|
Roger stood on the stage, talking about magic tricks and setting up his next presentation. Some of his crew were among the audience, and he went to one to shill for him with a broken watch being replaced for a brand new one. The Courser's broad smile, and animal magnetism helped while doing his performances... so did his inhuman dexterity and skill of sleight of hand.
Vincent walked in, taking Avery on a surprise date. With the coming storm it seemed best to do one sooner than later. Knowing their sensory overload issues he choose a nice place with not that many people. Hell, he even went with an actual plain shirt instead of the usual t-shirts he goes with, your supposed to look nice for this kinda thing, right?
Avery had NO clue where they were going, and so wasn't the...most dressed up. Her hair was brushed back, and they had nicer jeans on, but she was wearing the nirvanna shirt that she stole from Vincent. She was wary about going into a public space, and was still a bit on edge from her talk with Vorpal the night before, but she went along.
As she spotted Roger, her head tilts, and looks to Vincent. "Do you...know him too?"
The Lost's eyes caught glimpse of feathers coming in and he turned to the stage. Hopping up, he bowed, "And I'm going to be taking a short break while we have some of hte stand up comedians and amateur musicians come do their routines! Please give the next act, Paper City Sounds, a round of applause as they get set up!"
He popped down to 'his' table, and motioned for Avery and her date to join him.
"I met him before." he admits, walking over to the Lost magician, not expecting one of Avery's pals to be here, time for heavy scrutiny. "Roger right?" he asks as they make their way over to him.
Avery nods. "Roger, yes. I met him once with Asbolus. He was...nice?"
At the motion closer, Avery looked unsure and glances to her date, seeing his thoughts on it until he started moving. Then she just went along. "Hey...Roger."
"Yes, Vincent Drake. I see your dental caps aren't present today," he teased the Kindred, while taking a drink of his red wine.
Then he stood and gave Avery a hug and a kiss to her cheek, "Hello, Friend."
Back in his seat, he looked between the two, "I see why you noticed a family resemblance, Vince."
That might be as close to a confirmation the kindred would get in a public place.
Vincent gives a smile, a tad practiced to be honest but hopefully no one noticed. "You work this venue," he asks, "I hope the foods good." he turns to Avery, "Was just taking her out on the town, before we're all snowed in, may we sit?"
Avery's eyes flick to Vinny as the dental caps are mentioned. Not upset, possibly jealous, but no time to process that because she was caught in the hug from the MASSIVE sasquatch. She hugged back gently but goes right back to holding Vincent's hand after the kiss.
"Sorry Roger, I should have dressed nicer but wanted a...break after last night. Then I was surprised with this."
"Avery, you are gorgeous, just the way you are. The club is a nice venue, and Jack, one of Ari's compatriots, helps run the backstage of things. I don't think anyone will complain about your outfit, and if they do, you're part of the crew."
He patted the chairs for the Kindred and Courser to sit
Vincent sits, "So. . ." he begins trying to loose the awkwardness, "I hope you don't mind us showing up at work." he offers a friendly chuckle, 'I didn't plan for this' he mutters inside his mind, "I hope you and your co-workers are taking care of Avy." he lets that sit, a vieled 'keep them safe' being said, "I've never been here before, it's nice." he says looking around the place
Avery shakes their head, but sits. "I don't know Jack and havent met Ari yet. I don't know most people...people aren't my strong suit."
She looks around the place, taking in every detail. As the band starts she flinches and then relaxes as she realizes where the music is coming from.
"Avery," he said with a broad grin, and a nod of appreciation to Vincent's tone, "Can take care of many things all by themself," a wink and a nod, "But yes, Bobo and I keep an eye out on our sensitive friend, when we can."
"As for work, this is a rehearsal for my big show on the 24th, at," he mentioned one of the medium-large sized theaters, "Always want to keep practicing. Plus, give some people here a nearly free show, maybe they buy tickets..."
As the Magician spoke, he produced a deck of cards with which to fidget.
"Practice makes perfect," he agrees, noting that he should fleece a few people later, not here of course but he should keep in practice, "Anything to recommend from the menu?" he looks to Avery and smiles, "What do you think your in the mood for?"
Avery nods, then frowns as they think of their conversations with both Sigrun AND Vorpal. Its been a rough week.
"I can handle some things. I just need to he careful...and help others. Loud...doesn't help but I'm trying. Vincent helps. And Asbolus too."
Avery didn't want any tensions, and leaned their head on Vincent's arm to look at the menu. "Food? I wish I'd looked before."
"I tend to eat a little...rare for most people to watch. So I eat before and after shows and when I'm out and about, bleu steaks at French restaurants and stuff."
"However, whatever you'd like," he snagged a menu off of a passing waiter, and presented to Avery, "Is on me."
"I think I'll just go with a bacon cheeseburger," he says, "Basic I know but it's good." that and he really only orders food for flavor now, considering he'll have to throw it up later. Noticing Avery's slight frown he puts a hand on her's, leaning into whisper.
"Hey, you ok babe?"
"Thank you Roger but I'm not sure what to eat...I may take some fries..." Avery's appetite was gone after thinking of almost dying again.
They look to Vincent. "I'll be okay...talk later."
"The discussion with Vee, last night?" Roger prompted. They were of Winter, after all... to carry someone's sorrow was part of their burden.
"Yeah, where were you last night, some kind of company party?" he asks, trying to shift the conversation if whatever V said last night upset them, making a mental note to have a talk with Vorpal. "I assume you couldn't bring a plus one." he jokes
Avery's eyes flick to Roger, a hesitation but a nod.
"Yesterday was the solstice, so yes... party." Avery leaves it at that in public. They were former winter, they know when to be quiet. She squeezed Vincent's arm gently.
"Too much fire, for our pyrophobic friends," a note to Vincent, "Plus, lots of people in our line of work don't like the folx in your line of work... and there was some very personal confessionals..."
"Solstices and Equinoxes are important, if you think about what you know so far."
"I don't think my company does holiday parties," he srugs, "At least I don't think, maybe they don't invite the interns." he cuckles, "Avery, what's your holiday plans?" he asks, "I never. . .well dated during the holidays."
Avery nods to Roger's description, letting the Winter take over.
Theres a pause at the holiday plans.
"I didn't celebrate last year. I don't know all that much about what to do. I remember fireworks on New Years though." A shudder.
"Oope, yeah. That's..." he rested a hand on Avery's shoulder, "I recommend going gardening on those days."
"Gardening," Vincent repeats, "I never had a green thumb myself but I heard some enjoy it." he chuckles, "I prefer indoor activities." he says giving Avery a mischievous smile
Avery nods to Roger, a slight blush at Vinny's comment. "My...home within the uh... gardens is quiet. And quite small, its a spot I can get away from noise and light."
"Good to know. Mine is as silent as a frozen forest in January. You are always welcome and I can help you get there easy."
To be polite, he ignored the innuendo, "Cards or board games, or which activites?"
"Video games and binge watching Netflix," he replies, "If I had to choose a card game, Card's Against Humanity can give a good laugh." he lies through his teeth, he knows what he meant and knows they know, but he's not going to make everyone uncomfortable, no that would be too easy.
Avery shrugs. "My home is wherever I make it, but if you want I can visit. I do quite enjoy the cold, even if I liked the warm a bit better."
Avery shrugs. Letting Vincent follow up his joke. "I haven't played Cards Against Humanity. Or most games. Netflix is nice though...I haven't seen anything before so Vinny has been watching things with me."
"Avery, you're family. You called me friend, I call you friend. That is one of those... anchors for me, if that makes sense," he squeezed his fellow beast's shoulder, before looking back to Vince, "I like playing that. It's part of the pop culture that I'm learning."
"So, Avy," he turns to her, "What's your favorite place in the whole city, somewhere you'd spend the whole day at?" he asks, trying to know her better is what a date's about right?
L
Avery pauses at the term family, a frown hitting her face. "I don't...know my family. But...yes...friends? If friends helps you, I want to be friends."
Avery looks at Vinny and thinks. "Um...Fairmount park is nice...as is a little apartment on the Northeast side of town." She gives a small smirk at her partner, but under her mien her feathers are ruffled. "I don't like staying consistent in where I go...old habits die hard."
"I'd invite you to a Philly's game but I don't think you'd handle the crowd." he says honestly, "You a baseball fan Avy?"
He focused a bit, and let his mantle flare, though no one but Avery would know, just trying to help muffle the sound around his fellow Courser.
Avery instantly looks more relaxed at the quiet, looking around and then at Roger. "Thank you... thats better."
A look to Vinny. "I'm not a sports fan...I may have been before but I don't remember. Its too loud now."
"Ok, so what's a fun day for Avy," he asks, "What's the perfect day I can make for you?"
Avery looks put on the spot, and a little anxious. "Um...I...don't know? Planning isn't something I am good at? I enjoy my time with you...but I still need to travel every day and stay in a dark room every day. That's always my first worry each day."
"Vincent, bring them to the woods out west. Just take a long hike at night, spread your wings and be yourselves. You two care for each other. You didn't find each other by doing regular date stuff, don't expect each day to be regular together."
"It's ok," he says seeing Avery get a tad anxious, "Spontaneous stuff is great." he tells her while listening to Rodgers words, but at the same time thinks of that night in the woods with the witch bitch, he didn't like to think about it but something was off, it was to silent in the woods, he couldn't hear the song, no traffic, no electricity, it was off, "It's a jazz club right, wanna dance?" he asks her
Avery perks up at Roger's suggestion. "I do like the forests. There's only so much one can do to a tree before no one considers it a tree so...trees are safe. And its quiet out there!" Avery seems quite excited by a walk with her lover...even if she was voicing his fears on accident.
She turns to him with a half smile. "I am...an okay dancer? I need to...not appear outside people's expectations though."
A grin and a nod to the pair, while he stepped up onto the stage to MC and do a few tricks for the crowd while the music played.
His eyes kept sweeping the room, for marks, for shills, for Lost, for Huntsman, for everything, but most of all, to make sure that Vincent was treating Avery well.
Avery looks around, and starts off the dance. Slow, but methodic. They start a little strong, moving just faster than they really should. This of course catches attentions, and Avery notices, a slight wariness in her eyes as they continue...and so of course its Vincent's turn.
As Avery slowed down, Vincent got bolder and took more of the lead, keeping her within a pattern that helped her remain believable, but not trapped.
Near the end of their dance, Avery started looking worred again, hesitating in most steps, but correcting just as easily, they were unnaturally graceful and struggling not to show it. So of course, Vincent had his moment while she was distracted, ending their dance with a spin before dipping her, and a blush hits her face as they stop.
Vincent took this moment to go for it and kiss her, deeply and lovinly, not giving a shit about PDA, if anything he means to say how much he only see's them right now, just the two
The Stage Magician admired the dance, even clapping at the dip, starting up a chant, "Kiss her, Kiss Her!"
Then he clapped even louder as Vincent did it.
Avery's blush only worsened as the chant begins, and pulls him into the kiss, returning it just as lovingly. A smile graces her face as they finish the kiss.
"I love you."
"I love you too." he says, smiling like he's been given the world
Avery slowly leans forward, so she can get back to her feet. Theres a blush stained across her face that isnt leaving, and for once, shes not even nervous of the crowd. He's better than that.
She tucks a stray hair behind his ear and gives him another quick peck. "I think our food is ready, love."
he offers her an arm as they make their way back to the table, "You where amazing." he tells her as they sit, not a compliment as much as a statement of fact, "You took my breath away."
Avery's blush continues, and holds his hand even after they sit. A safe thing to focus on. "I am... quite fluid. Thank you for helping keep me believable. It's hard to hold back but... it was almost as freeing as flight."
"I never asked," he says, looking into her eyes, it's only the two of them to him, "What's it like, souring in the sky. . .I wish I could join you up their honestly."
Avery gives a content sigh, looking up as if they could see the night sky beyond the roof. They stay quieter so the tables across the way cant hear them over the music.
"It is...every ounce of freedom you can think of. The wind on your wings, the air cushioning you, the thermals letting you rise as far as you want with ease. It leaves the ground feeling like a cage some days, but you don't know what you miss if you're there the entire time."
Avery gives a sad smile. "I wish I could take you, but you can't learn Contracts. It's the only part of my time there I enjoy having now. He trapped me, but in doing so I now what what freedom is and why I fight for it. It... is hard to admit that sometimes."
He nods as he eats the burger, wishing it can stay down but know's he'll have to deal with it later, "It sounds amazing. . .you know, the bitch," he fliches mentioning her, "She can shapeshift to a owl," he whispers so no one can hear, "Maybe, when I got more experiance. . .I can join you up their."
Avery steals a few fries like she said, appetite returning.
As soon as Titania is mentioned, she flinches and the table heats a degree or two. "I saw her turn into starlings. I forgot about that...that would be nice but...I want you to stay away from her. She's...she...she fresturates me and I'm worried she is going to use you to get at me. I don't control my anger as well as I would like and...I have doubts I could kill her if shes on guard." Avery shakes slightly and then her shoulders slump. "I'm sorry, that's not what you asked. Id love for you to join me in the sky. Just know I am...slightly different then."
He looks at her with concern, reaching for her hand, "It's ok," he lies, "I'll stay as far away from her as I can." he hates lying to her but. . .he can't climb without making some dirty deals and if Avery learned he was her new blood boy. . .Avery can't know, for her own good. "It's only you and me tonight, just us." he says as they eat, "I've asked you alot, ask me anything you want."
Avery smiles, holding his hand and stealing a bite of his burger while he's distracted. Just a small one.
"Thank you. Um...well, I have to many questions to think." She pauses for a moment, remembering what he had asked. "What is your favorite part of the city?"
"Oh that's a toughy," he admits, "It's a tie between Citizen's Bank Park, Center, and Chinatown." he admits, "Been a Philly's fan since I was a boy, I love the sights and sounds of center, and the food and smells of Chinatown, amazing." he says, "Anything else, for you I'm an open book."
Avery steals another fry, more fluid than was probably necessary. "How long have you been a...baseball fan?"
"Since I was four," he thinks, "Watching the Philly's was the only time I felt Mom and Dad seemed. . ." he stops, "It was a good family time." he says, the smile seeming like a mask now at the mention of his family
Avery rubs his arm gently, a sad look. "Sorry they were like that. I'm glad you and Alice got away from that situation. But I'm glad you had some good part of it, like the baseball."
Avery thought of a question, a pause before a cheeky half smile that she hides as she asks the next question. "Whats your favorite position then?"
he blinks at the innuendo, not expecting it from. . . well from Avery, but he eases in to a grin and leans in, "I've been called a dog in my time." he says
Avery's blush comes back in force, and she's no good at the confidence aspect. Him answering the question leaves her fumbling.
"Um, I um. I don't think I have other answers right now then. Er questions. Yeah, questions. "
he chuckles at the sudden shift, "Still can't handle a dirty joke," he observes, "or is the mental picture too much for you." he teases, 'she's cute when she's embarrassed'
She clings to his arm, still embarrassed.
"Yes, both. Both are yes." She rests her head on his shoulder. "Sorry I thought it was funny."
"No no it was," he chuckles, "Your reaction make it funnier." he admits, "Your fun to tease, don't take it the wrong way." he admits, "I met Asbolus." he says
Avery grumbles at being called fun to tease and steals more of his fries. Shes not mad though, and the blush won't leave her face.
She looks over at the change in topic. "You...did? Did it go okay?" She loves Asbolus to death, but is half scared he scared Vinny or something.
Vincent notices and can't help but tease, "Oh it was awful," he says rather dramatically, "He said if I touch a single feather then I'll be torn by dogs." he makes a dramatic look of pain, "or. . .I'm family approved." he beams smiling
She looks confused at first, then it dawns on her that it was a joke.. and that he was implying Asbolus was family.
"Asbolus...isn't family? He is a close friend...I think my closest friend. He...well...I sorta hid for a bit...and he was one of the first to coax me to talk. It was a rough two months before that."
he nods, "He likes me well enough it seems." putting his hand on hers, "I'm sorry you had to go through that and I promise as long as I have blood in my veins you will never go though that again, we will make new memories, of love, joy, laughter, and passion." he says, staring into her eyes. . .she looks amazing, even if she's in an old t-shirt of his he can't help but admire this angel. "I was wondering," he starts, the dance worked up his confidence and the declaration of love. . . it sealed it. "maybe we should get out of here. . .wanna head to my place?" he asks in as smooth a voice he can muster
Avery grimaces. "Please be careful with promises like that. Especially around those like me. Otherwise they may become more than just a promise. They become a requirement."
Avery blushed at the smooth talker. She is far from the social one here. "I would like that. Your place sounds good. "
he smiles, getting her coat and taking her under his arm, "I love you." he whispers in her ear as they leave
"I love you too." She answers natually, enjoying the sound of the words."
|