Chapter Two – The Hangout
#7 of Malachai Backstory
Chapter Two - The Hangout
Malachai was up and out of bed earlier than he could ever remember. After the events of the past night, he couldn't wait to see what would happen after his date. Of course he would have to survive the date itself first, but he tried not to get too worried about that. He had seven whole hours to get ready, so he took his time gathering his outfit and taking a shower.
When it was an hour before his date, he locked up his house and went on his way to the tavern. He made sure he had fifteen minutes to find a comfortable spot to look for Julius, and got a root beer to hold him over. When the time finally came, he held his breath, hoping not to get stood up. As the thought settled in his stomach, it loomed there like a cyst, bothering him just enough to where he couldn't ignore it. As he got up to go look outside for him, he heard a familiar voice from behind him, which startled him so much he almost dropped his drink.
"Having second thoughts?" Julius teased. Malachai turned around and said, "No, I was just about to go look for you, when did you get here?" Julius then smiled a mischievous little smile, "Don't worry about that, let's just get going, we have a reservation to get to." Malachai started at this, "I thought we were just going to eat here, where did you get a reservation for this late?" Julius just smiled even harder and walked out.
As they pulled into the parking lot, Malachai couldn't believe where he would be dining this evening. Isn't this the most expensive place in town? "I've heard good things about this place, but I never had the chance to come here." He said. Julius casually said, "Yeah, it is quite good, I eat here quite often." Damn.
As they walked into the dining area, Malachai saw that they weren't the only patrons tonight. Every table besides the one they were being led was occupied mostly by same sex couples, the only straight one looking like they felt out of place. They must not know about this place, Malachai thought. Everyone else was so absorbed into conversation that they didn't notice anyone else.
When they had finally been seated and ordered drinks, they started to ask each other about themselves. "Where did you grow up, you don't act like any of the locals." Malachai started. Julius replied, "I grew up near Cairo, in Egypt. My mother's family was all guilmons, but my father was one of a few jackals in his. I got all my looks from my mother, but my skeletal structure is from my father. What about you, where do you come from?"
Malachai said, "Me and my mother moved around a lot, for reasons unknown to me at the time. I noticed over time that she was getting ill, and eventually we had to settle here so she could rest. That was a year ago, and within a couple months she passed away in her sleep. Apparently she had hastily written a will while I attended my senior year of high school, and left everything and more to me."
"The more, as I found out, was a letter explaining our constant moving and a key to an unknown lockbox. The reason for our moving was because there were bad people from my supposed father trying to capture us. I never saw any of them, but apparently we lost them in our last move. The key only has the number for its box on it, nothing about where the box is was written down."
Julius sat in silence contemplating this, a silence only broken by the waiter bringing their drinks and taking their orders. Finally he said, "So you don't know anything about your father? Nothing to explain why he would want you two found?" Malachai shook his head, "I only know that he was a wolf, like me and my mother, and that he was often sneaking out once a month and coming home bloody. My mother figured he was a hit man or something, that's why we ran away from him."
Julius then said, "Sorry to hear that you had a... less than satisfactory childhood. If you want I'll help you find that box, I have friends in the banking industry that could help." Malachai started at this, "That would be great, thanks! You barely know me, yet you already are doing so much, I don't know how to properly thank you." Julius smiled, and said, "Oh, I might know some ways you could do that...."
At that moment the food arrived, and Julius refused to elaborate on what he meant. Oh well, Malachai thought, what could he possibly ask me to do, that I don't already want to do? Just to change the subject, he asked, "If I may ask, what do you do for work around here, that you're up so late?" Julius said, "I'm the lead night guard at one of the old mansions outside of town. I, like you, prefer the night, because of the comfort of the dark."
When they had finished, Julius paid, leaving a generous tip, and he then said, "Ready for the real date to begin?" Malachai said, "That wasn't it? Where are we off to now?" Julius smiled, "We're going to another of my favorite hangouts. A club downtown called 'The Hangout'; I'm friends with the owner." Surprised, Malachai followed him outside, where they got in his car and headed to the aforementioned club.
The club was very low key, and looked like any other building on the block, except for the name "The Hangout" in blood red neon lights. "Is this a private club?" Malachai asked. Julius then said, "You could say that. Vladimir, the owner, doesn't trust too many of the locals, so not too many people outside our group come here." Malachai said, "How big is your group, if not many other people come here?" Julius replied, "It's pretty big; about half are locals and come often, while the rest are here once or twice a week, depending on when work brings them close enough to drop by."
As they entered, a hulk of a man blocked the entrance. He looked like a mix between a hyena and some type of wild dog. "Hey Julius, who's your friend?" The man asked. Julius replied, "Hey Yap, this is my new mate, Malachai. We're on our first date, and I decided to bring him here so he could meet the guys." Yap said, "It's been a while, hasn't it? Glad to see you with someone, hope you two hit it off, and have fun in there. Nice meeting you, Malachai." Malachai replied, "Thanks Yap, and nice meeting you too."
The inside of the club was nicer than any Malachai had ever seen, but that wasn't anything special, considering the only club he had been to before was run down. This one had a nice circular bar, behind which was a sexy Siberian tiger. The bar was surrounded by a hardwood dance floor, and scattered around that were tables for the patrons. It seemed to be a slow night, considering there were only a couple people scattered about in pairs at tables, and the two barmaids.
As they approached the bar, the tiger looked their way, and for an instant it looked like there was a hint of jealousy in his eyes. "Evening, Julius. Who's your guest, your new mate?" Julius replied, "Evening, Vladimir. Yeah, actually, this is Malachai. We're on our first date, and I wanted to show him my usual hangouts, no pun intended. Not very lively tonight, is it?" Vladimir shook his head, "Must be out doing...personal things. Not to worry though, it's only Wednesday, there'll be a big enough crowd tomorrow, I'm sure."
When their drinks were ordered and in the process of being consumed, they began to talk casually. Vladimir began, "So, Malachai, what do you do for fun around here?" Malachai replied, "Not very much up till now, just worked and stayed to myself at home mostly. I work at night at the Super Food, stocking the shelves." Julius interjected, "That routine, as of tonight, will be changed. I'm taking you under my wing, and teaching you to live." Vladimir laughed, as if at a private joke, "Good luck, kid, you'll need it." Malachai looked between them confused, but neither would let him in on their joke.
To take his mind off of the matter at hand, Malachai started ordering shots. The other two talked between themselves, nothing of which was of interest to him at the moment. When he was sufficiently drunk, he asked, "Wanna dance, babe?" Julius laughed, and said, "Of course, as long as you can stand straight. Can you start off with something slow, Vlad?" Vladimir smiled, "Of course. You two have fun out there."
They had plenty of fun, if with a few unpleasant moments. They were, of course, the only ones dancing, but they could have cared less at that point. There were plenty of both slow and fast songs, all of which Malachai loved. As they finished, and Malachai sobered up, they returned to the bar for a few more drinks before getting ready to leave. Julius said, "Good night, Vlad, see you tomorrow." Vladimir smiled, "Same to you, and nice meeting you Malachai. I hope you come back tomorrow so you can meet more of the regulars." Malachai thought for a moment, and then nodded, "Of course, I'll come back. It was nice meeting you too Vlad."
When they were back in the car, Malachai in the passenger seat, of course, Julius asked. "Since you're not fit to drive anywhere, do you mind if I stay with you tonight? I'll sleep on the couch if you're not comfortable yet." Malachai laughed, "You can definitely stay over tonight, and you can share my bed with me, there's no need for you to be on that old couch. Would you be willing to do more ... intimate things with me, after I sober up?" Julius smiled, "If we're awake then, yes, I'd be honored."
As Julius helped Malachai inside, he took him into his bedroom, without Malachai guiding him. This strange fact didn't seem to faze him, probably because he was too drunk to care. When he was safely lying in bed, Julius wandered off somewhere, probably to use the bathroom or get a drink. By the time he was back, Malachai was practically asleep. "You want to just get some sleep, save the fun for tomorrow when you're more conscience?" Julius asked. Malachai thought for a second, then said, "I've been waiting for years, I don't know if I can wait much longer....but if you insist, then I guess I'll have to."
"I think that's for the best, that way it'll be more memorable. Then I guess this is goodnight then, I love you, Malachai." Julius said. Malachai replied, "Goodnight Julius, I love you too." While he settled down to sleep, Malachai again couldn't help but notice something in the corner of his mind that bugged him. He couldn't think of it clearly, but in his mind all he saw was the vague image of a newspaper. It wasn't until he was on the verge of sleep that he saw it, the date said "August 24, 1927" and on the cover was an all too familiar face....