Meeting [Closed]

[Jesse Fforde]

OOC: Backdated to January 24, 2016

Kaelyn
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Stagger and Kaelyn had been together about six months now. They typically stuck to themselves, not sharing their relationship with the open public. A human and a vampire dating wasn’t really something that was widely accepted. The few that did know about them were close family members of Kaelyn’s that she trusted and she figured might need to know who she was dating. Verbally, the girl had told a few people...Kenlie, Clover and Dominique...who she hadn’t meant to tell. However she had only introduced him to two people in her family.

The first person he met, not too long after they started dating was Doc. While not family through bloodline, he was probably the one person she was closest to in this entire city. She called him her Papi. He was for all intents and purposes her family. That meeting went quite well. At least in her opinion. Stagger hadn’t said otherwise either, so she assumed the moments she left the two alone together hadn’t been too horrible. And throughout their relationship so far, he had been very supportive of her and her happiness with Stagger.

The second person he met...well it didn’t go anywhere near as well. Kaelyn loved her sire beyond words, but sometimes he could be just an obnoxious asshole. He had been rude to her boyfriend. Refused a handshake, used hostile words and it just didn’t go over so pleasantly. The meeting had completely embarassed her. She knew Victor wouldn’t approve of her relationship with him...or anyone for that matter, but especially Stagger. He was human and the thing that got to him most was the fact that he is twice her age. Stagger ended up leaving and her having to chase after to apologize for her sire’s actions.

That second meeting had deterred her from even attempting to introduce him to anyone else. He hadn’t seemed too keen on wanting to meet anyone else either and she didn’t blame him. Jesse was the only one left that she felt was really important for him to meet. The head of the line had a right to know what was going on with his members. Whatever they did would always reflect back onto him. Eventually she would have to let him meet the mysterious boyfriend. She had been able to push that meeting for months. Especially with all the stuff Jesse had been going through. But now he seemed ok and like he’d be able to handle it.

So now there she was, pacing back and forth across the floor of Serpentine...or what was known as Gresse’s. This place was picked in particular for the comfort of all involved. It was a public place, so there were others around. Yet, it was owned by Jesse himself. Picking up her phone, she checked the time. Kaelyn had gotten there a little bit early, but the two of them should be arriving any moment now. Hopefully Stagger would arrive first so he could scout out his surrounding and be comfortable and worry free before jumping in to meet more family.


Stagger
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He had never heard of a place called Serpentine. So at first he was a bit confused when his girlfriend told him of the spot chosen for the meeting. Gresse’s though sounded more familiar. He’d been there before. So that’s where he went. Stagger Lee wasn’t that enthusiastic about the meeting, considering how the one with Kaelyn’s sire went. It had been just a waste of time and energy, as the guy had chosen to be a complete *** to Stag. Victor owed his life only to the fact that it was considered bad style, to shoot your father-in-law.

Stagger believed Kaelyn that Jesse would behave differently. That wasn’t the thing that made him a bit nervous before the meeting. It was something else rather. Both meetings with kin of hers - even the one with Doc that went much smoother - had shown him how much he was not one of them. Not a vampire. As long as he was a living, breathing human vampiric society would always view him with suspicion, there’d always be a - blatant or subtle - ‘join us or die!’ He was not ready to become one of them yet.

Nevertheless it was now time to meet the head of Kaelyn’s bloodline. Stag wondered what one of these powerful vampires would be like. Like the Don of a Mafia line? Or rather a cool, slick manager type? He didn’t have to deal with any of the leaders of the vampire world yet - well Doc seemed a rather powerful and experienced guy, but Stag had no idea what kind of position he had in fanged society. Maybe it was time to learn more about them and how they were organized. It could become a matter of survival.

Stepping into Gresse’s he looked around to spot Kaelyn, as she had told him she’d already be there. He knew how important this meeting was for her, and hoped for her sake that all would go right.


Jesse
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The meeting was not one that Jesse was particularly looking forward to. It was something Kaelyn had wanted for a while, and he was aware of how often he must have let her down, recently. The last couple of months had been rough, and the reception of the news of Kaelyn’s new boyfriend was not exactly complimentary. Given that Kaelyn was determined to keep him, however, Jesse figured it was about time to meet the guy. To gauge his worth. The problem, of course, was that Jesse had already formed his opinion. He wasn’t sure it was going to shift. He wasn’t sure how much better than Victor he was going to be at this. But, at least he had an even temper, these days. At least he could control it better than he might have been able to last month.

Gresse’s was no longer Gresse’s. The sign overhead now read Serpentine; the garage was gone. Inside, walls had been knocked out and the bar had been extended. Harper Rock didn’t really need another bar, but this one was different. This one had the parkour gym underneath, which doubled as a paintball circuit. And of course, the tattoo parlour attached. For a few weeks the place had been gutted, the fire having destroyed the majority of its innards. Now, it was looking more like an actual building. An actual establishment. A few things still needed finishing, but it would be ready for the party Kaelyn had organised. It would be more than ready.

Rather than walk, Jesse used the portal from Limbo to get there. He appeared behind the bar, suddenly. Out of nowhere. Kaelyn was already there, and who he assumed must be Stagger. Jesse had glimpsed the guy in passing, but had never taken a close enough look to know him by memory. Stepping forward, he leaned lightly against the bar.

“Drinks, anyone?” he asked, without clearing his throat. Without announcing his presence. Maybe he intended to startle them, to surprise them. He couldn’t help himself.


Kaelyn
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She was nervous...beyond nervous. What if this meeting ended just as badly as the one before? It couldn’t go that bad...Jesse wasn’t a complete jerk. He wouldn’t be rude. He might not like the man, but he wouldn’t pull the stunts her sire had. This would be ok, things would run smoothly. Kaelyn had to keep telling herself that to keep herself calm. Jesse was a good guy, even if he had flaws...he wouldn’t make her regret this.

Just as she was pulling out her phone to check the time again, there he was. Mister tall, dark and handsome. And of course, as always, he had his Stetson on top of his head. Relief washed over her and she immediately felt more calm. That was one of the many good things about Mister Lee. Just his mere presence made Kaelyn feel cooler, collected and ready to handle the world.

A smile tugged at her glossy pink lips and her random pacing stopped. Her feet had a focus, a goal now. She directed them straight for her boyfriend and then wrapped her arms tightly around his middle. “You’re here!” After a few moments of just clinging to him in that embrace, she pulled away gently and started to tip up onto her tippy toes to press a kiss to his lips. But just before her lips could reach his, she heard a very familiar voice. Eyes widened and she dropped down without the kiss, turning in the direction of the bar, the direction Jesse’s voice had come from.

A red tinge flushed over Kaelyn’s cheeks as she took Stagger’s hand into her own. She led him over to the bar, closer, but not too close to Jesse yet. Fingers were squeezing tightly against Stagger’s hand. This had to go smoothly. They couldn’t afford for it to not. Her blonde curls bounced as she shook her head no. “No, I don’t think I need anything tonight. But I’m assuming Stagger would like a whiskey of some sort.” The girl looked up to her boyfriend as if repeating Jesse’s question to whether he’d want a drink or not. Normally she’d be all flustered and rushing one sentence after another to try and get everything in...she’d have asked about drinks and introduced and possibly said even more all in one go, just to get it done with. But tonight, she’d take her time. She’d be patient. Introductions after the drink matter was handled.


Stagger
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“Yes here I am”, he smiled as his girlfriend greeted him, his arms wrapping around her to hold her slender form to him tight. Her presence never failed to make him happy. Her youthful, bubbly spirit seemed so different from his calm, collected demeanor. But they completed each other in their ways.

Today he had been in a rather dark and brooding mood, the meeting was not something he had been looking forward to, but he knew it was important for her. He had distracted himself by disassembling, cleaning and reassembling his vast collection of firearms, then dressed rather formally - a dark suit, the first time he wore a suit in a long time - and went his way to the meeting spot.

The man they were supposed to meet appeared rather suddenly, just when Kae and Stag were still in each other’s arms for the welcoming hug. Vampires. And their strange powers. Stagger Lee knew much about them by now, but he was far from knowing it all.

“A bourbon, please thank you”, the human replied. Usually he was rather specific in his choice of whiskey, but he didn’t have had the time to have a look at the drink’s menu. And his mind was focussed on the meeting now anyways. “Mr Jesse Fforde, I presume?” He asked, eyeing the man, taking a small step forward towards him. He did not yet extent his hand as he usually would have done. After his experience with Victor he had decided to wait for Jesse to do so - or not.


Jesse
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The colour at the very heart of a flame isn’t orange or red. The colour at the heart of a flame - the hottest part of the flame - is a clear, ice-blue. That was the colour of Jesse’s eyes as he watched the two of them approach. A steady stare that took everything in, even down to the whiteness of Kaelyn’s knuckles as she gripped Stagger’s hand.

Jesse waited for Kaelyn to make the introductions, though Stagger beat her to it. Another glance down as he waited for Stagger to offer a hand. Jesse offered one instead. “Yeah, that’s me,” he said. He didn’t ask whether Stagger was Stagger. That much was immediately obvious. Jesse was a fan of not wasting words. He wondered whether this human of Kaelyn’s had staying power; most humans ran from Jesse the first opportunity they got. Whatever aura he put out, it was a menacing one which they preferred to avoid.

It was only after hands were shook that Jesse went to find the bourbon to pour. Although he had bottles of blood from Arbor Vitae, he refrained from grabbing himself one. When it came down to it, he did not know Stagger. Kaelyn might have told Jesse how much Stagger knew, and how trustworthy he was, but that was a conclusion Jesse wanted to come to himself; and until then, he wasn’t going to be showing any human where the blood was kept in his own establishment.

“I’m going to be honest, man. I’m not one for idle pleasantries,” he said, handing Stagger the bourbon. As blunt as the words may be, they were uttered with a soft edge. “You know why you’re here. You know that generally, vampires don’t accept relationships with humans - you know the majority of Kaelyn’s family is against it. How does that makes you feel?” he asked.


Kaelyn
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Introductions were made without her needing to do so. Teeth were tugging at her bottom lip nervously as she watched the two of them. She rarely saw Jesse like this. He was on guard, wary. He almost seemed cold. Kaelyn could only hope that Stagger didn’t take it as rudeness, with how Victor had been and all. Jesse wasn’t sure of him and of course needed to keep wits about and be straight forward and to the point. This wasn’t a meeting for fun, but more for necessity. Maybe later down the road...if things went well...they could all get together and relax and have a good time. First steps have to be made somewhere though, right?

Fingers remained clutched tightly to Stagger’s left hand. The girl was nervous and it probably could be seen in her eyes. She really wanted this to go well. Bourbon was ordered. Maybe that would help relax things a little? At least on this side. Was this a good idea, arranging this meeting? It needed to happen at some point if the two of them were to remain together. Yes, this was the right decision.

Wide eyes looked up at her boyfriend as Jesse’s question was asked. She was honestly curious about his response too. How did he feel knowing that this was unacceptable, yet they were doing it anyway? How did he feel knowing that much of her family didn’t and might not ever accept them? Her feet shifted a little beneath her while she waited to hear his response.


Stagger
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“I am Stagger Lee”, he spoke as he reached for the offered hand, giving it a firm shake. It was quite a tense atmosphere in this room. Stag could feel it by his girlfriend’s fingers digging into his hand as well as by the icy stare of the man he just met. He wonder what family reunions among those vampires would be like. Equally frosty? Or did her family warm up after getting to know people better?

Or maybe not, if those people happened to be humans? If it was just about Stag, he wouldn’t have minded ignoring her family’s existence altogether. Kaelyn was all the company he needed, he didn’t give a damn what those other vampires thought about him. But he knew she was much more of a family person, and how much she suffered by their hostile reaction. So now it was up to him to set things right.

He didn’t know what it looked like when those vampire families met. But in his mind he imagined it to be some odd cross between the Italian Mafia and the Illuminati. Black capes, pompous meeting halls in some ancient castle, lots of chianti - or rather blood. To be accepted by them it wouldn’t be enough to convince them of his deep and sincere love for Kaelyn. He had to offer them something instead.

“How that makes me feel? Well first of all it makes me wonder. I hope it doesn’t come across as disrespectful. But I think you only see the risks and liabilities of such a union, and not the assets and advantages.” He looked the vampire straight into the eyes as he continued. “You can count on me, Mister Jesse Fforde. No matter if you need an extra gun in your fights or someone to go where you guys can’t go. I think you know that I am not just any random human.”

Stagger Lee had no loyalties or alliances with any other group in this city. The Order was in the distant part, and he never really had been one of them anyway. Pledging allegiance to the Fforde’s would be something both sides could profit from.

[Kaelyn]

Jesse
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Kaelyn didn’t interrupt or try to answer the questions for Stagger, which was to her credit. Jesse didn’t need to be a psychic to realise the girl was stressed, but he wasn’t focused on Kaelyn right now. He was focused on her boyfriend.

Stagger answered Jesse’s questions in an unexpected way - but why should it be any different? He was a man, talking to a man, and men generally didn’t dwell on their feelings, or speak about them out loud. Jesse may as well have been the protective older brother asking this skeevy older man - old enough to be Kaelyn’s father, really - what his intentions were. But instead of telling Jesse how he felt in regards to Kaelyn’s future, he instead replied with ways in which their relationship could be a boon rather than a hindrance.

Jesse fell silent as he thought about it, gesturing to one of the nearby booths so that they could all sit and be comfortable rather than standing like barman and customer. This was not a conversation he expected to get out of hand, now; he didn’t need to be standing there like some alpha male marking his territory - even if that’s how he felt, sometimes.

As soon as they were all seated, Jesse cleared his throat and continued.

“You bring up an interesting point, Stagger. Kaelyn here isn’t the only one who was fraternising with humans. I’ve realised it’s not something I can stop and that I’ve been stuck in a brainwashed state of mind. I’ll keep your offer in mind. However, I wasn’t asking how you think you could be a benefit to our family. My concerns were never for the secrecy of vampire-kind, they were always for the safety of my family. For their happiness and well-being. Now - I asked you how you felt, because you are human. And from what Kaelyn has told me, that’s not something you’re planning to change. You’re going to grow old and die - sooner rather than later,” he said - he couldn’t resist the barb - as he glanced sideways at Kaelyn. “And she’s going to stay young forever. You’re going to put her through all that heartache. How does that… make you feel?”

Kaelyn
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That was definitely not the answer she had expected from her boyfriend. She didn’t expect him to go on and on about feelings and his love for her, but she certainly hadn’t expected him to offer himself up to Jesse and her family. It was a surprise to her as much as it was to Jesse. And honestly, it said so much more to her about his feelings and sentiment towards her than any declaration of love. He was offering his services to help her family in any time of need. This would take a lot of trust on his part, something he didn’t easily give away. But then there were those thoughts rising in her mind again...he was offering to fight with her family if the need ever arose. They were vampires...if bad stuff happened, they could bounce back quickly. However him...he was a human. If something happened to him, he wouldn’t be coming back. That was a thought she didn’t want to bare right now. She wanted to interject, to say that him fighting with them wasn’t something they could accept. Not unless something major changed before then.

This wasn’t the time for her to argue that, though. Jesse had motioned for a booth nearby and she silently moved towards it with her boyfriend and slid into the seat closest to the wall. She chose that seat specifically so that Stagger wouldn’t feel trapped. He had an exit at all times. Once again, Jesse spoke, asking of his feelings. He spoke of Stagger dying in the not so distant future. It was all true. She was forever young and he was forever aging and growing closer to death. To her, it was worth it. To enjoy the moments they had together and not focus on the fact that she would indeed lose him eventually.

This conversation was for them. There was no room for her to hop in and say anything. They needed to have this out completely on their own. So she sat there, listening and watching back and forth between the two of them, her hand still grasping at Stagger’s.

Stagger
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Now the ball was in Jesse’s court and Stagger would see how the man reacted to the proposal made. He accepted the invitation to take a seat, then listed to Jesse’s reply. He listened, then took a moment of time to think about what to reply before he spoke. “Yes being a human I will grow old, get weaker, and eventually will die. This is the course of nature.” He finally replied, avoiding to look at his girlfriend as he said these words, stating the inevitable. “But we are not talking about weeks, or month here. I am a man that is still very much at the peak of his abilities. I have never been more fit, more able than I have been now.” He knew that Kaelyn would have agreed to these statements, taking into account her experience. Giving her hand a little squeeze under the table, he continued. “I am still constantly training, still growing stronger. I believe myself way capable of protecting Kaelyn if the need arises.“

“But I am aware that within in years this might change and that while her powers still increase, mine would wane and falter, despite all training and efforts.” He paused, because what he now was about to say was very important and would set his life on a much different course from what he had always planned to. “The time will come, when I will have no other choice but to accept the gift that has been kindly offered to me. But this time is not now. Give me just five more years, so that I can reach the very peak of what I could dream of being able to achieve as a human. And then, if you are still willing to, accept me into your ranks. I will become one of yours. Until then, take my word, that as a human I am at least equally able to give Kaelyn all that she needs from a man than as a vampire.” His mortality was not something he was giving up earlier. But this conversation, as well as previous ones with Kaelyn had convinced him that he couldn’t allow to just let himself age and die and leave her behind. This was a love to last forever.

Jesse
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Jesse’s eyes narrowed as the human announced himself as capable of taking care of Kaelyn. Clearly, the vampire didn’t believe him. But he didn’t outright question it. He didn’t scoff or deride. Instead, he sat back, his arms crossed over his chest. He chewed on the inside of his cheek, refraining from responding until Stagger had finished.

A brow was arched dubiously, curiously as he glanced from Stagger to Kaelyn and back again. Had she known about this plan? This agreement that Stagger was now making? Should there be a contract, a time limit, that the both of them sign? No. Jesse would remember. Or… well. He’d tell Clover. Clover would remember. Clover seemed to be able to remember very little ******* thing.

He knew, now, that Victor would not be pleased. Jesse had been hard-pressed to allow Victor to wait until Valentine’s day to turn Esperanza, and that had only been a couple of weeks. Though, Jesse had requested Esperanza to be turned sooner as a way of testing Victor. To see if he would do as he was told. Now was not the time for comparisons, however. Jesse was silent because he was thinking. He was pondering the ramifications of this conversation. The radical changes that the family could undergo as a result.

“There are perks,” he said. “You are human. You can do things during the daylight hours that we might not be able to. Infiltrate places that we might not be able to touch. Though, that could also make you a threat,” Jesse said slowly. “If I am going to trust you and your abilities, you’ll have to prove your worth. A field test, of some kind. But. I’m not sure why you would want five years. You say you are at your peak now. You’re only getting older. Whatever strength you might gain as a human is going to have no bearing on who you are as a vampire. Humanity has its limits. Power and growth as a vampire, as far as I know so far, is limitless,” he said. He was pushing. Five years was a long time.

“And what if you are not as strong as you think you are? What if, within the next five years, you die? You’re mixing in dangerous things with dangerous creatures. A human who knows too much. If your death comes sooner than your appointed five years, what then?”

Kaelyn
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Yes they had talked about the fact that he was human and she was vampire before. He was going to continue to get older, he would always be at risk. While she….Kaelyn would always be young and strong. There really wasn’t much that could kill her. And even then, she had no doubts that she could come back from the Shadow Realm if she were ever to be killed. She had been there once before, and yes at that time it was a struggle. But she had help from those she loved. Next time, if there was a next time, it wouldn’t be so hard. The conversation about Stagger growing old and dying wasn’t one she particularly liked to have or hear. She tried to block it out some. The free hand she had, had grabbed the sugar packets that were on the table and started fiddling with them. It was inevitable. Her boyfriend was going to age, or he was going to die. He had already told her the few times she brought it up...he did not want the life that she had.

But her ears perked up, her chin jutted towards him as Stagger continued on to speak. Was she hearing him correctly? Those words weren’t really leaving his mouth were they? Bright blue eyes widened in shock as she stared at him intently. Not only had he offered himself as aide to the family, but...was he now offering up his humanity for her? She wanted to lunge herself at him, smother him in kisses and adoration. He was going to be hers forever...she wasn’t going to have to lose him! This was the first time hearing this, or even thinking it was possible. The hand grasping her boyfriend’s was squeezing tightly...probably too tightly for human hands, but she didn’t realize it at that moment. This was probably the best news she had received in...well maybe since she was told her life could be saved.

Jesse had started to prattle things off...she had no idea what, really. She had lost focus of their conversation once again as her mind soared with thoughts. However, snippets from the ending of what he said brought her back down. Five years. Five years was nothing in the life of a vampire, but five years as a human….anything could happen. Yes, he was strong...healthy, had powers of his own, along with being able to carry hers. But being strong and powerful doesn’t stop a car from hitting you, an enemy from putting a bullet in your head, a monster attacking you from behind, unapproving vampires from ripping your heart out, or even simple illness from taking what’s so precious. He could die at any moment of any day. Before now...that was just a risk that she was willing to take without second thought, because he was always going to die. But now...he wasn’t supposed to die. He was to live forever...with her. All of these threats seemed like so much more now.

He said five years though. She couldn’t push to take more of his life away...he was already giving it up for her. Granted, he was giving it up for something so much more amazing. But it was his choice. She would have to accept it. There would have to be terms though. Probably terms they’d discuss in private later. If anything were to happen to him, she’d want permission to turn him...not risk losing him. For now, she’d stay quiet and let them continue. This is probably the quietest Kaelyn had ever been.

Stagger
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Stagger Lee listened to the man with his full attention. Some of what Jesse said he liked, some not so much. “I fully understand that you will have to put my dedication to your family to the test. You have not yet seen me fight. How would you know I am of any use for your line without ever seeing me in action. So yes I stand ready to be tested.” His mood darkened though as Jesse uttered his dislike of the suggested time frame.

It seemed those vampire lines were in some ways very much unlike the Italian mob. While it was devilishly hard and time consuming for an outside to ever become one of the Cosa Nostra, it seemed that those vampires were eager to push any mortal they associated with into their ranks as quick as possible. Well it made sense in a way. But only if those battles in gangland Harper Rock - battles among vampires as well as between vampires and other beings, humans as well as supernatural creatures - were fought so fiercely and mercilessly that each side was desperate to gain the upper hand.

So far Stagger Lee had stayed out of these power battles, as he saw only risk but no gain in it for himself. Now he was getting himself right into them. He would do this for Kaelyn, the woman he loved. But if Jesse wanted Stagger Lee to fight for him, Stag would damn well do so on his own terms. He had survived for almost forty years this way, relying on himself more than on anyone else.

“I am not going to haggle away my mortality”, he said with determination. “my offer stands as it is. “And honestly while I know that what you offer would protect me from aging, disease and many other things that kill or weaken a human, I do not think that there is a such a thing as true, complete immortality. Think of the many of your kind who do not return from those other realm.” He had no idea how a vampire could be sent to final death. He had heard the paladins discuss it, without ever coming to result. But wouldn’t the world yet be overrun by vampires completely if vampires never ever died? With their healing powers they didn’t even need humans for sustenance and could exist without a problem even in a world without a single mortal human remaining. A scary thought.

[Stagger Lee]

Jesse
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This was why Jesse had not thought it was a good idea for him to meet Kaelyn’s other half a couple of months ago. A couple of months ago, Jesse’s temper was a volatile thing. It was a ticking time bomb, and when the timer was triggered, there was no stopping it. It was a fury that could not be sated until blood coated the walls - or at least filled Jesse to the brim. Even from here he could hear Stagger’s heart beat. It was wet and solid; it promised a good, robust meal. Jesse’s tongue ran over his teeth, waiting to feel the pin-prick of his canines, hungry. Always. And sharp.

A couple of months ago, Stagger’s obvious defensive anger would have triggered the same in Jesse. And yet he sat, glancing at Kaelyn with an arched brow, as if silently conversing with her about how sensitive her boyfriend was. A smile tugged the corner of his lips as he laughed a slow, husky laugh.

“No one was haggling. I merely asked a question that you did not answer,” Jesse said. What would he do if death came for him sooner than he wanted it to? Jesse gave a shrug and shook his head.

“You can have your five years. But perhaps you should talk to Kaelyn about conditions. If you were to die before that five years is up. If she’s allowed to save you, or whether you’d curse her for it. Yes, some of our kind don’t come back, but most that I know, do. And have. Myself included. Several times. Three, now. Or has it been four? Doesn’t matter. The point it, if you die as a human you have no chance of coming back. If you die as a vampire? Maybe there is no such thing as complete immortality, but we can get pretty fuckin’ close,” he said.

Really, he had no idea why a human would cling to their mortality so tightly, not when there was something better on offer. But Jesse would try to understand, and wouldn’t push too much. That could be Kaelyn’s job.

Kaelyn
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She could understand why Stagger was getting defensive. This was his life. His choice. If he wanted to wait five years...then five years it’d be. Stagger’s life was important to him...his mortality. He wanted to clutch onto that for as long as he could and Kaelyn wouldn’t even try to fight him on that one. However, Jesse was right. She would want to discuss the what ifs. The young blonde wasn’t ready to lose her boyfriend now that she could have him forever. If something were to happen, she would need that permission to bring him over.

The thoughts of him fighting for her family were a bit worrisome. He was in fact mortal...he could so easily die. Would it come to that? Purposely putting her lover into dangerous situations just to appease the family? No. Absolutely not. It was now time for her to speak up some. She looked back and forth between the two men while she spoke.

“I understand that for the family to gain any amount of trust for Stagger, he’ll need to prove himself in some way. However, there is no way in hell I am going to allow him to be sent off into any overly dangerous mission where I could very easily lose him. Find small things for him to do. Things that only a human could that would be beneficial. But we are not sending him out to get killed. Or heck, even really hurt. He is mine. I will not allow that.”

She was dead set against that. Yes, he may want to offer himself up for dangerous missions...but that she wouldn’t allow. At least not if she wasn’t right there with him. The look on her face was very serious, daring either of them to even try to argue this with her.

Stagger
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Stagger Lee noticed Jesse’s reaction. This was dangerous terrain now. He himself knew that hunger very well. Even more than the other man would ever believe. But Stag had been told that it was even stronger in vampires, even harder to control. He had witnessed it much too often, and many times it was followed by a blur and finding yourself in unfamiliar places. It no longer made him nervous or afraid, as it had become part of his daily life. But his muscles tensed, his heartbeat quickened. He was ready to fight if he had too. This was the all familiar rush of adrenaline that kept him alive in this city.

But then this moment of tension, this moment of danger passed away, and Stagger Lee relaxed again, taking a sip from his whiskey as he listened to the man continue. This question was a loaded one. Of course, if he died, or came close to dying, he’d rather have them bring him back as a vampire, then have him pass away for good. He still didn’t like the idea of becoming a vampire any time soon, but he wasn’t that selfish, he wouldn’t want to die and leave Kaelyn behind if there was a chance to save him. Yet if he said yes, there was a danger in it. This guy seemed all too eager to make him join their fold. So what if he helped it a little? A little oops, a little accident…

He studied the other man. Could he trust him? Stagger Lee wasn’t sure. But then he looked at Kaelyn, seeing how she felt about it, and he knew he really had no other choice in this. “I would be grateful, if you Kaelyn, turned and saved me, if something happened to me before my time”, he spoke, focussing his gaze on his girlfriend. “I’d be a huge fool if I wanted it to be any other way.”

Listening to what Kaelyn said, he slightly shook his head. He loved her so much, but sometimes she really worried way too much about him. In a way it was a good thing, because it helped to make sure that her family wouldn’t speed up the process of him becoming a vampire by putting him into situations that would make his death certain. On the other hand he was pretty much capable to survive even under dangerous circumstances. “I don’t mind a little danger, and I don’t mind a little pain”, he spoke out with a smile.

Jesse
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If Jesse were in Stagger’s position, Kaelyn’s little speech might have convinced him to be turned there and then. To be relegated to ‘small’ jobs that weren’t dangerous, because he was considered too weak? Jesse would have seen it as a slight against his masculinity; against his own ability. He’d have argued against it. If it were Clover in Kaelyn’s position, disallowing Jesse to do things, he’d have laughed. He might be hers, but she couldn’t tell him what to do. And Jesse was curious to see how Stagger reacted.

Except the reaction wasn’t a large one. He didn’t outright tell her no, but nor did he submit to her terms. Jesse merely shrugged his shoulders.

“At the moment, I can’t think of anything. I’m not going to just create some scenario and throw you into it for shits and giggles,” he said, glancing sideways at Kaelyn. “If something comes up and I think you might be able to help, I’ll give you a shout. Until then…” he shrugged his shoulders again. Did he have to repeat himself? There were discussions that he’d had with Kaelyn that he assumed she had passed on to her boyfriend. But now was the time for honesty - to lay everything out on the table.

“I’m sure I don’t have to remind you that the relationship between vampires and humans is a precarious one, especially where shared knowledge is concerned. It doesn’t matter what your particular story is, or how or why you’re with Kaelyn. There are those in the city that don’t ask questions. They just kill for the smallest slight,” he said. He had been a part of that group, once. All the bridges had been burned, however, and it was time to forge a new path - to cut through the weeds and figure out how best to continue.

“I, myself, am becoming a little more open-minded. As you are in the process of illustrating, humans and vampires can live together, beneficially. Until I can figure out exactly what my stance is, I trust that you’ll both continue to be careful. It’s not just your own lives that are on the line - it’s the safety of my family that I look out for most,” he said. He turned his eyes on Stagger, then - the full, threateningly bright intensity of them.

“In saying that, if you do anything at all to harm Kaelyn, I’ll kill you myself. Clear?”

Kaelyn
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She wasn’t necessarily saying he couldn’t do anything dangerous...just nothing -too- dangerous. Nothing that was pretty much going to guarantee her coming home to a boyfriend that had been very poorly abused. He was human. He didn’t heal like they did. Yes he was special with all his Blood Thieving stuff...but he was still human. She couldn’t really take him to the hospital and explain to them what had happened, could she? So yes, she was very clear on what she did and did not want him doing. Would he listen? That was fully up to him, but at least both of them would know where she stood. When he was turned….that’d be a whole new story. Stagger didn’t object, but he let it be known that he felt he could handle whatever task was thrown at him. He could handle more than a mere human.

Kaelyn knew that Jesse wouldn’t ever intentionally throw Stagger into harm’s way...at least nothing too crazy. But she’d still be there to delegate. He wasn’t cruel by any means. He wasn’t going to force his turning any faster than she would. This was between the two of them...as long as it didn’t interfere or harm the family in any way. Ugh and there it was...the whole keep your relationship hidden from the community blah blah blah...she had heard it so many times she could probably speak verbatim what he would say. Her eyes literally rolled as he continued on. But of course he’d have to tell it to Stagger. This was their first meeting. Jesse knew that Kaelyn had told him and had spoken to him...but he was head of their line. He had to be sure of it. Had to insist on it.

The girl blinked a few times at Jesse’s last statement. She hadn’t expected that like she had everything else. A smile creeped to her lips. It was sweet that he was looking out for her wellbeing. It was kind of like….a big brother or something. Not like a father...cuz Jesse was way too young to be her dad. Big brotherly was the right term for it. Leaning against her boyfriend, she pressed a kiss to his shoulder. She knew he would never harm her. He loved her just as much as she did him.

Stagger
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“I will be ready when the situation arises”, Stagger replied to Jesse. The fact that the man didn’t yet have a situation at hand was quite understandable. Stag had made his suggestion just a few minutes ago after all. And yes he would be ready. The way that they were being protective of himself - first Kaelyn, but now Jesse too - was becoming a bit too much for him. Stagger Lee had survived for almost forty years without dying even once. He didn’t plan to do so anytime soon. He was hoping though that the task Jesse would come up with eventually would be a challenging, dangerous one. Just to show them that he was capable to handle such situations as a human, without the need to immediately be turned.

To some extent though, Jesse’s warning of vampire society was welcome to Stagger Lee. For some reasons he still imagined the social meeting of vampires like those pompous balls held in the movies. Century old bloodsuckers dancing the waltz under the light of crystal chandeliers. It was not Stag’s world at all. He had no knowledge of the finer details of courtly etiquette at all. Much rather he’d spend some quality time together with his beloved Kaelyn, having the kind of fun only lovers have.

He smiled over to his girlfriend as he thought of those things, then looked back to Jesse. “I vow on my life that I will never harm Kaelyn. She is more precious to me then anything else in this world.” He felt her kiss on his shoulder and turned towards her again, kissing her gently on her neck. The meeting with Jesse had gone pretty well so far, but now Stag felt like it was soon time for Kaelyn and him to head home, and enjoy the rest of the night together.

Jesse
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“Mhm,” he said, glancing between Stagger and Kaelyn with a barely masked expression of dubiousness. There were plenty of people Jesse had trusted in his lifetime only to have them turn around and walk all over him. Even the person he had vowed to love forever, who he had planned to marry. And how well had that worked out? Once upon a time he and Grey had snuggled like Stagger and Kaelyn were now. They had both believed that their love would last forever. But they had both realised - or so he assumed she must have realised it, too - that their love had failed at the last hurdle. It had been unable to withstand the pressure of what such a love required.

Things were different, now. Clover was different. They hadn’t even started dating and she’d withstood more pressure than Grey had, and since then should have been crushed beneath it. She should have run for the hills. But they’d weathered the storm and had come out the other side, now bathing in the sunshine of a particular kind of contentment and happiness. They had their own hurdles but they were challenges that Jesse relished.

But even now he doubted everything. He doubted that it would last, he doubted what he himself believed. And so of course he doubted this thing that Stagger and Kaelyn had, too - he doubted that it was going to end in anything but despair. But, Stagger hadn’t hurt her yet, so there was nothing that Jesse could do. He leaned back, his arms crossed over his chest, licking his lips to break the silence.

“Did you have any other concerns, questions? I think this went quite well, don’t you?” He said, glancing between the two of them.

Kaelyn
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The meeting of the two of them seemed to be wrapping up. There really wasn’t a whole lot more left to say, at least she didn’t think so. She sat back in her seat, letting them exchange their last bit, ready to get out of here and head back to Stagger’s place for a nice night in. Kaelyn had absolutely no doubts that they would last...they were perfect for each other and nothing was going to tear them apart. Then again she was young, naive and had absolutely zero experience with any of this. The only relationships she had to go off of were the ones she had seen in her life...mom and dad...dad left when she was a baby. Jesse and Grey, that didn’t end well. Victor and Kenlie...she still didn’t know what was going on there. And now Jesse and Clover...that was different, she was watching it closely, seeing how things worked with them. Maybe they were the right ones for each other...like she and Stag were right for each other.

She started to restack the sugar packets back into their little holder nicely as the two finished up. Jesse asked if there were any more questions. Blue eyes glanced up at her boyfriend, curious if he wanted or needed to know anything. She should be able to take it from here...anything he needed or wanted to know, she could help with. Plus she was ready to get home. Her hand found his again and squeezed her fingers around it. “I think we’re ok. If there are any more questions, I can take over. Thank you for meeting Stagger, Jesse. I appreciate it.”