Tea and Crumpets (Caspian)

[Solene]

In her hay day, Solene would have taken any new interest to her frequented haunts in NYC. Those nights seemed endless and dizzying both in content and expense. She’d never been shy of funds, but since she’d settled into her life in Harper Rock, so many other aspects of her- things that seemed critical when she was human- had faded away entirely. The ex-socialite never would have imagined that she’d spend 90% of her waking hours in a cemetery, and to her surprise, as she flitted through her collection of designer clothes, she found that she didn’t miss her previous life.
Her blonde hair fell partially over her face when her attention was stolen by Crumpet who had taken to pouncing on her feet at every opportunity. Laughing, she scooped the kitten up and kissed the paw that was pressed to her lips.
“What do you think, Crumpet? Where should I take him? To work?”

The feline gave her an incredulous look, mew’d and climbed up to sit on her shoulder while she was still small enough to fit. No, it wouldn’t do to take him to The Kit Kat. She knew she would either end up behind the bar when the new girl broke something, or have to save him from Katya.
Once she’d settled on an outfit, she slipped into the tricoloured dress, cinched a rounded gold belt around her waist, and pulled on her lightest black coat. She was halfway out the door, having been unsuccessful in her attempts to leave the kitten at home, when a text from her cousin came through. It took petting the cat to coax the phone from the pocket she’d tucked into, but the effort was worth it. With a smirk, she text’d the address to Caspian and hurried to the ground floor of West Towers.

For the first year of her cousin’s life in Harper Rock, she’d taken up a suite in a swanky hotel owned by Alexei Nabokov, one of the city’s moguls and a sort of business partner at The Kit Kat. The lounge was tucked away and semi private, so it would be an ideal place to have a drink and talk. The best part, however, was that there wouldn’t be a speck of dirt anywhere. It wasn’t the beach, but would suffice for the time being.

Solene rocked up to the front doors of Hôtel Lune 2 minutes late, a little anxious, and hoping beyond hope that she hadn’t brought a non-drinker to Nabokov’s domain.

[Caspian]

It’s just after the sun fades below the city skyline that Cas wakes up. For the first few seconds that he lies in bed, his memories are scattered. Fatigue has carved out a hollow space in his bones that leaves him feeling weak and hungry, and his head is pounding like someone has started a jackhammer behind his skull. Everything from the night before is a blur of colours and impressions that he chases around the room for answers. Cas is hardly cognizant. He sits up slowly, squinting in the dark. He stares at the slatted closet door where a sliver of moonlight once came in from the north windows, instead of the eastern windows behind him that are blocked out by shutters. The cool, slick feel of satin sheets brushes against his skin as he moves, too. He doesn’t remember having satin sheets. The blue lights on the nightstand confirm the time and it all comes rushing back to him, reminding him he’s not hungover - he’s a vampire.

He slides the covers off, groaning as his feet find the cold floor. He checks his phone; the thin bar of gold and black glass is as precious as a pacemaker. It doesn’t keep his heart pumping - nothing can do that job now - but, it keeps him tethered to this world. Through the device, he commands the blinds to open, letting in the purple and orange blaze of the city. Once he returns his phone to the nightstand, he fishes out a pack of cigarettes from the drawer. After lighting up, he folds a hand behind his head and drops himself backwards onto the bed to stare up at the ceiling; his feet are still planted on the floor. The smoke burns down his airways, blankets his mind in blissful indulgence. He makes that high even sweeter when he curls his hand into a ball, casting the magic which exchanges the aching in his bones for pleasure. It takes him back to a world of hedonism.

The sound of his phone is the only noise that breaks the supple silence. Through a haze of cigarette smoke, he sits up and reaches over to check the message. His lips curl into a smile when he recognises Solene’s name at the top of the screen. Cas runs a hand through his hair then rubs the back of his neck, considering her invitation. It’s no competition to the caverns or hitting up a club all night. He sucks on the last of his cigarette before he composes his reply, he tells her he’ll be there in the next hour. It gives him enough time to shower and get dressed - look presentable for her. Cas stubs the cigarette out in the ashtray, and watches as the soot unfurls into smoke and then into nothing. That is the worst part of the change, he thinks. He can still feel the itch of his addictions, but, can never quite scratch them hard enough. He inhales deeply, stretches, then stands up to get on with it.

By the time he gets out of the shower, it’s a little after seven o’clock. By the time he’s dressed and out the door, heading to the hotel, it’s around half past. Caspian doesn’t have the supernatural talents to speed across the city, but, he’s confident he’ll get there on time. The anticipation isn’t too overbearing. He lights up a cigarette the minute he gets outside of the apartment building, stepping to avoid a puddle between the concrete and the curb. An earlier rainshower has left the buildings glistening. Neon signs advertising drinks, girls, and everything else which is reserved for the nocturnal hours, bathes the wet sidewalks and streets in lucid greens and blues. Cigarette smoke mingles with the misty city air that smells like exhaust fumes and rust. Fortunately, the spring rain masks the fermenting garbage piled inside the alleys.

Caspian crosses the street to reach the front doors of Hôtel Lune. Looking up to the glass and metal face of the building is like looking into the face of some robot god. He isn’t sure he’s dressed for the occasion in black slimline trousers, a cashmere vest top, and a velvet blazer. He flicks the cigarette yards away, then makes his way inside. By the time he is in the foyer, he hears the click of footsteps coming up behind him. He turns and spots the beauty, Solene. Her Vogue-like, sensual features are half-dressed by a wave of pale gold hair streaked with white. Her dress is cinched in to create an appealing hour-glass frame even with her lean, petite proportions. Cas feels no reserve to grab her attention; a high, keening whistle peals into the foyer. He grins at her then and waves her over.

[Solene]

Solene and three of the hotel guards alerted to his wolf call, but she was the only one to move toward him. With a soft grin, she made her way over, absently checking to make sure the summons hadn’t scared Crumpet out of her slumber. Predictably, the curious furball had poked her ears out of the coat pocket, intent on witnessing everything.

Looking over his outfit, she gave an approving chuckle before brushing some stray bit of the city off of his shoulder. He was already a specimen in his every day getup, but this particular ensemble gave him an edge.
“Looking sharp…” The blonde couldn’t say much else- she felt what could have been a giggle bubbling up somewhere inside and she’d not have any of that ****, so she bit down on the inside of her lip and turned on her heel toward the hall that would lead them to the lounge.

“Shall we? It’s in the back.” Out of years of habit, she took his hand and set off, nodding at the front desk staff as they passed. The elaborate architecture of the hotel did not age or shift as they made their way along the hall lined with floor to ceiling windows, granting a view of the pool and expansive garden and outdoor club. The coloured lights that had been installed between the plants bounced off the glass and onto the far wall, dressing them both in varied shades until they finally reached the bouncer and a blood red door.
After giving her name and getting them through the doors, they sat at a two seater close to the bar.

“Nicer than the dust pit we met in?” She smirked, relaxed against the back of her chair and crossed her legs; legs that were very quickly occupied by the little stowaway.

[Caspian]

Caspian stiffens a little when the trio of security guards turn to look at him; apprehension and excitement tingles through his every nerve. It's not their attention he's after, but, he doesn't mind having it. His tongue lathes over his bottom lip before stroking a very-human canine. His hunger never really escapes his thoughts. That's when the bauble that is Solene rolls into view again, consumes his concentration as she's toying with something in her coat pocket. It's not until she's close to him that he recognises the shuffle of breath and the pitter-patter of a heart beat. What looks like kitten ears pop up out of the fabric next, and Cas withholds a comment as the vampire rakes her glassy eyes over him. The cool thrill on his skin juxtaposes the warmth in his core that's lit by her enchanting chuckle.

“I'm not all sweatpants and joggers, ya know." His pale green eyes follow her movements as she snatches up a piece of lint from his shoulder. He then pointedly looks her over, grinning, before his gaze settles on her lips moments before he meets her eyes. “I wanted to look good for you, baby. Because you always look so fine," he says. “Even better tonight."

When she takes his hand, he squeezes it gently, and allows her to lead him side-by-side. They walk through a crystal hallway to the hotel's private lounge. A blood-red door and a bouncer guards the entrance, but, with a flicker of her lashes and a roll of her tongue, Solene is able to get them through. The floor is tiled in fine marble, which makes every step echo as they approach the embroidered, silk sofa. A chandelier makes rainbows dance across the luxurious lounge, making his eyes wander. The bar in particular catches his attention. It is made of amber-coloured wood and a green granite top, but, more importantly, there are rows of different types of alcohol available displayed in their various bottles. Cas raises a brow and a smile at the splendid sight, but, he's not distracted for too long. When he hears Solene, Cas relaxes back into the corner of the chair; his arms frame the top cushions and one hand lingers close to Solene's shoulder.

“Not too shabby," he says. “I guess you're a regular if you're on the guest list. That's pretty cool." Cas has his eyes on hers until a flicker in his peripherals pulls him to watch her legs, and the cat that's appeared bending around them. “Is that yours?" he asks. He is wearing a sharp smile. “I didn't think you were the type of lady to show off her pussy on the first date."

[Solene]

A smile turned her lips as she watched him take in the details of the room- and especially the bar, which had been especially well presented. She recognised aspects of it, seeing where Lex must have helped in the design of The Kit Kat. The man had taste.

She’d order a Manhattan; blood substituting the sweet vermouth, as she was accustomed to after all these years. It had been her drink of choice since she turned 16 and a vampiric life couldn’t change certain preferences.
She chuckled at his suggestion that she’s a regular, smiling as she beckoned the one waiter she knew over. “Hardly… I’ve only been here once, I just know the staff. They help out at The Kit Kat sometimes.”

The waiter, a cute young woman with bright eyes and red hair, moved over to their table, hips swaying as she walked. ‘Hey Sol… your regular?’ She gave her a flirty smirk, reaching down to pet the cat as she spoke to her.
“Hi Gloria,” Solene returned the smirk with a gentle cautious grin, nodding as she watched the other pet her cat, “Yes, please… fresh substitute, and a small bowl of milk for this little girl.” Gloria seemed to know what the substitute was meant to be, as she didn’t inquire further, but instead looked to the man sat with Solene, the same joyful expression stuck on her face.

‘Aaand for you, Sir?’ Looking over Caspian, unsure if he was a late night snack for the woman or if he was another fanged beast, she shifted her weight from one hip to another.
Once the order had been taken, the redhead wandered off to put the order in, and Solene found herself locked onto Caspian’s gaze. Crumpet had pulled his attention before long though, causing Solene’s eyes to shift to the tiny feline as they spoke.

“Yes, this is Crumpet…” He then cracked a pussy joke and she gave him a questioning grin, feeling like she was back in the clubs with her small group of college friends. “Oh come now, you can do better than that…” another chuckle left her as she sat back, a daring look in her eyes. “She has a will of her own.”

Gloria reappeared at the table, served Solene, then Cas, then made kissy noises at the cat as she set the bowl down in the middle of the table. Once Crumpted waddled to the bowl, Gloria winked at Solene, a new bandaid on her left arm, then disappeared into the lounge with an ‘enjoy your night…’

[Caspian]

Tinkles of glass and a soft jazz melody trickles into his ears; a pleasant and aristocratic change to the dark atmosphere he’s been choking on for days in the caverns. Under the glossy burn of the overhead lights, Cas can appreciate the finer details of her exterior beauty and how that reflects on her. Right away she reminds him of those billboard princesses. Her beauty is classical with flowing golden curls, piercing blue eyes, and perfect skin that glows. She is shorter than an average catwalk model, but, in her ordinariness she is all the more stunning. Something radiates from within that renders her irresistible to both genders; men desire her and women court her friendship. So he doesn’t question it when she makes the confession that this is the first time she’s been here. She does seem the connected type. Cas nods his head and watches her fuss over Crumpet before there’s a visitor to their table.

He hears the blood pumping in tandem to the footfalls, as if her heart belongs in her legs. Hungry green eyes trip and fall over this Celtic pixie in a waitress’ uniform. Solene greets the stranger warmly and they have a little exchange. Cas can’t help noticing how Gloria would blink her coruscate eyes from time to time, allowing her eyelashes to flutter like the wings of a butterfly. She has a kind of understated beauty, perhaps because she’s so disarmingly unaware of her prettiness. She’s all about simplicity, making things easy: her scarlet hair hangs lazily from a tousled bun, her pale skin is bare and flawless, and her uniform is looking comfortable with those slipper shoes. He considers how far she might be able to run from him before he would catch her as she asks him what his drink order will be.

“Why hello Gloria,” he says. Cas leers at the woman, unabashed, leaning toward her so the sound of her heartbeat fills his head. “I’ll have a drop of you, if you’re up for it.”

With an upward turn of his mouth and a mocking gleam in the corner of his eye, Cas waits for the inevitable nullifying response. Gloria takes in a deep breath, he hears it whistle through both nostrils with force before it sits in her chest, lifting her bosom, then bristles out again. Her face is all smiles as she blinks slowly, takes another moment, then nods her head and disappears to fetch their drinks. Caspian snickers quietly to himself as he leans his back into the chair again. That’s when he finds Solene is staring at him. It takes him a few moments to gauge her reaction. The smile on her face and the tone of her voice suggests she’s having fun for now, yet there’s room for more. The challenge encourages another smug grin to form on his lips.

By the time Gloria’s returned to their table, laying out their orders, Cas has forgotten all about her. The audacious and contemplative focus of his eyes, hypnotic like an ugly car crash, are staring into Solene’s soul.

“Alright, bonita,” he says. He raises a brow and folds his arms. “Give me something to work with other than your fascination for cats, then. Because I’m telling you, right now, all I have are pussy jokes and lesbian references.”

[Solene]

She tore hazel eyes away from his face, giving the bartender a knowing look, suggesting he make the redhead sit before she fainted. The girl was sweet, but always gave just a little too much when the bidding party was attractive. Solene was beginning to wonder, as she’d had discussions around the danger of her bloodletting, if humans simply had an underlying desire to extinguish themselves. It had become obvious in her short years that the species, herself once included, never learned.
“Be careful with her,” she muttered, a hand moving to rest on the back of her own neck, rubbing at the tense muscles, “she’s spoken for.”

Releasing her neck and lifting her martini, feeling his gaze searching her, the blonde tasted the robust blend of bloodied bourbon and shifted her lashes, sights taking him in. He was amusing, that much was certain, but she’d gotten bored of cheese like crude jokes in her teen years. She studied him for a long moment, quietly setting her martini down and scooping up the feline as she took immediate interest in the alcohol. Tutting, unclear as to whether it was directed toward the animal or her companion, she arched a well shaped brow at him, emitting a light laugh.
“Not a chance, I can’t give everything away, now can I? You know,” she paused, still watching him, “I don’t think I believe that…pussy jokes and typical lesbian references... it’s too easy.”
The challenge was still present in her voice, but it had spread to involve her body language as well. As the rouged amber liquid slid past her lips, the corners of her mouth turned just enough to be suggestive of a lure.

[Caspian]

“I am easy…" he counters with a sideways smile. “I am an easy-going guy."

Cas fixes his gaze to hers, watching her butterfly lashes kiss the apple of her cheeks as she sips her drink. There's no mistaking the metallic scent that mixes with the sting of alcohol swirling in her glass. Her cool beauty disguises the devilry in the act so well, though, that it makes Cas question what he's seeing from what he can smell. The weight of a frown furrows his brow just as Solene's lips curl upward. Those crystal eyes cut through his weak defence of humour and it's all he can do but breathe a frustrated sigh out through his nostrils to acknowledge her victory. He turns his head, watches the bartender and Gloria have a small exchange before she vanishes further into the lounge, beyond his sight.

“So when you say taken," Cas says after a moment before he returns his wanton eyes to her glittering vision on the sofa. “What exactly do you mean?" His very serious question betrays his growing excitement, but, it's the smile that curls back over his very human teeth that seals the deal. Cas leans back in his seat, arms framing the sofa's edge again. He idly strums a rhythm against the plush material as he studies Solene, curious about her response. “Are you going to get mad if something happens to her?" he asks.

[Solene]

To that, she shook her head and hummed a laugh. This easy and easy going guy was, in all likelihood, a good one. Perhaps a bit too young and jovial mentally though- at least for Solene’s romantic and sexual tastes. She’d put money down on him being good fun to grow a friendship with though.

His next question however, caused her pause. She couldn’t quite get a read on his intentions, and that always made her uneasy.
“Yes.” She nodded, watching her kitten bounce from the table to her lap for a nap. “So will her boss… and mine,” Her gaze swept back up to meet his, curiosity drawing a tilt to her head, “Why that question specifically?”

His smile aided what seemed like antsy anticipation. She wondered for a moment if this was going to way of his pussy jokes, or if it was going to turn out more sinister.