vincit qui patitur

He knew Rayne wasn’t a woman filled with reckless desires. She’d been alive for centuries, she’d made the world her bitch more times that Beau could count. That did not mean that he had to trust that she had not suddenly lost her mind and gone off the deep end. It also did not mean that he had to let her take his husband with her. He’d nearly lost him once before and he had vowed centuries ago to make sure that never happened. Beau would not live a life without his mate and thus his mate also had to remain living as well. So Beau’s faith in Rayne was minimal, not because he did not trust her or because he didn’t think she was capable, but because he had already had one scare when it came to his husband and did not want to experience again. He did not think he’d get so lucky this time.

Beau was a creature easily distracted when it came to his husband. There was a control the man had over him that no one else did. A simple touch and Beau’s mind could be put to ease. It was rare that it didn’t work but the moment he said something about a thrall everything else faded away. Beau froze in the others arms and his mind locked on to the single word. Thrall. Rayne was working with a thrall. “Is she mad?” he asked pulling away from the other man in order to turn and look at him. Beau had to have heard that wrong. They didn’t work with or create thralls. That wasn’t how they operated. Never, in all his centuries had any of them used a thrall. Perhaps Rayne had finally let old age rot her brain. “That’s not how we do things! We don’t use thralls to do our work. And in New Orleans of all places? This is suicide. You know it is.”

He’d expected this response. He thought thralls were annoying, a hindrance, a cheat. For Beau, though, they were against his moral code. He didn’t have many hard and fast rules, after this long of a life, but those he did had he didn’t break. “It’s not hers. She... inherited him, it seems. Or more accurately he sought out a new owner after his previous one perished. It’s... mercy. And opportunism. Apparently he’s not as useless as most of his kind and has some sort of plan or insight....” he shrugged. “She said she’d explain more once we were on the ground.” He hadn’t pressed as much as he should have. He’d always have a soft spot for Rayne. 

He stepped close to his husband, sliding his hands along his hips. “Yes. In New Orleans. A place that should be under supernatural control. And beyond that, a true challenge. When was the last time we faced something that wasn’t an easy win?” It was hard to find new things to divert himself with, when he’d already done most everything. He craved this sort of distraction. It was a game to him, and one he excelled at. The danger just added flavor—there wasn’t much that could truly threaten him, not when he had Beau always at his side. “It will be exciting. A delightful change of pace. I’m not going to let Rayne have all the fun.” Nor was he going to let her go into this herself, in case it was as dangerous as Beau thought it might be. 

The second his husband’s hands were on him, Beau’s mind slowed. It had always been like this. From the moment they had met, Beau’s mind had quieted. The man behind him had been at the center of the silence and it had been a glorious change. His hands abandoned their search for clothing, instead, finding their way to where his lover’s hands sat. Fingers slipped between others tightening their hold. “You give her too much faith,” he said calmly. He had always put too much faith in Rayne in Beau’s opinion. Beau had never reached the level of trust and understanding that his mate did. He would not question it, though. He knew the man beside him, if he trusted Rayne, there was a reason for it. 

They’d known Rayne long enough to understand the trust and accept it, but he did not share it the way the other did. “You’re supposed to get the details before we agree to help. How am I going to rest at ease during this without knowing what the plan of action is? New Orleans? There hasn’t been a vampire allowed in since the hunters pushed them out nearly two decades ago. The area is dangerous. We can’t go in without a plan.” He really meant Adrian couldn’t go in without a plan. Beau had nearly lost him once and would never allow that to happen again. “What can you do to put my mind at ease, my love?”

He kept his hands on him, knowing that the contact would soothe his mate enough to hear him out at least. Beau had always been protective of him, so he wasn’t shocked by the hesitation on his part. He liked to have an exit strategy in case things went pear-shaped. Or rather, he liked to make sure there was a way to get his husband out. He didn’t tend to be nearly as strict with his own safety, but he loved him too much to point out the disparity there. “I’m sure Rayne has a plan. I have faith in her.” She wasn’t reckless. She never had been, in all the time he’d known her. “This isn’t something she’s doing on a whim.” 

His hands drifted back and forth a little, attempting to keep him calm for this next revelation. He wasn’t going to like it, but he knew he needed to know before they got there. It would be far worse if it was sprung on him. “She’s working with a thrall.” He wanted explanations on that as much as he knew Beau was about to, but he had enough trust in Rayne to wait until they were in person to get them. “There’s already things being set into place. She just needs us to be there as back up.” It would be fun, as far as he was concerned. Any threat of danger wasn’t something that was likely to be a match for Beau, so that didn’t register at all. 

Do they sleep with a stuffed animal? If they have multiple, who’s the favorite?

Can they take care of a plant? What about a pet? What about a child?

Ask them to describe their love interest.

Do they look good in red?

Speech! Speech! Speech! Speech! Will they give one, and what about?

Who will they take advice from, no matter what it is? Who won’t they take advice from, no matter what it is?

Describe them in three words. Now let them describe themself in three words.

Do complex puzzles intrigue or frustrate them?

Do they empathize with non-sentient things (dolls, plants, books…)?

What age do they most want to be right now?

They’ve won the lottery. Spend, or save?

Do they like romance in the books they read (or in the book they’re in)?

Name one thing their parents taught them.

Would they agree with the term ‘guilty pleasure’? Do they have any?

What would they consider a waste of time– other than school or work?

If money wasn’t a limit, what would they wear?

Do they like children?

Kissing: tongue or no tongue?

Do they study before tests? Practice before job interviews?

What do they like that nobody else does?

What would it take for them to break up with someone? What would be the last straw?

Do they like being called pet names? Do they call other people pet names? What’s their go-to?

Stability or novelty?

Honesty or charity?

Safety or possibility?

Talent or effort?

Forgiveness or vengeance (or…)?

Would they date a fixer-upper?

What recurring dreams do they have?

Beau’s focus on the topic was tenuous. He was still naked and dripping water and his husband was standing before him looking desirable. However, the second the word thrall slipped through his lip Beau’s focus shifted a little. Not a lot, but enough. “A thrall? Rayne has a thrall?” There was a level of disdain in his voice that conveyed just how he felt about this idea. Beau didn’t hate thralls the way others hated them. He hated the vampires that created them. It was cheap and cruel. Often times it was used as a power play but there was no power is exerting dominance over a creature that couldn’t fight back. “How did that happen?” She’d never once had a thrall before. Not in all the years they had all known each other. 

He wanted to know more about the idea to take back New Orleans but the thrall business bugged him. He sidestepped his husband and moved to the wardrobe on the far wall. They were leaving, they needed to pack and he obviously needed to get dressed. “Do you think it’s a good idea that we follow her? What do we know about this plan? About this thrall?” He asked as he discarded the towel to the corner of the bed leaving him completely naked. He wasn’t worried about Rayne, she could do what she wanted and meet whichever outcome was meant for her and he wouldn’t shed a single moment for her. His only concern was for his mate. If it wasn’t safe for him, they would not go anywhere. 

He shrugged, walking over and wrapping his arms around his husband. His hands stayed above his hips, not wanting to completely derail the conversation, but a bit of a distraction would be good for this topic. “I’m not sure how that occurred, though I do know that she didn’t make him herself. She didn’t want to get into it over the phone, and I didn’t press. I’m sure I’ll get more of the story once we’re face to face.” The phone was an immensely helpful invention, but it did still have some shortfalls. He wasn’t surprised that Rayne hadn’t disclosed more, especially on a topic he could tell she wasn’t settled with, even from across the ocean.

“We’ve never had problems following her before. Or at least, not any that we couldn’t handle.” He’d known Rayne for a long time, and he’d never stopped being impressed by her nerve, her ingenuity, her drive. “She’s starting a war to take back a contested territory, so it’s bound to be exciting. I’m not certain what the details of her plan are. She said she’d elaborate when we were on the ground.” He wasn’t worried. He trusted Rayne, but more than that he trusted Beau. Beau wouldn’t let anything happen to him, and it wasn’t like he was completely helpless either, despite how protective his mate could be.

1. Are looks important in a relationship?

2. Are relationships ever worth it?

3. Are you a virgin?

4. Are you in a relationship?

5. Are you in love?

6. Are you single this year?

7. Can you commit to one person?

8. Describe your crush

9. Describe your perfect mate

10. Do you believe in love at first sight?

11. Do you ever want to get married?

12. Do you forgive betrayal?

13. Do you get jealous easily?

14. Do you have a crush on anyone?

15. Do you have any piercings?

16. Do you have any tattoos?

17. Do you like kissing in public?

20. Do you shower every day?

21. Do you think someone has feelings for you?

22. Do you think someone is thinking about you right now?

23. Do you think you can last in a relationship for 6 months and not cheat?

24. Do you think you’ll be married in 5 years?

25. Do you want to be in a relationship this year?

26. Has anyone told you they don’t want to ever lose you?

27. Has someone ever written a song or poem for you?

28. Have you ever been cheated on?

29. Have you ever cheated on someone?

30. Have you ever considered plastic surgery? If so, what would you change about your body?

31. Have you ever cried over a guy/girl?

32. Have you ever experienced unrequited love?

33. Have you ever had sex with a man?

34. Have you ever had sex with a woman?

35. Have you ever kissed someone older than you?

36. Have you ever liked one of your best friends?

37. Have you ever liked someone who your friends hated?

38. Have you ever liked someone you didn’t expect to?

39. Have you ever wanted someone you couldn’t have?

40. Have you ever written a song or poem for someone?

41. Have you had sex so far this year?

42. How long can you just kiss until your hands start to wander?

43. How long was your longest relationship?

44. How many boyfriends/girlfriends have you had?

45. How many people did you kiss in 2012/2013?

46. How many times did you have sex last year?

47. How old are you?

48. If the person you like says they like someone else, what would you say?

49. If you have a boyfriend/girlfriend, what is your favorite thing about him/her?

50. If your first true love knocked on your door with apology and presents, would you accept?

51. Is there a boy/girl who you would do absolutely everything for?

52. Is there anyone you’ve given up on? Why?

53. Is there someone mad because you’re dating/talking to the person you are?

54. Is there someone you will never forget?

55. Share a relationship story.

56. State 8 facts about your body

57. Things you want to say to an ex

58. What are five ways to win your heart?

59. What do you look like? (Post a picture!)

60. What is the biggest age difference between you and any of your partners?

61. What is the first thing you notice in someone?

62. What is the sexiest thing someone could ever do for/to you?

63. What is your definition of “having sex”?

64. What is your definition of cheating?

65. What is your favourite foreplay routine?

66. What is your favourite roleplay?

67. What is your idea of the perfect date?

68. What is your sexual orientation?

69. What turns you off?

70. What turns you on?

71. What was your kinkiest wet dream?

72. What words do you like to hear during sex?

73. What’s something sweet you’d like someone to do for you?

74. What’s the most superficial characteristic you look for?

75. What’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for you?

76. What’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever done for someone?

77. What’s your opinion on age differences in relationships?

78. What’s your dirtiest secret?

79. When was the last time you felt jealous? Why?

80. When was the last time you told someone you loved them?

81. Who are five people you find attractive?

82. Who is the last person you hugged?

83. Who was your first kiss with?

84. Why did your last relationship fail?

Understanding a character’s flaws is key to making them well-rounded and believable, so send me a number (and a character, if there’s more than one option) and I’ll tell you:

a trait they have too much of  (ex. too much pride = arrogance)

a trait they don’t have enough of (ex. too little pride = insecurity)

a trait they express in the wrong way

a trait they’re ashamed of

a trait they’re not ashamed of (but maybe should be)

a bad habit

something they do that hurts themself

something they do that hurts others

a reason (or excuse) they haven’t improved on any of the above OR