For my Jester.
Italics mean a different language.
Scarlett looked out into the darkness only to see nothing. The occasional flickering light from small towns below made its way through the cloud cover but it vanished instantly. She was tired but adrenaline was still fueling her will to stay awake. She was still musing over what Vladimir said the first morning she woke up in his bed, 'First woman to sleep in my bed...with her clothes still intact.'. She spent the all the following nights in his bed despite his threats of possibly climbing in with her because, 'It is my bed after all.' She debated with him that he didn't sleep so he didn't need a bed anyway but then he countered by saying, 'There are other things I like doing in my bed where sleeping has no part in.' He winked at her when he said it and she could still feel the heat of her blush now. He had sent her out shopping a few times, out of frustration she imagined, because every time she returned she didn't buy enough to his satisfaction. He'd tell her 'Stop thinking it's your money your spending but mine.' She couldn't help but look at price tags even if she had his limitless credit card at her disposal and though of all the things he had already bought and made available to her. She did manage, with much anguish, to buy a few things that satisfied his wishes. But now here they were, flying through the night to make it to Paris before dawn and he'd then expect her to shop in another foreign country; she was already dreading it. He showed her why they needed to travel at night of course; it all made sense then, the shades on the windows, the north facing rooms. Scarlett couldn't help but to think back to when she was posed by the window, how he'd be glittering on the other side of her blindfold; it would have scared her then but now she was eagerly anticipating seeing him glitter again. A sudden bump of turbulence had her gripping Vladimir's hand even more tightly. He hadn't let go of her since they stepped out of his home in Switzerland and she believed he wouldn't let go until they arrived.
"Anything interesting but darkness out there?" She shook her head at him but kept looking out. He had Scarlett bundled in so many layers that it'd take several minutes to get her out of them once they'd arrive but he wouldn't have skimped on any of her coverings no matter how much she begged; her health was foremost on his mind. The 'sniffle', as she called it, however minor she was shrugging it off to be almost had him calling in another brigade of doctors to her bedside a week prior. He regretted bringing her outside and up the side of the mountain but he didn't dismiss how tightly she held him and how her screams of delight echoed as he leaped from ledge to ledge. She was his and she trusted him with her life in those thrilling moments. He grinned and lifted her hand to his lips, it was after all her first time on an airplane and she was nervous. "Just turbulence, it's perfectly normal." She settled into his side and closed her eyes. He was content. The plane started its descent a few hours later and the little window lit up with the city's lights below. "Wake up S, we are landing." She stirred and sat up still groggy; she wouldn't make it to the hotel on her feet now, the excitement and late hour had worn her down. In moments they touched down and exited the aircraft into the cold night air. S started shivering as they quickly entered the car that was waiting there for them. No customs no permissions to enter were needed when an affluent business man such as himself entered the country. They, the French government, offered Vladimir and Stephan unlimited access and even an honorary citizenship of they'd stay to conduct their business from there; the political crooks wanted tax money of course. The one thing the French also loved was beautiful women and Vladimir knew that once he introduced Scarlett to their high society that they would be in a frenzy to keep them there and make many accommodations to do so. Scarlett settled back into his side; she was fading fast again and wouldn't make it now. It took half an hour for them to arrive at the hotel; his hotel but Scarlett didn't make it, she was completely passed out. He took her up in his arms easily as he exited the car and proceeded into the hotel. Every employee on shift was gathered and curtsied and bowed they passed. Scarlett's face was nearly obscured by her hair and how he was carrying her so tightly; it'd add to the mystery of her of course. It didn't escape his notice that their photo was being taken but a quick un-noticeable shake would obscure his image. They were curious. He had never arrived with a woman and as far as they knew, never entertained them. The one rumor that went around was that he and Stephan were gay and just saying they were brothers to escape the stigma by their more conservative business partners; if anything, Scarlett on that regard shattered all those lies. Whispers rose after he passed the humans and grew after he stepped into the waiting elevator and turned. Their bags would come up after them. He didn't need to give any instructions to his little army; they knew only their best would be tolerated. The elevator quickly made it up to the top floor to where the doors of his suite were waiting opened. The room, rooms, were luxurious in every detail and sufficiently heated so Scarlett would be warm. He walked past the few attendants and placed her down on the bed in the next room and started to peel back the layers of clothing she had on, speaking to the aid present in flawless French. "A generous brunch will be ready and waiting in exactly eight hours. We are not to be disturbed by anyone except my brother until then unless it's important as we will be sleeping." Scarlett's coats hit the ground before the attendant who had his eyes fixed on her. "My business partners will be arriving throughout the day and you will extend to them every courtesy to make them feel welcome and valued." Her boots hit the wall beside the man but he knew not to flinch; her coat was already folded over his arm waiting to be put away. "If I hear that they have been neglected or insulted in any way there will be grave conveniences." The aid lost a shade of his coloring and nodded; he was present the last time Vladimir was not pleased with someone. Their bags were being dropped off in the next room; he'd get to them soon enough once he took care of Scarlett. "My companion has never been to this country and I will be displeased if she is upset in any way by the staff. Tell chef that I expect his foremost attention to her meals. She has no allergies and dislikes foods she can't easily identify." He was taking it all in but his eyes were still fixed on Scarlett. She mumbled for Vladimir, she wanted him beside her; she was in an active dreaming state, a rare one where she spoke. He replied in her ear, "As soon as I get rid of this one." she murmured back to him not to leave a mess; he chuckled. "I'll do my best darling." He looked up to the attendant who didn't understand a word between them. "You may go now." The man nodded and rid himself of their presence quickly. The door to their suite was closed and they were finally alone. Vladimir had all their bags unpacked and stored away in less than five minutes; the items he has sent prior to their arrival and left behind were already taken care of days in advance. When he finally climbed into bed, after an extensive debate with himself to strip Scarlett down further, he decided against it because he didn't want her to catch a chill off of him, she had curled herself up into an almost ball and was on her side. He slid himself into place behind her and wrapped his arm around her waist. The next few hours he'd spend in peace listening to her heart beating and her occasional murmurs. At some point he'd tend to her scar that had finally faded to her regular skin tone but was still visible. There wasn't much more he could do about it unless she was willing to go to a surgeon; he'd get her the best money could buy but he felt like she wouldn't go for it. Hours passed and he drifted within his thoughts until he felt her stir in his arms. Scarlett waking up was always interesting; it'd reveal her mood unfiltered and currently it was one of resistance in letting go of her slumber. She was still tired from the nights travels but she was unable to ignore her physical need for food and the bathroom. "Your brunch will be here soon, you should get up S." He liked her in this state she was truly adorable. Her fists went to her eyes to rub the sleep out of them.
"We are here?" Scarlett wanted her eyes to open but there was only darkness. "It's not fair when you make the room so dark that I can't see right away." There was a soft chuckle in her ear. She yawned deeply and felt his grip around her. "I'm having mixed feelings about still being dressed. On one hand I'm glad to see you didn't strip me down and on the other I really couldn't wait to get out of this massive sweater bodysuit whatever you call it; it's crazy hot in this thing even with you right beside me." He was close, she was hesitating to pull herself away because it'd be hours until they'd be back in bed again. She felt his fingers slip under several layers onto her side. "Go on." There was a chill at her side that should have made her shiver but the coolness was a welcome relief. Her eyes closed as his lips and tongue glided over her side. She relaxed almost to the point of falling back to sleep when she heard him growl.
"No more sleeping now S." He glanced up to see her eyes open and on him; she was awake and grinning at him. "Would you still like me to strip you down?" Her eyes grew slightly and she shook her head. She was recoiling back into the few traces of fear she still harbored for him. It did disappoint him but his persistence was chipping away at it. "It was tempting to do so when I put you in bed but there was an audience and I know how you dislike being exposed to the help." He pulled himself away from her and went to get himself dressed but noticed the little bit of disappointment in her before she got up herself. He wanted to tell her it was alright but she moved so quickly into the bathroom that even he was impressed. There was a knock on the door; ten fifty nine, his staff were very efficient. "Your brunch has arrived S." There was an 'okay' and sounds of clothes being removed, put on, he wasn't sure. After retrieving his contacts he was at the door opening it for the attendant and the chef who deemed himself necessary to be present. They went right to work setting out the setting on the table and waiting for Scarlett to enter. Vladimir watched her as she peered around the door first to see that he was there before she entered. Scarlett had stripped down everything from herself except the dress part of the 'sweater bodysuit' as she called it. Leggings, short coat sweater top, turtleneck and socks were all removed; Vladimir gave her an approving nod as he held her seat out for her. The chief and his aid were dumbfounded when they noticed her; they knew their owner could get any woman he desired but even they weren't prepared for a woman of her caliber.
Scarlett cautiously approached Vladimir and wrapped her arm around him. "Are they going to watch me the whole time?" She wasn't one to be shy but this was odd; three men hovering over her was a bit much, she only preferred the one. The chief, she guessed, spoke up and asked what her preferences were in her meals, he needed more information. Vladimir guided her to sit.
"For supper she eats beef twice a week, chicken twice a week and fish twice a week. The last day it's her choice and she usually opts for fish. There will always be a good helping of vegetables as well as fruit. The desert is always small but decadent. Fruit will always be available to her here in our room and she should never need to ask for it." Both men nodded as they dared to glance at Scarlett who was eating her omelet quite happily. She would have been terribly hungry by then Vladimir imagined. "Under no circumstances will you use alcohol in any of her food and it's not to be set on the table." His voice was very firm and the men visibly shivered. The chef had a concerned look but then it appeared he was resolved to meet this challenge. "My companion is not to be starved by minuscule portions. Understood?" They both nodded solemnly. "How is your food my dear?"
"If this omelet were any lighter it'd float away, it's perfectly delicious." Scarlett looked at the other items in front of her and hoped they wouldn't stay until she was done it all. There was a knock at the door and it opened; the chef and attendant nearly fainted. Scarlett instantly knew what the man was but not who.
"Brother," Vladimir gave him a nod, "forgive my not seeing you sooner." Vladimir took Scarlett's hand and guided her up from her seat and kept a hand on her side as his brother took her hand to grace it with a kiss.
"You look well recovered my dear." From under his arm he took a box and handed it to her. "Pastels for later and if you please finish your meal so they can leave us h'm?" She was beaming at him and then set the box down and promptly went back to finishing her food obediently. Whatever his brother had done to reverse S's fear of him he needed to know. "I passed by a rather irate woman, terribly lovely, insisting that she knew S. The poor staff downstairs is beside themselves over what to do."
Vladimir picked up his phone and called down to the front desk, "Her name?" They sounded startled but that was par for the coarse anytime he called them. There was a brief pause and then the lady said 'Liz'. "Seems your friend Liz has found us S." First there was a look of question, then thought, then realization, then regret.
"I always check in with her at night so she knows I'm safe. Oh god what have I put her though."
"Send her up promptly, we have been waiting on her arrival." He wasn't but for the sake of the present company they didn't need to know. "Chef, I'm sure you have all that you need so you both may go. My companion will let you know if there is anything further you can do to please her." They bowed and let themselves out. As the elevator doors opened Liz stepped out and the look that she gave the two men who entered the elevator could freeze hell over. Vladimir was impressed even when she snarled at him as she entered.
Liz entered the suit and tried to not let the grandeur of it sedate her anger. "Do you have any idea what I've been though to find you? How many weeks? God I've exhausted every favor I had and then here you show up." She set the paper down in front of Scarlett to show her the blurred picture of her being carried into that very hotel. "One call, was that too much to ask for?" She sat down at the table beside her friend.
Scarlett was sorry, she didn't have many friends in the world and if this was how she treated them then that was the reason why. "I was mugged when I left that thing early, uhm, the guy stabbed me and V found me bleeding to death and got me to the hospital. I'm so sorry but I didn't think you'd be looking for me." For a moment Scarlett was upset that Vladimir wouldn't have contacted Liz but then she would have imagined that they'd both be arguing over her and the thought of that was more upsetting. Conflict over her didn't sit well with her. Scarlett noticed the two men had moved to the other side of the room and were hovering behind a computer screen at a desk. "Here, eat something you must be starved." There was more than enough for both of them anyway.
Liz went for a croissant and bit into it, still upset but now it was over finding out her friend was nearly killed it put her anger into perspective. "I need to contact the office, I just up and left this morning and I'm sure they won't be happy that I'm not in the country they expected me to be in." Liz tapped open her phone and started to write./ Sirs, After a long exhaustive search S has been found in Paris. She appears to be in excellent health and in no way in danger. She tells me on the night she went missing she was violently attacked and has been in the care of a friend. I don't expect her to be returning to work anytime soon or ever. Please advise. Liz/ She hit send and set her phone down to wait for a reply and finished her croissant. She didn't think it was in her place to tell them that her friend was in the care of a previous client who she had history with.
Scarlett just kept eating as Liz typed and then had some more to eat so she wouldn't be able to talk. She noticed the brothers still absorbed by what they were working on and thought it was rather kind of them to leave her to her friend. Scarlett did catch Liz looking over to the brothers as she caught sight of Vladimir looking at her specifically she then glanced at the large window at the one end of the room; V shook his head and his eyes went to Liz. Liz was looking at her too but it was a look of intense question that was begging to be asked without the present company. "I think I'm going to need to find a very quaint cafe and sip a very slow cup of coffee or espresso, will you be going back soon?" The weight of what V was was heavy on her heart again but this time it was way more different than before for some reason.
Liz just gave a shrug. "Well that all depends. I'm going to find the first flight back though, just in case I still have a job to go to or I'll take a day or two if I don't. I've spent some time here long ago and a trip down memory lane would be nice." Her eyes fell to her phone, still no response, and then over to her friends host. "What did the police say, did they catch the guy who did that to you?"
Scarlett shook her head, "No idea. I didn't talk to one and I didn't even think of asking V if he did," She glanced over to him and there was that trademark mischievous smirk he had as he typed away and then she noticed Stephan scrunch his nose and lick his upper teeth. Her heart felt like it stopped for a few beats at what she imagined happened. Her voice now was shaky as she continued. "but I don't think it matters now...uhm karma has a way at catching up to guys like that ya know."
Liz took her hand and squeezed it. "I'm so sorry, how insensitive of me to press you and not realize you're not ready to talk about it. You tell me if you want when you're ready." Liz's phone beeped with the response that she was waiting for. \\L, After forwarding your note to the owner; as well as keeping them informed of your extensive efforts in tracking down S, they have decided that you not only have keeped her best interests and well-being in mind but have taken on extensive responsibility in keeping the good status of the company at heart. That said, I'm informed to tell you that you may take up to three weeks paid time off and cover your lodging expenses within moderation. Take Care.\\ Liz's jaw dropped a little and the first genuine smile graced her lips in what felt like months since S went missing. "It seems I will get to finally take a bit of a vacation with you after all on the company account but I'll only ask for a day; I don't want to over intrude on your time. We can do the cafe only if you let me take you to the salon to get your nails done," and then Liz mouthed, "and waxed."
Scarlett rolled her eyes and sat back with a huff; how did she know that was coming. "Fine. Fine. Dammit." They had heard Liz, no doubt, both of them had grown still and even with the contacts in their eyes they had glazed over. 'Typical men after all.' Scarlett thought and snorted a laugh.
"I beg you to go along with me on this brother." Stephan gave an approving nod. Vladimir spoke up. "Liz, I insist you stay here at my hotel to be closer to Scarlett so you two can spend more time together as Stephan and I will be tied up with meetings most of the days and I'd hate for her to miss out on this incredible city." Liz nodded at him but he could see the wheels turning in her head and knowing this woman that well he knew it was over the cost. "I'll see to covering your room of course and you should use the money allocated for it they are giving you for shopping, I'm sure you didn't have time to pack so..."
Stephan spoke up then, "Once you are done your brunch I'll take you down myself to have everything arranged Liz, I insist. Can you speak French because if not I'll see that you two ladies have a translator accompany you wherever you go." This would be a first for Stephan; accompany a woman out of a hotel room with her still breathing. While the women were talking earlier his brother had brought up Liz's work profile for him to see and to say that he wasn't intrigued by her was an understatement as the name of one of her school's caught his eye.
Any wrong doing that Liz thought that V did to her friend was a huge question mark now. Without Scarlett ever telling her any of the details she was completely confused as to what had actually transpired that night she picked her up at this extremely generous show of consideration for her. "Thank you. Yes, I'd love to stay here, it's been a dream of mine for some time. I can speak enough French to get by. It'll be rusty but I think we can manage." Liz beamed at her friend. "We are going to have so much fun sightseeing but I'll leave the main attraction for you two to experience of coarse."
Scarlett had gotten to know Vladimir a lot more over the last few weeks more so than the almost two months she spent with him. He always panned ten, if not more, steps ahead of her so something was up with him. "Liz, I brought more than enough clothes with me so how about you have a look in my closet for something to wear so you can change out of those travel clothes." Scarlett didn't wait for her friend to answer before she got up and grabbed Liz's hand to drag her into the bedroom.
Stephan mumbled to Vladimir, "Do you think they will both be stripping down and trying things on each other?" With the earlier tidbit of aesthetics information his mind was in full gear picturing the two women. "I beg you, if they ever do, you will call me instantly." He chuckled at the hint of anger on his brother's face. "I will need to borrow her for a few nights including the party that our partners are hosting if you don't mind."
"The less you see of my female's body the better and under no circumstances you will harm her, I don't want S upset or have reason to be mad at you. She realized what you did to her attacker and I'll have enough to deal with that fall out as it is." Vladimir wasn't impressed but knowing his brother's filthy mind it was par for the coarse. They listened to the women speak in hushed whispers in the other room. "Where else did you need to take her if I could be so bold in knowing."
Stephan pulled over a seat and refreshed his contacts; the ones he had put in earlier that day were already too dangerously thin. "I was planning on attending a show that's being put on by one of my schools here and if I brought a date then those old hags wouldn't be obliged to flirt as badly as they tend to do with me. She's an ex student of mine too and I'm immensely curious as to why she's not still in the arts."
Vladimir gave his silent blessing and pulled up the day's latest business statistics and live stock market feed. "Don't think you can sway her, she's seen her fair share of wealthy men and I sincerely think she enjoys shooting them down with deadly accuracy and precision so that even they don't know they have failed after thirty seconds of meeting her." He smirked. "The only thing we have going for us is our accent, she seems to like it very much." Vladimir typed a few things and set a few trades into motion, Stephan occasionally humming when Vladimir waited until the last tenth of a second to offload shares only to buy them up when the price had fallen. It was almost too easy for them to generate funds this way and they only did when they were wasting time. When the women finally emerged from the bedroom, Scarlett had changed out of her sweater dress into something lighter, the brothers were several hundreds of thousands of dollars richer. Stephan rose up and went to Liz to escort her downstairs and on cue was refused in allowing him to carry the few articles of clothing Scarlett had shared with her. "I will see you again later tonight brother to meet up with our guests." As they left and Scarlett was already in motion towards the window even before the door closed. The curtains were only opened for a second before she gasped.
"My god. Just. I can't even. So much." She nearly collapsed at the view. It would have made the perfect postcard picture but even then a picture wouldn't have captured the landscape before her. The tower was perfectly framed around a sea of buildings that was dotted with pockets of green. She felt Vladimir's arms wrap around her, one on her waist and one across her shoulders. "I imagined but I never thought… I can't thank you enough for asking me here." His arms held her a little more firmly.
"It's my good fortune that you accepted. I knew you'd like it once I got you here but I must ask that you to go finish your food now. Paris isn't going anywhere anytime soon; it'll wait for you to eat." She wasn't going to move willingly and he wasn't in a rush to get her back to the table when he had her in his arms like this again so soon. As much as Liz's arrival surprised him he quickly saw the benefit of having her keep Scarlett occupied during the daylight hours. She would be seen and it would generate interest in her with the locals so when she was photographed at the event it would generate leads by catching the eye of arrogant investors that would want to see her for themselves. "I will need you this evening for the meeting of our partners, I'm sure they are anxious to see you face to face." She nodded. "You will let me dress you?" Scarlett stiffened slightly and he chuckled. "I meant will you let me pick something out for you to wear?" She relaxed and nodded. He'd much rather un-dress her but there was always that hope. He kissed her behind the ear softly. "What do you see out there Scarlett?"
"It's just so much history. Stories. The inspiration for countless poems." Her heart was burning for her to say love, it was on the tip of her tongue and it was so evident before them. "What do you see V.?"
"I saw that history you spoke of watching many of those buildings being built and destroyed and rebuilt. The bombing here during the wars was heartbreaking but the people of this place are as much of fighters as they are poets. When I first came here I saw this place as one I wished to conquer but that would never come to be in the way I wished it. But now, with you at my side I see that that wish is more possible in other ways." Vladimir felt a shift from the woman in his arms, he moved her deeply. She had great depth in her feelings and rarely showed them but that didn't make her immune to him picking up on them. He slowly released her and pulled the curtains back the entire way and then saw to getting her back to the table to finish her food. He'd move the table closer to the window later for her so she could eat and keep her post over the city. He then settled himself back at his desk and pulled up the hotel guest log to note where his partners were being placed as well as Liz. He then sent in a request into a security company for bodyguards; he had done the exact same thing in Switzerland for S when he sent her out and he was quite certain she didn't know that the translator she had was a highly decorated ex military woman with several kills accredited to her. He didn't want to leave anything to chance with her safety, a bigger city meant more risk. A text flashed across his screen, Stephan wanted to know if he'd contact the immortals or if should. Vladimir replied that he'd do the honors. His call was answered on the first ring, "Good day Yvette. Is Henri there with you?" there was a qui from the other side of the room. "I'm pleased to hear that you are both well. I'm just calling to let you two know that my brother and I are visiting your beautiful city for a little while on business. We would be honored if you would join us as our guests at a ball that's being hosted by our business partners in one week." There were a few hushed words and then another happy qui was heard. "I'm thrilled to hear it and Stephan will be too. Thank you for your kind hospitality in allowing us to visit here friends." They said their goodbyes and he set the phone down to send them the details of where it was and the time. Scarlett was staring at him; she hadn't heard him speaking French yet so it was new to her. "Those were the leaders of the French coven who you will be meeting next week. We are in their territory and are on good terms with them so inviting them to the gala was in order. I can assure you that you and Liz will be safe."
Scarlett finished her brunch and then excused herself back to the bedroom to get ready for later, all the while thinking of the vampires she was going to meet. They must be civilized enough for V to invite them but the phrase 'good terms' made her wonder what 'bad terms' would entail. She did her few exercises while she thought of those things, it helped her think and focus. She also wondered what V meant by having her at his side to conquer Paris as it was the most infinitely romantic thing she'd ever heard spoken to her. It was confusing considering that others, now technically, 'owned' Paris and all of France apparently. It didn't escape her that he also mentioned being in Paris before the tower and during the war and even being here before then seeing it destroyed and rebuilt. She stripped down and headed for the shower as she pulled one of the bottles that looked like body wash out of the enormous gift basket that the staff had left her. She'd ask him all those things as soon as she was done getting ready as the one thing she didn't have these days was patience it seemed.
Vladimir continued his work and in the back of his mind counted up the many secrets he was keeping from Scarlett; the list was getting long and if she was ever to fully trust him he'd need to tell her. The water turned on in the other room and he paused to picture his beauty in a spray of water; his growing want for her was increasing as well.
I like reviews people!
And yes Violet I'm working on HD too.