2162/A French Vampire in Manhattan.

A French Vampire in Manhattan.
Date of Scene:	19 June 2020
Location:	Hell's Kitchen
Synopsis:	Julie approaches an unlikely way into the mages collective, and makes another friend.
Cast of Characters:	Julie Yan, Ariah Olivie

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Julie Yan has posed:
    Ever since she 'met' that weird mysterious vampire chick from the warehouse fight, Julie's been poking around every crack and crevice of New York City looking for her again. It was a real mess of a night, but Julie remembers how the vampire fought, the way she turned chi-empowered weapons to dust and sucked it all up, how her body seemed to glow with runes.

    Judging by the fact she never tried to kill anybody besides the Black Lotus goons, she had to be somewhat friendly, right? Leaping across a rooftop gap, Julie runs to the edge and peers over, as if that mysterious woman will show up.

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    Just because Ariah is a vampire doesn't mean that normal food is off limits to her. Not that she can glean any nutritional value from food, of course. There's still the enjoyment of taste and texture that comes with certain things. And tonight, that flavor is umami. The white-haired girl slips out of the Royal Dragon with a white plastic bag in one hand, the other holding an egg roll in it. She steps to the side of the door, and turns her hand this way and that, as if examining the crunchy bundle of cabbage and flavor.

Julie Yan has posed:
    Julie, ironically, seems to be stalking this predator of the night. Eventually she gets the courage to actually try and approach. Leaping down street level, Julie approaches. This could either be a huge boon, or an equally huge mistake. Either way, Julie swallows and then clears her throat. "Umm...hi there." She says nervously. "We met...well, not really met but you were at the warehouse. With the Triads..."

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    Ariah can detect the heartbeat approaching, but her attention seems to be focused on her egg roll. She lingers under the overhang, and crunches down quietly on the slightly-oily treat. It's halfway in her mouth, half-eaten, when Julie approaches. Slowly, the girl's eyes swivel upwards, her head tilting too, to regard the taller woman with an owlish blink. She takes her time, the egg roll slowly vanishing between her pale lips. She idly licks the tips of her fingers and then cleans the oil off on a napkin from inside the bag. And blinks again.

    "...yes...?" she asks softly, "...what about it...?" she stands firm and icy, accent thick and French, voice cool.

Julie Yan has posed:
    "Well..." Julie fidgets nervously. "I noticed you had magic stuff going on, and well, I'll cut right to it. I need to find someone who can help teach me. You saw what I can do, but I'm not entirely finished yet. My training was incomplete, I need someone to help me finish it." She says. "I'm...sorry if I'm intruding, but I really don't know who to go to. Barely know anybody in this city."

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    Another blink, slow, eyes dull. "I am not a teacher..." she says quietly, lips pursing. "...what do you think I can help with....?" she inquires, idly reaching into her bag to get the second egg roll out and take a slow bite. "What are your skills...?"

Julie Yan has posed:
    "Chi manipulation. I..." Julie says, and then realizes just how stupid she sounds, slumping against a building. "This was a waste of time, I'm sorry." Crouching, she just exhales slowly and rubs at her face, hiding her eyes. Sniffles can be heard, as Julie sits there miserably.

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    "Chi manipulation?" Ariah asks, tilting her head to the side. Something in her eyes shifts slightly, or maybe just her expression. Like she's no longer looking at Julie but through her. She finishes her egg roll, cleans her fingers with a lick and a napkin and then just... reaches out for one of Julie's wrists. There's no warning, there's no request for permission, nothing. The short girl holding the takeout bag in her other hand just.. grabs.

    There's a warmth in her touch, a tingling heat, and a momentary sensation of something draining and then refilling. She's tapping Julie's energy, sampling it, pulling some into her then giving it back. Her eyes are closed but small blue-white threads of energy flicker around her fingers.

    "Internalized..." she murmurs softly, eyes still closed. "...physical augmentation, force projection, or both?"

Julie Yan has posed:
    Julie jumps upwards, tears streaking down her cheeks as she tries to wipe her face clean. "I'm sorry it's just...I've been alone for two years, ever since my master died. He taught me all he could, but I don't know many spells. Most of my training was focused in martial arts...since then I feel like I've been dawdling around."

    She feels her energy sampled, and she watches Ariah's hands with wide eyes. "I mean...both, I can make barriers and chi blasts. Not much else."

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    La petite sorciere withdraws her hand slowly, eyes opening. She seems indifferent to the apology, the confession of loneliness. She sniffs at the air, though, eyes wandering Julie's form. Then she nods slowly. "Force projection... Can you augment your martial arts with your energy? Or is it your physical skill alone?"

Julie Yan has posed:
    "I can." Julie answers, trying to regain her composure as her hands glow with yellow energy. "He taught me that much."

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    Another nod from the smaller woman, "How do you recharge?" she asks softly. Ariah seems to have taken a vested interest in Julie now, seeing what parallels she can draw from her to render at least somem amount of assistance to the emotional woman.

Julie Yan has posed:
    Taking a deep breath, Julie shrugs. "I can recharge by meditation. It sounds stupid, but I draw energy from life everywhere. I'm willing to bet I could suck people dry like a chi vampire if I really wanted to.

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    "It works," Ariah says quietly. "...I can pull from ley lines... among other things..." she explains, briefly. The mention of being a 'chi vampire' doesn't get any further reaction or response from her, at least directly. "I can draw on your energy..." she considers, though she doesn't indicate that maybe, just maybe, Julie couldn't draw on her, as there's no actual life there.

Julie Yan has posed:
    Julie nods, "I think I do too. Easterners and westerners have different names for things, I guess." She shrugs a shoulder. "If you can't teach me, do you know anybody who can?"

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    Slowly, her head shakes, "...life force is different from ley lines... energies can be interchanged... Regardless..." she trails off, glancing down at her bag, then back up at Julie. "I don't..." she confesses, then considers, "...gathering tomorrow. Magical threat to this plane of existence. Maybe you can find a teacher after the meeting?" Ariah offers quietly.

Julie Yan has posed:
    Julie nods. "Can you vouch for me? I doubt sorcerers will just let anybody in, even I know that much. Sifu didn't exactly introduce me to many of them when he was alive, he didn't trust any he knew." She explains. "But sure, maybe they'll mark time when they're not dealing with something way above anything I'm worth."

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    The gaze that Ariah fixes on Julie is. Cold. Like. It's colder than her usual chill demeanor. It's a death stare, intent on making the taller woman shrink back. "...everyone can play a part when there is a war to be fought..." she says quietly but sternly, sounding like she's speaking from personal experience. "...is this war yet? I don't know. We will know tomorow. But being forced to join 'The Great Cycle' is not something I will lay down before."

Julie Yan has posed:
    Julie nods. "We'll see, then." She says. "Do you trust these people any?" The martial artist wonders, still skeptical. "Sifu told me sorcerers usually followed their own goals, and not all of them were altruistic. He didn't exactly give me a list of who was which before he died."

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    Ariah takes a moment to think about this, and then she shrugs. "...I have no idea..." she says quietly, continuing to stare at Julie. "...do you trust -me-?" she asks. "...I am a sorcerer and we have just met," she explains.

Julie Yan has posed:
    "Not really, no offense." Julie shrugs a shoulder. "I don't know -who- I can trust, really. There's so many people running around, it's hard to really find my way."

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    "You are in a very big city," Ariah says quietly. "When you find people you can trust, make sure you can trust them enough that you would die for them, and the other way around...." she slowly turns away, to walk down the street. "Save your tears for the end of days..."

Julie Yan has posed:
    "Right," Julie says. 'It wasn't any easier in Hong Kong." She adds, her face hardening as she follows Ariah. "So uh...you see my problem. I don't know anybody, beyond I guess Wonder Girl. And now my only option is a vampire...so woo."

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    "I can give you my number... the meeting is tomorrow night..." Ariah explains softly. She's moving slowly enough that Julie could catch up just by walking fast. Especially when Ariah freezes, head turning slowly, blinking owlishly, again, at the taller woman. She tries to play dumb, of course, her face as stoic and cold as always.

    "...vampire?" she queries.

Julie Yan has posed:
    "You're not as good at hiding it as you think. I can sense energy, it's faint but I can do it. And you're not giving any blips." Julie says with a crooked smile, tapping her head. She does get out her phone number, "Julie. By the way. I'm Julie Yan, alias Fenghuang."

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    Ariah nods, then turns her head to face forward. "Not everyone can detect energy like you can. Keep my secret. Every extra link to my truth is another strand closer to unraveling... My life depends on it. We do not trust each other to the extent of laying down our lives for one another, but you possess knowledge others would easily kill or die for..." Despite her words, there's little emotion in them, and it's hard to tell if she's unhappy or mad about the other woman's discovery.

    "Ariah. Ariah Olivie," she says quietly, taking her own phone out now. It's charged this time, at least, though she still fumbles with the lock screen and navigation.

Julie Yan has posed:
    Julie thumbs through her contacts, adding Ariah's name and waiting on a number. "I'll do my best." She gives out her number, showing it for Ariah to get it down before waiting on the vampire mage to do the same. At least having contacts is good. Hopefully Cassie is willing to give a call sometime.

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    "See that you do, please," Ariah says a bit firmly, though it comes with a soft, exasperated sigh. "My kind is not appreciated, though I am no threat to the innocent..." she murmurs, getting the number down and snapping a quick picture of Julie's face to put in the contact, just to make sure she remembers who she is.

Julie Yan has posed:
    Julie does the same. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow night, then." She says, offering a photogenic smile as her picture is taken. "Have a good night, Ariah."