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Renault
It’s another night at the Unnamed Goth Club, and while the weather outside is chilly people are crammed in for fancy drinks and good company. Maybe that’s what brought Renault in tonight, sitting in his usual spot, watching the door like he’s waiting for someone. He’s got a smirk floating on his lips, like he’s amused by something yet unseen.
Jack
A crowded bar, full of people wanting drinks and each other, is Jack's favorite place to be. (Well. One of them.) He's bundled up against the cold as he steps through the door, the fresh, wet smell of his Mantle as much a herald as the particular heartbeat, and he slides through the crowd with ease, the occasional gentle hand on a back or shoulder to get someone to move. He takes his time, too, soaking up the atmosphere, drinking the Desire in the room - and making a select few people, those coveting a date or a drink most strongly, slump a little bit. As if losing just a tiny bit of their vitality for the evening. It's not particularly noticeable, and indeed, none of the subjects feel much more than a bit of fatigue, and by the time Jack is standing in front of Renault's table his dark eyes are glittering in the low light and his smile is wide and warm.
He's got his jacket over his shoulder, now, his black-on-black floral shirt just a little bit see-through, and his pants, as usual, are practically drawn on.
"It's been...too long," he purrs in greeting as he leans in for a kiss, his fingers brushing the Kindred's jaw as he does so.
Renault
Renault grins as he leans in for the kiss, and then rolls his eyes as they part. He’s dressed for the evening in a silk shirt, open to his chest, tight pants, and boots. All black, of course. It’s basically the modern rendition of the timeless vampire poofy shirt look, and Jack gets jealous looks from people who have been eyeing Renault all evening.
“Far too long. How are you this evening? I noticed you enjoying the atmosphere.” He pulls Jack down to sit beside him. “It’s been too long since I got out, especially with you.”
Jack
Jack happily snuggles in close to the Kindred, sliding an arm around his waist as he lounges against him. He's maybe a little showing off, as he gives Renault's cheek a soft kiss, and he sighs contentedly. "New Years is always a good time for us, everyone wants things, more deeply than during Christmas, even. But I've been good. Working, avoiding responsibilities, you know. Life. How've you been?"
Renault
A happy hum from Renault, and he nuzzles against his Changeling. Well, one of them. “Late nights are a good time for all of us, I think. I’ve been well, reading and researching. Unlife. Thinking about you.”
Jack
"Mmm. Researching what? Eh...'work' stuff?" He doesn't actually put it in quotes, but the implication is clear enough - not to mention the kiss he presses against Renault's neck. He's not sitting in the man's lap, but he's pretty damn close, and trails soft fingers down his conveniently open shirtfront.
Renault
“Mmm, my usual. Not work, but my interests in sleep.” He smiles to Jack, and lightly strokes his arm. “That boring old rag. Oh, and some theological readings…so I guess work too. But tonight’s all about you, I think.”
Jack
He manages not to bristle even a little at the mention of theology, though his teeth do drag the slightest bit against the Kindred's neck, obviously teasing him. "I'd say it's about both of us, mm? But I promise you telling me about what's fulfilling in your life does interest me. Even if you're a nerd."
It's there that he fully slides into Renault's lap, draping an arm around the man's shoulders and glancing around the room, a contented grin on his face.
Renault
He snorts softly and helps pull Jack into his lap, hands shifting so he has an arm around his back and his other hand on his knee. “You’re incorrigible,” he says with venomless exasperation. “Mmm, spending time with you is fulfilling, I’ll tell you that for free. I don’t think tonight it one for getting into contemplations of the divine,” he says before leaning in to whisper in Jack’s ear, “though maybe later, back at my place, you’ll make it cross my mind.”
He chuckles darkly and kisses Jack’s cheek. “I’m jealous, you getting to sip on all the looks you’re drawing our way.”
Jack
The joke makes the Changeling laugh - and blush, too, his heartbeat speeding up a little as he shivers at the whisper. "I'm sure you could feed on just about any of them, mm? It would only take a little more effort on your part. And you'd have to get me off your lap. Hm." His nose wrinkles in mock-thoughtfulness. "Maybe not as easy as I thought..."
Renault
The Vampire purrs and nips at his partner’s ear. “And I don’t think you’d like to join me, which is understandable, so for now we sit. Because you’re right, I like you here very much.”
Jack
Renault earns a soft, surprised sound out of Jack for his efforts, and his grin widens. "We're not going to be here very long at all, at this rate - though I guess it is a little my fault. Escalating things. But only a little. But really -" he pulls back to actually regard Renault properly. "Shit's been good, for you? No weird...time...weirdness? Or anything?"
That's sure a weird question to ask out of the blue.
Renault
Renault tilts his head, stroking Jack’s arm. “I’ve been good, I promise. No…time stuff, besides my usual condition. Why, have there been problems?”
Jack
"It's..." Jack sighs, leaning into the touch. "It's a long story, and I don't know all of it, but...it's probably for the best that you don't know, anyway. If you're not already involved. It's being handled. I think. I hope. But just...if anything weird happens, let me know?" He finishes the sentence with a maybe surprisingly chaste kiss to the Kindred's cheek, and sighs, melting a little against him.
"...Okay. No more talk about depressing shit, anymore, mkay? I won't if you won't..."
Renault
He hugs the Changeling close, wrapping his arm around him. “I’ll let you know. And we don’t have to talk about depressing stuff, we have much better ways to spend our time. Like enjoying each other’s company, like this.”
Jack
"Had to make sure everything's good with you, first." Jack snuggles in close, nuzzling Renault's neck before pulling away to eye the room again, and his grin turns a little wicked. "Okay...so if you weren't here with me...who here would you eye to go home with? Or to take home - assuming they're attracted to you and there's no cheating involved, etcetera -" he waves his hand dismissively. "But you have to pick someone that isn't me, because I'm not here."
Renault
Renault pauses, then glances around the room as he curls a lock of Jack’s hair around his finger. “Hmmm, that’s a fun question…I’d have to say…her,” he says with a gesture of his head, to a woman in a flattering little black dress, an arm sleeve of tattoos, and meticulously groomed straight black hair. She’s got the whole black lipstick and winged eyeliner look going on, though that’s pretty common for this place.
“Just curious, or what?”
Jack
"Oh...good choice." Jack nods approvingly and kisses Renault's cheek. "Yeah, just curious. It's a fun game - even more fun when you're in a place you don't usually go. Alright, next question - not part of the game, but I'm curious. Can you tell if there are there any more of you, here?" His voice drops, a low whisper in the Kindred's ear. "You don't have to tell me who, or anything, but..."
Renault
Renault smiles warmly, and strokes Jack’s hair. “I can tell, and no, I’m the only one of us here,” he whispers back. “I could check to see if there are any…other others, if you wanted…”
January 3, 2022
Jack
"How...do you mean?" Jack's lips brush against Renault's ear as he speaks. "Other others like me...? We tend to be able to pick out our own, at least."
Renault
“I figured you could. Other other others…I am very good at picking out the unusual, or those that mean harm…and I can tell things about someone by studying them.” He kisses the Changeling’s jaw to keep up the illusion of their reason for closeness…and because he enjoys their closeness. “It’s one of my gifts…”
Jack
"I'm pretty sure the only people who mean 'harm' here are the ones that either want to be you, or me, right now..." he laughs quietly.
"But...what sort of things...can you tell about people?" Jack's gone a little breathless, with those kisses, and chuckles again at his own breathlessness, trailing his fingers down Renault's chest again.
Renault
“Hmmm…who in a room is closest to violence, who will give me what I want, if someone is an Other, what someone’s mood is, what makes them tick, who they want to hurt, if someone is controlled by another…”
Jack
"I'm pretty sure you know the answer to that second one..." Jack's smile is audible as he trails kisses down Renault's neck.
"I..." he sobers a bit as he continues to speak. "...had someone read me like that once, I think. It...mm. She was slimy as fuck, and tried to blackmail me with it."
Renault
“Unfortunate…I’m sorry you had to deal with one of the more unsavory of us…one of the good parts of Philly is that such characters are quite rare.” He sighs softly, nuzzling against Jack.
Jack
"Mmm. Sounds damn useful though. For...non-nefarious purposes." Jack sighs in contentment, letting his forehead rest against Renault's shoulder. "Did you eat before you got here? I know it's - literally the worst part about being an adult is having to figure out what to eat for the rest of you life, three times a day, I know it's not like that, for you."
Renault
“You’re right it’s worse,” he says with a little chuckle. “I can’t just have pizzas in the freezer. But yes, I did. Not that I couldn’t, but it’s not a pressing concern tonight.”
Jack
"...Fair." Jack winces in sympathy. "No deciding to get delivery because you're already in your pjs, yeah?" He laughs quietly.
Renault
“No, though the approximate equivalent is having a short list for…booty calls. Still, can’t feed too regularly on the same folks for health reasons, so there’s a lot of planning that goes into…meal prep, I suppose would be the term.”
Jack
"Mmm." Jack's teeth drag against Renault's neck again. "And then you've got people like me for actual booty calls - though - this 's kinda a little a date."
Renault
Renault positively purrs at the teeth, shaking his head slightly as it turns into a chuckle. “Yes, we’ve had a real conversation instead of just setting three quarters of the room’s pants on fire and then leaving, so it counts as a date.” He pushes Jack away enough he can look into his eyes before planting a brief but decidedly not chaste kiss on his lips. “I respect your feelings on the matter, but you’re awfully bold, teasing me with teeth.” He grins and gives the other man’s leg a squeeze. “We don’t have drinks to finish or a tab to settle; would you like to get out of here for the evening?”
Jack
"What's life without a little danger?" Jack purrs back with a grin. "I can stop, if you really want me to. But yeah, I think it's time to go. Find somewhere a little more private at least..." His eyes glitter with amusement and he slides off of Renault's lap, his body rolling as he stands, just the hint of a lapdance for the Kindred before he turns and offers his hand.
Renault
Renault rolls his eyes and takes the offered hand, standing to pull Jack over to where their coats are. “Oh Jack, I certainly don’t want you to stop. Never that.”
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