Where is home? (Invite)

[Matilda]

It had been a few days since a kind young man had shaken her by the shoulder, asking if she were alright, waking her from the deep slumber that had claimed her. She had finally come to having stumbled into Lancaster's joint, in her strange sleepwalk that had her responding and reacting as if she were simply dazed but aware, speaking when spoken to and going through the mechanical functions necessary to keep herself from the shadow realm. Her hands shook as she stared at the phone Wolf had forced her to get so long ago, eyeing the familiar names and numbers trying to decide who to call, who would know. It took her what felt like hours to decide before two messages were sent. One went to Lancaster, a strange choice but she had in fact woken in an establishment owned by the man and he had always been a friendly face, one who remembered a sunburnt country with her. The second was to her beloved Lyonel, the man she could always depend on.

She was rewarded with a swift reply from Lancaster, though it seemed much had changed for him and she worried what she might find when she eventually met with him face to face. A third message was sent to Eva, the closest thing she had to a sister and received again quick reply informing her that she and Lyonel were very glad to hear from her. Comforting to know they were still around, still together no matter what and it gave her the bravery needed to send the fourth and final message. Wolfgang Alfie West. Lord, how her hands shook as she stared at his name, just willing herself to type. Her time living in dreams had allowed her to finally process things, to go over and over all that had happened, could have happened. The choices and consequences of actions became more clear and finally she was able to release a lot of her anger, of her pain and the other complicated feelings that had caused them so much harm. They had loved each other and hurt each other so greatly it seemed impossible for them to be ok now, for him to greet her with positivity but she imagined there was no harm in it if he chose not to reply, or better yet he never saw it. "I miss you", the message contained a simple statement and yet one that spoke volumes, it always had.

How many times had she gone off on her own, only to return to that small apartment? Even with the penthouse and cabin there for use she tended to meet him in that run down little place. She'd call him, she'd apologise or she'd just show up and eventually he'd find her. Not now, too much had changed for them all and she had accepted that. It's probably why it threw her through such a loop when he did in fact reply, Matilda checking her phone at the familiar beep expecting it was Eva or Lyon only to find Wolf's name and a message that made her remember what it was like to have the wind knocked out of you. The overwhelming need to see them hit her, made her run out of the cafe she'd been loitering in and before she knew it the elevator in West Towers was announcing her arrival at the penthouse. It was empty but they had been here recently, humans too and only perhaps a week ago. Reluctantly she typed out a reply to Wolf, asking him to consider coming to see her and another was sent to the West line in general informing them of her location and status.

Patience had never been her strong point and though she'd sat down in the home theatre room, telling herself she'd put on a movie and wait for replies she knew it was pointless. With trembling hands she dialled an all to familiar number, putting the phone to ear and cursing the dial tone that continued to ring into her ear. As the call was answered she did not wait for him to speak, her words flooding out from her, as if she'd been holding them in along with her breath. "Lyon? It's me, i'm at the Penthouse. I didn't know where else to go, where else we still... I would prefer the apartment, but I don't know if he kept it, if I was him I probably would've burned the whole place down really. ****, sorry, look I think I need to see you. And Eva, if you can come and see me? Please? He replied to me, what the hell! Are you guys ok? Where are you? Hi..."

[Lyonel]

Lights of the city washed over the windshield of the black Maserati GranTurismo as it moved through the east end of Honeymead.. Each hue that took over the shatterproof glass in front of them was like a wave of a continuous neon rainbow that survived the skate and slide to the asphault below only to be left behind. Piercing celadon eyes stayed focused on the route ahead while the female in the passenger seat next to him continued tuck papers in different dividers in a leather bound portfolio. A cascade of chocolate curls flowed in a silken veil that concealed her silouette from his random glances over to see what she was doing. Each time he looked over he discovered she was consistently doing the same thing. Managing the lives of two busy business owners who actually were planning to pull off the unheard of. Keeping it all but still leaving it all behind.

“Alright.” A jingle of a charm bracelet echoed in the car as he looked in the rear view mirror while she spoke. “So, I got you and Eva organized I think. In the front you will find all the papers and permits that I am sure they will eventually want on the critters you two think you will be bringing.”

The portfolio landed on the seat between her hip and the console. A french manicured nail on the tip of a long cinnamon toned digit pressed the Virgin Radio to pull up the best of Hinder. While “Waking up the Devil” started up the car continued to float above the tight hug of the road beneath it.

Jolie Sweet finally shifted just enough so that the enjoyable task of giving the once over of the body next to her could be done efficiently. The sparkle of the immortal blue-green pools glancing in the rear view reminded her she never in her life had seen such a set before. They all but swallowed her up the first time they locked on her own several years back. Once they did they never let go and she hoped they never would. A smile formed as she looked back to the road ahead of them.

As much as Lyonel West was a challenge to keep on track he was a presence that she couldn’t imagine being without. His wife was included in that. Between the two of them she felt like she was some oddly acquired extended member of their family. Her full natural lips dropped at each corner and she felt that pang return in the pit of her gut. Why did they have to go? She was going to miss the couple fiercely and was having a hard time admitting it. For one thing it meant it was going to happen. Of that alone she was no fan at all.

“When will you back?” Her voice was nearly a whisper as the thought spilled from her head through her lips before she could stop it.
“We aren’t dropping off the face of the earth, Jolie.” He turned heading towards Honeymead Market. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” She sighed and took a view of the world going by from the passenger's window.

The car swerved to the side of the road and parked. Just as he was about to tell her he could read her like a really great book the bluetooth went off and he found himself listening to a voice he really wasn’t surprised to hear yet actually was if that could make any sense.

“Look…” Jolie stared out at the sidewalk in front of West Tower and finally found the courage to come out with it. She didn’t want either of them to go. It was already feeling like some sort of abandonment she didn’t sign up for. “I know I don’t say it but I…”
“Hang on…”

The press of his large cool hand to the top of her shoulder gave her reason to look over at him and find everything about him burned a hole right through her with the contact. She needed him and she needed Eva. As soon as he was done with his call she was going to just say it. The sound of the car door opening put all of that on hold as she watched him take off and disappear into the doors of the tower before the driver’s door finally shut.

“Sure, I can wait to tell you that I can’t watch you walk away.” Her eyes rolled up to look at massive luxury building towering high above her and the car she was sitting in. “Like I just did.”

Jolie Sweet groaned and pulled out her cell phone. Her thumb quickly started tapping out a number then placed the phone to her ear and waited for an answer. Once a voice announced it was a good call she started digging for her pocket book.

“Yes, can you tell me what a ticket to New York will cost?” She looked up in time to see a couple with a chihuahua in their care strolling into the building. “One way.”

Lyonel barely caught the elevator as the silver doors were coming to a close. While the steel cage carried him up he listened to the voice that was a sweet surprise in his ear continue chattering on like his sister was fondly remembered for. He couldn't recall the very first time he spent hours listening to her and she to him. It just always seemed to be a thing and the fact he couldn’t put his finger on a starting point only proved that what they shared as family was too special to be defined by the constraints of time or distance. Without a sound he entered the penthouse and found her before he set eyes on her by following her scent. While she continued to talk he slipped up behind her and leaned picking her up with a playful growl.

“Caught you!” He chuckled and kissed her cheek then spun her around to face him holding her higher in the air than he ever had before. "Welcome home."

[Matilda]

It was little surprise that with her nervous babbling she didn't hear or notice the man sneaking up behind her, he wasn't exactly small or inconspicuous at the best of times but she was so utterly absorbed and felt secure enough in the penthouse that she rarely bothered to look over her shoulder. As his arms came around her Matilda let out a yelp of surprise, dropping the phone to the carpet at her feet. Quickly she found herself turned in strong arms, lips pressing to her cheek before she finally got a solid look at her loving assailant. Beautiful, yes he was still so beautiful and such a proud, handsome look about him. Men who looked like him usually seemed so unapproachable, but not her Lyonel, he had this charming warm and down to earth quality about him. Matilda's cold little heart swelled as he grinned ridiculously and held her hostage above the ground, briefly he reminded her of the man he looked up to and it was obvious why he was chosen. "My darling Lion man!" She breathed out, one arm wrapped around him, the other cupping the back of his head as she pressed a brief, chaste kiss to his lips. "Oh, you have no idea how good it is to see you! You're real!" She laughed, that soft peal of laughter that gave away her femininity. "Ever the sneaky son of a gun though, I mean I did expect you'd come quickly but this..." She gestured to herself hovering above the ground in his embrace, "Has to be a record, for sure."

Her surprise subsiding she let her fingertips roam through his hair, smoothing the locks affectionately and staring into the eyes that watched her with such enthusiasm. "You know, you guys always greeting me like this definitely gives a girl motivation to bugger off on the regular. Don't worry, don't worry i'm not planning to disappear just yet." She promised, leaning her face down to his once more, laying soft kisses against his brow and cheeks. Anyone who was loved by Matilda had been kissed by her at least a million times, she was affectionate with few but those who were within her inner circle had learned to just take the random bursts of physical affection. Eva and Lyonel had both received plenty of love from the blonde necromancer and never once complained, as it so happened. "Now... Are you going to put me down and explain a few things? Like how you got here so quickly? Where is my sister? And why the West's are such a ridiculously good looking bunch?" She teased him easily, but made no move to force him to release her. In fact she stilled somewhat in his embrace, leaning her forehead to rest to his, her voice taking on a more somber tone. "I really did miss you, Lyonel, i'm so sorry it's been so long that we've been apart."

[Wolfgang]

“Matilda?” Julia smiled, “I know that name.”
Wolf looked over his right shoulder at his wife and offered one of those lazy, half-hearted smiles, “Yeah?”
Julia turned her back to him and waited for the man to unzip her dress, “one of your ex-girlfriends, right?”
“Something like that,” He agreed and turned his eye on the message once more.
Julia slipped out of her dress and kicked off her heels, “You should go a see her.”
“Yeah?”
“Why not, we’ll be home soon and you’ll regret it if you don’t.”
“And how do you know what I do and do not regret, Mrs Voss?”
“Because I know you, Cedric, better than anyone,” the woman mouthed against his jaw, her lower lip dragged over the light smattering of stubble that resided there, “go, get dressed,” she ordered as she flopped back on the bed and poked him in his die with pointed toe.
“I’m tired, and I just showered, I’ll go in the morning,” Wolf turned to find Julia staring at him, giving him that look, the one that made the tiny hairs on the back of his neck prickle. He got up and walked over the his suitcase to dig through for an undershirt before dressing in a long-sleeved, black dress shirt, grey suit pants and jacket, and a black tie.
“Good boy,” Julianna winked.
“Watch it,” he warned, words met with a defiant giggle, “I’ll be back in an hour or two.”
“No you won’t,” she smiled, god how he loved that smile.
“No… I won’t,” Wolfgang smirked; ****, maybe she did know him too well.

The drive from Hotel West to West Towers wasn’t far, but it gave the man some time to think. How had things ended with Matilda? Before they had even begun in a sense, theirs was an instant attraction, dangerous, reckless, bitter-sweet love. Wolfgang wasn’t good at love though, he was good at business, good at leading, good at a vast number of things, but not love. He and Julianna only worked because there were no secrets, she knew what he was and whenever she saw that hungry, insatiable look in his eyes, the one she knew she could not satisfy, she set him free, but he always came home; blood-drunk and not himself, but home.

On the top floor he put the key in the door only to find that it was already open. Wolfgang stepped inside to find Lyonel and Matilda standing in the lounge, both smiling and happy to see one another, it almost felt wrong to interrupt such a beautiful moment, “room for one more I hope?” The tall vampire moved down into the living space, shook Lyonel’s hand and then turned to set sight on the devastatingly gorgeous blonde. “Matilda,” he smiled, the left side of his mouth pointed higher than the right. Wolfgang opened his arms to the woman and should she step in, would hug her as if he didn’t intend to let go any time soon.

[Lyonel]

Lyonel wanted to hold her longer but if he did he wouldn’t get to make sure she was fine. Gingerly he set Matilda down with all the care that one of the gem covered eggs locked in the office showcase required. He looked at her while saying nothing at all. His hair stayed wherever she left it. His lips felt warm, comforted by the contact. Matilda was the nurturer that the family didn’t know they needed until she proved it. She seemed more petite than ever as he stepped around her but stunning as always. The woman had such a sweetness to her features, delicate, mischievous but enticing. West women were entirely unique for that and so many other reasons. He wanted to answer her questions but was too busy grinning at the comment about the line that she never failed to deliver about how good looking they were. His fingers rubbed the right side of his jaw as he remembered the rest that were currently missing from the room. All of them.

Could one bring the rest back as well?

Lyon could only hope as he watched her. His wife had her heart set on it and he agreed that they had their work cut out for them. Both agreed the family line was worth it. It was time for those that were willing to come back home.

Coming back full circle he stood quietly in the space they had shared many times before. He missed her. He felt it as he stepped back and cocked his head looking at her slowly from head to toe. She looked like she was in one piece and no signs of injury to be concerned about. A stretch of his hand forward allowed him to brush back a strand of her hair which left that smile across his lips that appeared whenever she did. A deep inhale filled his chest and his hands slid into his front pockets. Matilda was back home and she was safe. Her family would always see to that.

“I…”

The sound of the door opening behind him and the nearly silent steps he would always sense even miles away gave him reason to turn and step out of the way. The room suddenly shrank as did the towering sensation he had standing next to his sister. It was expected as his eyes locked on the body moving toward them like it owned the ground beneath it. It made sense because, well, the tall shadow in fact did. Their 'Old Man' as he fondly called Wolfgang was on the move. And as the proud vampire should be given that his blood and family were coming to gather in his home.

Was there room for one more?

The cool grip of the hand that made Lyonel West immortal was entirely welcome and firmly squeezed before it was released. Lyonel nodded and cast a wink to Matilda as he stepped further back and pulled out his cell phone.

“Always.” Lyonel answered his sire while moving away from the impending reunion about to take place.

-West Towers in the Penthouse. Missing you. Come when you are free-

The text was sent to Eva and the cellphone was deposited deep into his pocket. As soon as the long arms of a shadow opened towards his sister he figured it was a good time to check out the bar or the pool or whatever could be a reason to give the two some time alone. The scent of chlorine pulled him towards the pool where he would wait for his wife to arrive or for Jolie to come hunt him down. He made mental bets on who would find him first while eyeing the surface of the crystal clear water.

[Matilda]

Matilda didn't bother to try and fill the silence as Lyonel set her down, the man staring at her in a manner that meant he had a lot going through his head but it seemed positive. Even as he prowled around her as if checking off some mental list as to what parts needed to be where she stayed somewhat still, barely twitching under the close scrutiny. It was nice in a way to be so cared for again, and to feel the overwhelming strength of their bond was still present after all this time. She had to admit that she would always love Lyonel completely, just for who he was, she wouldn't change a hair on his head. The blonde giggled coyly as he pushed a stray lock of hair back into place amongst the others pinned neatly at the back of her head, when she'd woken and gone shopping for some new clothes he had been in mind. They all had, in a way and she hoped he approved of the well fitted deep red silk dress, the slit in the side showing off her standard thigh high tights and for once she didn't wear combat boots strapped to her feet. He frequently encouraged her to dress well, even if she spent most of her time out hunting and tended to bury herself in the ground to sleep. There had been many occasions where she had shown up to her surprise him, in some ridiculously extravagant little outfit that made her look like a gaunt runway model and he would always take her out for a night on the town.

She went to speak these thoughts, to interrupt him and seek his approval, but was stopped in her tracks by a rather unexpected arrival. Why hadn't she thought of that? Stupid really since he owned the place, and had clearly been here somewhat in the week prior. She had wanted to see him, of course, but here and now? All sense of being ready left her and her hand reached to grab at Lyonel only to find he had moved away. Her eyes narrowed as they followed him, not prepared to fully look at the Wolf who had breezed into the room and filled it with some energy she couldn't name. It felt tangible though, it had a weight to it the feeling he brought into any room he entered. Maybe it was just a shadow thing, though she had known others and they were more prone to going unnoticed than he. Lyonel shook an extended hand and made quick work of departing the room as the daunting Shadow opened his arms towards her, the dirty traitor, he received a flabbergasted look in response to the cheeky wink he dropped in her direction. Matilda made a mental note to kick Lyonel's *** for it later, in fact she made a billion other mental notes to keep herself distracted, hovering uncertainly in the man's presence as the other departed.

Wolfgang was standing in front of her, with his arms open and she stood there like a stunned mullet.

Unable yet to meet his gaze the woman lifted her hand, a finger raised as if to beg for a moment, not a rejection of his offer just a moment. She turned on her heel, and with her back to him took a few steadying breaths. No matter how much time she had spent in that waking dream going over and over moments like this, no matter how ready she thought she was to face him it was still difficult. "This is really happening, huh?" She barely whispered, a shiver running down her spine as she realised what she was wearing. Red, she always chose red and maybe some sub-concious part of her chose it for him now, to punish him and simultaneously draw him in but today she regretted it. She didn't want to antagonise because she knew the moment she stepped into his arms it would either come to blows or have them holding each other until someone came to separate them. Matilda felt exposed with her hair up and as a means to delay the inevitable further she reached up to free it from the pins, letting the mass of blonde waves tumble free to settle over her shoulders, the weight a comfortable reminder that this was her reality. Slowly she turned back to the Wolf, taking a step closer until she stood just within the circle of his open arms, she was holding in a breath that was no longer needed when finally she looked up to find him watching her.

Those stunning eyes still killed her. Absolutely.

Matilda shook as she stared at him and without any further hesitation stepped into the embrace offered. She held his gaze for as long as she could, trying to battle back a tide of emotion she had not expected. With a sharp shake of her head her eyes closed, hiding them from the world as if they might betray her. Focus was instead placed on simply enjoying the presence of this man, leaning her full weight into him. For once she wanted to be composed, to be able to hug him and let go. To just be around Wolfgang without her head spinning a little would be a nice change of affairs. Her slender arms wrapped around him, the woman nestling herself in knowing just how to curve her frame to match his and there she stayed as long as he would allow her. Her lips parted on an exhalation of breath, a sigh that shook her frame, and released into the air between them a single word. "Home." Her voice threatened to break but she held herself together, fingertips curling in amongst the material of his fine jacket. He still smelled the same, her senses filled with everything Wolfgang as she hid her face against his chest, wanting to shut out the rest of the world for just a little while longer.

[Wolfgang]

Though he was easy to love and difficult to like, Wolfgang was hard to ignore and even while everything about Matilda’s body language said she had every intention to do so, he knew she couldn’t say no, and so held his arms open until she came to terms with his being there. He held her for a long time, going over the image of her hair falling down out of the pins; the way her eyes would bid for and at the same time loathe his gaze, that red dress, her milky thighs. The scent of her hair set his senses ablaze and the shadow stooped to press a kiss to the top of the woman’s head.

Home, she had whispered, for at home in each other’s arms they felt. Time had no measure and the universe collapsed, shrunk down into a bubble that held only them. Reality, like the filthy little peasant she was, soon summoned him, and Wolfgang drew back so that he might be able to gaze upon Matilda’s face. She kept her eyes low, body compelled, like the moon drawn to the axis of the earth. His fingers found her necklace and followed the line it drew across her neck with the pad of his thumb.

The silence was loud; it left him warm, even against her much colder form. Wolfgang peeled the designer suit jacket away and cast it to the arm of the sofa. He loosened his tie, too tight all of the sudden around his neck. “Matilda,” he mouthed, laced his fingers through her yellow hair and closed his hand in order to ward of stubborn defiance. The tip of his nose traced Matilda’s as he forced her head back with firm, but gentle hand only to press his cheek to hers and close his eyes and lose himself for another few long seconds.

[Eva]

The vibrating of her phone in the last few moments would have been enough to get a hooker off. It was as if suddenly the Universe had awoken and everyone was making sure she was awake and not going to miss it. Eva typed into the phone answering Tilda with her fingers while she assured Lyonel with her mind Letting her better half know that she would soon be there .

Eva materialized just outside of West Towers her long legs not missing a beat she walked up the steps through the lobby and into the elevator It took Eva only moments to reach the Penthouse when she entered a sight she hadn't seen in years met her eyes she paused awkwardly not wanting to interrupt the moment . Then she sheepishly announced her presence with a barely audible " Hi "

[Matilda]

Her body bowed to his at the man's will, even as she begged it not to, leaning in to the press of lips at her crown. It was second nature to shift and move to compliment his actions when they weren't at odds with each other, as natural as breathing had been in life. Her hands slid around his waist, slowly making a path up his sides towards his chest where they paused. As he drew back she kept her gaze down, her right palm stilling over where his heart might lay, the left continuing to travel into unguarded territory, final clasping at the nape of his neck. Her eyes remained low, not quite prepared to look at him and break the spell, knowing she may just fall into another one or worse the silence would end. His fingertips felt warm they brushed her skin, reminding her of the pendant she wore. He had given it to her with the message "Queen of my heart" and she'd worn it since, no matter what had occurred. She had the sudden urge to lean down and nip at the pad of the thumb that followed the chain, a thought that made her loose a breathless laugh.

This was dangerous territory, and Lyonel had foolishly left them alone.

The silence was finally broken by her laughter, her name formed without a sound on his lips as he pulled away to remove the oppressive jacket and tie. They were too formal for the moment, she had wanted to push them off herself but it certainly wasn't her place. Often she found herself being too forward with the men in her life, especially when they had others to do it now. Others didn't matter though did they? Not here, or now when the two of them melded back together. Wolfgang easily drawing her into him once more, he had the pull of the moon but she still thought of him as the mountain. Immovable, sturdy, stubborn and seemingly eternal. A memory of a shared dream was easy to recall in that moment as his hands sunk amongst her golden waves. Yes, inescapable. She let him force her head back, that soft trace of his nose to hers, too close and yet so far, his cheek resting to hers so that she felt the pleasant scratch of the stubble he would always have.

Her head tilted against his, moving so that her mouth could trace a line of soft kisses against his strong jaw, a reverent gesture. Her lips parted then, whispering just loud enough for his ears to pick up. "**** you, Wolfgang." Though there was no malice in it, no force and he probably knew exactly what she meant by it. The hand at his nape dragged nails gently over the back of his neck, a gesture that would be soothing in most circumstances. Her head lowering to move her face from his once more, pressing in against his throat. At his chest deft fingers toyed with a button her thumb had found, tracing it in a slow circle. Idle hands were the devil, after all and without commanding it she found her fingertips had flicked it free of the loop that held it, baring a larger expanse of chest.

She should have heard the door open, yes she definitely should of released the man and turned towards it.

Of course that would have been a very, very good idea and it would probably save everyone from a lot of problems should the pair not be interrupted before they became trapped in this slow dance of reconnecting. Some part of her mind recognised they weren't alone perhaps but that bare skin her thumb found was fascinating, her own fingertips softer than his own calloused, hard working hands. A movement of her head had her lips brushing against his adam's apple and that devil's hand toying with another button as someone, somewhere far beyond their little word said simply, "Hi". She did not respond.

[Wolfgang]

Like a snake, Matilda hissed her warning but would not strike; her words were out of frustration, an emotion he had become somewhat of a catalyst for in others. Wolfgang was a beautiful man who would never been lonely, such was the curse of his immortality, but he had a seriously bad track record, five women in five years; the realisation, should it ever strike, would baffle even him. The first was a joke, the second, too sweet, had deserved better, Matilda had fallen somewhere in the middle, and Leiren… well, both of them had changed too much, needed different things, and weren't willing to compromise. Now he had Julianna, the enterprising little supermodel he was currently playing house with. Still, the two lives seemed so far apart and seeing Matilda again only reminded him of that.

She undid his shirt slowly and wherever her lips and fingers explored caused his skin to horripilate, as if reaching out to her touch. While Matilda stood undoing his shirt, Wolfgang fought with the buckle of his belt blindly before catching the lowest button of his top to unfasten the fabric faster, meeting Maltilda’s hands somewhere in the middle. The translucent hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, the skin there still alive with awareness where her fingers had caressed him.

His hands found the straps of Matilda’s dress and pulled them down over her shoulders and within a blink of an eye he had her back against the wall, hands pinned above her head, his mouth hot on her own. Eva’s arrival had gone unnoticed, but not for long, as Matilda so often liked to fight back and soon the man found himself almost falling backwards over the couch, only to freeze up and stare wide-eyed at Eva, trapped awkwardly just beyond the doormat. Wolf sat back on the arm of the chair and reached for a cushion to fold his arms over on top of his lap. Caught up in the moment, he hadn't heard her come in, “Eva,” Wolfgang greeted the woman in a deep tone of voice, as if it were perfectly acceptable to find him half dressed in the living room.

The man let his blood and adrenaline subside before reaching for his shirt to dress, an apologetic glance offered to Matilda, now was not the time; perhaps this was fate intervening, past lovers were often so for a reason.