It Takes You There

[Graverobber]

((ooc: Takes place on June 13th at night. For acts, workers, and possibly customers, that need a little hit.))

Graverobber was in a bit of a financial crisis.

"Financial crisis" meaning that somehow the dealer had found a way to become even poorer than flat broke. The unstable yet fairly steady stream of income that usually came with being a Zydrate dealer had for some reason diminished as of late, to the point where the man could quite literally say that he'd been evicted from his dumpster. Evicted of course meaning that he'd lost it to another more successful dealer; but hey, same difference.

Of course, it wasn't that surprising when he really thought about it; the fact of the matter was, he'd made a bad business move to follow GeneCo. Graverobber had of course thought the opposite at the time, thinking that wherever GeneCo went, there were surgeries to be performed, and money to be made. And of course, his best-selling client Amber Sweet was moving with them, and it wouldn't bode well for him if she couldn't find the dealer within marketing range. So, as much as he hated that he had to rely on Amber for most of his business, that was the way it was, and so he'd followed after GeneCo and set up shop in this morbid little town.

Strangely, however, he'd been unable to find himself much business with surgery addicts here, so apparently whatever GeneCo was here for surprisingly didn't involve the knife for once. Even more surprisingly was the fact that Amber herself had seemed less frequent at his nightly dealings with what few "bottom feeders" he could find here. Perhaps Rotti kicking the bucket had left her little time to act like her usual whorish self; therefore, giving her little time for Zydrate breaks outside of home.

When he'd found the Largos true intentions for coming here, he'd learned where the true money was found. The Dark Woods Circus, a creepy little place in what seemed like the middle of nowhere, was full of potential customers. Though he was still far from reaching his normal income rate, Graverobber had a feeling that by the time he was more well-known amongst the acts, and possibly the workers, he'd find more work here. Hundreds of poor, unfortunate souls in desperate need of an escape from the pain of living here in this hellhole, were little more than money in the bank to him.

He'd felt a small twinge of guilt each time he'd returned to find willing customers(where they'd gotten the money he had no idea, nor did he particularly care), knowing that this was beneath even him. But hey, it was dog-eat-dog out there, and who was he to deny those who were wiling to pay for his goods?

Especially now, he thought, as he wasn't able to be picky given his current situation. He briefly swore under his breath as he entered through his familiar backway, crawling beneath a layer of barbed wire fence and snagging his jacket in the process. Freeing himself into the semi-open area behind one of the tents, he looked around to make sure that there were no visible workers in sight, before drawing his gun. He kept the device hidden within the many folds of his jacket, and began to wander around, keeping to the shadows and keeping an eye peeled for anyone who might catch him. If he were to be caught...he didn't want to think about that possibility. From what he understood, things that not even GeneCo could rival in matters of pain would be done to him. It was more than enough to keep him a bit on edge.

"Hey...anyone there?" He whispered cautiously, peering into one of the tents to his right. Hopefully none of the workers would be prowling this time of night, so he could continue on with his business as planned.

Hopefully.

[Mina Murray]

"Yes?" Mina asked pushing the tent flap away from the tent she was staying in waiting for customers. It wasn't unusual for the more "un-savory" characters to sneak in to the circus after night, to witness the more...graphic shows closed to children. Though why anyone would bring children to a place like this was beyond Mina's understanding.
But bring them they did.

Tonight Mina was wearing a burgandy corset dress, with a plunging neck line. Although in Mina's opinion it was more like lingerie than a dress. The "skirt" was pulled up almost all the way to her crotch showing both of her stockinged legs and the neckline left nothing up to the imagination. As usual she had her bright red scarf tied around her neck tightly around her throat hiding her scars.

"Are you here for the show?" Mina asked the man glancing him up and down, he would've been one of the strangest men she had seen, but next to Pavi and Hyde anyone seemed normal now. But he wasn't all that unattractive either, even if he did wear more makeup than most women she knew.
"It won't start for another twenty minutes."

[Graverobber]

Gravrobber had to resist the urge to let out a low whistle at the entrance of the vampiress, eyes widening sharply at her revealing clothing. Well, he certainly knew how she would be paying for her Zydrate, if she happened to be interested in any; or at least, how he hoped she'd be paying. What with business so slow, in all departments of the dealing business, Graves had been feeling a bit...restless lately, for lack of a better word, and this attractive woman was certainly a sight for very sore eyes.

Then again, she was a circus act, and no telling how deadly. Graverobber had better watch his step, whether he found her strangely attractive or not. Even her added features, such as the bat wings protruding from her back, were rather appealing, in a macabre sort of way.

Shaking his head to clear these thoughts, Graves smirked, trying to keep his eyes on the woman's face. "No. 'Fraid not. I'm here for a...different sort of show. More of an afterparty, if you get my drift," he said in a low voice, giving a small chuckle. Glancing around to make sure that they were still alone, he put his hand to the handle of his gun, but kept it hidden for safety.

"You lookin' for a way out of this place?" He asked, assuming his usual "unexpected savior" act. It was usually what rolled in the dough around here, and he was hoping that this would be no exception. "A way to just...escape it all, if only for a little while?"

Giving his trademark, charismatic grin, Graves added, "If you're not above doing trade with a lowlife like me, I can give you just what you're looking for...for a price."

[Mina Murray]

Mina looked him up and down, unsure exactly what he was getting at. If he wasn't here for the show than what was he here for? Her gut tightened at his flirty words, wondering if he had paid Falcier or the Ring Leader for her. Like Pavi had been doing.
"No!" She thought harshly. "Pavi wouldn't pay if he didn't have to.

Then he mentioned a way out of her and she felt a small bit of hope flutter in her chest. She'd give anything and everything to get out of here. Then she could go one with her life, even if it was with these monstrous mutations. She could spend all her time with Pavi, they'd be together and she could be happy. Actually happy for once in a long long while.

"Perhaps..." She said moving over so that he could step into her tent. Hoping no one saw him or had heard him about escaping.
"What is it you are offering? And keep in mind, sir, that I have nothing to pay with. The acts well...we're more like slaves than actual workers. So if you're looking for money look somewhere else."
Her jaw tightened recalling how her entire life had been washed down the drain in a mater of moments. She was no better than a beast of burden.

And it seemed to be getting worse each day! The hunger pains were worse as the workers have stopped feeding her regularly, to make sure her act was extra, extra savage. And these clothes they had her dress in....she felt like she was walking around in the nude half the time. Made worse by it was apparent that she was one of the "star" acts for exactly that reason. When she was up onstage she knew exactly what the men (and a few women) were thinking about.

And it made her feel unclean and disgusting, each night she'd try to scrub away the shame but it never quite came off. No matter how long she soaked or how hard she scrubbed.
But perhaps this man cold help with that, at least he seemed intent on helping her at least.

[Lydia Deetz]

((Bringing Lydia in cause I need to play her))

Lydia walked around the fairgrounds, looking around for anything that looked interesting to take a photo of. Normally she would've come in the day time, but the strange young woman thought a place this creepy definitely needed to be seen at night.

And she was right, already she spotted something that looked like a good photo. A very attractive woman with bat wings and wearing a dress that looked like it belonged in a nineteenth century bordello. The background lighting was good as well, the background a warm almost reddish glow from candles and the front lighting a cool blue greenish from the lights outside.
Lydia clicked a few quick pictures of the woman, before focusing in on the man the woman was speaking to.

He defiantly looked interesting, and sexy in a dangerous way. Lydia briefly wondered if they'd pose for her if she asked them too, but she felt like just going up to an stranger (and an act at that) wasn't polite. And possibly dangerous as she was worried the workers might kick her out permanently for snooping.

[Graverobber]

Graves smirked, nodding gratefully as he stepped into the woman's tent. He'd noticed the spark of curiosity and hope in her eyes, a sight he'd learned to recognize over the past few years. It was usually the first sign that he'd found a new customer, if he played his cards right, but Graverobber wasn't one to count his eggs before they hatched. He'd have to take his time, and play it safe with this potentially dangerous woman, if he wanted to make this run worth his while.

He felt a pang of disappointment at the remark about money, but tried to pass it off as nothing in his mind. There were other ways of pay, after all, and the woman might not be speaking for all the acts present. And this said nothing of the workers, of course. There was always the possibility of making a quick buck in a place like this, he had to remember.

"Don't worry about it. First hit's free, doll," Graverobber smirked. He was a gentleman, first and foremost, despite his outward appearance. Extracting his gun into the full light of the tent, he held up the glowing blue weapon, smirking at the faint light it cast against the contrasting red candle glow. "This is your escape, babe. Clear, clear, pure, and rare; GeneCo's ultimate pain reliever and a medical wonder," Graverobber explained, giving her his familiar sales pitch.

However, before he could continue, the man was suddenly alerted by a small flash to his left, and he turned sharply to face with a girl carrying a camera...and she'd apparently just taken his picture. His mind raced worriedly at the thought, but when he looked more closely, he could tell that the girl was far too young to be a cop. She looked about the same age as the Repo Man's daughter, perhaps a bit younger. Narrowing his eyes suspiciously, Graves slowly returned his gun to his pocket, taking a few steps towards the girl. He didn't want to get rough with a child, but he had to think about his own safety first.

"Hey, kid," he said gruffly, his smirk gone and replaced by an emotionless stare. "What're you doing out so late? Isn't it past your bedtime?"

[Mr. Hyde]

it was one of those rare moment where one could find a Mr. Edward Hyde resting in his tent not to say that Edward never goes in there much it was just he was mostly out partolling the grounds making sure all the acts/victims were safely tucked away in there cages. a flash of light makes the brute groan as he rests on his lumpy cot in the tent "what the?" he mutters to himself and rolls onto his stomach glareing around the dark tent. Again there was another flash and Hyde's expert hearing could pick up a clicking sound along with it. in one movement Hyde swiftly stood and went out of the tent to investagate the light what the clicking noise was. Black eyes narrow as a puzzled expression crosses the brutes features as he makes his way towards where he spots a girl and a tall man stood.

[Mina Murray]

The mention of GeneCo piqued Mina's interest, she didn't know much about the work GeneCo did and every time she asked Pavi to elaborate he'd wave it off with a vague comment or distract her with a kiss or touch.
"So this is what GeneCo sells," Mina said looking at the glowing fluid in the gun. "I always wondered what it was they did."

Zydrate was some type of painkiller and that was enough for Mina. She'd been through enough pain to last one whole life time, and her recent developing feelings towards Pavi Largo only added to a bit of stress. If she could just get her mind off of the mental, physical, and spiritual pain even for a little bit, that might help her figure out how to move forward with breaking it off with Hyde as delicately as possible.

But before she could ask more or agree she saw a flash of light and knew someone was taking a photo. She felt a hard ball of ice form in her gut. That was another thing she wanted to escape from the stares and the curious looks her new form got. And of course the pictures only made it worse immortalizing her pain and her mutated body for years to come.

"This is a private tent!" Mina snapped at the girl, a bit harsher than she meant to. But she was stressed at the moment and the fact that the girl had just taken her photo without her permission made Mina's mood worsen.
"It means you keep out unless I invite you in. Can't you read the sign?"

[Lydia Deetz]

Lydia raised a eyebrow at the pale man and the angry woman.
"Last time I checked eighteen meant that I'm a legal adult, haven't had a 'bed time' since I was ten. Also I am not in your tent, lady, as you can see I haven't even set foot inside it."

She slung the camera off her shoulder and into her bag when the monsterours man approached. Lydia gave him an unimpressed expression. Any normal girl probally would've been afraid at least. But Lydia was a girl who talked to the dead on a regualr basis and had ghosts and ghouls...among other things as best friends.
Almost nothing scared her. (Well nothing a normal person would be afraid of anyway.)

"Paying customers." She glanced at Graverobber with a knowing look. "Are allowed to take pictures of the acts and the grounds."

[Graverobber]

Graverobber raised an eyebrow, staring down at the girl critically. She didn't look eighteen; but then again, no one really looked their age to him anymore. GeneCo had made it nearly impossible to guess the ages of others, what with their crazy surgeries that could make even his grandmother look like a twenty-five year old.

Now that he thought about it, she looked an awful lot like Shilo, with shorter hair and darker makeup...and a much bigger attitude. Rolling his eyes, he put one hand on the tent flap, deciding that whatever reason she'd had to take picture had obviously had nothing to do with the cops or GeneCo. Ignoring her jibe regarding his absence of pay, he started to close it, replying coolly, "Whatever, Miss Polaroid...this tent's closed for private business..."

However, before he could close it all the way, he was suddenly alerted by the approach of a rather large - and all-together frightening - man approaching. At least, he assumed it was a man. In the dark, whatever it was that was coming closer looked as though it could be anything large and intimidating. Eyes widening sharply, Graves attempted to turn his attention away, not wanting to be caught staring at the rather dangerous-looking creature.

"Hey Vamp, is Bigfoot over there a friend of yours?" Graverobber asked Mina, ignoring the girl for a moment as he tried to act as though he hadn't seen the man. He wasn't one to be frightened, and he wasn't, even of this great hulk of a man...but that didn't mean he wanted to find himself in trouble with someone twice his size who might be a potential threat. "I'm not sticking around to let myself get caught by one of your crazy prison guards around here."

[Mr. Hyde]

"who the hell you calling Bigfoot?" Hyde sneers stopping a few feet away from Graves looking at him quizzically "I'm Mr. Hyde" he introduces himself sniffing the air picking up the duo's scent "so what are you here for Mr..." he trails off at the end not knowing the man's name. brown almost black colored eyes flick over to look at Lydia "what's the camera for luv?"

[Mina Murray]

Mina felt a bit of panic then, whatever this Zydrate was she felt like prehapse she needed it. If only to see what it was like, if it was like what he said it was, it might help her survive here. If only for a little while.

"Stay." She said grabbing onto the back of the mans dirty coat to keep him from running off. "He's with me, Hyde. He was hoping for a private show and I was just about to give him one until you, and the girl, showed up. Now if you don't mind we'd like some privacy. So if you and her would be so kind as to move along." Mina lowered the tent flap and tied it tight so no one could see in.

"Damn protection spells." She thought. Knowing she couldn't exit the tent without a workers permission once she was inside. Otherwise she could've slipped off to the woods with the man and gotten a 'hit' of what he was carrying...and maybe some blood too.
"Now you were saying something, Mr...what should I call you?" She asked curious about what a man like him called himself. "You can call me Miss Murray as of now, it's more polite than what most people call me these days."

[Graverobber]

Graves narrowed his eyes, and opened his mouth to give a sarcastic reply to the man, but before he could he was suddenly cut off by the closing curtain. Rolling his eyes yet again, Graverobber turned to face the vampiress, sliding his hands into his pockets and taking a few comfortable steps in her direction.

"You can skip the 'mister' stuff, Miss Murray," he smirked. Reaching into his coat, he extracted his gun again, twirling the handle around on one finger casually. "The name's Graverobber. The Graverobber. GeneCo's number one business rival and enemy, all rolled into one convenient package," he answered, giving a small bow. Figuring she obviously knew little to nothing about GeneCo or his kind, he decided he'd better explain things a bit further for her.

"And GeneCo doesn't just sell Zydrate, doll. Oh no. Z's just the aftertaste of their real market," Graverobber continued, scowling to himself just a little. "GeneCo specializes in organ replacement. Z's the painkiller they use afterwards to deal with the agony. I just provide a cheaper, stronger version of the stuff."

[Mina Murray]

Mina nodded carefully, organ replacement. That sounded similar to what Dr. Mourea did with his...beasts only with humans. Briefly she wondered if that's what had happend to her, that maybe she really was half vampire bat/half woman. And that she wasn't even a human being anymore and that's why the circus was able to keep her, du to that tiny loophole.
Was that even possible? But given everything she had seen and heared over the past two months Mina was ready to believe anything was possible.

"How much stronger?" Mina asked taking a seat and gesturing for the man to do the same in chair not far from her. She felt the hunger pains again and hoped that this zydrate would calm that down otherwise there was no telling what she might do to get a meal. "If it's used in the medical community I am willing to guess that it's not only strong but also illegal, am I correct?"

Though at this point she didn't care. If something like the circus could be operated openly and legally than what was a little blue liquid pain killer? She felt the pain in her stomache again and she felt her eyes going to Graverobbers throat more than once.
"It would be so easy..." Mina thought her mouth opening a little to show her fangs. "Just grab him and bite down fast and hard. No one know's he's here, no one would care...NO!"

"Do what you have to do just quick..." Mina said trying to keep her hunger down, it was either is blood or his zydrate. Mina needed one or the other to keep her hunger down. "I don't think I can hold out much longer. Especially with you here now. Please jut give it to me before I snap and do something both of us won't like."

[Graverobber]

Graverobber could see the strange, yearning look in the woman's eyes, which were falling uncomfortably close to his neck, and he felt a bit uneasy. He'd seen that look many times before, in the eyes of nearly every miserable junkie who'd come to him for even the smallest hit of Z. But this time it looked stronger; more like dire thirst than simply the fabricated "need" for the glow.

Not even bothering to ask where she wanted it, Graves simply kneeled down at her feet, taking the gun and pressing the needle into her thigh, which was the most accessible place(and his personal favorite place to hit a woman). Pressing the blue liquid into her slowly, he watched silently as it waited for it to take affect. Considering the fact that the woman was a vampire, he had no idea how the chemical would affect her body...he only hoped that it wouldn't magnify the extreme bloodlust she seemed to have at the moment.