(no subject)

[onceaviking]

There's a vampire on the veranda. He's sitting on the railing, all long legs and pale hands, staring into the darkness beyond the steps.

Listening to the sounds of the night.

Thinking.

Comments

[hot_water]

Tahno sashays in from the lake tonight, condensation resting on his bare chest in a sheen. He nods at the creature of the night, and stops before him, curling his hand around his hip. He shivers in the cool night air, looking the man up and down.

"Please tell me you come here often," he purrs.

[onceaviking]

Eric looks up at him.
His eyes are very blue in his pale face.

"This particular spot, or Milliways in general?"

[hot_water]

"Eh, either," Tahno drawls, shaking water out of his hair with a flick of his head. "If you stay here, I know where to find you."

[onceaviking]

"I might be here for a little while yet," Eric says and stretches.
He's got very long legs in very tight black jeans.

[hot_water]

And Tahno very clearly appreciates the view.

"Not if I can tempt you otherwise," the boy purrs. With a flick of his wrist and fingers, the water pops off his skin and hovers in the air before bursting into a shower of smaller droplets. "So, I'm Tahno, a waterbender. Tell me a little about yerself."

[halfemptyglasses]

Mirai didn't pay attention enough to know Milliways had a veranda. Every time she's stepped out, it was an eager trip to the greenhouse. And even now, she's wandering in after spending some time among the flowers.

But she can't miss the tall blond sitting on the railing now, and offers him a quick bow and a quiet, "Pardon me," on her way past.

But she might seem a bit off to him.

[onceaviking]

Her scent certainly gets his attention.

Blood. But not regular blood.

Interesting.

He replies with a "Good evening. Isn't it a bit late for gardening?"
Hoping she will slow down so he can smell her better.

[halfemptyglasses]

She does stop and turn to face him.

"Ah? I- I wasn't really gardening. I mostly like to look. A-and there are some flowers that only bloom at night."

[onceaviking]

Quite fascinating.
He curbs an urge to sniff the air and says, "Evening primroses?"

[halfemptyglasses]

She nods and goes, "A-and moonflowers when the season's right."

[shadowandsnark]

A man stumbles out of the back door accompanied by scents of wine, brandy, and perhaps a hint of pennyroyal. Rand pulls up short when he spots the somber figure and wonders if he has, perchance, found Hamlet.

Amusement in her voice, he offers a slight bow and says, "Your pardon, I do request. I was unaware the porch was claimed. I shall leave it in your care if you wish?"

[onceaviking]

That gets a slightly raised eyebrow.
But Eric's reply is friendly enough.

"None can claim what's free to use."

[shadowandsnark]

"A fair point. I would not wish to intrude on another's thoughts then. If you would rather be alone, I am certain I can find fresh air in some other local." Rand says, looking close to this strange person who smells unlike any other human he has known. A brief warning of caution occurs to him, but he is safe behind his human glamour yes?

[onceaviking]

Glamour may trick the eyes, but the nose, oh the nose knows.
"Not at all," Eric says with a smile.
"I should very much enjoy some company?"

Such sweet smelling, fascinating company.

[shadowandsnark]

One is not a prince of cats without a well developed sense of self-preservation. Rand notes the increased interest but is confident he can handle any challenges that come his way.

"As you like," he replies and steps forward to see the stars, keeping the man within his peripheral vision. "A pleasant evening, for thoughts or revelries."

[i_am_your_host]

Feeling rather subdued, the Master of Ceremonies had intended to spend the rest of his evening in Milliways alone; but when he heads out the back way with a full glass of gin to lose himself in, he finds a rather large presence taking up his usual spot.

"Herr Northman--"

His breath should not have caught in his throat the way it did, but there it goes.

[onceaviking]

"Emcee."

Eric seems unsurprised to see him.
Verandas are like kitchens to creatures of the night. It's where you gather.
Of course, all places are like kitchens to Eric. Or larders, if they contain people.

He pats the railing.

[i_am_your_host]

He's only surprised to see Eric because the last time they'd spoken, there was a very vague and distant possibility that he wouldn't see him again. So that tiny smile is one of relief (and who would ever think to be relieved to see a vampire).

He sets his glass down on the railing first before hopping up on it, swinging his feet over to face the open fields, but he lacks his usual quick nimbleness. His leather coat flares open behind him. An upright bat. His bare skin smells of sex and sweat.

He looks up at Eric with wide eyes, eager to know everything that's happened. "How are you, darling? And Pam--? Did you--?"

[onceaviking]

He smells nice. Perhaps even with a trace of blood somewhere in the mix.

"Pam's here. She's - resting." In a way.
"And the one who took her has been dealt with." Not as satysfying as having done it himself, but you can't have everything.

He doesn't address how he himself is.
He doesn't know the answer to that.

[i_am_your_host]

He nods, relieved for them both.

"Good. How did you save her?"

He's aware that Eric didn't fully answer him, but he could easily chalk that up to him being a stoic vampire. However, he knows that there's more to this particular vampire than a steel-eyed gaze and a jaw of stone. Not that he would ever deliberately remind him of it.

[intoaman]

Diaval's curled up in the branches of one of the trees overhanging the veranda. He watches Eric move, interested by the smoothness of him.

[onceaviking]

There's no hiding from a vampire.

Eric says, "You can come down," without looking up.

[intoaman]

"Do I have to? I rather like it up here. The trees feel... safer."

[onceaviking]

"Do you think I am dangerous?" Eric asks, looking up at him.
He is very pale.

And he isn't breathing.

[intoaman]

"I think lots of people here are dangerous. Too many humans for my taste."