Kult PBEM Part 2

**** Davis quickly glances around the room again. A room made seemingly smaller by Bethany's presence just in front of him. No Gwyn. Good. The wrong impression could be made here. "Ahhh, just what is it you do exactly with this work on feelings and sensations? Are you a psychiatrist or therapist?" He says taking a discrete step backwards and taking a healthy slug of his drink. "Is it hot in here or is it just me...?"

--- Again that sweet husky laugh,"I'm an artist not a doctor...too many people think they're something wrong with the callings of their bodies as it is." She matched his step maintaining the proximity of there bodies. "It is a touch warm in here. Would you like to get some air?"

**** Outside! Not without the proper precautions being taken. Besides he was starting to feel guilty enough just talking to the woman in a crowded room. What was her angle? Why him? Removing his sports coat Davis replies "I just seem to have slightly over dressed for the occasion." "That's better" he finishes folding the jacket over his left arm. In a desperate attempt to deflect where the conversation seemed to be heading "By the way what is it all the rest of the guests are so interested in?" Perhaps another drink would be the thing to do here. As he asks the question about the others he heads over to where the alcohol is and helps himself to a healthy dose of scotch. "Would you like a drink?" Does anyone else seem to be taking an interest in their conversation or movement? If so he notes them for later. "What would you like?" If only Gwyn were here he could extract himself from what he knew was rapidly becoming a dangerous situation. But without her presence, just leaving Bethany didn't seem to be an option his body wanted to do even though his mind realized he should do just that, and fast.

--- "You're a delightful man.. yes I would like something..please." Her words were a release, an open door from a situation that seemed to be spinning out of control. Working his way over to the bar, he tried to catch his breath, forget Betheny's intoxicating scent. There was a cluster of people around the small bar as he approached. Two guys from the building, the older was named Harry or something like that the other's name escaped him. He had some scrawny punk girl trailing him. T here was Gypsy from the top floor filling out a white blouse quite amply, standing by portly redhead he didn't recognize and the hostess herself Melanie. The redhead was laughing about something that, judging by the looks on the others faces, wasn't that funny.

**** Arriving at the bar Davis says his casual 'excuse me's and 'hello's to those clustered about the area, keeping it vague towards those whom he does not recognize. He then says good evening to Melanie and thanks her very much for the invitation. "Its quite the eclectic crowd you have gathered here. You know a lot of...interesting people." He says nodding his head towards Betheny, the scrawny punk girl and the gypsy in particular. "You must travel in many different social circles." Davis picks up another Scotch and a Martini for Betheny, but does not leave the bar immediately, preferring its safety for a moment or two...Small talk here seemed infinitely less confusing and less guilt ridden.

--- Oh, mostly its just friends from work, Melanie replies, blushing at the slight flattery, and some people I've met over time...working on my hobby..oh! She starts, suddenly remembering something. I should do the unveiling..please everyone excuse me. With that she rushes over to the table taking up the center of the room.

**** Davis, probably along with everyone else present, shuffles his way to a position where he is able to see just exactly what it is that is being unveiled. He takes up a position beside Bethany and offers her the drink that he got from the bar. "Sorry for the delay, had to say my thanks for the invitation to Melanie." "You have any idea what this fuss is all about?"

--- She takes the drink, letting her fingers softly brush his hand. "Yes. Melenie has something she wants to show off, something wonderful and terrible." She voice was a soft purr, her eyes never leaving Davis'. "Watch."

Melanie was flushed with excitement, her breathing picking up speed. "friends, old and new.. I'd like to welcome you all again to my new place... " she smiled at the soft sounds of greeting and scattered applause. "but tonight I wanted to share more with you than a new apartment...Some of you might know I have an interest in the occult..a hobby. A short while ago I managed to acquire something quite extraordinary..but its easier to show than tell, so I present to you. The Dark Taper." With a flourish she pulls away the tarp. There is a heavy moment of silence. The Taper stands almost 3 feet high and a full 9 inches thick. Formed of greasy red and black wax it rolls, flows and bulges in shapes strangely suggestive, both drinking and reflecting light. Forms are caught in its surface, half suggested shapes, images and patterns that fade just as the mind's eyes begins to grasp them. The holder is formed of dark wood, rivulets of darkened melted wax coating its surface. Its...beautiful, elegant in its garish glory.

"So what's it supposed to do or be used for?" Gypsy asked as she looked over the candle. Davis barely heard her. The candle held his attention. It was beautiful. Each curve and slope held infinite mysteries....

**** Davis glances quickly about the room to gauge the others reactions to this strange Taper. Then his eyes drag themselves back to the Taper itself in an attempt to hold the seemingly shifting images in place. He leans over towards Bethany tilting his head slightly "Have you ever seen anything like that?" Then he takes a look at the Gypsy who seems to be equally fascinated with it. Can she see something he cannot? The thought runs through his mind. Infinite mysteries...that would make two of them in one night. First Bethany and now the Taper. Perhaps coming to this party was not the best plan he had ever had but it was certainly not dull...

--- Bethany sips her drink. "Yes, I have..but lets not linger on the Taper..there is so much more to talk of..." she smiles over her glass. Then it happens, Micheal the thin little guy from the building turns on Melanie, speaking above the quiet new age music. "Who are you? And where did a New Age little bit...girl, get a thing like THAT?" Before she can answer, Tom another tenant grabs the guy's arm, obviously on a testosterone high. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" he nearly shouts.

Bethany chuckles softly," oh my..."

**** Davis quickly scans the room to see if there are any others who appear to be actively involved in the scene unfolding around Michael and Tom. If there are not then he returns his attention to the two men. "He sure seems to know something about it" he says to Bethany nodding towards Michael. "Seems to be rather excitable too..."

--- "Indeed..but not so much as her.." Bethany sounded faintly amused gesturing at Tanja. She was all over some Yuppie, practically clawing his clothes off.

"Melanie." He says calmly, like a father almost, "I'm sorry I yelled. But I don't want you mixed up in anything that could get you into trouble. I''m sure none of us do. Now, just tell us, did you steal that thing? I can't see any other way you could get something like that."

Melanie glared at him. "Get out. GET OUT!" she hissed, eyes flashing.

Tom looked back and forth to trying and get a feel for the situation then said: "Look, what's going on here. And what's so special about this candle?"

Too incensed to answer, Melanie turned away from the both of them. Gypsy gets herself and Melanie a drink and gives Melanie her drink when she returns from the bar. "Looks like you need this." She says as she hands the drink to Melanie. Taking the drink. Melanie heads for the kitchen.

**** Davis will continue to keep his eye on both Michael and Tom to see if either of them follow Melanie into the kitchen or go to the taper. "Interesting party" he says glancing around again. "She seems less then subtle," he nods his head towards Tanja "Reminds me of someone." Looking back at Bethany and grinning. "Do you know Michael, the excitable one over by the taper?" "He certainly seems to be overly concerned about a mere antique, no matter how intriguing it is."

--- Tom follows Melanie into the kitchen but is cut off by Gypsy who is just stepping out. Bethany smiles coyly,"Life's too short...but I admire her passion." She replies, watching Tanya leave with her "catch" then turns her attention back to you, occasionally glancing at the Taper. "No, I don't know the young man... but I sense he's quite troubled..."

Over by the Taper, Michael stands, looking around. Trying to speak loudly enough for Melanie to here in the kitchen he goes on "Don't be angry, Melanie. We all do things like this to get rid of the pressure. I know the candle is....beautiful, but that is no reason to steal it." He turns to the crowd now, though he's still talking to Melanie. He pauses looking around the room, eyes radiating the slightest hint of contempt. "None of us want to see you get hurt. Nobody wants to see you in trouble with the law." He searches the crowd for those who would dissent with that statement.

"Now, who thinks they know where this candle was from? Some of you look like you would know the museum it was displayed in. I suspect that it may be a black market item, probably a voodoo candle from South America." He then lets a half-genuine look of concern touch his face.

"Is that it Melanie? My God, what kind of people are you dealing with? All right, come on, tell us, where did you get the candle. The sooner we know that the sooner we can help you out. PLEASE LET US HELP YOU."

"Look at him.. consumed by desire for the thing, its madness sheer madness..though..I do feel for Melanie..the dear." Bethany murmurs.

**** "Well, I've personally had enough of his ranting away. I'll be back in a second." Davis approaches Michael. "I think that you have made your point, and you have disrupted the party enough. Why don't you settle down a bit, grab a drink or something and stop harassing our host hmmm. It may be an interesting object, but unless you have some sort of proof that it was stolen I think it would be best to let it drop for now." While talking Davis keeps a eye on the young man to make sure that he does not do something stupid like try to hit him. At the slightest flinch Davis will back away to keep some space between him and Michael.

---As you step up to him, you would swear you hear him whispering to the candle itself, addressing it like some long lost friend.

**** "Are you o.k. there bud?" Davis questions Michael. Davis looks into his eyes to see if he can see tell-tale signs of major drug or alcohol use this evening (i.e. dilated pupils). He shifts his gaze between Michael and the taper to see if he can see what it is that Michael is reacting to. "Perhaps you should go now, hmm. Let the party carry on in its own way."

--- The guy looks fidgety, frightened. Before he can speak, another woman walks up. Tanja from the top floor. Good God she's breath taking, burning with...something that makes you want to just, you don't know. "What have you done, the party was going to become good and now? You come in calling Melanie a bitch, making a tantrum about the candle, wasting every bodies fun. So why are you acting so?" she ask Michael.

**** Davis stays where he is near Michael and watches the interplay between him and Tanja to make sure he doesn't get out of hand and do something stupid or say something stupid/offensive to her. He also glances about the room to see just how much the centre of attention this little gathering near the taper has become. And to see who looks like they might intervene.

--- "Let's not be foolish here. We all know that this isn't your ordinary candle. It belongs in a museum. It's like a part of some Voodoo exhibition. Let's just call the cops and let them settle it, ok?" With that Michael heads toward the phone.

Tanja seems to give up, crossing the room to hook back up with her "friend" Ken, she leans against him and watched the room and they whisper quietly.

Before he can get it, a beefy man grabs his arm. "Listen, you little shit, I've had enough of your mouth. you got some kinda problem you can leave like the lady told you to or shut the fuck up? DO you understand me?"

**** Well it looks like this is being taken care of, so I head back over to Bethany. I still keep my eye on what is happening in order to back up the beefy lad should there be any real problems with taking care of Michael. "Persistent little beggar isn't he?" Davis says to Bethany. "But it looks like the situation is pretty much over, he has upset enough people tonight I think." "Well, I should probably take my leave now. It has been an ... interesting evening. Certainly not what I expected." "I'll just go and say thanks to Melanie, back in a second." Davis goes into the kitchen to say good evening to Melanie and to thank her for the drinks.

--- "Does the night have to end so young?" she asks, putting her hand on your shoulder. The touch seems electric. She smiled," perhaps we could continue our talk in more quiet surroundings?"

**** "I really ought to go now. I did very much enjoy meeting you, and I hope that we will see each other again. But I should get back to Gwyn." It sounded quite rational to Davis but internally he was fighting the invitation. Just because things were a little rough right now was no reason to throw everything away...or was it. No. He had to go, and now, before he changed his mind. "Perhaps another time?"

--- "I look forward to it." her voice holds the slightest touch of disappointment.

**** Davis heads back to his apartment and his wife Gwynn with his head immersed in thoughts of Bethany. Who was she, and how did she have such an effect on him. When he gets to the apartment he closes and bolts the door, checking the security system is on. Then he goes to the fridge and cracks open a beer. Quite a strange little gathering he thinks and just what was the deal with that taper. Sure got people excited but he couldn't quite figure out why.

--- It was certainly odd, that for sure and over something so ugly. He had to admit it was so garish it was intriguing in a tacky chitzy sort of way but nothing worth making such a major fuss over. And the Michael guy....he seemed really on edge. Davis' musing is interrupted by a rhythmic pounding sound coming from out in the hall.

**** Davis goes and checks through the spy hole in the door to see if he can see what is making the noise in the hall. If that fails he tucks his 9mm into the back of his waist band (covering it with his shirt) and unlocks the door quietly. Slowly he opens the door enough to see down the hall...


Part 3
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