Test Drive:

[killerrose]

Roof Tops: Night

[Her sword drips with blood, her black boots standing in the middle of the dark puddle as she looks up into her victims gaze. Her eyes are cold and calculating as her grip on the girl’s neck shifts. Her sword rises up once more slicing her head from her shoulders with a clean poetic arc. The body falls like a doll over the edge of the building until landing below where the figure freezes in death.

Ib drops the head on the rooftop, the girl’s blood continuing to pool as blue eyes look out in horror. A tangled mass of dark blond hair is stained with red like everything else on the roof. It is a beautiful painting left scattered along the buildings edge.]

One more piece.

[Her voice is soft as she turns away. Her gloved hand holds a bloody mass of tissue as she walks towards the painting that calls her.]

Bar: Night

Ib tilted her head to the side, a curtain of dark hair falling in response. It was the same most nights and again she was asked out. Her tight leathery black top was enough to make the boy’s mouth water but add her red eyes, the dark shade of her hair and the fact that she worked in a gothic night club and you got the perfect eye candy.

She made good tips that way.

A cruel smile pulled at her lips, one she had practiced since her first day, while her thin finger reached out and trailed along the boys jaw. He was older than her but he had a baby face that made people card him constantly. His name might have been Trevor; Ib never really took the time to remember.

“You know I can’t.”

Daytime:

She walked through the streets, her hands at her sides with her shadow following close behind her. Her red gaze flicked over those walking passed as if looking for something she had lost. He was complete and yet that preditorial urge remained.

“Garry.”

Her voice was soft but rang with a tone that demanded it be listened to. In an instant the shadow stepped forward, his eyes dead and cold like the puppet that he was. Ib placed her hand in his, looking at him as if they were the only ones along the crowded street. Those looking at the pair might mistake them for lovers except that their bond was much deeper than that.

The hum of those around them pulled her from her thoughts; she released his hand and turned forward. Like a good puppet he followed behind keeping his cold gaze on her long brown hair as it fanned behind her.

Random:

Start your own scene!

Comments

Bar: Night

[blue_macarons]

It was the sort of establishment that usually intrigued Garry. But things hadn't been the same since he emerged from the Fabricated World. Without Ib. In a time that was different from his own.

He was so sure that she took his hand before they leaped through together. That poor little girl was probably still on her own somewhere, and really, it wouldn't surprise him that this new time and place was just another layer to that gallery world. He had so few answers.

But he'd been here for a long while, and his search bore nothing but more questions.

Tonight, he wanted to just ... forget for a little while. So he bought a new pack of cigarettes and took to the streets. The gothic nightclub seemed popular, especially toward young adults like himself, and he figured that with his hair and fashion sense, he'd fit right in.

Cigarette tucked between his lips, he took a long drag and entered the establishment. It was dark, but it would be easy enough to find the bar. He pushed between the crowds, muttering polite "excuse me"'s and "oh, please, pardon me"'s, before finally finding his way to the bar with a relieved sigh.

Bar: Night

[killerrose]

The boy in front of Ib turned with a heavy sigh, admitting defeat once again. It was the same every night like watching a move on repeat and Ib found that she didn’t might care for it. She reached for a glass mindlessly cleaning the already spotless surface when her next patron walked up.

She didn’t look up from her work but instead down at the other end of the bar where a group was getting loud. “What would you like?”

Ib turned to face Garry and recognition dawned on her features. The glass slipped from her finger tips falling to the floor and shattering. It was loud enough to have a few people look over at her but it didn’t disrupt the heavy beat of the music or the hypnotic sway of the dancers.

She felt a lump form in her throat while that small voice spoke his name “Garry?” Except it can’t be, it had to be a fake because the real Garry was in the painting that she kept in the basement, the painting that she had been feeding in order to bring Garry back. This couldn’t be Garry.

A thousand thoughts fly through her mind trying to make sense of it all. She could understand, having that painting made it feel as if the Gallery was still real, still happening but she couldn’t believe that because the once innocent child has become cold and cruel.

Re: Bar: Night

[blue_macarons]

The woman behind the bar was actually quite striking. With pale features, dark hair, and piercing eyes that seemed hauntingly familiar, Garry couldn't help but linger there and study her for a moment. He brought his cigarette to his lips and inhaled, before puffing out smoke away from her. He knew he wanted something hard--something to really take him away from his situation, but there was simply something about her, and it wasn't just her loveliness.

"I ... well, if it's alright I'd like a--"

But he trailed off when her eyes grew less guarded. More open.

And then, she whispered his name.

Garry was ... utterly stunned. And it became so obvious why she was so striking. Those features, mature and womanly as they were, could've been ...

He blinked once. Twice. It had to have been his imagination. " ... Ib?"

Bar: Night

[killerrose]

No.

Ib shook her head looking down at the broken glass. "Garry is dead. You aren't him." She couldn't accept that he was here after everything she's been through. The art gallery was only the beginning of her nightmares.

She lowered herself to the ground and began to carefully pick the large pieces of glass from the floor. An old man, who looked like a manager, came over yelling at Ib as she calmly picked up the sharp pieces. He reached for her and pulled from her roughly from the ground by her arm, her finger sliding against a piece of glass slicing her finger open.

"What do you think you're doing!? Clean this up quickly and get to work!" It wasn't as if he could fire her, considering how many people came in to see Ib, but he would try and make an example of her. They were like players in a movie who were just behind the screen or in this case the bar.

Ib's gaze looked over towards Garry and then back at her manger. "Yes, sir." He left letting her clean up the floor and throw away the broken glass.

Re: Bar: Night

[blue_macarons]

... Dead?

Garry let his eyes fall shut for a moment, trying to get his head on straight. This beautiful woman behind the bar was Ib. Older. Her eyes no longer holding that tender innocence that she had in the gallery when they met. And she thought he had died.

Maybe something went horrifically wrong when he left that painting. Maybe that Fabricated World kept him for so many years before finally releasing him into a world so unfamiliar to him.

And Ib thought he had simply ... died.

He opened his eyes when he heard the gruff voice of an angry gentleman, his lips parting in dismay when he saw the rough treatment against Ib. That swell of protectiveness in his chest was the same--Ib was still Ib, even if he didn't recognize her at first and even if she didn't know it was really him. And no one had a right to treat her like that. Not even her boss! "Hey, you can't just--!" But the manager was already walking off.

Garry didn't care who was watching. He hopped over the counter to the other side of the bar, trying to pull Ib away from the broken glass. "Ib, here! Let me! You're hurt!" Extracting the handkerchief ("Ib" still embroidered in the corner) she had given him before they separated from his pocket, he reached out for her hand. "Wrap your finger, I'll take care of the rest!"

They'd garnered quite a few stares at this point, but they could all stare as much as they wanted. Garry had failed her enough times. He wouldn't do so again.

Bar: Night

[killerrose]

Her surprise was evident as she looked up at Garry. She couldn't believe that he was here but then he pull out her handkerchief. The one she had been given for her birthday before her parents passed away.

The sudden realization that this was really him made her want to run. Can he even understand the kind of monster that she's become? She was worse than Mary, having taken so many lives in exchange for the one thing she blamed herself for; him.

She had to push back her tears, she had stopped crying a long time ago.

Ib reached into her skirts small pocket and pulled out the same handkerchief. It was a little older and a few of the corners were frade but it spelled out Ib in the careful embroidered style. "How do you have this?"

She wasn't concerned about those staring at them or at the small trail of blood that coursed down her thin finger.

He looked the same as he did when they first met. Just as she remembered. Her heart ached and bit by bit she felt her carefully constructed defenses fall. She's been alone for so long.

Bar: Night

[blue_macarons]

Garry took pause, his heart stopping as his eyes landed on the same handkerchief. There were two? But how ...? "I--Ib, you gave this to me! After ... After Mary was--I hurt myself on glass. You wrapped my hand so it would stop bleeding!"

The whispers began, taking note of the usually calm and collected Ib and the tall, slender man who approached her with such familiarity and fearlessness. It was unheard of. Ib was untouchable and beautiful.

And this bumbling, tall fool had leaped over the bar to tend to her like it was second nature. And it was second nature to him. Regardless of what had happened and how many handkerchiefs there were, Ib's well-being was the most important, and the red rivulets dripping down her arm didn't escape his notice. With a stubborn step forward, he reached out for her hand, trying to encourage her to step away from the prying eyes.

He searched for another bartender and called out to the nearest guy there. "Hey, you! Ib needs a break! Take over for her!" It didn't matter if she'd get in trouble later. Her boss seemed like an awful person anyway. So he tried to lead her off into a more secluded part of the club.

Bar: Night

[killerrose]

She remembered Mary and the scent as that awful painting burned. She had taken Garry's lighter from jacket pocket ignoring the fact that he had died to protect her. The renewed memories kept her off balanced but she wasn't afraid. There wasn't anything that scared her any more.

Ib hadn't gotten close to anyone since then and having this meeting happen at her work only made it more of a hassle. She knew more questions would rise tomorrow night but for now her thoughts were solely focused on Garry. As Garry encouraged her away she cast one dark glare over the crowd. Those staring at the scene quickly averted their gaze, fearing the young woman's wrath.

She allowed him lead her away from the bar but after a few steps she took his hand and pulled him into a backroom that she sometimes used as a bedroom. There was the thin layer of dust that covered the dark boxes lining the shelves while a makeshift bed was pushed against the far corner.

Ib was turned away from him as she spoke, a curtain of dark hair creating a void between them. "After all this time... you're still taller than I am." It's all she could think of and while she spoke the uncertainty could be heard in her voice. She's finally able to see him again but it wasn't as she thought it would be. Nothing about him has changed, it was impossible to believe that he would just appear out of no where. "I watched you die."

Bar: Night

[blue_macarons]

"U-Uwah--!"

He had only meant to lead her away from the nosy and noisy patrons of the establishment, but Ib had taken charge, ducking into a door he hadn't noticed and pulling him along with her. The look that she gave to them didn't escape his notice. She had quite a fierce stare. One that was unfamiliar to him. He'd never seen her look like that when she was a little girl.

... What had he missed? He truly failed her, hadn't he?

He really ought to have a cigarette later. Just to de-stress or something. But Ib had to come first. They had to figure everything out.

In the darkness, he coughed a little, unnerved at the darkness in the back room. Honestly, it reminded him of a few rooms in that gallery, with the dark boxes on shelves and the overall lack of use on them.

Pushing back his trauma, he turned toward her, not liking the way she had shielded herself from him. Her hand still needed to be fixed, and none of her words made sense. He was sure he made it to the end with her. And he wasn't dead--confused, and he'd missed so much, but he wasn't dead.

Taking a step forward, he reached out, brushing back her hair behind her ear with one hand and taking her bleeding hand with the other. "I ... I promise, Ib, I didn't die. I just saw you, a couple of weeks ago. I took your hand and we were going to jump into the painting. Together."

His heart ached. "I ... maybe something happened. Maybe I was stuck somewhere. For---for years, maybe. Ib, I'm so sorry." How could he help? How could he make up for everything he'd done? "How long has it been? For you, I mean ..."

Bar: Night

[killerrose]

It might have been dark and a little bit like the rooms they have encountered but over the years it’s been home to her, on those nights where she had nowhere else to go. It was hard for her in foster care and now that she was free she had to find ways to make it on her own. This was just one of them and because of it she found comfort where her nightmares used to roam.

She had his lighter too but she assumed that it was only a copy of his. Garry wouldn’t give a child a lighter to hold on too.

Everything about him felt unreal, that is until he tucked her hair behind her ear. Bright red eyes looked at him as if he was slowly showing her a new world. One not filled by darkness and blood. “It’s been… so long.” She felt a knot in her chest tighten as her gaze looked down at her bleeding finger. It really wasn’t a deep cut and it’d be mostly gone by morning, it wasn’t anything to worry over but then worrying was what Garry did. “I’m eighteen now. So much has happened.” How many years was it since her parent’s death? She’s lost count.

“I don’t know where to start.” Ib didn’t smoke but right now she really wished she did. Maybe Garry would let her borrow just one cigarette? A part of her doubted it while another part of her insisted that he couldn’t tell her what to do. It wasn’t as if they were related but after the gallery she felt like Garry was the only family she had. She’s given up so much to bring him back.

“I have a painting of you…” A painting filled with the blood of those she’s killed.

Bar: Night

[blue_macarons]

"Eighteen. Hah, looks like you've caught up with me." Garry gave her a weak smile, trying to coax her to follow him to the small bed in the corner. "You've gotten so lovely. You were always adorable, but you really have bloomed, Ib. You look a little like your mother." At least, from what he saw of the woman in that portrait from before.

... Come to think of it, where were her parents now?

He sat down on the bed, patting the space next to him. It would be easier to tend to her hand this way, and maybe resting her legs would be beneficial for her right now. "We have time--your club can wait."

Already, he was lifting the edge of his ratty coat to wipe the blood from her arm, the handkerchief resting on his lap. "Take your time to gather yourself. I'm sorry; I didn't mean to shock you. To be honest, I'm rather surprised myself." He blinked, tending to her wound. "You had a painting made?"

Bar: Night

[killerrose]

The mention of her mother made her freeze for a second. There were times when she was able to forget her parents but the pain of their loose was still there. When she had escaped the gallery, she thought her world would be brighter but it had been plunged her into hell instead.

She moved slowly coming to sit next to him without saying a word. Her long hair fanned around her and she was careful not to sit on any of the dark strains. Ib didn’t want to look at him, she didn’t want him to know the truth but she couldn’t ever lie to him either. Her eyes remained locked with the floor as her thin fingers positioned to where he could reach them.

“No, the painting is from the gallery. I stole it.” She paused. “It’s a painting of you.”

For the moment Ib hoped he’d forget her parents. It was too painful to say aloud and she’s gone years without admitting the loose to anyone. Then there was the painting and she was sure that Garry’s dead figure still rested within its golden frame. She wanted to check, she wanted to take him there and show him but it was a dark place and in that room with the painting rested all of her dark secrets.

Bar: Night

[blue_macarons]

Garry, always trying to be helpful, reached out to brush her long hair away from her shoulder. It had gotten so long. But the length certainly suited her, he realized.

She failed to answer his question about her parents. So he didn't press the matter. He had a feeling--a terrible, chilling feeling--that he knew what must've happened if she turned out to be so sad.

Her innocence had gone, and he doubted it had entirely to do with the gallery. Something else must've happened. She must've gone through so much. He sighed, wiping up the blood before taking her hand between his fingers, delicately wrapping her cut in that handkerchief as she had done for him. "... I didn't know you could take something with you. You went back? I didn't even know there was a painting of me."

He remembered there was one of her. A chilling one, where she was hanging.

Garry didn't want to think about it. "Ib ... I know I've missed so much, but please. Tell me what happened. I'm here now. I won't leave your side again."

Bar: Night

[killerrose]

She didn’t move as his fingers brushed her silky hair aside. There was something calming about the gesture, perhaps because it’s been so long since someone had touched her hair. Ib looked down where their figures joined nothing the heat that radiated from his palm. It was warm and comforting, the way that Garry could always be.

Ib sighed leaning against him so her head rested on his shoulder. She didn’t want to tell him anything. She just wanted to enjoy the warmth of him sitting next to her.

Except that he probably wouldn’t accept no knowing for very long.

Her eyes slipped closed and she thought back. Her voice was calm and slow as if taking the time to remember every small detail of the event. “It started in the gallery. We had fallen into the toy box. I found you first and I guess in that time Mary had found my rose. You traded yours for mine, you said you weren’t mad at me but I always thought that you were. You took my hand and lead me forward. We followed a trail of blue rose petals…” Ib’s voice softens slightly. “You fell against the wall saying that you felt weak but that I should go ahead. That you would catch up with me. I went to the top of the stairs and I found Mary. She pulled the last petal from your rose and laughed. She wanted us to go together. To the real world.”

Ib felt tears brim to the surface but she kept her eyes closed. “I ran back to you hoping that you were alive. I still remember it, your body was slumped against the wall and you weren’t breathing” She had curled up next to him and she didn’t know how long she stayed before she finally steeled herself to leave. “I took your lighter.”

yay random things!

[strugglingartist]

((OOC: Bear with me while I make more icons for Sean, okay.))

[Most nights, it was cool to just...do what he always did. Head down to the anchor, shoot some pool, hope Becca wasn't around. Tonight, though, it was New Years Day, the dawn of something new, maybe, and the eclipse of something he'd been alone in wanting, apparently.

He wasn't goth, but maybe that was why he'd ended up picking the place. It wasn't his scene, but then again, he'd been doing nothing but trying to fit somewhere he didn't belong for the last month. Maybe it was just par for the course.

The DJ was spinning some sort of thumping quasi-techno but he wasn't here for the music anyway. After the day he'd had, he really just wanted a beer. He smiled appreciatively as he approached the bar. At least the owner knew how to...stock his shelves so to speak.]

G'day. I'll take a pint of whatever stout you've got on tap.

yay random things!

[killerrose]

[The moment that Sean walks into the bar heads turn, Ib notices him but then she notices everyone, in his case his clothes give him away. When he comes up to the bar she smiles her usual friendly 'hey I'm a bartender I do this for a living' smile. There were New Years beads around her neck that glistened off the strobing lights towards the dance floor and she wore her usual black corset with a short black skirt that showed off her long pale legs. She works at a goth bar and she looks the part though perhaps a little toned down compared to the patroons reaching for her attention. Her hair is dark brown and a little wavy falling in loose curls around her face. Her eyes gleam a startling dark red and it's hard to tell if they are contacts or not.

She moves swiftly as she dodges an awkward conversation from a regular and picks up a glass for Sean's beer. The dark liquid fills the cup slowly before she lightly placed it in front of him.]

You're a little out of place aren't you?

[Her tone is light and her expression curious. She likes it when people are adventurous enough to wander into this place, they always seem to be the most interesting.]

You starting a tab?

yay random things!

[strugglingartist]

[He nods his thanks at the swift delivery of his beer, which is a pretty dramatic difference between her and Grumpy Frank at the Anchor already, and takes a sip from the beer she'd brought him, pleased with the flavor. Guinness. Nice.]

Aren't we all just a little out of place?

[He smiles and nods again.]

And I guess so, yeah. So far I'm enjoying the sights. Everyone could use a change of setting now and again, yeah?

yay random things!

[killerrose]

[Ib is already moving to make another drink and pass it down the bar though it's obvious that she's listening to Sean since her eyes never leave him.

She's had time to practice with this sort of thing.]

Touche. [She smiles.] I admit the best part about working here is people watching.

Can I have a name? [For your tab.]

yay random things!

[strugglingartist]

Sean Reeves. [He nods, turning on his bar stool to look out at the rest of the place, leaning back, drink in one hand, but he turns in her direction, appreciating the arch of her back in the leather before he moves to her eyes.]

It's the best part of going to new bars. [He smiles.] You probably get this a hundred times a night, but you have intriguing eyes.

yay random things!

[killerrose]

[Ib continues to work and at the sound of Sean's name quickly moves to punch a few quick numbers into the computer system. She has an eye for faces and names which helps with her work.

When she turns back she's still smiling though her eyebrow is raised slightly.]

I do but it's always nice to hear. [At least at work she gets complimented. She usually wears sunglasses when she's out during the day.] Can you believe I was born with them?

[A man pushes next to Sean, obviously a regular as she shouts over the counter.] Ib can I get two glasses of red wine? [Ib looks over at him and then past him towards one of the girls who looks like she'd go to a vampire bar. With a laugh Ib pours the two glasses and passes them over.]

I'm thinking she'll break your heart but good luck.

[She steals a glance back at Sean before moving again. Sean sat at a good seat considering Ib keeps coming back to where he's sitting.]</small.

yay random things!

[strugglingartist]

I might at that. [He moves slightly for the man after the wine, but he doesn't miss a beat. He's clearly played the shimmy dance of the man who props up the bar a lot.] Mind if I get a closer look?

[He turns back to the bar.]

yay random things!

[killerrose]

[Ib looks over at Sean and flashes him a smile. She steps closer to the bar and lightly rests her elbows on the counter for him to look into her eyes. It's clear that she's done this before.

To bad there is three feet of bar between them.]

So, what do you think?

yay random things!

[strugglingartist]

[He takes a breath and makes a show of moving his glass aside to lean over the bar, looking deeply into her eyes for several seconds, intent. Looking at them rather than through them.]

Well, they're not contacts, but they are unique. [And he leans back on his bar stool.] Though if I had to hazard a guess, not much about you isn't.

yay random things!

[killerrose]

[Ib's smile grows.]

More compliments, you're going to make me blush.

[A few people at the bar gaze Sean means glares for distracting the cute bartender. Ib for her part quickly served those waiting before moving back in front of Sean.]

Are you enjoying the view?

[She isn't talking about herself but the bar however she doesnt make that clear.]

yay random things!

[strugglingartist]

[He smirks, holding up a hand to accentuate his point.]

Observations. People make compliments just to be polite.

[He continues to smile as he turns away from the bar again, letting his eyes sweep across the establishment.]

As it turns out, it depends on which way I'm looking, but isn't that always the case?

yay random things!

[killerrose]

[Ib rolls her eyes.]

It's nice to know that you are polite.

[She watches him as his gaze sweeps the bar.]

So which way are you looking?

yay random things!

[strugglingartist]

If I was just throwing back compliments I would be.

[He doesn't turn back to her as he continues.]

Wherever, unless you've got some suggestions, Ib. [He'd picked up her name from the other guys at the bar.]

Yay random things!

[killerrose]

[Ib hums softly as she continues to work. There is a moment's pause as she pours three beers for a customer to Sean's far left.]

I've always got suggestions, Sean.

[She smiles though she's still focused on her work.]

It's really dependent on what you want to see~

Yay random things!

[strugglingartist]

[He shrugs, still scanning the bar.]

I'm feeling flexible tonight. What do you suggest?

Yay random things!

[killerrose]

Maybe something where I'm flexible too?

[She flashes him a warm smile making her intentions very clear.]

Yay random things!

[strugglingartist]

Now that's a sight I'd enjoy seeing.

[He turns to look over his shoulder.]

Free tonight?

Yay random things!

[killerrose]

[Ib laughs softly.]

If you can wait until I'm off of work.

Yay random things!

[strugglingartist]

[Sean smiles at that, nodding slightly.]

Why not? I'm free tonight.

Yay random things!

[killerrose]

Then let me refill your beer.

[She smiles and sets to work though it's obvious that her attention in between working is set on Sean. It's a busy night and she only has time to catch a few words back and forth as she moves swiftly behind the bar. Towards the end of the night it lightens up.

Ib pulls her hair back slightly pushing the dark tresses over her pale shoulder.]

So do you think you'll come by again?

[She asks innocently as her shift slowly crawls to its end. Her hands moving over the polished bar as she wiped it down.]