Absinthe
Art Nouveau decor throughout the main lounge pays homage to an era when architecture and interior design were the perfect marriage of form, function and art. The walls are purples and pinks that blend into more subtle hues with the constant green lighting. Small tables with four tall chairs can be found scattered about the room. Large purple couches can be found nestled between the table sets, and in front of a smaller stage used for poetry readings.
The bar itself is long, taking up the entirety of a wall. Tall chairs are scattered on the patron side, and behind the bar is a beautiful greenish glow. The glow comes from the shelving where the majority of the alcohol is stored. The nearby glass racks reflect the glow splendidly as well.
It is of course the evening, it's not long after sunset however, the sun's no more than half an hour below the horizon, and Absinthe Lounge is fairly quiet, partly due to the early hour, partly due to the fact that it's the middle of the week. Michael has arrived straight from waking up, his age meaning he need only feed rarely, and there's alway synthetic blood, he sits near the door of the club, simply letting his gaze travel over the room, his interest almost seeming to wane.
—-
For Desiree, Wednesdays mean ballroom dance class, and afterwards, a drink someplace. Tonight it's Absinthe. She needs the quieter atmosphere of the bar. The Warehouse is too loud, Bloody Mary's too crowded with fang-bangers and vampires looking for an easy mark. She's not in the mood for jazz or country, so Absinthe's it is. Besides, she's learned to enjoy the "green fairy." Not addicted to it, mind you, but it does help her relax. Since it's a warm, spring evening, she's dressed slightly more sedate than she might have if going to one of those other places. Absinthe's is classy, for all it sits near the fairgrounds.
—-
Michael spots Desiree, his expression thoughtful, he rises from his seat and makes his way through the crowd, his step light, quick and almost too graceful he moves directly towards Desiree offering a bow of his head. "Desiree, it's good to see you, you're well I hope?"
—-
Seated at her own table, Desiree turns at the sound of a familiar voice, smiling. "Well enough," she replies, "though tired. Tonight was a long lesson, it seemed. One of my regular couples were particularly stubborn regarding the tango." She chuckles, making her order when the waitress stops by the table. "Can I buy you a drink, then?" she asks, holding up a finger for the girl to wait. "I'm sure they serve True Blood."
—-
Shaking his head Michael laughs. "No thank you, to be honest I rarely drink the synthetic blood, unless I'm given little choice." He seems to find it amusing. "At my age I need only drink very little, and finding… willing subjects isn't hard, even if I must resort to fang-bangers." His tone carries just a hint of distaste. "Synthetic blood's not quite the same as the real thing."
—-
Desiree waves the waitress away, nodding to Michael. "At least join me?" she offers. "It's been a few days since we talked, and I want you to know how much I enjoyed it. I learned a lot that night." She smiles most engagingly, eyes sparkling even greener in the faint green light of the bar. "How are you doing this evening?" she asks, being polite. "Been enjoying the art books? Keep them as long as you'd like, by the way. I don't need them back anytime soon."
—-
Grinning faintly Michael takes a seat. "I have finished them, they were an interesting read." He laughs slowly. "How about you? Are you well?" He takes a look around the room. "I realised that when we spoke we never came near to the topic of vampires, which was of course what we were meant to discuss." He laughs faintly. "I wonder, what is it you'd like to know? I'll not tell you anything that others aren't allowed to overhear."
—-
"I'm well enough, though tired," Desiree repeats, "and sorely in need of this drink," she adds as the waitress sets down the apparatus for preparing absinthe. "I can handle it from here, thanks," she tells the waitress, whom she pays and allows to keep the change. "I wouldn't expect you to tell me anything others aren't permitted to know, but I would like to know more about this claim Grant mentioned. Is it something you should do? To protect me, I mean. It sounds rather like … I don't know. Just the sound of it is like I'm owned or something."
—-
Shaking his head Michael laughs. "Once perhaps that would have been the best way to describe it." He shrugs a shoulder. "It's difficult to explain, in the past I would claim a human who was important to me for whatever reason, no other vampire could touch them without my permission, it was an extremely enforced law, but there was of course a price, I'd be responsible for your actions, if you did something wrong I would be responsible for it." He shrugged. "Now it's different now the human has to agree, it still holds a great deal of weight, but it's largely your choice as much as mine." He pauses a moment. "It's also for the duration of your life, once it's made it's made. I will be unable to claim anyone else, and you'd not be able to be claimed by anyone else." He shrugs. "I haven't made many claims in my time, it seemed pointless, when I've had so few relationships with humans that would last that long, but these days it seems more likely."
—-
Desiree digests Michael's explanation while she prepares her drink. It's a complicated thing to master, but she's managed: the right temperature, the right mix of sugar, the right taste. She takes her finger, tasting the tip. "Perfect," she proclaims, taking the odd, green drink and sipping it—-as opposed to slugging it back like others do. "So…" she says, slowly, "if, say, you laid a claim on me, it would last until the day one of us died? That's an awfully long time, and during that time, no one else can lay claim to me. Not even if I wanted them to?" She considers this, looking extremely thoughtful. "It seems like an awfully drastic measure. Can't you just tell other vampires a human's off limits without claiming them?"
—-
Laughing Michael shakes his head. "No, at least not with any weight, simply put if that were possible then some vampires would lay such a claim to every human they met." He shrugs faintly. "It /is/ a matter of ownership, one of the more important rules to our existence is that we honour each others possessions, the claim technically makes you such, although these days it give me no real rights over you." He shrugs. "As I said, I've rarely used such a deal."
—-
Nodding her understanding, Desiree continues to sip the absinthe, letting the licorice flavored drink slide down her throat. It's by no means a large drink, filling about half of a highball glass, but it's potent. She begins to relax almost visibly, smiling as she nods. "So, say during the Elizabethan court era, this claim would've meant someone /belonged/ to you," she says, expression thoughtful, "but today, it merely means you have an interest in a person? Yet, the claim lasts a lifetime, and there's no un-claiming after someone's claimed." She continues to sip and think, then compresses her lips. "So, in one way it's protecting, but in another it's restricting for both vampires and humans."
—-
Nodding Michael sighs. "That's as good a way to explain it as any I suppose… Some of the younger vampires compare it to the ideal of catholic marriage, although there's far less romantic implications, two people make a bond, one that will not be broken until one member dies." He sighs. "Honestly in the past it was generally a way to keep someone close by until they'd been used up… many vampires killed in those days." He shrugs. "Why are you so interested? Do you think it may be necessary?"
—-
"Not necessarily, though you did indicate Grant taking an interest in me might not be a good thing," Desiree says, setting her empty glass on the table. There was enough for a second glass of absinthe, but she doesn't immediately prepare it. "I merely want to understand what such a bond consists of before it's deemed 'necessary,'" she explains. "Rather like having all your ducks in a row, so if you find you must do something, it's simpler." It makes sense to her, but her mind's being slightly affected by the absinthe. "My question is, why would it be needed? If there're all these laws in place, why would Grant want to know if you'd claimed me?" It's a rhetorical question, perhaps, but one which makes Desiree look very thoughtful.
—-
Shrugging Michael laughs. "It's social as much as legal, it would also mean his taking an interest in you would be…. distasteful at best. Will Grant is a strong supporter of such customs, he would not have shown the interest he did if I'd named you as my claim." He sighs faintly. "As I've already said, there are plenty of vampires who would be willing to feed on you, or worse, some have the means to do so without you ever being able to be sure it was them." He sighs. "The claiming would prevent that, legally it's the most binding bond between a vampire and a human, socially… emotionally it's the second."
—-
"The second?-that begs the question, what is the first?" Desiree says, her expression still quite thoughtful, if somewhat blurred around the edges. "I've never been fed on," she tells Michael, her tone serious. "I'd have not thought him interested, considering he has the girl-oh, what was her name?-Chloe? Yes, that was it. Considering her has her. She's quite pretty, and I've no doubt she adores him. That's written all over her face, especially when he shows any interest in another woman." She moistens her lips. "It also begs the question of what she wants from him-love or to be near his power. I know what /I/ would want from him, but that's me." Now that's probably the drink talking. She's mixed another, and is waiting for the sugar to dissolve.
—-
Shaking his head Michael smiles faintly. "I think you give Chloe too little credit, she loves him for who he is, I've seen her risk her life for him, and am as certain she'd lay her life down gladly for him as I have ever been." He has a very thoughtful expression of his own, he seems to be considering his own words. "I'll admit that is a question, the way they spoke I'd thought William had claimed Chloe, but it's possible I am mistaken." He shrugs. "As for the strongest bond, that's something different entirely, it's the sharing of blood, multiple times." He sighs faintly. "Sometimes humans feed on vampire blood, taken from the vein it grants a number of benefits with none of the apparent drawbacks of V, yet if the vampire feeds a human, and feeds off the human there's a chance of a… bond forming, this is deep, I've never experienced it, but I've heard it called love by some vampires I trust not to be overly romantic on the matter, and as a simple psychic bond by others, it allows the pair to sense each others emotions, that they're well and even to find each other."
—-
Desiree considers what Michael says, finally nodding. "I see." But, does she? This may not be the /real/ absinthe, but it's still a good drink, and does give indication why the real stuff is illegal in the United States. The edges of his words blur a bit more as she drinks, and it's fairly obvious the girl's under the influence. "A blood bond, hm? Well, that certainly makes sense. Blood is … well, it's life, isn't it? None of us could survive without it—-human, vampire, animal. It's what keeps us alive, so I can see why that would be even more binding then a claim." She and Michael are sitting at a table about halfway through the bar, toward the poetry reading stage. They're leaning their heads together, and Desiree has one of the absinthe preparers at her table. Michael, it might be noted, is not drinking anything.
—-
"This is the problem with racing against a mechanic. You're just never going to win. Although I still say my controls were broken. I so could have beaten you if not." Fat chance, but that's her story and she's sticking too it, is Mignonette, as she pulls open the door, holding it thusly, as she looks back to the woman walking with her, waiting for her to step inside first. Her demeanour is upbeat, friendly, her lilting accent adding a spark to her words. "Now, I would not normally say this, but I think if I eat one more funnel cake, I will be gravely and severely ill. So I'm hoping they have some real food in here."
—-
"Sure sure.. Its always the game's fault.." Abbey offers to the comment about Mignonette not winning. "When you work on cars so long you pick up things that come in useful on games to." This said with an amused tone while she makes her way in through the held door, a thanks being offered to the lady she is with. "I'm rather sure they would serve actual food.. Though I'm betting they serve a good drink here for sure." Leave it to the Irish gal to think of drinking!
—-
Michael smiles faintly shaking his head. "I doubt it, I don't really understand /that/ I've never much liked the idea, but still it's likely got its uses." He shrugs again. "The claim is purely legal, the binding of blood is… you'll forgive me for my lack of faith in the sciences it comes with my age, but it's spiritual, the magic of the blood, the magic that grants living things life is shared, vampires empower the blood, and the exchange of that both ways… there must be power to that." He shrugs. "Either way it's a strange thing." He seems mildly amused for a moment. "You thought feeding would be our deepest bond?"
—-
"Rather, yes," Desiree admits. "Actually, I thought the exchange of blood, the making of another vampire might be the closest bond, but I got that from reading Bram Stoker." She chuckles, a delightful sound. A little tipsy, is our Desiree, her eyes brighter than usual. "I've found so much of the mythos about vampires isn't quite true, or pure lies. It's been interesting discovering which stuff is and isn't factual. No doubt, I'll learn more if I hang around vampires," she says with a smile. "I just don't want to hang around them so much I end up being one, if you get my drift. As much as I'd love staying young and beautiful, the whole blood drinking thing turns me right off."
—-
Once Abbey has stepped through, Mignonette allows the door to close, pausing as she seems to be debating the merits of a table versus the bar. Apparently, the small woman is quite hungry, so she offers, "Would a table be alright?" While she does step out of the line of the doorway, so as not to clock the entry of any other guests, she does pause just inside, to allow her eyes to both adjust to the lighting, and to scan the room to see the possibilities of seating. Her eyes pause, briefly, as they pass Desiree, the woman obviously remembering the actress and model from a previous meeting.
—-
Abbey lets her gaze slowly drift across the room, taking in who all may be here. She tilts her head while catches sight of the pair some distance off, mostly because she's seen them around before, well actually at her very own garage. "Sure, a table is fine with me." This is offered while she starts moving towards a free table, that isn't that far off from where Desiree and Michael happen to be. Once at the table she pulls a seat free and settles down upon it.
—-
Shaking his head Michael laughs. "The bond between a vampire and his Maker is different, as I said the blood bond's the greatest bond between a vampire and a human." He shrugs. "I made once, but it was purely a business arrangement, I like her, but I never thought of her as my daughter or felt any exceptional attachment to her." He shrugs a shoulder. "And you think drinking bloods disgusting? Please, have you ever thought of what your body does when you eat a meal… I personally don't think I could bring myself to eat a meal unless I had no choice. The intestines alone turn me off."
—-
"Thank you," Mignonette now switches places with Abbey, as the redhead leads the way to their table. She does offer a polite "Excuse me," as she passes the table at which Desiree and Michael are sitting, as she has to schooch a bit to get past. One of the downsides of bars such as this one, that try to fit as many places in a building as possible, so as to serve a larger number of customer, is that once people are actually sitting down, it's sometimes a tight squeeze to get through. She settles opposite the woman, pulling out two menus, just in case, offering one to Abbey and claiming one for herself.
—-
Desiree listens raptly-until Michael gets to the part about intestines and digestion. "All right, I'll concede that's pretty disgusting," she says, sitting back in her chair. "But, some folks would argue that's the natural order of things, and they way it ought to be. That you're unnatural, while humans-disgusting bodily functions and all—-are the way things should be." She sips the pale, green drink, licking her lips. "Mind you, I said /some/ people. I, personally, don't believe that way, otherwise I'd not be working for the AVL. And I sure wouldn't be talking to you one on one. I'm not opposed to vampires. In fact, I find them fascinating." She leans forward again, obviously affected by the drink. Her chin rests on her hand and she looks directly into Michael's eyes. "You're a nice-looking guy, didja know that?" Yeah, that's the drink talking.
—-
Abbey takes the offered menu from Mignonette. "Thanks.." Is offered while she tilts her head and casts a slight glance towards Michael and Desiree, catching a few words from their conversation. Not like she was planning on it! Her gaze then goes back to the menu and a faint hum escaping her as she ponders what to get, well other then a drink of course.
—-
Shrugging Michael sighs. "Humanity believes that we're unnatural because we feed on them, they feel they should be top of the food chain. How can they be sure we're not just another part of the natural order? I mean we could well just be an evolutionary off-shoot, or if you wish to take a religious view point… what's to say we're not Gods check on humanity, his effort to stop them from becoming too numerous?" He sighs. "I know we've likely always been there. I know that my Maker speaks of things that were ancient when he was made and he's at least two thousand years old." He shrugs. "I suspect we've always been there, that we're as much a part of the order as anything else." He seems surprised by the last statement. "Honestly, I've been called many things in my time, but 'nice-looking' has rarely been amongst them." He laughs faintly. "I suspect that is very much the drink talking."
—-
Mignonette wastes no time opening the menu and setting about trying to decide on what she wants. It's only a few minutes before a waiter comes over to take their drink order. "I'll have a coke or pepsi, whichever you have, not diet, with a slice of lemon." She has to be specific, since the lemon thing, for some reason, seems to throw people off. She doesn't place her food order yet, because well, it's rather an extensive menu, instead looking to Abbey as the waiter turns to her as well. And then she's back to the menu, "Triple decker chili cheese nachos." It's a wonder the woman isn't the size of a heffalump, given her taste in food.
—-
"That could be true," Desiree replies slowly, thoughtfully. She's concentrating on what Michael says, trying to keep it in focus. "That would make sense, but don't let the Fellowship hear you say that," she warns him. "They'd go ballistic." She pauses. "Of course, if one of the Fellowship ever ran face to face into a vampire, they'd go ballistic anyway, so forget I said that." She thinks a moment, then says, "It does made sense, what you said-and there are those who think the first vampire was Caine, too. There's even a game out there where people role-play being vampires and werewolves and all kinds of supernatural creatures. Ran into some of them in college. Anyway, if your Maker's over 2000?-then, yeah, I'd say vampires have probably been around since the beginning." She pauses again, taking another sip. "Why wouldn't anyone say you were nice-looking? Your face has character, and your mind is … beautiful. I can't help it if I find intelligence attractive."
—-
Abbey hums softly while peering to the waiter. "I'll take a beer, what ever you have on tap is fine with me." She isn't to picky, as long its a beer! With the waiter off getting the drinks she looks back to menu, a soft chuckle escapes her. "That sounds good.. Though the chili cheese fries are totally calling my name.." Plus it goes well with a beer.
—-
"Right then. So one order of the fries and one of the nachos. That should do to start with, I think…unless you want something else?" She's now moved on to the more dinner entree-esque section of the menu, "I should totally get a salad." A beat. A grin, "Nah. But I could do with some ribs. Oh, no…brisket. I'm told the best brisket is made in Texas. I'll decide on dessert later." She offers a smile, and a word of thanks as the server returns with the drinks. One beer, one soda. "What can I get for you ladies tonight?" Mignonette doesn't answer, in this instance, allowing Abbey to handle the server.
—-
Sighing Michael shakes his head. "Perhaps they're right, perhaps the first vampire was Caine and our curse is also his mark." He shrugs. "If so then harming us is a sin, the nature of the mark of Caine was that any who harmed him would suffer seven fold." He shrugs "It really doesn't matter I suspect, the simple fact is we'll likely never know." He seems mildly amused for a time. "It's not something often said, as for my mind… I wouldn't presume we know each others minds."
—-
Abbey chuckles softly, rather amused as she hears Mignonette. "Works for me.. An the best brisket is made in Texas I will agree with that." She says with a nod before glancing to the waiter and ohs softly. "Well.." There's a pause to see if her dinner companion is going to answer before she goes about doing so. "One order of the chili cheese fries and one order of the double decker nachos.. For now at least." The waiter takes this down and leaves the two with there drinks and menu's.
—-
"Well, I've certainly spilled my thoughts to you," Desiree tells him, laughing softly. "In fact, I think I've told you more about me than I've told Oliver, and we're dating." A pause. "I think. I'm not sure. I'll have to get back to you on that one. Anyway, I've been babbling at you for the past week or so, telling you what I think about this and that. You probably know me better than most people do." she downs the last of her second drink, smiling. "The reverse?-absolutely. I haven't the foggiest idea what you think. I know we've discussed some deep subjects, and you've been open with me-or I assume you've been open with me, but your mind? ALl I know is you're one of the most intelligent men I've ever met, and I find that attractive."
—-
Sighing Michael shrugs. "Our minds are different." He laughs for a moment. "I'm not intelligent, I'm just old, if you live long enough even the slowest of us seem intelligent." He sighs. "What's the situation with this Oliver then? You sound like you have a hard time talking with him."
—-
"I plan on testing that rumour. Though I've yet to find a really good crawfish boil. The sort that requires two bibs and leaves you with juice flowing down to your elbows. I suppose I'll have to head back home for that." She gives a flash of a smile, "Sorry. I should have warned you…I sort of have a passion for food. " Still, she could go on, but doesn't. "Where are you from, Abbey. May I ask?" Clearly, the woman's accent would indicate that she's from somewhere Irish-ish, but Mignonette has no idea.
—-
Abbey sets the menu down for now, a soft chuckle escaping her. "That's alright.. I've been to a few crawfish boil's in the area, though while it was good I wasn't that impressed." A sip is taken from her glass as she listens to Mignonette. "Well I'm from Ireland actually.." The thick Irish accent being heard a bit more while she winks at the other. "Been in the states for a while now, just haven't lost the accent. Just comes and goes mostly."
—-
"He's a nice enough fellow," Desiree answers, swirling the last drops of her drink in the glass. "A good dancer-no, a superb dancer, considering I've only been teaching him for a few days. And, he's the kind who looks out for a girl. My car was stolen last weekend, and his people helped find it. Then, the other night?-some tough guys at the Warehouse bought me drinks, and he helped me slip out so they wouldn't bother me. He's a gentleman, but-" She shrugs. "I don't know. He's just too perfect, and I'm waiting for the shoe to drop. I've told you before I don't have a great track record with men. I don't trust my luck at finding a really good one, yanno? I mean, I expect a vampire to just pick up the phone and call for his people. A human? With that kind of connections?-makes me wonder."
—-
Mignonette's laughter is bright, and open, as she hears Abbey's reply, "Well, I sort of figured you were from Ireland, since I can actually understand you, which would not be the case if you were from Scotland. It's like they're speaking a different language, honestly. But I meant where exactly. I've never had a chance to visit Ireland itself, just Northern Ireland, Londonderry. We didn't really stop to take in the sights, if you get my meaning." Too much of a chance of getting blowed up.
—-
Abbey chuckles and nods while she leans against the table slightly, her arms folding upon the table while a hand rests around the glass of beer. "I was born in Galway, close to the water actually." She offers softly. "Its a great place to visit that's for sure.. An I don't know about the language part.. There are some that talk with such a thick accent in Ireland I can't always follow them!" This said while she grins.
—-
Shrugging Michael sighs. "No one's perfect, and there are more than a few secrets in anyone's life, the simple question is if you think they're worth putting up with." He smiles faintly "I've seen men who had contacts through legal channels who'd beat their families just because they'd had a bad day. I've seen other men who spent their lives committing crimes, violent and otherwise, who would never think to raise their hand to their those they cared for." He considers it a moment longer. "All you can do is make the choice, do you risk trusting him or not?"
—-
Desiree ponders this for a long time. Finally, she looks up at Michael. "I know why I have trust issues, but I've got to start someplace. He hasn't pushed me for sex or anything. Oh, we've kissed, but he stopped when I asked him to. That makes him trustworthy, doesn't it? I mean, I should trust a man like that, right?" Now she's slightly distressed, toying with the empty glass. "I just can't bring myself to, though. We dance, a lot, and he's even helping with the Ballroom classes. He's a great partner, and-" She stops. Shakes her head. "You, I can trust. You're like a father figure or something. Oliver?-he feels more dangerous than you do." Another pause. "Weird, huh?"
—-
"I've heard of Galway, though I don't think I could pick it out on a map. That's so embarrassing." A spot of laughter, as Abbey comments on accents, "I know exactly what you mean. I know most people can understand me, but I have a few cousins that, well, they sound as though they've been out in the bayous a bit too much. And that's when they're speaking English. I can't even handle it when they switch to French." She pauses, "That was mean of me, wasn't it? It was." But noticing the quietness with which Abbey first replies, even if she doesn't directly comment on it, Mignonette smoothly changes the subject, "Have you been to the Gulf, since you've been in Dallas?" Of course, she has no idea how long Abbey's been in Dallas, but she did say 'states' rather than here, which would likely indicate not having emigrated to Texas.
—-
Abbey chuckles softly and smiles while nodding to Mignonette. "I had some family like that.." She offers softly at the thought. An its been such a long time since she heard there voices. Another sip is taken from her glass. "I've been the Gulf a few times.. The sea here is very different then back in Ireland that's for sure. A lot calmer and a lot warmer for one. I don't think many would find the water around Ireland good for a swim after all."
—-
Looking at Desiree Michael's voice drops. "You amaze me, you really believe I'm harmless? You really don't understand that my very nature means I care only for a handful of humans? I have killed many, many people and I feel guilt for none of it." He sighs shaking his head. "You shouldn't trust me, or any vampire, we're not human, we hold different values. I seem nice because for fourteen hundred years I've been acting nice and friendly so that people will let me get them alone where I can eat them." He shrugs. "I don't enjoy killing, and I've avoided doing so for a very long time, but there are many who would call me a monster for the things I've done in my time."
—-
In the midst of the conversation, the server returns to deliver the appetizers, both of them looking a bit…oversized. Mignonette, of course, looks delighted. "And what can I get you ladies for dinner?" The server has to do the hard sell you understand. "The brisket, for me. Can I have the baked potato with everything, extra bacon and corn on the cobb? Thank you." A sip of coke, and she allows Abbey to place her order, before she answers, "I've heard that the seas around Ireland are particularly cold, but that the surfing is fantastic, if you wear a wetsuit and don't stay in long enough to freeze anything off."
—-
Abbey hums softly and thanks to the server before peering curiously at Mignonette as she orders. An soft chuckle escapes her. "Actually.. I'll take that too." Easy and it sounded rather good to her! "The surfing is great, and the fishing is wonderful..All manner of seafood to be found that's for sure." With the order took the server is off and puts it into the kitchen. "I have to admit I've never tried to surf before." This said while she munches on a rather cheesy looking fry. As for the conversation between Michael and Desiree, she doesn't catch by a few words, and its not like she actually wants to. Though its enough to make her remember it for later.
—-
Desiree looks a little shocked by what Michael tells her, drawing back a little from him. Her eyes widen at the seriousness of his words. She /almost/ looks hurt, but her expression is more surprise than dismay. "You've made it pretty clear that vampires aren't heroes," she says, her own voice quiet, too. "I got the message, Michael, I really did. All I was saying is that I find it easier to trust you than a perfectly nice /human/ male." She stops, licks her lips, then adds, "That's a commentary on /me/, not you. It's a commentary on just how insane I really am, I think. It's the thrill, the danger. I've told you that before. I'm addicted to the excitement, to the rush of adrenaline—-and there's nothing more dangerous than a vampire, right?" She doesn't sound very happy about it, but she's speaking the truth. "Better for me to hang around you, who's at least not killed in many years, than a rogue or renegade or someone who doesn't play by the rules."
—-
Mignonette, for her part, has learned the art of tuning out things not related to her, mostly, and the conversation at the table not far away seems not to reach her at all. "Now you're wanting to make me take a trip there and visit." She spears a nacho, having enough grace to wait for Abbey to start eating. La Maisson training lives on, "I only surfed a very little. When I was living in New York, I'd go to the Jersey Shore to go to the beach, and they had small wave surfing there, so I took a few lessons. I managed to be able to stand and even catch a few waves…mostly."
—-
Abbey is really doing her best to now catch anymore of the conversation, just need to tone it out. Which after a few moments she finds she can do rather well. A soft chuckle escapes her. "Well.. If you do go let me know. I'll tell you where all the good pubs are." This said with an amused tone. "Did you like surfing"?" Abs questions while peering curiously at Mignonette.
—-
Sighing slightly Michael once again studies Desiree, this time it's more thoughtful. "I worry that you're not careful, that you don't truly understand, few humans do. I don't harm humans, not unless it's to defend myself, but I worry if you place your trust in me you shall do so to others, you had met me only twice yet you invited me to your home. These things they worry me about you." He shakes his head laughing. "You're not the first person to be attracted to the danger, most fang-bangers are, although I wouldn't personally say that's a great company to be in." He shrugs. "I have nothing against humans and vampires forming relationships, but fang-bangers don't care about forming a relationship, they don't care who feeds of them, it's crude and distasteful."
—-
"Well, /I/ would certainly care who fed on me," Desiree says, perhaps a little louder than she'd intended. Usually she's very discreet, but after having two of the pseudo-absinthes, she's more than a little tipsy. "I think that's the one thing you /can/ trust about me. I'm not about to take off with someone I don't know, human or vampire. Call it what you will, but I just sensed you weren't going to hurt me. Maybe it's because you knew my parents, I don't know." She shrugs, picking up the glass, perhaps considering another, but she sets it down again. "Besides, vampires have never done anything bad to me. I can't say the same about human beings. My mother wanted me to be Miss America, and made my youth a living hell. My father went nuts after they divorced, then blew his brains out in the backyard for me to find. My brother and sister haven't spoken to me in years, and my ex-husband—-" Realizing she's telling Michael things she hasn't told anyone in a long time, Desiree shuts up. "I have to go to the ladies room. I'll be back," she says quietly, rising.
—-
Perhaps it's fortunate for everyone that a young man takes the stage right about then. Looking rather Byron-esque, he sits on a stool, reciting poetry to some unseen woman who has broken his heart. Sad, rather melancholy words, only some of which rhyme. He has his fans, since a few girls at tables right up front gaze at him with love-struck eyes.
—-
"Honestly? Not really, I mean, I grew up close to the Mississippi, and just as close to the Gulf, and I love to swim, so it wasn't the water that really bothered me. But I felt so incredibly uncoordinated. And then you fall in the water, and you have that leash attached to your ankle, and the waves are tugging the board all around, and you're getting dragged along, trying to get back up to the surface. I'm not sure I see the appeal, and I couldn't even imagine trying to surf in big waves, like they have in California or Hawai'i." Mignonette's making a nice little dent in her nachos, clearly the appetizer agreeing with her more than the multiple funnel cakes she consumed at the fairgrounds today.
—-
Abbey nods while smiling to Mignonette, finding it rather amused there conversation here at the moment. Though its better then a conversation a few tables over at least! "I imagine it was hard to stand up on the thing on stop of the water an all." She munches on another fry while nodding. "The waves out West look great but I couldn't even imagine trying to surf on it.. An there's sharks out there.. Big ones.. Rather not meet up with them."
—-
Nodding to Desiree Michael sighs. "And then perhaps we should consider getting you home? I think it might be an idea to end the evening somewhat early." He glances around the room, his eyes looking for the potential of FOS trouble makers, he's wary but far from afraid, confident after all that he can handle any trouble that may come their way.
—-
Perhaps showing her age, Mignonette offers, in answer, "We'll have to make sure we have a really big boat." Yes, she just paid homage to Jaws, sad but true, "But we have gators around here, or at least, well, more back home, I think, strictly speaking. I wrestled a gator once." Uh-oh, is that the slightest trace of cajun redneck showing? Nah, it couldn't be, not from the scion of the Savoys. Could it? Finally, the server arrives with the two women's orders, setting a plate in front of each, before he pulls their drinks to bring out fresh ones.
—-
Abbey chuckles softly. "I don't think there's a big enough boat for Bruce.." Seems Mignonette has met a Jaws fan! "That is a great movie by the way.." She hums softly, an look of amusement crosses her face. "Wrestled a gator huh?.. How well did /that/ go for you?" This questioned while she thanks to server.
—-
Desiree is already heading toward the ladies' room, and doesn't really hear Michael's suggestion. She needs those few minutes to compose herself, to regain her equilibrium. Maybe even to flush some of that strange, green drink out of her system-as disgusting as that might be to a vampire. It's all she can do to keep from crying, and a girl in the restroom even stops to ask her if she's all right. Desiree mumbles something to the effect of she's having a reaction to something in the air. Perhaps even the drinks themselves. Anyway, she escapes after a few moments, returning to the table she shares with Michael. "I'm sorry," she apologizes, "I needed a few minutes to myself." She seems a lot clearer headed. "What were we talking about before-you know," she asks, smiling.
—-
Mignonette moves the two appetizers closer to the center of the table, so that the server can more easily set down his plates, and offers a thank you as he does, and again when he briefly returns with their drinks. "I know, right? I love Jaws." She sets to work mushing up her baked potato, adding in the extra bacon, as she continues the thread of the conversation, "I kicked its bottom. Well, its tail, to be more exact, it was the only part I could grab on to. Of course, it was a really, really small one, but Alex dared me to do it. I was…let's see, it was the summer I came home from my sophomore year of college, so 18? He was on leave."
OOC Note: At this point, the scene between Abbey and Mignonette was faded for time constraints. We shall assume they had a nice dinner, and Mignonette erased any doubt as to whether or not she has a bit of inner Cajun redneck. She does.
—-
Michael nods slightly studying Desiree for a moment, he shrugs. "I believe that you were just telling the bar about your desire not to be eaten by a vampire." He smiles to her. "You can talk if you'd like, I'm a good listener." He offers a surprisingly warm smile from someone so prone to emotionless features. "It seems we have shown a degree of trust to each other already, if you wish to share grief, I have been through enough of my own that I might be able to help with yours."
—-
There's a touch of color in Desiree's cheeks now. She glances around, noting a few faces turned in her direction. "I should learn not to drink this stuff," she says quietly, eyes on the now empty preparer. "If this is the fake stuff, I can't imagine what the real absinthe will do to me." A shake of the head. "No, I've said enough, I think. I'm sorry I lied to you about my father, but I rarely tell anyone he took his own life. It's not something I enjoy talking about, and there's still a stigma on people who commit suicide." She sighs, closing her eyes a moment. "I was the one who found him, and I still have nightmares about it," she whispers. "It wasn't a pretty sight."
—-
Michael looks at the preparer. "Perhaps, although I've seen people who react worse to the drink." His own expression seems to become a little darker. "I'm sorry to hear about your father. And there's no need to apologise to me." He shakes his head. "I know what it's like to see the ones you love dead. I remember that even from my mortal life, it's one of my last clear memories."
—-
"I imagine you have," Desiree says, nodding. "Living all those years has its drawbacks, I'd think, that being one of the worst." She looks at Michael, and there's a kindness in her eyes, one which says she understands, at least about that. "I suddenly feel very old and tired," she says, looking at the preparer. "This stuff is dangerous. It makes you think too much, and talk too much. I should've never started drinking tonight." She looks down at the trillion cut emerald on her finger. "Dad bought it for Mom on their anniversary, but never got to give it to her. I asked her if she wanted it, and she told me to keep it. I wear it because it's pretty, not because I want to remember them. I really didn't like my mother very much, but I adored my father."
—-
Nodding Michael sighs. "Yes, that's why I try to keep my distance from humans, I learnt a very long time ago that it only hurts in the long run, fifty sixty years, such a short time as I see it." He smiles faintly. "Perhaps we should see you home? We've drawn some attention." He sighs. "I see, I never really knew your parents well, as I said we spoke a couple of times, enough that I remember them fondly, as you might someone you see occasionally at parties." He frowns. "I actually know you better than I did them."
—-
Desiree nods, standing up from the table. "I'm really not in any shape to drive," she says quietly, a little embarrassed. "I don't usually get this intoxicated, but that's strong Michael?" Desiree asks as he's escorting her to the door of Absinthe. "A friendship?-because I'd like that. To be your friend, I mean. You're good to talk to, and I can … well, you seem like you've been straight with me, honest. You offer choices and give opinions, you don't try to force me into one decision or the other. You point out flaws in my logic, and … and you seem to care about what happens to me." She takes his arm, steadying herself on his rock solidness. "I don't expect anything from you except that-just to be friends." She smiles. "Because, vampire or not, you're one of the good guys, Michael, and I'm really glad I met you at the art exhibit."
—-
Michael pauses, his expression once again unreadable, his words when they come are slow and careful. "Yes, I think I've come to consider you a friend, I like you. You're strong without having become hard, that's difficult, rare and I respect it." He shrugs. "You don't seem to fear me, you seem to speak your mind around me, both of these things are rare." He pauses a moment longer. "I will even go so far as to say, if you ever do need protection simply state that you're mine. I will back the claim when asked." He sighs. "I would prefer you save it for an emergency, it's quite a commitment." He grins as they get to his car, an Aston Martin DB9. "I'm sorry there's not an incredible amount of space, I bought this care for… well I've always had a love of luxury sport cars."
—-
Desiree seems to feel much better outside in the fresh air. The noise of the fair can be heard in the distance, with all the bright lights and hurdy-gurdy. "I like the sound of that," she says, smiling. "Friends." When she sees his car, however, she doesn't seem dismayed at all. "I feel like a Bond girl!" she cries, managing to get herself inside the small car. "This's amazing. How fast will she go?—-oh, nevermind, she'll go fast enough, I'm sure." Desiree is a toucher, and she reaches to give his arm a squeeze when he gets in the driver's seat. "Thank you, Michael. Should I ever find myself in an emergency necessitating having been claimed, you're the one I'd turn to. But it'll be only if I'm in dire straits. I understand how serious a claim is." She gives her hair a toss. "Now, let's get this baby fired up. Mama's goin' home in style!"
