Silver Linings

[Phoenix]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

Late October, 2014

<Blake> Pacing back and forth in front of the giant window of Veil, Blake ran a hand through his hair. Pulling out his phone he sighed and sent out a quick message to the woman that he was currently thinking of. Nix, woman, what are you doing right now?

<Phoenix> When her phone vibrated, Phoenix scooped it off the desk. The name on the display made her smile and the content of the message widened it to a grin. While she was working, she always had time for Blake. "Hacking, but I was just about to finish up. Have something in mind?"

<Blake> Hmmm, pity, here I was thinking I would catch you in some kind of compromising situation. Care to summon me? He chuckled as he sent the message the crossed the room to grab his jacket. He had plans after all and soon she would be a part of them whether she liked it or not.

<Phoenix> With a laugh on her lips, she closed down her computer and swivelled her chair, calling on her energy. One second the space before her was empty, the next it was filled with the man she adored. Those honey brown eyes immediately fell on the jacket. "What's the occasion?"

<Blake> He smiled at the pull of her power and followed it willingly, appearing in front of her with a grin on his face. "Well, after the little date we had at the castle I figured it was my turn to figure out the next one so....I had a thought."

<Phoenix> A thought? Her brow furrowed in distaste as she glanced down to her patterned harem pants and simple white t-shirt. If Blake had a thought, this simply wouldn't do. Pushing herself to her feet, she pressed a light kiss to his lips. "Share while I get changed?"

<Blake> "I wasn't thinking of leaving right this second..." He grinned and pulled her close after she kissed him. His hands resting on her hips as he kissed her back. "Just a little trip over to The Necro, maybe have a few drinks, have a good time in a dark secluded corner...you know, the usual."

<Phoenix> "Oh... Well we can stay for as long as you like before you decide to whisk me away." She winked as she pulled away from his lips. "There are quite a few secluded spaces in the Dungeon beneath the Necro for... the usual." Her arms linked around his waist, giving a light squeeze.

<Blake> "The usual?" He raised an eyebrow and gave her a light squeeze. His eyes staring in to her own. "You make it sound so....boring." He playfully grumbled and then smiled at her. "If you'd prefer we could head out sooner rather than later and then come back home for a nice quiet wrap up to the evening?"

<Phoenix> She gave a firm shake of her head, "You said 'the usual', not me! Never has the words 'boring' come out of my mouth in reference to our time together. I doubt it will anytime soon... Maybe in a few decades, when we're both old and rusted." She gave him a light tug towards the bedroom, a smile on her lips. "I'd like to stay here for a while - it just sounded like you wanted to go now. Help me pick something to wear?"

<Blake> "Of course I will" He turned and gave her a slap on the *** as he motioned for her to go ahead of him. "I'll just have to keep things surprising then, I can't go giving away all my little tricks and what not too soon it seems. I have to keep my woman surprised and on her feet after all."

<Phoenix> She complied with that slap and led the way, accentuating each step with a sultry runway strut. With a playful glance shot over her shoulder, the redhead turned the corner and disappeared into the bedroom. "Even if I knew every last thing about you, you'd still never cease to amaze me. It's your brain I adore. That smokin' hot bod' is just a bonus."

<Blake> Following after her, he felt like he was turning into one of those drooling, googly eyed wolf cartoon characters as he watched her tease him simply with the way she walked. Turning the corner with her he chuckled and shrugged sheepishly as his jacket was shrugged off and tossed over his arm. "Well, what can I say? I guess I was just lucky with the timing of my turning it seems. Better Zach got me when he did as opposed when to I was so fat sloppy hermit or something."

<Phoenix> "Even as a fat, sloppy hermit, you'd still have the pretty melty blue eyes." Winking, she pulled open the walk-in closet door and leaned in the doorway. The closet was a mess of clothing items, trademark of someone who’d bought far too much without consideration."What's the dress code, charmer?"

<Blake> "For now? Whatever you want. For our date? Something elegant yet not too elegant. Sexy but not too sexy." He paused for a moment and tapped a single finger against his chin. "Does that even make sense?"

<Phoenix> "I definitely meant for the date; these pants are cute and not nearly as bad as the purple fuzzy robe, but definitely not a propos for a night on the town." She couldn't help but laugh at the recollection of his expression upon seeing the thing. "I think the word you're looking for is... sultry? Sexy, but refined. Any color preference?"

<Blake> He poked his head in to the closet and looked around. "You got a fuckin Macy's in here or something? I...really don't do the fashion thing and I'm pretty sure you know what you look good in love. I have faith in your ability to pick out something that would be absolutely perfect."

<Phoenix> "Maybe," she grumbled defensively before giving a derisive snort. "Actually, no. Everything I own is offended since it's all better quality than what crap Macy's sells. But... alright." She plunged into the depths of the closet and rummaged through the dresses she’d bought and worn once or twice. From that dark corner came a cry of "What color is your shirt?" Matching was important.

<Blake> "What color do you think? The same color it always is!" He laughed softly and plucked a piece of lint off of his shirt as he stood by the entrance to her overly large and almost cavernous closet. That was a dangerous place for any man to enter after all.

<Phoenix> She thought back on all the times she'd seen him with a shirt; color was hardly what she paid most attention to. "Black?" she guessed, plucking an olive green short-sleeved cocktail dress from its hanger before tossing it out for his inspection. "What about this?"

<Blake> "That looks pretty damn nice if you ask me. I'd have to see it on you though first to have a real idea." He grinned, getting her to play model for him was a thought he greatly enjoyed. Especially those moments when she wouldn't be wearing anything at all.

<Phoenix> She waggled her brows as she slithered out of the closet and over to him. "I'll take that as a yes..." Kicking off the pants, the shirt quickly followed, leaving her standing before him bare, save for a simple pair of pale beige panties that nearly blended with her skin. The dress was slipped on as slowly as she could manage. Once in place, she turned, sweeping all that red hair over one shoulder. "Do the zipper for me, babe?"

<Blake> He watched as he sat on the bed a giant smile on his face as he watched her change. Yes, he was childish at times but something about her just brought that out of him. It was actually FUN to be around her which was something he was truly not used to. Nodding and rising to his feet he walked up behind her slowly and placed a hand on her hip. "You look stunning..." Kissing her neck lightly he got to the task at hand and soon had her zipped as requested.

<Phoenix> She'd managed to keep a straight face while he leered at her, but the second she felt his lips on her skin, her resolve shattered. Once the zipper was done, she turned to give him a proper view of the final product, a radiant smile plastered over her lips. "If the back looks stunning before it's even done up... What do I look like now?" Of course it was a blatant fish for a compliment.

<Blake> "Like everything I've ever dreamed of having....and it's all mine." Grinning wickedly he gripped her *** firmly and pulled her in for a light and tender kiss, a kiss that lingered and made him shiver ever so slightly. God were those lips heaven. His words were soft as he broke the kiss after a lingering moment. "All mine."

<Phoenix> Her arms snaked around his neck and she pushed herself up onto the very tips of her toes to return that kiss. The taste and feel of his lips against hers was delightful. As she let herself melt against his chest, she couldn't help but let out a soft, contented sigh; to Nix, his embrace felt like coming home after a long, hard journey. "All yours," she confirmed without pulling away. "All mine?"

<Blake> "Of course. As long as you want it that way anyways." He smiled and held her tightly in his arms. His head resting on her own as he let out his own soft and content sigh. This. This was perfect.

<Phoenix> Careful not to bump him, she gave a slow nod. Even though she knew deep down what he said to be true, hearing it aloud was soothing. "Then you're stuck with me for a long time. I don't give up on the people I care about," she whispered, nudging him towards the bed.

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Later

<Phoenix> "Alright, Man, I think you actually mentioned a date tonight," she laughed arching a brow and tipping her head towards the fadeportal that would transport them outside. Her heels clicked against the stone floor as she led him over and vanished.

[Blake]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

<Blake> "I do believe I mentioned something of the sort." He grinned as she led him to the fadeportal, a hand extended as he allowed her to enter first. Straightening his knee length jacket he cleared his throat and smiled as he stepped through the portal. Blinking a few times and allowing his eyes to adjust to the lights of the city night. "Harper Rock, such a city." He sighed, an arm wrapping around Nix comfortingly. "I know it may not be much of a surprise but I was thinking...maybe we could see what is going on at the Necro?"

<Phoenix> She smiled as he followed her through and the pair appeared in the alley behind Cherrydale station. One of her stiletto heels caught in a crack as she made her way to the station proper. Though she stumbled, she caught herself easily with Blake to steady her. "Ugh... Such a city in need of construction. Someone needs to fix these roads," she grumbled, though part of the problem was the time away from any significant type of heels. "The Necro or the Dungeon? I think either would be nice, but the dungeon's more... exclusive to our kind." The flicked of a smile twisted her lips. "I mean vampires, not obscenely rich, by the way. Are we transiting or are we taking my car?" She kept it parked in the Cherrydale station lot for easy access.

<Blake> "Dungeon? Never been there either. Why don't we take a little bit of each in and see what appeals more to us?" A soft snicker as he looked at her heel and shook his head. This city needed something alright and construction and repair was only a small bit of what was needed. "Why don't we take your car? Less people that way and I really don't think I'm in a people type of mood tonight."

<Phoenix> A grin on her lips, she fished the keys out of her bag. It wasn't that she necessarily conformed to the whole man-behind-the-wheel gender stereotyping, but more that she wasn't entirely comfortable with her new vehicle yet. "You can drive," she offered along with the keys, weaving her way through the parking lot until she stopped beside the brand new vehicle: a white Mustang GT Premium Fastback. "I haven't quite gotten used to the stick shift," she admitted.

<Blake> He looked at the keys and then followed her through the parking lot with a look of awe on his face as he looked at the vehicle. It was a beautiful machine even if white wasn't his preferred color. He grinned and placed the keys back in her hand gently. "You're not going to learn any faster unless you try love. Besides, it's not that far. I have faith in you, my love."

<Phoenix> "No," she insisted, shoving the keys back at him a few times. When she realized he likely wouldn't accept her protests, the redhead decided to take away the option of refusal by slipping them into his pocket. Once the keys were out of her hands, she bolted for the passenger's seat. "I'm getting an old piece of **** to learn on - something that I don't mind ruining. Something without a massive engine to… Well..." She shuddered at the memory, "I drove it here and parked it a few days ago and, lovely as it is, it hasn't moved since. You can help me practice in the shitty car."

<Blake> He fought her for the keys half heartedly and simply shook his head with a smile when she bolted. "Very well, very well. But don't say I didn't give you a chance." He got into the vehicle and started it listening to the roar of the engine. A wicked grin on his face as he looked over to her in the passenger's seat. "You have no idea the thoughts this car of yours gives me. We'll talk on that later though."

<Phoenix> She slid into the black leather seat and let him do the driving without complaint. "I'm just being logical. There's no sense in me burning out the engine on a perfectly new car. Especially one that cost this much..." Not that money was an issue, she just wasn't fond of waste.

As they pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street, Nix's head tilted, observing every move he made. Who said she couldn't learn by observing? "I have a few ideas. You'll just have to show me later. Hands on, and everything."

<Blake> He moved like a man that knew the car like the back of his hand and if truth be told, he did. He had driven the exact same make and model a few times during his mortal years while working for those shadowy conglomerates that needed his particular set of skills in order to keep their hands clean even if it meant his hands were filthy. Such had been life and it hadn’t been unenjoyable. A small grin was forming on his lips as the engine roared as he took the streets that would lead them across the river and closer to The Necropolis. It wouldn’t be a long drive and with his attention focused on the road he really found himself with nothing to say even though her words stabbed at his mind with promises of things still to come.

Finally he broke the silence as the club came in to view a few minutes later. The cathedral turned nightclub looming against the night sky like some kind of stoic monstrosity. The stone showing it’s age as well as the upper reaches of the building looking a bit worse for wear. Pulling in to the parking lot far enough from the other vehicles in hopes of keeping the Mustang from the hands and car doors of others. God help them if Blake caught them touching or damaging the car in any way.

“The Necropolis? Looks a little...crowded tonight. You still sure about this babe?”

Looking over at her with a smile he killed the engine and handed the keys back to her almost reluctantly. If she didn’t know how to drive it maybe he could...be her chauffeur? Drive the monster for her and all of that. Besides, it was Blake and Nix and death always arrived upon a pale steed did it not?


<Phoenix> Silence had never been something with which the redhead was comfortable, but she found she didn’t mind it quite as much when the silence was shared with Blake. Watching the flicked of streetlights as the car passed each by, Nix let her mind wander. This would be her first night on the town in a while; the thought had her attempting to recall the last time she’d been out, but a glance to the driver’s seat stopped those runaway thoughts in their tracks. Her hand snuck over, idly covering his on the gear shift as those honey brown eyes fell shut. Why bother dwelling on the past when she had the present to enjoy?

When the car stopped and the engine switched off, the woman accepted the return of her key. Of course she noted his reluctance, but she didn’t comment. Yet.

“Yes. There’s a… special VIP section in the basement; we’re going to the dungeon, remember? C’mon, handsome.”

With a wink over her shoulder, Nix slipped the key into her bag and stepped out. Hips swinging, she sauntered to the club, fully expecting him to enjoy the teasing show before catching up.

<Blake> He was all too happy to let her lead him to the club. The slight sway of her hips had his eyes glinting with wickedness as thoughts of the night to come drifted through his mind. Oh if only he could project those images into Nix’s mind he was sure she’d be squirming already. A wicked and soft laugh escaped him as he came up behind her and quickly wrapped an arm around her. A cursory glance given to those whose eyes followed the beautiful ginger beside him. She was his and he was quite a possessive creature when it came to her.

A slight nod given to the bouncer as they made their way to the front of the line and the two of them were admitted without hesitation. Waiting was for the cattle. Silly humans were finally in their place here. Looking around the club as the music assaulted his ears he had to shake his head.

“People find this place enjoyable? How?”

Looking over at Nix he nodded towards a door at the back of the club that had the words “Dungeon” over it with yet another bouncer standing in front of it.

“I think that big gorilla over there is our key, my dear.”

<Phoenix> Phoenix took her partner’s lead and, picking her way through the crowd, lead him over to the bouncer guarding the door to the dungeon. She didn’t feel like screaming over the music to be heard, so instead, she whispered into his mind.

’He looks like Bowser, guarding the princess in his castle.’ Honey brown eyes met Blake’s blues as they reached the bouncer.

“Hi,” she said with a grin that revealed her sharply pointed fangs. It was all she needed to allow them entrance to the Dungeon. Did that make the club racist? She supposed it did, in a whole new way. As soon as the pair were through the door, she guided Blake down the stairs with a wicked smile.

“My crew designed this place… whatcha think?”

<Blake> He wanted so badly to make a comment about the princess being in another castle but he had a feeling such a comment would be a devastating blow to Nix’s ego if he had been vocal about that particular comment. Not very surprised at how quickly they were granted access he knew the decision to come to a club favourable to vampires was a good one. Now if only everyone could give them this kind of service life would be grand. It was, after all, how people like he and Nix would love to be treated constantly. Unfortunately, the both of them were also realists. It was never bad to have fantasies right which, judging from what he had heard, was what The Dungeon was all about in some ways.

With the noise a bit less at this point he finally spoke softly.

“I think your people did a very good job. Not much I would really change apart from maybe making ourselves a permanent place down here. I could stay here for a few days at a time, I think, and be completely happy.”

<Phoenix> She grinned at the praise, taking the spiral staircase down and leading him over to one of the booths. Of course she felt confident here; it was a place designed with their kind in mind. Though the place was still busy, there were a few empty tables, and so she slid across the curved red seats.

“You know, I could have our place designed similarly if you like the style here… If we ever get a place together… Maybe your hut once I’m a full member?” she offered, fluttering her lashes at her man before turning to eye the women passing by.

“The place offers dinner and entertainment all in one... “ she nodded to one of the humans. “Blood dolls, I think Amaranthia called them.”