MONSTROSITY

Smiling at Clover’s words, Derek’s eyes flickered with amusement at his words. “Who am I to deny a man a request that I gave? It would be cruel to do so. Very well, accompany if you wish,” the Calloway hummed, only pausing in thought as he felt the vampire’s hands sliding down his arm until their hands were clasping. Derek gave him a gentle squeeze, stepping ever closer to Clover until he could almost feel the other’s breath on his skin. The lord deftly wrapped the other free arm around Clover’s waist, as to keep the poet from slipping away just yet. “Would you give it to me, if I asked? I do hate being denied such things from a face like yours…” he murmured. The young nobleman’s eyes glimmered, clearly liking the way the two of them played off of each other. “Oh, I’m not sure you’d want me to do that. I don’t think my activities are for the faint of heart, and we shouldn’t discuss things so openly in public. Who knows what hungry eyes may be watching,” Derek teased once more before cocking a brow at Clover’s questioning. Of course, everything the poet was saying made sense, and Derek should continue on with what he intended to do for the day, but somehow, the other man made his agenda of things to do, and the half-buttoned shirt wasn’t exactly helping the nobleman focus elsewhere. “I can postpone my errands if it means more privacy with you, but if you’re insistent on taking your time, we can resume this when I’m done,” the nobleman murmured, though his eyes betrayed his own thoughts, flicking down to look at Clover’s lips invitingly. “At least let me have something to think about, just until we have more time.”

Astor shifted in his seat, not actually uncomfortable, but still acutely aware of the eyes that were set on him, as if reveling in some part of him that he was kept unaware of. It seemed like he wasn’t at all unsettled by the repeated eye contact, and Astor thought he had to be either truly silly and entranced, or playing a dangerous game. “Trying to add credibility to my knighthood.”, it was the man’s choice to either take that as a joke or believe Astor’s indifference to the whole concept, “If he stays put, we’ve got no beef. As unbelievable as it seems, I’m not that volatile.” Debatable, but Astor never picked up a fight unless provoked - or whatever he defined as ‘provoked’. 

“It’s only human. But I’m a skeptic by nature. Assume the worst, and you’ll be neither surprised nor disappointed.”, a sliver of a smile passed his lips as he reached to his side to run his hand through thick fur of the large dog that had just strolled back to the table. If his mother could hear him now. Perhaps it was a blessing that she couldn’t, and that he was so good at imitating that young boy he once was in the letters - to at least offer her peace of mind. “Maybe I’m entertaining my own whims? No one in this city is truly that selfless, let’s not kid ourselves.”, he’d had people willing to die for him, and he almost did for some - but that was different, that was the battlefield - everything was truer there. “Besides, does it matter if it’s an act, if it’s believable? People like to be lied to.”, he would have liked to say he didn’t, but that felt like a lie, and he wasn’t particularly fond of those. “Go on, pick them up, they don’t bite, and we’re playing for fun. Unless you want to bet something?” It was strange, how every time Astor smiled there was a glint to it, like light reflecting off a blade, perilous and inviting. “Don’t tell me you’re going to offer me a palm reading. Turn the card around, let’s see if it beats my kaiser.” He breathed out a laugh at the man’s words, “You’re not wrong, it’s obvious I have a penchant for breaking things.” He’d once wanted to be the hero in the songs, but he supposed those songs held as much truth to them as artistic stories did, always a bit out of touch with reality. “Of course, he’d be stupid not to.”

A knight. Clover could recall such heroes in books read to him by his pa during lessons, or the tales his ma would spin to him before he lay his head down at night. He would often fantasize about what it would be like to be the object of a knight’s affection, a prince whose token of appreciation would be carried into battle by some man of forged steel. He dreamed of learning the blade from a man who saw many victories. He didn’t really expect to meet one in a tavern after he’d just finished making enemies of the local drunks. “Hm...” An eyebrow lifted as lips curved upward. “I think you’d need just a bit more credit than just not engaging in fights with drunk tavern patrons. Have you got any handkerchiefs from pretty dames tucked away in your armor? That might do more for your credibility.”

“I’ll just have to do that because you’re clearly having more fun than I am and that’s absolutely unacceptable,” the blonde stated, turning to lean back against the pole she just cleaned. Gianna could say that she was happy Clover had been out of town for so long. It spared him for the insanity that was the supernatural hub of New York. “You have been gone that long. And I absolute wish that was all metaphorical. It’s been an interesting couple of months…We’ll get into more detail about it later,” Gia promised, turning around to wipe off the sweat that had accumulated on the metal for a second time. Her life as kind of taken a on-eighty in terms of insanity and that was saying something. “Deliciously leggy goddess? It’s a shame you bat for the other team, любимцы. You really know how to turn a girl on,” the woman teased, patting his head. “Yes, you may bask in my presence for the evening.”

“Who needs dreams of crows when they perk on my sill?” Aerith nodded toward one of them who seemed to be looking out at the world around the shop instead of in at either of them. But she’s flattered by his words, enough to send her cheeks into a flush as her eyes glow bright with affection. “Please,” She pushed his purse back toward him. “On me.”

“Loyalty is priceless, and you’ve shown yourself to be a frequent and dedicated customer.” She didn’t know that for certain, her time in this world all but a creation of someone else. But, she liked to believe he’d earned it anyway. “She’ll make a perfect addition.” 

With eyes conditioned to notice the details of their surroundings in case of danger, Clover’s visual acuity had not yet detected the bird. As he followed the florist’s head tilt toward the window, he chalked it up to him being so caught up in the prospect of getting a new floral friend for his garden. It was a most momentous occasion, after all. Having a new flower was akin to having a new child. There was much too ado about it than most people ever really considered from an outside perspective.

“You’re allowed to speak freely with me. I’ll allow it,” Derek chuckled, amused with Clover’s words. Something about the other man was making the nobleman feel more… open. “I should have hoped so though. I’m quite fond of company.” Your company, but perhaps it was too soon to say that. “Is that where we start? Then I wonder where we might end up today,” the Calloway chuckled, stepping away from his horse and up close towards Clover instead. The nobleman peer down at the other man, his bright blue eyes never shifting away. “Well, I’m not sure if you want to spend the day watching me go around caring for the sick and injured, but I’m intrigued by the idea of you swooning,” the doctor laughed. It wouldn’t be a problem if the other man came along with him; it just wasn’t exactly something the nobleman figured the other wouldn’t want to see. Derek’s thoughts were cut short by Clover’s own racy remarks, and the nobleman himself blushed a bit. He stopped in his approach, his mind thinking over the other’s words. Still, two could play at the game, and the Calloway wasn’t exactly looking to back away just yet. “If that’s what you’re looking for, I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing you blush there either,” the young nobleman murmured, his eyes lingering on the half-buttoned shirt. The distance between the two of them was becoming rather small, and the nobleman could almost feel the other’s body heat on his own skin. “Well, we wouldn’t want you to be disrespectful now, would we? But we could explore other public activities,” he teased, before finally closing the space between the two of them, clearly captured by the poet’s words. “Shall we skip to some privacy then? It’s hard to become familiar with each other in such an open setting,” Derek murmured, his crystal eyes peering down and asking for Clover’s permission as his hands danced infuriatingly closer to the other’s for some form of contact.

“Depends on where you would want to go. But I’ll leave that up for your own decisions and imaginations,” Derek mused, still unfazed from his staring at Clover. Normally, the nobleman would be shier, more reserved and contained to himself. But with his father pressing him to find someone to be wedded to and his own refusal on the matter, the young Calloway wanted to have a little freedom for himself. Besides, it was only light banter. If something came from it, it was unplanned and out of his control. Derek was only along for the ride, in that sense. “So you caught me in the act. I’ll admit, I’m not as charming, but maybe for you, I’m feeling a bit generous. You did do me a favor anyways, and my steed has yet to be entirely spooked,” the Calloway laughed as he finished securing the medications to his horse. “But I can be charming when I need to be. Would you rather I not be?” Derek mused, cocking a brow at Clover before the small introduction. Perhaps his eyes lingered a bit too long on those lips, and the nobleman barely caught himself before nodding at the name. Bowing back in turn, it was not as formal, but still respectful to the other man. “Clover? A beautiful name. Fits for a man as… stunning as you,” he teased, half tempted to reach out to the stranger. The jawline on him seemed more dangerous than the nobleman wanted to test though, and that was exciting in its own right. “Well, I think Lord Calloway coming from you sounds just fine,” Derek hummed, his crystalline eyes glimmering in amusement. It was only light teasing; he could have this. “But if you must address me to avoid confusion with my father, then Lord Derek is also fine. Do you have intentions of calling me by my name often?” he mused, wondering how long this interaction would last, or if this was a passing thing.

Even from the other side of the tavern, Kaia could see that the guy was getting a little bit handsy with the vampire. She sighed, knowing she’d have to help Clover out. Seriously, who’d heard of a vampire who couldn’t defend themselves against a human? Perhaps if he had any common sense at all Kaia wouldn’t have to look out for him. At least that’s what Kaia told herself as she walked over. Despite the fact that he was a vampire, Kaia did actually have a soft spot for Clover. If he had been anything but a vampire, chances were they’d be friends. Not that Kaia would ever admit that to herself, certainly not Clover. 

As the taller man became more forceful, ignoring Clover’s requests for him to step back, Kaia interjected. She pushed the man back stepping between them both. “That’s enough ale for one night. Perhaps it’s time to return home… to your wife.” The words seemed harmless enough, but the slight growl to her voice when she spoke made it clear what would happen if he didn’t comply. Often acting as a bodyguard for Ozzie Kaia was already had a bit of a reputation herself in this tavern. 

“Don’t think you can go climbing into bed with me again, just cause I helped you out,” Kaia commented turning to the vampire. @bcdvampire

Clover had lived a mortal life of alternative privilege. His parents weren’t well off or noble by any standards, nor was he ever given extravagances of any kind. He was an invalid, a farmer’s son who never saw the face of a soul that wasn’t of immediate relation to him. He never knew the cruelties of the outside world, so he never knew how to defend himself from them when he inevitably had to leave the nest. Granted, his departure from home after twenty-four years was not of his own choosing. He doubted now that he ever would’ve agreed to live the undeath he did currently. It was hard to look in the mirror at the monster staring back at you without wishing once more to be the dove you once were.

What the vampire lacked in formative experience with negative situations, he more than made up for in strength. Even before his turning, Clover’s job of tending to the crops everyday had made him a rather sturdy man, despite the mostly lean form. Lifting more than his own weight in crop alone each day made for a deceptive amount of strength hidden within him. As a vampire, this ability had only been magnified beyond compare.

The strength was mostly wasted on Clover. He lacked a proper gauge for how much he’d be exerting himself, so he rarely ever did anything that was taxing enough to require physical labor. This also meant he never fought. It was a terrifying thought to be aiming for a punch and wind up beheading someone. He opted for running when things got dicey, instead. However, once all exit points were unavailable, he froze up.

There was something about watching the stranger approaching and stroking his horse that was quite delightful. Derek appreciated the gentleness that the other man showed, and the nobleman wished for a moment that he could have waited a little longer, just to watch the interaction between the two. It wasn’t common that his horse was comfortable with other strangers; while she was quality breed, his horse had different signs of discomfort and tenseness with new people. But with Clover, she seemed to lean right into the other’s touches, eyes closing just a little bit longer than normal. His mother had the same effect to animals; they seemed to bask in her presence just a bit longer than normal. Derek slid next to the duo, standing next to Clover with newfound curiosity. 

“You’d only need to ask if you wanted to be taken,” he teased lightly, levity in his words. “I take quite good care of those I’m fond of.” The nobleman shifted the weight in his legs, adjusting the medications and ailments he carried in his pouch. “Well, as a secret between us, I think I’d rather stay in the company of you than wait inside for assistance. But don’t tell the shopkeeper inside; he might get a bit jealous,” the nobleman laughed again jokingly. “Besides, I do believe you owe me a novela. That and I wanted to see how red those cheeks got. Not that I don’t like how you look already,” Derek hummed softly. The nobleman took a moment to glance around before fastening his packages to the side of his horse’s saddle. “So, do I get a name? Isn’t it proper etiquette to introduce yourself to a lord?” The shimmering, blue eyes remained fixated on Clover, never once leaving once they found their mark again. It was the most ease he had felt in a while, and the words they exchanged with each other wasn’t something he wanted to end just yet.

If he were honest, Derek quite liked the way he and this stranger had their light banter. The nobleman didn’t really have the chance to speak so freely with others; everyone else he encountered was either serving him, a family member, or from another nobility line that required proper etiquette and restraint. The Calloway didn’t think he was overstepping either, but it was nice to be less… tight, for once. “I should hope so. I do hate my hard work being for naught,” he chuckled, even more so when Clover covered his mouth. How charming. Nodding once more at the other man, Derek stepped away, already walking to pick up the necessary items for his work.

Not much time had passed before the nobleman was returning back to the duo, his eyes already fixating on Clover the moment he was in his line of sight. Perks of nobility meant an accelerated assistance, it seemed, which was good because he didn’t want to keep the other man waiting. Not after their brief conversation. “I see she’s already fond of you in the time I’ve been gone. Surely you won’t be trying to steal away a nobleman’s steed?”

Clover’s book simply paled in compelling comparison to the brief interaction that was shared between himself and the nobleman. The characters and story were beautifully told, but he was positively abuzz with excitement to get better acquainted with the other man. It was for this reason that he set his manuscript aside and ventured closer to the man’s horse. You could tell a lot about a person based on the nature of their animal companions. She didn’t seem to fear him, either due to his cold and lacking in predatory aura or the smell of fresh crop that clung to his very being, but it was her closing the distance that told him all he needed to know. Horses were easily spooked, seldom prone to putting themselves in harm’s way due to being exposed to their understanding of being prey. This horse didn’t seem to hold that opinion of herself as tightly as others. She remained a bit anxious, but her docile and gentle temperament was a testament to her caretaker and rider.

“Might be, but no one said I had the common sense to do that.”, he didn’t, that was certainly true, but even Astor had his reasons when it came to picking fights, and right now the large, burly man was of no particular interest of him. He wanted to finish the decanter of wine and go home to sleep, there’d be plenty of fights to pick tomorrow, ones that didn’t make him feel so blase about it all. He was addicted to the feeling, not the action itself. “Don’t worry, I won’t try to break your toy, even I’m not that rude.”

Astor stopped shuffling, now only tossing the deck in his hand as he looked up at the man, raising an eyebrow as if to mimic his expression, “Oh I’m convinced you’d do just that. Hiding in the open isn’t half bad. But I didn’t think that was the game, really I’m not sure what is.” He tilted his head slightly, back leaned against the back of the chair and long legs sprawled out in front of him, “Never had the good sense to like sweetness and innocence, so good call.” He’d figured it would be a game or two before he went home, his stallion having already gotten rowdy about an hour ago, but he supposed this could be interesting, the man seemed a curious creature. And so he stayed, taking up the deck again and dealing the cards, 5 to each and 4 in the middle, only one open, “It’s called Karnöffel. Funnily enough, Germans use the same word for inguinal hernia. Charming. It’s a trick-taking game, you know how those work?” Astor’s hand hovered above the table, holding the face-down rest of the deck and he looked up at the mean to breathe out an incredulous laugh, “You must be desperate if you think I am the suitable muse for a song. What’s the theme, bad attitudes? Except it might not be a win for your boy there, or do I look so aggressively straight that he has nothing to worry about?”

A challenge threatened to rip itself from its chains behind brown eyes and Clover found himself entranced by the spectacle. The depth and earthy tone that cloaked some level of fire was too exciting to look away. His mother had always told him that brown eyes would ground you, lock you in place. If his repeated eye contact was any indication of that imperative, he’d have to send his affirmation to the the woman in the afterlife. “How noble of you,” he teased lightly, “but he’s a big boy and not mine to worry about breaking, anyway.”

Claire stood up and walked over to him to properly address her guest. “You don’t have to bow.” she said trying to meet his eyes. “I don’t believe you caused a disturbance. It was my poor judgement to be out so late without a male guardian in the first place. Wandering alone at night is ill advised for a young woman. Your actions and manner were justified while mine were not as much or so my guardians would say. I should be the one apologizing, but if I did it would be a lie because I do not regret my actions even if I am a lady.” She motioned him to the chair as her steward came in with another cup. Claire thanked him with a sweet smile before walking over to her tea kettle. “Would you like some tea?”

Leaning back a bit, the doctor eyed Clover as he interacted with his horse with ease. Something about the way the other man murmured to his steed with a gentle yet teasing nature made it that much more charming in some sense. Derek laughed lightly at the other’s words, tapping his chin lightly to a side. “You sure know how to flatter a nobleman. But maybe that was my plan all along; a little red color on those cheeks would be a nice look,” he mused before nodding his head again. “I’ll be quick. Though I wouldn’t be opposed to listening to you beg,” the Calloway mused. “Do you think I can’t handle a little trouble with a charming stranger? You must not know the Calloway family at all then,” Derek teased. “Stay a while until I return; I look forward to the novela.”

Derek nodded his head back in turn. It was nice to know his family name still carried weight in the town. It did come with its perks, it seemed, but more than anything, he was just happy to let it run its course. The nobleman’s eyes matched the other man’s, letting it rest there for a moment as he gazed back. The Calloway patted his horse’s side gently, stroking her back before turning his attention back to Clover. “I appreciate it. It’s nothing like that though, I promise. I just need to pick up some more medicines before I make my way around the town for my patients. It’s a little hard to help the ill when you have no medication to do it,” he chuckled. “Besides, I couldn’t bear to see a pretty face like yours locked away. Who’d watch over my horse the next time I come here?”

In all honesty, Astor had half expected the person to turn around, perhaps mutter some polite (or less than polite) answer and leave, he didn’t exactly expect them to sit down as if the invitation had been unnecessary. He chuckled at that, fingers running deftly across the deck of cards, as if they were a natural part of his hands - a soldier had taught him that once, and whenever he played Astor would wonder what had happened to him. Probably died on a battlefield soon after they met, most of them did. 

Astor’s eyes followed the man’s finger lazily until they landed on the him in question, and a small smile appeared on his lips, as abstruse as it seemed. He looked like he was measuring him up, a habitual thing whenever he saw someone that might come close to his size. “Suit yourself. Wouldn’t want to make him mad, right?” Well, Astor would, but that was a whole other matter. “Mm, tell me.”, Astor started, pausing a second as he reached to take a sip of wine from the cup, “Is playing stupid part of the show? Subtlety certainly isn’t.” He was smiling when he looked up, though that was just a barely recognizable twitch along his lips, “Ballsy, I’ll give you that. Come on, you really expect me to tell you all the tricks because you called me handsome?” A low laugh escaped him, rough around the edges as he shook his head and leaned back in his chair, “You’d be surprised how many people want to pummel such a handsome face. I think of myself as naturally gifted for getting that reaction out of people.”

The lines of the stranger’s face were hard and rigid with scrutiny as his eyes trailed over to Chester, yet the moment of excitement contradicted the action. It reminded the vampire of two predators exercising their right to size up competition. Clover hoped that wasn’t the case. This man had made enough enemies for the night. Drunk enemies, sure, but if he didn’t kill them, there was no guarantee that they wouldn’t do something nefarious later. Life was good until you woke up with a dagger to your throat. “Something tells me you think otherwise. Six men is quite a lot to take on in one evening, though. Might be best to leave it at five, big guy,” he offered with a wink.

                     The other clutched to a near sycophantic act, allowing a snicker to fall from the Duval’s lips; it had it’s own sense of matched charm, that was for sure. “And what? — After doing so, am I meant to fall in love with you in the burn ward?” He was a master of playing along to such courted advances, “Hopefully they wouldn’t change your face too much,” he wagged a finger, “I believe I like this one.” A pause was added, as if for effect, “Shall I grab another cup of coffee — have a do-over?” 

“You know the price for your future, child. Don’t tell me you came here empty handed.” Kennedy’s little cabin was filled to the brim with stuff. Mainly charms, wind chimes made from bones – it was just how she liked to live, and she liked to make sure no one mistook her for a feeble woman. Her mutt was sleeping on the bed, and she motioned to the chair on the other side of the table. “Did you come for something specific?”

Nova let out a loud sigh as she walked away from the tavern’s patron. She longed for normal clothing and her own bed. She was already tired of this place and wished she was at her own bar rather than stuck in this corseted dress and dirty tavern. “What would you like?” She asked as she rounded the next table.