<CASTALIA> The endless sea of bodies in Allure had Castalia sitting up on the second floor of the club, simply observing now that most of her work had been done. Frank and Rhys had wanted the celebration, but she’d been fine with closing down for the evening and going out for a few drinks with friends. As usual, she’d been out numbered because the old man and college student, but what bitterness had been there in the beginning of the night had faded. Music played from the speakers, glitter floating through the air - she suspected she’d be finding it for weeks on end.
With the countdown to midnight - a new year, a new start - coming to play, Castalia reached into her pocket and checked her cellphone. She’d invited a few friends, and of course, Cedric, and due to the career of some, only two were able to make it for a couple of hours. She’d been amused at their surprise, at the relief that she was not dead as others had thought. Her parents, too, had been invited - she could still see her mother’s tear stained face. Somehow, the woman had understood Castalia’s distance. But she wasn’t happy with her decision to stay away from the kids.
From where she sat, the woman could still hear her father’s laughter even over the music, to her left. They’d gone off and found a booth to leave their daughter to her own devices and career, something that had Castalia’s painted red lips lifted into a warm smile. Despite the glitter everywhere, however, she was glad to see that her suggested attire had stuck - semi-formal wear had apparently been a hit. After checking her phone once more, she slid it back into the pocket that was hidden within her purple dress before collecting a shot of whiskey as a waitress walked passed.
The woman smiled at her boss, who lifted the shot glass in a manner to say ‘cheers’ before knocking it back with a small grimace. The alcohol wouldn’t do anything to her, but it at least made the night seem to go by faster.
<CEDRIC> Cedric was battling with a sea of bodies of his own. The Cocoa Bean, of course, was open. The innards were decorated with tinsel in silver and gold -- an expensive tinsel, long-stranded and drooping from the ceiling, glittering like rain caught in time. Full 20s regalia was on show, the women in their cocktail dresses and little hats, the men in their tailored suits and shining shoes. It was a Gatsby affair, and they were all partying like it was 1920, too.
The staff were well drilled in how to deal with the crowd -- busier than usual -- with fireworks set to go off at midnight (organised by the mall itself, not by Cedric, so he didn’t have to be around to supervise). Costello was receiving the last round of instructions. The doppelganger was being left in charge while Cedric went to meet his sire. At first, he had declined the invitation, thinking he’d be too busy with his own business to attend to hers.
At the last minute, however, he’d given the reins over to Costello. He’d shifted things around so that he could escape the fanfare. He hadn’t told Castalia. He let the woman continue to think that her childe would not be able to make it.
Twenty minutes later he was gliding through the doors of Allure, one hand in his pocket and the other checking his phone. There were no messages or missed calls. The phone was tucked back into his pocket, and his cool gaze swept the interior of the club. He saw Castalia from behind -- he approached quietly, making sure to veer sideways should she come close to looking in his direction. He slid up behind her, fingers lightly touching her hip, lips at her ear.
“You look good in purple,” he said with a smooth smile.
<CASTALIA> It would have been a lie, had Castalia said that she was not slightly disappointed when she’d gotten the message from Cedric about not being able to make it. However, she knew the man had a life outside of her, as well as businesses of his own, and it wasn’t as if the two would not see each other before dawn. Every now and then, she would catch herself looking around for him in hopes she’d find him, but as the night moved on, the allurist begun to give up on her actions, focusing on those around her and watching her guests enjoy themselves.
The laughter and enjoyment of those around her had her emotions at ease, the woman humming softly to herself with a quieter tune than the upbeat sounds. A live band had been preferable to a disc jockey for the occasion, and Castalia was not disappointed in her decision. Guests seemed to be enjoying themselves more, spending quite a bit of time on the dance floor and as another round of glitter drifted down, she brushed a bit off her hand.
As the band started up once more, she tucked a few loose strands of hair away from her face and contemplated about what could be done. From the corner of her eyes, she could see that her parents had gone off somewhere - a quick scan of the area had her finding the couple dancing. “Might as well go check stock.” She mumbled to herself, pausing as she felt someone at her back.
It was in the same instant that the tension and prepared nature to fight melted away that he touched her, Castalia recognizing Cedric’s voice, followed by his scent causing her to calm. “Thank you,” She moved her hand to cover his fingers, “I thought you weren’t going to make it.” Turning her head so that she could look at him over her shoulder, there was a trace of a smirk on her lips. “And the look suits you. Very dashing.”
<CEDRIC> Cedric stood back, spreading his arms and spinning, slowly. He looked down at his suit then back up at Castalia. “It’s shinier than my usual,” he said. Truth was, Cedric was barely out of a suit. When required to dress up for an event it was never hard to find something to wear. This suit was new, however, bought only nights prior.
“It is true, I was busy. But I changed my mind,” he said with a slow shrug. “I thought that I would surprise you,” he said, taking a single step forward to replace his hand upon Castalia’s waist. At first it would look like he was swooping in for a kiss, but his lips bypassed hers and he pressed a kiss to the rise of her cheek instead. A greeting between friends, maybe. Close friends, at the very least.
It was a relief to Cedric to find Castalia’s neck bare. From his pocket he plucked a silver strand, but didn’t show Castalia immediately. Instead, he gestured that she should turn around, and wouldn’t show her what he had until she had done as he requested. Only then did he drop the necklace around her neck, fingers making deft work of the clasp at the back. It was a delicate white gold, the quaver studded with diamonds.
“Merry late Christmas,” he said, letting his hands drop. “And here’s to a glorious new year. It is a selfish present. I thought that it would remind me of you,” he said with a mischievous grin. What had possessed him to buy the extravagant gift, he did not know -- except that he’d seen it, when he’d been shopping for his suit. It was right there in the shop window, by itself beneath the single bright light, as if by design. As if he was meant to have it.
<CASTALIA> Her hand rested against his chest as he kissed her cheek, the woman returning the action by pressing a kiss of her own to his cheek. “It is, but I do like it.” She lifted her eyes, that evening only one contact lens to bring the hazel to a shade of teal, to his face. It brought more attention to the man himself, his posture and the way he carried himself.
“You can call me pleasantly surprised.” And she was. It showed in her features, Castalia’s smile unfading as she took in his appearance and the atmosphere around her. “Can I get you a drink? I promise it won't end up entirely like the last time.” She gave a teasing smirk, “For now. We’ve got a sort friendly for our sort of clientele.”
Mild curiosity played across her face as he moved his hand, the silver chain catching her interest. Turning on her heel as requested, a soft gasp escaped her lips at the sight of the music note. “It’s beautiful, thank you.” She set her hand slightly over the pendant, turning and looking back up at him. She chuckled, “I do not see how that would be a bad thing, being reminded.” Castalia traced her finger along the diamonds.
She looked down at the best she could, “It’s alright to be selfish at times.” She smirked. And it had her surprised. At least now, she felt, she'd be able to find something pretty in the mirror. Castalia set her hand on his chest once more, sliding it up to rest against his collarbone as she pressed a kiss over the area she bit regularly. Afterwards, the sound of a ‘Hey’ drew her attention to Frank as the old man cast a wave in their direction.
<CEDRIC>
The noise of the club faded as Castalia’s lips pressed against the skin of Cedric’s neck, the promise of the sting bereft here, in this public place. Were they so daring? Could they be? Could he slip his arm around her waist and hold her so close, as they pretended to dance? That offer for a drink could apply not only to him, but to her too. She could drink what humans could drink, but it would not nourish her like he could.
The notion slipped away as Frank got Castalia’s attention, and Cedric cleared his throat as he nodded. “A drink, yes. Surprise me,” he said, his hand again at the small of Castalia’s back as he led them toward the bar.
There was a smile gracing the Shadow’s lips as they meandered through the crowds. It had been a rush to get here, but now that he was here he could relax. It was only the relief of Castalia’s acceptance of the gift that alerted Cedric to the fact that he had been anxious at all. It was a foreign feeling, this kind of relief. Even his marriage had been more out of convenience than any real feeling. Rather than submit to the confusion of his own emotions, Cedric relinquished himself to the night, to the music, to the club -- to the drink that would soon be in his hands. He would pretend that it was a Bloody Mary. Mind over matter, right?
<CASTALIA> It was a tempting thought, to sink her fangs into the flesh and see if he’d make the usual moan of pleasure that she’d come to enjoy since she’d begun to feed from him. The connection, the intimacy of feeding from him, felt pleasurable to her, too, but would it do to feed in front of customers? She supposed not. While it wasn’t as if she openly admitted that she was a vampire, she didn’t keep it a secret. Her main concern had been and always would be keeping those she cared for safe, and it likely wouldn’t do - drinking from Cedric now.
She looked over her shoulder at him, the same smile gracing her lips as they walked. “What are your plans?” Always asking questions, hardly answering them herself. To her bartender who nodded at Cedric, recognizing him, she said, “The usual and a midnight special.”
Castalia turned to face her childe after that, she inclined her head briefly. “Booth, table, bar?” She inquired. She didn’t have a preference as she took in his appearance again, the suit that he wore. It was different than his others, the shiny fabric amusing her as she took him not to draw attention to himself. Her hand lifted to the pendant she wore, fiddling with it distractedly.
<CEDRIC> The smirk that lifted the corners of Cedric’s lips could not be helped. The man wasn’t often crude in his humour but he opened up around Castalia. He was rarely crude these days given how serious sex had become -- it wasn’t fun, it was something different. It was a darker kind of fun. It was an exploration of something he never knew he could be, but which he must be regardless of whether he wanted it or not. The fact that he could joke about it with Castalia meant something which he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
“I would take all three..” he said, head canted to the side, brow subtly arched as he wondered whether she got it, whether she understood where he was going with the remark. He glanced around at the crowds, imagined unbuckling the belt holding up his suit pants, imagined his hands on Castalia’s thighs as he shimmied her dress up over bare skin. He imagined her sigh, but only sighed himself, shaking his head.
“But that, I think, would be more inappropriate than my becoming an impromptu meal,” he said with an equally subtle wink. “You frequent this establishment more than I do. Pick somewhere with the least amount of draught,” he said, though his gaze did subconsciously search for a booth, secluded and out of the way.
<CASTALIA> She didn’t realize how it could have been taken and as she waited for Frank to make the drinks, Castalia couldn’t help but look at the man beside her from the corner of her eyes. It was the lifting of his lips that gave it away before he spoke and she reached out to playfully poke him in the side, a chuckle escaping past her own. There was the ability to be more carefree, blunt around Cedric that she appreciated, that she enjoyed. Still, she slightly leaned into him as she thought about his words.
Although it had been days since the first time she’d fed on him, she could still feel his weight underneath her as she straddled his lap. The taste of his skin and blood hardly ever faded from her lips, but the feeling of his lips still remained in her mind. The smirk on her own lips had Castalia giving a considerate hum. She set her hand on his hip and leaned up to add with her lips against his ear, “If that were the case we should add my desk to the mix” in a teasing tone, a coy grin visible, before falling back down as her bartender set Castalia’s usual in front of her. She collected it, waiting as the man returned a moment later.
It wasn’t a bad idea, though, Castalia followed after his gaze. “There’s one this way.” Her teal eyes looked at the clock, grimacing as she noticed the time. The brunette tugged at the jacket he wore before picking up his drink as well. The woman wandered in the direction of a quiet booth, decorated in a dark blue with silver trim away from the groups and the glitter falling from the ceiling. It was a bit higher up, overlooking most of the festivities. “How’s this?” She smirked, “Quiet enough?”
<CEDRIC> The Shadow arched a brow, the suggestion of an office desk only teasing his senses. His gaze lazily swept the outer walls of the establishment, looking for a door. Where was that office, anyway? But then the promise of her body was taken away, the drinks settled and taken by Castalia. The booth was chosen, and the sire led the way.
Cedric was careful to keep his eyes on his surroundings rather than on the woman’s backside.He, too, took note of the clock and the proximity to midnight. It wasn’t too far off, but at least they hadn’t missed it. There’d have been no point coming if he was going to miss it.
They reached the booth and Cedric answered by sliding in, a curt nod given. They could drink. Maybe they could dance. Or they could sit in the quiet, away from the crowds. What were they to him, anyway? Crowds these days were reduced to paying customers. That was it. They were rowdy, and they could be problematic. But they brought in the money, and the livelihood. Cedric slid to the back of the booth from which he could oversee the club -- he glanced at the seat beside him, patting at the leather lightly with his head cocked to the side, inviting Castalia to join him, to sit by him.
<CASTALIA> She could only smile to herself as she walked to the booth, looking over her customers quietly. Sweat mixed with glitter glistening on skin, the woman pausing to watch the way they enjoyed themselves. The laughter and happiness played on her ears like music, the brunette setting the glasses on the table. As her childe passed her, the woman playfully reached out and ran her nails against the small of his back before she looked at him.
“Not too much longer.” She stated as she slid in beside him, crossing one leg over the other. She tapped her heel softly against the leg of the table as she settled in comfortably with her side pressing into him. Her teal eyes looked up at him with a grin, brushing the side of her foot against his leg to be a bit of a hassle.
A quiet sigh of contentment escaped past her lips, reaching for her drink as well as his to bring them closer before she lifted the glass to take a sip. The sweetness of her Jim Beam had the woman relaxing, her teal eyes taking in the bareness of Cedric’s neck, the way his skin showed against the shirt he wore. She ran her tongue slightly over her lips, setting the glass down as she collected one of the ice cubes from her glass and ran it against her bottom lip.
<CEDRIC> The positions they took up were those that might be adopted by a couple. Castalia fit easily into the crook of Cedric’s body, his arm draped over the back of the booth behind her. The proximity was not unusual, nor was it a discomfort. He had invited it for a reason, though somewhere in the back of his mind he scolded himself for getting too close. This would only cause trouble. But they were quiet thoughts, barely discernable amongst the noise; it was New Years, there was revelry all around. And so he would enjoy some revelry too.
Although they could see the room from where they sat, Cedric instead watched Castalia, as if her every movement was an act, and they were performed just for him. The water from the ice glistened upon her lips, a further invitation that Cedric would not take. He cleared his throat.
“Whiskey and blood. I think that it would be a winning combination,” he said, lifting his chin to reveal the smooth skin of his neck. There was no tie tonight, the shirt already unbuttoned enough to make him look casual, and not so much that he looked like some kind of pimp. He hadn’t yet touched his drink. He would wait to see what Castalia wanted, whether she would take the invitation that he had given. Surely they could get away with it in this quiet booth away from the crowds. Even if someone did glance their way, the lights weren’t bright upon them. It could look like any number of things.
<CASTALIA> Her teal eyes traced over the bare skin and she knew immediately that she wanted to take the offer as she dropped the ice cube back into her drink. She could already taste the sweetness, feel the coldness against her lips. “I couldn’t agree more.” The brunette smirked, and then lifted her hand to trace her neatly manicured nails against the curve of his neck. Her thumb slid playfully along the cloth of his shirt as she moved a bit closer.
Nestled beside him, she slipped her hand underneath the collar and leaned up to press a kiss to the side of his neck opposite to where she would normally bite. Her palm smoothing out to rest against his collarbone, she sank her fangs into his flesh. Purposely making the bite slightly deeper than she normally would, the brunette felt her eyes fall shut as she enjoyed the taste of his blood as it slipped over her tongue. The side of her nail gently scraped against his skin, not hard enough to cut him.
A content noise of pleasure was heard, her hand slipping a bit lower as she pulled her nails against his chest. Feeding from him was… Castalia couldn’t describe it. Euphoric? Relaxing? Sensual? She couldn’t help but feel it through her slender form as she deepened the bite just slightly to make the blood flow more.
<CEDRIC> Cedric all but sprawled beneath Castalia, his arm slipping down and around her waist. His fingers curled into the cloth of her dress and there was an immediate headrush -- not of blood to the head, but of blood going in all other directions. His tongue swiped his own teeth, his lips as he bit the inside of his cheek. He didn’t have to groan or moan or growl, his reaction was right there in the way his body shifted to accommodate hers. His head fell back, eyes closed.
Somewhere in the background, the room swirled and shifted. The lights changed, the music stopped. A countdown was starting. Balloons were ready to fall, glitter aplenty. Cedric cared about none of it. There was a rush of blood in his ears. When Castalia fed from him, it felt like he had a heartbeat again, strong and steady. Was it that which he could hear thumping through his limbs, or was it just the beat of the music accompanying the countdown.
SIX
They shouted, the room at large, individuals desperately seeking out their other halves. Boyfriends, wives, husbands, those they’d just met -- it didn’t matter. There were groups of friends, single and happy, most singles with no friends having already snuck home to sleep away this magic minute like it didn’t exist.
FOUR
Cedric’s fingers slid up Castalia’s thigh but gave up the feel of soft bare flesh, abandoned it to grasp instead at her hip, her torso, up over her shoulder so his fingers could slip through her hair, palm against her jaw.
TWO
Clearly, he was angling for a different kind of kiss. He wanted to taste his own blood on Castalia’s lips. He was trying to urge her backwards, trying to break her teeth from his skin. When the clock struck midnight -- he’d never been one for this kind of frivolity, but he was here. They were here. And why not?
<CASTALIA> Her hand stayed against his chest even as she felt his hand, a grin managing not to fall from her lips while she fed. With his body reacting the way it had, it was easy to feed on him as it always was, the action welcome. A shiver raced down her spine as she felt his touch against her thigh - desire trickling through her form while she pulled back enough to press her lips against his skin affectionately.
Flicking her tongue over the wounded flesh as she heard the countdown, feeling his palm on her jaw, Castalia sat up slightly and looked at him with a smile playing across her lips. The message had been clear.
ONE
As the clock struck midnight, there were loud cheers and shouts. Castalia leaned forward and kissed him, her lips parting as she slid her hand up to rest against the curve of his neck over where she’d fed on him. It had been a long time since she’d ever taken part of a New Years tradition in anything other than drinking - or running around in her hospital scrubs. And as she rest against him, she found it was easier than she thought with him.
<CEDRIC> The choice was hers. Cedric was a ticking time bomb. He was a vial full of poison -- at least for women. They had themselves a private booth away from prying eyes. The crowds were all preoccupied with each other, everyone busy wishing everyone else a Happy New Year. Strangers, friends, family, intimate acquaintances, everyone loved everyone else at this minute, at this second, and it was infectious.
The touch of his palm had worked, that silent suggestion. Cedric didn’t want to be presumptuous, though he wondered whether it wouldn’t mattered. He had a feeling if he went too far it’d only earn him a slap or a kick, a sharp comment but later laughter. It was how they worked. Castalia forgave him for his faults, understood them to a point. Presumption wasn’t a requirement, however. Castalia followed through with the first step that Cedric had taken; the ball had been lobbed into her court and she’d lobbed it right back, without hesitation.
Now her lips were teasing against his and he took that for all that it was worth. His sprawled body came to attention, lips parted to welcome hers. His tongue swiped the blood from her teeth, his strong fingers curled, grasping the back of Castalia’s neck. It wasn’t just a chaste kiss. It was a kiss fuelled by all that pent up lust. It was proof of the reason why Cedric never tried anything when they were curled up in bed. He wouldn’t trust himself. Here, there were at least limitations. They were in public. Castalia was the boss. They wouldn’t be getting any further than first base.
<CASTALIA> She couldn’t help but feel a bit greedy as she slipped her arms around his neck and leaned into the kiss, not seeming to mind in the least. Melting slightly into his touch, her body rest against his as she silently damned her booths for not being a little wider. Castalia had wondered what it would have been like for them to do this. It sent another chill along her spine, her tongue caressing his as she enjoyed the taste of his mouth, the way it felt against her own.
Had she been alive, her heart would have been beating fast, her breath deepening. And she knew that if they weren’t in public, she wouldn’t remain sitting beside him. Castalia would have moved onto his lap, her dress likely would be on the floor. Her fingertips tugged against his shirt, her hands moving down to slide against his chest as she slid her hand lower to rest her palm to his stomach.
Pulling away for only a moment, she adjusted to set her legs over his thighs before returning her mouth to his. It was a silent indication that if he wanted, he could explore more. The brunette tugged playfully at his shirt, an inward sigh mentally as she knew she wanted more.
<CEDRIC> Now, now as Castalia’s legs slipped over Cedric’s thighs, only now did he groan. The sound reverberated in his chest, the vibration would dance against his sire’s fingertips. Her touch was cold, but then so was Cedric’s skin. It didn’t matter. It still aroused the man more than he had previously allowed himself to be.
It was like they had transported themselves back in time. They were two people who had only just met. They’d met at a bar, and she’d taken him home. For what? A distraction, something new. They were picking up where they had left off; Castalia had fed, she was full and finished and they could just keep going.
And yet, they were not the same people now as they were then. Castalia was, more than Cedric. But now Cedric had a pair of fangs of his own, the sharpened points now excited by the building lust, dragging over Castalia’s lower lip. Her blood mixed with his and it was a heady concoction. His arm snaked around behind her back, fingertips touching the cold metal of the necklace he’d just adorned her with. With his fingers digging into her thigh it would have been easy to lift her and throw her down on the table. Right here, right now.
But that would hardly be discreet. It was what the tiny voice told him. Cedric, it’s a public place. Be discreet. And yet, he ignored it. The boundaries were being pushed, and he was beyond being subtle about it. Where they’d moved forward in graceful steps, now he took a running hurdle -- her body was so petite beside his, so easy to lift. Within seconds he had her on her back, that hard table at her back, his hand sliding up to her hip and taking her dress with it.
<CASTALIA> God did she love the sounds that came from him. Castalia smirked into the kiss against his mouth, caressing her tongue along his and backing off just enough to scrap her fangs against his bottom lip. She sucked on it for only a moment, enjoying the taste of his blood before sealing off the wound once more. They were a catalyst to each other or so she felt. Her fingers tightening in his shirt, twisting it into her palm.
She wanted to feel his skin against hers, feel the hard muscle she knew to be underneath his clothes moving against her own lean form. As her self preservation screamed at her to get them to stop, that they needed to stop, Castalia ignored the voice and sighed out, the sound breathy and almost unrecognizable. It was cut off by a huff of displeasure at being moved and a noise of approval.
Before she knew it, she was looking up at him and her skin tingled where his hand slid up. She could feel the jersey cloth rumpled underneath his palm from where it had gone up with the cloth of her dress. Castalia, too, was aroused and her unneeded breathing was heavy. With her eyes closing once more, her hands slipped lower to tug his shirt free. In the darker lights, this half of the club was considered closed. Her employees would turn around at the display, unless it was Rhys, but with one sharp order from her, they would continue as soon as he left.
“The last thing you two need is a fadebeast.” A voice in the back of her head was diminished as she slid one hand to grasp at his jacket to draw him closer into the kiss.
<CEDRIC> Neither of them were inclined to stop. After his little stunt Cedric expected Castalia to throw on the breaks and force this ride to stop. It was heartening to know that he wasn’t the only one too far gone; later, the next day or the next night or the next week he might dwell on these few hot minutes, he’d analyse them and pull them apart. Why the world depended so much on words to communicate, he did not know. They were not needed.
Cedric’s lips devoured Castalia’s, the kiss given that was so forcefully asked for. He broke away only to trail his lips along her jaw, fingers clawing at the hem of her underwear. By the movement of his body it was clear what his intentions were, and yet they were intentions that were not allowed the time to come to fruition. A sharp wolf whistle cut through the din and Cedric’s head snapped up. Ahead of him were a couple, a girl in a white dress that sparkled with sequins and glitter, a tiara on her head slipped sideways. The guy at her side was in a suit, his tie loosened and his hair askew. The girl slapped her partner’s shoulder, and he stumbled sideways. Clearly drunk. Someone called out from a balustrade nearby. Not a friend, but an employee. Clearly these two had stumbled where they were not supposed to be -- probably seeking somewhere quiet and out of view, just like Cedric and Castalia.
Said employee looked like she almost wanted to approach Cedric and Castalia, but she seemed to recognise her boss. There was a moment of awkwardness before she fled the scene, the other two having stumbled off with shouts of drunken apology. It didn’t matter that they were all good. Cedric felt like he’d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. The interruption was enough to force him to come to his senses, his wits slamming back into him like a tidal wave. This time his groan was not fuelled by lust but by irritation. His body fell heavily back into the booth’s leather, his fingers tugging at Castalia’s dress not to remove it, but to shimmy it back down to where it ought to be. A few buttons of his shirt were undone, the crisp white garment pulled from his pants, crumpled where it had been tucked in. He, too, looked drunk and dishevelled. Their drinks had been forgotten, his own full of blood now swept to the floor. And yet he could not focus on the mess.
“I think maybe it is best we rejoin the crowd, hm?” he said. His voice was tense and gravelly, but there was a small smile on his lips. His head cocked to the side. “Or would you prefer it if we went home…?”
With the countdown to midnight - a new year, a new start - coming to play, Castalia reached into her pocket and checked her cellphone. She’d invited a few friends, and of course, Cedric, and due to the career of some, only two were able to make it for a couple of hours. She’d been amused at their surprise, at the relief that she was not dead as others had thought. Her parents, too, had been invited - she could still see her mother’s tear stained face. Somehow, the woman had understood Castalia’s distance. But she wasn’t happy with her decision to stay away from the kids.
From where she sat, the woman could still hear her father’s laughter even over the music, to her left. They’d gone off and found a booth to leave their daughter to her own devices and career, something that had Castalia’s painted red lips lifted into a warm smile. Despite the glitter everywhere, however, she was glad to see that her suggested attire had stuck - semi-formal wear had apparently been a hit. After checking her phone once more, she slid it back into the pocket that was hidden within her purple dress before collecting a shot of whiskey as a waitress walked passed.
The woman smiled at her boss, who lifted the shot glass in a manner to say ‘cheers’ before knocking it back with a small grimace. The alcohol wouldn’t do anything to her, but it at least made the night seem to go by faster.
<CEDRIC> Cedric was battling with a sea of bodies of his own. The Cocoa Bean, of course, was open. The innards were decorated with tinsel in silver and gold -- an expensive tinsel, long-stranded and drooping from the ceiling, glittering like rain caught in time. Full 20s regalia was on show, the women in their cocktail dresses and little hats, the men in their tailored suits and shining shoes. It was a Gatsby affair, and they were all partying like it was 1920, too.
The staff were well drilled in how to deal with the crowd -- busier than usual -- with fireworks set to go off at midnight (organised by the mall itself, not by Cedric, so he didn’t have to be around to supervise). Costello was receiving the last round of instructions. The doppelganger was being left in charge while Cedric went to meet his sire. At first, he had declined the invitation, thinking he’d be too busy with his own business to attend to hers.
At the last minute, however, he’d given the reins over to Costello. He’d shifted things around so that he could escape the fanfare. He hadn’t told Castalia. He let the woman continue to think that her childe would not be able to make it.
Twenty minutes later he was gliding through the doors of Allure, one hand in his pocket and the other checking his phone. There were no messages or missed calls. The phone was tucked back into his pocket, and his cool gaze swept the interior of the club. He saw Castalia from behind -- he approached quietly, making sure to veer sideways should she come close to looking in his direction. He slid up behind her, fingers lightly touching her hip, lips at her ear.
“You look good in purple,” he said with a smooth smile.
<CASTALIA> It would have been a lie, had Castalia said that she was not slightly disappointed when she’d gotten the message from Cedric about not being able to make it. However, she knew the man had a life outside of her, as well as businesses of his own, and it wasn’t as if the two would not see each other before dawn. Every now and then, she would catch herself looking around for him in hopes she’d find him, but as the night moved on, the allurist begun to give up on her actions, focusing on those around her and watching her guests enjoy themselves.
The laughter and enjoyment of those around her had her emotions at ease, the woman humming softly to herself with a quieter tune than the upbeat sounds. A live band had been preferable to a disc jockey for the occasion, and Castalia was not disappointed in her decision. Guests seemed to be enjoying themselves more, spending quite a bit of time on the dance floor and as another round of glitter drifted down, she brushed a bit off her hand.
As the band started up once more, she tucked a few loose strands of hair away from her face and contemplated about what could be done. From the corner of her eyes, she could see that her parents had gone off somewhere - a quick scan of the area had her finding the couple dancing. “Might as well go check stock.” She mumbled to herself, pausing as she felt someone at her back.
It was in the same instant that the tension and prepared nature to fight melted away that he touched her, Castalia recognizing Cedric’s voice, followed by his scent causing her to calm. “Thank you,” She moved her hand to cover his fingers, “I thought you weren’t going to make it.” Turning her head so that she could look at him over her shoulder, there was a trace of a smirk on her lips. “And the look suits you. Very dashing.”
<CEDRIC> Cedric stood back, spreading his arms and spinning, slowly. He looked down at his suit then back up at Castalia. “It’s shinier than my usual,” he said. Truth was, Cedric was barely out of a suit. When required to dress up for an event it was never hard to find something to wear. This suit was new, however, bought only nights prior.
“It is true, I was busy. But I changed my mind,” he said with a slow shrug. “I thought that I would surprise you,” he said, taking a single step forward to replace his hand upon Castalia’s waist. At first it would look like he was swooping in for a kiss, but his lips bypassed hers and he pressed a kiss to the rise of her cheek instead. A greeting between friends, maybe. Close friends, at the very least.
It was a relief to Cedric to find Castalia’s neck bare. From his pocket he plucked a silver strand, but didn’t show Castalia immediately. Instead, he gestured that she should turn around, and wouldn’t show her what he had until she had done as he requested. Only then did he drop the necklace around her neck, fingers making deft work of the clasp at the back. It was a delicate white gold, the quaver studded with diamonds.
“Merry late Christmas,” he said, letting his hands drop. “And here’s to a glorious new year. It is a selfish present. I thought that it would remind me of you,” he said with a mischievous grin. What had possessed him to buy the extravagant gift, he did not know -- except that he’d seen it, when he’d been shopping for his suit. It was right there in the shop window, by itself beneath the single bright light, as if by design. As if he was meant to have it.
<CASTALIA> Her hand rested against his chest as he kissed her cheek, the woman returning the action by pressing a kiss of her own to his cheek. “It is, but I do like it.” She lifted her eyes, that evening only one contact lens to bring the hazel to a shade of teal, to his face. It brought more attention to the man himself, his posture and the way he carried himself.
“You can call me pleasantly surprised.” And she was. It showed in her features, Castalia’s smile unfading as she took in his appearance and the atmosphere around her. “Can I get you a drink? I promise it won't end up entirely like the last time.” She gave a teasing smirk, “For now. We’ve got a sort friendly for our sort of clientele.”
Mild curiosity played across her face as he moved his hand, the silver chain catching her interest. Turning on her heel as requested, a soft gasp escaped her lips at the sight of the music note. “It’s beautiful, thank you.” She set her hand slightly over the pendant, turning and looking back up at him. She chuckled, “I do not see how that would be a bad thing, being reminded.” Castalia traced her finger along the diamonds.
She looked down at the best she could, “It’s alright to be selfish at times.” She smirked. And it had her surprised. At least now, she felt, she'd be able to find something pretty in the mirror. Castalia set her hand on his chest once more, sliding it up to rest against his collarbone as she pressed a kiss over the area she bit regularly. Afterwards, the sound of a ‘Hey’ drew her attention to Frank as the old man cast a wave in their direction.
<CEDRIC>
The noise of the club faded as Castalia’s lips pressed against the skin of Cedric’s neck, the promise of the sting bereft here, in this public place. Were they so daring? Could they be? Could he slip his arm around her waist and hold her so close, as they pretended to dance? That offer for a drink could apply not only to him, but to her too. She could drink what humans could drink, but it would not nourish her like he could.
The notion slipped away as Frank got Castalia’s attention, and Cedric cleared his throat as he nodded. “A drink, yes. Surprise me,” he said, his hand again at the small of Castalia’s back as he led them toward the bar.
There was a smile gracing the Shadow’s lips as they meandered through the crowds. It had been a rush to get here, but now that he was here he could relax. It was only the relief of Castalia’s acceptance of the gift that alerted Cedric to the fact that he had been anxious at all. It was a foreign feeling, this kind of relief. Even his marriage had been more out of convenience than any real feeling. Rather than submit to the confusion of his own emotions, Cedric relinquished himself to the night, to the music, to the club -- to the drink that would soon be in his hands. He would pretend that it was a Bloody Mary. Mind over matter, right?
<CASTALIA> It was a tempting thought, to sink her fangs into the flesh and see if he’d make the usual moan of pleasure that she’d come to enjoy since she’d begun to feed from him. The connection, the intimacy of feeding from him, felt pleasurable to her, too, but would it do to feed in front of customers? She supposed not. While it wasn’t as if she openly admitted that she was a vampire, she didn’t keep it a secret. Her main concern had been and always would be keeping those she cared for safe, and it likely wouldn’t do - drinking from Cedric now.
She looked over her shoulder at him, the same smile gracing her lips as they walked. “What are your plans?” Always asking questions, hardly answering them herself. To her bartender who nodded at Cedric, recognizing him, she said, “The usual and a midnight special.”
Castalia turned to face her childe after that, she inclined her head briefly. “Booth, table, bar?” She inquired. She didn’t have a preference as she took in his appearance again, the suit that he wore. It was different than his others, the shiny fabric amusing her as she took him not to draw attention to himself. Her hand lifted to the pendant she wore, fiddling with it distractedly.
<CEDRIC> The smirk that lifted the corners of Cedric’s lips could not be helped. The man wasn’t often crude in his humour but he opened up around Castalia. He was rarely crude these days given how serious sex had become -- it wasn’t fun, it was something different. It was a darker kind of fun. It was an exploration of something he never knew he could be, but which he must be regardless of whether he wanted it or not. The fact that he could joke about it with Castalia meant something which he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
“I would take all three..” he said, head canted to the side, brow subtly arched as he wondered whether she got it, whether she understood where he was going with the remark. He glanced around at the crowds, imagined unbuckling the belt holding up his suit pants, imagined his hands on Castalia’s thighs as he shimmied her dress up over bare skin. He imagined her sigh, but only sighed himself, shaking his head.
“But that, I think, would be more inappropriate than my becoming an impromptu meal,” he said with an equally subtle wink. “You frequent this establishment more than I do. Pick somewhere with the least amount of draught,” he said, though his gaze did subconsciously search for a booth, secluded and out of the way.
<CASTALIA> She didn’t realize how it could have been taken and as she waited for Frank to make the drinks, Castalia couldn’t help but look at the man beside her from the corner of her eyes. It was the lifting of his lips that gave it away before he spoke and she reached out to playfully poke him in the side, a chuckle escaping past her own. There was the ability to be more carefree, blunt around Cedric that she appreciated, that she enjoyed. Still, she slightly leaned into him as she thought about his words.
Although it had been days since the first time she’d fed on him, she could still feel his weight underneath her as she straddled his lap. The taste of his skin and blood hardly ever faded from her lips, but the feeling of his lips still remained in her mind. The smirk on her own lips had Castalia giving a considerate hum. She set her hand on his hip and leaned up to add with her lips against his ear, “If that were the case we should add my desk to the mix” in a teasing tone, a coy grin visible, before falling back down as her bartender set Castalia’s usual in front of her. She collected it, waiting as the man returned a moment later.
It wasn’t a bad idea, though, Castalia followed after his gaze. “There’s one this way.” Her teal eyes looked at the clock, grimacing as she noticed the time. The brunette tugged at the jacket he wore before picking up his drink as well. The woman wandered in the direction of a quiet booth, decorated in a dark blue with silver trim away from the groups and the glitter falling from the ceiling. It was a bit higher up, overlooking most of the festivities. “How’s this?” She smirked, “Quiet enough?”
<CEDRIC> The Shadow arched a brow, the suggestion of an office desk only teasing his senses. His gaze lazily swept the outer walls of the establishment, looking for a door. Where was that office, anyway? But then the promise of her body was taken away, the drinks settled and taken by Castalia. The booth was chosen, and the sire led the way.
Cedric was careful to keep his eyes on his surroundings rather than on the woman’s backside.He, too, took note of the clock and the proximity to midnight. It wasn’t too far off, but at least they hadn’t missed it. There’d have been no point coming if he was going to miss it.
They reached the booth and Cedric answered by sliding in, a curt nod given. They could drink. Maybe they could dance. Or they could sit in the quiet, away from the crowds. What were they to him, anyway? Crowds these days were reduced to paying customers. That was it. They were rowdy, and they could be problematic. But they brought in the money, and the livelihood. Cedric slid to the back of the booth from which he could oversee the club -- he glanced at the seat beside him, patting at the leather lightly with his head cocked to the side, inviting Castalia to join him, to sit by him.
<CASTALIA> She could only smile to herself as she walked to the booth, looking over her customers quietly. Sweat mixed with glitter glistening on skin, the woman pausing to watch the way they enjoyed themselves. The laughter and happiness played on her ears like music, the brunette setting the glasses on the table. As her childe passed her, the woman playfully reached out and ran her nails against the small of his back before she looked at him.
“Not too much longer.” She stated as she slid in beside him, crossing one leg over the other. She tapped her heel softly against the leg of the table as she settled in comfortably with her side pressing into him. Her teal eyes looked up at him with a grin, brushing the side of her foot against his leg to be a bit of a hassle.
A quiet sigh of contentment escaped past her lips, reaching for her drink as well as his to bring them closer before she lifted the glass to take a sip. The sweetness of her Jim Beam had the woman relaxing, her teal eyes taking in the bareness of Cedric’s neck, the way his skin showed against the shirt he wore. She ran her tongue slightly over her lips, setting the glass down as she collected one of the ice cubes from her glass and ran it against her bottom lip.
<CEDRIC> The positions they took up were those that might be adopted by a couple. Castalia fit easily into the crook of Cedric’s body, his arm draped over the back of the booth behind her. The proximity was not unusual, nor was it a discomfort. He had invited it for a reason, though somewhere in the back of his mind he scolded himself for getting too close. This would only cause trouble. But they were quiet thoughts, barely discernable amongst the noise; it was New Years, there was revelry all around. And so he would enjoy some revelry too.
Although they could see the room from where they sat, Cedric instead watched Castalia, as if her every movement was an act, and they were performed just for him. The water from the ice glistened upon her lips, a further invitation that Cedric would not take. He cleared his throat.
“Whiskey and blood. I think that it would be a winning combination,” he said, lifting his chin to reveal the smooth skin of his neck. There was no tie tonight, the shirt already unbuttoned enough to make him look casual, and not so much that he looked like some kind of pimp. He hadn’t yet touched his drink. He would wait to see what Castalia wanted, whether she would take the invitation that he had given. Surely they could get away with it in this quiet booth away from the crowds. Even if someone did glance their way, the lights weren’t bright upon them. It could look like any number of things.
<CASTALIA> Her teal eyes traced over the bare skin and she knew immediately that she wanted to take the offer as she dropped the ice cube back into her drink. She could already taste the sweetness, feel the coldness against her lips. “I couldn’t agree more.” The brunette smirked, and then lifted her hand to trace her neatly manicured nails against the curve of his neck. Her thumb slid playfully along the cloth of his shirt as she moved a bit closer.
Nestled beside him, she slipped her hand underneath the collar and leaned up to press a kiss to the side of his neck opposite to where she would normally bite. Her palm smoothing out to rest against his collarbone, she sank her fangs into his flesh. Purposely making the bite slightly deeper than she normally would, the brunette felt her eyes fall shut as she enjoyed the taste of his blood as it slipped over her tongue. The side of her nail gently scraped against his skin, not hard enough to cut him.
A content noise of pleasure was heard, her hand slipping a bit lower as she pulled her nails against his chest. Feeding from him was… Castalia couldn’t describe it. Euphoric? Relaxing? Sensual? She couldn’t help but feel it through her slender form as she deepened the bite just slightly to make the blood flow more.
<CEDRIC> Cedric all but sprawled beneath Castalia, his arm slipping down and around her waist. His fingers curled into the cloth of her dress and there was an immediate headrush -- not of blood to the head, but of blood going in all other directions. His tongue swiped his own teeth, his lips as he bit the inside of his cheek. He didn’t have to groan or moan or growl, his reaction was right there in the way his body shifted to accommodate hers. His head fell back, eyes closed.
Somewhere in the background, the room swirled and shifted. The lights changed, the music stopped. A countdown was starting. Balloons were ready to fall, glitter aplenty. Cedric cared about none of it. There was a rush of blood in his ears. When Castalia fed from him, it felt like he had a heartbeat again, strong and steady. Was it that which he could hear thumping through his limbs, or was it just the beat of the music accompanying the countdown.
SIX
They shouted, the room at large, individuals desperately seeking out their other halves. Boyfriends, wives, husbands, those they’d just met -- it didn’t matter. There were groups of friends, single and happy, most singles with no friends having already snuck home to sleep away this magic minute like it didn’t exist.
FOUR
Cedric’s fingers slid up Castalia’s thigh but gave up the feel of soft bare flesh, abandoned it to grasp instead at her hip, her torso, up over her shoulder so his fingers could slip through her hair, palm against her jaw.
TWO
Clearly, he was angling for a different kind of kiss. He wanted to taste his own blood on Castalia’s lips. He was trying to urge her backwards, trying to break her teeth from his skin. When the clock struck midnight -- he’d never been one for this kind of frivolity, but he was here. They were here. And why not?
<CASTALIA> Her hand stayed against his chest even as she felt his hand, a grin managing not to fall from her lips while she fed. With his body reacting the way it had, it was easy to feed on him as it always was, the action welcome. A shiver raced down her spine as she felt his touch against her thigh - desire trickling through her form while she pulled back enough to press her lips against his skin affectionately.
Flicking her tongue over the wounded flesh as she heard the countdown, feeling his palm on her jaw, Castalia sat up slightly and looked at him with a smile playing across her lips. The message had been clear.
ONE
As the clock struck midnight, there were loud cheers and shouts. Castalia leaned forward and kissed him, her lips parting as she slid her hand up to rest against the curve of his neck over where she’d fed on him. It had been a long time since she’d ever taken part of a New Years tradition in anything other than drinking - or running around in her hospital scrubs. And as she rest against him, she found it was easier than she thought with him.
<CEDRIC> The choice was hers. Cedric was a ticking time bomb. He was a vial full of poison -- at least for women. They had themselves a private booth away from prying eyes. The crowds were all preoccupied with each other, everyone busy wishing everyone else a Happy New Year. Strangers, friends, family, intimate acquaintances, everyone loved everyone else at this minute, at this second, and it was infectious.
The touch of his palm had worked, that silent suggestion. Cedric didn’t want to be presumptuous, though he wondered whether it wouldn’t mattered. He had a feeling if he went too far it’d only earn him a slap or a kick, a sharp comment but later laughter. It was how they worked. Castalia forgave him for his faults, understood them to a point. Presumption wasn’t a requirement, however. Castalia followed through with the first step that Cedric had taken; the ball had been lobbed into her court and she’d lobbed it right back, without hesitation.
Now her lips were teasing against his and he took that for all that it was worth. His sprawled body came to attention, lips parted to welcome hers. His tongue swiped the blood from her teeth, his strong fingers curled, grasping the back of Castalia’s neck. It wasn’t just a chaste kiss. It was a kiss fuelled by all that pent up lust. It was proof of the reason why Cedric never tried anything when they were curled up in bed. He wouldn’t trust himself. Here, there were at least limitations. They were in public. Castalia was the boss. They wouldn’t be getting any further than first base.
<CASTALIA> She couldn’t help but feel a bit greedy as she slipped her arms around his neck and leaned into the kiss, not seeming to mind in the least. Melting slightly into his touch, her body rest against his as she silently damned her booths for not being a little wider. Castalia had wondered what it would have been like for them to do this. It sent another chill along her spine, her tongue caressing his as she enjoyed the taste of his mouth, the way it felt against her own.
Had she been alive, her heart would have been beating fast, her breath deepening. And she knew that if they weren’t in public, she wouldn’t remain sitting beside him. Castalia would have moved onto his lap, her dress likely would be on the floor. Her fingertips tugged against his shirt, her hands moving down to slide against his chest as she slid her hand lower to rest her palm to his stomach.
Pulling away for only a moment, she adjusted to set her legs over his thighs before returning her mouth to his. It was a silent indication that if he wanted, he could explore more. The brunette tugged playfully at his shirt, an inward sigh mentally as she knew she wanted more.
<CEDRIC> Now, now as Castalia’s legs slipped over Cedric’s thighs, only now did he groan. The sound reverberated in his chest, the vibration would dance against his sire’s fingertips. Her touch was cold, but then so was Cedric’s skin. It didn’t matter. It still aroused the man more than he had previously allowed himself to be.
It was like they had transported themselves back in time. They were two people who had only just met. They’d met at a bar, and she’d taken him home. For what? A distraction, something new. They were picking up where they had left off; Castalia had fed, she was full and finished and they could just keep going.
And yet, they were not the same people now as they were then. Castalia was, more than Cedric. But now Cedric had a pair of fangs of his own, the sharpened points now excited by the building lust, dragging over Castalia’s lower lip. Her blood mixed with his and it was a heady concoction. His arm snaked around behind her back, fingertips touching the cold metal of the necklace he’d just adorned her with. With his fingers digging into her thigh it would have been easy to lift her and throw her down on the table. Right here, right now.
But that would hardly be discreet. It was what the tiny voice told him. Cedric, it’s a public place. Be discreet. And yet, he ignored it. The boundaries were being pushed, and he was beyond being subtle about it. Where they’d moved forward in graceful steps, now he took a running hurdle -- her body was so petite beside his, so easy to lift. Within seconds he had her on her back, that hard table at her back, his hand sliding up to her hip and taking her dress with it.
<CASTALIA> God did she love the sounds that came from him. Castalia smirked into the kiss against his mouth, caressing her tongue along his and backing off just enough to scrap her fangs against his bottom lip. She sucked on it for only a moment, enjoying the taste of his blood before sealing off the wound once more. They were a catalyst to each other or so she felt. Her fingers tightening in his shirt, twisting it into her palm.
She wanted to feel his skin against hers, feel the hard muscle she knew to be underneath his clothes moving against her own lean form. As her self preservation screamed at her to get them to stop, that they needed to stop, Castalia ignored the voice and sighed out, the sound breathy and almost unrecognizable. It was cut off by a huff of displeasure at being moved and a noise of approval.
Before she knew it, she was looking up at him and her skin tingled where his hand slid up. She could feel the jersey cloth rumpled underneath his palm from where it had gone up with the cloth of her dress. Castalia, too, was aroused and her unneeded breathing was heavy. With her eyes closing once more, her hands slipped lower to tug his shirt free. In the darker lights, this half of the club was considered closed. Her employees would turn around at the display, unless it was Rhys, but with one sharp order from her, they would continue as soon as he left.
“The last thing you two need is a fadebeast.” A voice in the back of her head was diminished as she slid one hand to grasp at his jacket to draw him closer into the kiss.
<CEDRIC> Neither of them were inclined to stop. After his little stunt Cedric expected Castalia to throw on the breaks and force this ride to stop. It was heartening to know that he wasn’t the only one too far gone; later, the next day or the next night or the next week he might dwell on these few hot minutes, he’d analyse them and pull them apart. Why the world depended so much on words to communicate, he did not know. They were not needed.
Cedric’s lips devoured Castalia’s, the kiss given that was so forcefully asked for. He broke away only to trail his lips along her jaw, fingers clawing at the hem of her underwear. By the movement of his body it was clear what his intentions were, and yet they were intentions that were not allowed the time to come to fruition. A sharp wolf whistle cut through the din and Cedric’s head snapped up. Ahead of him were a couple, a girl in a white dress that sparkled with sequins and glitter, a tiara on her head slipped sideways. The guy at her side was in a suit, his tie loosened and his hair askew. The girl slapped her partner’s shoulder, and he stumbled sideways. Clearly drunk. Someone called out from a balustrade nearby. Not a friend, but an employee. Clearly these two had stumbled where they were not supposed to be -- probably seeking somewhere quiet and out of view, just like Cedric and Castalia.
Said employee looked like she almost wanted to approach Cedric and Castalia, but she seemed to recognise her boss. There was a moment of awkwardness before she fled the scene, the other two having stumbled off with shouts of drunken apology. It didn’t matter that they were all good. Cedric felt like he’d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. The interruption was enough to force him to come to his senses, his wits slamming back into him like a tidal wave. This time his groan was not fuelled by lust but by irritation. His body fell heavily back into the booth’s leather, his fingers tugging at Castalia’s dress not to remove it, but to shimmy it back down to where it ought to be. A few buttons of his shirt were undone, the crisp white garment pulled from his pants, crumpled where it had been tucked in. He, too, looked drunk and dishevelled. Their drinks had been forgotten, his own full of blood now swept to the floor. And yet he could not focus on the mess.
“I think maybe it is best we rejoin the crowd, hm?” he said. His voice was tense and gravelly, but there was a small smile on his lips. His head cocked to the side. “Or would you prefer it if we went home…?”
