Re: Coffee . . . With Dissatisfaction Attached [Open]

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

It did indicate to all that he was going to turn into the apartment complex. At first she thought he might be messing with her, but he wasn’t for the car slowed, and turned into the complex. A thoughtful look crossed over her features. Her head tilted slightly almost in thought, her tongue darted out to wet both lips at once. Not what she had planned but maybe he thought he was going to send her off. Nodding, for she was rather certain that a few of them had been vampires, but she had no proof. Her gaze did catch upon his two sleek fangs, but they did not linger there, for her head snapped upwards to his eyes once more. “It’s good to be different.” She meant that.

Fingers lowered to the strap of her bag, fingers playing about the width. She had paid attention to all his words. “The best evenings usually have some sort of strings attached.” Not that she sounded as if she minded. The thought of her and the fact she had warm blood pumping through her veins was in the forefront of her mind. Not that she minded that. She looked thoughtful, before it hit her. “Do you know the new restaurant that just opened downtown? I think its called Agea.” They had a waiting list a mile long, and all of Rhy’Din’s Celeb’s enjoyed frequenting there. She had been past a few times, the place looked rather up scale. She was not the sort that liked to go to the clubs every night, and those places she had a easier time of getting in then the restaurant.

Not only was it something that would be hard to pass up, when one grew up, not always able to do things due to lack of money, it was like a gift. She felt lucky in a sense, even if she knew in the back of her head what the payment was going to be, that she had such a chance. Her fingers quit playing with the strap of the bag. She almost felt as if she was making a deal with the devil yet she wasn’t afraid. Maybe a Madrid of other feelings but scared was not one of them.

[Damon Fauci]

"How else could such evenings be beneficial for all, unless there were such strings?" It was smoothly posed as he watched her, the wisdom of a man of the world who did not just spout clever words for the sake of them. When Damon spoke, he always spoke from experience. How could it be the best of evenings, after all, if only some benefited and others did not?

Agea. He had not been inside the establishment nor meandered past it, but as a nightly hunter in this city it was common for him to overhear the chatter of its citizenship. The opening of such exclusive fine dining had inspired such chatter, at least enough that the vampire knew the general location of the eatery, the caliber of patrons who dined there, and what the establishment itself expected of those though who were lucky enough to enter its doors.

In short, he had enough information to be able to confidently say this, "Let's go." A wan, handsomely reckless smile was flashed to her as quick as lightening before Damon pushed the car door open and got out of the car. It was mere seconds later that he gripped the passenger's side door, pulling it open before she had the chance to herself. A small glimpse into the sort of quick he was capable of. Perhaps to prepare her for what was to come.

As he made a sweeping invitation for her to get out of the car with a fluid gesture of his pale hand, he added one last thing to assuage any potential confusion she might have. "We will be afforded more time to enjoy this little adventure if we travel by my preferred means." To Titania, he extended his hand. If she took it, it would feel quite cool to the touch as he had no body heat to boast of. But more importantly, if she took his hand he would interpret it as an agreement.

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

A bob of her head. She did not think that strings were bad things. Nor did she think it was fair for something to be beneficial to one, and not to another that was present, taking part of said time. Not that she was one to speak out about it, and demand that if something was beneficial to her, how it was not fair to others. Though if something only benefited someone else, there was a good chance her mouth would be open, and jaws flapping.

When Damon said lets go, she did look at him, as if she couldn’t believe it, yet a part of her did believe he meant what he said. It took a moment for her to register him moving from the door to her door, and when she had it registered in her mind, he already had her door open. “I heard vampires could move quick, but I swear I didn’t even blink.” Was being said as she stepped out of the car. Looking to the tote bag, and back to Damon. “Should I leave this here?” Really taking the tote bag to a fancy establishment wasn’t such a good idea.

That did answer a few questions, glancing down a moment, before lifting chocolate gaze up to Damon. A almost timid look but only a half a second, before that thought was made. Her slim warm hand, took his cool to the touch one, making herself a small promise that she would not regret anything that happened this night. “Then we should travel by your preferred means.” And a smile would form, for she was rather excited even at the prospect of being inside Agea.

[Damon Fauci]

Damon had lived for centuries, yet still he always cherished the sweetly honest reactions of those who had never crossed the path of a true vampire before. Titania's response to something as mundane as the speed with which he could move, it nearly made him laugh. But the sound never passed his lips. "Surely you blinked, perhaps even twice." The smoothly intoned words were displayed in the smug curl of his smirk.

As for her tote bag, he gave a noncommittal shrug. "You may take anything you feel you need." Clearly Damon was not worried that they would be denied access to the establishment based on her appearance or accessories. He knew better. Oh how he knew. "However, know that even if you bring nothing you will want for nothing. You are on my arm tonight, and as a gentlemen I vow that you will be properly taken care of." There was an intensity to his gaze as he set his eyes upon her that would make it known that what he spoke was not idle promise, it was fact. It is also fact that there are many ways to take care of someone.

And the time was now. After Titania made her choice regarding her tote, a fluid flick of his wrist shut the car door. Damon turned his full attention to Titania, his raven black eyes keeping close watch on her as he used his grip on her hand to pull him closer to him. Close enough that he could slide his arm firmly around her waist. "For the living, it's best to take this first journey with their eyes closed." To her it would sound as if he spoke those words into the very cups of her ears, though he head was not bent to do so. Lingering words, with lasting effect.

Releasing her hand, Damon stroked his cool fingertips over her eyelids. If she was acutely perceptive or intuitive, within that touch she would be able to feel the thrum of the power vibrating just underneath the tips of those fingers. Even though it was power barely unleashed, it held within it a strong coaxing element, a lulling cool which brought about a willing numbness. "This is the sort of travel living bodies were not meant to make, but you will be safe. As long as you think of anything but moving at a reckless speed through the night air at great heights."

Perhaps there was a touch of humor to his sanguine instructions, but within them was also truth. The more she thought about the nature of the journey, the harder it would be on her. She would be most lucky if she didn't think of it at all as she would feel herself pulled suddenly upward, traveling with Damon over the tree tops faster than the winter wind.

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

She looked thoughtful at his words, her head tilting in thought, before untilting itself. “Maybe once…but I really do doubt it was twice.” She did let out a small laugh, it wasn’t the sort that came from the belly, it was more of the little laugh that one does at one’s own reaction to something. Things that he could accomplish were indeed new to her, for the vampires she had waited on before, never showed her any of their abilities, even if theirs were probably not up to par to the specimen in front of her.

Listening to his words, she would set the tote bag down in the car, she had slipped her wallet out, and put it in her back pocket. She did not think he was going to make her pay for everything, but it was wise to always have your id and a credit card at least on you. “I’m gonna leave it here then. No need taking it with us, letting it get in the way.” Sitting at a table, she would not be able to sit still for long without peeking at the duffle to make sure it had not grown legs and sprinted away. This way, he would be able to claim her attention with less distractions for her.

She had made her decision, when he spoke of making the first trip with the eyes closed, and his finger tips lifted and brushed her lids down, they closed and stayed that way. Not a squint shut, but a more natural closing of lids. “You know best.” She was not going to attempt to fight with him on something that she did not know. Trust did not come easily for the most part, but something told her it was best to trust him, at least in the here and now. She had felt something, almost like a trickle of the power, from his finger tips, though she wasn’t sure what to make it other then the fact that he was what he was. She had heard that her kind, and his did not mix well, but there was no sneezing, nor any other adverse effect. Perhaps it was because she was a neophyte…but only time would tell…her thoughts were not able to linger upon that road for long, for the next thing she knew she felt her body being pulled upwards. She assumed he was rather apt at his preferred method of travel, otherwise she could end up tree kill.

[Damon Fauci]

When moving upward, it was only natural for the human body to feel heavier. The body reminding the mind and spirit that gravity is a ruling force. For the vampire, a creature no longer living in the traditional sense of the word, gravity did not hold such sway. Damon could, in fact, make his body move as easily as a feather or as uncooperatively as a mountain. It all depended on his will at the current time. Right now, as Titania would feel the jarring and contrasting sensations of a heavy body and being pulled forward guided through the air, to him the travel would seem only seem second nature. And the bitter cold of moving through winter air so fast...well it hardly bothered him, for why would it?

At least the trip would be mercifully short, and any discomfort it caused the mortal girl would be short-lived. His landing was a smooth one, so graceful that it would perhaps take her a moment to realize they were no longer soaring through the air. A man of pointed discretion, they did not land in front of the club for all to see. He'd chosen to land in the alleyway, by the entrance to the kitchens. While the door to the kitchens was open, none of the staff was in view.

Damon did not step back immediately. Some who had traveled with him before had experienced a lingering dizziness, or needed a moment to regain their footing and balance. As a precaution, his arm remained around her as he leaned back enough to give her a look over. "Are you alright, bella?" His free hand reached up, smoothing over her hair and brushing it over her shoulder. While she might interpret it as an intimate gesture, it was an end to a very logical means. He wouldn't want her entering the exclusive establishment with her hair a windblown mess.

The corner of his mouth crooked into a slight but confident smile. "We have arrived, and need only walk out of this alley and through the front doors."

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

She did wonder if it felt strange to him, the extra weight, not that she was a big girl, just she assumed she probably felt like dead weight, unable to add anything. Her lids did not even flicker, no chance that they were going to open, nor did they squeeze shut any more then they were. Perfectly closed. If she felt the brief chill from the night, it was more of the fact that there was a chill in the air, for as quick as they were moving, the other chill would hardly have time to settle upon her.

Once they landed, it did take a moment, those lids staying closed. Then after getting her grounding back, for it was a first, she would let her lids open, revealing those chocolates. At his question her head bobbed, and she let out a small laugh, “That felt…interesting.” She had no real word to describe it, and if she took time to think on it, she was scared he would simply begin walking and she would look a fool. Glancing around the alley way she was, when he moved to fix her hair. “Thank you. I am sure that my hair had to look a fright. If I would have been prepared I could of tied it back.” Thankfully her hair pretty much listened to her, so when Damon fixed it, it went rather easily back in place. The only tell tale sign outwards of the trip was her pink cheeks. Maybe others would just think she liked her make up a bit much this day.

Then his words hit her, and she glanced up at him. “You really think we can just walk through the doors?” Of course, she was wanting to believe him, you could see it, warring with her wonderment if she really could. But a deal was a deal, and she would await for him to begin the steps inside, once he did, she would move easily with him. Trying not to gawk but yet take everything in.

[Damon Fauci]

"It just so happens that I am not afraid of hair." The humor was a little dry, perhaps, but the wry look he cast her was charming, if not handsome to boot. He would not offer her his arm in a literal sense, and instead led the way out of the alley. Moving with a confident stride, he glanced at her briefly as he replied with an easy air, "There is no need to think on certainty." As she would see for herself, in just a moment.

When Damon and Titania rounded the corner, they were mere steps from pulling back the so-called velvet cord. While the night was not terribly young, the line to enter the establishment was still well down the street. Despite the winter weather, the majority of females in line were showing an awful lot of skin whether they were on a gentleman's arm or no, perhaps in hopes that an ample or accentuated view of their curves would increase their chances of entry. As was the case with posh establishments, however, who gained entry and who did not seemed a thing entirely arbitrary. If one were to observe, sometimes the two bouncers who flanked the double doors would check a list, other times they would shake hands with a hopeful to slyly receive a bribe, and still other times they did nothing at all but stand aside. How was one to ever best such haphazard decision making?

For Damon, it was the simple act of being himself. His murmur to Titania was quiet, but each syllable would sound clearly in her ears as if carried there by an unseen wind. "Stay beside me. Do not look anyone in the eyes, and do not speak. Simply think to yourself, 'I belong here'. Tonight, you do." That she followed each instruction was not critical as Damon was more than capable to taking care of everything, but he always felt in these situations that it was best to give those in his care something to focus on.

What happened next was so very commonplace. Circumventing the line entirely, Damon walked them between the bouncers and through the double doors. Neither bouncer glanced in their direction, nor did anyone in line behave as if they saw anything amiss. This was, in fact, because they didn't see. All because Damon wished this to be so. He radiated this desire, in fact. If Titania was capable of sensing such things, it would feel like a cool haze pulsing outwardly from him. A fog of desire which covered the entire area and clouded the eyes of any within it until Damon wished it otherwise.

Proceeding in this manner, they also passed the hostess and went straight into the lavishly decorated restaurant. One would immediately think of the long line of people waiting in the cold when they saw how many of the tables were open, with little cards which boasted a single word - RESERVED. To the best of these tables Damon went. It was up a short flight of stairs, on a platform of its own which gave those who sat at the table a bird's eye view of the entire restaurant floor. A table no doubt meant for guests of honor and people of renown, as it also provided all who dined in the restaurant a perfect view of whoever it was that sat at said table. Long pale fingers plucking up the reserve card, Damon gave it a sleek flick under the table where it would remain forgotten until the next time the establishment got a good cleaning.

"I think here will suffice, don't you bella?" Asked of her with a triumphantly wolfish smile, as he pulled out a chair and beckoned for her to have a seat. As soon as Titania sat, the illusion of their invisibility would be broken. Immediately after, a swell of thrall of an entirely different nature would touch every mind in the restaurant - including hers - planting within each individual whether staff or patron a single fact:

That man and that woman, they absolutely belong here.

What 'luck' for Damon and Titania, to be embraced so at this already infamously exclusive location.

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

At his words, her lips quirked upwards, though she did good at keeping the giggle at bay. “That is very heroic of you.” She was jesting of course. If he had not been as handsome as he was, with that way about him, this would of felt out of place. She would of never agreed to such a deal, but there was something about him. And when he spoke, she wanted to believe what he said, even if she had no reason to believe. Instead she fell into step just a slight bit behind him, but not back as a serving person, or a worker would. More like she belonged with him, and she was going where he was, just not very forward.

Chocolate orbs did flicker over the line of people, the bouncers that flanked the sides of the doors, and she thought about holding her breath. Already moving with Damon she was closer then she had ever been to the doors. When he spoke about not saying anything, no eye contact and with the thought that she belonged there, she did. She walked her pace still where she had been, though careful enough not to actually step on Damon. Taking a deep breath she repeated in her mind, that tonight she did belong there, that this was just an ordinary night out. Nor did she meet anyone’s eye’s. She was rather good at following instructions when she knew that the end outcome was in her favor.

She did not know that the others could not see them. In fact she could of sworn that other’s had seen them walking as if they owned the place. The passing of the bouncers seemed easily enough and then when Damon made his way right past the hostess, she did not think anything was amiss, wasn’t that how the VIPs rolled? So when he moved right past and up to the Reserved tables, she had to blink, for not only was she inside the place that seemed so hard to get into, she was also at one of the best tables in the place. She would give a bob of her head when he spoke. “This table is great.” Her tone held a bit of wistfulness in it. She knew that later when the time came for her to give payment so to speak she was not going to fear it. For this, she felt would be worth a some blood, as long as he didn’t take it all she’d be fine, right?

She would smile as he pulled out the chair and into she slipped, feeling almost like a fairy princess, even though she did not believe in those stories any longer. She did not feel out of place, for something about being with Damon made her feel as if they really did belong there, even before the whispering touch would enter the minds of everyone, including her own, which only reinforced the thought. “We so absolutely belong here.” The words came out even without her realizing that they were.

“It looks even better inside then it did from the pictures, and the peeking in the windows.” She admitted a bit, with a slight blush, which did not last to long. “Let me tell you the window peeking proved down right har..” She stopped in her sentence to look to Damon. “Thank you.” She did glance around once more, but not in a gawking sort of way, for that would ruin it wouldn’t it? If one belonged somewhere they did not gawk. They looked around casually. Perhaps they looked to spot people before they were spotted themselves.

[Damon Fauci]

"Beasts can make rather good heroes, should the occasion arise that bids us put our minds to it." There was no deeper meaning to his words than what he so plainly spoke. Well, plainly in his aristocratic, careless way. It was what had come to mind when Titania called him heroic. Though perhaps, there was part of him which wished to give her the small reminder that gentleman as he appeared and gentleman as he could be, he was still within a manner of beast. One of the more pleasant beasts to encounter if one was a dulcet female as she, but a beast nonetheless.

When she voiced the thought he'd planted within every mind in this establishment, it fed his wan, wicked smile as he reclined back into the chair to her right. Yes, he would sit to the side of her rather than across the table. He found the custom of putting an entire table between one and their chosen dinner guest to be rather boorish, not to mention entirely counter productive. After all, how were two people supposed to create an inmate friendship among themselves when separated by such a gulf? Especially when Titania was not the only one to be dining here tonight, such distance would not do.

"You are an enchanting female, Titania, possessing a worth far greater than the sort who need resort to becoming a longing voyeur outside of windows. What's more, there's no need to thank me for bringing you somewhere you already belong." As the hostess passed by them on the way back from seating another table, he bent down to reach off the platform and pull a menu from the stack she carried in her arms. It was done with a rapidity that was comparable to how quickly he'd moved earlier to open Titania's car door, and for that reason the hostess did not even cast Damon or Titania a glance as she walked briskly by. With a smile that rather proudly displayed his triumph and this two sharpened eyeteeth, a graceful flick of the wrist opened the menu which he presented to her with all the style of a prince.

As he offered the menu to her, his raven black eyes rested squarely on her face. For the first time tonight, he would employ one of his other gifts. The words that came from him would slip into her ears softer than silk, smoother than glass, wrapped in the relaxing art of vampiric persuasion. For this was the sort of question that Damon suspected an individual would answer quite differently if they weren't put at such lulling ease. He sought the truthful answer, not the cautious one. "Surely you have some means, some sort of wiles, which you could have employed to win your way inside this establishment almost as easily as I have just done?"

Call it curiosity that he longed to know. This was Rhy'din, after all.

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

She had not forgotten that he was just that a beast. But just because one was a beast did not mean that they were not other things as well. People to her were very interesting, with all of thier faucets. Probably one of the reasons why she did not leave her job at Starbucks for a job that paid better. Where else did one get such a colorful array of customers? Along with her discount.

She had always wondered why when two people went out to dinner, that they always sat so far away from each other as if the person they were sharing the meal with had cooties. Plus in a normal instance it sometimes made it harder to share things, passing them back and forth and whatnot. So she did not think it odd when he sat near her instead on the other side of the table.

She would then amend her words, "Then thank you for enjoying this evening with me." Surely she could thank him for his company, for he was most enjoyable, and she did not fear what was to come. She had barely blinked maybe twice this time before the menu was snatched and presented to her as he did. "Nice wrist movement there." A smile flickered over her lips, before she let her gaze look over the options of food. She had used her wrist flick a few times before her Starbucks job, but never like that, so she had some apperciation for what he had done.

When she felt him look at her, her gaze lifted from the menu to Damon, it was rather done subconciously. She felt something but it was more of a in the back of her mind, hey wait a moment sort of thing, nothing that was rather forward where her present thoughts were. At his question she let out a small laugh, one of those that was almost laughing at one's self. "I would be to scared to try. My luck the place would burst into flames." It wasn't that she was a firestarter, it was that she had not such a good grasp on what magic she knew, that she was afraid of what it could happen. What if she had tried a spell, and then caught herself unawares and burnt down the building. Then she would of not been able to go to Agea in the first place, and she'd have a small guilty concience about burning down the place, simply because she wanted to get a glimpse of the other side. Now if she could get some sort of thing going for her, to get her on those lists, that would be different.

[Damon Fauci]

"Yes, my wrists are rather talented, or so I've been told." While his chosen words were ambiguous, there was something in the nature of his wily smile that colored them with a suggestive undertone. Such was Damon, it was all part of his allure. Once the menu was in her hands, he would recline back in his chair and allow her to digest the options. While he had no need for traditional sustenance, when the waiter came he would order something as a matter of pretense. Not to play some charade for the other patrons, he cared not a wit for them. It was more out of manners for Titania - he knew that many felt uncomfortable to be sitting at a table and be the only one eating. And her continued comfort with him was highly to his advantage.

As for her answer, he found it interesting. As well as the manner in which she looked up from the menu. Such small details were always noted by the vampire, who had been a man of keen observation even before he was given the blood. To ease her apparent self-consciousness she was met with a rather wan, handsome smile. "Come now. What is it they always say, bella? All press is good press. Can you imagine how a devastating fire heroically stamped out would make this establishment's exclusivity skyrocket even more? Your fire would make this place the toast of the town." The curl of the corner of his lips was akin to a wink.

His raven black eyes settling intently upon her, Damon leaned forward and added with a more private air, "Perhaps if you'd allow me to, I could give my assistance to help you to assuage those fears? Not this evening, of course, as our dance card is already quite full with Agea. But in the future." Yes, should all things go well this evening Damon was already considering keeping Titania as one of his regular visits. Her intriguing reply regarding any abilities she possessed had cemented it.

For Damon could never resist molding a young lady with talent, as was evident by his tumultuous relationship with Jade.

"I would, of course, need to know a bit more about you. Were you interested." There was just enough time to give her a slight, sly smile before the waiter arrived. Damon sat back once more, gesturing forward to Titania. "After you, bella. Whatever you require." This would give him time to wander his dark eyes over the tables below, to see if there was something passable for him to order when it came time.

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

She bet that Damon was rather talented in all things he attempted to do. Not that she was about to voice such a thing. If he could read minds hers had no barrier. Not that he needed to read her mind. She often heard people say that they could read her mind by looking at her face. Rather expressive. And it was true, no one that she knew of, herself included, liked to eat alone. Though she was unsure of how that was going to go with Damon.

She felt herself relax once more, not that she had even noticed her tenseness when Damon, made light and even made her feel better. “Burnt toast, maybe they would renamed it Butter.” That would not surprise her, the name, for buildings had all sorts of names, especially those that are hip. It seemed the odder the name of the place, the more that the socialites and other high rollers, wanted to be in. She had thought that the In Crowd ended with school, but she learnt quickly there always seemed to be that. “I wonder if the next big place will be named Grilled Cheese.” She was making a funny at the same time having that thought.

She had not thought of that. And she looked over towards him, shyly for a moment, her mouth was almost ready to open, when the waiter showed up. She gave him a small nod before her attention to the waitress. That was all the consent she was giving at the moment. Though she figured he would know that was what the nod was. She had glimpsed over the menu, and her choice of food might not be normal, though there was quite a few patrons in the place eating it. “I would like the spaghetti marina, the grated cheese, garlic bread and a glass of red wine.” When she spoke of the wine she pointed right at the correct on that would go with the spaghetti. She would wait for Damon to make his order, and the waiter to leave before she grinned over at him. “You can tell a lot about a food place by the taste of their spaghetti.”

[Damon Fauci]

"The oysters and a stoli. Double on the rocks." Shellfish and vodka, these were simple fare that tasted fairly consistent no matter the region, country or even planet. He rather preferred Rhy'dinian Oysters, in fact. They were meatier, with a texture that was tender. As the waiter relieved Titania of the menu Damon would thieve the man's attention for one moment longer. "Ah, I nearly forgot…" Once the waiter glanced up Damon set his raven black eyes directly upon his, to ensure the man did not look away and would not misunderstand the command that lay within his next words. "We require our food immediately."

Once the waiter left, the vampire turned his attention back to his dinner guest. Crossing leg over knee, he seemed quite relaxed. Rarely was Damon anything other, and as he saw it he should feel nothing other than entirely entitled to weave his will on others just as he'd done with the waiter. "I could not dare order a pasta dish anywhere but home. As that is where my palate was raised I'm afraid nothing out of that region can compare." Even in Rhy'din, he assumed his Italian heritage was something that was implied by his very telling looks.

Which is why he changed the subject to what he thought was a far more intriguing topic. "So, bella, you were saying regarding my offer?" He knew full well that she had not actually had the chance to utter anything, but she quite obviously looked as she was about to before the waiter had arrived. He would not allow the topic to drop, not when such opportunity was at the doorstep.

Already a second server was at their table, and with a bow of his head and a polite greeting the man set Damon's drink in front of him, and then the empty wine glass in front of Titania. He presented the bottle of wine to the pair of them before he expertly removed the corkscrew, and he poured a small amount of the wine into the glass. As was the case with any restaurant worth it's salt, he would wait for her approval of the wine before he poured her a full glass.

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

Quiet while Damon ordered his food. And while he told the waiter that they did require their food immediately. She was not one that had ever ate Oysters, something about them made her squeamish. Not that she thought anything was wrong with other’s eating them.

“I only have had the pasta dishes cooked here.” As in Rhy’Din. She had been born and raised here, and did not really know anything else. “Maybe one day I will be able to travel the world, and if I do, I shall stop in somewhere and get a real pasta dish.” Grin. That was not a hint, that was a if I ever break into anything or I get my magic working to where I can get myself somewhere else, I think that is something I will do sort.

Ah yes, that offer, perhaps she was dealing with a devil, but better the devil that gives you something in return then the devil that just takes what he wants, leaving you with nothing. “I would like that. If you could help me.” She did not know whom to talk to. She tried to ask her mom when she noticed something but that just got her a horrified look and a I’m just kidding mom. Her grandma had already passed. And she did not know her father. So really she was on her own. The movies just don’t seem to help out. But she wasn’t going to go into all of those details right now.

It was probably a good thing she was here with Damon. Because if he had not been sitting next to her, when the waiter just poured a small sip in the glass, she would of asked what the heck! But maybe it was something about Damon, or maybe it was the way he had weaved that they belonged there earlier, she would give the waiter a small smile. Fingers grasping the glass which would be lifted, brought to her mouth, a small swish, before a swallow. “This one is perfect.” She nodded to the waiter even as she spoke.

[Damon Fauci]

As he watched Titania take a sip, a bemused smile curled over his lips. "A love of pasta and wine. It seems there is no better place for you to aspire to travel than my birth-land, bella." Here he leaned forward, picking up the cork which the waiter had set upon the table, bringing it to his nose to pointedly sample its scent. A flip of his wrist cast the cork carelessly downward with a shallow "Mm," to demonstrate that he was unimpressed. "When it comes to delicacies, you'll find no better on that planet or this one." Damon's raven black eyes set upon the waiter as he spoke that truth, with a pointed gaze meant to be the challenge that the waiter interpreted it to be. It was a hobby of Damon's, to observe how mortals behaved when their integrity was questioned by himself or others. At a restaurant like this, he hoped for entertaining results.

The waiter drew himself up to his tallest posturing as he smoothly poured Titania a proper glass now that she had approved the taste. Before he set the bottle on the center of the table, he expertly wiped the lip and neck of any drippings. This waiter was no amateur, and one could tell from the dignified manner in which he held up his chin that he took great pride in his work and this restaurant. "You have good taste, young madam, this our most requested wine." He spoke that with confidence in his tone and smile, but the smile faltered and faded once he glanced at Titania's nonplussed dinner partner. "I'll return shortly. Enjoy." These words came abruptly from the dapper server, who bowed his head and scuttled off towards the kitchen.

Oh, how that made Damon grin. "I hope you have a healthy appetite for both food and wine, Titania. I suspect they will now be serving much more to us than we have ordered." His little test set into motion, the vampire picked up his vodka and relaxed back into his seat. His attention focused entirely on her once more, he would again pick up where they had left off. "I am both willing and well suited to help you, Titania. I would not have offered if I wasn't so equipped. There is, however, one simple rule to becoming my pupil that you must adhere to regardless of where my tutelage takes you, and to be frank many have been too cowardly to accept and follow this rule."

Here Damon paused, but it was not for dramatic effect. He sipped from his glass and watched her silently to make sure he had the full of her attention and curiosity. He wanted her to understand entirely the risk that was present in the rule he was about to speak - for if one did not understand the risk, they would only falter and fold the first time they came face to face with said danger. "It is this. To truly learn about oneself, one's talents, and one's limitations an individual cannot hold back. Such is easy when the lesson takes one to the highest highs of their power and greatness, but such is frightening when the lesson takes one to the basest shame and limit of their being. But without traveling to both of these extremes to explore every ability, crevice and temptation therein, attempting to learn instead by holding back and remaining in a realm that is safe and secure, what one learns is only one thing. That who they are is a coward and that they are mundane and ordinary as everyone else."

To place oneself in the hands of a vampire and be instructed in such a manner that pushed through limitations to the limitless, that was to take quite a tumultuous and arguably foolish leap of faith. The sly smile that followed after Damon's words completed implied what was left unsaid: no pressure.

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

She heard the words, her head would bob at them. “I can only hope to make it there one day. Italy right?” She had saw many shows on tv that had to deal with Italy. Not only the food but the way that the people were. It seemed like a whole other world that she wanted to visit and be embraced with. But that was not why she was befriending Damon. That had nothing to do with it. Her chocolate gazed watched quietly as he messed with the waiter. She had seen people act the same way inside of the Starbucks, but she knew the difference. She had to resist the urge of her lips quirking upwards at the way that the waiter had responded. When he made the comment to her, she gave him a small smile, nothing big. But enough to make him feel that she did not think anything was amiss. The sort of smile one gave to be kind, and when one received a compliment.

Then when the waiter left the table, she saw the look on Damon’s face and heard his words, causing her to laugh. Still not overly loud, simply because she did not want to draw more attention to them then the passing glances of people trying to figure out whom they were. It would be really easy to get a lot of eyes on them at the moment, if one wished it. But she didn’t. She liked the almost cozy feeling at the table. “Oh I hope so!” Then he was speaking of helping her out and she well she was quiet and hanging on his every word. The girl did have a mouth on her when it was needed, or she felt it was needed but she also knew how to listen. One needs to know how to listen as well, otherwise they had almost no social skills! “Many are to cowardly?”

And then she understood his previous words, almost a warning and then his rule. One rule. That should not be so hard to follow. Or to obey if one preferred that word. Oh he had her full attention and had it during the whole time he spoke. He did not need to send any signals into her mind to get her to pay attention to him. Her head nodded at his rule, it did sound like it would be hard, but the best things in life weren’t free. You had to work for them. And that was exactly what it sounded like. She could finally get a hold of her gifts, she just had to work hard for them, and be strong. Even though she knew it would be the biggest test of all, she gave a nod of her head, slowly, before finding her voice. “And if I am willing? I can agree to the rule, I know it won’t be easy, but nothing good in life ever is.” Fingers lifted to curl around the glass and another sip of the wine was taken before setting it back on the table.

[Damon Fauci]

Damon found her reaction to his toying with the waiter quite entertaining, and pleasing. If her reaction was one of horror, distaste or a heaping spoonful of morality…well, suffice to say he would not have been the correct teacher for her. But peeling Titania's layers back to expose and nurture what was within, he was now certain it would be nothing short of a pleasure.

Quite possibly by the end of the road she would find her life entirely born anew.

When she agreed to his rule Damon flashed her a grin, as dangerous as it was charming. There they were again, those two sleek and sharp fang teeth that he never retracted though he was more than able to. Why should he? He was obviously not one of those self-deprecating vampires, nor was he of Jade's ilk and under the mistaken belief that passing as human was something of importance. He was a beast, and if he crossed the path of someone who had a problem with that fact he was more than equipped to either sway that individual's views or get rid of them entirely.

As he grinned, he raised his glass. "Alle lezioni prossime, bella." It was not a traditional Italian toast, nor did he provide her with a translation. Instead he tilted his glass to clink it smoothly against hers. Before he drank, he lifted the vodka to chin height first in honor of her. Once the contents were drained completely, he set the empty glass on the table and added, "You have made a decision I am certain neither of us will regret."

Granted, this could very well change his original intentions, but if all things went accordingly Titania would prove far more valuable to him than a steady meal. Not to mention this path would be far 'safer' for her as well. For many of Damon's dolls did not meet a pleasant end when his interest had waned. In this rarer case, said interest would have far less chance of expiring.

The agreement was well-timed. For their waiter had arrived, and he was not alone. He was accompanied by two of his fellows, one who set a basket of warmed bread on the table, gave Damon a fresh drink, and refilled Titania's glass as she allowed it. The second waiter set down two dishes, and their waiter set down a third. None were the dishes that Damon or Titania ordered. "Compliments of Agea, a sampling of our appetizers. We have for you Buttermilk-Parmesan Toasted Ravioli with a pesto dipping sauce, Chicken Pecan Cream Puffs and Shrimp and Crab Crostini." The waiter looked at Damon in particular when he announced the last of the dishes. As Damon had ordered oysters, the waiter took the gamble that he was a connoisseur of seafood. A curt nod of his head and he motioned for the other two waiters to depart. "Enjoy."

The vampire met the waiter's eyes with ease, a bemused curl to the corner of his wolfish mouth. "How generous," he drawled with a pointed power to each syllable. "That will be all, I think. Bella?" A glance to Titania, to see if she required anything before their waiter was dismissed.

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

There was probably a lot of people that might have had one of those many feelings at how Damon did act towards the waiter. Perhaps others in the same profession, that she was currently in even, not that she planned on working at Starbucks for the rest of her life. And if Damon did not mess with the waiter in his way, she might of actually been a little bit disappointed, in what she had expected from the little she knew of him so far.

She noticed those pointy teeth, but that was not a surprise to her, she had seen them. He flat out told her about them, and what he had planned, she had not let out a whimper. Oddly, she had never met anyone that had flat out said that they were a vampire before, but she thought that he fit his teeth, perfectly. He wore his skin with a such a ease, one day she hoped that she felt just as comfortable in her skin. Not that she had self esteem issues, just not comfortable in her own skin with her gift, yet. That was what she expected would change.

She gave a small nod of her head to the waiter, so that he could refill her glass. She had not lifted a hand to cover the top of the glass. She would give the three, was that really three waiters, a small smile. Now she had heard what Damon had said but this was more then she expected. Oh she was a bread lover so her gaze went to that even while the other dishes were set down. She would pass a glance over each dish as it was announced. She did her best not to blink, nor make any move that would say she was not used to dishes like those that were brought, in such a way.

When Damon did look at her and his words, she gave a small nod of her head, in agreement. She would wait until the three men left, before turning her gaze towards Damon. “You do this often?” Her hand moved over towards a piece of the bread, taking a bite, before setting it down in front of her.

[Damon Fauci]

When it was clear that Titania was satisfied, the three waiters bid them to enjoy their food and left. Once they had, Damon's eyes dropped to look over the three dishes they'd selected to be the crème de la crème of Agea. If only the restaurant knew that going to such lengths to win his favor was a moot point - while the evolution of his kind that occurred at the turn of the twentieth century had provided him once more with the ability to dine, food simply did not taste as it did to the living's tongue. The flavors were present, just with a degree of separation that was hard to put to words. Even so, as he knew from some corner they were most likely being watched with anticipation by the establishment's staff, he picked up a crostini and bit it cleanly in two.

Damon took his time with the appetizer, rolling it around his mouth as one who was a critic of such things would, darning an appropriately pensive look to let the spying eyes know they were currently being judged. After he swallowed, he flashed her a sly, private grin. "That depends, bella…" Second half of the appetizer slipped through his lips, as he sat back he folded his arms across his chest. Surely the staff who were watching would take this as a less than favorable sign. After all, how was one supposed to eat when their arms were folded as such? "On what you mean by 'this'."

He nodded down at the table. "Their food here is well prepared. You should have something more adventurous than bread. When it comes to lavish restaurants, what one pays for is the expertise and intricacy of the flavoring, which is at a level that one finds themselves entranced with foods they normally don't care for. Such has separated the well-to-do from the less well-to-do for as long as I can remember." Which was, on Damon's part, a rather long time. More three centuries. "At any rate, if you mean do I come to posh establishments such as this and provide them with the motivation to put a bit more effort into proving their worth, then no. It is not often that I dine this way. It provides no satisfaction for my hunger."

"So. As we eat, tell me about yourself, Titania. More candidly than before." He added that with a wry curve to the charming upturn of his mouth. "I can assure you that whatever secrets you have, they will be safe with me. In my old age I find precious little need to spread tales, and whatever you tell me will only improve the quality of my instruction."

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

She laughed, that was her first reaction, to his question along with that look. She had a feeling he knew full what this she was speaking of, but she would put it into more direct words. She did not speak slower then normal, just added more words. “Challenge staff at places, see what you can get them to do?” She thought it was funny the way the man had puffed out his chest. And she was not one to complain about the extra food.

Then he did answer the question she had rephrased and gave a small nod of her head. “Does the food that you dine on, effect how one tastes?” Was he hinting he wanted her to eat a certain something for it would effect how her blood would taste? She had not forgotten their arrangement, nor was she bringing it up and flinging it around, she was wondering. She had heard that some foods could change how one’s own scent would change, even if it usually only worked for those that had superior sense of smell.

Tell him about herself. She was not one that boasted or talked about her self often. Oh she had no self esteem issues, she just did not think one needed to go around singing their own praises. Not that she had not had a hard life. How detailed did he want to know. The dabbling with magic was new to her. She got a small grin upon her lips. “Well, I don’t know my dad. Mom said he didn’t stick around once he learnt that she was preggers with me. Funny, none of my siblings know their fathers.” She paused, “Mom had three of us. I’m in the middle. My older brother got shot in a gang turf war.” She frowned, thinking on that. “And well my little brother is the one that didn’t show up.” A small pause, “Grandma helped raise us all. Mom’s got herself a new boyfriend, he and my brother don’t get along, that’s why we went and got ourselves an apartment.” Not that her brother was the best roommate, but it was keeping him safe, except when she got her hands on his neck. “Anyhow, I won’t bore you with more details along those lines. Last year I was sitting in my room, and I am not going to say what I was doing in my room, but anyhow, the candles that I had lit, the flames started to dance. And well, when I was done, doing what I was doing, the flames completely went out. So I moved over to them, and merely breathed down upon them, thinking that I wished they had not gone out, and poof, they were ablaze again.” She took a break in talking to try the same food that Damon just had, taking a bite, chewing it experimentally, before a smile. “You are right, this does have a better taste then at a run of the mill establishment.” She gave a small pause, as she ate another bite.

“Anyhow, I went and asked my mom if there was something I should know about our family. She was not happy with my asking and told me that it was all in my head, if I imagined that we were anything other then normal working class people. “ She frowned, lifting up and taking a small bite, chewing, taking the wine and a drink, before going on with her chatting. “So I thought it was my imagination, until another incident happened, when I went back into my room. I closed my eyes and willed the candles to light…and they did.” She whispered, just a moment, “Grandma is the only one whom believed me. And she just passed on…” She frowned, that was a subject he could tell she did not want to talk on for it was still a sensitive spot. She looked down to the plate before lifting her chocolates up to Damon, a bit of sorrow was visible. “Grams said that things had happened to a ancestor of ours, she was a witch, though she died tragically young. When her young husband caught her experimenting. He had her killed…but he kept the babe. Which is how the line went on. She said that it must of skipped many generations for she had not heard of anyone but me asking such questions.” And she began to nibble on the food once more, more then nibble, just dainty bites. As she moved to serve herself a bit of the three dishes, upon her plate. Letting him digest that before she spoke any more, and to be able to answer any questions.

[Damon Fauci]

When Titania clarified it drew a languid, bemused smile from Damon. He bowed his head in a single nod. A nonchalant shrug followed, as he leaned forward and smoothly snatched the fork up between two of his long pale fingers. "I am a firm believer in poetic justice, bella. Should someone cross my path who looks like he deserves no less, than no less is what he will receive." On that note he speared one of the ravioli, tapping it into the dipping sauce that was prepared. After savoring the tastes on his tongue he swallowed, gesturing for her to try a bit of the next dish. Clearly he found it passable.

Following that, he grinned. It was one of his grins of charm and promise, one of the kind that suggested getting her into this exclusive location was merely the very tip of what he could make possible. "To be a Knight for poetic justice is a rather amusing, satisfying existence, Titania. Have you ever considered being its champion? If you like, I can teach you about far more than your abilities." As his raven black eyes roamed over her, they glinted with the suggestion that he could also offer her far more as well. When Jade insisted on being so bull headed and unwilling, Damon thought it would be nice to take a pupil under his wing that he could mold completely.

Interestingly, he chose not to answer her question regarding what one consumed and how it affected blood. While he'd not spoken anything that would inform her of his decision, it had already been made. As she was now a pupil of his, tonight would not be the night he broke the flesh of her neck. What had begun as a potential regular meal had turned into an entirely different relationship, so to speak, and now the act of drinking from her would be become part of her instruction and come in due time. He focused instead on what she told him of herself, and found her loose and trusting tongue both humorous and fortunate.

It would show. In how he leaned forward, how his raven black eyes fixed upon her with a sly intensity, the beastly charm of his broad grin. "Unfortunately, bella, I do indeed need you to tell me what you were doing in your room at the time the flames danced and extinguished. It will help me understand where your ability comes from, and how it might be channeled and controlled." In the pause he sampled the third appetizer dish, making a gesture that often accompanied the world 'manga' if he was back home, a beckon for her to continue eating and eat well. Italians were always concerned with their guests completely sating their appetite and then some.

After a pull from his vodka, he set down the class, clasping his hands in front of him. "Your grandmother. Did she possess any such talents, or give you any information or advice on the matter? And your place of origin, did that land have any period in its history where there were instances or incidents of such talent?" This happened sometimes, that those for which a dormant gift manifested lived on land which was a place of power. Back on his planet of origin, Salem came to mind, as did the regions of Europe that had been the heart of the Inquisition.

"And," he added, his tone changing to one that hinted at apology, "pardon me for prying so bluntly, but are you a mortal human, or do you come from from more exotic stock?" Again, it would inform her further of the manner of her talent.

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

Well, his words certainly sounded right to her, she saw nothing wrong with that. It was that ever questioning way she had. Though she did know how to keep questions to herself, but she figured that the man seated next to her, would rather her speak her mind. And after he tried the ravioli dipping sauce and all, she would mimic his actions. Shortly after he did it, as he spoke even. She had not had so much food in front of her at one time, so she was taking her cues from him. Her eyes closed as she let the taste savor in her mouth.

Eyes popping back open, as she studied him a moment, before giving a small nod at his words. “You could teach me other things as well?” The words were not said in a doubting way just a mere wonderment laced her words. “I think that could be good.” She started to nod her head, for that was sounding rather promising for her, she hoped.

She gave him a look, you know the one, that you have a 99% thought that the person knows fully what you were talking about, but they just wanted you to spell it out. Seeing where they were, and there was always the chance that her voice might carry, she had some decency you know, she just shook her head slightly. But that did not mean she wouldn’t answer him. She leaned in closer to him, though her gaze stayed where the waiters came from. “I was pleasuring myself. And when I reached the ceiling, the lights just went out.” Now if he wanted her to be more, descriptive he would have to wait til they were not in a spot that she could easily be overheard.

When he motioned for her to eat the next dish, she would follow his suit, mimicking with the food once more. Oddly she wasn’t one that was a big explorer with food, but there were circumstances that caused her to be like that, and he was opening her up to many more dishes. She hoped it was not like Pringles and once you popped you didn’t stop. After the food had cleared her mouth, she grabbed up her wine, her fingers wrapping just so around the glass, and taking a nice pull of it. Setting the glace back down, she did not miss a beat.

A shake of her head, as if nothing was odd about the conversation. “No, she said she had only heard the stories, but that she never had experienced any of the gift.” She paused a moment, “I don’t know where I was born, momma moved around a lot. Depending on whom she was with at the time, until we went to Gram;s place. So I can’t say that the land was anything special.” She took in his other question, what was she, was she just a run of the mill human or something more, creative. “I am mortal human?” She had not been told anything else, she knew that people in her family died, and they even thought that a bit of magic, was a bunch of hocus pocus make believe. People were not very talkative in her family about many things.

[Damon Fauci]

The manner in which she savored the dishes was something that did not escape his notice. That she took the time to experience the delight in each taste told him that she could prove quite passionate when it came to other things. Passion was a formidable force, one that could not be learned. In their future affairs Damon would make certain it would come in handy.

"On the contrary, bella. I guarantee that with my instruction it would be nothing short of sublime." He paused to polish off the rest of his drink, leaving the empty glass upon the table out of his way. Then he leaned forward, resting his arms on the edge of the table to close the distance between them. He wished to create a more private mood for the coming disclosure, which is why he dropped his volume as well. "Such lessons come with a few lifestyle changes, however. You'd certainly find yourself preferring the night shift." When one considered the nefarious little glint in his eye, Damon might as well have winked at her. Did she understand his meaning? She was dining with a vampire, after all.

At least Damon's close proximity allowed her to be somewhat discreet when she clarified what she was doing when the candles extinguished. Her manner of phrasing, between that and her look the moment was priceless. "When you reached the ceiling," he made sure to sound quite interested and impressed. "Now do you mean figuratively, or literally? Next you'll be telling me that when you dance the duo you blow the doors clear off their hinges." His grin was beastly. Let it not be said that Damon lacked a sense of humor, even if in this case it was at someone else's expense.

When she echoed his question about her humanity back at him, he gave a short laugh. "You're asking me? We've only just met, bella, and already you're placing rather big decisions in my lap. Not that I have complaint." His endless black eyes moved over her features slowly, and he did not hide the fact that he drew in a full, deep breath of her scent through his nostrils. While the subtle notes of an individual's scent could give clues regarding their kind, such was by no means absolute. A taste of her blood would tell him more, but there was a time and a place for that. Neither of which were now.

For it was at this moment that their waiter returned, a dish in each hand. The man made note of how many appetizers were left on each plate, and an edge in his voice could be heard despite his effort to remain casual. "I hope you've found everything to your liking." The waiter looked at Damon in particular. The vampire rose his brow, and said with a passing wave of his hand. "It's not my approval you should be waiting for with baited breath. As we are gentlemen, it's the opinion of the lady that reigns supreme, is it not?"

The waiter set his jaw. His nod was stiff, but he worked through it before addressing Titania. "Miss, how do you find our fare? Allow me." The server picked up the bottle of wine, and topped off Titania's glass.

[-:|[ Titania ]|:-]

Titania was the sort of girl that savored her food. With it being new to her, she wanted to make sure that she tasted all of the flavors, the new tastes so that she could tuck the knowledge away. She savored other things as well.

She smiled. That was her reply to his saying it would be sublime. Then he said that she might start to prefer the night shift. Now that did not bother her. She was also still young enough that if she had to, she could handle not getting a whole lot of sleep. It was the adrenaline that would be able to keep her going. It had in the past, though she did not know for sure with lifestyle changes how that would work. If she was working on the nightshift, it would hinder her training with Damon. And perhaps he saw that look flutter across her features. “It would be worth it.” She spoke with a quiet determination. Nor did she forget for a half of a second that Damon was a vampire. That thought stayed rather forward in her mind.

She let out a small laugh. It was there, and she shook her head lightly. “Not literally. Figuratively. I was trying to figure out a nice way of wording it.” A small nod and a grin at his words, oh he did have that sense of humor and she smiled most sweetly. “I don’t know what would happen when I dance the duo, since I haven’t danced since finding this out.” Straight and to the point, she did not have anything to hide. She wasn’t a nun, but she wasn’t a lady of the night either.

She was rather quiet once the waiter came back, she had seen him coming, and Damon had not pressed anything else as if he sensed the waiter was coming back. Which he probably had. She had to bite her lower lip at the play by play between the two. Until the waiter turned towards her at Damon’s urging. Now she thought about a few replies, but she did not want to have the waiter lingering overly long. So she placed a smile upon her lips. “It is very good thank you. I was just afraid of filling up before the main course arrived.” She gave a small nod at the allow me, as he did top off her drink. She thought appetizers were there to merely be used as a filler, to take off the edge of hunger until the main course came. Unless one only ordered appetizers.

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