That's what the Avalon made him think of, really; Roxy Music, Brian Eno and Bryan Ferry, and no matter was being spun by the DJ tonight that little snippet of music kept coming up in his mind. The soft notes and the woman's voice singing, "Avalon." Never mind that the music playing now was completely different—some pounding, insistent techno atrocity, like the Art of Noise and Kraftwerk were having sweaty, filthy sex. Martin did not care for it.
He wasn't sure when this ossification had occurred, this inability to keep up with the kine and their culture. Was it during his studies, after his Embrace? Perhaps if he had remained mortal he would be the same way, pining for the past, a nostalgic glow over everything.
What was it about this city that had him in such a funk?
Moving through the club, people watching, Martin remembered the young man he had met here just weeks before. Joey, his name had been; Martin had had trouble remembering that night but now it was clear in his mind. Joey, and they had gone back to Joey's place and Martin, not willing to put the effort into the act of sex, had commanded the boy to sleep and then fed. He'd left his number and left; Joey had called a couple of times, but Martin hadn't contacted him again. He wasn't sure what he would end up doing with the boy; he needed a ghoul but he wasn't going to rush it for someone who may not be worth the time and trouble.
All the same, nothing in his mortal life came close to the intimacy shared when he fed from someone. And Joey had been his first meal in this city; more than that, possibly the first real connection he had made here. Shamed of his low status Martin had had hardly any real contact with the city's Kindred at all.
He hoped he didn't run into Joey tonight.
Oh, speak of the God Damned Devil.
They looked at each other, both uncomfortable. They greeted each other, hesitantly, wondering what would happen—a reconnection, or an ugly spat with all these people? Above all Martin did not want any sort of attention called to himself; and so, he smiled warmly, and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, and they went off together to have some drinks.
As Martin's intent tonight had been to feed, he decided they would go back to Joey's again. And this time, after he had fed and his meal slept, perhaps Martin would poke around and see what further use this young man could be.