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[firesblood]

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@hawk_shot

[firesblood]

"You are worried." The words rolled out in a drawl, though one that had spent more time across the pond than in the south. Gregory was already up on his feet, strapping on the security gear that would help him protect others by protecting himself. Armor to make one feel strong. So why did it feel like he was still wearing nothing when he felt Lestat's eyes on his back? That knowing, toying, teasing tone that humored as much as it admired, that times cut as much as tangled.

He'd given his life to his job. Why did it feel fulfilled until lately? One night stands weren't new to him, and what he had right now was hardly a relationship, but it was intimate and there was no escaping it - at least for the next eight months. Gregory half-turned, putting on his vest. "There's a lot of reason to be worried, between the two of us." Bishop Securities had their own enemies, as did Lestat. Each concert felt like a high-speed chase and for more reasons than just the music. He'd also noticed, though Lestat hadn't said as much, that each concert location was slowly building upon the other in terms of familiarity for Lestat. He'd been there, dabbled in that, but each visit the artist grew more antsy. More anticipatory. Like it was all leading to that final show in Paris.

Lestat ambled to his feet, wearing just a robe. He went and trailed a finger up Gregory's neck, making the other man tense rather than shiver. The finger paused then, only resuming when Gregory relented and relaxed. "Bigots and braggarts. The world is fat with them. Well time for a trimming."

A huff of a laugh. "Nice words. They your next lyrics?" He studied Lestat, softening a little. "I just don't want anyone to get hurt."

"I know." Lestat leaned in and kissed him. "It is in your name. In your blood. I promise to try and behave tonight. After all, your boss will be here." His head pulled back, tilted, and smiled. "Is already here."

"Right. You can tell." It was a joke between them, one that Gregory was increasingly failing to find the humor in so much as the truth. Lestat was fickle, temperamental, vindictive and dismissive. Yet he was also lavish, loving, witty and protective. Did that amount to being a murderer? What he'd done to that woman... that witch... it wasn't human. Yet neither was what she'd been trying to do to the crowd.

Lestat had then doted on Gregory. Worried and fussing, enraged on his behalf. A tender-hearted lover, after an avenging angel from hell. It had scared the shit out of Gregory, while at the same time, he'd felt a kindred sense of loyalty and loneliness. He'd come back for Lestat, and hadn't been left alone for his efforts.

He had to talk to Kate. What he'd say though to encompass it all? Who the hell knew. "I have to go. Get ready."

"Yes. We have our parts to play, do we not?" A cryptic smile that showed white teeth. Lestat turned then, his back to Gregory as the other man lingered before departing for his spot.

Meanwhile, outside the concert hall, a stylish woman with a severe haircut and various tattoos met Kate and Matt at the ticket counter for the VIP line, giving them a doubtful look but not saying anything about it. They didn't seem the sort to get backstage, but then, neither had that drawling vampire until she'd learned it was Lestat's ex-lover. That had been an interesting night.

"Enjoy the show. Complimentary refreshments are right that way," she said as they had an escort to lead them around the crowd and to the side of the stage. Matt instantly disliked her and the overall pretentious nature of the staff, outside Kate's crew, but the general public seemed mild. So far. Usual fan excitement that was a hum that gave him a slight headache but wasn't terrible yet. His hand on Kate's back he said in a low voice, "No Powell yet but I don't know all the Task Force by heart."

[hawk_shot]

Kate was well aware that they stuck out like a sore thumb, but the lanyards hanging from their necks had enough authority to keep questions silenced. Even if both she and Matt had chosen pretty casual clothes, she knew the kinda people that paid this dough to try and be close to their idol just for a few hours one night. From classic goths to people dressed as if they had just walked out of a French Bridgerton, everyone was in their most flamboyant looks. Everyone wanted to match Lestat's energy in the hopes that, fulfilling some Watppad fantasy, the vampire would chose them for the night.

Could Kate blame them?

Squeezing Matt's hand, they were guided through the halls as his stick clicked on the floor.

"It's mostly our people here in the back so far," she whispered back at him. The staff didn't recognize Kate, but they all wore matching Tour t-shirts and Bishop Security vests.

"Miss Bishop?" Stopping on their tracks, the escort with heavy dark makeup arched a brow as one of their security team actually did recognise Kate. They had talked the first time they came to Lestat's concert, back when it was all entertainment and they had no true concerns about the vampire's true identity and plans.

"Carlos, hey!" Kate was instantly familiar with the man, giving him a pat on the arm.

"Coming to another show? You're a big fan."

Kate showed a sheepish but wide grin as she gestured towards herself and shrugged. "Yeah, guilty as charged." She pointed at Matt. "Oh, this is Matt. Matt? Carlos." Then, naturally, her finger aimed at their escort. "And this is...?"

"Peggy," the woman answered after a moment of hesitation. She was watching the exchange as if that somehow was weirder than pretending that your boss is a centuries old vampire who sometimes feeds on stage.

"Peggy! There we go, we all know each other now. You're good? Is the family okay?" Kate could tell both Carlos and Peggy were eager to get back to work, even if the man was also tempted to actually keep chatting. They were on the clock, after all. "Hey, you haven't seen Greg by any chance, have you? I have to talk to him." She leaned in, almost secretive on her tone. "Work related." The look on Carlos' face said it all. Had his friend screwed up? Kate was quick on fixing that. "Good news, but not a big deal." She laughed awkwardly. "I mean, it would be super unprofessional of me to give him bad news here, right? Nah, it's chill. Don't worry!"

The man, only a few years older than Kate, smiled awkwardly but clearly relieved. "I'll go find him for you. Enjoy the show." He nodded at Matt. "Pleasure to meet you, sir."

Peggy, who's eyebrow seemed doomed to remain eternally arched behind her cat-eye shaped glasses, waved her hand showing them the path. "This way, please."

Soon, Matt and Kate were surrounded of a group of people that did fit the criteria you'd expect at this concert. The teenagers were loud and excited and probably discussing details Matt was dreading to hear.

Kate was busy guiding them towards the refreshments.

[streetlevel]

Matt's face carved up in a warm smile at hearing Kate's tone when introducing Carlos. He held out a hand which Carlos reached out to greet and shake enthusiastically, not awkward at having to maneuver around a man who had a walking stick. Lestat's concert brought out many eccentric kinds, from goths to period cosplayers, from the mangled to the manipulated. Desperation tinged with defiance. A powder keg of emotional volatility and community that was grounded in an explosive figure. Matt couldn't deny the sense of excitement, of genuine anticipation, but he also understood the risks involved in gathering people together. He got it now more than ever, and intention mattered in those cases. Was the person steering this helm having good intentions? They were here to find out.

It was possible that they stood against Fisk but also didn't stand for what the fight in Hell's Kitchen did. Nuance as always in friends and enemies, and where lines were drawn between.

He followed Kate to the refreshments, murmuring, "Your guy just left the room where Lestat was." He couldn't sense Lestat's heartbeat or heat signature, but the man had a very identifiable scent. Not an unpleasant one, if anything it was actually quite seductive, but very distinct. Lestat was not trying to hide from anyone or anything, it seemed. He wanted to stand out. Well, what artist didn't?

Gregory also had that scent on him when he approached them, having been warned by Carlos that Kate was looking for him.

The large man looked like he hadn't slept well lately, and his arm was still tender, but he had the calm air of one who was used to controlling chaos. He approached them, gave a nod and smile to Matt, and said to Kate, "You were looking for me, Ms. Bishop?" He noticed that Matt discreetly excused himself for the bathroom, although he didn't notice that Matt didn't head to the lav.

"Excuse me, you can't be here." A nasal voice stopped Matt as he ended up near the green room, just as Lestat exited.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I must have gotten turned around. Say... are you from Queens?" Matt smiled at the woman, who was startled but started talking about how yes, she was from there, how did he know?

Lestat paused, studying the violinist who also happened to be a blind lawyer. Well. Who was putting on a show now, with that smile and charming disassembling? "That will be all, Katrina." The woman scurried away as Lestat studied the man. "You were turned around, Mr. Murdock?"

"Yeah. Lots happening back here... wait, Mr. de Lioncourt?" Matt's forehead furrowed perfectly out of practice. "Kate's going to be so annoyed I ran into you first. By accident, of course."

[hawk_shot]

Even the refreshments seemed to be in a theme. Not cheap Halloween stuff you'd expect from a guy everyone thought was pretending to be undead, but a table that actually seemed to be a prop from a period piece. Fruit, cheeses, roast instead of sushi and canapés. The drinks on the other hand had a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, something indeed fit for a rock concert. Kate grabbed some cheese and crackers, listening to Matt describe the position of their target.

It was so handy to have a human radar sometimes.

Looking like a chipmunk, as her cheeks were full, Kate enthusiastically waved at Greg as she noticed him approaching. She stroked Matt's arm as silent response to him excusing himself and watched him leave. The ball was rolling. He would find Lestat and give them some privacy.

Wiping her hands on her black jeans as she swallowed what was frankly a pretty good quality cheese, Kate nodded and patted Greg's wide back. "Hey, yeah. Yeah, I'd thought we could catch up for a second before, you know, you're busy with work and stuff."

Finally being able to take a good, close look at the gentle giant, Kate was a little taken aback by the sight of him. Greg was without a doubt looking a little pale. It was mostly the bags under his eyes that she noticed, something that people sure took for granted when it came to working at tours like this one.

Kate couldn't help but worry, though, her mind instantly wandering towards worrisome scenarios. Blue eyes scanned Greg, that big toned chest that seemed ready to rip his tour t-shirt by the next breath. His neck, though? Kate didn't instantly notice any scars, but then, she couldn't stare for long. Greg had guided her towards a hallway, white and as long as it was empty. The light above them was fickle, reminding her of several horror movies that ended with final girls covered in blood.

A snack, as Lestat would probably say.

"We don't have much time," Greg told Kate, still talking in whispers as they could be interrupted at any time. "I've noticed--"

The words lingered in the air. There was an inside-joke between him and Lestat, in which the frenchman - if he was even french in real life, for all Greg knew he could be Canadian - always seemed to be aware of impossible things. Would be he able...? No, how would he be able to hear them? Greg considered it twice, typing on his phone for Kate to read his messages and deleting them right after she was done. No, he was worrying too much.

"It's all a big show. Even with the people behind the scenes, Lestat keeps it up. He has these fake fangs and sometimes pretends to play with the groupies and --" And Greg himself.

"Are the guys alright?" Kate was quick to ask.

"Guys and girls." Greg seemed to consider that for a second. "That's --" Not his territory. "Jules, one of his personal assistants takes care of that stuff." Surely they were escorted out of the place or the hotel right after, maybe Jules got a cab for them. Greg always stood by Lestat's heel, like a faithful dog. A faithful lover that was rewarded as less of those groupies made it to the dressing room or the hotel lately.

Lestat could have anyone. And yet he was choosing him lately.

Kate simply nodded. It didn't sound like things were too fishy. Matt and her, they were probably worrying about nothing. About a show.

[streetlevel]

"Of course." Lestat sniffed, stepping forward with a pleasantly frozen smile on his face that he realized a beat later Matt could not see. No matter. "You sound and smell like your city, Mr. Murdock."

"Yeah?" Matt's hands tightened on his cane but his smile was equally frozen in a pleasant frame. "What smell is that?"

"Rageful. Timeless, yet always, a touch more behind the times than a city wants to admit." Lestat stepped forward, uncomfortably close, but of course the blind man wouldn't notice. He didn't stand any different. "A bit like hot dogs and sewer."

"Well. We got that tip from overseas." How to build a proper sewer. "We just finessed it."

"Mmm. And married it to excess?"

"Would you have the fans here if America wasn't about indulgence?" Both men bantered like something precious was at cost, but neither of the wagers was their own welfare being considered. After a pause Matt replied softly, "I've never been married. Have you?"

"Does a contract matter to you? Ah. You're a lawyer. I rescind the question."

Both laughed.

"Kate matters to you." Lestat reached out, a gentle probe of Matt's mind that found a blurry of fucking headache-inducing insanity that would have driven a younger vampire to his knees. Even as it was there was a sharp intake of breath... yet also the pulsing purity beneath it of a man that was absolutely at the end of his convictions. Emotions driving unrelenting sensory data... a man that tottering forever on the edge of madness, balanced only by fuck all Lestat knew to balance the tides.

"Many things matter to me. Including the power of music. Of story. Of voices." Matt's tone was so utterly banal, so entirely centralized. A gutter man from a singular sewer, rising of his own power to become a local prophet. What was he? Not human. Not vampire. Certainly not a witch. WHAT. Soft thunder ended with stating, "This city has many whispers, and if you listen closely, it becomes more than a song. If you're the artist you claim, I hope you do hear it. Thank you for saying what you did against Fisk. It's only the start."

Matt's head tilted then and he smiled. "If you'll excuse me. Or show me the way to the buffet?"

Lestat reached out and cold fingers took Matt's arm. So cold yet firm. A voice on fire as it murmured, "Your fight is a tale as old as time, Mr. Murdock. A story that can swing both ways. Sometimes a song can breath the winds of change one way or another. It is not always in a court of law that society forms, is it?"

A dazzling smile framed his face as they went and approached the table. "Ah, my knight in shining Bishop gear. And Ms. Bishop herself. I ran into your violinist. By accident, of course."

[hawk_shot]

Kate kept noticing how Greg eyed the door. The big guy was sweaty, she had never seen him this worried. Did he fear Lestat? No, it was something else. Kate could tell he was uncomfortable, maybe worried about getting sacked.

She had no idea of how truly divided Greg was on his instincts. Part of him regretted this, feeling that he was betraying Lestat.

"Has the Major reached out after last week's incident?" Kate knew it was a shot in the dark. Fisk did play by asking for permission, he dropped his fist first. Or he drew attention to something before playing his cards. Since he spoke up to the media, he had chosen to ignore Lestat. Trolls on the internet did the work for him, no doubt many of them paid or bots making things go viral. Pete and Alice could confirm that theory.

Still, Kate had to wonder if Fisk was planning to try and bait Lestat somehow. It would look bad, building up this whole thing about their youth following bad examples. A clown pretending to be Dracula and corrupting their kids.

An escape goat to put more cops on the streets, to bring 'order' and frighten people once police brutality becomes the norm.

"Not directly. But they've sent --"

Both Kate and Greg stood upright as Lestat's voice echoed through the hallway. There in all his glory. Those piercing, red rimmed eyes that looked so unnatural, the porcelain skin and perfect hair that looked both perfect and unkept at the same time. By his side, Matt. Sheepish, quiet. Playing his part as well.

Greg simply nodded in acknowledgement, but his gaze avoided Lestat's for a moment. Kate was far more casual. It helped that she was still a little under the starstruck spell of her favorite rockstar. "Mr. de Lioncourt! Thank you so much for the tickets and VIP passes again. It's so generous of you."

[firesblood]

The refreshments spared no expense. Lestat spared no expense. It was first and foremost to show he could, and secondly, for the pleasure of the crew who wanted to partake. His orders had been to go with what cost most, and then he let his manager pick from there. Part stage show and part generosity. Why couldn't it both benefit him and others? Why had Louis always sighed when Lestat had a personal motive? He just wanted to sigh was Lestat's petulant conclusion. To moan while others enjoyed splendor.

Yet it wasn't just Louis.

Gregory didn't meet Lestat's eyes, and the pang that pierced a dead heart stung. He didn't move, didn't do anything but smile, but the blind buffoon at his side tilted a head towards him. If he'd voiced sympathy, Lestat would have eaten him alive right then. As it was, his fingers just dug in painfully, waiting for Matt to tap out, to cry, to give Lestat a reason to lash out in return.

Nothing. The pain was absorbed like a sponge.

Frozen eyes shifted to Kate. Ancient eyes, paired with a devilishly irreverent smile that spoke of every age, every time. "Your business has done so much for the tour. It is only fitting to return a proper arrangement with what is due, is it not?" His gaze flicked to Gregory, a cutting smile, before he released Matt and raised his hands flamboyantly. "After all, that is what tonight is about, is it not? A show of what should be, what can be heard, what some did not say. Let it all out. Eat, drink. Catch up. It will be a night to remember."

He moved to get ready to enter the stage.

Outside, rumbling started. In the sky. In the streets.

Lestat knelt as the stage darkened. His children gathered close in anticipation.

Matt leaned towards Kate and said in a low voice, "I'm gonna go outside."

'You'll miss the show, Mr. Murdock.

Or are you starting one of your own?'

Fuck, that hurt.

[hawk_shot]

There was something certainly hypnotizing about Lestat. Here they were, gathered around him because a part of all three of them feared that the man was a force to be reckoned with. Unstoppable. Not even human. The world was used to weirder things these days.

Still, a real vampire was off their usual worries.

His charisma was definitely a weapon. It came so natural to Lestat, that flamboyance, that energy of someone who owned the room. It pushed past Greg's shame, who now looked like a pup who tried his best to now show he was worried about being reprimanded. Kate? She felt like she was on the first row of a very exclusive show.

"Ah--" Before she could say anything, the man himself was stomping his way to get ready. "Good -- I mean, break a leg! Just, not literally!"

Kate had not even noticed the way the vampire had squeezed at Matt's arm, nor did he caught that a very personal message was sent into his mind. "You sure? You're gonna catch attention and -- Matt, are you okay?"

She could tell Matt was zoning out. The way he did it whenever he heard something the rest of them mortals missed.

[streetlevel]

Tit for tat. Matt knew what his mind was like to enter thanks to Echo. If Lestat was reaching out, then he'd sensed something not quite natural. Just as he knew Matt had sensed about him, or guessed. A calculated risk or an insane man's gamble. Who know. Matt could tell Lestat's pride was wounded, but also, that he was on edge. He, too, sensed the fight outside. Did he know what was waiting for them? Did it matter?

Not questions that Matt could answer.

He just pulled Kate aside enough to say in a low voice, aware that Lestat might be able to hear them but having no choice, "There's trouble outside. I hear it. So does he. I'll get what intel I can and control it, but be prepared if it ends up inside. Either way, I'll draw the focus if I can." He had the suit, bulky but beneath what he was wearing. He gave Kate a kiss, hard and passionate.

A blind exhibitionist, the world does take all kinds? Don't worry, I'll watch her, Mr. Murdock. I am curious what a blind lawyer can do.

"Asshole," Matt muttered, before sprinting outward.

Lestat meanwhile started his first song, but his focus if one paid attention was on the entrances and exits. Sharply he gave a gesture with a sweeping hand to indicate Gregory keep watch. Meanwhile he knelt on the stage, not seeming too worried until a particular magic power drew his gaze up.

There wasn't just local force and bigotry, there was magic behind it.

Lestat smiled, baring fangs. "My children. Clear a path, would you? We have guests."

It was all theatrics and some mild concern until he saw Gregory heading outside while having others stand guard. An annoyed, worried fervor rose in his voice as he shouted, "Don't be an idiot!" The crowd stirred, curious if this was a new bit.

[hawk_shot]

"The task force?" It was probably silly, the fact that Kate was already regretting the fact that they had not been able to listen to a single song before they were forced to face whatever Kingpin had in store for them. Because the Major was sure behind this, right? All the more reasons to hate the guy. Ruining a concert is a true crime.

But before Kate could make any plans with Matt, her boyfriend was crushing his lips against hers, tipping her back slightly in an almost cinematographic way. It was a passionate but loving kiss, the type of kiss that leaves you breathless and almost a little dizzy.

For the briefest of times Kate could only suck on her lip and catch her breath back. "Okay. Okay, but I'll follow if you need help!"

Matt would never call her name, she knew. But as Kate found her spot on the VIP area, it wasn't long before things started unfolding. Most of the audience was focused on the stage as if Lestat was the sun itself. But security was on the move. Kate instantly recognised Greg heading out.

"Excuse me," Kate announced as she made her way through the crowd. A couple of girls cursed her as she elbowed her way through them, but were quickly drawn again by Lestat's hypnotic aura.

Pulling up her scarf, Kate adjusted it so that it hid the lower half of her face. It was stuffy, uncomfortable to fight in. But needed.

"Shit. I need a foldable bow." She grunted as she made her way out. "You can't leave home without it, Kate!"

And so it started. As always, the biggest monster was fear itself. Kate had her barrier up, but confusion still washed over her. There was a gunshot. Followed by another. She could hear screams, the crowd around her already forgetting Lestat's request, the paths closing around Kate as panic started unfolding like a wave. Like a fucking tsunami. Would she drown in it, too?

"Don't panic! There's -- hey!" People were pushing, crushing each other as screams multiplied. Nobody knew exactly what was going on, but terror had taken over. Patches of the stadium could be seen as people moved like confused schools of fish. But as people got hurt and that blocked the way, escape routes shifted.

Kate noticed a group of girls hurrying to try and lift one of their friends who had clearly hurt her leg on their way out. She was on the ground, crying as she held onto the wound.

And she noticed it. A group of people heading straight their way. Running towards them, Kate tackled a much older man to the side. He didn't fall, he was too bulky for it. But Kate managed to change the course of his run. She dug her heels, stopping herself from falling over the girls, just in time.

"Hey, you guys okay? There's no time, come on." Kneeling, she helped the teen get up on her feet, before she instructed her friends how to carry her.

[streetlevel]

Outside, Matt stood at the gates of proverbial Hell, refusing to back down. He'd doffed his suit, donned his second skin. Already the stories were flying about the Devil's role in this mess, a sensationalism that would no doubt feed Fisk's reporters. Yet for every angry supporter who was manipulated to lash out at the disenfranchised rather than those at the top, At his side were kids and confused civilians, terrified but rallying. Perfect candidates to be harmed and then exploited. Matt tried to stand in front but they refused to stop holding the line behind him.

Yet it was the call that made him smile.

"Fucking burn you bastards! The Kitchen doesn't want you!"

God, forgive him if he was leading his city into Hell. Better to run towards it than wait for it to swallow you whole.

It was a massive, eruptive, violent only when shots were fired first protest that took Matt's lead in defending and protecting over harming. Surely there would still be hell to pay, but some outlets might also tell the truth.

Amidst the spectacle, some slipped inside. Including three particular members of a coven.

Lestat on stage was breathing heavily as he thrust a hand out, literally yanking the Task Force members onto stage with him. Chocking them all at once even took a toll on him. He bared his teeth, hearing vocal chords crush. Outside were more of these Task Force members and other police puppets, but the shit violinist freakishly was holding the rest at bay... for now.

He really was a shit violinist, no matter what the easily impressed street crowds in a subway thought.

Oh. Right. And apparently he was Daredevil, but who gave a shit about that.

Three women stood inside, at each side of the stage. They were dressed similar to lawyers, in professional gear. One called out, almost amused, "Does the puppet king stand alone? Do you kill covens just so you can weakly protect fans? Here I thought better of the one who survived Magnus... though perhaps it's fitting a sad, pathetic tale ends here.

Ladies, let us show the sun's shadow what it truly means to stand in light." Her jaw spread unnaturally wide as she stalked on stage with a predator's grace. "Do you save yourself or do you save your kingdom? One or the other, Lestat."

The vampire's focus was lost a moment, enough to where one of Fisk's puppets regained control.

One or the other.

It didn't matter, supernatural or not. This realm, or not. This time or not.

One or the other.

What did one fight for, what did one fight against?

Fangs bared inside, billy clubs out.

Two smiles, spliced as one. Two ideologies that didn't marry, but were momentarily tangled.

"Go to hell."

[hawk_shot]

"To the left! Go to the other exit!"

One or two people listened, but Kate was aware they had something worse at hand than dealing with the evacuation. She could tell Daredevil was at his best out of the stadium and she? She could hold her own on a fight.

Figure it out, Kate. Just like you always did.

Like swimming against the tide, Kate made her way through the crowds and towards the gunshots. However, before she could make her way out, the unexpected had her stopping in her tracks, almost tripping and falling from the shock. A bunch of men, levitating. Being pulled towards the stage.

Lestat, chocking them. This was a display of power the books never mentioned. Suddenly, it was all very real. And Kate only had a moment to figure things out.

Running back towards the stage, she stopped behind a sound tower. She was close enough to watch what was going on, while trying to figure what to do. Some women were on the stage now and, unlike the cops, Lestat had not taken them down yet. They surrounded him and for a moment, Kate thought that was the closest to sharks in human form.

Noticing the banners with the vampire's photos on them around her, Kate pulled one down, taking out the metallic poles at their ends. It wasn't much, but it was a weapon of sorts. She'd seen enough of Matt using his batons, had played and practiced with them on a couple of occassions. Hell, she was a fencing champion, she could figure something out with them.

The answers didn't take long to hit her.

As soon as Kate's attention returned to the stage, she saw him. One of Fisk's men was behind Lestat's back, slowly getting back on his feet. Aiming his gun at the vampire. Would that do enough to harm him? Kate wasn't going to risk it.

trying to remember her very lose training with the batons, Kate ran closer while she calculated her aim. The pole hit the cop square on his back, on the back of his head. It was enough to knock the man down and unconcious.

And to get the attention of the woman surrounding Lestat.

"... Shit."

With one pole left, Kate brandinshed it like a sword.

"Are you okay, Mr. de Lioncourt?!"

[firesblood]

"We are being attacked and you still call me mister? Americans." The bizarre duality of overly friendly enthusiastic manners combined with often lacking boundaries was ever a part of the new world. "Let us hope you are not also prudish like most of them. This could get messy." He didn't think she was, given she'd been to his shows in the past. Vulgar was a term thrown about in some of the press for what was done on stage, and they didn't even know that the theatrical parts of it were also real.

"Denigrating someone who is helping you? Why am I not surprised." A woman with a coiled, neat bun, black dress suit, and heels clicked a step closer.

"That was not denigration, it was conversation." Just as she stepped forward he circled a step to the side, to stand in front of Kate. The look in his eyes was cold with fury, belying the flippancy of his tone.

"How American of you not to tell the difference."

"You take that back!" He lunged forward only to suddenly look like he was in a fight with his own body, struggling for control. Another of the women present had a look of intense concentration on her own face as if she was matching his struggle in trying to overtake him from the inside. He was on his knees, heaving, crawling forwards with nails getting bloodied from digging into the stage floor.

The blonde haired woman smirked and answered with, "Bite me." Her gaze flicked up to Kate then as she asked, "Do you even know what you're defending?"

"I thought you people worked in shadows," Lestat spit out as he groaned. "I doubt whatever order you belong to will be pleased you're making more of a spectacle than even I do."

He wasn't wrong, and the woman's jaw just tightened as she went silent. Not answering because they were a rogue sect bent on their own revenge quest? Or was something else at play?

From the back of the stadium, once it was cleared out, Matt could hear the approaching cops. More than just the Task Force. Gregory was helping with the crowd control, so once Matt helped thin the threats he headed back inside.

@prostateria

[firesblood]

[OOC: Continued from here.]

What do you enjoy about it, then?

[hawk_shot]

For a moment, Kate could do little but be witness of what was happening on the stage, as if this was another kind of completely new show unveiling specifically for her. True to their art, none of the players seemed to care she was watching, not even when she was somewhat included into conversation.

"I thought the European liked that kinda thing!" The respect. Maybe it was Matt's influence, too. Kate was instantly tempted to point out she was most definitely not a prude, but felt awkward about it. Specially as those women continued threatening Lestat.

Jumping over the fence that was supposed to keep fans 'protected', Kate ended the danger zone. She circled the stage and climbed up, holding the metallic pole in a way she hoped was slightly threatening. "This could totally work as a stake and I know how to use it!" She warned the women, thinking they were probably vampires themselves.

In the meantime, Kate approached one of the Task Force members Lestat had taken down. Still not taking her eyes off the people on the stage, Kate crouched to pick his gun. "Leave him alone!"

[prostateria]

Your voice has improved.

[ never mind that it was likely a perk of the dark gift enhancing any existing talent. a touch of singing around the castle and for the stage, of course, but music was always nicholas's domain, in gabrielle's eyes. ]

[firesblood]

I'm sure it's all tedious for you to endure. The crowds, the noise. The connection.

[firesblood]

It hadn't escaped Lestat's notice that Kate had helped fell one of the police attempting to shoot him. For that gesture, and because he was pissed off, he'd tried to interject himself between Kate and the other women. He'd done it while also insulting her, of course, but one couldn't expect polite altruism from him. Of course, one of the witches had some power over either the dead or possession. He felt his body become sluggish, a struggle to maintain control over. He did manage to gurgle out a bit snippily, "We tolerate it for tourism income!" At least Kate didn't seem immune to bantering even during life-threatening situations.

"What are you waiting for? Shoot them! Stake them, cut off their heads. Get creative," Lestat rasped out as his body was then slammed onto the ground to shut him up.

By this time Matt had come running to meet Kate at her side. "That's not how we do things," he said gravelly, head tilted, sensing the entirety of the space and the people still within it.

The blonde woman barely gave Matt a glance as she snorted. "A devil cosplay costume is a little tacky even for your fans, isn't it?"

"He's not a fan," Lestat protested at the same time Matt replied, "I'm not a fan." Matt's head tilted a little upwards, sensing the beam overhead. If they could knock it down, perhaps that would provide enough of a distraction to break whatever hold was being had on Lestat? It was worth a shot. Or perhaps Kate had an even better plan if he could buy her the time. Knowing it was just a distraction tactic, Matt ran forward, throwing his clubs at the women and hoping to buy Kate time to cause an even bigger distraction. He engaged the blonde woman while the other woman focused on maintaining control of Lestat.

[hawk_shot]

"Double Dee!" Even though most of her face hid behind her lilac scarf, her eyes lit up the second she noticed Matt had joined them. Kate could hold up her own, there was no doubt about it. But when it came to magic and being outnumbered? She was always happy to welcome her partner's backup.

She missed her bow and arrows. Hell, one trick arrow would have probably solve this situation in a blink. The goo one not only was a great trap, but considering how disgusting it feels? It was impossible not to let that distract you. Specially when you're a blonde with such incredible hair.

For a moment Kate's almost tempted to ask which products she uses.

There isn't much time to think. And shooting one of them on the leg would still give one of those women time to fight back, while the other potentially kept Lestat under the spell.

"Lestat! Don't look up!" Kate aimed up. A distraction is what they need. Two, three, four gunshots and all three women and Lestat were suddenly bathed in sparks. Glass shattered and electric circuits exploded. Kate could have sworn that an elephant had just stomped its foot, but instead her eyes proved her wrong. The spotlights that were supposed to stay on Lestat fell to the stage, almost as if they craved cutting the distance between them and the vampire.

It worked. The women cried out, their concentration broken along with the spell that was keeping the vampire bound.

"You stupid, little girl!" The brunette roared, waving a hand that sent both Matt and Kate flying across the opposite side of the stage.

[firesblood]

Lestat was bleeding on the ground, wounds opened up by his own nails until it all stopped. Matt smiled. A devilish, curled grin that despite the mask, Lestat recognized. He listened to Kate, he didn't look up, so his gaze shifted between the man who darted to safety the moment before the lights struck and the woman who lit the spark. Both Kate and Matt were flung backwards for their efforts, but it was a joint gesture. A movement of trust. A dance of two who had worked together for, what was by human standards, perhaps a long time. So instep. So seamless. Matt, charging ahead to buy her time while Kate took command and shot the beam, trusting Matt to survive.

The sickening thud of human bodies smashing against the side of the stage should not have caused Lestat to be jealous.

Well. He wasn't of their pain. Just the... trust.

OH, he was NOT going to do this. Fuck that. He wasn't Louis.

Grunting, Kate had bought him his freedom. He rose to his feet and rushed forward. The clash was electric and fierce, brief yet absolutely preternatural. Everything the woman had warned Lestat was right then, caressing her face with one hand while his other dragged a bloodied, broken nail against her neck. Fresh blood, a cut deepening, a wound of remembrance, a wound that would drain before it could be forgotten. "You have no knowledge of what little girls are made of. Nor do I, but I suspect it is not sugar and spice, madame. The woman has made her choice, and you shall live with yours... or not."

"Stop!" Matt struggled to his feet, panting. Limping. "They aren't a threat now."

"They will be again."

"Or they'll change. You don't get to decide that choice for them."

That choice.

A choice.

Lestat poised over the neck, gleaming predatory eyes rising to look at Matt. He dropped the head and rushed to hold Matt by the neck. Considering. "A choice." Those words always hit a mark with him. "You are lucky I like your girlfriend. She has earned a request." A choice. A devil. A musician devil. Lestat dropped Matt and looked at Kate. "Your police cannot hold them. I know a clean up crew. No, they will not die." He sounded so exasperated at that point.

[hawk_shot]

For a moment, the whole world spun around Kate. She feared having hurt her head real bad, maybe having a concussion. It was Matt's desperate voice that brought her back, making her grit her teeth and grunt as her palms found the dark, textured floor of the stage. She pushed herself up, her whole body complaining after that fall, as she pushed herself up to her knees.

And saw Matt practically hanging from Lestat's hold on his throat.

"No!" It lasted a second or two, but panic rose and froze Kate's veins until she noticed Matt move for himself. Soon, he was dropped down on her side. Instantly, Kate crawled towards him, Kate's upper body shielding Matt as she looked up at Lestat with defiance.

But Lestat sounded almost uninterested now. He dropped a plan on their laps instead.

Behind him, Kate could see the women who had attacked them. The Task Force. Few moved, nobody was fully conscious.

"Take care of them but don't kill anyone. Please." Kate had no weapons anymore and was well aware that she wasn't strong enough to fight someone like the man that was, without a doubt, a centuries old vampire. This wasn't makeup or special effects.

What if Lestat changed his mind?

He could tear their throats apart in a blink.

Kate shifted, covering even more of Matt's body with her own.

They would have to get to him over her dead body.

[firesblood]

Lestat studied Kate's movements, watching her protectively try and shield Matt after he martyred himself on the scales of justice. Matt in turn tried to wrap around her, reassuring her he was fine even if Lestat could hear the grit of broken bone within the body. So frail in the form that spun a defiant frame of mind. Did those that were more durable grow bored of justice and all that was left was shallow manipulation? No. What he was doing on stage was raw and real. It was more than...

Nothing.

Blood flowed down his arms, staining the stage. He stood alone, watching them cradle one another. "Very well." The last time he'd had a soft spot and spared one... they didn't realize entirely what they were asking. That was humanity, though. Blood ran so easily down the sleeve, they could not see past it. "I will spare my betrayers this night, and yours. As for your devil... it is only fitting the choice to burn be his. You may not like what his answer is, but I won't interfere."

Lestat looked pale, sweat on his face as he concentrated, but his eyes gave a cold gaze at the ones on the ground. "They won't awaken anytime soon." He turned then, noting someone at the entrance. He ran towards Gregory, muttering some words, moving outside to handle the press and any further threats to his people. Gregory stood torn, watching Lestat leave, but surely the vampire would survive? Or whatever he was.

On stage, Matt tried to help Kate rise. "Hey. You were amazing. I've got you."

Gregory approached and gave a grim look but also knelt to help. "Lestat has rooms at a nearby hotel under other names. He said to take you there so you can recoup. ... if you'd rather make an exit, just make it look convincing." Gregory looked guilty, because he really did like Lestat, but his loyalty was to his company and Kate. If she wanted to bolt rather than debrief with Lestat, he'd cover for her. For them.

[hawk_shot]

Only then realizing she had been holding her breath, Kate's shoulders sagged as she sighed. Matt was getting on his feet, helping her rise on her own, their bodies never breaking contact. "And I've got you." For a brief moment, it was just them in the world. This had not been their toughest battle, it was probably the shortest one. But they both were very aware that they were overpowered there.

Pulling down her scarf from her face, Kate kissed Matt. Her lips found then his helmet, the spot between his eyes. Everything was alright. They would be okay.

Well aware that Greg knew who they were, at least who she was, Kate didn't try to hide her identity as the large man came to them, towering over the couple. "Yeah, right now that sounds good." She glanced Matt's way, just to be safe. "Right?" Fisk might send someone looking for them. It wouldn't hurt, keeping a low profile for the rest of the evening.

Knowing she could trust him, Kate reached out and placed a hand on Greg's arm. "Hey, you were incredible out there. You are aware that you handled that so well that you sure saved many lives?" She needed to give this guy a raise at the very least. "We'll talk later about this once this whole deal--" Still not quite letting go of Matt, she used her free hand to gesture vaguely. "Once it all calms down."

Following Greg's instructions, the duo was soon out. Matt managed to steal a big jacket from the backstage, enough to hide most of his uniform. The helmet made it in a bag. With her hood up, Kate hoped she was not getting too much attention. Hoping the hotel would have some painkillers, they eventually made it to reception, using the names Greg had given them.

Lestat definitely paid no expenses.

[firesblood]

[OOC: I'm sorry if the fight was too short! I am terrible at these scenes LOL, including pacing them.]

The cleanup crew came with a cost. Lestat was loyal to no coven, and therefore, none were loyal to him. Those that did not fear him reviled him. He had to rely on his lawyers and others he paid well for their services to take care of what happened at the stadium. Even more so when it couldn't just be incinerated. It was spun in the favor of misfits and rebels, but not without a cost. The city further cracked and divided, those who supported Lestat - or the vigilantes - and those who thought they were a crime against order and safety. Lestat played his part, did his show in a different way, before returning to the hotel.

Wearily, he leaned against the elevator as Gregory stepped onto it with him. The security guard looked over at the pale man who appeared as volcanic stone, so still until he exploded. "Are you hurt?"

"I'll survive."

"That isn't what I asked."

"Isn't it?" Lestat pushed himself upright, hungry thanks to the loss of blood and the business of the night. His gaze trailed to Gregory's neck, then back up to his eyes. He held the man's gaze before it dropped to linger on the Bishop badge he always wore. "How long have you worked for them? For her."

"I've been with the company fifteen years. My whole career."

"A whole career." Lestat rested a hand over the badge, feeling Gregory's heart as he leaned in close. "I wonder what that is like." The bell dinged and Lestat slowly walked past him with Gregory behind. "Thank you. For asking." He paused to say it but his back was still turned.

"I thought I felt you. When I was outside. I thought... there was a warning..."

"You're tired. We all are. A busy night."

Blood stained Lestat's shirt and he didn't seem to care. Others would think it part of the show. Well. Wasn't it? "

Entering the hotel room he went to flop down on a comfortable chair in the living area. "Gregory, tend to them, would you?" The other man went to get a first aid kit. Matthew was encouraging Kate to sit as he got her some water. His movements were slow yet steady, the walk of a man used to pain.

[prostateria]

it's a change from the jungle, but not terribly different from the noise of the animals. more posturing maybe.

you always did come to life with an audience. you enjoy this?