She prepared carefully, selecting the all black outfit from her seldom used closet. The leather pants had been a gift from Julianna, the stretchy shirt a practical solution for grappling in the dark, and who could go without a pair of shin high boots. Her long blonde hair was bound up and hidden beneath the black felt cap and the shades covered the slightly wounded look she affected when around other Kindred. A quick check of her wrist sheath and the sword at her side indicated that all was ready. It was time to go out.
Synneve strode through the main hall of her haven, checking the large mirror one last time before leaving the building. Jesse had her car out front and he waited a few steps away, carefully avoiding the limits of her reach. He was still nervous around her; the tantrum she had thrown when he was there to find out about Julianna's disappearance had driven him from the Zoo for several days. Even now he would only whisper in response to her questions and requests, and Paul avoided her presence altogether. They didn't seem to have a clue about what had really happened and the thought of that almost made her smile as she tucked the sword into the passenger seat.
Sad really because she had cared for Julianna a great deal. They were used to each other and enjoyed playing at Kine emotions for so long. No matter now. She shook her head slightly and got behind the wheel. Not bothering to see if Jesse were out of the road yet she sped off toward the gates of the Zoo, and towards the city of Gothik.
Her first stop was at the apartments so she could check on Selene and Daesha, who were yelling at each other over the noise from the club below. Most of the occupants avoided the lounge floor because of the music, but these two had found a spot of experience the comfort of chairs in one and the music they both loved from the other. Nothing was amiss in the area and so she didn't even bother to interrupt them. Instead she made her way into the Iron Cage, pushing people out of her way on the path to the bar. She ignored the hostile glances, and pushed mortals away when they were brave or stupid enough to try to grab at her.
The nightly figures were good, and she left the nervous bartender alone after giving him a careful smile. He seemed relieved and left for the opposite corner to mix a drink for one of the customers immediately. Synneve made her way out of the club again, walking over people when necessary as she passed the S/M exhibit again.
The Wild Rose was not so different. Few people dancing, but loud and closed-in. She didn't stay very long, but managed a quick verbal spar with Mars before leaving again. It had been Julianna's favorite place to hang out late in the night. It had lost much of it's color for Synneve.
She started towards Illusions, her last stop for the night, pausing in the sidewalk when she spotted a strange sight at her doorway. A man in a suit was handing something out to the people who passed. They didn't seem too interested in whatever it was as most dropped it to the sidewalk a few steps away. There was paper strewn in a little trail down the block and fluttering across the street. She picked one up to scan quickly before getting any closer, and sighed. Religious tracts against homosexuality, she was not surprised.
"Excuse me, but what is it that you are doing?" She waved the paper in his face. "Are you not aware that this is a private business and that you are harassing the people who wish to go inside?"
He nodded shortly, "Yes ma'am, but are you aware of what this place of business is? Moral citizens must stand against this sort of sinful enterprise. We must show the owners of these businesses how we feel...and then force them out of this decent city. How are our children to grow up with the Lord in their hearts when the immoral are allowed to convey this sort of filth to them?" He paused and looked her over, "Or were you about to go in there yourself?"
She laughed at him, "Of course I was. I am the owner of this immoral establishment. Can you not see evil when it is standing next to you? Can you not see what a monster I truly am? A feminist, a pagan, a, well, shall we say lesbian to be polite? You can not see these things from the way I dress or walk?" She smiled coldly. "A shame because I can see that you are a small minded, egotist, who can not be reflexive enough to grant others the same freedoms you greedily take for yourself. I should feel sorry for you. However, I have had a bad month."
She grabbed his arm, pulling him closer before propelling him towards the alley. He made an abortive attempt to move away, but she tripped him onto the dirty pavement. He stayed on the ground and the fear in his eyes made up for the absence of his screams when she brought her sword down into his neck. "I am sorry, but you can not escape the monsters of Gothik, too bad you didn't know which were the real ones."
The club's dumpster was a few feet away and she tucked his body into it, taking the wallet from his pocket. His head was tossed in after and she wiped her sword on a bit of rag that was left on the ground. It was good to have friends within the police department, she grinned to herself, thinking of the call she could make in the morning.
Without another thought she moved towards the club again to have her last chat of the night. Russ was her favorite of the bartenders, and she may stay for a bit to watch the young ones dance.
+