Birthday Strikes Only Once a Year (Zodiac)

[Cristiana]

The house took forever to decorate. Streams of silver in high off places no human ought to be able to reach, flowing down in spirals and curly q’s. Stars on strings hanging with them, silver and glittery to catch the light. The ceiling shining with a ton of little stars hanging just above the head where you can reach down and pluck them. Each one having a different cute little love note handwritten from Cristiana herself. It would take a year to pluck them down one by one. The cats, plural, all purred around her feet swatting at the balloons littering the floor, walls and coming from the ceiling.

Even the blood was being decorated in an ornate silver cat glass. The glass itself was rimmed with real diamonds. The blood bag was sitting beside the glass untouched yet. As for smacks, Cristiana hunted down the finest blood treats possible. It was never questioned HOW they were made, just as her specialty drinks were of her own infusion, unlike other places in the city that either used a drunk human to drain their blood or mixed alcohol to their blood watering it down. Where as in the Metronome Club it was infused magically by Cristiana alone. That was why the place would fall into ruin without her. Of course at the rate she had things stocked, it would be many, many years before that would happen.

The food and drink was laid out at the table draped with a linen over it. A lovely white and silver speckled piece she knew Zodiac would rather make into a shawl. Boxes of various sizes were about the table, including two extremely large ones. So large they blocked off anything behind them. She had done her best to wrap the wooden crates they came in. It wasn’t until the driver left did she lift the boxes, which were almost too heavy even for her. Inside, there were two marbleized stone cats, like people have at the end of their driveway. But for Zodiac, instead of a lion Crissy bought her two black onyx cats inlaid with gold ribbing around the collar and eyes. The marblization was created with light hues of purple and red. In this they sat like they were watching the house. Even more so they were solid pieces. The base for them were in other boxes outside where they were remaining hidden. Once it was all together the pieces would be unable to be moved again but for show she left them in the box. The medium size box was a new tea set, with skulls and other little oddities. But the bottom of the glasses said “You’ve been poisoned.” It was all very cute. And smallest of the boxes was the easiest of the gifts to find. It was simply a bracelet, pure silver and adorned with nothing but a coin. It was the coin that was more the gift. In mint condition it was an older coin from europe before wars were truly a thing, and people fought for land and titles. But this coin had been stolen and moved around, stolen again… from one hand to another. It was only preserved so well because it was coated in wax for so very long. The reason it was easy to find because it had belonged to Cristiana since the moment she woke up. She never knew what it was or why she had it. But after it was cleaned, since it was so old, she thought that Zodiac would love it. And now, she gave it to her instead of carrying it around in her wallet.

After getting ready, Cristiana and the cats, including Ginny, were sitting around waiting for Zodiac to get home. She had texted Zodiac there was a thing and she needed her right away. Immediately in fact. The immediate danger was all the cats were glaring at her for putting the little party hats on them. They were displeased with this development. Yet, for Zodiac, they refused to take the hats off. She had tried to get them to have whistles in their mouth but they practiced saying Happy Birthday when Zodiac came through the doorway. Of course there was more a Meeeeeooooooowwwwwwwww to Crissy shouting it. But they had practiced this. It was all gloriously planned. Now the key ingredient was needed to make all the work and preparation. Zodiac herself.

"Get ready Ginny" She said nodding to the cat who helped her get all the other cats in line and waiting. Ginny and her understood each other, sometimes even talking to one another in their own ways. But she never could figure out why or how. It just was.

[Zodiac]

You are needed here. Right away

Her mind read the text as she flipped another card in the reading she was doing. As much as her curiosity was piqued by Crissy’s demand, it would have to wait. She had never stopped working to drop things and run in the past-especially when working the cards. This would always come first unless someone she cared about was being murdered or something extreme like that.

asap

She sent the quick reply while studying the new card in the spread and seeing how it affected the overall pattern. This was getting interesting now. Oh, the stories she could tell if she could bring herself to discuss these sessions with others, but she didn’t dare. Some of the things she had learned about others were downright personal and potently disastrous if they became public. Too bad in ways. Her current client’s un life was a comedy of errors she was barely keeping a straight face through.

She could never say her profession was boring.

*****

After another hour of advising her hapless client, she was ready to leave. The woman had been the last for the evening. Samhain was upon them, and she still had much to do this All Hallows. She also had the issue of reaching 29 years old this night. Well, it would have been an issue, she supposed if she were actually alive. One more year till the dreaded 30 and all that.

9 years ago on a September evening all of that became a non issue for her. Now trapped in her 20 year old body as time moves by. She honestly didn’t think about the birthdays anymore. What was the point? 20 became her ‘re-birth’ day to mark the time she spent like this. 9 years and a month or so.
As she exited the shop, she smiled and waved at the children being escorted by armed adults as they trick or treated the marketplace. So few of them this year, but she could understand why. Most parents did not embrace the idea of sending the children out for treats only to have their child become a treat for a zombie. The malls and places like it were far safer than the door to door norm. Only human monsters or vamps so deep into the delusion could ignore children being devoured alive.

The drive was uneventful. She simply wandered around side streets to avoid checkpoints and pulled into the driveway with little fanfare. Crissy had already lit the jack-o-lanterns on the porch (and appeared to have added at least 20 more of them). ‘That girl needs a hobby’ she thought as she got out and went to open the front door.

Meeeeeooooooowwwwwwwww!

The mystic slammed back against the door in shock as her ears were assaulted by multiple meows (each in their own key and volume, of course). She looked around the living room that was now transformed into a strange Halloween fairy land of sorts. One hand over her heart as if to reassure herself it was still in her chest as the cats approached and began to rub against her legs. She knelt down and began to pet them as her eyes found Crissy and Ginny sitting. ’Well, one of you two is responsible for this I am guessing.’ she finally laughed. ’All of this? For me? Really?’ she asked the small army of felines at her feet.

[Cristiana]

A wide smile spread across her face as the mystic was shocked. How many others can get a slew of felines to pay attention and even better listen enough to pull this off. Luckily since she could transform into one, they pretty much thought her one of their own. Maybe it was the scent they gave off or she did. Either way… it went off beautifully.

When the words sifted into her mind she pointed at Ginny whistling innocently toward the ceiling. It had been beyond perfection which was all she really strided for giving to the other woman. She wanted so much to please her. Now that cats, she was wary of the ‘presents’ they brought back, but that was their own for her and she would never stop the dead mice and bird collection. Or the shining trinkets for their divine home hostess.

With that, Cristiana grabbed the strange gelatin red cake thing. It was made of blood and clear. It was called a Glassy Blood Cake. It was almost the color of vampire tears, and wobbly. She held it out toward the woman, a mock candle on top.. A joke of being a vampire and not needing a breath. There was no flame, just a flickering bulb. The smile broadened hoping Zodiac found it as humorous as she did.

“Happy Birthday Zodiac!!!”

[Zodiac]

She glanced down and saw one of the mini panthers drop a dead rat at her feet.

’Why thank you,’ her thoughts smiled. She was never sure if the cats understood the words (except for Ginny at times), but the feelings and impressions certainly did something for the felines. The gift giver purred under the girl’s hand before she picked up the ‘gift’. It was still warm and fresh. Her fangs emerged as she took a small bite from the corpse. Just a bit of its blood and then she laid the rat back down on the floor.

’I always share most of my presents.’ she declared. The cat seemed happy with the response and grabbed the rat to take it elsewhere. Then she looked back at Crissy who was holding a strange looking thing. She assumed it was some kind of confection as she took hold of the tray and blinked as it began to simmer about like it was rubber or something.

’Should I eat this or dance with it?’ She began to do a little dance, laughing as the food kept trying to keep up with her hips. ’Happy cake! Happy cake!’ she kept laughing at the site of it oozing about. ’This isn’t gonna try and eat me, is it? Like ‘The Blob’ in the movie?’

Zodiac then sat the tray down on the counter and took a step closer to Crissy. ’This is, without a doubt, one of the most unique parties I have ever been to. Thank you for this.’ and it was. Some of the tension that had been building inside of due to recent events seemed to evaporate. It was a well needed break from her constant worrying over things. Hands gently took hold of Crissy’s arms as she pulled her close for a kiss.

’Hope you don’t mind rat blood coated lips,’ she mentally smirked as her lips found Crissy’s.

[Cristiana]

Crissy gave a round of soft purrs and nuzzles to the kittens and grown cats alike. With one hand to go around the lot took their turns. It was grand to see them delight in her birthday with the two women. If there was anything, Crissy sure knew how to throw an interesting party. That was for damn sure.

As she sauntered over, a brow rose when she discussed the cake. It was something that was rare indeed but also the best according to her sources. She set the masterpiece aside with ease on the nearest table with the aid of the lovely woman whose birthday they were celebrating. Her hands squeezed that of the queen or as the two so privately jokes, the queen ho to a mere princess ho . Oddly they were so near in height, neither of them had to raise the tips of their toes. She kissed the woman with passion unmatched by any other. She adored the woman dearly and it was to her the world would be given in any form she could.

“Try a piece before you dance with it. I would love to see who jiggles more.” At the crack of the joke she looked down at the luscious wonderous chest of Zodiac with a cheeky grin. “Somehow I think you will win this round.” She gave her a wink that was all hidden secret, and inside joke alike.

The cats mewed for the two to hold off until there was more privacy about them. She chuckled wondering if the feline populace in the city suffered while so many were here in the house. Ginny set aside and waited patiently as ever for Zodiac. There was much yet that needed to be done with the party. As if on cue, when the two locked lips, Ginny knocked something over and it hit the floor with a heavy thud.

[Zodiac]

She just basked in the kiss. Another level of stress melted as she stood there in Crissy’s embrace. Romance, love and more erotic things had been slowly shrinking in importance, practicality and usefulness in her mind. Why all the efforts into something so fleeting? In her time relationships was like an ice cube floating in a glass in the mid summer sun. Refreshing, but soon gone.

Yet Crissy was like an anchor point that reminder her all was not lost in the darkness. Only a small handful of the night children even registered on her inner radar anymore, and the allurist was one of them.

’Maybe I should save a couple slices of that thing for you,’ She smirked as the kiss finally broke. ’It does kinda remind me of what an implant might look like. Might be useful.’ One finger gently flicked at Crissy’ chest. The woman was lovely and proportioned perfectly for her size, but if she could make jokes about the gypsy’s sizing, then fair was fair.

Her attention turned at the sound of something falling. She blinked at the sight of Ginny being the culprit. The cat was basically a shadow phantom and drifted around the displays in her shops and the collections she had in her home without disturbing a single thing, yet now she managed to knock over an item almost big enough for her to hide behind?

’Jealousy! From the both of you!’ she tisked in a teasing tone. The other feline guests of this little gathering were all staring at the couple as well. ’All of you!’

Her attention returned to the shivering cake. She plucked a candle from a side shelf and lit it. Then, with drama a plenty, she blew it out. With a knife, she began to cut the cake. Even under a sharp edge, the damn thing kept moving. Two normal pieces and a tiny bit for Ginny were plated and she took her first bite after Crissy and the cat were served. She finally managed to pin it between her teeth. It wasn’t bad. Blood Jell-O was her first thought, but that was part of her personal curse. As long as it tasted like blood she could consume it. For a person who had a pallet so wide as she did in life to be reduced to simply hemoglobin was something that continued to annoy her.

‘Quite tasty. Could use some of this later, perhaps.’ she looked her host up and down and smirked.

[Cristiana]

((OOC: The cake is a Raindrop cake style like this: https://res.cloudinary.com/sagacity/ima ... rj1rzh.jpg ))

It wasn’t a trip to the Riviera or Cabo, but it was quaint and just perfect for her love. Zodiac wasn’t a look at me type of person, now she was calmer. Having the cats and her was the perfect amount of celebration, she hoped. After taking the slice of cake, she ate a bit of it but set it down after a few bites because what a better way to watch the figure. Even though she could grow and shrink, nor ever really gained weight. But that was neither here nor there, she was not really that hungry.The cake was oddly delicious. She would need to remember this style of cake in the future.

The cats nuzzled around their feet. Instead of leaving her plate on the table she set it on the floor and let the little multicolored guests lick and nibble the goods left on the plate. She found herself sitting on the sofa. “So my Zo ho, do you remember how we two met in the city?” No this wasn’t to start a fight. It was a genuine question because unlike many women she had forgotten, though she had a lot of memory issues in the past. Things were easily forgotten. “Was it love at first sight between us for you?” she chuckled to herself seeing as she already knew it wasn’t. Their fondness had grown over time, firstly as friends.

All of this of course was a distractionary measure. While Zodiac was focusing on other things, Cristiana was calling one last present. Two ladies walked in the house, one pushing, the other pulling two large heavy boxes that took up too much room. Both of the boxes were wooden crates. Every year things just got bigger and bigger! Perhaps at Christmas there would be a house at this rate.

Inside were two diamond Gargoyle cat like states for the front of the opening to the property, whichever property she picked. It was about time they arrived, and the girls were able to wheel them in. The diamond casing was most likely a bit hollow inside. It wasn’t for that, the flair was the cats and the diamond was the personal joke between the two women. Becky laid out a crowbar to open the cases. Even funnier still, she wasn’t sure which of the two ladies had done it but with a red marker drew a bow on a small part of the crate box exterior. That caused Cristiana to chuckle a bit.

“Well, the last of the presents have arrived!” She smirked wondering how this would get a reaction from her heart's desire.

[Zodiac]

How did they meet?

The question gave the gypsy pause. Crissy was one of the few vampires left that had seemed to be there since she first joined the night crowd herself. How long now? Eight-going on nine years. The length of time amazed her, which was odd in itself. 9 years was a good bit of time to a mortal and, supposedly, a blink of an eye to a vampire, but as time went on, it seemed time was more delicate and breakable to their kind. Even her ‘Number One’ Jennifer, a human she had met when still alive, was still going strong while others of powers incarnate and could do devastation with sinful ease were now nothing more than dust and half a memory.

’So much for immortality,’ she thought to herself.

She took a seat in the chair flanking the couch after pouring them both a glass of her favorite blood wine. Zodiac took a sip as she continued to think.

’It was back when the Metronome first opened,’ she began in a soft tone of mental voice. ’Back when Temperance was putting all her time and effort into it. You two became partners in the project if I am recalling right.’

She paused. Temperance. She never understood exactly what happened to her and what changed so deeply between them.. A small shrug to shake off the memory. It had gotten easier to deal with over time. As far as she knew, her ‘first love’ was now dust like so many others in this place. Some things were not healthy to the soul to dig too deeply into including the past.

’She’d perform and the two of you took turns running the bar. Then came the Society. All three of us were laughing and having fun in those days. The parties that were thrown in that place? Gods. But yeah, that’s how we met. The Metronome,’ She just looked at the allurist for a few moments before turning her attention to the cats patiently prowling around her ankles for attentions.

Love? She had never considered that. She had strong affections for them both in the beginning, but love? No, she did not want to think on that. The healthy thing again. All she could say was any deeper feelings towards Crissy came after Tempy was long gone. Again, that odd feeling swept through her as she pet her little admirers. ’It grew over time.’ she finally answered.

Suddenly the door opened and she looked up to see two women trying to work a pair of crates into the room. A table or two got bounced a bit, but nothing was broken in the process. She stood up and took the offered crwbar and began to work one of the crates open. Her eyes grew wide at the outlandish thing came into view. ’Now I will have to find a security guard to sit with them all the time.’ It sounded like a joke, but it wasn’t. She knew Crissy enjoyed going overboard on things like this so she had no doubt about the gems being real. Judging by the size, these were meant to be outdoors like stone lions flanking the front door of a place. Someone would make off with them if discovered unguarded. She had no doubt a twin of the first sat in the second box.

They could sit in the greenhouse, she decided. Add a unique touch to the various plants when in bloom.

’To me, these look like the diamond kitty pin you stole from me but on steroids. Bet you thought I forgot about that-didn’t you?’ The tale of the pin was long and convoluted to say the least. The object had traded hands between Crissy and the mystic numerous times (the majority being acts of petty theft on both their parts.) She honestly had forgotten who had the pin first, but she knew where it belonged. ’When do I get my pin back, thief?’

[Cristiana]

The diamond kitty brooch pin was a source of humor to the woman. It was of course Cristiana’s and then it became Zodiac’s and hers to share. Much like a hoodie for those pesky mortal couples. She had wondered who really originally wore the piece.

****************************************************************
“Party is over!!! Everyone out!!! Last call happened 3 times!! The party lasted 10 hours and that is long enough.” She was dead assed tired and the club needed to be cleaned up still, at this rate she was looking to be sleeping in the office again. People started filtering out, grabbing their belongings in time to get a cab or take the subway right outside her doorway. She made herself busy grabbing glasses and piling them on the tray to be washed later.

“Cris, someone left a jacket! And hell it stinks of cheap *** perfume!” The human took a whiff and held it at arms length giving her a sour face.

“Put it in the Lost and Found box behind the bar. If no one claims it in 30 days, it’s all yours baby!” She laughed and went back to piling as many glasses as she could carry without knocking them off the tray to the dishwasher. On her way back she saw a glint on the floor. With the tray in one hand, bending at the knees, she picked up the cutest diamond kitty brooch. She stuck it in her pocket and moved along helping with the group until every bit of the club, inside and out, was cleaned.

A month passed by when the girl came in laughing, “Miss Crissy, you are not gonna believe it but the owner of that pink fluffy coat came in. She had this long platinum blonde hair down to her waist and nails so long they almost curl around! She picked out the coat with this snooty attitude still wearing that **** perfume!” The two women busted out laughing. Cristiana turned on the camera, and sure enough there was the woman putting up a funk about her coat. The poor guy behind the counter was looking up at the camera, several times pleading for help.

After the third time, Cristiana composed herself and headed out of the office into the barroom floor. “Hey Mick, What’s going on?”

Before he could even bother to answer, the lady spoke up. “Are you the manager?” She said huffing and rolling her eyes.

“No ma’am, I am the owner.” She said proudly puffing her chest out, even though this woman stood a full half foot taller than she did, there was no backing down here.

“Well isn’t that wonderful. I would like to put in a complaint about Mick here and my own personal property which is ruined! It cost me…”

Cristiana cut her off with a wave of her hand and not that anyone would know a tiny force of will. “Mick is fine. He is a wonderful employee on his way up to management. I am sorry, I didn’t catch your name….. Miss?”

“Susan. Suzy as my friends call me.” But internally the woman was seething gearing for another attack. Her foot shifted like she was bracing to launch herself.

Cristiana smoothly spoke up face, “Miss Suzy,” Her tone dulling to keep the woman calmer, “Your coat was found after the last party, Valentine’s I believe. We had the Sadie Hawkins party. You brought quite the handsome fellow who ordered Balvenie 50 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Speyside I believe. It was a grand party, in which after my staff picked up this coat dropped by you that very night. As you see from our sign, we hold no responsibility toward personal objects. This sign is posted inside and outside as well. So you see, you leaving it here gave up responsibility for whatever seemed to happen to it.”

“I come here all the time and spend a lot of money!” The woman was fuming to the point she practically had waves of heat coming off her body.

“That is wonderful so you know this policy well! I am glad this could be resolved so quickly. Have a drink on the house!” A hand placed to the small of the woman's back as anger bled into confusion into her being dismissed so easily.

“But…” She finally sputtered out.

“Mick get the woman whatever drink she would like on the house!” Cristiana smirked leading her straight to a barstool.

As she did, the woman slid into the seat ordering what she thought was the most expensive thing on the menu, "Do you have any Cognac Grande Champagne ?”

Mick mouthed a thank you as he went about his duties. Cristiana, after having very subtly changed the woman's thoughts with her mind; Confuse, intimidate and silver tongued, to make the woman subdue without the whole bar knowing what she was doing. She grabbed the Lost and Found Box and took it back to her office. “Let me know if you need anymore help Mick!” She called over the normal noise of the bar.

When back in the office, she dumped the box on the desk. Inside a shoe, a watch, some under garments and the diamond kitty broach fell onto her desktop. She pushed the other stuff back into the box. In the solitude of the office, drowning out the world she stared into the eyes of this little feline pin. It had been over a month so it was all rightfully hers. Even by law. It wasn’t like she was hurting for new jewelry. It just called out to her to wear it.

Weeks later she was getting dressed, she had a reading to do with her dearest friend Zodiac. Her love life was messy and confusing to say the least. She was secretly in love with someone but dating another one. It was a mess, and something that had happened before. It wasn’t even the first time. She really needed to stop playing these games with her heart.

She put the pin on her shawl keeping it secure in place as she went out into the night. It took mere moments to walk, a good stretch of the legs, from Lascivious Legacy down to the Honeymead Market where the tea shop was located. Being so close, it seemed silly to take the train.

“Zodiac!” She called seeing her dear friend upon entering. She took the shawl off and hung it on the peg nearest the doorway. She thought she heard something but Zodiac drew her attention. She went over and hugged her friend closely. “Dearest I am in such need of your advice!”

“Come have some tea, I will get my cards.” The woman already knew with Cristiana in the shop it was going to be till nearly dawn when she could leave but the female allurist had the most interesting and messed up love life. It was amusing and sad at the time. For her friend, she would wait till the last moments if she had to.

After what seemed like forever, and a good listening ear, she broke down knowing what was good for her in those moments. Talking with Zodiac always cleared up the fog over her. Instead of leaving within the house of dawn, there was still enough time to close the shop and get home before the sun broke the horizon. The two women hugged parting ways.

Cristiana put her shawl on wrapping it around her arms. She headed out home, the short walk back to her castle-like building on the edge of town right by the forest. Zodiac was cleaning up shop when the broach caught her eye. “I don’t remember you falling off, or even putting you on.” She talked to the piece of jewelry like it was an old friend of hers. She secured the broach on her top, like it had always been there.

*******************************************************************

“Your broach??? It was mine first. But I am happy to share it with someone I love so dearly!”
Cristiana threw her hands in the air. “I don’t have it. Check the jewelry box wench!” She chuckled knowing the piece was still in there. “I gave you the earring and pendant to match in hopes you would leave the broach alone. But nooooooo you sneak it away.” Her voice teased, she didn’t mind it one bit.

Cristiana decided if Zodiac wanted to wear the pin broach so much, seeing it was her birthday and all, she would let her. Making herself comfy on the purple settee she sat sipping her drink. “You know we could make 50 of those silly beasts and never fight over just one again.” But she wasn’t up for the task, and realistically she doubted Zodiac would make it either. The two had too much fun seeing where the one would end up anyway.

“Did I surprise you this year? If I go any bigger, the next is going to be a house of diamonds in the shape of a kitty.” She wanted to laugh but she was too stuck on thoughts of what it would look like and if they could make the tail swoosh back and forth.

((OOC.. Done with permission by Zodiac human!))

[Zodiac]

Her eyes rolled as Crissy feigned innocence. In truth she had no clue how she came to have the pin, but she knew Crissy coveted it. It didn’t even matter to her. The stupid thing looked better on the woman than it did her. Perhaps it had been an item under enchantment that hooked into her? A compulsion hex to have the item? She never did check it for such things.

Check her jewelry box? After the last time she had to get it back, she’d put it in her personal safe. It should be in there, or was it? She did not like this. She was not normally so possessive over something as pointless as some pin.

It had to be hexed. Was the only thing that made sense. But who hexed it? Crissy? If so, why?

She fought the urge to go check and see if it was still in her care and waved a dismissive hand.

’Surprised? Yes, I would say you managed that quite well this time.’ Her hands were still seeking out her ‘children’ that sought her attentions. Ginny had leap up onto the back of the chair the mystic sat in and was giving her fellow felines a look that screamed this was her spot so stay off. ‘A house of diamond in the shape of a cat?’ she snorted in amusement. ’The property tax and the insurance alone would bankrupt me. Save that idea till we reach 100 years on this world or something.’

That made her laugh. She was always intrigued by the idea of how their kind actually aged. From all she had read on the subject, most agreed that time did not totally stop for their kind, but crawled along slower than a snail in motion. They were both at an age where there was few changes to discover upon inspecting their selves, so she wondered what they would look like in a hundred years. They probably would be appearing as close to middle age by then or not. Wearing glasses, support hose and a girdle? She laughed again.

She took another drink of her wine and leaned back into her chair. ’Thank you for this. All of this. Is nice to know someone cares about you.’ Her hand slipped into her pocket and pulled out her smokes. ’So, is there anything else waiting around a corner to surprise me? I hope not. You have done quite enough already.’