neithzaki

[neithzaki]

It was fascinating, or perhaps Neith was just indulging in the attention. Regardless she offered a flicker of a grin, fangs retracted so not to temper the mood. “Darling, I might just know one or two.” Occasionally, it paid dividends to not limit herself to her own court. She readjusted her risha, and delved right into another song. “I watch the work of my kin, bold and boyful… Toying somewhere between love and abuse… Calling to join them, the wretched and joyful…” Neith let her voice carry, but kept her gaze bound to the sweet fae. She rounded to a finish, and paused should she, or anyone else, wish to applaud.��

Safieh had allowed herself a moment away from the diner when she'd came across the scene. There was something about music that always seemed to draw her in, the woman gently swaying in tune, a hum escaping her lips. "Oh me?" It was almost as if she was snapped from a trance as the other spoke. "No request, unless you know how to play fae tunes." With a small shrug of her shoulders, the woman smiled. "Definitely no hidden talents here."

[neithzaki]

Impeccably, one fool left and another came forth to replace. Neith giggled to herself. The island youth were getting dumber and dumber by the century. “Yes sweet summer child…a request.” Neith slinked up to stand, her voice rolling from a purr to sung silk. “…My heart is on a wire, sitting pretty like a bird, but the hunter is out…and the eagle has heard the word…” Neith tapered off, leaning into a slight bow. “Now would be the appropriate time for you to clap, but you’ll be forgiven.” She straightened to circle back and collect her oud. “Have you been properly schooled? Or were you born yesterday?”

Dark brown orbs eyed the other with curiosity, she hadn’t been speaking with Talon but he found the whole display more than entertaining. He had visited Justport that afternoon to embrace some ocean breeze. Never did he expect to come across such an interaction. He didn’t necessarily disagree with her words, but found her delivery more than eccentric. “A request?” He finally questioned, taking one last drag from his cigarette before dropping it onto the concrete and crushing the burn with the heel of his shoe. The other she had been initially speaking to used the opportunity of Talon’s words to make their escape. 

[neithzaki]

Neith turned to her, regarding the fae with a critical arch of her brows. “…because there’re so few on this island that create as you do.” She circled back around, to perch herself on the arm of a chair. Neith wanted to believe Dewitt was the picture of innocence, but it would be loathsome to be naive. “It need not be a signet… forgive me Dew I’m being sentimental to the past. All I desire is something beautiful.” 

the fae stretched their legs out in front of them, brown orbs watching the other pace back and forth. ❝ i have quite a bit with an accent of blue. it is a very popular color, you know, �� they answered, amusement lacing their words. they could never make anything easy. a long hum left her lips. ❝ a signet. interesting. and you have looped me in because.. ? ❞

[neithzaki]

Of all the people on this wretched island to have it. To be in posession of her most beloved. Her ire simmered, tempered as she took useless and practiced breaths through gritted teeth. “And what would daddy think of you being a thief, I wonder…?”

Neith cast unbound curls over her shoulder, chin tilted up despite the decrepit burnt flesh that remained of her hand. “Name your price Asterion.” He stank, the festering musk of a wet dog, the only godsend of him being out of reach. Neith’s good hand danced, itched, as if strumming out a melody stained in gore. Past experiences had taught her the constraints of dancing with wolves, regardless Neith waded into the trenches of his canine mind. ‘Come now little pup, play nicely and no ill will come of this. Daddy Ragnar doesn’t even need to know.’  

The snap in her tone and the way that her eyes stuck to the ring that he held gave Asterion a thrill. This was exactly what he had needed when he went out that morning. He laughed– a cold delight in the sound that answered Neith’s hiss. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. “It is now,” he answered, holding his hand up as if to admire the thing, turning it over so that it was caught between his open palm and finger. “How very naive of you,” he crooned, looking back at the vampire finally. “I would never get along with a bloodsucker like you. And as for where I got it, I can’t betray my sources.” Or alert her to what he was really up to. “Cowering? Please, Neith. I’m just enjoying the feel of it on my skin. Come and join me, it feels so good. You must miss it dearly. I’ll even let you borrow my ring if you come and join me.”

[neithzaki]

Neith uninvited, slid into one of the seats this end of the bar. Unbuttoning her jacket to let it fall neatly as she ordered herself a fresh drink. This time she wouldn’t ignore it. But took slow, pained and slight sips. “Garlic like a flower girl?” The image cast was bemusing as for once Neith had some idea of this particular tradition. If only because she’d once crashed a wedding. She giggled, bringing her cup to her lips. A manageably small sip, before she leant forwards onto the bar. Intimidatingly closer. “I wouldn’t suggest tossing it, you should keep it close to your person…” Neith’s gaze momentarily shifted past her, to the man she’d accosted who’d all but disappeared now into the crowd. “I would recommend silver.”

She wasn’t fresh opening a link between them so Neith could snake into her mind, was not easily done. Nonetheless Neith’s curiosity was piqued.  “Though the island is safe, is it not?” Neith discarded her drink, so she could lean against the bar with her face resting in her palm. Dark gaze watching her. The flutter of her heartbeat was a tune that Neith so desperately wanted to play. “A sanctuary, so you needn’t fear for safety. No less there are….pricks. I should know.” She humoured them both with a small chuckle. “It’s Anais, by the way.” Neith supplemented with one of the many alternative chosen names she’d gone by. “Have you lived on the island long…?”

It had been an atrociously long day. Practically exhausting, fingering through hours of paperwork as she stayed hunched over in her desk until she was nearly forced out. Told to go try to enjoy her night, or at the very least go home and get a decent nights rest. Knowing she wouldn’t be able to talk her way into finishing her lists of task, she headed out. But she didn’t go home despite the desperate need for sleep. She found her way to the bar in hopes of seeing her friend. When she hadn’t, she decidedly plopped down in a seat at the bar and dropped her backpack at her feet with a loud humph before ordering a drink. Something decent tasting, but not too alcoholic. She certainly didn’t need a hungover. 

And when her drink finally arrived, so did a silky voice to her left. “Of course you ma..” she pauses, covertly looking towards the person mentioned. She has to almost squint to see him in the crowd, and her lips pursed in concentration. He doesn’t look horrible. And she turns back to say that when she has to stop her eyes from widening and biting down the slight sense of alarm. “I, um, I’ll keep a note of that. Thanks!” She’s quick to be polite, yet avoids a certain amount of eye contact. “Though..” she mutters more quietly, “if you were me. I think you’d know I have a lot to keep my eye on. I mean, I can only wear so much silver or toss around garlic like a flower girl so many times. Which is a silly image, i know, but it keeps me safe.” Her lips go into a thin line. Wow, she really needs to know when to stop.

[neithzaki]

The trip itself was singular, in so much that Neith was glad to be rid of the island. She had left her companion behind, hunting for something different, and there he was. Shining in the iridescent lights, Neith humoured herself with watching. It probably wouldn’t bode well if she had him here, in the alleyway, behind some raucous club. The innards of which, Neith was pleased to steer well away from. 

 “Is that any way to speak to a God…?” Neith purred, shifting out from the shadows with lithe grace. “I’ve been watching you.” Half a truth, she’d certainly observed him long enough. Neith let her easy smile drop, as she leant in for the easy undercut. “You’re such a disappointment.” He was loathsome, but Neith needed that, she wanted the rise. A little fear. A little taste of inhumanity from a mortal being. 

It was easy, she was freshly fed, amped up and a little intensely obsessed. Opening up a link between them was practically innocuous. ‘Divine…tell me your sins. They are numerous are they not?’ 

with @neithzaki​​ 15 years ago in Manila

He had a rare three days off from seminary. That meant one day to party and two to recover. The furthest decent club was five jeepney rides away, and damn, the shit was so worth it. 

Divine stepped out a backdoor for some fresh air, no less hot or humid than it was inside. The sweet whiff of incense made up for it though, real or not. His nose was a bit fucked up. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, lungs steeping in the rich perfume. As good of a religious experience as any other. 

“You know what’d be kinda sick?” he said to the night sky. “If You came down here right now.”

[neithzaki]

Evidently, not all the children had left. Neith stared, digesting the information offered with a slow cant of her head. “So…you lie to them, curious.” It was not unheard of, certainly she could admire him for it. To what ends, she did not really comprehend. Pitifully, it all boiled down to a particularly mundane answer. “And you…do this often?” Neith asked, sweet as can be. She navigated around one of the mats, toeing it with the point of her shoe. It was lacklustre, but he wasn’t.

Unbidden, an old memory Neith had left behind surfaced. “My baba practiced…mindfulness as you say.” Her smile is momentarily curt. Swiftly, Neith pivoted to an easy innocuous question. Humans, which she was sure he was, liked to feel important. “It is not too much of a chore?” Much beside the point, he seemed to enjoy himself. 

"Huh, fair enough. The kids fuckin' love it. Even the older ones, who usually act like they're too cool. Add pirate in front of anything and they get interested," Kit explained, not that he was sure the other cared, but the wide grin remained plastered against his lips.

"Torture? God no! I don't torture kids?" He blinked at the other in confusion, exasperation lacing his tone before he shrugged. "Helps them with mindfulness and such, you know?"

[neithzaki]

Bloody Mary. “Scandalous you should let your creativity slip.” It would be a shame and waste, Neith revelled in the sharp edges the wry octo could offer her. Though, not their disobedience. Neith’s smile grew as Hennel leant forwards, beckoning them in, until Neith’s hand was in their own. Everything collapsed in on itself in a moment as Hennel probed at the festering wound. She wetted her lips, dragging her tongue across the underside of her fangs. “Careful…”

Neith snatched her hand free of their grasp, bringing her fingers either side of Hennel’s chin. She leant forwards, her lips grazing the other’s ear as Neith used her free hand to nigh on tenderly tuck Hennel’s hair back. “Little octopussy, you can’t worm your way out of this.” How tempting it was to dig and see if she’d bleed, Neith giggled, as if already high on the night’s blood bounty. Then she shimmied back into position.

“You’re such a difficult catch! And yet…” Neith swiped up Hennel’s drink, sipping on it but only so she could spit it over her shoulder. More to be difficult than because Neith had any great lust for cheap booze. Her annoyance festered, turning calculated thoughts into short snappy remarks. “Mmph…I thought you were out of the question. Frankly I hadn’t accounted for your presence Nels but not to worry. What do you want? Money?”

/

Hennel’s drinks arrived at the same time. One for hydration, one for intoxication, one for taste. “Oh?” they feigned when Neith showed up. “I don’t remember ordering a Bloody Mary.” The vampire pressed up against them in the booth, the lack of shame and personal space hardly a surprise.

“I’d imagine we’re both here for the same reason,” they said, scooting over just enough for better comfort. Dark eyes searched for those pretty fangs up close, and their hand crawled to the curve of Neith’s hip like each finger had a mind of its own.

Hennel hissed a breath in, all cozy and ready to sting. “I didn’t realize the sun had already set out there.” They gasped. “Unless...” With a smirk, they reached for Neith’s hand, pretending to look for that funny sore spot of a lost blue ring.

[neithzaki]

Location: Sanguis Point, or Justport Open to all !

It was a gloriously long night, the kind that Neith wanted to indulgently extend. A request from a wide-eyed patron had Neith giddy, but focused as she recited a rendition of Bach with reverent passion. The man himself had been a bore, but at the very least his compositions provided a recognisable start point to hook a crowd in. She set aside her oud, less than careful about the way her dress fell as she leant forwards onto her propped up knee. “And you see…” She purred, voice as smooth as silk. “We should not limit ourselves to the expected. It is tiresome and dull…” Neith hummed to herself, delighted to have captured the attention of someone, equally enthralled to invoke pointed questions. “Perhaps you have a request? Or a hidden talent yourself…?”

[neithzaki]

nobody talks about this look and it's a crime

[neithzaki]

what’s your muse’s favorite album of all time / favorite artist? how do they listen to their music? ipod, mp3, computer, cd, records, etc?

Neith hasn't got a clue when it comes to technology, and unfortunately she's much too pretentious when it comes to music to sacrifice a live performance. She's an avid musician herself and singer. Quite proud of this too, so it never takes much to encourage Neith to do a live performance.

[neithzaki]

Neith giggled high and sharp, perhaps she’d let time slip by her a little too much after a night of gluttonous indulging. Not to worry, she’d find her way home, somehow. This was all good and well, but a certain name surfaced drawing Neith dangerously close to the surface. Curiosity had pulled her to him, what would a wretched little wet dog want with her? But it became quickly evident. Neith stopped so she remained sheathed in shadow. “What do you want?” She snapped, her gaze magnetised to the ring, her ring, the lapis lazuli inscribed with a scarab. It was unlike any other. High off of bloodwine, she had a momentary lapse, and lunged forwards but snapped back with a hiss. Weak as the morning sun was, it still burned. “You little shit of a dog. That isn’t yours.”

“Where did you get it?” Neith clutched her wrist, the heady thrum of fresh blood acted as a counterbalance but the burnt ends to her fingers would be slow to heal. “Here I was thinking we were finally getting along!” She jeered, her lip curling upwards as she slanted her chin up. “Pathetic! Face me like a man Asterion, cowering in the fucking sun.” 

closed: asterion & neith

location: six feet under

Asterion had waited until the first tendrils of light began their journey across the sky, dawn peeking out from the cover of night. Even with that assurance, his skin practically crawled being in this place. But the pleasure outweighed any possible consequence, he figured, as he slowly allowed his name to float into the establishment that he had heard one Neith Zaki was at. He wouldn’t step one foot into her place, but instead leaned his body against a post, making sure that he would be in a direct ray of light when dawn finally broke. Slowly, he pulled out a certain ring, sliding it just barely onto one finger so that it was still loose but could be seen. To any casual onlooker, they might think he was just admiring the lapis lazuli ring, but to a carefully trained eye, they would see him carefully watching the door. He might have flirted with danger, but he wasn’t stupid. “Neith,” he drawled finally, donning a slight smirk. “Gorgeous morning, don’t you think?”

@neithzaki​

[neithzaki]

Neith lingered like an omen, really she was only to be passing through, the sun had only just skirted down past the edges of the horizon. Except, she couldn’t discern what in the ever loving fuck was unfolding in front of her. “Uh…” She narrowed her eyes at him, and the gaggle of youths that were obnoxiously loud but seemed to be disbanding. Alhamdulillah. “Can’t say I have…”

Neith took a somewhat hesitant step forwards, fairly certain she would regret it. “Is it…some form of torture? Build resilience?” She pointed in the direction of the dearly departed youths.

open starter ( kit & utp ! ) location: a park in justport or skulls & barbells

"Alright kiddos!" Kit chirped at the gaggle of kids grinning up at him, "That's it for today, but next week we're gonna try out some different things!" Running one hand through his hair, he used the other to wave at his students as they departed. It wasn't until the last one had gone that he turned around, noticing a curious onlooker. "You never seen pirate yoga before?" He mused with a wide grin.

[neithzaki]

Location: Neith's home, Justport @empyreanisms with Dewitt

It had been pre-arranged beforehand, evidently, because the port was blanketed in darkness and Neith was pacing back and forth. She’d invited the fickle fae into her home under the pretence of one of her trinkets. Really Neith was hoping they could shed some honesty on the whereabouts of her beloved scarab. But unpicking the truth was never an easy game. She clutched a chalice to her chest, a wan smile as she regarded Dewitt. “Perhaps you…have something with an accent of blue?” 

“You see Dew, my darling Dew, I’m looking for something particular.” Neith turned to them, an easy smile as she took a slow sip of the bloodwine. “A signet.” 

[neithzaki]

Location: Ashborne City @mayadeere

A waste. It felt like an eternity since Neith had come this far north, and all for what. Nothing. She’d perched herself at the bar, nursing a would-be drink that she’d never finish. Every now and then she caught furtive glances, but frankly the stench was enough to put her off. Neith would’ve left, should’ve left, there’d be a tram on the hour to take her home. Except she caught herself staring in a trance-like state at someone on other end of the bar. Slowly, she meandered down weaving through the crowd as she rebuttoned her suit jacket. She’s human, Neith is almost certain of it, the steady thrum, and a radiant naiveté. “Evening, may I interrupt…” Neith purred, not in the slightest bit apologetic.

“I just...” She smiled, artful not to flash teeth and not to temper her delivered warning. “I think that gentleman...over there...speaking woman to woman, I'd keep an eye on that one.”

[neithzaki]

Location: The Incubus, Justport @gentlyawfulstirrings

This just wouldn’t fucking do. Neith wound through the heaving throng of people swaying on mass to a inane rhythm. One nail pressed tight against the pad of her thumb, more than enough to leave a sharp crescent moon, not enough to draw blood. She flung herself up the stairs taking them two at a time until she finally, rounded on what should have been her booth. Except the young woman at the entrance had blubbered about it being someone else’s for the night. “Y–-” Neith clicked her tongue, “should have known it would be you.” 

Simple as that, just a little of the tension eased of Neith’s jaw, as she slid into the booth beside Hennel. “Sweet little fish, what're you doing here?” There wasn't room enough for them both this side of the booth, Neith didn't care. It was hers. She stretched an arm over the back, behind Hennel, dark gaze fixated.

[neithzaki]

NEITH'S SALON.

Inspired by the salons Neith attended, and loved, in Paris during her stint there prior to the island's inception as a safe haven. Neith has recreated the same thriving hub of creative and intellectual excitement, time and time again on Veritas Isle. It ran up until the war exclusively in Sanguis Point in her own home. Beyond the poetry, writing, music and even some illustrative arts, the salon gatherings were frequently a free-flow of chaos. Just another excuse to get drunk on blood and dance the night away.

During the war the gatherings ceased, but ever impatient Neith didn't wait a second to bring back her pride and joy. In the years that followed Neith acquired a home in Justport and held salon gatherings there too. Albeit to a milder degree. The wild and unruliness of a blood-soaked harp tended to ruin the mood when not in the company of her fellow vampires. In Justport the gatherings tended to have a more pointed focus on arts, music and intellectual matters. Little less blood, and a little more wine.

This was all up until approximately 50 years ago when an incident one evening at a salon gathering meant Neith had to cease all activity. Rumours, of course, have flown about why she no longer hosts in Justport. But since then, parties have been strictly limited to Sanguis Point and only her innermost circle.

CONNECTIONS.

Attendees of either Sanguis Point/Justport gatherings: can be because they wanted to share poetry, or a keen historian, musician, artist, etc or merely because Neith's parties have had infamous ends

Anyone from her innermost circle, aka her closest friends. Nearly exclusively vampires, albeit open to anyone else with a strong stomach

Those that have, for one reason or another, opposed Neith's gatherings. Particularly given she expanded to Justport! Give this woman some opposition!

Lastly, attendees of that fateful night everything went a little wrong 50 years ago. Please reach out for this one, as there's details wrapped up with this.