Public movie night at the bookstore

[Kaze]

Movie night


The bookstore has flyers out in the neighborhood and in the street facing window display and a banner on its web page:

Movie Night! Double Feature! The Curious Case of Benjamin Button followed by Fight Club! Starting at 7 PM in the side room.

Watch the movie with refreshments set up in the bookstore side room, and buy the books after to read!

Tales of the Jazz Age (1922) is a collection of eleven short stories by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Divided into three separate parts, according to subject matter, it includes one of his better-known short stories, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". All of the stories had been published earlier, independently, in either Metropolitan Magazine (New York), Saturday Evening Post, Smart Set, Collier's, Chicago Sunday Tribune, or Vanity Fair.

Fight Club is a 1996 novel by Chuck Palahniuk.

[Corn]

The Bookstore Corn works at is a traditional, old-school bookstore. In the main room, a wooden counter is strategically placed so that the person behind it can see most of the shop. There are many rows of shelves holding dozens of books arranged in broad topics. Fluorescent lamps provide good illumination and there are a couple of small tables for people to check the books. An ancient computer with a cathode ray tube monitor was set on the stand below the counter. The shop could have been stuck in the 90s and the owners seem to like it that way - despite Corn's nudging for change.
The sizeable side room that was usually used by the patrons to read or play board games, where the screening would take place seems different than when Kaze has been there a few months ago. Gone is the large table. In its place there are about two dozen folding chairs. On the side, there was a thin table holding a few of the books included in tonight's movies for visitors to buy - possibly as a gift to a friend. A coffee pot with warm decaf and another one with tea were placed on a small stand on the other side, next to plastic cups, sugar and milk. A plate with homemade cookies was on the table - and any of the patrons could bring their own snacks if they wanted to share. Corn secretly hoped that Guru would show up with one of his cakes or baked goods. And he hoped that whatever was brought, would not make cleaning up more difficult.
Maria, Corn's fiancé, was away for work, leaving his schedule open this night without having to involve people that knew him well. Corn wanted to avoid mixing his Sleeper life with his supernatural acquaintances.

Having opened the bookstore for the screening, Corn is there early with a friendly demeanor waiting for the patrons to show up.

[Kaze]

Kaze arrives a few minutes early and lingers outside to see if Jennifer has arrived yet. They had agreed to come separately and meet at the bookstore. They both had their reasons why it was safer than one of them picking the other up at their home.

He's wearing a solid black, short sleeved cotton shirt and black trousers and athletic shoes. Casual wear, one notch up from full out work out gear, which would be shorts and a tank top.

He looks around, seeing that people have yet to really arrive for the movies. Makes sense, giving people time to just shop a little first.

Kaze goes in and checks out the books on the shelves. Last time he came, the bookstore was closed and empty and it was just a place for a couple friends to play some boardgames. This time it's an actual event with all kinds of people expected. So, not necessarily going to be super deep conversations, but you never know. Everyone has their stuff, and it's all deep and interesting, even if it isn't about the secret world of magic.

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer arrives a few moments after Chris, dropped off by a car service. Jennifer was dressed in what she called her 'college student clothes'. The Nosferatu had flushed herself with stolen blood, appearing bright and living, before calling the car service.

Link to her outfit

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/298574650305893210/

As the driver pulled away, she looks about the area. She listens to her Beast for a second, determining if the venue was frequented by any other Kindred. Seeing Chris, she breaks into a sincere smile as she walks towards him, linking her arm through his.
"Hey." She greets with an affectionate hug.


"How have you been? You had a great idea with Rosie's grand opening. Did you like it?" She asks, looking into his eyes for a reaction.
"I invited a friend of mine and her plus one. If you are interested in getting to know them..." The Nosferatu teased a bit.

[Quinn Durant]

Quinn took her motorcycle out this evening, parking it in a garage a block away. She stowed her heavy leather jacket, and her helmet with her bike. Quickly fixing her hair into a high ponytail. Quinn's black ankle boots had a modest chunky heel, bringing the petite Mehket to a whole 5'3.

Her outfit played to the exotic which suited her looks well. Her top was completely off the shoulder number in white, but what really 'made it' so to speak was the stunning crystal and bronze body mail piece she wore that covered her delicate shoulders and only enhanced her fine bone structure. She wore a pair of medium wash blue jeans that fit her body snugly, with a lace up style down the front of them and a fashion forward belt to complete the look.

She took in the neighborhood as she went , glancing down the dark alleys, checking vehicles idly. Her mind naturally assessing the environment she found herself in. She stuck to the shadows, and moved silently through the urban jungle. Coming up on the bookstore she smiled slightly seeing Jennifer, and realized for the first time they wouldn't be using titles. She was so used to using them with her, that she repeated her first name in her head a few times as a reminder that Kindred Society was somewhere else, in another realm of noneya. As in 'none of fucking anyone else's business.'

When she reached Jennifer she noted the man she was close to. He was very handsome. I mean, hands down. Quinn's lips twitched slightly with humor. She had to give Jennifer props. She would never date a man who was prettier than her. Women yes, men...no. Damnit. You had to draw the line somewhere. Vanity wasn't really a sin for Quinn, but in this one thing she was as shallow as a kiddie pool.

"Good evening Jennifer." Quinn said softly, stopping at the polite distance for conversation, but just a bit closer than she would come, say as if in Court. Humans didn't give that much space, and they were in full view of the bustling public. Even with Mask of Tranquility hiding her Kindred nature, a hint of unease entered the shadow at being in the lights of the bookstore. She peered curiously through the windows, and all they prey people milling about. It was still early so not many. She noted J.C hadn't arrived yet, and that was fine. She wanted to get there first.

[Corn]

Corn saw Kaze waiting outside the bookstore through the window and gave him a wave and a smile when he came in. Then a classy woman approached him and Corn's smile deepened. He is doing good enough. I will let him decide whether and when she will introduce her to me or not. Corn thought to himself, still remembering Kaze's questions on how it is possible to have a relationship outside the mage society and a couple months later, as one would expect from someone with Kaze's friendly and approachable personality and his great physique, he was getting to test ... whatever he got out from the discussion with Corn.
Corn turned his attention back to the counter and the people entering the shop and checking the shelves, waiting for the main event. Do we have enough popcorn? Should I have prepared some homemade popcorn instead of buying bags of it? Uncle didn't say anything about it.. Corn thought as his mind wavered away from his friend's date.

Another pretty girl arrived, that seemed to know Kaze's date.
If I had known we would attract such nice group, I would have advertised better in the Uni. Corn had his internal monologue. I should tell uncle to have such nights again. The cost is minimal and the publicity won't harm us. After all, people would have us in their minds when holidays and birthdays arrive. ​

Two mages and two vampires walk into a bookstore...

[JC Smith]

JC turned onto the street from a nearby ally, cutting across pathways cars didn’t normally go. He’d ‘slept’ close by, since this was supposed to be starting early in the night. Barely after sundown now that summer was here.

He hadn’t really wanted to come. However, he was familiar enough with the feeling of joyless reluctance to know it for what it was. Depression once again trying to drag him down and isolate him. And as usual, he’d given for a bit. Staying away from the House and his friends. Quinn’s call wasn’t, strictly speaking, entirely appreciated but he was glad to have her reach out. Even if it meant forcing himself to participate.

One step at a time back to normalcy. Or what passed for it nowadays.

He saw Quinn and Jennifer were already here. He raised his hand in greeting and gave a small smile as he approached. He granted some of the vitae in his veins a small measure of will. It warmed, thinned, and begin to flow of its own accord. It felt uncomfortable. He’d gotten into the habit of moving his blood purposefully when dealing with anxiety and anger. Having it constantly sloshing about was no longer the norm. Having to breath, was almost annoying. Realizing all that he was no longer used to feeling alive was depressing.

“Good evening, Quinn; Jennifer. How are you doing tonight?” he greeted the women. He didn’t recognize the man but guessed it was Jennifer’s plus one, so he gave a cordial nod to them. Appreciating how good they looked in their black shirt “Hi,” he held out a hand “I’m JC.”

[Kaze]

"Hey!" Kaze says, grinning and gently receiving the light embrace from the classy Lady! "Wow, you look great!"


He is impressed at her having a car service, though it makes perfect sense for her, a perfect blend of classy and practical, like her.


He has a momentary twinge at the thought of having given her a ride in his roll over survivor salvaged pick up truck, but puts it aside. She didn't seem to mind at all, and he was just taking everything about her one step at a time, believing her and trusting her to let him know if it bothered her.


"Cool." Kaze smiles. "Yeah, I am really glad. I had a great time. I mean, sure, I'm not really into flowers; I just really liked being there with you." He says. "And I like that neighborhood a lot too. There's a tea shop there where some of those same people hang out. I think Sarah is the owner or manager."


"Oh wow, hey!" Kaze says when Jennifer introduces her friend. It's cool she calls her a friend. He knows it's true.


"Call me, 'Chris'." Kaze says, making eye contact with Quinn Durant. She's classy too, but somehow makes it edgy. If he were the kind of guy who got turned on by 'dangerous', he'd probably be really into her. Well, maybe he was, since he was into Jennifer, and he knew she was an predator higher on the food chain than humans, but Jennifer didn't act like it. This lady, Jennifer's friend, raised red flags, like it wouldn't just be a quiet night at a museum or a bookstore if you went out with her. She definitely seemed like someone used to red carpets and being the center of attention.


"Wow! Really nice jewelry!" Kaze exclaims appreciatively. I mean, he's not even into jewelry, but Quinn's accessories were pretty awesome!


Then he recognized her. She was there. Just for a second though. At least, with Skye and Jenna and everything, he didn't remember anything she said or did, but he remembered her. The situational awareness vibe off her was right for it, too. Like she wasn't just aware of threats, but targets too.


Kaze smiles again, more seriously, displaying that for him at least, there were a lot of different potential shades of expressions in his smiles. This one had just switched from 'glad to meet someone interesting and new' to 'interesting and unusual to meet someone else who knows things aren't what they look like'.


"I feel like I remember you, from that night, at the party." He ventures obliquely enough for either her or Jenna to side step and talk about something else if they wanted.


Kaze spots Corn inside and grins and waves to the fellow mage. Yeah, Corn is so not the type to pick up on people like Jenna and her friend...and him, people who don't just casually talk about how they see things and people, even though Corn is one of them, he's more the academic that Jenna is without the predator edge that well he has, honestly. Corn tends to ask questions.


Well, Jenna is a fine lady he's been dating, and this is her friend he just met. No mystery here. Nothing to see here.


Then a guy walks up. Which is actually kind of a thing, because he says hi to Jennifer and calls her friend, 'Quinn' and I guess he's the plus one. And Kaze didn't get a vibe from him at all, in fact they guy seems kind of unimpressive. So...well, taking it at face value. He has people in his life that are normal, so Jenna and her friend, 'Quinn' can too.


"Oh, hey!" Kaze says, grinning with genuine pleasure at J.C.'s introduction and offer to shake hands. Kaze shakes hands, firm but not too firm, not too fast or anything, looking the guy in the eyes, like he's giving attention, not rushing through it or anything. "Cool." He says, glancing around at the crowd and at Corn inside. "Call me, 'Chris'." Kaze offers. "So...you guys want to head inside?" He asks. "I haven't seen either of the movies or read the books. I hear they're good tho, and I have a friend who works here, so, you know, I want to support."

[Jennifer Hazelton]

"Good evening, Quinn." Jennifer greeted the Mekhet in her Cursed voice, casting an appreciative look at the outfit Quinn had crafted. "You look lovely."
If Jennifer had an issue keeping the two circles of public and private information separate, she gave no sign. She gave Quinn a smile of greeting.
As JC walks up, she gives him a polite nod. Her expression is not the calm and composed look she often keeps up in Court. Her expression appears to be more relaxed.
"Hey, JC."

Jennifer grins to Chris.
"Thank you. You are always so sweet. You look amazing, yourself." Jennifer responds, sincere. "I think Gerrit will have a great experience with the shop. I need to stop by for my next bouquet."
Oh, a tea shop? Perhaps our next date."

They did need to spend some time with people. Jennifer was already thinking about setting up a private dinner for her and Chris, something they had discussed a bit ago.
Jennifer watches Chris and Quinn, a bit curious as Chris references the party on top of the tower.
When Chris waves to someone inside the store, she follows the interaction. Jennifer gives the man inside a polite smile. Looking away, Jennifer discreetly glances around. Checking if they were attracting attention.

"Do you two know these books?" She inquired of JC and Quinn. Jennifer looked to Chris, confiding.
"I've only watched the movie Fight Club. It was years ago."

She looks to Chris.
"Yes, lets go inside." Jennifer agrees.
The Nosferatu walks confidently into the book store. She looks up at the books, a long appreciative look. Jennifer looks for the man Chris had waved to.
"Hello." Jennifer gives a friendly smile. Jennifer was quick to include the man who knew Chris in conversation.
"We're here for the film night. Did I hear Chris say that you were setting this up?"
She looks at Chris, checking if she had deduced correctly. Always possible that this was another movie night guest.

"I am curious how these movies adhere to the books. Although I feel better that you haven't read Benjamin Button as well."

[Corn]

Corn waves to Kaze but doesn't interrupt his time with the ladies.

At this point, I don't have anything to add as Corn doesn't want to interrupt Kaze.