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Erik:
What with it being a Saturday evening and a relatively popular culinary destination, the restaurant in Old Town that Erik worked at was a flurry of activity. Hosts and servers flitted about here and there, checking on tables to make sure everything was going smoothly for their guests, while the kitchens were going full bore getting plates made to perfection.
The Bound was also out on the floor, looking rather spiffy in his chef's whites as he greeted the customers, asking how they were enjoying their meal and whatnot. This was a part of the work that he enjoyed almost as much as the cooking itself, and he seemed to be in his element,
Leila:
Leila was here to people watch more than eat. They didn't eat very often because they didn't really like the throwing up aspect to be entirely honest. But she did often pay for other's meals so she felt like she had earned their blood.
She was in a nice dress with a wonderful Egyptian necklace. Probably a gift from Amira. And she waited patiently to be given a seat.
Erik:
Leila would be seated promptly, the host all smiles as he guided her to the table and went over the evening's specials and the wine list. Not long after a server came by to take her drink order (if she had one), the whole operation a well-oiled machine.
Eventually Erik spotted the familiar face and looked pleasantly surprised to see the Shadow there, weaving his way towards her table with a smile. "Good evening. You look fantastic, if I may say so."
Leila:
Wine would work. Red of course. Then at least she hasn't wasted a server's time.
She puts on a pleasant smile.
"Good evening, yourself. I try my best to look my best when I am out places. This is a wonderful establishment as well."
Erik:
"Why thank you, we do our best. Here by yourself tonight?"
Leila:
"It is done excellently. I am by myself tonight, yes. I thought it would be interesting to see a friend's workplace."
Erik:
"I appreciate you coming by. It's my home away from home, as it were, and I'm pretty proud of it." He looked around the restaurant briefly before looking back to Leila. "I know we have something to discuss as well, but I'll need a minute to finish doing my rounds. Would you like anything from the kitchen in the meantime?"
Leila:
"You're server was bringing me a glass of wine I believe. I'm afraid I'm not terribly hungry for a dinner here if that is alright. But yes, take your time with your rounds."
Erik:
"No offense taken. I'll be back shortly."
And indeed he headed off, completing his circuit of the dining area and slipping back into the kitchen briefly to check on things before emerging. By the time he returned Leila had received her glass of wine and was checked on once or twice by the server to ensure that everything was to her liking.
"We can speak here if you like," Erik inquired as he returned to the table, "or we can lay claim to one of our private rooms for a bit if you'd prefer. I'm good either way."
Leila:
She enjoys the wine, sipping slowly and thanking the server each time.
"I believe it would be easiest if we were to speak in private. If you would be comfortable with that."
Erik:
"Not a problem. If you'll follow me..."
And, once she was ready, Erik led the way through the restaurant to one of the side rooms reserved for special gatherings and whatnot. This particular room had a circular table set for eight, the lights dimmer than the main dining area but still enough for the average person to see by. He motioned for her to take a seat before claiming one of his own, looking her over. "I've been thinking about the proposition you offered, and after letting it percolate for a while I've decided to say yes. I'm not one to let people struggle if they don't have to, and if you're in a bind as far as your nightly blood flow is concerned I'm willing to help where I can."
Leila:
She followed gracefully through the crowd behind him, not spilling a drop of her drink. She looks about the room, and closes the door behind her. Shes far beyond the average person's sight.
After taking the seat opposite of the door, she nods.
"I'm glad to hear as such. It will certainly help my nights, and I am of course willing to make it as pleasurable or not as you wish."
Erik:
Cue a curious arch of the eyebrow at that. "What all would that entail?"
Leila:
"On which side, pleasurable? Or not?"
Erik:
"The 'pleasurable' part."
Leila:
The bite when done nonviolently brings pleasure better than anything else you'd have experienced. I could keep it quick and while it still would give pleasure, it wouldn't last long, or I can draw it out and let that pleasure last longer. Feeding violently is not something I'm willing to do to you."
Erik:
"Ah hah." He nodded, smirking a touch at the last point. "I appreciate that."
Leila:
"You are...I hope, a friend."
Erik:
"For sure, and I'd consider you one as well."
She nods.
"I am glad. If you are on break...I could show you if you would wish. But I will try to not be presumptuous."
Erik:
"Now isn't the best time since I need to be back in the kitchen soon, but I am off tomorrow night if that would work."
Leila:
"Certainly. I am not impatient. And I appreciate it still. Do you have other questions or should I leave you to your work?"
Erik:
"How frequently will you need to top up, do you think? Want to make sure I have the ability to patch myself up as needed."
Leila:
"It is as you are willing to give it. Even once a week or even every 2 weeks would be nice. But the only case I should need to call on you is if I'm hurt or otherwise have needed to burn through a lot of vitae to defend myself or reach a goal."
Erik:
"Gotcha, and that's definitely doable."
Leila:
A nod.
"It is far easier to rely on a larger population so they only have to give small amounts, yes?"
Erik:
"Indeed. Many hands make light work and all that." He nodded, smiling a touch. "It helps that I can heal most things pretty quickly, too."
Leila:
A nod.
"It does, yes. And it is less damaging to others for you to get your...essence."
Erik:
"That it is. We pull more from places than people more often than not."
Leila:
"That is very intriguing. But yes, you are inherently less parasitic.:
Erik:
He started to reply but paused, smirking a touch. "I hadn't looked at it that way, I'll admit."
Leila:
"You seem...I'm uncertain. What were you going to say?"
Erik:
"Bemused is a good way to put it. I hadn't put much thought to how other folks on our side of things keep themselves powered up, and you put it in a way that makes sense but I hadn't thought of."
Leila:
"Oh. Well I am glad I made sense. Many do not think I make much sense."
She smiles.
Erik:
"I haven't had that issue so far, so no worries." He said with a smile of his own.
Leila:
Her grin only grows.
"That is good to hear. I should be going though and you should likely be going back to your work."
She eyes the empty wine.
Erik:
"I probably should be, yeah." He chuckled, moving to stand from the table and offered her a hand up. "It was good talking with you, though, and I look forward to seeing you again soon."
Leila:
She takes the hand.
"Tomorrow you said, yes? I look forward to it as well. Now...what do I do with the cup..."
Erik:
"I'll take it back for you, no worries."
Leila:
"Okay, thank you. See you tomorrow."
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