohhh, mysterious; and so very fancy of a title."
I'm Matteo," he said. "And, no. I'm not new. K and I go way back." He took another bite of the apple. It wasn't a lie; but then again, telling someone that you watched a woman grow up, when you looked years younger, didn't usually sit well with most. And if the man were to stick around and deserve to know all of their twisted little backgrounds, he would.
"Heard they were looking for something to help with the demons," he admitted. "Some special weapons or warding or something." If truth, he knew more than that. But again: need to know basis.
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Post by Lizzie on Mar 4, 2015 2:56:55 GMT
He laughed a bit at the young man's words. It WAS a mysterious and fancy title. Of course, as nice of a title as it was, it wasn't always his. His thoughts shifted to his mother, the imposing raider that she had been. She was a whole lot less clean cut than he, himself, was. Usually messy with her hair in a loose bun and ready to run off to some other adventure. She fit right in with the hunters. He, however, had a life outside of this, albeit a small one. Accountant by day and rare supernatural artifact collector by night.
"A man has to have a fancy title if you do my sort of thing. The guy with the things would sound so less imposing." Sipping from what little remained in his cup, he raised a brow at the hunter. It was surprising he hadn't seen him before, but, he didn't often make it a habit of meeting too many folk face to face. Part of his job relied on anonymity and a face was just as good as a name to get him killed in some instances.
He nodded his head at him in acknowledgement. "Nice to meet you Matteo. Always a pleasure to meet a friend of K's. You know, I think i have something that'll help with that wrist." He pulled out a small baggy of clear gel like fluid and tossed it his way. "Rub that on that wrist and it should feel better in no time. Free of charge for a friend of a friend." He took that moment to stand and walk behind the counter, thick soled dress shoes loudly clicking against the hard wood floor of the 'bar' area of the establishment as he walked toward a steaming coffee pot. "Something like that...Markus is concerned about another demon problem as well, but I'm not supposed to talk about that." He laughed, stirring sugar into his coffee. "Want any?"
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Post by Shea on Mar 4, 2015 3:08:23 GMT
"Thanks," Matteo said to the man's back, picking up the baggy and rolling it between his fingers. He wasn't sure he would use it, but with these kinds of people, he found that admitting so was more of an insult than the loss of goods. Sierra healing his shoulder had already hurt him enough, and he didn't want to deprive his body further. Vicious cycle, he thought, a grimance pulling at his scarred lips.
He made a noncommittal noise, wondering what the Russian hunter was so concerned about this time to hire the man. Half the time it was all paranoia, but that paranoia had kept them alive more than once. He'd just have to wait and see what happened. Because even if he asked, Markus wouldn't tell him anything he didn't need to. He wondered if Bryant knew. Probably. Even with how much they fought, it was easy to tell there was a bond there. Love, even. He scowled, and muttered gruffly, "Yeah, please and thanks."
"Assuming that you aren't gonna tell me your real name, even though I know what you go by, what you do, and what you look like?" he called over, a smirk in his voice. They all had their secrets, but that didn't stop Matteo from wanting to figure them all out.
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Post by Lizzie on Mar 4, 2015 3:21:05 GMT
He laughed a soft, rumbling chuckle that started deep in his chest. Of course. He was a curious one, but he got points for trying. It was endearing in a way. Of course, he supposed that wasn't trying TOO hard. "You might know my face and what I do but two things could completely ruin me and that's my real name and you touching that laptop infront of you. Of course, unless you're a tech genus goodluck figuring out the password before the harddrive gets completely wiped." Another chuckle followed as he dug around for another mug and, thankfully, it was clean. K was great at a lot of things and could scare nearly any man enough to brown his shorts but she was no housewife that's for sure.
Lazarus was certain the only reason the one he grabbed was clean was either she'd assigned someone else to the duty of taking care of the dishes, or Connie had taken to it. He couldn't honestly see K allowing Connie to do much of anything. "How do you take your coffee?" He asked as he pushed aside his musings and started to fill the mug with warm, dark liquid. Broker considered asking 'like you take your men?' because he couldn't help but want to flirt but he restrained himself. Some hunters didn't take too kindly to being hit on...though he wouldn't be surprised if he was at least a little gay. That seemed to be the running theme around the hunters K collected lately.
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Post by Shea on Mar 4, 2015 5:15:21 GMT
Matteo finished the apple he was eating in another bite, and placed the core on a napkin. He'd throw it out when he got up. Right then, walking seemed like too much of a pain. Reaching for an orange in the bowl, he used his knife to start peeling it. "Sugar," he replied. "Lots of sugar." He had no idea how so many of the people around here took it black. He often teased Markus and Bryant for only doing so to feel more manly, and while it riled them up, their returned taunts of him taking his like a sissy left him unaffected.
"Can't blame a guy for asking," he said, referring to his question on the man's name. He popped an orange slice into his mouth, absently wiping the juice that dripped down his chin. "And you're right. I'm not computer tech. I can Google, and that's about it." Truthfully, he could always have Klia hack into his systems. There wasn't a system she couldn't get her perfectly trimmed and painted nails into, but he also knew there was a first time for everything.
He could ask her. She'd probably be interested to test her abilities... but honestly, it took more effort than he cared to give. Let the man keep his name for now. He'd learn it eventually. He also wouldn't be surprised if Klia had, or was currently trying, to get into them on her whims. She'd been rather bored lately.
"You're overestimating my curiosity on your name. Not many of us go by our birthnames anymore. Too many memories, too many loose ends; different for everyone." He shrugged, and grit his teeth as his shoulder screamed in protest. Swallowing down the pain, he cast a smirk over his shoulder. "And I'm willing to bet if you still around, I'll find it out sooner or later. I'm good at that."
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Post by Lizzie on Mar 4, 2015 5:46:59 GMT
Lazarus sat the coffee infront of the hunter and shook his head. He didn't say a word about the sweetness, but was certain to bring a small thing of sugar over with him...just incase he hadn't put enough. His mothers had liked hers with a thick layer of sugar at the bottom and he could rarely get it sweet enough for her. "I doubt I'm overestimating much. I don't expect much from hunters, no offense." He blew his coffee as he sat down and crossed his legs again. "I've learned a long while ago that a lot of you like your anonymity almost as much as I. Though for a different reason." he was looking down at the edge of the table when the corner of his lips turned up in a smirk. He was so confident, wasn't he? Hmm. "I doubt it. Even K doesn't know and while I'm fond of loosening my lips for attractive men, it's one thing I don't give up to anyone in this world." Broker tossed him a little wink before sitting up once again to dig his phone out of his pocket. "And, if you aren't very curious then I doubt you'd put in the work to find out my name." He continued as he swiped across the screen to view the text.
Asren. His face changed only a fraction, just minor frustration. Sometimes he was happy he'd finally moved on from being the workaholic he was before but, sometimes, he disliked how much the man needed him to assist Isa with the books. Cute as hell, but Isa definitely wasn't good with his maths. He swiftly typed out a text with his thumb and slipped it back into his pocket.
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Post by Shea on Mar 4, 2015 5:59:23 GMT
Matteo wasn't surprised by the words. Most people involved in the supernatural that weren't hunters didn't think too highly of them. But he, and the rest of them, kept fighting because they believed someone needed to. That they were making the world better; safer. It was a noble cause, he thought, though not many agreed. "You know, if you have to end a statement with "no offense", it usually is offensive."
He grinned, and took a sip of the hot coffee. Setting the cup down, he unceremoniously dumped a spoonful of sugar into it. "I'll bet," he chuckled. He someone had a wonderful habit of finding attractive men that enjoyed the company of other men. "But I will. Either because you want me to know, or because you slip up." Grinning over the rim of his cup, he took another sip.
Watching as the man checked his phone, he wondered about the look that crossed his face. But there wasn't any point in asking. If Matteo had learned anything in his years, it was patience. He had plenty of it to spare. "Well," he drawled as Broker put his phone away. "What can you tell me about yourself?"
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Post by Lizzie on Mar 4, 2015 6:24:07 GMT
He held up a hand in submission to his first statement. "I didn't mean I don't respect hunters and what they do. I do, after all, do a little of the same things myself. The best thing about being a broker is it's not just the good guys wanting these things." He pointed back to the pheonix tears. "So, sometimes I can do my part and catch the badguys unaware. Kill a few nasty bastards or get help doing it." he put his coffee down after taking a sip and looks over him. "My only no offense was not expecting much curiousity from hunters. A lot of the ones I've met only have one setting mentally."
Still he found himself laughing and raising the brow hidden behind wavy dark strands. "oh? And why would I want you to know?...and you'd be surprised how good I am at keeping my secret. For now, broker is fine. It rolls of the tongue plenty well enough for most people who find themsleves saying it often." He almost added a bit more but held back and let out a sigh, checking his watch. What were K and Markus doing sleeping so late? Had sex really ruined their sleeping schedules so much? Good sex or no I had no problem leaving in the morning...of course, K had an excuse. Loving someone DID make it all that harder to leave in the morning.
Thinking on the other's question he made a thoughtful sound. "I'm an only child, I like good scotch, attractive people and I'm quite fond of I Love Lucy." he laughed. "And you?"
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Post by Shea on Mar 5, 2015 2:48:13 GMT
Matteo chuckled, eating another slice of the orange he had peeled. He wasn't oblivious enough to think the man was being so flirtatious simply for the fun of it. But he also wasn't stupid enough to ask the still-stranger back to his room. But it was nice to know he was almost definitely an option in the future -- if he stuck around long enough. He was so very pretty, after all.
"Just tends to happen. Secrets around here don't stay secrets for so long." Half the people claimed they only told him so much because they wanted him to shut up; the other half admitted they weren't sure why they spilled so much of their pasts when they never had before. Whichever the true reason, Matteo hadn't really bothered to discover. He got his answers, and that was good enough for him.
Draping himself more fully across the back of the chair, Matteo made a thoughtful sound. "I'm older than I look," he said, and gave the man a wink. If only he knew how true that was... "I spend most of my off time reading, and I absolutely hate rainy days."
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Post by Lizzie on Mar 5, 2015 3:18:06 GMT
Broker gave an amused, hearty laugh as he listened to the other finish. "Really? Are you sure you aren't are cat?" Broker lifted his cup from the table and brought it to his lips once more. "You certainly sound like my cat. Though his 'reading' is more blocking my face from reading because he has to be the center of attention." He made a face at the last bitter bite of the coffee. If he were honest, he preferred espresso to coffee grounds but he wasn't one to be pretentious about it when it was free.
"I find most hunters don't looks their age these days, one way or the other." He finally said, knowing many of the people who took to staying near K these days were hardly the age they appeared. Even K herself. You didn't become as well established as that woman with a NORMAL human lifespan. Then there were hunters like Markus that, regrettably, tended to look older than their age due to events in their past and their chosen 'career'. "But, it's nice to know you're older and not the most mature 16 year old I've had the pleasure to meet. Of course, I have met 16 year old hunters." He sat his coffee back on the table top and grabbed himself an orange from the fruit basket.
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Post by Shea on Mar 5, 2015 3:37:13 GMT
Matteo nodded, a smiling pulling at his lips. "I have been learning most of the group around here are not your... normal humans. If they're human at all," he agreed. "I suppose that's something else I'll have to learn about you, hmm?" he took another sip of the coffee, again rolling his wounded shoulder. He'd need to ask if Markus or K had an "errand" for him to run, or some incidents that seemed bizarre. The alternative was healing even more slowly than a full human, and he didn't much agree with the thought of that.
The smile falling from his lips, Matteo nodded. "Yes... I've met even younger. Unfortunately. It's a cruel world sometimes, isn't it?" he sighed, a little wistfully. "Viveka actually grew up in the Agency. From a long line, I believe. She was raised in this world, but I still somehow think that would be less horrid than being dragged, kicking and screaming, into it, as most are."
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Post by Lizzie on Mar 5, 2015 5:23:22 GMT
Broker nodded. He could remember his own life. Sure it wasn't the same as a hunter's but it still had his drawbacks. There were times his mother slipped up and they had to run and move and such quite frequently. And there were others where he was dragged halfway across the world to some dig or temple in a country where he couldn't even speak the language. He'd learned after a while and, eventually, he even learned to defend himself and get stronger mentally and physcally. It had helped when times were rough or when his mother was too busy with work to be a mother.
His expression became void for a moment, and he looked away giving a somber nod. "That is true. It is a tough life, I imagine. The world IS cruel and some have to learn harder ways than others." he rest his chin in his hand and looked over at the other man while picking at his orange. "I know a little something about how Viveka might feel. Not completely, surely, but a little."
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