A Drink By The Pool (open)

The Borgia Hotels were one of Michel's favourite places. He had had a room there permanently hired for nearly four years. This last year, it had been his 'home away from home'. General Liara had given him a month to set his affairs in order. The evening after he had left Liara's office, he had gone to Layla's home, and within a week, everything had been signed over to her. Leaving Michel with his flash apartment and a great deal of money in the bank. In his apartment, there lay two boxes by the front door and two of his favourite paintings leaing against a wall. These are the things he was taking to his new apartment, the one appointed to him now he was in the Military. The rest would be packed up into storage and the apartment rented out. The compound that would be his home was pleasant enough, with its outdoor pool and airy living spaces. But Michel could not deny that he would miss his apartment greatly. This was a new chapter in his life, and he was starting out with far more than he had ever done in the past.

Michel had decided to have a swim and a drink before heading to his room. The indoor pool was beautiful; internally heated so it was useful all year, loungers along the side and the waters were incredibly clear. Michel loved to swim, it was his favourite way to keep in shape. He usually wore skintight swimwear, and today was no different; they were navy in colour with white strips down the sides and waistband, they were square cut and came to rest a quarter down his thighs. The water was lovely, it tested him and when he had finished the exess energy he had felt was gone from his limbs. Michels suits hid his muscles well, but like this, no one could deny he was well toned. His arm muscles coiled like snakes as he pulled his way out of the water. The water ran down his dark skinned body in rivulets, clung to his short cropped hair like raindrops in a spiders web. Michel bent down and grabbed his towel to wipe his face and hands dry, before drapping it across his shoulders and heading towards the bar.

As he sat down at the bar, the bartender smiled at him. "The usual Mr. Cartier?", Rick was a man in his fourties who loved his job. "That would be swell, Richard, thank you". Michel could have happily gone for a cigarette but he didn't. Instead he took a swig from his glass of Brandy and looked around the room. It was as it always was on a Friday at 9pm; music quietly pulsing out off the mounted speakers like a heartbeat, the pool and bar occupied by men and women. Michel didn't doubt that some of them were supernaturals but that was not his concern at this moment. All he wished to do was enjoy his drink, perhaps have a chat and retire to his room for the rest of the night. It was not much, and it was rather tame compared to his usual, but it was enough. The water continued to drop from his body, the dimmed lights glinting of his bare skin. He drew much attention to himself, both male and female, but it was not uncommon for people to sit at the bar in such a manner. It was just the effect he had.

[Anyone or multiple anyones are welcome to join this thread]

Finishing drying himself off, he tossed the towel to the arms of the lounge chair at the poolside where it hung. Niko stretched, working out the kinks in the muscles of his toned, muscular arms and broad shoulders. Letting them drop to his sides, he bent down to pick up the blue shirt he had put on the lounge chair. As he started to slip it on, he thought back to the cottage at the village. The only two Shifters he had met besides Eden. The Auxiliary had seemed slightly hostile but under different circumstances, he thought things wouldn’t have panned out the way they did. The other one, Blake, had seemed fearful at first. Scared but she had become more relaxed. More comfortable as Niko had just let her be. And she had started to open up. He still didn’t know why she had been so scared when they’d first met but that was okay. She’d been hiding from something but she had been looking for a home. Niko knew when someone had an ulterior motive. They’d be too scared, too desperate. They’d sneak side glances or hide their faces or expressions. Or evade questions. Maybe laugh too much. Or be too friendly or do things that they usually wouldn’t do. Their behaviour wasn’t consistent. And that hadn’t been the case with her. For one thing, if she’d wanted to get inside the house she wouldn’t have been doing it so brazenly and out in the open. Though he hoped he would get to see more of her. Maybe he could show her some things he had been working on. The updated version of those blue-prints he’d been working on for the designs of the mechatronic animals at the studio for the project. He had made them stronger and more resilient. And one of them had a stealth mode as it could change its mass and shape in order to make it faster and virtually noiseless. Mechanical marvels were really something special. It was the one part of humanity that he enjoyed and admired. The innovation and creativity that humanity had. The ability to create things and bring ideas to life. He could show Blake that humanity wasn’t all bad if that was what she was scared of and maybe she could teach him about healing.

The shirt he wore was loose but outlined his chiselled form well. He pushed his hair back, holding it in place and got the black, cotton beanie with his other hand. Pulling it over his head until it was covering his ears he tried to hide as much of his hair as possible but some tufts poked out at the sides. That was okay. Most of it was underneath the beanie. His hair was the thing that stood out the most about him. And he didn’t want to be recognized or identified. He had learned how to be a human to perfection but humans knew each other. Humans had networks like every other creature. He had been pretending and doing it well for a long time but he didn’t want to give anyone that wanted to hurt him ammunition. So the best way was to remain as nondescript as possible. So he hid his hair, leaving only his bare face which could belong to anyone and would blend in a crowd. And he dressed modestly. Casually so as not to draw attention. But in this place, he had to change a little to fit in. Borgia Hotels was a luxurious place. With expensive décor and clientele that were incredibly well-dressed and sharp. Even the people in the gym had looked stylish even though what they were wearing were just gym clothes. Or if they didn’t, they still looked good doing it. The women wore heels and fine dresses or skirts and blouses. Trendy clothes. The men wore clothes that were clean and crisp. Or casual clothing that seemed to suit the atmosphere of the hotel or situation. So he had chosen a pair of black swimming trunks and pale blue short-sleeved shirt to wear after his swimming session. It was ordinary. Normal. He picked up the towel slinging it over his shoulder and the clothes he had come in with his other hand leaving the shirt unbuttoned for the time being. It exposed part of his chest but it felt nice to feel the breeze on his skin. And he was comfortable with his looks. He had worked hard to get these muscles so he felt no shame in showing them. He headed to the bar for a drink. It was full. Niko headed for the bar close-by, weaving past them. It was an eclectic mix and Niko could not have known for sure what species those gathered here were just by looking at them mingling and talking. Sometimes all the species looked like one another when they were dressed up. Sitting down at a seat in front of the counter, he noticed another lone soul one seat away from him and said, lifting the glass to him friendly,“Hey. Nice night out.”

Michel's dark eyes had followed the male as he had taken a seat beside him. The guy was around his height, just as toned as himself. If it hadn't have been for the beanie on his head he wouldn't have payed as much attention to him. At first the dark skinned gentleman had thought it was for the unruley hair that stuck out here and there despite the hat. But Michel was long used to figuring out the people around him and the man that had addressed him was most likely a shifter. Unlike most humans though, Michel rarely thought ill about the supernatural creatures they shared the world with. For him, it was individual deedes that earned people his dislike. Men and women from all walks of life came the the Borgia Hotels, he himself had gone from ranch-hand to street rat to businessman. And now an Intel. He was no man to judge. Michel pushed the thought from his mind just as he pushed himself around to face his new companion. His hand brought his drink to his lips before moving it down to rest on his right thigh.

Michel's full lips spread into an easy smile as he answered the man, his french accent touching the words somewhat. "It surely mon ami, just right for a swim. The pool is not so crowded as it has been in the past". As he spoke, his eyes continued to take in his companions features. The shirt that clunge to him in places due to his damp skin. The man had an open face, friendly and genuine. But he held caution in his charming hazel eyes. Michel had the notion that he would like this man much. The gentleman rolled his shoulders and took a swig from his drink before he continued to speak. "My name is Michel by the way. So what brings you out to this place? I came out here because I have had much change in my life these past weeks so I'm looking to forget it", with that last bit said he raised his glass with a grin and laughed some. "Shame it will take a lot more than this. I don't get drunk easily". Michel lifted the corner of his towel to his head to catch a stray droplet that had began it's decent down his face as he waited for the other to speak.

Translation: My friend

[Sorry for the shortness. I'v had a hectic couple of days and my muse level is low]

Niko swallowed, swigging down the drink steadily. It was just pina colada. The sweet, cool taste of coconut and lemon in one delicious creamy goodness. He set the glass down where it was half-full, turning his head to look at the other more carefully. If he had to choose what he was it’d be human but Niko could’ve been wrong. The only thing he knew was that he wasn’t a Shifter. And he had never met a vampire before so it would’ve been an interesting twist if he was. Though vampires were fearsome, this was the neutral grounds and there was an unspoken rule by all that peace and civility were upheld. If a fight were to occur it would’ve been because someone had instigated it whether through prolonged taunts of a person’s character, appearance or skill or continual physical violence. Or insults that were aimed at precious loved ones or family members. Or perceived wrongs by two parties done towards one another when it could’ve been a misunderstanding. That was how most fights came about in most situations. And he figured vampires would’ve been more interested in hunting or stalking fresh prey to eat or seduce instead of sitting at the bar and by the looks of it, taking a late night swim. A Mora was out of the question. No tail or ears to speak of. He could’ve been a werewolf but from what he’d seen, werewolves were more physical. Rawer. They didn’t really indulge in these kinds of things. The high life one might call it. Of course, he could be wrong and it’d be fun to meet a werewolf that did engage in these things, if only every once in a while. And he wasn’t a Shifter or Niko would’ve seen him around. Niko rubbed the back of his head with one large hand, his gaze straying as he thought about what to say. The guy seemed like he’d be fun to hang out with, chill like him. He enjoyed swimming so that was a plus. Like the Mora he’d met. Finn. But he wondered what his rank was. Maybe someone high up within the ranks. He wasn’t familiar with the human hierarchy. Roughly, he knew what the ranks were. Airmen, medics, lieutenants and spies. Then there were those at the top. The human equivalent to the Regina and Rex. It seemed similar in some ways. There were leaders. There were protectors and defenders. And there were those that were tasked with taking care of injuries and wounds. He didn’t know of this man’s background. Where he came from but whoever he was, Niko cared only about what his character was like. His behaviour. That was what made him like people.

Mon ami. He’d heard of that before. Friend. It meant friend. Was he French? His accent carried a hint of it as well.“Friend huh?”Niko said. He looked at him, looking him over for any signs of weapons and seeing none, smiled slightly, “Okay mon ami. A friend in you is friend in me.”He pushed himself off the counter, leaning against the counter so that part of his back on the edge and one bare foot was resting against the wall of the counter as he listened to the rest of his words. At standing height, Niko was a giant. His arms crossed over his wide chest in an unconscious gesture, biceps bulging naturally to form ripped muscle. Despite that, there was an easiness about him. His posture was cool and calm as was his expression though at the same time, incredibly earnest. He was a statuesque creature of pure muscle and quiet strength. He had a sense of casual fun about him. He was not a very competitive person compared to a lot of other guys. He goofed off, preferring to see life as a game and go with the flow. And indeed, there were times when life did not need to be taken so seriously. Like now. He did not have to perform his duties here. He could relax. In the meantime, maybe he’d find something interesting. He did not think the other would tell him anything specific, just make small talk. But even if he wasn’t competitive, Niko was a sociable guy. A good sport. And like most guys, he liked pitting his skills against others. Engaging in a little bit of friendly competition and games were things that were harmless fun. This Michel seemed like he’d be a good guy to do that with. Like he could have fun and he wouldn’t take it too seriously. He gazed at Michel, grinning back,“I would say to you that drinking won’t make you forget but you probably already know that. As for me, I’m here to enjoy the water. There is nothing like swimming and it’s even better here. There’s great food, great atmosphere.”His eyes crinkled at the corners in a massive, wolfish smile that was full of shiny, white teeth.“There’s other ways to forget. How fast can you swim? I could beat you I bet.”