( open ) meet me in the alleyway

[ettersberg]

Who: Thomas Nightingale (ettersberg) & maybe YOU
What: patrols in the red light district, other things probably. a month in the life of the last british wizard
When: all of february
Where: olympia
Warning(s): nsfw!! will feature sex at least partially prompted by aphro stuff.

Comments

∆ OPEN — possibly nsfw

[ettersberg]

[ nightingale has been assigned the red light district as an area of olympia to patrol, now that he has joined the royal guard, and so patrol he does: clad in a bespoke black suit, a black dress shirt underneath it, silver-topped "walking stick" in one hand, he walks the streets and keeps his eyes and ears open.

it hasn't taken him very long to realise that there's something in the air here — magic, perhaps, or something else. what it is doesn't matter so much. what matters is how it gets under his skin, how it makes want squirm in his stomach. nightingale excels at control, for the most part, but this eats away at his. and yet, it is task to protect the peace here. he shouldn't let himself get distracted.

if his gaze lingers on this or that person, it is only because he's assessing them. really. ]

[atwo]

[ the red light district is where a2 worked for a little bit. only a night or two before the bombing accident and her fleeing olympia because of it. now she's back and having a quick look around to see how much has changed while she was gone. it was also to let some of the people who knew about one of her friends that they're gone.

not that they seemed too fussed about it. her bright blue eyes fall on thomas when he's looking at someone and she raises an eyebrow. her steps to him are quiet ones. ]

Do you find them attractive?

[ettersberg]

[ he's managed to drag his eyes away from the person he'd been studying by the time a2 stops next to him, but it's a close thing. at her question, he raises his eyebrows, surprise at the question — though he shouldn't be surprised, most likely — clearing his mind a little for a moment, making it easier to force composure. ]

That is irrelevant.

[atwo]

And yet, I still want an answer.

[ all she can give him is a somewhat stern look, almost as if she doesn't want to play around. then again, one could say that it's her 'resting bitch face' because it isn't like a2 changes her expression very often. ]

[ettersberg]

[ nightingale used to be a police officer; he knows a thing or two about wanting answers. he doesn't think, however, that whether or not he finds the person he was just staring at — someone who's now disappeared into the crowd — attractive or not is a particularly legitimate question, or that she has any authority to be asking him as much. ]

Then I'm afraid you'll be disappointed.

[ his mind is addled, yes, but not so much so that he's willing to just admit to it. ]

[atwo]

[ it won't be the first time nor the last time at the very least. ]

So you're not scoping out the 'goods' as some people would describe it. [ somewhat interesting if that's the case because looking at his clothing, it would make sense if he is just working here.

but, that doesn't stop people from checking out others. ]

[ettersberg]

I'm on duty.

[ she's right: it doesn't stop people from checking out others. it does, however, make nightingale unwilling to check out others if he can help it, at least for reasons other than professional curiosity. ]

[eaudevamp]

[ The red light district was where Reign headed to during the evenings and nights, doing escort duties on certain nights at Shades Darker. More of a self-indulgent side job in addition to his day work at the Institute.

Tonight was relatively easy on the schedule, and Reign decided to take some time out to walk around during his break. It was a while later that he felt as if he was being watched, and Reign glanced subtly glanced around, his eyes finally landing on a well-dressed gentleman.

The gaze he received was one that he was familiar with, if one knew how to look, to read the subtle cues behind the seemingly disinterested look. Putting on a polite smile on his face, Reign crossed the street towards the man, a small nod of his head in greeting. ]

You've been staring quite intently, mister. Is there anything I may be of assistance to you?

[ Perhaps this man had some repressed desires, whether self aware or not. Maybe he could help him. After all, Reign was seldom wrong in these matters. ]

[ettersberg]

[ nightingale has plenty of repressed desires. he's aware of most of them, too — but that isn't why he's here. he's here because he's been assigned this district to patrol. it's something to do and it's a return to keeping the peace, in some small way. that's good enough, despite the discomfort of finding that his desires aren't as entirely under his control as usual.

at first, he thinks to answer negatively. after a second, however, nightingale reconsiders. ]

That depends. Have you been seeing anything unusual as of late around here?

[ might as well get the lay of the land, so to speak. ]

[eaudevamp]

[ It seemed Reign's assumption may have missed the spot, or perhaps not. But either way, there was a familiarity to the man's face. He'd likely seen him once or twice around this district, though Reign had no idea for what reason.

Anyway, a question was asked, and he might as well answer what he could. He moved to stand beside the gentleman, a shrug of his shoulder. ]

So far nothing out of the ordinary. But if you mean the rumours between Wyver and Olympia, the tension is definitely rising. Just a few weeks ago, surveys were passed around to ask the opinions of the refugees about the two faction's relations.

[ A sigh, his voice softer. ]

I don't like what some of those questions are insinuating. Did you receive one of those surveys?

[ettersberg]

[ reign's assumption hasn't hit the spot entirely, but neither was it entirely wrong. still, nightingale's professionalism, his sense of duty and his control far outweigh any interest he may have in others around him. that is especially true given that he isn't unaware of how the district is affecting him, that it is affecting him. that not everything he feels is his own desire, or not with the strength he feels it. ]

I did, yes.

[ he'd thrown it away. ]

And the atmosphere here? Favouring war or favouring peace?

[eaudevamp]

[ If only Reign could sense the strangeness in the air, but he was not attuned to anything magical, or something entirely different, so the oddity was lost on him. Besides, this was the red light district. It was a given that this place was heavy laden with desire and lust, thick with passion and sex, a strange mix of aphrodisiac of its own.

Reign himself thrived in such places, though he wondered what truly was the reason for Nightingale being here. ]

Well... [ He cocked his head, crossing his arms, a finger tapping his chin in thought. ] It's hard to say, if I'm to be honest with you. Most people come here for the pleasure of the flesh, and such talks of politic is rarely spoken aloud. But I've heard things here and there. The consensus, at least here, is split between both. I'm not certain about other areas, though. What about you? What have you heard?

[ettersberg]

[ the true reason for nightingale being in the red light district is utterly shocking: it's the district he's been assigned to patrol. that's it. he isn't here looking for a diversion of the physical kind. or the mental or emotional. or any kind at all.

still, he isn't unaffected by everything going on around him, even if he means to remain an outsider, a bystander, watching more than anything else unless he sees actual breaches of the peace. ]

I'm interested in this area right now, not others. [ so he inclines his head in acknowledgement of reign's words. partially in thanks, too. ]

It's similar elsewhere, too. Opinions are split. In Wyver, it sounds like they're far less reluctant.

[poolhall_killer]

[Assessing another is nothing new to Venom. It's happened many times since he was hired at Shades Darker, not to mention the times he's had to assess people both here and back home. Initially, that kind attention was confusing, because why would anyone be interested in him? Lately, it's helped him grow more comfortable in his skin, realizing that he might actually be attractive to people.

Which is why he shyly tucks his hair aside when he notices a familiar individual possibly assessing him. He's outside on a break, taking in some fresh air after being cooped up for hours behind the bar.]

Hello, sir. I hope the night's been treating you well.

[ettersberg]

[ somehow, they seem to run into one another in situations like these more often than not. if nightingale believed in these things, he'd say that fate has a particular sense of humour. ]

Hello again.

[ he inclines his head in a greeting, forcing his throat to work properly despite its dryness. ]

How are you? [ is the night treating him well? nightingale isn't so sure one way or another. ]

[poolhall_killer]

[they do seem to run into each other when certain atmospheres are heavier. He approaches his acquaintance, hands behind his back as always.]

I am well. Just taking a short work break. I didn’t know you patrolled this area.

[This is what he gets for being stuck inside the brothel all night.]

Did you start recently?

[ettersberg]

I did, yes.

[ nightingale considers for a moment, then nods to confirm the point again. ]

Very recently. I wasn't aware you worked here.

[poolhall_killer]

I work as a bartender over at Shades Darker. It pays well, but as you know, I am seeking a different path.

[Work, medical classes, rinse, repeat...]

I'm glad you found this new position. Being a guard suits you.

[ettersberg]

How is that coming along? [ nightingale is genuinely interested, which helps push aside the influence of the red light district and whatever is in the air here some. ]

It's close enough to what I used to do.

∆ JOHN — definitely nsfw

[ettersberg]

[ it's during one of his early patrols through the district that it all becomes too much — the liberties those working in the district are inclined to take, the encouragements they offer, but most of all whatever it is in the air making desire spark under his skin. it isn't impossible to ignore, to remain professional, but it takes a great deal of control.

right now, nightingale feels near the end of his supply of control, considerable though it may be, and so he remembers john's offer of refuge and decides to take him up on it. by the time he makes it through the brothel to john's office, there's some colour in his cheeks and his jaw is clenched against the want. maybe seeking out someone he's already slept with and finds very attractive is not the best idea right now, but it's the only one he's got, his chest tight with need. ]

[enarms]

[ John knows someone's coming before they arrive, by merit of a Guard visit being relatively rare unless it's a leisure call. the visitor isn't one the staff are familiar with, and as it becomes clear he's not here to splash out on a little R&R but instead to see Dr. Watson, word reaches John fast.

he's not worried. it's either Peggy or Thomas. the door opens to let in his visitor and John looks up from his work to find— ]

Thomas. Hi.

[ John greets him with a glad smile, standing to welcome him— except he looks... off. not quite his usual self somehow, not quite together. here, in his office, in his role as doctor, John's first reaction is to frown. a temperature, maybe? did something happen? concerned, he starts to move around his desk. ]

You alright? Come in.

[ettersberg]

[ thomas hadn't doubted his welcome or worried that john would take back the invitation, but it is still a relief to see a familiar face, to leave the streets and the amount of skin on display there and inside the brothel both behind. john is familiar and while that familiarity does nothing to lessen the need that's burning underneath thomas' skin, that makes it difficult to think of anything other than touching and being touched, of sinking to his knees, it takes away the sting of discomfort that's come with it. ]

I'm fine.

[ the answer is reflexive. thomas takes a step into the room, and, closing the door behind him, another. closer to john. he drags in a breath. ] I think - there's something in the air, isn't there? [ he's fighting hard to make his voice sound composed. ]

[enarms]

[ something in the air? for a second, John's frown deepens - is that a trace of delirium? or was it a line? he can't quite decide what fits...

until he can, and his expression slackens quite suddenly into an Oh of understanding. ]

Yeah. Think so, a bit. [ John's spent so long here that if there's any resistance to be had, he's apparently developed it. barely even registers anymore that there might once have been any sort of a struggle associated with being here regularly.

ah. oh. the pieces slot into place.

horny. that's it, isn't it. he's not unwell, he's just affected. John doesn't ask the question. instead he gestures to the oxblood leather sofa sitting against one office wall. the whole place is scattered through with bits of furniture from the rest of Shades Darker, interspersed with the cool metal of medical storage units and the examination table: it's a room that still manages to maintain the establishment's aesthetic for all that John's left his stamp in smaller ways and clinical necessities in larger ones. the doctor's office may just be the doctor's office, but it's important that people still remember who's footing the bill - especially when, more often than not, the hand that pays the doctor is the same hand that caused the visit. ]

Come and sit down. I can get you some water?

[ if he wants some. ]

[ettersberg]

[ there's some measure of relief in john's expression of understanding, in not having to verbalise it any further than this, but there's also some — not shame or mortification, nothing so extreme, but something in that direction regardless at having to admit it at all.

he takes another deep breath and settles into the sofa john's gestured to. it's a small mercy brought on by old age and decades of exercising control that he isn't hard, that lust is only squirming in his stomach instead of showing outwardly, or at least not too obviously. ]

I would appreciate that.

[ god, he wants to touch john. ]

[enarms]

'Course. Wait here, I'll be back in a second.

[ and John absents himself, just briefly, heads to the bar to make sure the water's iced. on the way back he informs a few people he's busy, to knock if it's an emergency: usually John keeps an open door policy, bored as he regularly is, but the last thing Thomas'll need is half the brothel wandering through for a chat when he's trying to cool down.

slipping back into his office, switching the little "The doctor is:" sign on the outside of the door (usually defunct, he doesn't tend to bother with privacy when patching up a client who's just been dragged bodily in through the place) to OUT as he does, John closes the door behind him once again and shuts out the rest of the place.

he crosses to Thomas, pulls over a side table and sets his water down then perches himself on the arm of the sofa. ]

You get used to it.

[ a sympathetic consolation that does next to nothing to really help Thomas now. ]