by the Some Alien:
Date nights are rare times for the couples of Libra to be romantic with one another. After babysitter or nanny were given certain care instructions and house staff night off. Everyone would take their form of an outing with a loved one.
Edmund's time with Anaxagorou depended on their joint mood. Maybe a private movie screening and dinner at a 5 star restaurant. All night spent in an underground nightclub during a RAVE or a fight ring. Weekends nights spent at dive bars together hidden within the decommissioned Navy Yard. Evenings spent in the company of a female shifter at home. Visit one of sex clubs or shops tucked around Hellsalem's Lot. Quiet nights just sitting on a bench in the nearest dog park walking Eberhardt.
Klaus and Lady Taliyah went when time could be found. Attending operas and classical broadway performances during slow work weeks. Visiting interesting exhibits about flora or historic plant life at local museums. Sometimes getting front row seats to watch Prosfair matches taking place. Attending opening night of a newly released photography collection in a gallery. Taking walks through plant nurseries or through the botanical garden of Hellsalem's Lot. Wine tastings or social gatherings being hosted by high society.
K.k and her husband, Yukitoshi, did the typical married couple activities on a weekly basis. Sometimes taking classes tailored to pairs that involved cooking or crafts. Get dressed up for a dinner and dancing spot downtown. Go see a movie at the cinema without the kids or attend a concert in the park. Look into an old hang out for a few rounds of trivia and a few drinks. Attend book signing or a meet- n- greet event of a tv celebrity. Stop by the live taping of talk shows to try and be a part of the studio audience. Come to see on site shooting of a scene taking place a soap opera to meet a star.
Riesgraf would take Tayla to places around Hellsalem's Lot when not working. He took her to Coney Island or Bronx Zoo since she had never been to either one. Spent a whole day in Chinatown, Manhattan just visiting shops and restaurants. One night, swung by Stonewall Inn to hang while part of LGBT nightlife. Took her on a walking tour through Central Park when the case ended. Stepped into the homebase store of Vampirefreaks in East Village, Alphabet City. Checked out Hot Topic in Manhattan Town Center to get out of the cold. Took Reinhardt on a few Ghost Walks with tour groups that started at midnight.
Gilbert and Miss. Mikayla went on their days off. Visiting the history and art museums, when interesting exhibits were on display. Going to old film festivals at historic theater venues, or taking midnight strolls. Stepping into book shops on rainy days out with an umbrella in hand. Rare times they would explore especially shops, where imported goods were sold. Get lost in watching public lectures about hospitality and proper manners. Take a tour of Hellsalem's Lot landmarks when tourists weren't in.
Zed and Mizu stepped out of office on those rare rainy days or when a fog bank rolled in. Going to park a few times, where one would watch the other perform live. Inspired Mizu to put her own talents with bottled water. Shapes of marine life and plants made from her memory were amazing. Due to Zed's dislike for raw fish was how Mizu was introduced to hotdogs. Besides fun they got out of visiting a few water parks and public fountains.
Created a special moments of romance that were ruined by ONE person
Zapp always seemed to show up with his girl of the night on his arm and cigar on his lips. Ignoring or rudely informing someone to shove it when refusing to put out his cigar. Getting wasted on glass after glass of alcohol he crudely complained about. Not keeping his voice down during time one is too when let's were dimmed. Commenting or complimenting looks of women he was caught openly ogling. Openly made out with his female date to the point it got WAY too inappropriate for the public. One of many thing wrong when was seen by his coworkers or associates.
8*8
"Dating advice?" Riesgraf and Tayla repeated Leo's question.
"Yea." He quietly wiggled his thumbs, "I kinda met someone at the post office when I wanted to send out a letter to my sister. We both approached the stamp machine about to waiter in the slot at the same time. One thing led another and I …."
He ended up showing a picture of her to the two and spoke of how they had been meeting up. Sometimes he treated her to Johnny Rockets for a burger or chili cheese fries. Share a pizza he got from Pizza Cat on the stoop of his building while stargazing. Eat already prepared meals bought from a corner shop and walk around.
"I like to do something else," Leo mumbled, "Then what I've been doing with her ..."
"Can't help you," Tayla informed him, "Besides places Riesgraf had taken me, I don't have much to suggest."
"I just took her to places," Riesgraf pointed out, "I always wanted to see or hear about…."
Leo ended up sitting back into his seat feeling a new level of low when he couldn't find an answer. He figured a couple in his age range would have something for him. Let down left him looking to other information sources for date ideas. One person who was across the room with his lips kissing the floor was a defeated Zapp. Wanting to ask him for ANY advice was going to be a problem for Leo. Since Zapp's way of doing things always seemed wrong in Leo's book.
"Maybe we can ask your uncles or K.k?" Tayla asked Riesgraf, wanting to help Leo.
"Maybe Uncle Edmund, but KK." Riesgraf looked toward her.
Kk was talking about how she finally had a signed copy of an autobiography of her favorite soap opera actress. How her husband stood in a long line with her outside a bookstore. Not once complaining about the cold weather and the other people.
"No!" Leo and Riesgraf spoke at the same time.
Their eyes shifted toward Edmund standing behind his brother's desk and in discussion with him. Klaus and him had been like this since he arrived with heated tension.
"This have to do with the latest case or recent one?" Tayla asked them.
"Old one actually," Stephen chimed in, "That new drug that caught our attention while Riesgraf was away, has stirred trouble. Again. "
"Why does this have to do with Mr. Edmund?" Leo asked not understanding.
"A few of his businesses have been affected," Stephen adjusts his seat, "He's here to help."
Gulp that came from Leo had Tayla looking to Riesgraf for an excuse to leave when Edmund's grunt was heard. A sigh escaped the teen and he asked Leo about Mizu and plant watering. Had the three of them up and flooded into another room with the door closing behind. Leaving them among tropical plants and fish tank in dimly lit room.
"Hello!" Mizu waved at her tank, "What is going on?"
"Courting advice." Riesgraf answered her.
Leo couldn't say a thing when sight of a dead body had a parasitic egg sack sticking out of the side. Wasn't a pleasing reminder for him and the memory of horror movie night was recalled.
"Has he brought dead fish to a potential mate?" She asked.
"Not all humans prefer raw fish." Riesgraf pointed out.
"Especially one merman." Tayla spoke of Zed.
Mizu ended up shrugging as she splashed into the tank with a huff on her lips towards them. Left the trio without much to do then watch Riesgraf do his sapphire rain. Which mildly watered the plants also feeling they weren't getting anywhere.
"The pet show." Tayla and Riesgraf spoke aloud.
"Am I missing something?" Leo asked.
8*8
Participating in an Alterworld dog show was a new experience for Riesgraf with Reinhardt beside him. Being that he has been practicing to be a part of it since he heard of it. Signing up online and getting the location with his own dog was nerve wracking. Didn't stop Riesgraf from showing his paperwork of ownership and veterinary certificates. To the check in desk when he was asked to show them as he checked in. Fact he had tamed two headed dog of any kind was an amazing thing. Which amazed the staff when they took his picture indentation purposes.
"Nervous?" Tayla asked Riesgraf.
"Ever since I heard Blood Breeds and their pets are ruthless." He recalled a story.
His father and Stephen told him about what Zamedoru once did during the Great Collapse at Bradbury General Hospital. A moment that still gave him chills to his very day about Blood Breeds. That was put to rest when Tayla took his hand with her own and gently wove their fingers together.
"I wanted to surprise you," She held up her phone, "Leo isn't the only one who can give their true names."
"Are you sure?" He asked, concerned.
"I've watched Blood Breeds do what they want and not be allowed to interfere," She recalled when beside her mother, "I had enough of watching them rampaging through towns and cities."
Riesgraf ended up stopping what she had to say since he already knew what she was going to say. Going to kiss the back of her hand while their hands were still connected. Leo caught on film when he took their picture while Reinhardt was beside him.
"How are you doing back there?" Head's turned toward a nervous Leo.
"I do not think he is alright," Leo's date answered for him, "He's moving weirdly."
Sonic could back that when he sat on one of Leo's shoulders and watched him stiffly move. Acting like an automaton that needed his joints oiled when he handled his camera. Not utter a single word to either of the people he arrived with after check out. Forming a grin that slowly scared even Tayla when she hid behind Reinhardt.
"I am great." Leo spoke through clenched teeth.
"Leo?" Riesgraf was afraid to approach him, "Want to introduce your date to Reinhardt."
"Actually," His date stepped up as she lifted her hand, "I am Lady Smadar Ketilríðr from the house of Taiwo."
"She's of noble birth like your mom?" Tayla asked Riesgraf.
"Yea, but what?" Riesgraf asked.
This Smadar ends up waving her hand with a ring on the finger until a square topped sword appears. She took hold of within one her hands without a second thought passing. She whirled within that hand before the sword turned back into a ring.
"A knight actually." She seemed to be boasting.
"What?" Leo finally spoke.
"Does this bother you?" Smadar asked Leo, "I shall be a normal maiden."
"I kinda like you for you." Riesgraf hinted.
"Can we take her to Klaus and Stephen for help?" Leo asked Tayla and Riesgraf.
Reinhardt ended up whining and had them all looking at their feet to find him looking forward. This had Riesgraf looking in the direction his dog looked and found two familiar faces. Anaxagorou was rather irritated with Eberhardt sitting beside him. Klaus and Stephen were nearby talking and interacting with security staff.
"Wtf?" Riesgraf looked at Tayla and Leo.
"Shall we?" Smadar asked them.
"Hey!" Leo was the one that stepped forward.
"Want to share with us why you are romantically involved with him," Riesgraf asked Smadar, "Before you're interrogated."
"Hard to explain by it," She didn't know how to word it, "All I know, I was sent to protect the current wielder of All Seeing Eyes of God."
"She must have been dispatched after the Dr. Gamimotz incident?" Tayla asked.
Riesgraf was too busy mentally figuring out how Zapp was going to get decked if he hit Smadar.
8*8