--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--This thread back-dates to Sunday 9th August 2015
Lorelai: Lorelai runs her hand down Levi’s arm, leans in to kiss his cheek and then tells him that she’ll meet him at the apartment. Having momentarily said goodbye, she tomes home and heads straight for her bedroom to change into something that doesn’t have the lingering scent of sewage on it. Ideally she’d make time to shower too but she had something she wanted to discuss with Levi and she didn’t want to put it off any longer in case she lost her nerve. As it was she wasn’t sure if she’d be able to vocalise the words and was already wondering if she’d be projecting the question into his mind.
Levi: Once they broke contact and Lorelai vanished before his eyes, Levi felt a weight lift free of his shoulders. He felt for sure she had smelt blood on him – Human blood – because his exterior reeked of it from the small droplets that stained the cuffs of his sleeves. The alluring scent clung to him like cigar smoke, permeating the layers of his clothing as effortlessly as it pervaded his defences. Levi had managed to escape a chiding, a bothersome interrogation, by some form of grace. In order to maintain his luck, Levi decided to return to his apartment in Corvidae and change his attire as well. However, if you weren’t paying attention, you wouldn’t have noticed as he changed from one coal suit to another.
Lorelai: Unable to hear Levi in the front room, Lorelai decided that she probably did have time enough to have a quick shower. Having chosen her dress, she pulled her long blonde hair up and secured it on her head so that it wouldn’t get wet and took a very quick shower. When she was done, she spritzed herself with an all-natural floral scent, allowing a little of it to settle on her long, newly brushed, tresses. Slipping into the long, flowing dress, Lorelai took a moment to appreciate the movement of the material and walked out into the front room to wait for Levi.
Levi: He could have just left some clothing at her place, but this perfectly rational and practical suggestion was snuffed out with vehemence. They were already acting so much like a couple. He stayed over at her apartment so much that he basically shared it. Levi had even taken her out on a date for Heaven’s sake. What kind of message would he be sending her if he decided to move some of his **** into her apartment? It was one step too far for the guarded Italian. **** practicality, his ego was at stake. Once changed and no longer smelling of death, the Shadow tomed to Lorelai’s apartment, appearing just in time to see her walking in from her bedroom. Instinct painted a smile on his face before insecurity could catch it.
Lorelai: Lorelai immediately moved to embrace him before letting her hands travel over the lapels of his suit jacket, a smile on her lips as always. Lorelai couldn’t help but come alive with happiness the moment she saw Levi.
“You are ever so handsome.” Lorelai lightly kissed his lips before pulling back to look into his umber eyes. “Would you like to go out for a little while?”
Lorelai had no plans as to where to go or what to do. She wasn’t entirely sure if going out was even a good idea, considering the conversation she wished to have with him might be better off being had in private. Then again, if he responded badly, they would be able to escape one another without it becoming more awkward if they weren’t alone in her home.
Levi: In the same way that the Italian wore his uniform of fine, tailored suits, Lorelai was dressed in a uniform of her own. The coral and pastel blue shapes of her sun dress shimmered as she walked, distracting his eyes. Umber orbs travelled from her feet to her eyes, lingering on her chest as she came bounding toward him. He couldn’t help it. When she was in range, scarred hands automatically grabbed her hips and he was surprised by how wholly natural and instinctual this all felt. Embracing Lorelai, meeting her lips with hungry kisses, and even carrying her off to the bedroom was becoming something of a habit. Levi was caught off guard then when she made a mention of going out.
“Uh… sure. Got anywhere in mind?”
Lorelai: Lorelai shook her head at his question, her blonde hair shivering about her as she did so. Her turquoise eyes focused on him showing the usual range of emotions of a woman in love. She’d been in love with the man before her for some time but it was only since his return from Boston that she was really beginning to believe that he might actually feel the same about her. She knew he cared about her but he’d never been nearly as attentive before as he had been of late. And yet still, she was scared to ask for clarification as to what they meant to one another. If she was wrong, she could lose him and she didn’t even want to think about what she’d do then. A flash of fear and uncertainty showed in her eyes as she pulled away and laced her fingers through his.
“Is there anywhere you wish to go?"
Levi: The first emotion to bubble to the surface was frustration – it usually was. It seemed ridiculous to him that she made the suggestion to go out without having a place in mind. True enough, they didn’t go out enough to know where one another even liked to go, but he at least hoped she’d had some kind of plan in mind before broaching the subject. Despite the bubbling rage which rose like a burn against the underside of his sternum, Levi very calmly gave her hand a squeeze.
“Well, seeing as how you’re dressed up so beautifully,” Levi said with a warm smile, knowing she’d try and batt the compliment away if he gave her the chance. “I figure I should take you somewhere to show you off.”
He was trying to keep his tone light, charming even, but he’d said too much. It was too late to take that back or paint the words up to be less possessive than they came across. He just hoped she found it endearing rather than creepy – or God help him – took it so seriously that it sounded like a veritable confession of love.
Lorelai: Loreali blushed under the weight of his gaze and the veritable affection of his words. It was so unlike Levi that she should have perhaps been questioning what happened to him in that week he’d been away but Lorelai really wasn’t the suspicious sort by nature. Instead she simply enjoyed this more affectionate male.
“Should we go to a café or a bar? If you’re hungry we could go to a restaurant.”
She knew he likely wouldn’t be hungry but she felt the need to ask. She didn’t mind where they went and yet eating almost felt hollow these days. Without the ability to taste what she put in her mouth, it seemed almost wasteful to eat unless she had to for the sake of appearances.
Levi: The mention of a bar piqued the Italian’s interest, but his usual hang-outs weren’t someplace he would go with company. Ordinarily, company happened upon him – he didn’t bring them with him – so thoughts turned to somewhere more fitting for... whatever this was. Not that he was trying to impress her by any stretch of the imagination, but, if he was going out for the sake of going out and indulging whatever had possessed Lorelai tonight, then he should at least be able to go somewhere cultured, somewhere private. Levi recalled a certain hotel that he’d helped establish with funds, muscle and business advice not too long ago. The Algonquin, named after the river that coursed through the heart of the city, was named appropriately for its location. It had cost a pretty penny to score the property rights right next to the Golden Lion Casino, but it had been worth it. The hotel was doing exceptionally well in catering for all the businessmen and money-shakers that were passing through.
“I’ve got an idea,” Levi said, sharing a wolfish grin. “I’ll call a ride.”
Lorelai: Lorelai stepped away from Levi with a slight nod of her head. “I’m happy to let you decide.”
She gave him the space he needed to make the call, waiting patiently nearby. They didn’t leave the flat all that often and probably not because Levi was embarrassed by her, as most people might assume. The couple simply didn’t feel the need to go out when they spent time together. Lorelai assumed when Levi came to call on her that he needed some time to rest and going out wasn’t always what was best for someone who simply required a little peace and quiet. Lorelai never pushed the issue for this reason, but then she didn’t want to leave her apartment at times because doing so brought with it the possibility of being set upon by the spectral community. Levi’s presence helped her to ignore those around her for the most part but she couldn’t trust that it would always be that way. Even without these reasons however, Lorelai would have been content to stay in as she was a woman who enjoyed the simple pleasures in life.
“Would you like a drink while we wait on the car?” she asked in her usual attentive manner.
Levi: Levi hadn’t wasted much time giving Caro a call to pick them up. The car was never parked too far away either, because the bodyguard had nothing better to do than follow his capo around, and the Italian kept his security updated even if he didn’t want them hovering over him like nervous hens. Tucking his phone away, Levi shook his head to Lorelai’s offer – better to keep the reserves well stocked after all. It only took a few minutes before the call came through to let them know that their ride had arrived and Levi escorted Lorelai down to the street; he even held the door open for her.
After a short drive that consisted of idle chit-chat, the couple arrived at their destination. Levi led Lorelai through the front doors and to the reception desk as if he owned the place. Well, he practically did. With a short conversation with the lady on reception – very short seeing as how he’d given his name and instructed the woman to give them passes to the rooftop bar – the couple proceeded to the elevator.
The indoor space had a dark, romantic feel, which carried out onto the rooftop bar featuring plush patio furniture and the most remarkable view of the Harper Rock skyline. Levi never did think much of the city – it was no New York or Paris – but from this height, one could almost pretend they were somewhere else, somewhere a bit less dead and more refined. The heated stone floors, the retractable glass roof and the stone walls provided ideal shelter from the wind. Soft jazz music filled the space with sound and the scent of fresh fruit lingered in the air around them before being carried off the balcony. After giving their surroundings a short hum of approval, Levi watched Lorelai’s expression, curious about her reaction.
Lorelai: Being with Levi always made Lorelai’s heart sing and she was ever so content as they drove through the city, despite her nerves. She had pushed the question from her mid for the time being but as always at lingered in her subconscious. As they walked into the hotel, the blonde tried not to fidget and reminded herself to walk tall. Out in public, she felt the need to try and appear to be worthy of the man at her side. Levi always looked so handsome and she was sure that people wondered what he was doing with a “nobody” like her. Trying to appear confident on his arm, was the best she could do to try and prove that she belonged with him.
As she stepped out onto the rooftop, her eyes sparkled with excitement. Not only were her immediate surroundings beautiful and inviting but the view of the city was spectacular. She lived in an apartment block and so she was used to looking out at the world from a certain height these days and yet still, nothing compared to what was before her now; the natural beauty of the winding river that ran through the city was practically breath taking.
A slender hand covered her heart as she took in every detail of what was around them. “Oh Levi,” she exclaimed breathlessly. “Look at the view.”
Levi: The Italian had the blonde’s arm snaked through his own because it felt natural, comfortable. Levi didn’t think anybody was looking at them for any other reason than because they’d rocked up at member’s only bar and weren’t known by the current audience. Levi might have been aware of the eyes on them, but the attention just made his ego swell as they sauntered through. If Lorelai was feeling insecure at all, that worry had fled her like a flock of birds when she set her sights on the view. When she smiled, Levi smiled.
“Yeah, not too bad,” he said, dulcet tones rolling off him like heady cologne. “Wanna stand at the balcony then? Probably even better from there.”
Lorelai: Lorelai nodded and moved with him towards the balcony. She looked out over the city, her hand moving from her heart to her throat. The world around them was so beautiful, even if, in her eyes, the majority of it was constructed by man. She much preferred a natural vista to a city scape but then the country did not swell with life like the city did. She hoped, that when she did take him home with her, that Levi might appreciate the world in which she was raised, if only on an aesthetic level.
“You choose the most amazing places for our dates.”
A soft flush came into her cheeks as she realised that she may have said something wrong. Looking up at him through her lashes her head slightly lowered, she wondered how he was going to react to the statement that had so innocently passed her lips.
Levi: From where they stood in the centre of the rooftop bar, elbows pressed against the stone at sternum height, they were at the perfect spot to get the best out of everything. A Milky Way of city lights spread about before them, the Jazz in the background softened the incessant chatter of the other guests, and the scent of alcohol, humanity and fresh fruit danced around them. Levi wasn’t so much caught up in the sensations around him than he was caught up watching Lorelai’s reaction to it all. He was glad she was enjoying herself, that was kind of the point really, but all that pleasantness turned quickly to discomfort when she opened her mouth.
“Uh… yeah,” he murmured, trying to dismiss the comment. “Glad you’re enjoying yourself.”
Lorelai: His reaction wasn’t as bad as what she might have expected, so she smiled up at him before wrapping her arms around him and laying her head against his chest. She faced the vista still but her eyes closed as she enjoyed being close to him.
“This location is perfect.”
It was entirely possible that Lorelai wasn’t speaking about the location in which they stood but rather the way in which they stood. Being in his arms was definitely her favourite place in the world to be. It didn’t matter to her that they were fully clothed and surrounded by people.
Levi: There really wasn’t much to say in that instance. Lorelai had started hugging him like he was her favourite stuffed animal, murmuring perfectly immaterial comments that a child might make as they’re drifting to sleep. Levi held her close, his hand coming up to comb through her hair, though doing little more than patting her crown since she’d tied it up. The Italian was a little disappointed – not that he was giving it much thought – but, he did like the slide of her silken hair against his rough, almost unfeeling hands and he did like the way she looked when those golden tendrils tumbled around her collar bones, her shoulders, down peach-soft arms to sway at her hips. Lorelai was beautiful. She was also undeniably odd. She surprised him a lot and this kept him interested – a puzzle to be unwound and solved and put back together again; better, because he had done it.
It was only when he started to think about what he knew, and what he didn’t know, about Lorelai that it finally occurred to him that they had yet to go visit her parents. Levi had been waiting on her to tell him when she was up for it, because it was much easier for him to tell her he couldn’t make a certain date and then just say **** it to minor plans, pick her up and leave. Since she hadn’t said anything, Levi kind of forgot about it and disappeared back into his work. Now that his mind was clear again though – emptied out by the fresh air up here – Levi decided to bring the subject up, maybe show he wasn’t completely uncaring…
“So did you decide when you wanted to take that trip back home?” Levi asked, keeping his tone respectfully low. “If you still want me to come with ya, I’d be up for it.”
Lorelai: Lorelai had thought about going home a lot lately. More so even since Levi said he’d join her. She wanted him to meet her family and she knew they’d welcome him but she’d put off setting a date as she had no idea how to introduce him to those she loved. Introducing him as merely a friend seemed to be a lie but to introduce him as anything more, she and Levi had to first have that awkward conversation, the one she was planning to have tonight.
“Should we sit down somewhere?” she asked casting her eyes around the balcony, while she was happier in his arms, they did need to sit down and have an honest conversation. “I would love you to come with me when I go home Levi. I was waiting until you were able to take the time off. So I will leave the dates up to you. My family are happy to receive us anytime.”
Levi: Levi had never liked hearing those words and it didn’t matter who it came from. In his world, being told to sit down never meant anything pleasant. You were never sitting down to open a present or find out that you had just won the lottery. No. Sitting down prepared you for the worst. It was what the doctor said when he had bad news. It was what the cops said when they were taking someone away. It was what your woman said when she was leaving you, or worse, revealing that she’s pregnant. And it was what your boss said when you had done something to piss someone off and had to be punished for it…
The Italian couldn’t stop the very tight frown that knotted in his brow or lift the suspicion and dread from his eyes even as he agreed to sit with her. They stepped none too far from where they were standing, nestling into the quiet, intimate booth which still presented a beautiful view of the city. The booth they were in must have been a metre or so in length, curving at a right angle, but Levi kept Lorelai close to him. He lifted an arm to allow her the space to snuggle into him, but was quite content to sit back with that arm resting along the edge of the cushions.
“You’ll probably turn to dust waiting on me to get back to you on dates,” he said with a soft smirk. “Better you just pick a date and I’ll move stuff around.”
Lorelai: “Okay,” she snuggled up against him and sighed softly as she took in the view again. “Perhaps if we set a date for a month or so from now, that would allow you to not have to re-arrange quite so much?”
The question sounded almost hopeful. She knew Levi was a busy man and she knew his work was a big part of who he was, so she hated to inconvenience him. Her hand found his knee and she began to lightly run her fingers back and forth, though her hand didn’t stray far from where it settled.
“It truly is beautiful here Levi. You’re beautiful,” she said turning to look at him. Her eyes sparkled briefly before her face flushed with the realisation of what she’d said. “Handsome. I mean you look very handsome.”
Her free hand moved to cup his jaw, her fingertips feather light against his skin. She did think him handsome but it wasn’t really his looks that had her enthralled, it was him; his confidence, his intelligence, even his gruffness. Levi wasn’t perfect, she knew that, but she did think him perfect for her.
Levi: “Sounds good,” the Italian murmured tentatively.
The fact of the matter was that Levi’s work life was very turbulent lately so he couldn’t whole-heartedly promise to be there for her when she needed him. **** had hit the proverbial fan not too long ago and the spatter had flung as far as Canada and even Sicily. Gino and Levi were brought over from their worlds unwillingly, and had even had to suffer meetings in daylight hours. It was a ******* good job Levi could withstand the sunlight just so long as he stayed out of its direct touch. Levi didn’t know how the science of it worked, but he had learned that the less the sun’s radiation touched him, the less he smouldered. That pretty much had him confined to one house the whole time – Carlos Nicoletti’s house – but it was better than bursting into flames…
Levi was drawn out of his lamenting by Lorelai being… well… Lorelai. He had to laugh at her fumble of words. The sound that came out of him was unexpected; this sincere, hearty chuckle that travelled deep from his chest and fluttered across her skin like butterflies. Even he was surprised that she’d managed to actually make him smile rather than grow impatient with her. Was Lorelai somehow getting to him? Chiselling away at his guard? How was he going to respond to that? As he considered all these astounding prospects, Levi’s fingers found themselves delving into golden locks and softly massaging the scalp beneath.
Lorelai: The more tender side of Levi was something Lorelai was still getting used to herself and so to have him be so openly affection to her in public left her as confused as it did excited. It caused the small amount of hope she had within her to grow a little. This in turn caused her mind to race but before she could blurt out the question that played on her tongue, she became lost in his touch. She leaned into his hand, her eyes fluttering closed at the same time.
“Mmm… Should I take my hair down?”
Her turquoise eyes once more took in their surroundings but even the amazing view couldn’t hold her attention for long, and she soon found herself looking to the man at her side. Anticipation made her fidget slightly in her seat. She really wasn’t sure how best to broach the topic of what they were to one another and just thinking of beginning that conversation caused the butterflies in her stomach to do summersault.
Levi: Predators that are known for so much savagery and death, like lions and wolves, are rarely understood to be affectionate. They are the beasts who hunt and kill – sometimes for necessity and sometimes for sport – but seldom are they remembered as the creatures that feel and love in very much the same way that other animals do. Just because they are not cute and fluffy on the outside does not mean that they cannot form bonds, form attachments, feel love and loss in the same intensity. The lion and wolf form packs to remain strong both physically and emotionally, but even the solitary wandering tiger must put aside their ferocity sometimes…
Scarred, almost numb fingers buried themselves into the glossy blonde silk of Lorelai’s hair and as she leant into his palm, moaning softly, he smiled and rewarded her with a kiss to the forehead. Her question was greeted with the same fondness, but rather than have her move from their comfortable position, Levi removed the clips that had held her hair in place.
“That’s better,” he purred.
Lorelai: Lorelai is practically beaming when he lets her hair down for her. It’s such a simple act but it’s one that shows they share something intimate. Since he seems to enjoy running his hands through her hair, she doesn’t even attempt to fix it herself. In fact Lorelai didn’t much care how her hair looked at this point, as Levi seemed more content at her side than she ever remembered him being before. She almost wanted to put off asking what of her heart of hearts wanted to know because she didn’t want to spoil a moment that, to her, was so perfect.
Swallowing down her fear, she softly said his name and then tried to ask the question in such a way as not too spook him. Not that she really believed she could spook him. She was just wary of asking if they were dating or not, believing that the answer she got might be different if she allowed him to define their relationship in their own words.
“What are we to one another?”
Levi: The Italian busied himself with combing his fingers through her hair, enjoying the silence that was as golden as her hair. Then the question came. Levi’s hand became deathly still. Umber eyes narrowed. The Shadow’s luke-warm body became as cold and unmoving as winter for a moment, but then he moved slowly – like a glacier – to meet those blue, curious eyes.
“Why are you always asking?”
It wasn’t much of a strategy or even a decent question, but Levi needed the delay to think up an answer. Did he have an answer? Had he had an answer the first time she’d asked that ******* question? He couldn’t remember. Levi remembered being pissed off and Lorelai had made it worse by comparing him to Prudence and CC, but he never remembered the answer he’d given her. Maybe he had just never given her one...
Levi sighed, shifting his gaze away from her and to look vacantly at the city beneath. He was cruel to her in a great many ways, even if he could be a hell of a lot worse. It wasn’t what he wanted – to hurt her – but he had to protect himself, right? Levi was a creature of self-preservation. It was his needs that came first no matter what. But did he really want to continue on with this pain he was putting her through?
“I dunno,” Levi said after much deliberation. His tone was lower than normal, yet weightless and lost. “What do you think we are?”
