What Is This Place?

[BlackMagic528]

Okay, question for the panel . . . .

In my writing, I have a business establishment that, up to now, I've been calling a "free room," for serious want of a better term. http://www.fantasy-writers.org/imgs/smileys/smiley.gif No, really, I do not like that term. http://www.fantasy-writers.org/imgs/smileys/smiley.gif It sucks. http://www.fantasy-writers.org/imgs/smileys/smiley.gif So, that's what this thread is about - finding a better name for this type of establishment. http://www.fantasy-writers.org/imgs/smileys/smiley.gif

Here's the idea behind it:

First, realize that I'm not talking about one singular location. They're all over the place, spread around in every city, just like most other types of businesses. My point is: I have a name for the specific one I use a lot in my writing. http://www.fantasy-writers.org/imgs/smileys/smiley.gif But that's just the name of that specific one. I'm looking for what you'd collectively call them all as a business without referring to any specific location. Okay? http://www.fantasy-writers.org/imgs/smileys/winky.gif

Alright so, this place is very club-like in atmosphere with the music and all. However, unlike true clubs (which, incidentally, exist in both the human world - as you know - and the underworld), this place has a specific purpose in mind. The idea is for vamps to have a place to hook up with willing humans from which to feed. Obviously, it's a highly controlled environment. More on that in just a moment. Just to preempt any misunderstandings, these places, like nearly all underworld businesses, are not easy to find or stumble into if you aren't previously aware of their existance and location. The humans that go there should (I say "should" because flukes do happen) know the program. This is not any type of trap situation. http://www.fantasy-writers.org/imgs/smileys/smiley.gif (As a matter of fact, if a human wants to be there but has no intention of being fed from, s/he can ask for a red writst bad, which is basically understood as a "no" sign. http://www.fantasy-writers.org/imgs/smileys/winky.gif)

Back to the controlled environment. By underworld law, these places have to ensure to the best of their ability absolute anonymity to all patrons. For example, they're not allowed to have any white lighting in common areas, including restrooms. It has to be colored in order to slightly obscure people's appearances. Typically, there's also less lighting, so it's darker than a normal club. Also, no exchanging of any personal information, including names. If you're caught telling someone your name through any means, that usually results in a lifetime ban from the establishment. It's intended as a safety thing, primarily to protect the humans, but it protects the vamps as well.

Moving on, the actual feeding, once it's been agreed upon, is done in private booths, not out in the open. Obviously, there are rules (actually laws) governing how the vamp can feed and how much they can take. Essentially, the vamp can't cause any serious harm to the human. S/he has to be able to walk away under his or her own power afterward (so, figure at most a pint or pint and a half). Also, the booth has to be stocked with some small medical supplies, just in case, but truthfully they shouldn't be needed if both parties do it right. http://www.fantasy-writers.org/imgs/smileys/smiley.gif Naturally, the place does have to have trained medical staff on premises just in case something really bad happens. And security goes without saying.

But, aside form that, like I said, it's a club-like atmosphere. Most of what you most likely know about that applies. http://www.fantasy-writers.org/imgs/smileys/smiley.gif Except there's no alcohol allowed, for obvious reasons.

So, you got a better term for this type of establishment than that jacked-up term I've been using? http://www.fantasy-writers.org/imgs/smileys/grinny.gif If you need or want any more detail, I can provide it. http://www.fantasy-writers.org/imgs/smileys/smiley.gif

As usual and always, thank you in advance. http://www.fantasy-writers.org/imgs/smileys/smiley.gif

Kyle

[Cyia]

You're talking about a blood bar. They're common fixtures in vamp-lit. (right down to the private booths ;) )

[BlackMagic528]

Well, I of course have blood bars :), but they're pretty much actual bars, know what I mean? ;) This is something different. ;)

[Cyia]

You may not be calling that one a blood bar, but what you describe is a blood bar. (which do not always look like actual bars, either)

Blood bar basics:


exclusive
anonymous
willing humans
rules and laws that govern its business
Only informed humans and vampires allowed inside

[mommyjo2]

If you don't like blood bar, try coming up with a name that the characters in your story would actually say, like "drip club" instead of "strip club". You know how people shorten things and slang it up (McD's for McDonald's, Chinese Embassy instead of WalMart) But choose a name for them that fits the speech in your universe.

[Rhys Cordelle]

Yeah I'm not seeing anything unique about the concept but that doesn't mean you can't give it a unique name. Maybe the name would vary based on perspective, eg willing humans might call it a bite club, vamp hunters and vamps who don't approve of the practice might use a derrogatory term, etc

[zornhau]

Given the secret evironment, it's a "feed-easy".

[Tasmin21]

Given the secret evironment, it's a "feed-easy".

I love this. SO. Much.

[bearilou]

I love this. SO. Much.

LOL agreed!