betty dupree is not interested in boys. (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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bakerstreet2020-04-29 01:37 pm
bettydupree) wrote in bakerstreet2020-04-29 01:37 pm
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— city at night meme
You've got the world around you yawning with potential, possibilities fanning out before your very eyes—after all, they say the city doesn't sleep at night. The skyline's illuminated with glittering lights, and even now, the streets are bustling with activity. So here's the real question: where are you at this hour?
— scenario prompts
1) WORKING.
You're still caught up at the office or wherever it is you're holed up. It's getting late, but there's work to be done.
2) RELAXING.
You're warm and comfortable someplace indoors, whether it's in a cozy nook of a café or maybe just in your own apartment. There's no other place you really need to be, is there?
3) MEET-UP/DATE.
Is there someone you're seeing for dinner? A date? Maybe you're going bar-hopping together with some friends, or your attendance is expected at some special event. Alternatively, there's someone you're meeting with to make a deal of some kind, whether it's perfectly legitimate or something that might invite trouble with local enforcement.
4) OUT FOR A WALK.
Sometimes, it's nice to get out for some fresh air—or, well, as fresh as it gets with all the air pollution around you. The park's not too far away; it might be nice and quiet at this hour, if you don't run into any...
5) TROUBLE.
It's getting late and it's dark outside, but someone has been tailing you for a while. Walking faster only makes them speed up; they're doggedly persistent. What to do now? Is there a busy street you can turn on to for help? Or maybe it's time to confront your pursuer... On the flip side, you're the one tracking someone. For what reason? Well, only you would know, right?
6) OTHER.
Anything else you can think of!
You're still caught up at the office or wherever it is you're holed up. It's getting late, but there's work to be done.
2) RELAXING.
You're warm and comfortable someplace indoors, whether it's in a cozy nook of a café or maybe just in your own apartment. There's no other place you really need to be, is there?
3) MEET-UP/DATE.
Is there someone you're seeing for dinner? A date? Maybe you're going bar-hopping together with some friends, or your attendance is expected at some special event. Alternatively, there's someone you're meeting with to make a deal of some kind, whether it's perfectly legitimate or something that might invite trouble with local enforcement.
4) OUT FOR A WALK.
Sometimes, it's nice to get out for some fresh air—or, well, as fresh as it gets with all the air pollution around you. The park's not too far away; it might be nice and quiet at this hour, if you don't run into any...
5) TROUBLE.
It's getting late and it's dark outside, but someone has been tailing you for a while. Walking faster only makes them speed up; they're doggedly persistent. What to do now? Is there a busy street you can turn on to for help? Or maybe it's time to confront your pursuer... On the flip side, you're the one tracking someone. For what reason? Well, only you would know, right?
6) OTHER.
Anything else you can think of!
— setting prompts
A) STREETS/ALLEYS.
Are you visiting a busy district teeming with people? Or are you out on a quieter street? It can be dark out there, especially if you turn onto a smaller one without many streetlamps. Watch your step. Some of the alleyways might make good shortcuts if you're trying to get somewhere fast, but there's also trouble to be found sometimes. Don't get cornered anywhere, and especially don't get too curious if you see something suspicious in one of the dumpsters...
B) IN TRANSIT.
You're between locations right now, just trying to get on with your evening. You have some options, like public transportation: the bus, the train, the subway. Alternatively, you're a fancier kind of person: you've got your own car that you're driving, or better yet, you have a chauffeur and a private car. Or, you know, you're just taking a taxi or using a ride-share app. There are also transitional spaces like parking lots or garages.
C) DINING.
Some cities are melting pots of different cultures; you're bound to find countless spots at which to eat. There are small cafés if you want a quick bite, or fancier restaurants where you can wine and dine. You could support a small family business by dropping by at a local hole in the wall—sometimes the most authentic spots with the best food are nondescript locations. Or if you're really trying to impress, go for some famous Michelin three-star.
D) NIGHT LIFE.
Bars, clubs, lounges—all of it's fair game. Remember to drink responsibly—or don't, if you're looking to really forget about your troubles for a while. Just know that you'll only have yourself to blame for that raging hangover in the morning.
E) CORPORATE BUILDING.
In a larger city, major corporations might be headquartered in the glittering skyscrapers that line the most expensive districts. There are all kinds of businesses—banks, law firms, finance companies, tech groups, to state just a few. Some places might keep their lights on pretty late at night for the white-collar workers burning the midnight oil; others, perhaps not. Do you fit somewhere in this equation? Or if you're here for something more exciting, there's always corporate espionage...
F) SHOPS.
A lot of shops could be closed by now, but maybe it's that final hour before that mall or outlet you wanted to visit locks their doors for the evening. Time for some last-second shopping! Snatch up that deal before it's gone, or be sure to buy a gift for your date before it's too late!
G) HOME.
You're at home, wherever that is—an apartment, a condo, a house somewhere, or maybe something more extravagant. Real estate can get expensive in the city, especially in popular locations. Do you have a tiny apartment that covers all your basic needs? Or something much nicer, like the type of penthouse people usually only see in movies, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows?
H) CITY SQUARE.
Some city squares are hubs of activity, filled with street performers, pop-up stores, or food stalls. There's a lot you could do, especially when it's nighttime and the little lights strung around the place look so pretty.
I) ABANDONED SPACE.
Every city has its fair share of abandoned warehouses or other buildings that are slated for demolition. Sometimes they attract certain types of crowds that would make your average person think twice before confronting. A lot of places are off-limits, but every so often, the no-trespassing sign is more of a suggestion than a real threat, right?
J) OTHER.
Anything else you can think of!
original by sockupo
no subject
With that, Alucard's careful to take up as little room as possible. That no one looks up or blinks twice is remarkable in a way, and yet so very...human. Humanity has always had a high weirdness threshold, and it seems that now is no different.]
On one hand, that they've maintained the service of the train for that long is remarkable. On the other...
[Well. The 80s.
And so it goes. The train shrieks and stops and makes all the other horrible godless noises that only New York City subway cars can. Humanity files in and out, and always, always, there is the reminder to stand clear of the closing doors please.
Their stop eventually comes up. More than a few people leave the car as well, and Alucard offers Carmilla a sly glance.]
Popular with the nightcrowd, hm?
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( considering her childhood in Styria where all her closest neighbors were far enough away that it took half a day's ride to get there. based on that, New York was an entirely different dynamic. that said, most places were more populated these days than Styria in the 1800s. she's grown accustomed to it, over time. big places drew more progressive, interesting people, and she can appreciate that.
even if they get a little claustrophobic, sometimes.
it's true, as they get closer to where they intend, other fellow partakers in the New York nightlife start flooding into train. if her style had seemed a little alternative, she seemed downright pedestrian by the time the group in black-and-white Kiss-esque paint strolled through the doors. )
Take the tube and you don't have to drive, right? It's the responsible choice. ( she wished more humans would stay out of motor vehicles after heavy drinking. ) We'll Uber back, don't worry. Cleaner, quieter, and hopefully less people.
( the subway was a right of passage, but, not one she's inclined to take twice. )
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Almost being the operative word. I suspect that I'll crave silence more than indulged curiosity.
[He says it all with a smile though, because truly this is an excellent time.
To the streets. And beyond.]
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( truthfully, when she's a lot less sober, he's probably just going to have to convince her that she shouldn't teleport off and leave him behind. that's the problem about being able to disappear in goth puffs of smoke... they're so much more convenient than conventional transportation!
there's always something enthralling about the streets of New York at night. they'd found more of their kind and then some on the subway, but plenty of the alternative crowd was already on the sidewalk.
it's exciting, it's such a stark difference from what life used to look like. people brave enough and bold enough to be anything and everything they wanted to be. granted, tons of it was superficial, but it's still nice to see. she remembers times when everything was so much more forcibly subdued, free expression was something only dreamed of. )
What do you think? Do you see crowds like this back home?
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[There's a smug lilt in the single word. Teasing and maybe, just maybe, too serious.
Alucard's eyes take it all in, trying to balance out the bright lights and the riot of clothing choices that are well and truly remarkable. They're on display everywhere, but especially the queues to get into the clubs that line the street.
Nearly everything, every niche, feels catered to. And it puts a very small thin look of approval on his face.]
Not with this much variety, no. It is rather remarkable.
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As they get closer to the club they’re intending, the crowd does divert a little. lining up to await entry to their dive of choice, or ducking down the subway to head somewhere else. the little hole in the wall she has in mind for them doesn’t have a line, just a bouncer who wears his black eyeliner so long it disappears into the line of his beard.
on approach, she tucks a hand into Alucard’s elbow. the bouncer eyes them both skeptically, at least mildly considering doing his actual job and asking for an ID by the looks of it. ) He’s with me, ( Carmilla announces, and the muscle rolls his eyes and waves his hand to induct them through. no compulsion needed, just the power of being a hot girl.
the club is horribly lit, even in the hallway down to the dancefloor. they can feel the music through the floor. ) Still think you can ballroom dance to this? ( she has to lean close just to be heard — her voice is too low and sultry to be easily heard in the din. )
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To the bouncer he only nods his head as the two pass into the club itself. To be carded would be it's own novelty, but--
--good lord.
The dhampir does a long, slow blink as he tries to make sense of what it is he's seeing right now. It is a near sensory overload, thanks to the distinct thud or bass through the floor but--]
Okay, maybe not this one. The next song, perhaps.
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also, she does sleep in it sometimes, and has the audacity to wake up and walk out her door with it smudged and messy. it's very punk rock. and look, you get pretty lazy in your eternal life... or at least, Carmilla has. she laughs into his shoulder, and truthfully, the fact he can feel it is probably the only reason he knows it happened. )
We'll just stick around here for a few drinks. We can find another place for or old people dancing. ( a place like this is for being deafened by music, 2 for 1 shots, and being pressed together in a moving throng of people. she doesn't mind it every once and awhile, it's an experience to say the least, but it's not really her scene. ) Let's do drinks first, cutie. It makes the dancing more bearable.
( she even does air quotes. old people and their defamation of modern dance, am I right? )
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[Alucard's smile is ambiguous as to if he's teasing or quite serious. Not the best attitude in an evening companion, and yet here they are. Starting to be squished together while the floor vibrates, moving towards the bar in a sea of people.]
And what kind of drinks are you suggesting we do? I already know wine isn't an option.
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( of course she does. she knows so many places, he probably can't keep count of them all by now. she doesn't know every city as well as she does New York, but this is a favorite haunt when she is avoiding her mother and the entirety of Europe. even though she can never stay too long without dwelling on the fact Elle never got to see it.
as for what they should drink... ) Shots are 2-for-1. ( this is a trap, because all of the shots have hilarious names and she can't wait to hear him say them out loud. which is also not the best attitude in an evening companion but he totally knew she was a major brat and still agreed to come out tonight. )
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[He's pretty sure the answer is going to be a smart ass "none" and frankly? Alucard's happy to know that fact in and of itself.
The shots are going to be the death of anyone, but there's a more specific matter to attend to.]
Permit me to rephrase: what would your preferred shot of be?
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( there's one shimmering place, perhaps a whole lot of places if you think about it, that she does not know. too cold, too distant, too quiet. most importantly, too much sunlight. all around, not keen to give it a try.
as for what she suggests, that's not half as fun as getting him to say something silly. she smacks a hand against his arm. they're painted across the wall in neon letters, she knows he can tell what is on the menu. )
I like the snake bite, but I think that's a bit on the nose. ( vampires, dhampirs, biting? yeah, maybe. )
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[Alaska during it's darkest months could be a haven for vampires, but Alucard doesn't say that much out loud. Now is not the time for thinking about far forests and snow, now is for--
--horrifying drink names. Alucard's face absolutely scrunches up in distaste and disapproval at some of the names (buttery nipple), but that's not the point.]
Actually out of all of them, the snake bite is the only thing that I like the ingreident list of. Several of those then?
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( said with dry fondness and a quirk of a smirk. though, he's probably right that the ridiculous sounding drinks aren't bound to taste any good. most of the fun is the name and that they go down fast.
still, when she sidles to the bar, she does request 2 snakebites... and then a proper drink for each of them, which is still coincidentally on the vulgar side. she's always been tickled by having a blood red cocktail, so 2 royal fucks it is. she pushes his share toward him once the bartender delivers it, taking the shotglass first. )
All at once. ( no chickening out or coughing through it, buddy! one and done! she even drops hers first as an example to follow. )
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[He can catch the fondness, but Alucard is also rather good at protesting too much for the sake of leaning into the image of himself that's been crafted over so many years.
Alucard accepts all of the drinks, although the name of the royal fuck deserves a good side eye on principle.]
Cheers then.
[First shot, first face of complete disapproval at the taste of what's in there. Alucard's entire face contorts for a single, glorious, horrified moment.]
Who created this and why do they hate alcohol?
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( she watches, almost impatiently, to see his opinion. he likes to keep up a well crafted, impeccable veneer — vampiric individuals did like to maintain their personas, didn't they? she has one of her own she likes to hdie behind — it's nice to see it falter on occasion.
and the downright adorable grimace is worth it. she has the grace not to laugh at him openly, hiding the huff of amusement behind her dark tipped nails. )
It could be worse. ( granted, the snake bite isn't known for tasting good, so maybe not much worse. ) You'll survive. This one won't bite back as hard. ( despite the name, the royal fuck was a nice blend of sharp and sour and sweet. )
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[Thank goodness the horrifying shots are done. As Alucard moves onto the royal fuck, well. His sip is cautious, but it doesn't go all the way sour as it did only moments before. It is not his favorite thing by a mile, but Alucard will manage this with no grimaces. Just a disapproving little sniff.]
I could simply just have the whisky in and of itself and be far happier.
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( when she drinks alone, sad and brooding, straight whiskey is fine. though honestly she's more likely to drink expensive wine that is older than her last girlfriend. at a club, though... mixed drinks aren't so bad. it suits the mood.
she clinks her glass against his, a slip of a smile shifting across her face. don't say anything about it, Alucard, or she'll go straight back to glowers. it's almost like she's enjoying herself... it's utter madness. )
Drink up, and we'll hit the dance floor. Deal? ( she has a rule about modern dancing sober. the rule is: don't. )
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[Alucard is happy enough to clink glasses though, and then? Then he just chugs because the promise of being free of the alcohol is more than enough to stomach what remains of it.]
Deal. Now if you'll excuse me--
[He holds up a finger in the universal wait... gesture, and then he polishes everything up.]
Done. Let's dance.
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( look, she's not above admitting it. sometimes the most fun you'll ever have with a friend is laughing at how ridiculous they look. he's so straight-cut and serious most of the time, the grimace is uniquely charming.
but he chugs like a champ, and she's nearly proud of how fast he can polish off a strong mixed drink. her slightly widened eyes and lifted eyebrows are indication enough of that. she does wait, begrudingly, though he's awarded with a cat like smile of approval when he suggests the dance floor. )
Let's go, handsome. ( she will take that hand that's currently held aloft and none too subtly drag him there. )
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[That is to say that making fun of Alucard's face doing ridiculous things is a universal delight no matter what or when, and Carmilla is enjoying a long and proud tradition. Alucard is far too uptight and reserved, and it makes any real expression feel over the top and worth making fun of.
The glass is returned to the bar, because the further away he is from the smells, the better.]
If I didn't know better, I'd say you were proud of me for getting rid of that as quickly as I did.
[Dragged he is all the same, the comment doubtlessly lost to thundering bass and so many bodies that are....well. It isn't dancing. Alucard knows that much, but to say writhing is to cast the whole thing in a negative light that he can't quite bring himself to do. The sense of fun and joy, along with the lights would make him a massive curmudgeon.
They're not in the thick of it yet. That much Alucard knows for sure, as his eyes catch a concentration of people around the biggest speakers.]
For the sake of both our ears, can you promise we won't get too close to the source?
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( hard to tell, considering that's definitely the name of the family of hunters he rubs elbows with. Carmilla can't claim she wants to be compared to anything resembling a hunter, as it's safe to say she's not a fan, but considering he's fond of them (for whatever reason), perhaps it's said with fondness... so she'll take it. begrudgingly.
as for being proud of his ability to chug, yes. maybe. ) I'm surprised but impressed you had it in you. ( chugging was not exactly a modern convention, though certainly a matter of breeding — at least back in ye old times when the two of them were born. she wasn't expecting that out of vampiric royalty. at least, not when the liquid in question wasn't blood.
it's true, grinding to the beat and swaying to the relative rhythm wasn't dancing. still, there's something enjoyable about the simplicity, she thinks. look, she might be a hundreds of years old socialite, but not everything she ever does has to be refined and romantic. sometimes it's nice to turn her brain off and just enjoy herself.
she'll tug him into the movement of the music, even winding closer to lean against him, back to front, as the beat thuds overhead and underfoot. ) Deal, ( she murmurs, tilting her head just enough to make sure the answer is directed towards his ear. even superpowered hearing couldn't get you very far with music thundering as loud as this. )
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Better to respond to the more fun provocation:] I'm not that much of a shut in.
[No, he is, but again: Belmonts. It's like looking after a pack of goblins.
It takes a few moments for Alucard to latch onto this particular song's beat, but one he gets it? Well, he'll sway as appropriate, uncertain of how much footwork to answer into the equation. Yet.]
Thank you. My future headache is eternally grateful.
[He does have the beat and the movement down though. Enough to make a movement to the right in perfect time, hoping that he'll be followed.]
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though, learning to chug from a bunch of hunters does somehow track. they're like the frat boys of the supernatural world.
since she's just as likely to get a headache from super-pumped bass on super hearing, it's easy to agree to. and besides, once they get out of here, might be nice to still be able to hear each other and not angry ringing in their ears. instead, she focuses on the music, getting lost in it. finding the sing of the alcohol and the coaxing of the rhythm.
he leads, and she'll follow. it might not be dancing, but hopefully she can coax him into the enjoyable mindlessness of the movement. it's fun, in its own way. something of the modern world with experiencing, despite itself. )
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His footwork does get a little more complex the longer they remain out there though, if only for his own entertainment. Nothing too complicated, just something older that moves in time with the thunder of the speakers. This? This is a fast track, and the dhampir knows it.
There's no particular consideration about can Carmilla keep up? Just a quiet trust that she can, and if not she'll find something that suits her and the music just as well.]
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god i am sorry for the wait :( lemme know if u'd rather wrap and do something new