antares ;;

--a red hypergiant star, forty-nine hundred lightyears away and a billion times larger than our sunharlow harding, 107, vampire, owner of the hollow grove observatoryi see fire in the darknessrage against the void

[harlowxharding]

noah-blackwell‌:

The summer was giving way to fall rapidly and while the weather didn’t really affect Noah like it used to, a stroll on the beach under a darkening sky without constant glances and conversation was desirable. He’d settled into a quiet corner of the beach, listening to the waves as they lapped up onto the sand. It wasn’t long until the sound was permeated by another’s footsteps, head tipping in their direction to take in the familiar vampire. 

“The Demon Star,” He acknowledged as he rose from his seat and stepped over to the vampire, arms folding across his chest and eyes lifting towards the skies. “How ironic.” 

Harlow glanced over as the original vampire walked towards her, feeling oddly at ease with it being Noah who found her out here. He frequented the Observatory, so he wasn’t someone she’d have to walk through getting to Perseus, hopefully. Either way, he was someone who she felt respect for. She let a small huff of a laugh leave her lips at his words, eyes turning back to the sky as she took in the vast view. “Yes, it is.” She tilted her head. “Constellation Perseus, if you’re curious. That’s where you’ll find the Demon Star.”

[harlowxharding]

tobiaspierce‌:

“I know how to find the North Star,” he grumbled as he moved closer, staring up at the sky. Even he’d had to use it eons ago on nights when he’d get lost without a compass, surrounded by unfamiliar territory. As per instructed, though, his eyes outlined the rest of the constellation in question. He was about to ace this astrology exam. “Alright, got the Big Dipper in my sights. Where do I look now?”

Harlow could remember when she’d first met Tobias, many years before she’d settled down in Hollow Grove. The mischief they’d gotten into. As he moved closer, she moved in a bit as well, trying to catch where his eye was looking so she could correct it if need be. “Well, some children don’t.” It was as close to a tease as she could get without her humanity on. “Cassiopeia should be nearby. Do I have to lead you to that one, or do you know how to find that one on your own?” 

[harlowxharding]

lachiexemerson·:

He could see her shaking, his vampiric vision sharp despite the darkness but he couldn’t tell if it was from fear, rage, or something else.  Perhaps once upon a time he could have done it.  There was a time where they hadn’t needed to talk to convey words.  That was gone however, as was his ability to read situations or emotions properly in general.  She took that.

“Well your thoughts were incorrect, I’m very much undead,” he replied, jaw tensing as he forced his hands to unclench.  He straightened his fingers one by one even though they still stayed awkwardly by his side.  He was starting to see flashes of memories that he had long ago forgotten; moments on a beach very much like this one.  She had said so much about the stars above them and for a long time he had forgotten what they were, what had been his words and what had been hers.  He remembered now though.  “And so you stole back.”  Pearl, his life, his sanity.  They really were as bad as each other.   “Now everyone we know is dead and we’re still here.” 

“I--” Harlow could see that he was very much undead, that her portion of the plan with him suffering for an eternity was been fulfilled. However, she hadn’t imagined how seeing him, after all of this time, would make her feel. The absolute hailstorm of feelings inside of her were impossible to control, and yet she needed to look as if she still held control. She stilled herself, not wanting to seem weak in the face of someone who could have every intention of destroying her yet again. “Yes.” She took a step towards him, barely one, pushing back her desire to run. He would not get her fear. She was no coward. She was stronger than before, faster than before, and if he attacked her, she could take him down. “You stole much from me and you didn’t care. Why should I have?”

Now everyone we know is dead, and we’re still here. Perhaps Harlow should have considered that when she turned him. That, one day, they’d be the only two people who understood each other’s stories. What a pathetic idea. “I suppose we are.” She took a moment to steel herself, memories of them on a different beach flooding her mind. She’d thought he was so different, but she knew now the truth. She had just been young and naive, and then she was enraged, and now they were both stuck. And he was here. “What are you doing here, Lachlan? Thirty years of this town being a safe haven, and you just show up?”

[harlowxharding]

lachiexemerson·:

At first she didn’t respond and he wondered if maybe she was an hallucination after all.  He was just about to reach out and see if she was solid when she took a step back.  Still solid though and he was beginning to realise that she actually was real.  This long and it was here that they had crossed paths again.  He hadn’t thought she was dead, of course it was entirely possible with the war but he had seen her leave very much alive… or undead.  

“I should be dead… then why did you change me?  You should have just killed me.  The thirst is strong in the beginning, you should know,” he pointed out.  He did not think she wanted him as dead and she said she did.  “You stole my life without taking it.”  His fingers twitched at his sides.  Standing before him was the woman who had made him this monster, who broke his soul and his mind.  He could wrap his hands around her neck and be done with it.  What would it solve though, it wouldn’t change him back.

Harlow could feel herself shaking slightly as she stared him down, unable to turn her gaze away from him. The pair of them seemed to be stuck in this flux, everything changing before them. He was here, in her town, and he could kill her just as easily as she turned him that fateful day. The pair would be evenly matched in a brawl, and, for the first time, she wondered if now they could see each other plainly. But it wasn’t that simple, and her hand trembled at her side as she watched him.

“I thought you were dead.” There was a certain softness, a desperation to Harlow’s voice as she repeated her words, though she’s not sure where it came from. Perhaps it stemmed from seeing a familiar face from her youth, from someone else ago. Part of her yearned to reach out and touch him, see if he was the hallucination. Perhaps her sister would have loved the same honor, being able to touch him. Pearl. Rage filled her as she remembered her sister, remembered her screams, remembered how she’d looked sitting prettily next to Lachlan in her mother’s dining room. “You stole from me.” In more ways than one. He’s taken her life’s work, her reputation, her virginity... the life of their child. She paused. She could take him outside of the town lines easily, if she wanted to. Her respect for the Blackwells would be the only thing stopping her from killing him where he stood if he tried anything. Part of her wished he would.

[harlowxharding]

lachiexemerson·:

Since the start of the festival Lachlan had slept minimal amounts.  He had gone exclusively for the camping, to live closer to nature as he had done for years.  Staying by the edge of the site meant that he avoided most of the crowds, only submerging himself when he was in the mood - or for the alcohol.  He had spent the first two decades of his supernatural life living by moonlight only, not knowing that such things as Daylight Rings existed.  Which was why in times like these he usually stayed up through night and slept for a few hours after the light of dawn.

He had decided to walk that night, anywhere his feet took him and it was towards the end of the night that he found himself headed towards the beach.  Old habits clearly died heard.  When he first saw the figure in front of her he thought it an hallucination.  It wouldn’t be the first or last time he would have them, which is why he followed the figure.  She still looked exactly the same as she did the night of that fateful dinner party.  He preferred that memory of her to the one where she was covered in blood.

Usually when he got close enough they disappeared and so when she turned around and he saw her face his eyes widened.

“You’re real?”

Harlow stared for a long time at Lachlan, and, despite herself, a flood of emotions ran through her. Her handle on her humanity faltered. She could remember the last time they’d met on a beach, one similar to this beach. He’d been so handsome that day, so kind, and now all she could see when she looked at him was the man who’d effectively destroyed her life. Despite herself, one of the first emotions to hit her was a crippling fear, one that she found she couldn’t shake so easily. Ninety years, almost a century, and he hadn’t managed to find her. Her luck must have been something rotten, because, with all that time passed, she’d assumed that he’d died in that cellar. Falsely, she’d assumed she’d been safe.

She took a step back from him, unable to keep her eyes off of him. That’s when his words hit her--You’re real. Her eyes narrowed and she stilled, as she tried to take in his differences. The clear shock on his face was evident, sure, but he’d followed her. Surely he’d known who she was? Did he mean to harm her? Have all her demons come back to torment her, now when her son had just returned home? “--I thought you were dead.” He should’ve been dead. She’d hardly expected that he would have it in him to feed from the maids of her old home, much less survive this long on his own. “You should be dead.”

[harlowxharding]

Harlow was never much one for music festivals. The crowds unsettled her, the music was far too loud, and the energy there was always wrong. Monster Jam was probably her least favorite part of every year, when the crowds in Hollow Grove grew excessively big and people felt the need to do foolish things. Typically, she’d lock herself away in her Observatory, studying the stars and getting some serious work done while everyone else lost their damn minds. She’d go home to her apartment, play her piano, maybe have a drink of whiskey, and mind her own business.

Which is why it would shock most townsfolk that she was out and about one gloomy Sunday morning, hours before the crack of dawn.The beach had called to her, and, given that most of the miscreants who came to her town would be asleep, she figured it was as good a time as any to get some fresh air. She could remember moments when, with her humanity on, the sound of the waves crashing would soothe her. Had she the wherewithal, she would miss it. What she didn’t miss or account for was the sound of footsteps coming up behind her, and, as she turned to tell the person off, it felt like all the oxygen left the air.

Lachlan.

@lachiexemerson

[harlowxharding]

havocxhale·:

She’d had her eyes trained on the sky, the constellation and it’s companion story seeming like it was there to mock her. She was so distracted, caught up in her thoughts, that she hadn’t realized Harlow was reaching out until her hand was placed on her shoulder. Kinsley sucked in a sharp breath, tightening her arms around her legs, but the other’s hand was gone again. Her head lifted to look at the blonde, her gaze lingering on her smile before she said, “Algol, huh…I didn’t know that.” This time, when she looked away, her gaze fell on the ocean, watching the reflection of the sky shimmer each time the water moved against the shore. “People can do horrible things even without a motivation.” Kinsley’s voice was tight as she thought over everything that’d been done to her over the past few months, most of it done without vampiric strength or inherent powers. “She wasn’t trying to hurt anyone, she just got dealt a bad hand…Though, I guess having a star named after you is kinda poetic. Your legacy would live on long after you did. Though I guess that’s not really a problem–can I ask you something?” She turned to look at the other woman, Kinsley’s sad eyes searching hers. “Does it get easier? Knowing you’ll live that long?”

Harlow listened as to Kinsley’s rant, more than a little aware that the myth of Medusa was an easy one to make personal for many women she knew--herself included. However, logically she was aware that this was raw for the vampire beside her. Like an open wound, blood just oozing from the cracks. However, there was a sort of bravery, she had to admit, in the way Kinsley’s eyes searched her’s. She wondered if the young vampire would see how empty they were, and she gave a little laugh. Not an unkind one, as the mirth that should follow laughter was no where near the sound that left her mouth. “It’s always been easy for me,” she admitted, hoping giving the other girl a little bit of honesty would help move things along. “When I was a human, I could hardly expect to get by without a man. My science wasn’t taken seriously. I was... an oddity, of sorts. Born in the wrong time.” She looked away from the girl, her gaze a little overpowering, focusing instead on the cool waves. “But I watched as things changed before me. I lived through new discoveries, new advancements. So much of what I can do now are things I couldn’t have dreamed of before.” She paused, giving a slight shrug. “I find myself looking forward to the future. Fear will do you no good.”

[harlowxharding]

geogmorgensen‌:

As they walked, the ghosts of memories flickered through his mind. Geog couldn’t mind, as most of them were pleasant; he excluded the moments when he was in the midst of panic, or the odd recollection of a skinned knee, broken wrist, his chest heavied after he had done something believed to be horrifically wrong. She had been taller than him, but his growth and her immortal state hadn’t changed much. He simply had to bend to kiss her cheek and his panicked moments were lessened by apathy. Harlow Harding was still his mother and, to his mind, ten feet tall.

By habit, his blunt fingertips trailed lightly against the wall as they walked, footsteps silent as a ghost or the forced training instilled long before Harlow. His brows furrowed and that fiercely protective nature flared up. “Who was it?” Geog wondered, despite knowing damn well his mother could handle anyone far better than he. He smiled a little and brushed a hand over her shoulder as he joined her search, pulled out the vase stored away by memory. “I missed it almost as much as I missed you.”

Harlow let out a small chuckle at the boy’s apparent worry for her. Her son knew that she could take care of herself, though she’d made sure he never saw anything of the sort. The only memory she can recall of her claiming how far she’d go took her back to when he was a thirteen year old boy in France. If someone tried to hurt you, I’d kill them. Do you understand me? It would be easy for me. She’d killed plenty of times to protect herself, and still he worried over her like this. “Just some kids. I suppose it gets dull here when you’re young and yearn for adventure.” She reached for her son’s hand, moving it gently from her wall. “Nevermind that.”

After all these years, it was no surprise to Harlow that Geog would find the vase first. He’d always had a keen memory for this place. “Thank you, Geog.” She takes the vase and moves to the little fridge she kept in her office, filled with little bottles of water and blood bags. She didn’t want to have to run to a water fountain every time she wanted to brew herself some tea. She opened a bottle into the vase, before reaching for her flowers. “Tell me, what’s been keeping you so busy?” she asks, trying to keep up the semblance of conversation. He was used to this by now. “What new businesses have you gotten into?”

[harlowxharding]

havocxhale·:

Kinsley had always been a curious child. When she wasn’t learning spells or potions or crafting her power, she was reading–most of the time, she was reading Greek myths. They had been a sort of fantasy to her, even if most of them ended in tragedy. “It is comforting,” she replied softly. “It’s something familiar from my childhood, but…so much more.” Though she was still awe-struck, she focused on finding the constellations again, her gaze following Harlow’s finger until she spotted the bright star named Algol. It shined so bright against the dark backdrop that it almost seemed out of place, but then her eyes would focus on the starry sky as a whole and realized that it wasn’t so out of place, just a little different. “Perseus.” Kinsley mumbled the name to herself, her mind running over the myth in her head as she stared into the spotted abyss. “You know…I used to think he was the hero. That he did what he did to protect people…but now? I wonder if the Ancient Greeks would classify us in the same category as Medusa.” As soon as she’d said it, she wanted to backtrack. Us. The full scale of her being a vampire was weighing on her, but she knew she needed to accept it eventually. Kinsley dropped her head, pulling her knees to her chest and clearing her throat. “Not the conversation you were hoping to have while stargazing, right? Let’s change the subject…”

Something familiar, but so much more. Harlow watched carefully as the young vampire beside gazed up at the night sky with a wonder that she couldn’t muster with her humanity off. Logically, she knew it was something she would enjoy having back, but it was never that easy. Kinsley’s words stuck with her for a moment, wondering if the young vampire knew that she’d all but described herself. Vampirism is just something more. Us. The word brought a smile to her lips. How easily had the term come out. How curious that she’d group the two of them together. Had she no other vampires to come to? The thought occurred, that maybe, if she played her cards right, she could keep this entertainment around longer. In some attempt to seem like she was comforting the other girl, Harlow moved her hand to rest on her shoulder. “Please, speak plainly.” She forced a small smile before moving her hand back to her own lap, keeping her gaze on the other girl. “Funny you should mention Medusa, though... Algol is named for her. The Demon’s Head. Horrid thing to do to someone who suffered as she did.” Perhaps the ancient Greeks would’ve treated vampires as they did Medusa. Humans tended to do the same. “Still, it’s a beautiful star to have named after you, I guess.”

[harlowxharding]

havocxhale·:

She allowed her mouth to drop open just slightly as she truly took in the sight of the stars for the first time since she’d been turned. It was magical, for a lack of a better term, and it was the first time she’d truly been distracted since she’d been home. When Harlow took her hand, she was jolted back to reality and had to force herself not to react negatively and open a whole other can of worms. Kinsley followed her down to sit on the blanket, her eyes darting to their hands until the other pulled away. She still wasn’t used to being touched since she’d come home, but she didn’t need to worry about panic and vampire urges around the other. Even then, she couldn’t pull her attention away during the small look into Harlow’s life until she was pointing at the sky again. She inhaled sharply, shaking herself from the thoughts to look at the constellation. “I recognize that name, actually. A Greek woman who angered Poseidon by saying she and her daughter were more beautiful than sea nymphs.” Kinsley giggled and looked over at the other woman, though she quickly blushed. “We both have things we’re passionate about…”

Even though Harlow couldn’t hear the rapid beating of her heart or the sharp intake of the other girl’s breath--for the other girl had none--she could still tell that her action had made Kinsley nervous. Though, one look at the young vampire’s face told her that it wasn’t a bad sort of nervous. Perhaps the other was curious about her, too. “I--Yes, that’s the myth.” She tried her best not to be taken off-guard. Lots of people knew about mythology, especially around here, but Cassiopeia had never been a popular one. Interesting to note. “Most stars are named after stories like that. Perhaps you’ll find some comfort in the cosmos.” The words were hollow to her, meaning little, but she hoped it would draw the other girl in more. Maybe spark the idea that they were kindred spirits of a sort. That would be easy to utilize later. “Passion... Yes, I guess I am. Held this passion for quite a few years.” Ninety-nine years. She sighed, shaking her head, finger continuing to guide. “Now, locate the third star forming the shape of Cassiopeia. Start the farthest you can get from Polaris. And if you follow a line from that star about three times the distance, you should find Mirfak. It’s normally the brightest star in Perseus, but, tonight, Algol shines the brightest.”

[harlowxharding]

havocxhale·:

Still chewing on her bottom lip, she nodded and repeated, “It just takes time.” Kinsley knew she’d had to repeat that mantra in her mind until it actually stuck one day. She leaned in a bit, following Harlow’s hand as she pointed to the constellation, but she couldn’t hold back the small gasp at just how bright the north star looked. Sure, she’d looked at the stars before and marveled at how pretty they were, but this was beyond anything she’d expected. “It’s beautiful,” Kinsley said softly, her mind distracted of all the terrors that had been circling her mind for months. “Maybe I should learn more about the stars…When did you first get into star-gazing?”

Harlow bit her tongue as the young vampire simply repeated the phrase, reminding herself that, sometimes, silence was a better answer than words could bring. She felt nothing malicious towards Kinsley; her intrigue was simply that. How long had it been since she’d seen a vampire so new? Eyes so fresh? She felt the girl lean in closer, obviously feeling comfortable enough to do so, and Harlow could only smirk a little at the sound she made when she saw the sky. When she turned, catching Kinsley’s wonder and awe at the night sky, she was distinctly reminded of her own. Reaching for the other girl’s hand, she gently took it in her own, before moving to sit down on the small blanket she had, moving to pull the other girl with her. Once seated, though, she let go, gazing back at the sky. “Oh, I was maybe eight. I lived near a beach like this. I used to sneak out and watch the stars.” She felt a little twinge of something at the memory, but then nothing. She sighed. “Now,” she pointed back at Polaris. “The line you just made to get to the North Star? Continue it for about two-thirds of the distance.” She was back to pointing in the sky, showing the other the way. “Do you see that constellation that makes a ‘W?’ That’s Cassiopeia.”

[harlowxharding]

havocxhale·:

You’ll get used to it. Kinsley flinched as the words ran through her mind. It was the same thing the vampire who had turned her had said. It should’ve been comforting, and she knew that that’s how vampires helped themselves through it, but now the comforting words left a bitter taste in her mouth. “The beach and the town square at night are the two places I’ve gone the most. I thought they were eerie before, but now? Now, it’s comforting…in a messed up kind of way…” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and turned to find the Big Dipper, her gaze landing on the familiar constellation fairly quickly. “I’d like that…oh, and I found it–what next?”

Harlow noticed the other girl’s negative reaction to the words, and she merely shrugged. “It’s true. All things become the new normal after a while. It just takes time.” Part of her wanted to throw in that, to the new vampire, what was a few months when she had an eternity ahead of her? She gives a short, hollow laugh at the girl’s words, though she tries not to make it an unkind reaction. “I’m sure you’ll begin to see a lot of things differently, now. I’ve always loved the beach at night. Better view of the stars.” She’s not sure why this conversation has her feeling particularly chatty, but she knew her usual quiet behavior wouldn’t make this girl feel comfortable enough to keep talking. She pointed up to the sky, to the Big Dipper that Kinsley had her eyes on. “Follow the two stars that make up the front of the Dipper’s pot until you reach Polaris--the north star. It should be pretty bright.” She moved her hand along with her words, hoping this exercise would lull the other girl into a place of calm.

[harlowxharding]

havocxhale·:

She stared at the woman for a moment, surprised by the gentleness of her tone and her questions. Most people she’d met and reconnected with weren’t asking her questions–probably to give her time to adjust to being back–so it took her a beat to respond. “Everything is so loud,” Kinsley said quietly, turning to look back at the stars. “The beach is the one place where I’m not overwhelmed with different sounds. And the stars? I never paid much attention to them, but they aren’t too bright to look at.” Absentmindedly, she shook her head. “I only know the basic constellations.”

Harlow, even with her humanity turned off, almost felt a twinge of sympathy for the new vampire. She could remember back when she was new and alone, and how curious she became about the world through that. She had liked the changes, but she knew they weren’t easy for everyone. “You’ll get used to it, in due time.” Things simply became the new normal after a few months, she’d found. “Stick to places you can handle, like the beach.” She had stayed on a beach, herself, when she’d first turned. Run into town in the night, kill as she wished, but she’d always end up called to the waters until she needed to find shelter for the morning. What a gift her daylight ring was. She sighed at the girl’s response. “If you can spot the Big Dipper, I can guide you to nearly any constellation. It’s simple, really.” She offered the girl a forced smile, a vain attempt to win her over so she could probe her for more information. “I could show you.”

[skamedits]

[harlowxharding]

nik-heimirsson·:

“That just sounds depressing.” Nichlaes commented as the woman lingered by. He wasn’t the kind to offer drink to everyone, and for everything- but it seemed like, in this case, the woman actually deserved it. She showed enough promise to be ruthless and calculating, and that was what he genuinely enjoyed about people. “Mhm, and that’s wishful thinking, don’t you think? Those, who could overpower you, would probably see you too much of a weakling to even bother with a fight.” He was taunting her, despite his words of approval not too long ago. Yet, it was simply the way he was, and people had to look for compliments with a magnifying glass. At her question, then, Nik motioned at the seat beside him. “By all means. A drink is probably the least you deserve right now. No matter whether it’s customary or not.” He spoke, looking around for the waiter so he could take the woman’s order. 

Harlow gave the comment a slight laugh, though a hollow one. “Maybe so, but it’s honest. Can’t always have the fight of your life.” Oh, but she wished she could. There was something more satisfying about a more evenly stacked fight, even if she lost. However, for the night she’d had... destroying someone easily would do. There was enjoyment in that, too. She raised her eyebrows slightly at his comment, sighing. “I’ve been fighting down here since the fights started. I can hold my own.” If people saw a demure woman and felt that she wasn’t enough of a fight for them, that was fine. But she wanted to make sure that this man knew that this wasn’t just a random thing for her. She could take a punch, and she definitely knew how to bring people to their knees. She looked down to the seat, before moving to sit down next to the stranger. “Who am I to deny you that, then?” she asked, before catching the eye of a waiter and motioning him over. “I’ll take a whiskey, neat. Nothing cheap, either. Top shelf.” If the man was offering her a drink, she was going to make sure it was worth a win.

[harlowxharding]

geogmorgensen·:

A small smile stayed on his lips, his love for Harlow undeniable even to the man without warmth in his heart, having locked such a thing away. She was his mother and therefore his everything. In many ways, the only one who actually knew him, even without some details he had long ago spared her from. “You’re far from old,” Geog faithfully protested with a soft laugh and reached for his buzzing phone, turned it off.

It didn’t bother him, how his mother could turn and off her emotions as she pleased. What did was when things were too much and she had to for her own health. It bothered Geog that he couldn’t help her heal, but there were some victories even he couldn’t reach. Still, he could dream. “Of course. My next few days are yours,” he promised.

Harlow offered her son a false smile, before motioning for him to follow her through the halls of the Observatory. She knew them well, the building feeling more like a home to her than most of the apartments she’d held in Hollow Grove. She could still remember carting Geog around through the building as a teenager, keeping him from messing with the different exhibits she’d held there. The thought was almost enough to drive a smile to her lips--almost. As much as having her humanity off helped Harlow maneuver more easily through her day to day life, something about her son made it difficult to not warm slightly.

It was a comfortable silence between the two as they passed the Planetarium, doors closed for a show that was currently happening. A small hallway led to her office, and she pulled out her key to open the door. “Do you know I had a break in the other year? The nerve of some people,” she muttered as she fiddled with the lock, before opening the door and letting them inside. She placed the small cooler atop her old Ebony desk, before trying to rummage around for a vase. Geog used to bring her flowers often, the sweet boy, but she couldn’t recall where she’d put it. “I’m sure you haven’t missed this old office.”

[harlowxharding]

nik-heimirsson·:

Nik was bored out of his mind, and he couldn’t stand it. It wasn’t like him, it was completely unusual, and he loathed it. He liked being busy. He liked doing things, as long as it kept him from being alone with his mind. So, almost as per his usual choice, he made his way to Purgatory, figuring it would be at least entertaining enough for a little bit. It wasn’t the club itself that would entertain him, however; more often than not, he found himself in the basement, observing the fights that took place there, yet barely every joining them in himself. With his age and skillset, he knew only so many could overpower him. Or maybe it was just his cockiness that kept him thinking that way.

He had made it downstairs just in time to witness a fight begin, two women going at each other, no rules there. Or, at least, it seemed more so that one of the women was having a go at the other. Ordering himself a drink, Nik settled down at a table nearby, observing a fight, not looking away even as the winning woman caught him staring at her so openly. Why would it matter, really? Instead, he grinned back at her, not reacting otherwise as she eventually won the fight with ease.

His drink was brought over just as the  fight ended, and the winning woman walked away, leaving the other in a pool of blood. “Would’ve been more fun if the other wasn’t a ragdoll.” Nichlaes mused as the victor spoke up to him, and he merely raised a glass at her, before taking a sip. “Don’t tell me you won’t even celebrate that victory.”

Harlow hadn’t planned on staying much longer than her fight. There was a bottle of Yamazaki 18 waiting in her apartment back at home, and she’d planned to nurse a glass of that in her living room, perhaps play some music. However, the strange man from before held a slight bit of intrigue for the younger vampire. She caught sight of the tattoos on his arms, trying to gauge just how old she was. “Well, sometimes you have to make do,” she admitted, before offering him a forced smile. “I suppose I’ll have to wait and see if I get a better fight next time.” He raised his glass at her, and she quirked her head to the side. His offer was intriguing, and she decided her bottle could wait at home for her to come back later. She’d take a drink at the bar. “Are you offering to buy me a drink? It’s customary.” She’d been the victor--she wasn’t buying her own first round after a win. She tugged her cardigan around her, still, enjoying the soft fabric against her skin.