Midnight Bliss [Anyone]

[lucius]

It had been many, many years since Lucius had first been a presence in the city. He remembered back when the old downtown used to still stand, with places like the Old Testament Church and Saint Catherine's Hospital still fully operational and glistening with newness, crowds coming to and fro through their doors about their business. It had been some time since then. Those buildings now stood weak and decrepit, a new section of town rising up in their places. The portion of town that Lucius and his company had helped create. Of course, he had operated under various fronts and aliases throughout the time, rarely using his actual name or identity to accomplish business until just recently over the past few years. It seemed easier to pull strings throughout the city for a while when those strings did not know that the puppet master was some ancient immortal.

But, throughout all those years, he had rarely seen the weather so odd as it was this night. The rain was harder than it had been in a long time, and the storm itself stronger than most that tended to blow through. It caused an odd and alien sensation about the air, which no doubt explained why the streets were so much more barren than usual at this hour, in a city were creatures who dwelt in the dark thrived at such a time on normal nights. Lucius had been known to walk with escorts when it suited him; usually when he was dealing with potentially dangerous creatures like the Lycans. Otherwise, he tended to keep his people at bay. He was a powerful enough vampire and had lived long enough to know how to handle himself; one did not live for two thousand years without some valuable lessons. And, if something ever went exceptionally wrong, ZaneCorp cameras were located throughout the city, and he could always send an alert through his cell phone. Not that he ever had to before, but it was an added precaution. He liked to cover all of his bases.

The elder vampire grinned, his blue gaze fully meeting the sultry one she gave him. She was certainly bold and confident, and had the air about her in regards to vampires that almost certainly hinted towards some experience in fighting them, leading Lucius to settle on the fact that she was most likely some sort of vampire hunter or slayer, who may have been inactive at the time given her lack of attacking him. "You? I don't know. You don't seem that terrorizing to me," he said, his voice gentle and amused, a friendly chuckle escaping his lips as he looked at her.

She obviously knew quite a deal about him, or at least was very good at guessing things based on the evidence. Standing at the street light, beneath the umbrella with her, the ancient vampire ran his tongue over his teeth, gazing at her with a look that combined amusement and curiosity. "Oh, no. I'm a big boy. I know how to take care of myself. Nothing to worry about," he said as he continued looking at her. "Though for someone as young as you, I must say I'm surprised by your boldness and bravery towards such challenges..."

[poss]

Anastasia had not been active in this city long enough to know her way around like she did back home. Thus, so far they had tread a straight line from one block to the next, crossing damp paths under flashing yellow lights overhead. And now they stand paused under the flickering bulb that allowed for her poor eyesight to take in his facial features up close. Handsome, and much taller than she was, Ana found herself having to tilt her head to meet his gaze. Yet even with the lift of her chin to look up at him, even with the remnant of his exposed power still danging on her fingertips, she remained confident. There was very little that made Ana feel small, unless of course you were discussing physical height then she saw it as a weakness. Such a bold attitude could often land her in trouble, but it was also what kept her alive.

No longer did the wind tease through her hair for it was heavy with rain, clinging to her jacket and neck as she stood there. Peeling her gaze off of Lucius she looked directly up at the umbrella above them, chin raised until the water that had been drizzling along her jaw line trailed back down her neck rather than spiraling from her chin. An amused smirk as she met his gaze yet again, a taunting shrug as they seemed already too soaked to mention the fact that the umbrella had no chance from the get go. Hands that had been clasped behind her now released, fingertips kneading at her sides absent mindedly as she listened to him speak. He was intelligent, and well educated, or so she assumed from the subtle hints, to the way he spoke.

A soft laugh in response to his claim of not looking the part of dangerous. Her left hand raised with a fluid sweep, fingers half curled as sh brought them within a half inch from his face. A hesitant hover, no brushing of the skin as she debated whether or not it would be a good idea, in a motion that would have traced along his jawline to his chin. She did not know if she wanted to feel the surge of power she had experienced earlier, and with her lack of knowledge as to just how powerful he was, she was not sure if there was a possibility of him gaining anything from it. Knowledge, or more. Could it be one of his strengths? An ability that was much like her own that worked through touch? She decided not to find out, not until she knew more about him, what he was.. who he was, and most importantly what he stood for. "You'd be surprised." She whispered in reply with a slight wink.

Her knowledge of Mr. Erif was simply from street credit- gossip, and news articles. She researched the area before she moved, and with a motel in this section of he city, his name came up often which is how she recalled who he was when he first appeared. No true judgment had been made, and what little one had perhaps been assumed, was changing. He didn't seem nearly as bad as what she had heard in a few places.

Holding his gaze she watched as he ran his tongue over his teeth, the slight movement behind his slightly parted lips as he began to speak catching her attention. Always cautious around the vampires, especially when it came to their mouths. She had never been bitten before, and would be rather upset if she ever allowed one to take her by surprise. "I live for challenges. Without them, I might as well be dead."

[lucius]

Darkness was of absolutely no hindrance to Lucius Erif. Indeed, it was more of a benefit to him than the daylight, the moon seeming to enhance his skills as it did other vampires. He saw plain as day in the night time-- perhaps even better. Every intricate detail of things were as noticeable to him whether they were cast in light or cast in shadow. It bore little relevancy to him. Thus the elder vampire had been able to size her up throughout their entire trek through the city streets to this singular, flickering street light. Anastasia was somewhat diminutive beside him, and, of course, held the physical deficiencies that humans had in comparison to vampires. He also noted that she appeared to be quite attractive indeed, and there seemed to be a certain strength about her that defied the physical limitations of her body. He could sense it in her attitude, and feel it in the feelings his empathetic powers felt emanating from her being. There was certainly more to her than met the eye, he could tell.

The look she gave him, and the noticeable shrug of her shoulders, caused him to momentarily cast his eyes at the umbrella he held and take an account of the situation they found themselves in. That was, wet enough as it is-- he himself soaked to the bone, his clothes utterly useless and cleaning to the limbs and muscles of his body like weights. Perhaps the umbrella was no longer necessary. Casting her an understanding smirk at the futility of it all, he hit a button above the handle of the umbrella and it came snapping closed, dropping to Luc's side and allowing the light and rain free access to them now-- not that it would have made much of a difference at all for either of them.

When her had was suddenly at his face, Lucius remained unmoving and unperturbed, a soft and curious expression in his blue eyes as he watched her actions closely, feeling the heat of her body just inches from his face with her hand. He noticed Ana's hesitation to touch him, curious as to why it was there. Something odd that he could not exactly see, nor had any evidence to back some logical conclusion of why. This piqued his curiosity even further. When she retracted her hand and whispered her reply, he tilted his head to the side once more in a curious manner before leaning down somewhat closer towards her. "Try me," he murmured back in response. He had seen many things over the past two thousand years; little surprised him.

He kept his gaze locked with her own, continuing to try maintain an empathetic understanding of what she was feeling towards him. The human was somewhat difficult to get a fully accurate reading on, it seemed. "I am glad that you take on challenges in such a way. It means your life shall be much more meaningful and fulfilling than that of the average man or woman," said Lucius. And typically much shorter, he declined to add. Mortals who leapt after dangerous challenges had far shorter life spans on average, he noticed.

[poss]

Maybe Anastasia didn't fear death as much as she once thought. It had been years since she let a challenge slip by. Was it out of her sense of duty? The need to protect those she cared for, and those that couldn't protect themselves? If she had taken the time to think about it, to really toss it around and try to come to a conclusion, maybe things would change. Maybe she would look at life differently. Maybe she would realize that standing here, alone on the streets with a vampire in the white noise of the rainy night.. wasn't such a good idea. But as mentioned before, no sense of hostility had caught her attention- no movements to give a hint as to any twisted motives. Anastasia had to begin to learn how to trust people. Even standing here in the cold, damp street she felt that this stranger.. this man whom she had never met before, had more than just the intentions to take a walk with a young woman. He was a vampire after all. But did that truly make him so evil? She was beginning to think otherwise.

Suddenly the umbrella snapped closed, as she had been entranced in thought and intrigued by the expression he played so casually upon his face. The collected rainwater dropped heavily from above, but not enough to hinder either of them. It was an umbrella, not a bathtub. The curious tilt of his head before he leaned in closer brought her own head tilt in the opposite direction with a slightly squinted stare. She could taste his breath on the air when he spoke. It would seem they were both mysterious, and both of them were trying to see through the cloak of the unknown to find out more.

Her smirk faded as she held his gaze, staring as if through his eyes rather than at them. His interest in her was backing her against a wall. Soon she would have to decide exactly how much she planned on telling this man that she had known for no great length of time. Secretive? Sure. But why hide information that was so well known to the public. A slow blink as lids fell over her eyes with great hesitation to reopen. Collect yourself, woman, if he wanted to kill you surely he would have made some effort by now. And what would he gain, beyond knowledge and perhaps an understanding of just how dangerous you are without sharing information in this conversation? Lids lifted, and she met his eyes again with a stare just as bold as the last. A big boy, he said. Surely he could handle himself and just now she came to the conclusion that that very fact is what was holding her at bay. Some vampires would get very upset when they knew about her past. Lets first come to the understanding that these kills- this slaughtering of the vampire kind did not abruptly end when she became an officer. Oh no- the dirty work continued. It was simply off record now. She was no longer a head hunter who took cash for the thrill of a vamp kill. Now, she had simply slowed down. Lately just as many humans and other beasties had been slayed as vampires, but only when when there was no other choice- or she was caught up in the moment and got a little trigger happy. Oh what a depressing recollection to have at this moment. This monster she was becoming.

Long story short, she feared that telling him what he obviously did not already know, would upset him. And truth was, she was no match for him. He could take her by surprise at any minute unless she drew her weapons now, before the truth got out. But.. there was no logical explanation as to why she should. She was in a pickle. So, what other way to handle it than going in head first and taking a look around. "Up until a few months ago, I was a well known vampire hunter in the surrounding area of this city, and the neighboring ones to the South." Oooh whoopity do da, there are a lot of those around. The thought pushed her to continue, with more detail, to help express her point that she could very well handle herself. Why the need to prove herself? Oh that wasn't what she was doing, I guess I forgot to mention Anastasia liked to brag about her numbers.. "More than twenty five kills on record.. and another sixteen off. And that is just vampires." Facial expression never faltered, holding his eyes with her own, searching for any reaction that might make her decide to move for a weapon, even though at such close quarters she knew it would be a mere thought in her head by the time he could have her. Unless he had recently lost someone, or someones, he cared about at her hand, then surely he had no reason to be upset. But that was more than Forty kills, some were in this very city. She held her cool.

When he spoke of a fulfilling life she grinned, the first movement to her lip line since he had rid of the umbrellas canopy overhead. She wanted to ask just how fulfilling his one thousand plus years of existence had been so far.. if he was enjoying it..while it lasted. But no need for idle threats- do not start something you can not finish, and lets not forget, so far Erif had been a gentleman. A true rarity these days. And she was beginning to like it. "Couldn't agree more." She responded, a moment of brief hesitation as she inhaled slowly before bringing her arms to cross them lightly over her abdomen- keeping her hands busy so that they never started searching for weapons out of habit. "Speaking of fulfilling existence.. Tell me more about you, beyond the business aspect." Head still tilted off to one side with genuine curiosity.

[lucius]

As she mentioned her past profession to him, the keen mind of the elder vampire began to catalogue through its immense wealth of information; his memory was a photographic one. He remembered all that his senses came into contact with, including the many sheets of paper that passed by his desk on a daily basis. When it came to those who hunted his own kind, whenever any were impressive enough their names had the potential to come across his desk as persons of interest, either for employment, termination, or avoidance. He remembered an Anastasia Steele being mentioned in one report of the deaths of a vampire or two that ZaneCorp sometimes employed for meager errand jobs. He had not looked any further at the report, though, just glancing over the names. Unless a vampire hunter had something he wanted, threatened him directly, or managed to take someone down of particular interest to Lucius, then he typically did not bother to investigate them further. There were many who hunted his kind, and after two thousand years of witnessing such people, it took extraordinary circumstances for them to bear any relevancy to his life.

And yet this huntress in particular was now becoming quite relevant to him, his interest in her being piqued substantially as they talked in the pouring rain beneath and ever-annoying flickering street lamp. Over forty vampires slain by her hand, according to her claims. It was a surprisingly large amount for someone as young as her, and as misleadingly outmatched in terms of physique. However, Lucius' expression remained as it was; curious and amused. Unless she went after someone that he was particularly attached to or pledged to protect, or that he respected, vampires that fell to her weapons and guile probably deserved to die for such weakness. And, besides, it was not like he had anything to blame her for from some moral high ground. Countless beings had died both directly and indirectly from Lucius Erif over the centuries. In the Middle Dark Ages alone he must have been primarily or indirectly responsible for thousands of lives that perished. Yes, he had quieted down considerably since then, but he would still readily have someone killed if they were a nuisance to him or his business interests.

"My, my. Over forty slayings by your very hands. I must say that I am both surprised and impressed by such a feat," said Lucius, continuing to gaze curiously at her. He debated asking whether or not she was out to slay someone like him, and what her criteria for such slayings were. But, then he figured it might spoil the conversation and turn things violent, and he did not want to ruin a good time just yet. He was enjoying himself far too much for that.

The ancient vampire paused for a moment as she turned the inquiries in his direction, using his powers to gauge whether or not it was sincere curiosity or something a bit more sinister and conniving, like trying to scope out the enemy or do some reconnaissance. Satisfied, he kept his blue gaze fixated on her, that charming smile remaining etched into his handsome face. "Me? Oh, I'm a simple man. There is not much more to me past my business interests," he said, sort of sidestepping the question, but not for any misleading reasons; he just did not know where to begin when explaining himself. "I've lived since the time of Marcus Aurelius, and have seen much in my years. I've traveled to every corner of the world, and tasted every language mankind has to offer. Now I've settled in this city, and I call it my home. And, you see, this is where my business ties in so well. I want my home to be safe, profitable, efficient, comfortable, and meaningful. I use my business to see to that." Though, it was not entirely community-oriented, much of it serving his own interests, of course.

[poss]

The rain seemed to pooling rather rapidly along the sides of the street- the once rapid current that washed at the concrete rise in which they stood was now a steady, smooth flow. It seemed that the drainage was not working quickly enough for such a downpour. Already parts of the streets were washed over by a vibrant ripple effect that was diamond embedded- the reflection of the streetlamps and overhead lightning only adding to the view. So far cars passing disturbed the collection, the streets were acting as a reservoir surly for something much larger of scale down hill. Basements were surely filling, and underground car garages would surely have a few insurance claimed by morning. No worries, they were no wetter than when they had started out.

After releasing the information she had for some reason felt the urge to withhold earlier, she felt a weight lifted from her shoulders. Anastasia was not one to beat around the bush- usually more direct and head on, but for some reason, perhaps even fear for his reaction, she had not wanted to share it with him. But now it was out. Spoken. Free for him to decide how to react, and as the final words slipped from her mouth she was pleased to see he was not appaled by her past. "Well very few from from my very hands- I do not think I would be much of a match without the help of a few weapons. Plus.. it makes it a lot more fun." She grinned. It as true, as much as she hated who she was becoming, she could not ignore the fact that she enjoyed being able to handle herself in situations that involved a much stronger race. IT was quite a feat for someone her age, and in the world of the police force, she was well known. It would not surprise her if he had heard her name- a good friend of hers worked with a newspaper, much smaller than what Zane dealt with, but she often gave him private interviews to help business. It seems that these days the best news.. was bad news. Anything to get a few sales.

He began to describe what it was she had asked of him, polite as he had been before the news of her being so closely tied to death itself when it came to those of his race. She had known that Mr. Erif was deep in to his work, and very caught up in business, and that is why she asked about his life beyond that aspect. Truth was- if you followed the media, you already knew a lot about his business life. Well, the business life that he allowed to be publicly seen. But lets face it- she also knew that there was probably some dirty work behind closed doors. She did work for the police, and knew for certain that there was indeed a few agents specifically orders to keep an eye on the big cheese himself- and she knew a little more about that as well, but lets not share our candy with strangers just too soon..

His choice of words sparked a silent laugh as she grinned, looking up at him on the dim sidewalk beneath the pouring rain. He wanted his home to be safe.. but how safe could it be exactly with hunters around? Perhaps he had chosen these words on purpose. She decided to change the topic, rather fluidly and with only a moment of hesitation between speeches to allow for a smooth transition."Well, Mr.Erif, as a man who surely knows his city like the back of his hand, I must ask. I have heard there is a Masquerade Ball coming up one of these days, you wouldn't happen to know anything about it, would you? I have never been to such an event, and I have a feeling it will be one I would regret to miss. I guess I could celebrate my finding of a.. apartment?"[/b] She smiled, searching his face from close enough to take in each dimple from his expressions. "That is.. if the offer is still up."

[lucius]

As the pair stood there and began to talk, the quick-thinking, information-attracting mind of the vampire elder was working overtime, taking in their surroundings as well. The storm was getting bad, and the draining system was apparently failing. Perhaps that was why the streets were so barren. Water was flowing along the curbs a great deal and was no doubt threatening to flood many basements. It was an odd occurrence, and Lucius noted that the sewage and drainage systems probably needed to be updated. The humans were most likely afraid to update them though because of the whispers of the dark creatures that were rumored to live beneath the ground. Oh well. Maybe Lucius, if he ever did decide to go after utilities to fix the lights, might just do the same thing to the rest of the city's infrastructure. He was not afraid of the things that went bump in the night, primarily because he was one such thing.

So, she relied on weaponry to get a lot of what she had accomplished done. That was slightly more understandable, now, and also allowed him to figure out that she was much safer to the likes of him unarmed than usual. While at this point he did not feel he would ever have to use such a realization to his advantage, it never hurt to have it stored in his mind for future use just in case. On the other hand, if she were to ever become useful to him, he supposed he could allow her access to his armory. ZaneCorp had a lot of nice little toys in its weapons vaults, and was always looking to fund more projects to create such fun. Lucius, personally, tended to disregard weapons (or fighting much in general), but he did like to keep technologically on top of things, including weaponry.

He noted that she quickly changed the subject after his comments on safety, proving to him that she had little want or need to start anything against him yet. This was good. Focusing on what she changed the subject to, he nodded his head. "Yes, the Masquerade Ball is to be in a few days time. A nice time of festivity where everyone adds a mask to the ones they traditionally wear in public and enjoy life, without this silly blood feud between the races blotting out the fun," said Lucius. He rather enjoyed masquerade balls precisely because of that reason; they dulled violent tendencies, however briefly, between the races because identities were sealed behind the masks.

At her inquiry, Lucius smiled. Now he was hesitant about inviting a slayer into his apartments, but decided that she would not be a problem. Even if she did eventually become one, keeping enemies close was a good old mantra he would follow. Standing there, his face so very close to her own, he cast her a warm smile. "Of course my offer still stands. I would love to have you as a tenant," he murmured, winking at her.

[poss]

She liked the way he worded that. 'Adds a mask to the ones they traditionally wear in public', it couldn't have been put any better. Anastasia smiled at the comment- it tickled her. For as long as she could remember she tried not to wear such masks in the public eye. Why give false hope to those around her that she was just another pretty face, as innocent as they come? If a mask was to be worn, she wished that it would mislead she, herself, as well. Whats the fun in knowing you are becoming a monster. Well.. Ana's thoughts wavered to the current situation as she got a feel for it from a different point of view. She did that often. If she was such a monster.. why had this been going o smoothly? Usually a man approached her on a dark street when she stood in solitude- she would pull a weapon and ask questions later. But that isn't the way this had worked itself out. From such a touch and go situation, it had surely been smoothed out.

The sidewalk upon which they stood was untouched by the flooding waters, as they must have been on the higher side of this section of street. Behind them, the path they had used to get to where they stood now under their annoyance of a street lamp, the waters edge had crept over the gutter, lapping at the walls of the buildings on the other side of the sidewalk itself. No worries, it appeared they were walking slightly up hill, as the water streamed earlier past them in the opposite direction than what they had been walking. Headlights turned the corner up ahead, a slow crawling vehicle carving its path through the flood waters in their direction. So it seemed they were not the only ones who were out enjoying the weather- even if these people had a roof over their heads and comfy interiors to keep them dry.

She gave him a friendly nod as he mentioned he offer to be a tenant was still open. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer- what a good way to look at things. However, so far she did not believe they were enemies. "Well I hope I do not miss such an event, I have never seen a masquerade, let alone been to one. Will Mr. Erif be participating? Or will I have to see if I can spot you in the crowd?" It was almost a whisper, as if that vehicle that slowly passed by could hear their conversation, not that it was anything hat would ve harmful to hear. Surely to the patrons of the black Cadillac, Anastasia and Lucius looked more like lovers on a midnight stroll, caught in the rain than strangers holding a friendly conversation.

[lucius]

Another smile pranced its way across the handsome face of the vampire elder, this one more mysterious than the former ones his lips had formed. Yes, he would most certainly be at the masquerade ball. A man of his stature and status was expected to be at such thing; it came with the territory. However, he did not mind. Masquerades had always been among his favorite events to tend to over the centuries. He always found them to be particularly enjoyable and fulfilling. The clothing, the masks, the music, the mystery. It was all wildly enchanting and entertaining. He had been to hundreds of such events during his lifetime, and was certainly not going to miss another one.

Though, beneath the surface of these masks, there was always the possibility for trouble and mischief. Lycans and vampires, or angels and demons, could always use the time of frivolity to cause some mischief. Or, perhaps, Romeo and Juliet could meet at a ball once again and try to repair some damage between the factions. The opportunities were endless, which is why Lucius enjoyed attending such balls so much.

"Oh, I will certainly be there, you can count on that. Someone like me does not have the luxury of choosing whether or not to attend," replied Lucius with a chuckle. "But, you'll have to try spot me in the crowd. I'll be in a mask, after all." And he had yet to choose a mask out. He supposed that would be a task for him over the next few days. "I am glad you will be in attendance though, and will make sure to find you out and mayhaps sneak in a dance or two..."

[poss]

Anastasia grinned when he chuckled his response. He seemed to be a rather happy man, even after living on the face of this Earth for so many years. Ana was already beginning to lose faith in humanity, she didn't want to know what he had witnessed over the years. Nodding with the friendly grin she lifted her gaze from his eyes that were so close to her own, casting scrutiny over the skies. They seemed to be leting up, perhaps moving on, yet still the rain continued. The wind wasn't as strong, and slowly it was becoming more of a rainy night than a stormy one. With the lack of wind the chill began to dissipate, and soon it would be enjoyable once again- even if you were dripping wet.

She would surely be making her own mask rather than buying one. Not only did she have no clue where to find such a purchase, but she was the creative type. On what little down time she had, she liked to be hands on and find something to do. Sure, relaxation was nice, but that could be found through sleep or a hot shower, or even a swim. Ahh, a swim, she had searched this area for a cheap motel that had a pool, but found nothing. The Motel she was chosen was centrally located in this area of the city, and did have a pool- but it was more of a concrete hole than anything. The manager said it hadn't been in service for years. It seems they decided to use it for a garbage dump through the week. Rather pleasant smelling through the heat of the day.

"Well that depends if you can find me" she teased with a sway of her shoulders, feeling much more comfortable now that the storm was leaving. Less tension in the air from the raging winds and lightning, and she was able to let go a little more. " I don't plan on making it very easy. A woman needs some mystery to her." And Anastasia, needed a little more than the average woman.

[lucius]

The calming of the storm was noticed but not acknowledged by Lucius, his eyes remaining focused on the entrancing vampire slayer directly in front of him. For someone so young she seemed so much older and matured in mind than many others. Perhaps that is what he found so interesting about her. Living for as long as he had, it might have been thought difficult to find much interesting anymore, but he always managed to. He had such a love for learning and exploring that almost anything new enticed him, and the one thing that kept him going was the observance of and interaction with other people; he liked it. Of course, in general, he enjoyed watching societies rise and fall, always wondering if the new one would be better than the old. He had seen them all. The Romans, the Byzantines, the Holy Romans, the British, the Ottomans, the Russians, the French, the Germans, the Chinese. All empires that had risen and fallen repeatedly, each one trying to outdo the last. It was a game that always brought some type of amusement to Lucius; though the outcome always seemed to be the same, how the outcome was reached tended to change quite often. Behind it all, he supposed he held out hope that perhaps one day the outcome itself would be a little different. But, that hope was almost impossible. Men would always fight amongst themselves, angels would always battle demons, and vampires would always hate lycans. It was the way of things.

He survived things well enough by decidedly remaining out of the main course of things but still trying to hold a guiding hand. By focusing on other things than the feuds between the races, he found he was much happier. He took time to enjoy the luxuries of life and all its fineries. Traveling the world, collecting art, funding inventions and protects, playing sports, relaxing in cool pools, observing people. He was even a cook--one of the few vampires to do so--and could often be seen in the kitchen of his tower cooking things himself. It was how he relaxed.

Another chuckle escaped his lips as his blue gaze remained fixated on her. "I'm always up for a challenge and exploring more of a mysterious woman," replied the vampire elder. Then, for the first time in some time, he broke his gaze from her and cast a look at the sky above them, and then the streets around them. After a moment he looked at her again, smiling. "Do you need any help moving your things? I can have you moved into the apartment now if you need, or at your earliest convenience."

[poss]

The rain continued to fall, but it was not in sheets nor whipping against the buildings or their figures. The night was becoming much more enjoyable. Anastasia always enjoyed a midnight stroll through the rain, it only ever bothered her when the wind or temperature became a hindrance. Her bare hands clasped infront of her rather than behind as they had been before. Letting her guard down- no need for weapons right this minute, and as said before- by the time she got them it would have been to late anyways. Eyes cast their gaze back upon him- his wet shirt, and damp hair, she couldn't help but smirk with a light laugh. In a way- he looked adorable. No longer so sophisticated and handsome, more like a wet puppy out in the rain now then anything else.

She gave a playful grin when he spoke of the challenge of a mysterious woman, and had a sense that he knew there was more to her than meets the eye. She was no longer a hunter, and a personal trainer job wouldn' t make her so cautious. But then again for all he knew it was the way she had been raised, or through bad experience that she had built these walls around her. And that was half true. She knew that even friends could be enemies, and was beginning to learn that it worked the other way around as well.

"I keep everything in my car, to be honest. I can't trust the maid service it seems. My first night at the motel a few of my.. things went missing while I was out with a potential new trainee. So I have just been leaving everything in the backseat." She paused, head tilting to the side enough that the long tendrils of wet hair tumbled over her shoulder and over her upper arm. Genuine curiosity, still accented with that friendly grin. "You mean I could move in as early as... tonight?" Raising a brow as she leaned in closer- as if it were a secret only for them to hear. She was surprised, and never fought to hide the fact. Usually they wanted to clean the place up first, or make you wait while they took references, etc.. Lets hope that wasn't the case. Peeling her gaze from him she looked back over her shoulder to the flooded sidewalk in the direction they had came. "My motel is just a few blocks in .. that direction." She motioned toward the flowing water over the path in which they would require to take.


[Should I make a request to have a board added to the ZaneCorp Tower?]

[lucius]

The fine clothes that Lucius wore were most likely, at this point, not worth salvaging to his personal tastes (nor even worth wearing, for that matter!). His shirt, silk, clung to him and was practically see-through, this his coat--also completely soaked--prevented anything to revealing, and hung to him like a heavy blanket of some type. His hair had lost all sense of style if may have previously had, completely wet and down over his head now, and he felt his pants growing more and more heavy as the rain continue to descend upon them. Though, Lucius did not care in the slightest. Yes, it was somewhat annoying to lose a perfectly good outfit to the weather, but he had been inf far worse situations in the past than just succumbing to a meager, if not unusual, bit of weather. Of course, it did take away from his otherwise-commanding and charismatic appearance, but he did not have much need for those two particular characteristics at the present moment.

The vampire elder arched a curious eyebrow as the mentioned how she had been living of late, finding it odd to comprehend. He had been born into an aristocracy back during the Roman Empire, and had tended to live such a fine life ever since, always being comfortable except for a few select instances when he found himself on the run or in any otherwise precarious position. To live out of a car, though, seemed like such a foreign and impossible situation to the man who wielded more money and thus luxury than most.

"Yes, of course. Even though the apartments are vacant, I still have my staff keeping them cleaned regularly in case they are needed right away," said Lucius. "And I care little for any paperwork that ought to be filed first-- though I'm sure some of my aids would disagree with me on that point." He disliked how, in the modern era, paperwork tended to slow things down, and only succumbed to such situations because reality demanded it of him. He knew she would fill out all the appropriate forms eventually, and was in no hurry to stick to such annoying regulations of things. His blue gaze shifted in the direction she pointed-- an area already flooded by the pouring rain. Lucius chuckled lightly. "Why, then this shall be an adventure, eh?"


((Yeah, list it as your apartment and put in whatever description ya want))

[poss]

She shifted her weight, lifting one stainless knee high clad foot and then the other- hearing the faint squish of the water under foot. Soaked was an understatement to say the least, it was as if they had been put through the washing machine and needed to be hung out to dry. Unclasping her hands she ran them back over her head, pushing her fingers through her hair to collect it all behind her neck in hope it would stay out of her face for at least a while. The only downfall of having long hair was that at times it could be a nuisance. Gaze washed over the flooded sidewalk behind them, shrugging to herself only to have the breeze catch her hair and cast a devious veil across her face yet again as she glanced back to meet his gaze. Ignoring the troublesome strands and the stream of water that now cascaded along her cheek, she spoke softly with a light laugh, "Well I guess we are already rather soaked, but if you are wanting an adventure I suggest making a stop at the local pool across from my Motel and going for a swim before picking up my things." She offered him a waggle of a brow and a playful smirk. The Motel was a few blocks away from where they stood and across the street from an outdoor pool, the only reason she chose it. Well, that isn't true, she saw in the ad 'Pool' and called them immediatly, only to show up and find their pool was drained of water and fullof garbage bags. The manager insisted it was an old ad, but said "But you are in luck, there is one across the street'. Perhaps that was the reason she put up with such bad service.

The whipping winds had diminished enough to be less of a burden, and the rain was faint in comparison to earlier. She began to think about the apartment. It wasn't money by any means, her bank account hadn't been used for more than gas fr her vehicle and bits of food for the past few weeks so it was collecting a rather large lump sum. She was paid well, otherwise she surely would quit the police work and just stick to being a personal trainer. What better way to stay in shape than to get paid to work out with other people? Surely the apartments were not already furnished though, seeing as everyone has their own taste especially when it comes to the firmness of a mattress.. but she didn't mind sleeping on the floor with some blankets for one night.

[lucius]

His blue eyes scanned her over, noting that she was not in too much of a better position than he in regards to the dry/wet situation that the rain had thrust them into. Her hair seemed to take the brunt of it, being quite visibly soaked and draping around her head until she pulled it back. Then she gave a suggestion, and Lucius paused for a moment, contemplating it. The adventurous and inquisitive side of him then came to dominated his mind with a 'why not' thought, a grin prancing across his handsome face. "A swim, hm? That sounds like ti would be a lot of fun. I'm up for it," replied the vampire elder, smiling at her. Lucius enjoyed spending time in water, despite the concern that some other vampires had for it and its sometimes special qualities. A good swim now and then felt good to the media magnate. He cast Anastasia a playful wink, the grin remaining on his face. He had an idea that this would be quite fun, especially tonight of all nights with the weather being as it was.

A swim it would be then. Afterwards he could help her move into the apartments. He had plenty available in the ZaneCorp tower, most of them just recently refurbished with new carpet and paints. Of course, she could have his staff come in and paint it in whichever color she liked if she so chose. He allowed tenants a great deal of freedom when it came to the decor of their apartments, as if they owned the property themselves. This was mostly because Lucius himself had enough money to repair anything if they ever vacated the spaces.

His gaze glanced at the flood before them, and he thought for a moment. If they wanted to get to the pool quickly and efficiently, without the backlog the flooded out road offered, he had any idea. Turning his gaze at her, Lucius held out a hand. "Take my hands and put your feet on top of mine," he said. "I'll get us across the street with no problems, trust me."