#kikislav

“Eat me up like apple pie

Make me not wanna die

Love me rough and let me fly

Get me up, yeah, get me high

Tie me down, don't leave my side

Don't be a waste of my time”

“If they hurt you

They hurt me, too

So we'll rise up

Won't stop

And it's all about

I wish that I could hold you close and feel your cries

Love me, love me, love me

'Cause I'm under your spell

Haunt me, haunt me, haunt me,

Her Vampire

             “I wouldn’t be so keen as to tell you anyhow. I haven’t forgotten your methods, Kiki.” He admitted, knowing that Kiki was a woman who preferred financial independence. Whether or not this was to prove herself Stanislav wasn’t so sure, though he felt that the witch had opened up to relying on others. Even if she still preferred to shop at the local dollar tree. “I wouldn’t make such a bold claim. I’m sure of it, that there will be many more events to come where you’d be welcome to wear such a gown.”

                   The vampire listened intently to his lover, nodding along occasionally though he couldn’t help but feel somewhat put off by the fact Kiki seemed to trust him so needlessly. Maybe this was an element of being a boyfriend-? Maybe Stanislav should’ve paid attention to Garridan’s rants and god-awful plays some more. “I am honoured you feel safe with me, and I intend to protect you. But even I am not invincible, and I hope to help train you in some form or another...self-defense is a vital skill to have in a city such as ours.” Though the subject was heavy at best, Stanislav didn’t mind having such a conversation while dancing. He was simply a realist, and would continue to remind Kiki that despite his political and physical leverage, there were always those who aimed to take himself and his colleagues out--for various reasons. “Ah, playing for me? Your voice is an instrument in of itself.” Okay, maybe that wasn’t the most romantic thing, Stanislav was never a man who seemed to understand how to compliment someone; especially in the romance department. It simply wasn’t in his nature, but he didn’t feel embarrassed by stating his truth.

                “I think you’d take to calling my residence an Ikea display regardless if I added more furniture...though such an investment would be needless; seeing as I’m rarely at home. And I never though I’d be having a guest, let alone my...partner.” Even saying that word was unfamiliar. Partner. Girlfriend. Lover. All of those words were the same to him. 

Smirking as her financial ways were noted by the elder vampire. Lately she’d been more open to accepting help, however she was still stubborn in some ways. She liked being financially independent, money was never something that meant much to her. As long as she had enough to eat and live she was content. Her smirk turning into a bright smile. “I really hope there is! I absolutely adore it. I’ve never had such a magnificent dress before. Don’t the sparkles on it kind of remind you of stars twinkling in the night sky?”

She snickered and shook her head. “Duh dum dum of course you aren’t invincible, no one is. I guess I just feel a sense of security with you?” Her gaze softened. “I do want to learn some self defense! Because even though I selfishly wish you could be by my side all the time, I know it isn’t possible.” She felt somewhat embarassed admitting such a thing to Stan. Kiki enjoyed every moment she got to spend with her vampire even though he was a busy man. “I don’t know if I told you yet but Elidi activated my wand. She’s been teaching me simple spells currently but I now have some of her power within the wand.”

She felt her entire face heat up at the compliment. It made her feel warm inside knowing that Stan enjoyed her voice. “You’re such a sweetheart, I’m happy that you enjoy listening to me sing”. He was the first person that she sang for in a long time. It wasn’t that she was shy or embarassed, just not used to it. At home she’d mainly just sing in the shower or when playing her guitar. It was nice singing around another person, especially when that person had her heart.

She scoffed softly “if it had more color then I wouldn’t call it an ikea display. Though ballroom has a nice ring to it now....I can’t decide which I prefer.” A cheeky grin making its way to her face. “I enjoy living with you even if your sense of style is bland....I enjoy getting to be closer with you.” It was obvious the wiccan was more outward with her feelings compared to the king. She was used to wearing her emotions on her sleeve.

              “Fantasy-like? I’m starting to believe everything is fantasy to you.” Others may have contrived his words as callousness, but to Stanislav he was merely stating a fact. Kiki seemed drawn to the other-worldly, this he had learnt from their first meeting which seemed so far distant now. Though content with seeing his world in greys, perhaps it was a nice balance to have the human’s enthusiasm. 

            “I had a strong conviction you’d like it. As mysterious as the evening, with a hint of regality and shine...I may not be as immersed in high-end fashion, but I like to think I can make an appropriate decision--most of the time.” Giving a dip of his head in acknowledgement, “The pleasure is mine. I don’t plan on being too careless with my finances, but tonight marked a special occasion and thus the cost was irrelevant.”

            Unsurprisingly, Stanislav felt as though he could keep going dancing like this. Which was highly unusual seeing as dancing to him marked obedience and exhaustive pleasantries. Hell, the vampire king had rejected multiple souls brave enough to ask him for a dance--most being non-kindred --seeing as the vampire populace seemed to obey Stanislav’s reign albeit begrudgingly. Besides, if his behaviour at Red Rose spoke anything it showed that he wasn’t fond of touch and neither close proximity.

            “Though your stay is temporary, it seems our musical collaborations have become routine. Despite having that piano for years, there were long hiatuses where I didn’t even so much as look at those keys.” Stanislav admitted. At least the duo had managed to channel their stress into something more meaningful, though light hues narrowed as soon as Kiki spoke of dancing in his apartment. While he didn’t mind the idea, he knew that the wiccan had already made a habit of doing such when he was at work.

            “Alluding to my penthouse as a ballroom is pushing it,” The vampire arched a brow beneath his mask. “Though I suppose you’ve managed to keep everything in one piece...”

She hummed softly along to the music as they continued dancing, giving the vampires hand a squeeze back. She felt proud in herself for being poise. Ballroom dancing was all so new to her and having only done it once before with Kasumi briefly. Kiki was fairly good at dancing in general but it was still amazing how she learned it so quickly. On top of the fact she hadn’t stepped on her boyfriends shoes once.

“Perhaps so, but you keep me grounded when needed. Though it is nice to take a break from reality sometimes....”. Even though they couldn’t be more opposite, the pair were good for eachother. Stans more realistic outlook on life kept the wiccan from drifting off into an eternal daydream especially as of late. Kikis more colorful outlook, she hoped brought a bit of life to the vampires monochrome vision.

It was her turn to raise a brow as a playful smile making its way to her lips. “I don’t even want to know how much this dress cost haha. But no worries mister Stanislav I am perfectly content with my own finances. Though I am very grateful for the gift, I will wear it often....even if I don’t have a fancy dance to go to.” She wasn’t one for expensive taste but she could tell that the dress had been a pretty penny. She definitely planned on wearing the gown often, even if it was inside the comforts of her home.

“I am enjoying my stay, it’s nice not being alone...even though I have Kasumi it’s different. I guess I feel more safe with you? It’s silly....” she averted her gaze momentarily before continuing on. “I love listening to you play the piano...it’s so soothing. Singing along while you play is a lot of fun! I hope that I can learn something on the piano so I can play for you one night.” When Stan was at work the wiccan had taken it upon herself to start learning piano. So far she had learned a few keys and was attempting to teach herself how to play a song.

Raising a brow a smirk on her lips “I think calling it a ballroom is a compliment! Seeing how empty it is, though if you prefer I can always call it an ikea display”. Mischief shining in her blue hues, she knew how to pull her vampires strings.

Saving a light abandoned, tearing away from lies and doubt

You’ll find the truth still holding tight, in the hand of the night

Dusk air feeding into shadow play, dancing bold and glides away

Waiting and debating, will I ever see the secret you’ve been holding back?

Climbing the walls you make and calling your name, but you keep them all away

Hiding all the ways you wanna yell and scream, why couldn’t you just lean on me?

Winding up and down, a heart I'll never know

Stealing your gazing eyes, pass the lies, and see the real me

Brave but lying, scared and crying

When did I ever lose track?

‘Cause the one thing I believed in left me long ago

    While not particularly interested in human delicacies, it was no surprise as Kiki took to explaining her prized sweets. He found it odd that she were talking to him as if he were a child--seeing as it was the other way around--but seeing as his lover was a foodie, he might as well let her have this moment.

      Resigning himself to silence, his hues narrowed as he keenly observed each desert that the human explained. Cupcakes were self-explanatory, he knew what cookies were too. However, when the topic of conversation turned to strawberries the vampire exhaled through his nose. “I may be old, but I’m not naive. Rest assured that I know what strawberries are, Kiki.”

          Once he’d received his ‘educational’ lecture on the pastries, Stanislav seemed to be neutral as he so often was. Looking to the masked face of his human, he wasn’t quite sure what she was expecting. A reaction? A comment? While neither were warranted in the vampire king’s eyes, he settled on a reply. “...thank you for the enlightening conversation.”

    Averting his gaze, he looked around the intricately decorated environment and dancing bodies. He’d been asked to dance by a few daring individuals, and for the most part Stanislav had denied. He wasn’t averse to ballroom dancing, and despite the comfort that came from wearing gloves and thus acting as a barrier against direct contact--it was still uncomfortable. At least the LSA official knew how to say ‘no’.

        “I can remember the few balls I’ve attended in the past. Though I suppose it is different, seeing as I have you.” He commented, looking over to his lover once more. “You’ve seemed to make it well-apparent in our conversations that you enjoy dancing,” Stanislav could recall the many text messages that the wiccan had sent to him during long evenings of work. Ever since Kiki had agreed to stay with him, it was almost a nightly occurrence to hear that she had taken to utilizing the wide space of the penthouse.

           Looking down to the wiccan’s plate, he seemed to be planning something but avoided explanation. The side of his mouth twitched into a small smile as he looked towards the crowd. 

          “If I dare to be so bold, you owe me a dance at least once this evening.”

Her lips pursed into a pout as her vampire reminded her of the alcohol limit she seemed to have placed on herself at every event. She knew however that it was her vampires way of caring for her. Plus after he’d seen her in a dreadful wasted state she couldn’t find it in her to argue. Though she was used to indulging in fruity alcoholic beverages until her mind was mush. She knew it wasn’t healthy nor pleasant for those around her.

She let out an apologetic chuckle as she realized how she’d been explaining things. “I figured you did...but I guess ive gotten so used to explaining everything food related to Kasumi.... hah I’m sorry” she gave a satisfied nod at his response. Part of her knew that he didn’t really care for human delicacies but she appreciated him listening. Her eyes followed his at the dancing crowd. A few people had approached her but she had denied politely. While she loved dancing her mind had been on sweets and alcohol at the time. Plus the person who she really wanted to dance with was her vampire.

Her eyes locked with his and she smiled at the mention of past balls. “I’ve never been to a ball before, it reminds me of the ones I’ve seen in media.” She watches as he gazes at her sweets, she could tell he was thinking of something. Once he began to smile she felt her heart flutter and her cheeks flush. Then came words that she’d been wanting to hear all evening, something she’d been wanting to do with her lover for awhile. Her entire face brightens, excitement bubbling up within her.

Staring down at her untouched sweets she debated momentarily, before setting them down on the table and grabbing Stans hand. “Let’s go dance then!” It was a rare occurance that she’d discard her sweets for someone.