Knowing me, knowing you||
@immortaltalamascan
Nicolas kept scolding himself over the choice of rendez-vous place but them again, safe havens for their kind had began to estinguish themselves with each disaster that had befallen on their kind. Come to think about it, he was sort of glad this establishment in the heart of Istanbul had endured. A private bar for vampires acting as a neutral ground. It was just the type of place he liked when it came to mingle with other vampires or in Nicolas true fashion, show himself and retire to a secluded booth and meet someone with a predilection for cheating death and trying to live forever.
Dressed in an expensive Armani suit, hair slicked and looks to kill, Nicolas talked with the younger vampire, a faint grin as he listened to what his companion had to say. He still kept tabs on the small Coven who had taken him in. He was truly happy that destruction hadn't fallen upon them with all the disasters of past decades. He was still welcomed in Brașov, the leaders still corresponding with him and trying to convince him to come back. Andrei here had traveled to Istanbul when he heard word from Nicolas and the cheerful vampire was trying to smooth talk the musician to come back.
"Andrei, please apply your honey words to the clan when it comes to elect a new governance. Maybe, this time you can win without my lobby" Nicolas grinned back enjoying the banter. It kept him from his regular train of thoughts and activities. It felt different having a night off from work and his personal projects. Nicolas and taking some time off rarely found themselves in the same sentence.
The small tumblers clinched and Nicolas raised his, drinking the mixture of 90% blood and 10% vodka before continuing the talks on vampire politics and leadership. He liked Andrei but the man had little skills in politics. What worked for him was he had been hard working and during the wars, he kept the clan alive. Nicolas remembered those nights, the bombs, the pillage, keeping the others safe. He had earned their respect working side by side and what he never believed it would happen, he was listened when he spoke and made a case based on laws. He had saved Andrei's head pleading his case and using the laws as argument. The two of them kept talking while Nicolas kept an eye on the room. As far as he knew no one who could recognize him was there. And who the hell would realize that under the mask was Nicolas, the violinist of the Theatre des Vampires? No. That Nicolas was gone. After a heated chat on laws and diplomacy, which Nicolas won and he felt quite pleased about it, the two vampires rose from their seats and made their way to the exit door.
"Come back, Nicolas. You will always be welcomed" Andrei said as the vampires exchanged a hug and the Romanian made his way to his safe abode. Nicolas stood outside watching him go, something inside him making him protective of the younger vampire and yearning to follow on the invitation. He grounded himself and began pulling back the mask he wore, shields and all until he sensed a signature. Powerful. Strong blood. Nicolas kept his cool demenor. Attacks and vendetta were prohibited in this area. Again, he tried to remember all the faces he had seen in the establishment, if he would recognize someone. The man standing close to him. Powerful in blood yet young if he judged correctly the age and texture of the skin, he had seen him earlier in the bar. And he might had crossed his path when Nicolas had pulled Andrei to the secluded booth, the merry Romanian vampire wasn't exactly known for keeping himself low and had almost shouted his joy in seeing again Nicolas. Bless Andre's heart, some things never changed. "I apologize for my friend if he had been too loud. We haven't seen each other for quite some time" Nicolas offered still intrigued by the way the vampire was fixing him.