It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Vampires...

Summer 2021, Week 5

Friday evening

Velvet Rose, Port Victoria

Storyteller

The buzz through the crowd was a little more electric this night. The flyers continued to be circulated in all the right places, making sure to draw even more people out to meet the mysterious Mother of Lost Souls. If they kept drawing this many new people each week, they'd eventually have to turn some away.  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

As was now tradition, Lara walked out in yet another of her fabulous dresses. This one was a deep purple that clung to her curvy body like a second skin. As soon as she came out of the doors, a hush started at the front and rippled through the line like a wave.   "Welcome to the second of many vampire nights with me," she placed a hand suggestively on her chest, "La Madre. I can't tell you how thrilled we have become to see so many familiar faces." She stopped to wave and make eye contact with a few of them. "And just as many new ones too. I look forward to the moment that mi familia es tu familia." Lara started working her crowd magic, imbuing them with feelings of safety, comfort, excitement, warmth, happiness. "Come enjoy the many frivolities we have put together for you tonight. They're to die for." She blew a kiss to no one, but seemingly to everyone. "Come pay your respects to me tonight, should you be willing. I'll be waiting." And with that she turned on a dime and sauntered to her special booth near the dance floor.  

Damian Eli

Damian had waited in line for he didn't even know how long and everybody was looking at him like he was an idiot.. maybe he was. For vampire night Damian simply grabbed his Cuervo cape and drapped it over his shoulders and had nothing else that said "vampire". He wasn't gonna Halloween shopping for one night pfft... Okay fine. There weren't any costumes stores near by.   As he finally made his way inside he gave the password he was told by his contact and looked around in awe he hadn't been to a club in years. And if he stood out in line he stood out just as much inside as well wearing a cape a 4 non blondes shirt blue jeans and tennis shoes.   He walked around rhe club takinf everything in ir at least trying to. He asked random people if they knew anything about kidnapped Evos anything thay he should check inti which just resulted in people walking away from him like he was a fesd.  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

The overall look of him combined with the fact that he looked like human equivalent of mosquito repellent is what drew her attention to him. Placing a finger to the lips of the young woman standing in front of her, she gracefully slipped out of the booth, smoothing her dress in place. "Hold that thought, mamacita. We'll continue in just a moment. There's someone I need to see to. Ryder, mi vida, see to it that she gets a specialty drink or two on us. Lo siento."   Without another look behind her, she slowly walked towards the strange man until she was just behind him. "Hola, amigo. Are you lost? Your eyes are searching. Can I help you find what you're looking for?"  

Damian Eli

Damian whirled around on his heel his cape swooshing as he did so which was a cool unintended side affect if you asked him.   His dark brown eyes immediately scanned the woman and finally stopped at her eyes. She felt warm.. like she was a human bonfire that people could go to for warmth and shelter she felt.. he didn't know he had never had a person radiate such a kind pure energy directly at him before.   He opened his mouth and at first no words came out. He closed his mouth and tried again and this time his gravely voice worked. "I. I'm looking for Evos that need help.. i. Have we met? You feel like. I don't know" He racked his brain for this unfamiliar word before it finally clicked. She felt like she was a mom.  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

She waited patiently, watching the internal struggle play out before he could finally speak. She was used to having that reaction on some people. "Not before now, guapo. I would remember someone like you. But take a look around." She swept a hand at the people all around them. "No one needs help tonight. Tonight we are enjoying ourselves, making new friends, finding strength in those that are like ourselves. But I want you to finish your thought, guapo. What is it that I feel like?"  

Damian Eli

He felt like he was about to say something very very stupid again but that had never stopped him before. "You feel safe. Like. You feel like what a home should be." He said it and this is how he'd get kicked out of a club well it wouldn't be a first. And at least Gary wasn't the bouncer here that literally picks you up and throws you out... fuckin Gary.  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

She smiled and it lit up her face in a way that only reiterated his feelings about her. "You didn't come here for mi familia, did you? And yet you found us anyway... Life has a way of providing what we need when we need it, no? Your feelings about me are correct. Good instincts. Mi familia serves to be the safe place for us all. The home that we all deserve and most of us never had. At the center of that familia is me, La Madre. What's your name, guapo?"  

Damian Eli

He had no clue what he had stumbled upon and once again opening his mouth had gotten him into something..but this one didn't seem bad. He didn't feel like he was in danger and besides if needed he'd drop the cape and disappear in a crowd. "I'm uh. I'm Damian. Who are you?"  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

"I told you. La Madre de las Almas Perdidas. The Mother of Lost Souls. You can call me La Madre or any variation of the word in whatever language you prefer. Or, if you'd rather, Lara. Damian is nice. It's a good name. What is it that you do, Damian, that has you looking for people in need? And why here? Tonight?"  

Damian Eli

He froze at the question and he needed to figure out how not to answer it. Or least throw her off. "I'm an accountant" he knew well enough that answer wasn't what she wanted. "Um. Do you want to dance? I assume you can salsa?" His tone was playful enough  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

"Can I salsa? Look at this body, guapo. Tell me you honestly think it doesn't know how to salsa." She made a show of herself, running her hands down her body with a flair and a tease in her voice. "Pero mira, accountants don't just walk around wanting to protect people." She put a finger on his chest and looked into his eyes, searching as if she can read into the depths of him. With a quick click of her tongue she removed her finger and placed her hand on her hip. "It's okay, guapo. I'll let it slide for now. Go ask them to put on something worth dancing to and then show me what you can do."  

Damian Eli

Damian smiled and walked to the booth and did as Laura requested. Then as the music started he seemed to fill with confidence as he took off his cape and placed it on a chair at the bar before making his way to Laura his hand extended. "Try to keep up mamacita" He said in what could have been an almost flirty tone.   He was almost completely different than he had been moments ago there was confidence in his voice a swagger to his step and he kept his head tall. It was almost like staring at a different person.  

Damian Eli

Damian gently pulled his hand away from Laras not in a disrespectful way but in the sense of. "I may trust you so far but I need my hands" He turned his attention to Ryder and returned the nod. "Damian. And thank you. Lots of watching dirty dancing and being yelled at that I don't move like Patrick sure helped" He grinned at his joke while clocking Ryder in and any objects he might need to get out of a situation fast. He didn't want to, it was just habit.  

Ryder Stokes

"Swayze had muscles on muscles, but still moved like she does." He nodded over to Lara. "God among men. From Texas too. Can't live up to that." The barest of smiles played on his lips. "But you still did alright."  

Damian Eli

Damian knew a normal would feel at ease around these people comfortable safe and he wanted to... but he desperately missed the weight of his armor or even his 1911 on his appendix. He took a deep breath and another before centering himself again what was the man saying? Muscles? Texas? Jesus he needed to pay attention and get out of his anxiety riddled brain.   "I uh. Yeah. Swayze could move. I never wanted to bulk up too much because it slows you down eventually.. muscles heavier than fat and" He began to ramble about how he preferred to be lean and cut rather than just bulk muscle and the differences it made on joints and even scar tissue which somehow turned into a different subject. "I mean. People say aliens don't exist but we live in a world where people can lift tons like the weight not the figure of speech and you mean to say aliens don't exist?!"  

Ryder Stokes

"Ya never know, man. Shit's weird these days." He wasn't one to ramble on, but he enjoyed listening. It was a pairing that worked well for Lara.  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

She had watched the crowds of people enjoying themselves, disappearing in her own thoughts as the two were talking about ... whatever it was. Tuning back in, she put her hands on Damian's arm again. "Ay, guapo. I have someone else for you to meet. Mi vida, be right back." She pulled him gently to the other side of their gathering so that they were in front of Oliver. "Hermano, this is Damian. He is one of us, he just doesn't know it yet. Damian, this is mi hermano. We have been through hell and back together. If I need it, he makes it happen."  

Damian Eli

As Laura pulled Damian towards Oliver he just went limp and let this woman fling him wherever she wanted. He looked the other new man up and down and felt like he knew exactly what she meant by "If I need it he makes it happen."   He stuck his hand out to the man "Hi. Nice to meet you... Do you have a name? Or is it just her hermano" He was joking but he was also testing thr water. He knew an attacker when he saw one and he was seeing how much it took to set this sentry off. It was kind of a dick move but he couldn't help it. It literally happened on auto pilot it was just life to him he didn't want this man tk get upset he liked Lara so far he liked Ryder so far.. he didn't want to have to leave because of his issues and not knowing how to be fucking normal.  

Oliver Lobelia

Oliver was in his usual suit and tie combo, but it seemed that he never used the exact same suit unmodified. Each maintained the overall color scheme of mostly black highlighted by red, but there was always something different when he was attending an event formally like this. Sometimes it was something small, like a different design on the shirt or tie. Other times it was more obvious, like a different shade of red or a different suit jacket. This time it was all black except the vest, which was a dark orange color covered in an elegant black pattern, and a matching tie.   He had been in a conversation with one of the guests but the discussion ended shortly before Lara and Damian made their way over, almost as if on cue. Turning to face them he takes notice of Damian for the second time and thinks The one with the Cuervo cape? Hm.. He extends a hand as he prepares to greet the newcomer, but Damian delivers the joke before he can. No stranger to these kind of tactics, Oliver decides to hint a couple of things to Damian that only someone who was probing him, as he suspected, would pick up on. "Oliver Lobelia. A pleasure." he replies to the joke calmly and sternly, a tone of voice that screamed 'Sleeping Dragon' as he left his hand extended. Though more important was the inclusion of his last name. Normally he wasn't one to flaunt his family name, but the option had it's uses. There aren't very many people in this country that do not know the Lobelia Corporation to some extent. The company is little more than a small hospital chain and genetics company sitting on the wealth of an old oil tycoon but that genetics company had made many strides in the field over the years and the hospital chain contained some of the most successful hospitals in the nation. It was an acknowledgement that reinforced the idea that he can 'make things happen', as belonging to the family that owned that rapidly growing conglomerate implies access to resources and connections that could accomplish great feats.   Then, immediately following the introduction, he comments on the cape and says "A Cuervo fan, I take it?" The implication here was meant to be pretty clear to someone on edge like Damian, essentially saying 'I've only seen your front in this conversation but know what's on your back, because I already had my eyes on you; I have my eyes on everything that enters or threatens our domain.'  

Damian Eli

Lobelia? As in.. no shit. It explained the tailored suit and why he might be the one to get things done. As he mentioned the cape and that it was Cuervo his pulse quickened but Damian didn't flinch a bit his eyes didn't widen nor did he look away. He kept his gaze on Oliver's eyes and spoke. Damians voice was like a rock hitting gravel so while Oliver might sound like a sleeping dragon Damian just sounded like he looked. Ragged and tough.   "Well. What can I say. I like people who know when to stop pulling punches. And when to stop punching ans start shooting... I do have a question. You're family has a genetics company are. Are you a test tube baby?" He looked closer at the man looking for weapond a holster anything. He added Oliver ti the second biggest threat on his list fir some reason Laura was the biggest. He wasn't sure why but his gut said so.  

Oliver Lobelia

So he does know the symbol he's wearing, at least he's not stupid. He smirks at the question. It wasn't the first time he had heard the idea. There was an entire theory floating around out there about him and his siblings after all, and his own brother had often spoken to him of his own similar suspicions, but it was surely the first time anyone had the bravery to question him on it directly. For a moment Oliver questions the man's sanity, but then remembers what Lara said earlier. 'He is one of us, he just doesn't know it yet.' Is he just desperate to avoid the topic then? Quickly settling on a response, he brings his hand back up with his palm facing downward and only his index finger extended. Within moments a single drop of blood forms from the fingertip, but instead of dripping to the ground normally it stretches out and reshapes as it begins to harden and condense. All the while Oliver speaks as he does this.   "So you've heard the stories, have you? I once questioned it myself when I found myself able to do things like this, but I quickly came to the conclusion that I could never know for sure what my parents did before I was born. All I can prove is that my siblings and I were indeed born the same as anyone else in the end, as there are recordings of our births and our childhoods were thoroughly documented privately. Besides, there are a number of different possible explanations for this.. ability." As he finishes that last line the blood finishes the process, having become a refined needle sharp and heavy enough to pierce into the floor as it drops from his finger. "Though speaking of which, my recent recovery at the very least can be credited entirely to my beloved sister which pokes a big hole in the public theories."

[Manipulator: x1 Basic, x1 Minor, -1 EP (14/15)]

 

Damian Eli

Damian nodded. His internal questions answered Oliver wasn't going to kill him over a remark just threaten him with a show of power fine. He looked around the group nodding once more. "I get it now." He pointed to Ryder "Muscle" then to Oliver "Hitter and supplies" then to Laura "Leader and recruiter... And something else I'm not sure of." He spoke with absolute assurance and the joking seemed to gone. "So. What do you mean by I'm one of you? I just don't know it yet? I'm an Evo yes but my power stays secret until I can trust you. Laura's the mother of lost souls. That's a name that has power.. what do you guys want"  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

She laughed and it was like a tinkling of bells, musical, made you smile to hear it. "No, guapo. I do not want anything from you. I just want to offer you a place to belong. A place with people like you, like me. A place without judgement, a place with with people you can call upon if you ever need them. That is what I mean when I say one of us. I look after mi familia, Damian. I protect them. I offer them support. I offer them love. I offer it because I didn't have enough of it growing up and I never want anyone to feel as I did. Discarded, abused, worthless, unloved. I have a feeling about you, a feeling that you would belong here. But it will always be your choice, guapo. Always." As she talked, he would feel the warmth of her words. Could tell that she was sincere. He would feel safe and welcomed.

[Pather, x1 Minor, -1 EP]

 

Damian Eli

For once in his life Damian didn't have a response he just stood there staring not knowing what to say or how to even say it. He opened his mouth and closed it before just nodding. "A family? That sounds. Really nice.. I've never really had one before.. well kinda but. Those days are gone..are you sure? You want me? I'm. Loud.. obnoxious violent and god do I have issues.. "  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

"I'm sure. We can only begin to heal when we have a place safe enough to do so. We can be that place for you. Mi hermano, mi vida, they have been with me a long time. They can tell you stories. Feel free to ask us anything. What will make you feel comfortable with us, Damian? What will make you feel at home?"  

Damian Eli

"It. Might be easier for me to tell you about me.. parts. I uh. Used to be in a gang back in Detroit and I've done some very.. I've killed in self defense and on orders.. so i guess. First question is that okay? I mean.. there's more but that's the iceberg.. and the other questions just how did you meet? Where did you all cime from before here" he found and empty seat and took it. It was big for him it showed he wasn't ready to run or fight just listen and talk.  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

"If it is as you say, in self defense, then it is nothing that should trouble you. Your life is important, first and foremost. You must protect yourself, as we all do. Do not allow someone to snuff out your light, guapo. As for our story," She looked over to Oliver and you could see the admiration on her face." Hermano, would you like to tell it?" She knew he may want to edit the narrative so that only the most pertinent of details were known for now. Such is the life of a public persona.  

Oliver Lobelia

"We first met each other when we were kids in elementary school and had a conversation about how much we hated our families and the reasons why. At the end of it I asked 'Why don't we instead choose our family for ourselves?' It was a concept I had never considered before that point, but it seemed so obvious once I impulsively said it out loud. 'We can even start with each other and be siblings, that way both our families grow twice as fast!' she continued for me, excited at the idea. I agreed but, even if it was originally my idea, I wasn't as enthralled. I already knew my parents planned to have us move away soon, after all." He told the story in a tone of voice that seemed somewhat detached, but it was clear in his expression that these memories were important to him.   "At that point it was just an idea that came to me, but she seemed to take it to heart. Then, years later, she finds me shortly after the wreak that left me only barely living. She healed me, took years off my recovery time so that I could walk again after only a few weeks, and she did so because of that old promise. Because we were family, the family we chose to start for ourselves and those like us. It was then that I became fully invested in the idea. We've been looking out for each other ever since."  

Damian Eli

"I can respect that" he said softly looking down at his hands. "If you. If you do right by me I'll do right by you and anybody you consider family. I may not have Oliver's resources but I get things done."   His voice was full emotion and his eyes were misting his life was going well for the first time in he couldn't even remember how long, he had Zeke a true friend that he was helping, a date soon and now he had a family. This is what it felt like to be normal right? No getting jumped in no demands to take money or threaten people... Just take care of each other.  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

"That's all we ask, guapo. Or should I say Cuervo?" Her voice wasn't filled with accusation, just the calm that she has kept throughout. "Oliver doesn't miss much. That's no fake, is it? If the stories are anything to go by, you're a tad reckless, but you have skill. We can help you hone your skills. We can even... enhance them. My instincts don't fail me often; we will be good for each other. So let me ask one more question. Is there anything or anyone that you need taken care of in this moment? No matter the circumstances."  

Damian Eli

He tensed up visibly his eyes wide and fists clenched but let it go. He was safe. "I was shot. Not bad but its hindering my.. fighting. I don't really have an offense power. I negate abilities I just need to know what they are and i can weaken of fully shut them down if they as strong or weaker then me. For offense I have the armor.. I. Can you help me with supplies for that? "  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

"Were you properly checked out? We can get you in touch with discreet doctors. As for supplies, mi hermano can help I'm sure with whatever you need. But what intrigues me the most is who shot you? Are they still alive?"  

Damian Eli

"I wasn't. I went home cleaned it best I could and have been since. The one who shot me? I think I ran him over with a van. I told them they could leave New Victoria or die. They left and they gave all the Evos they were kidnapping up along with all their warehouses. So yes and no"  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly and a ruthlessness showed through. "Do they need to be hunted down? Or do you trust that they will do as they say?"  

Damian Eli

"They're a small operation. I killed 5 and Unbreakable crippled a telepath. I trust they'll leave. If they don't well hunt them down" Damian was in awe of this woman. Not only had they sussed out who he was she accepted him and got straight down to business making sure he was okay and offering to help him. He had a home. It felt weird to say in his head. He had a home and a family.  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

"You tell me if they come back. We'll help you handle it. Hermano, keep an ear out for anything similar that comes across your radar." She softened a bit more now. "Damian, I'm sending a doctor to you tomorrow. They'll get the process started of making sure you're okay. Now. Tell me. Who's this Unbreakabale person that helped you? Is it someone I should meet?"  

Damian Eli

He nodded in thanks to the Doctor bit as she asked about Unbreakable and he thought about it for a second. "Not yet. He's just a kid.. i look out for him best I can but if I bring him to a group he's probably gonna blow a fuse and try to punch somebody. Which would suck. He's like.. hes like a mini white Victory. Just not golden... Or as strong... Or fast.. he's a mini white weaker Victory with anger and parent issues" He thought that summed it up pretty well.  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

"Hmm. I see. If that changes, being him round. I don't find many that want to punch me on first interaction. Wouldn't you agree, guapo?" She smiled with a wink. "Now, Victory. That is a name I hear often. I wonder if our paths will ever cross..."  

Damian Eli

He smiled at her before thinking... He could tell Lara he was going on a date with Victory's sister on Wednesday but decided not too.. he liked Tiana he wasn't going to betray her trust. "I dunno. Him and that kid inferno got all the credit for mine and Unbreabkles work. Which is fine I don't do this for popularity or recognition. But kinda pissed me off.. just a bit"  

Oliver Lobelia

"Recognition as a vigilante is more trouble than it's worth, if anything they did you a favor by taking the credit. By the way, take this." He hands Damian a card that has the address of his manor and his personal cell number. "Take your armor here, discreetly if possible. My mechanic can do wonders in sourcing what you need, she might even have some things on hand already." As he finishes speaking he notices someone walk in that was especially hard to miss, turning to look towards the entrance to the club. "Do you know her?" he asks, the question directed at Lara.  

Irina (Luna)

The girl is out of place by the very nature of her obvious youth as it is, but to add on to that she enters wearing what appears to be an orange space suit complete with all the accessories that come with one minus the helmet, something that had to take a lot of time and money to create. And then there was the rest of the cosplay which also seemed to spare no expense; Her short hair was artificially extended and temporarily dyed to make it a darker shade of blue, she had her ears made to look more pointed, and she brought her own fake fangs that accurately matched the style used by the show. All in all it was a near perfect recreation of the character she was trying to imitate. Part of her almost immediately regretted the choice to go with the space suit over Irina's other outfits as she saw the crowd that was attending the party, as iconic as it was. The red dress only appeared once in the show but it most definitely would have fit the overall theme here better.. She quickly shakes off the feeling and starts looking for Lara. This was the choice she made and she was sticking to it, no turning back now.  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

"I do! That's mi muñequita! I asked her to come and I'm so glad she did. This one is smart, hermano. You will like her. She is young in age, but not in mind. Un momento, por favor. I must go get her."   Running over may have been what Lara wanted to do, but these heels wouldn't have allowed it. Plus, La Madre would prefer a more dignified appearance in their current environment. She walked through the crowd to Luna with a quickened pace that still allowed her to look graceful. When she was close enough she would shout for her, waving a hand in the air. "Luna! Over here!"  

Damian Eli

Damian took the card from Oliver but his attention immediately shifted to the literal child in the club. He blinked a few times and looked down made sure this was real then looked back up. "Is. Is that child wearing a cosmonaut cosplay... And in a club? I. I what the fuck?"  

Oliver Lobelia

Oliver places a hand on Damians shoulder, shaking his head. "Believe it or not stranger things happen around us all the time. I'd say 'You'll get used to it' but you most likely won't. I still haven't." His mind was already trying to come up with who this kid was, the only thing coming to mind being the kid from AERI. He couldn't be sure without a name, and through the music he could barely hear Lara's calls to the new arrival at all much less make out what she was saying.  

Irina (Luna)

She notices the host of the party rather quickly and starts making her way towards her. She can only manage a jog in her current getup but she tries to go as fast as she can, a mix of her desire to be around her new friend again and her desire to not be alone at a big party of mostly strangers. "Hi!" she says as she gets closer. "Sorry I'm a bit late, I didn't have much time to get all of this on before coming over." She looks tired, but surprisingly not from the jog through the club in what must be some pretty heavy clothing for how authentic it looks. It's the 'I've run myself ragged working all week' kind of tired look.  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

"Lateness does not matter, so long as you make an entrance. And an entrance you did make, muñequita! You are the best dressed of anyone here. You are from an anime, yes? It looks quite heavy, but you wear it so well. Come tell us all about it, I'm sure my friends will have questions too and you shouldn't have to repeat yourself."   She offered a hand out to Luna and would walk back towards her table once accepted. Pulling the girl in closer to her, the crowd parted without any verbal cues. It was straight out of a movie, all they needed was the fan that blew their hair back in dramatic fashion. The faces of everyone at their table ranged from shock to curiosity to utter blankness. As Oliver said, just another day around La Madre.   "Hermano, Damian, mi vida, this is my vampire mini me. Would you like us to call you Irina tonight, to match the outfit?" Her eyes sparkled with mischievousness, but also excitement and pride.  

Damian Eli

Damian looked at the child and just nodded like this was normal. That a ten year old was in a club wearing a very impressive cosplay. "... Who's your tailor... That looks. Expensive but impeccable like really good cosmonaut cosplay. Im a cosplayer myself.. theres somebody that i hope to run into at a convention. But she seemed really cranky last time. So I dunno" He smiled at the child but looked at Lara with so much confusion.  

Irina (Luna)

She blushes for a second at the thought of being called Irina as she hadn't really thought about that, but the feeling is quickly replaced with curiosity as she realizes that Lara had name dropped the character without being told. She didn't strike Luna as the type of person that watched anime so the fact she knew was surprising to say the least. It isn't long after that Damian speaks up and so she decides to answer the easier of the two questions first.   "Hilma Poppins of In Stitches! I helped put it together but she did all the sewing." she says, following it up with a brief grin that showed off her fangs. "Though I'm still not sure about being the character to that degree.. This is my first time doing cosplay at all to be honest." she says, looking back to Lara to sort of answer her question without actually answering.  

Damian Eli

Damian just nodded again. He wasn't sure if he should leave or stay or countinue talking to the child so for once in his life he just stayed silent. He also felt really stupid in his cape standing around surrounded by beautiful well dressed people. And he was in a cape jeans and a shirt.  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

"Then we'll call you Irina, for the immersion. Everyone should enjoy their passions, mi hija. Tell Ryder what you'd like to drink. He'll go deal with the crowds at the bar for you, won't you, love?"  

Ryder Stokes

Nodding, the stoic man said only, "Of course."  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

"Thank you, love. Tell him your order and then tell me what you think of all of this!" She motioned around at the decorations and the people all around them.  

Irina (Luna)

"Long Island Iced Tea." she says as she turns to Ryder with a tone that sounds serious, though the grin that follows with a short pause makes it obvious it was a joke. "I'll take Sprite if they have it, but I'm not really picky."  

Oliver Lobelia

Oliver raises an eyebrow slightly as the joke is made. Do children normally know the names of alcoholic drinks offhand? 'Young in age, but not in mind' indeed..  

Irina (Luna)

"I love it!" she says, turning back to Lara. "It's very fancy, I almost didn't feel right being here in this outfit once I saw everything. I kind of wish I had gone with the dress now.." she says with a nervous smile.  

Damian Eli

Damians lack of social interaction over the past.. shit he wasnt quite sure how many years was definitely showing now. He shifted from foot to foot and that's when he felt another burst of pain from his wounds. It wasn't excruciating as it bad been almost a full week but it sure didn't feel good, especially considering he probably over extended himself with the dancing. He reached in his pocket and pulled out two travel packets of pain killers tore it open and swallowed the pills dry. "So... Uh...how about the Lions?.. nevermind. They suck. They always suck... God you really can't have shit in Detroit"  

Ryder Stokes

He would have gotten her a Long Island Iced Tea if she hadn't made it a joke. He wasn't one to judge and Lara would stop him if she disapproved. He slunk out of the booth and lightly touched Lara as he passed, just a caress of fingertips. He would get the girl her Sprite, even if it meant sending someone out for one.  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

She shivered at his touch and then made Damian her focus. "Calm, guapo. We are becoming a family, getting to know one another. Words will come. No need to force them." She sent soothing waves over to her new friend.

[Emotional Manipulation x1 Minor, -1EP]

  "Mi hija, you interpreted exactly what I was hoping for - a statement and outpouring of your inner creativity. But if you would like to try out the dress next time, I would love to see it. Anything you wear will be perfecto. I hope you come every week, if you can. That goes for all of you. Ryder and I will be here every Friday. Hermano, Eva, Damian, Irina, I wish you all to come see me and tell me the tales of your week. Hermano, I know you're a busy one, but hopefully you will indulge me this whenever possible. You're all welcome to bring guests at any time. I wish to know those that are important in your lives. Yes?" She locked eyes with each of them and gave a look so innocent, so sure that they wouldn't turn her down, that they all wanted what she wanted - their company.  

Damian Eli

It was like a breeze flowed over him, like a warm safety blanket and he drifted along with it, Lara's words flowing to him like a melody of absolute peace and harmony. "Hm? Yeah I can try to come here every Friday. It depends on work and Cu- my hobby" He caught himself from saying Cuervo things last minute and offered a relaxed smile. "My weeks are usually just crunching numbers and making sure people get paid. But I'd glady stop by to talk about it.. might bring Tiana next time too"  

Irina (Luna)

The young girl smiled at the response. "I'll try to get the dress ready for next time then."  

Oliver Lobelia

"Of course, one should always make time for family."  

Lara Torres | Mother of Lost Souls

"I would love to meet this Tiana." She didn't need to look at Oliver to know he was taking mental notes, just as she was. They'd talk once he had a chance to dig into every name, asking her for more details when needed. "Bueno, mi familia. I look forward to the memories."  

Storyteller

The rest of the evening was spent with laughter and stories and strangers and dancing, all intertwined with the magic that is The Mother of Lost Souls. Her family grew, her connections grew, and her confidence grew that this time they would do it right.