Glad to see more new readers. I am getting tons of views but not as many reviews as I'd like. Leave a kind review even if it's one word!
Her eyes peer open slowly after a short nap on the bed. Since it was always night time here in Nocturne, she was having a hard time adjusting. She stretches while stifling a yawn. The room was eerie silent that you could almost hear a pin drop. She scrunches her nose while scratching her neck. When she wanders into the living room, she discovers Baron hasn't returned. She groans with annoyance. If only she had clothes to wear. She wanted to go look for him to apologize or at least tour around her new place of residence. Walking around in nothing but an extra long shirt wasn't exactly a good way to first present yourself. Perhaps she could find someone on the top floor to lend her some clothes. She looks to the door with child like uncertainty before gaining her courage.
She looks both ways out into the hallway. It was as silent as a ghost town. There were dim lights and shut doors down a carpeted corridor and non else. She shuts the door behind her and decides which door seemed best to try. Hopefully she wouldn't intrude on an unknown figure. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.
She takes a tentative step towards her first destination. There was a light glowing from under the door so it was a safe assumption someone was inside. She raises a small fist to knock three times. Patiently she waits in her borrowed shirt for someone to answer. She taps her foot behind her nervously and thinks about the possibility of running back to her room but it was too late. The door opens revealing a shirtless River. He had a flushed look about him and bed head from rolling around in sheets with a woman no doubt.
"Hey Rose!" he says cheerfully. He was very nonchalant about the whole ordeal.
"Umm hi." She says back dumbly.
"You're going out like that?" he asks with a raised brow in humor.
"Of course not! I don't have anything else and I was looking for someone to help." She says miffed.
He looks thoughtful for a moment. "Well, I suppose I could find you something. Women leave clothes in my room all the time. Let's find something in your size." He says opening the door wider. The way he treated her like a long time friend was comforting but also bazaar. She had barely spared any words with him and yet he was more chipper than most of her co-workers.
From the moment she enters his room she sees scattered clothes on the ground along with a woman sitting on the sofa in his shirt. She had bright blonde hair and dark blue eyes like the night sky. She was very leggy and built like an hourglass with vexing curves and an impressive chest. She shoots a blank look Rose's way while lighting up a cigarette in a graceful fashion. The room smells of sweat, sex and smoke. Rose grimaces internally from the disarray.
"This is Elsa." River says pointing to the girl.
"Lovely to meet you. You have a unique name." Rose says politely.
"It's German." She says sharply while looking away in disinterest.
"Well come on Rose, let's get you something to wear." River says, leading her in the back hallway of his room.
Rose looks around while following behind. He certainly didn't keep a clean household. It seemed she was dodging articles of clothing left and right. The walls were a dark mauve color with crown moldings that would look fairer in the proper conditions.
"So you're about a size four I figure." He adds while entering a bedroom that was surprisingly neat. Obviously the happy couple hadn't made it to the sheets.
"How do you know that?" Rose asks while hugging her arms securely around herself uncomfortably.
He gives a cheeky grin. "I'm a good judge at women's sizes by now." He says digging through a pile of clothes in a wardrobe.
"Oh." She says in realization.
He chuckles. "You're rather timid and shy aren't you." It wasn't a question but a conclusion.
"If I'm forced into an awkward position." She replies.
"Oh what naughty things have you been up too?" he teases.
Her face heats up. "I didn't mean in that way. You twisted my words around." She says huffing.
He shrugs with a smirk on his face. "Well how about you try this on?" he says tossing her clothes.
She fumbles with the catch and inspects the article with some scrutiny.
"What poor woman would leave here without her clothes?" Rose asks.
"One who was satisfied enough to leave in my shirt."
She doesn't justify that comment with an answer. "I'll try it I guess."
"Bathroom's right there." He says gesturing.
She nods and closes the door behind her. The garment he had given her was a satin dress in a deep shade of plum. It was a halter dress that was flowing and went just passed her knees. It was lovely and she had not worn something so nice since her prom seven years ago. She unbuttons Baron's shirt with care, seeing as he made a big fuss about how valuable it was. Maybe returning it to him along with an apology would smooth things over between them though she rather doubted it.
She finds herself standing naked in River's bathroom while sliding the dress up her waist. It glided over her skin in ease and felt light on her body. The ghost of a touch let her know it was still there. She was appalled by her own reflection. Her hair was a wild mane and yet it went well with the tame dress. She looked very wild and risqué. The only problem was she had no bra to wear and her skin felt cold pressed up against the satin making her nipple protrude.
She unlocks the door and goes out to look for River who is talking with his lady friend.
"How does this look?" she asks turning around.
"Oh delicious. River you should have invited her over for the fun." Elsa says with a wink and a glint in her eye. Her fangs poke out of her mouth and onto her full lips.
"Too bad, Baron is keeping a watchful eye on her." River replies.
"Oh he's no fun. Is she his new toy?" Elsa asks with a pout to her lips. She struts her chest forward; almost falling out of the shirt in the process.
"No, she is something for Max." River says seriously, growing bored of his female companion.
"Oh, I understand." Elsa says with a straight face.
Rose felt out of place. Never has a woman flirted with her before and she felt uncomfortable but something else stirred inside her; excitement or adventure even?
"I feel weird without a bra." Rose points out.
"Don't worry so much Love, Vampire women don't wear them too often either." Elsa says in a heavy accent.
"Why is that? I mean it's great I won't look out of place, but I feel almost naked without one."
"In the times many Vampires were changed, there wasn't anything to wear in the chest department. In my experience, I find it to work better without." Elsa says.
"Less clothes for us men to take off you women." River remarks cheekily.
Rose gives a nervous chuckle. Nothing at all felt right about this situation but she sought to grin and bare it.
"Well I guess I'll give Rose a tour of the Casino. You can let yourself out when you want." He says to Elsa while buttoning a crisp new shirt onto his chest.
She gives a flirtatious wink in good bye to both of them. River leads Rose by her waist to the elevator.
"So Baron didn't want to take you out?" River asks curiously.
"Well we sort of had a disagreement and he stormed out. I don't know how long ago that was but I was tired of sitting. I get antsy while waiting."
"You had a fight with Baron and you're still here? You must really have a gift Rose." River says half serious.
"So are you and Elsa an item or something?"
"Hell no, just friends who like to share company some nights when we both feel lonely. I don't really see myself as the one woman type of guy."
"Is that common for most Vampires?" Rose asks genuinely curious.
"Mostly but there are some who long to feel something and want attachment."
"And do you go to Earth often to hunt for humans?"
He laughs. "What for? We have our own world because we were no longer wanted there. We can survive on each others blood along with other supers blood. I don't think I've fed from a human in at least sixty years."
"Oh, I just assumed that your kind hunted humans."
"And make them fall madly in love with us too? You really don't know anything about us do you?" he criticizes.
"Well sorry, but I don't always hang out with beings that supposedly are fictional in my world." She says cross.
"It's alright but I wouldn't say anything stupid like that in the main hall. People will start to notice even more, how different you stick out in the crowd."
"I don't stick out that bad do I?" she asks with worry.
"You probably don't notice but to us, it is as clear as day."
"It's funny. I thought Vampires would be much more charming and yet you all seem so cold and calculating." Rose says blankly.
"The harsh truth. I'm not sorry for the way we are and you won't find the others to be quick to apologize either. You'd do well to remember that." He informs her callously.
"I can accept it but I don't welcome it. I'm not used to such a crude way to live." Rose admits.
"You lived an honest and boring life before? And you would want to reject this?" River asks with a frown.
"I…I don't know how to answer that. Give me time and I'll answer you."
"I'll hold you to it." He finishes before the elevator doors pop open on the main floor. Already she can hear the busy casino.
"So if you never have day light, when do you close the casino?" she asks while he ushers her through the crowd.
"Whenever I want to. It the place turns silent and there are only a few guest, I kick them out until I want to reopen. That is the wonderful thing of long life. I can build up an infinite amount of profit."
"Understandable." She says while he leads her over to a poker table. She searches through the crowd for any amount of familiar face.
"You're looking for Baron already?" he patronizes.
"No actually I was looking for someone else."
"Cardinal perhaps? It's not like you know many people Rose."
"True. Is Cardinal here?" she asks, brushing aside the subject.
"Hard to say; he does other medical research on the side and isn't much for gambling. I myself enjoy the high life much more than working. Who wants to have responsibilities when you can live forever?"
"Is it really possible to withstand time?" A clever voice says from behind.
Rose gasps and bows her head slightly while River smirks.
"So you finally show your face. I was beginning to think you were gone for good." River says smartly.
"Why, would you miss me?" Sterling taunts.
"Only because I couldn't annoy you every waking second. On another matter, I'm sure you recognize Rose from the bus." River says gesturing to her.
She curses silently under her breath. She would rather be put on display in front of every Vampire than face him.
"Rose is it? A darling name, I am delighted." He says taking her hand. She looks up at him with uncertain eyes. His sparkle with mischief and something else she couldn't make out.
"And do you share your name, or are you not courteous?" she mocks. River snorts earning a glare from his brother.
"I suppose I am inclined to tell you. Sterling and I am charmed to be in your presence."
"A pleasure, Sterling." His name slips off her tongue in a silky manner. She felt bold but she wasn't sure if it was from the comfort of having River with her or the new dress.
"And are you taking claims on corrupting this poor girl already?" Sterling says, turning to River.
"I am here to show her around the casino as a friend. She trusts me; more then I can say for you after you abandoned us on earth."
Rose is stunned to hear this piece of news and looks to Sterling accusingly. He eyes her passively.
"I hardly thought my time was worth wasting there. And you were all fine without me there evidently. As you can plainly see, you have the prize right in front of you." He remarks with no regard to Rose's presence.
"If you have nothing better to do than ruin Rose's time here, I suggest you move on." River says, his eyes growing stormy grey.
Sterling looks unfazed. "Oh so touchy. If you must know, I came to make money for your casino or maybe you have forgotten how things work here. You do need money to feed your little addiction after all." He says with a sick smile.
Rose wondered what addiction that was but River seemed quick to change the subject.
"Fine you can take this table. Relieve the dealer yourself." River says, leading Rose away from Sterling but he reaches for her arm and pulls her back.
"If I may have one word with our Nations heroine." He says inclining his head.
River looks hesitant to comply. "You have one minute exactly before I take her away from you, even if that means I have to rip your hands from her." River threatens while standing to the side.
Sterling rolls his eyes before pulling Rose way from the table while keeping her insight of River.
"I must say that dress is absolutely gorgeous on you." He says with a sly grin. The air seemed cooler and her body seems to respond to his words while her nipples harden under the satin of the dress.
"Enough with your bull shit, what do you want from me!" she asks with knitted brows.
"Those words do not become you and you should not frown so much lest you get age lines. Such a burden it must be to have powers and yet still age."
"As if death frightens me anymore now. I had thought myself to be human and therefore I would have died naturally."
"Such morose thoughts. You are fitting in perfectly." He tells her.
"You're running out of time." She notes.
"Am I? Or has time seemed to seize around us in this very moment?" he says with a raised brow.
She observes around them. It's as he predicted. Everyone around them has halted in movement and the record has stopped playing. Her mouth hangs open in surprise.
"What's going on?" she asks.
"What I needed to say may take more than a minute and I really hate being pressed for time so I simply slowed time down until it looks almost frozen. Time is moving no faster than a millisecond an hour."
"How did you…?" she is at a loss for words.
"Suddenly I am more interesting to you." He concludes.
She remains in sheepish silence.
"I wonder, are you going around to all of the brothers just so you can sleep your way to the top?"
"That is not what I am doing! I wanted to be shown around and Baron was not there to do so." She says offended by crude remark. Her ego had taken a big enough hit since coming here and she would not be able to tolerate much more.
"Then you have my sympathies. I could judge from afar that you were not that type of girl but it never hurts to be careful, after all the silent ones are the most deadly." He says with a dark look. His dashing behavior was already putting a spell on her and she wanted to be free of his stifling presence.
"Then we have nothing more to discuss. Please let me return to River now." She says impatiently.
"Very well. I regret not being there to find you on earth. Had I been the one to save you, perhaps you'd being sharing my bed." He says with a lustful eyes and a tongue like silver.
She is about to retort but time moves forward as if nothing had happened. Sterling is no longer standing in front of her and she searches around to find him in the crowd. Instead she spots River who walks up to her.
"You're finished with your talk with Prince Charming already?" he asks suspiciously.
"Yes, he only wanted to compliment my dress." She says lying.
"Among other things I'm sure. Sterling isn't kind enough to pass out compliments." He says disbelieving her words.
"Well show me around to more of your casino, I don't wish to idle by." She says with a forced smile.
"Sounds fair enough. Things were getting to stuffy for my liking anyhow." He agrees while leading her away. She looks back to the poker table one last time where Sterling spares a confident wink before dealing out the cards. She frowns as she flushes. Her new personal goal was to stay away from him as best she could.
Baron stretches out his long limbs on the stranger's bed. After sipping too much Demon blood, he felt tipsy and found himself in a frisky brunette's bed who he hadn't bothered to learn the name of. He was in fact more than tipsy but flat on his ass drunk. His head pounded in pain from the oncoming hangover while his eyes burned with blurry vision. He was currently stalling time while trying to avoid Rose. He knew he had been in the wrong but to admit that was a big kick in the nuts to his pride. He was so used to being cold for so long that he had forgotten mortals and their tendency to get hysterical over the littlest of things; especially the women.
He rolls onto his side in the sheets of the stranger's room. Unfortunately he would have to materialize back to the casino since his room was currently occupied. Was this act he was putting on all because of Cardinals words about getting attached? He scoffed at the idea but in the back of his head he knew the truth. It was an attractive thing to be innocent and oblivious to his powers and he craved the mortal like nothing else before. She was as much a drug to him as Demon blood was to River. What would she taste like and what beautiful sounds could she omit from those petal soft lips. His fingers ached to run through her hair and to feel her warm skin pressed up against his stone cold exterior.
She had said she hated him though he very much doubted the likely hood of that. Mortals seemed to toss out the words love and hate like trash on the curb. The possibility of her coming to hate him was probable if she couldn't accept his personality. He couldn't change for someone and it wasn't like he had feelings, more like a burning need that he wanted to get out of his system and then he could move on.
He looks up at the stranger who walks back into the room with nothing but a loose robe. She had dark hair like Rose and he wondered if it was a coincidence that he ended up in bed with her. Her breasts were slightly larger and she had wider hips than the petite hostess. Overall, any man would be lucky to have this woman but he felt hollow and wanted to leave as soon as possible. She lies down next to him and eyes him with a sultry gaze. He turns away and grabs his pants from the floor.
"Where are you going?" she asks in a baby voice. Whiny women; nothing he detested more.
"We had our fun and now I'm leaving." He says coldly. He slides on his pants and grabs his shirt while ignoring her rejected face. She crawls to the end of the bed, reaching for him out of desperation.
"Won't you stay with me for awhile longer?"
He retracts his arm harshly from her grasp. "You are nothing to me. You are cheap and a bore and I have no further use of you."
She bares her fangs while anger crystal tears threaten to spill over. He leaves her room in a flash and lands back in front of the casino. He had not meant to be so cruel to a woman but he was disgruntled and wanted to put his fist through a wall.
The casino was the same as when he left and he enters with a stoic expression while straightening out his attire. He felt dirty which was absurd for a vampire but he didn't want that woman's love stink on him any longer. He spots River who is keeping a secure eye on a beautiful woman. She turns around in view with a smile vivid on her face as she throws dice onto the table. Her smell hits him and almost knocks him onto his backside. He did not know where she got the dress but it looked amazing on her. The purple brought out her eyes and her dark hair cascade into messy waves just passed her shoulders. She looked happy in the side of his companion and he was glad someone finally made her smile. He so wanted to talk to her that it almost hurt but he would only shatter the good mood so he sneaks past the crowd to the elevator. He was certain he spotted Sterling working a poker table and he was more then glad than anything that his comrade had come back. The elevator door opens, knocking him back to reality. He steps inside and Cardinal is quick to join him.
"Hiding from someone?" he asks once they are in private.
"I haven't a clue as to what you mean." Baron replies smoothly.
"I saw you come back in. Are you and Rose not on speaking terms?"
"She needs this moment to herself before we put strain on her."
"And you thought River would be the best idea to do that?" Cardinal asks skeptically.
"I had not known she had gone to him. I was not here. I assume you are back from your research then?"
"Yes I am actually. I had been puzzled at first but after a short rest I came across something interesting."
"And what would that be?" Baron asks.
"The reason she hasn't gained all of her powers yet is because she hasn't gone through her transition to becoming a Light Bearer. There are some side effects to what happens at that time."
"Will she be in pain? What type of side effects are we talking about?" Baron asks, hating the little information Cardinal is providing.
"She won't be in too much pain but her appearance will be slightly altered along with her endurance. She may be very well capable of keeping up with us minus that fact that she can still age. She is already twenty five so the transition is nearing."
The elevator door opens and they continue down to Baron's room.
"Would it risk her life if she is to use all of her powers to save the worlds; this being the most negative outcome of the war of course?"
"If war were declared and it came down to her bringing everything back into balance, she could lose her life to the cause but this is going on circumstance." Cardinal says thoughtfully when they enter through the door.
"Circumstance? Do you assume we will reach war?" Baron asks with a frown.
"I cannot predict the future Baron anymore than I can change it. If you want answers you'd have to seek a different power."
"Pixies? I would do no such thing. Beside wouldn't Max have done that to see if war would be our inevitable end?"
"Max doesn't have time to go make chat and the Pixies aren't on great terms with our world leaders. I'm positive you'd receive an answer should you go looking."
"Into the realm of Pixies? They border the Mountains of our world which still obtains sunlight. If I am to do this, I would go alone."
"As if any of us would let that happen; you try to leave and we'd follow you so make up your mind so we can pack." Cardinal says with a smirk.
"I won't go until Rose has started her transition. If we left her now and she started to change, Max would rip out our fangs seeing as I was given the charge to look after her."
"Alright I accept that as your answer. We'll be on the edge of our seats waiting. I should leave now incase Rose returns. I suspect you two need to talk." He says with a knowing look.
"Smart ass." Baron mutters while his friend grins ear to ear when departing.
He tosses his jacket onto the sofa while walking down the hall to the bathroom. He intended to shower and be clean for Rose's return. After that he would address his men and tell them the awaiting plan. He steps into the shower while attempting to clear his head though he found no comfort in the glass doors. Rose's scent lingering in the tiles and on the towels while he tried to reach solitude from all that haunted his mind. He steps out from the shower while his hairs drips water down his marble skin and he ties a towel loose around his waist. He steps back into the bedroom and is startled to hear a knock from the door. It was probably Cardinal back to tell him something that slipped his mind. He pulls back the door and instead he finds Rose who has a fist raised in the air to knock again. She turns beet red upon seeing his appearance. He sighs internally; what a hell of a way to start apologizing.
Press that little button down there and leave a review!