Keith Newcomb [home]: He shoves the art supplies under this and behind that, frowning and annoyed. Increasingly so. Damn Alice and her mess!

Keith Newcomb [home]: He snarls and gives a box of brushes a ferocious kick that sends the brushes scattering and he stomps off to the kitchen for a beer.

Keith Newcomb [home]: Beer, beer, beer...he grabs something amber, ignoring whatever is on the label.

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: d10: Gnosis(WP): 3,3,9,9,3,8,

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: And just like that, he's in the living room, in his Dedicated clothes...which are the trench coat, the green lace-up front poet's shirt, and the leather pants. Steel toed boots...hair unbound. He simply stands there in the room, waiting for Keith to return.

Keith Newcomb [home]: He walks back into the living room, cracking open the beer with his bare hand, and stops dead, staring at Aerin. His eyes automatically shift to the locked front door.

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: He nods slowly to Keith, as if there's nothing at all out of the ordinary. "Got a smoke? Left mine at home."

Keith Newcomb [home]: "How the fuck did you get in here?" he demands, gesturing towards a pack of smokes (Camel, of course) on the coffee table, on top of a stack of art books. "There's no way you could have picked the lock and got in and re-locked, without me hearing. I was gone five seconds!"

Keith Newcomb [home]: He fishes a plain black lighter from his pocket, stepping over towards Aerin. He's only wearing a t-shirt (Jim Morrison's face in romantized airbrush detail), and his tattoo is partially covered by gauze, the edges showing signs of progressing removal.

Keith Newcomb [home]: ((t-shirt and blue jeans. *cough* I meant, not wearing a long sleeved shirt or his jacket))

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: "No place is truly secure, particularly to me. Let that be a lesson to you." He makes his way to the coffee table and grabs a smoke out of the pack. He picks up the lighter and flicks it, flaring the end of the Camel to life and taking a drag. The drag is slowly exhaled, as he looks Keith over for a moment. "How are you?"

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: ((takes the lighter, rather. :P))

Keith Newcomb [home]: Re-pockets the other lighter and silently hands Aerin the beer, apparently learning manners. He fetches another one in a few seconds, then plops onto the couch. "Real good. You know? Damn good, in fact. You?"

Keith Newcomb [home]: ((remove the word 'other' then *L*))

Keith Newcomb [home]: "Have a seat," he says, gesturing. "Make yourself at home. Alice is on campus, I think. Either that or out with that lech, Snyde."

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: "Thanks." He takes the beer and takes a seat opposite Keith. "I've been worse. What's got you so good? You seemed a bit pissed in your voicemail."

Keith Newcomb [home]: He runs a hand over his face. "I overreacted. I can handle Alex. He's just a guy, right? But I won't be threatened," he says with ominous quiet. "And I won't be blackmailed. I owe him nothing. The only thing that still bugs me is there's only one way he could have known about the vampires. Maybe he could figure out who I really am, yeah. Some things are hard to hide. But knowing about the vamps?" He shakes his head. "That's you. Why did you tell him, Aerin?"

Keith Newcomb [home]: "As for what's good, I got a band, I got a home, I got friends for the first time in my life, I met a girl that I could actually be into, and things are coming together." He shrugs.

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: He listens to it all, face perfectly even. He sighs at the end. "Look, I'll talk to Alex. What was he trying to blackmail you into doing? He's not the 'I want money from you' kind of guy."

Keith Newcomb [home]: "No, he didn't use direct words." A slight smirk. "He's way too smart for that. And I ran into him last night at Limelight and we were cool. "But it was the way he said he knew who I was, he was keeping an eye on me, and I don't know, something about finding a use for me. Paraphrasing. I can't remember exact words; I never pay that much attention to people."

Keith Newcomb [home]: He reaches for the pack, tapping out a Camel, and lighting it up, relaxing back on the couch as the smoke curls to the ceiling.

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: He frowns at that. "I'll definitely talk to Alex. I told him about the leeches because I trusted him with the information, and because if something happened to me, I needed someone who would know what was going on, in case they figured it out. I was trying to protect my investment in you, and protect Alice." He shakes his head, jaw setting. "What I was NOT trying to do is get him to lose all concept of discretion, or use it to make you his bitch-boy. I guess I was mistaken as to how much I could trust him in that respect."

Keith Newcomb [home]: "I like Alex," he muses. "Well, as much as I like anyone. But he made the wrong move on me. I don't give up control that easily. I would bolt before I would surrender. Regardless..." He waves his hand with the cigarette in a gesture of pushing the topic aside. "Maybe he thinks I'm a threat to Sha, or that I did something to that Dani girl. He's got that uber-protective streak in him. Not like he's a hero, but like he owns the right to protect everyone, you know what I mean?" Soft laugh. "No matter."

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: He nods slightly, taking a drink off the beer. "And Dani would be...?"

Keith Newcomb [home]: "Sha-Sha's friend. She was at the party where the guy with the broken bottle threatened me and Jeff. Anyway, couple weeks ago she totally vanished. Right into thin air, left all her stuff, and no one has a clue. Sha's a fuckin' wreck." Shakes his head. "And no, before you bother to ask, I didn't have anything to do with it. Last time I saw Dani was in the parking lot of a pool hall downtown, where she left with Sha, Alex, and Tony."

Keith Newcomb [home]: He takes a drink of his own beer, having almost forgotten it was there. In truth, part of his mind is still mulling over Aerin's locked room entry trick.

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: He nods a little. "I see. All right...this is all easily fixed. Well, the Alex part, anyway. I'll have a talk with him, and we'll straighten things out." His eyes are still on Keith...they haven't left him since Aerin sat down. "So, then. Tell me why you felt the need to hang out with a vampire in Battery the other day...and not just a vampire, but one of the ones who snagged you along with Spitfire and Teri."

Keith Newcomb [home]: "I don't know." He inhales deeply, then takes a swig of beer. "She gives me the chills, and I'm not easily scared. I'm not *sure* she's a vampire, not 100%, but I'm about 98% sure she is. I don't hang with her socially, but when I see her, I say hi, talk a little. Stupid, I know."

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: He nods a little bit. "It was stupid. But on the other hand, you can't just see her and run...it'll raise suspicions. She damn well knows about vampires, at the very least, and is either a ghoul or a vampire. And she knows you're supposed to be dead. What really, really got me is that you brought up my significant other and daughter to her." He tilts his head, waiting for keith's reaction.

Keith Newcomb [home]: He is genuinely puzzled. "No, I don't think I did. I mean, when I asked you to party with me, and I said to bring your partner, I didn't mention him by name. Hell, I didn't even say his gender. I didn't even mention your daughter."

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: He blinks, and then his eyes narrow, watching him Keith closely. Almost a bit warily, or suspiciously. A mix therein. "You...all right." He just nods, and takes a moment of silence to take a draught off his beer. Collect his thoughts.

Keith Newcomb [home]: "You twitch and freak every time I mention them by name, and I'm honestly trying to respect your feelings, Aerin. I'd say that I miss Ethan's company, and I do, but again," he sighs, "that will just piss you off."

Keith Newcomb [home]: "But I still wanna take you partying with us. I think you'd be cool if I actually got to know you. 'Sides, you're one of the few who *believe* in the supernatural, you know?" He pauses. "What's the Treaty?"

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: He opens his mouth with a slight smirk, but pauses at mention of the Treaty. The little smirk widens some, and he shrugs, snagging another smoke. "The Treaty is...wow. That's right, you wouldn't know. It's what saved your ass, in a roundabout way. Gave me the out I needed with Spitfire and Teri."

Keith Newcomb [home]: He tilts his head curiously, tapping out some ash. "So it's something that would protect me? I mean, if I were willing to be bound by it?"

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: "Conceivably, in a way. Assuming they'd let you. But yes, it would restrict you, too." He tilts his head to each side, a series of loud pops cracking out both ways. "The Treaty is a supernatural cease-fire that affects all within New York City who are members. It forbids you from attacking or using an offensive, mind-controlling, or similar supernatural power against something that isn't what you are, except in self-defense."

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: ((forbids members))

Keith Newcomb [home]: He grins. "I have no supernatural powers. Be kinda hard to violate that. Huh. I had no clue it existed, but I'm not surprised. I know of only two types of supernaturals for sure, and I've been away for a long time."

Keith Newcomb [home]: "I'd ask what you are," he comments idly, "but that kind of knowledge could get me killed. Am I right?" He stubs out the remains of his cigarette, blowing a last exhalation of smoke into the air. "Me, it don't much matter if you know what I am. I don't know that there's any point of secrecy to my kind, since I don't have a vampire master any more."

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: "But you are a born ghoul. Which, technically, puts you in the vampire catagory, even though you're not associated with any sect. What other type of supernatural do you know about?"

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: "Yeah, that kind of knowledge could get you killed," he says with a nod.

Keith Newcomb [home]: "I know about the bloodsuckers and one other kind of thing." He shrugs casually, taking a long pull from his beer. "I'll tell you, I haven't been with a vampire since I set my master on fire in San Francisco." He grins viciously with the memory. "Must have been...hell, when? 40, 45 years ago?"

Keith Newcomb [home]: "So if I'm technically a vampire," he says slowly, the grin giving way to a frown, "the Treaty won't protect me from vampires?"

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: He watches Keith, something dark flitting through his eyes...a mixture of wariness, resentment and something else...envy, maybe? It's gone quickly, though. He takes a drag off the cigarette and nods. "A while ago, I imagine."

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: Yes, back on topic. Good. He nods. "Correct. The Treaty states that, for example, vampires and ghouls can go after other vampires and ghouls, but no other type of supernatural. So, while you're technically able to be attacked...the good news is, the vampires don't know you're a ghoul. As they believe, Adrian died as part of a treaty violation, for going after me and mine. And I believe I put enough fear into them regarding that to keep them from invesitgating any." He scowls a bit. "Though Spitfire may not be a problem soon anyway."

Keith Newcomb [home]: "It's time, Aerin," he says with disqueting grimness. "Time for me to put the past to rest. I'll always be a monster, but I have the choice to spread chaos or to live a different life. I had my fun, I paid the price. I know you probably don't believe I can change. Maybe I can't. But I'm gonna give it a try."

Keith Newcomb [home]: Wonders again WHAT Aerin is, but won't ask. Even if he thought he would get a truthful answer, which he doesn't believe. "Spit's total anarchy, man. Total anarchy. Me and Jeff got in a fight with him in Battery a few weeks ago."

Keith Newcomb [home]: A sudden musing, "Teri would be dead if Spit hadn't been there. When she gave me her blood. I attacked her twice. Spit fought me off her. Barely." Quiet laugh, not quite amused.

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: d10: Per+Emp: 5,3,7,6,6,3,7,

Keith Newcomb [home] -> Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: He doesn't seem to be attempting to deceive. Whether or not he has the WILL to change is entirely another matter, but Keith at this moment does seem to believe that he can change. Aerin can sense that he's...well, bored for lack of a better word, with what he's done before, and is looking for something different, new challenges. He's having fun in a different way than he expected, perhaps. At this moment, he's feeling introspective, calm (though there's always aggression in him), and his demeanor towards Aerin carries no hostility.

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: "Yeah, well, he's really getting himself a bad case of the stupids. Not regarding you, don't worry. But it's a case that may cost him. A lot." He takes a drink off the beer and sighs. "As to the other...we'll see how that goes. If I didn't have hope you could change, you wouldn't be sitting here right now. But it sounds like you're really trying to make that effort, at least...band, home, friends, girl, and so on."

Keith Newcomb [home]: He shrugs. "You know, it's been fun being normal. More than I expected." He suddenly laughs. "Do you know I've been going to a fuckin' karaoke bar? I even sang." He shakes his head. "So Spit...what's he done? And what, exactly, am I gonna be doing for you?" He sets the mostly empty beer aside.

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: "Spit's taken it into his head to start spreading his tainted blood around. Or, at least, to one person. Someone very close to me." He leans back, watching Keith. "As to what you're going to do...for now, all I need you to do is start making friends with Gunther. Get to know him...find out what you can about him."

Keith Newcomb [home]: He frowns. "Fucking bloodsuckers." A soft, rather inhuman growl, genuinely angered for whatever reason that may be. "Yeah, I can manage that. Just hope he's too stupid to figure out who I am. Had a confrontation with him, nearly came to blows. He's after Alice, HE says to protect her. Wanted me to give him her address. Says she's in danger. Well, no shit."

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: His eyes narrow, and he lets out his own growl. "Keep him the FUCK away from Alice, Keith. Whatever you fucking do, do NOT let him near her. Do you understand me?" There's no question here...he's ordering Keith. Almost threatening him over this, as he leans forward, his stance gaining a bit more of that predatory vibe he gets from time to time. His eyes stare directly into Keith's.

Keith Newcomb [home]: He stares right back, though something in Aerin's eyes sends a creepily ice-cold finger down his spine. "I have no intention whatsoever of letting him near Alice. That's why it nearly came to blows, because I wouldn't tell him how to contact her. He wanted to compromise, set up a meeting. I said sure, then didn't say jackshit to Alice about it. I've no intention of letting her meet with him."

Keith Newcomb [home]: "No matter what, Aerin, no matter what. I'm not gonna let anything bad happen to Alice if I can at all prevent him. Fuck, I stepped between her and bullets for fuck's sake! You think I'm gonna let some Cammy slave have her? Fuck that!"

Keith Newcomb [home]: OOC> prevent him=prevent it

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: "Good." He nods a little bit, taking a last drag off the cigarette and stubbing it out before snagging another one. So rude for a chain smoker to come without his own. He lights it up and takes a drag, letting the nicotine calm him a bit...or the act, at least. "How is Alice, by the way?"

Keith Newcomb [home]: He reaches over to the hard pack and moves it elsewhere, further away from Aerin. "A total crab. She's either studying or out with that bastard Snyde or something. I haven't seen much of her. When she IS here, she acts like she's on the rag." He shrugs. ((The player is, of course, up to her eyeballs in RL studying and school and just last told me that Alice has been unusually bitchy of late. *G*))

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: ((Yeah, I know she's been busy. S'all good. :) )) He gives a brusque nod. He still has a lot of that tension running through him that he suddenly gained, but it's at least a bit more relaxed...a touch more subtle, simmering rather then rising. "She's a teenager. Teenagers get that way. Hopefully, it's nothing else."

Keith Newcomb [home]: "I don't think it's anything serious. There's no sign of drug use," he says matter-of-factly. "And she hasn't been going off with the crazy paranoid talk. Thor helps, and I think my being here helps, too. She ain't alone in the apartment at night."

Keith Newcomb [home]: ~Noooo, but she's living with a rather deranged serial rapist/killer. But as long as she isn't alone in the apartment.~

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: "Good." He runs a hand through his hair and sighs. "So. I think we've about got everything covered. Everything else is going okay, then?"

Keith Newcomb [home]: "Yeah." He smiles. "It's going real well. I'm getting fairly steady work giving drum lessons, and I just rented a storage unit for the band to practice in. Just have to get us a singer."

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: "Beaut." He rises, stubbing the cigarette out. "I'll get you back for the smokes later, Keith. But I should head off...try and get whatever passes for sleep for me these days. Talk to you soon, eh?"

Keith Newcomb [home]: He nods. "Yeah, that's cool. I'll let you know sometime when we're jamming, let you hear the band and see what you think." He chuckles.

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: "Works for me." He smirks to the man and makes his way for the door. "Have a good one. Don't do anything I wouldn't do." Something a little extra in that, of course, from the casualness the cliche usually presents. The lock is opened, and he turns the knob before opening the door to leave.

Keith Newcomb [home]: "No idea what you wouldn't do, man," he laughs, letting him go. ((Night! Thanks for the scene.))

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: "Then air on the side of caution," he says, smirking before he slips away, the door shutting behind him. ((Night! *Hugs* Always fun to have these two together.))

Aerin Thomas [PB 3]: ((And err, not air. Yeah, it's past my bedtime. :P))