THE MOMENT
Virgil was new in town, and he was thrilled to discover a vibrant nightlife. The city he left behind felt like it ran on pure superstition and almost all businesses shuttered by sundown. But as he was taking a night walk he heard music in the distance and saw cars and pedestrians enjoying the night as easily as they did the day.
He found his way to a bar he'd passed a few times during the day and got the impression it was an abandoned business. 'The Ruined Veil' looked baren with dusty windows while the sun was out, but now he got the impression people were dying to get inside.
He was curious enough to give it a look, even without his ID. It was too much trouble, and he wasn't looking to talk to anyone anyway. He just wanted to get a feel for the place. Virgil was confident in his stealthy skills and he wasted no time appraising the building looking for a way in. He ended up climbing the fire escape to the roof before finding an entrance he could use.
He entered the building, then made his way through the back offices toward the front of the club, but something made him freeze in his tracks.
The music was pounding and it was almost too severe for his senses. He was wondering how long he wanted to look around when a sharp coppery scent touched his nose; it was unmistakably blood. A lot of it. It wasn't the minor odor of serious wound, it smelled more like a slaughterhouse and Virgil's mind started to race. Why did it smell like blood was everywhere?
The scent distracted him, and he was standing still in the hallway when an imposing, mountainous, pale man in a black suit turned the corner. He was taller, wider, and paler than Virgil with a bald head. He was sipping something red from a pouch and straw as he walked, and he looked up at seeing Virgil.
"Sorry, this area's off limits," he smiled with pointed fangs. "Please go back to the front area," he moved aside. It was necessary, he was wide enough to occupy the width of the hallway himself.
"Right, sorry," Virgil nodded. Was that man a vampire? He was pale with fangs, and Virgil was willing to bet he was drinking blood from the pouch. He walked by the stranger and made it to the bar. The music was louder now; but, it was easier to ignore too. He had a few thoughts to work through. The stranger was a vampire, Virgil had no doubt. And, he wasn't trying to keep it hidden either. At least, not in the back rooms of the club; what did that mean?
Now that he'd made that connection he took a careful look around at the other patrons. Everyone in the place was just as pale as the burly vampire Virgil crossed paths with, and he caught sight of more than one set of fangs.
"What'll it be?" a pale bartender with red eyes and fangs smiled at Virgil, and he realized the scent of blood was much thicker now. That was the final nail in the coffin; it was enough to trigger Virgil's realization. The club was full of vampires.
"I don't know, first time here...," Virgil shrugged. "... never seen anything quite like this...," he gestured at the vampires dancing and having a good time.
"Well, welcome to the Ruined Veil!" the bartender grinned and set a glass of blood on the bar. "First one's on the house, this is from our private selection. If you have any specific preferences, we're very accommodating," he added.
"Thank you!" Virgil grinned and reached for the glass. The bartender nodded and walked away to help someone else. Virgil turned and took in the sight as he brought the drink up to his lips.
He couldn't believe his luck. By sheer coincidence, he found himself exactly where he wanted to be. It wasn't an ideal situation being run out of town for being a vampire. But, now that he'd stumbled his way into much better circumstances, it was easier to feel like all the trouble was worth it. He now had a city he liked with a nightlife full of people just like him.