Nicolas gives Max an appreciative and relieved look as he hands off all the gifts. He plops down on one knee and gestures for Alex’s hand to kiss yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “Oh stop it now you’re being ridiculous. What the fuck happened the other night, Nic?” *settles into a comfortable chair, gestures to an identical one across* echo-de-la-lumiere: *thwarted, huffs and throws himself backwards into the chair with as much exhale as he can manage* “I did what you said. I sucked him, fucked him, the rest, all of it. *counts off on fingers as he speaks* yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: *rolls eyes* “No. The zombie. People are already talking Nic. They want to know who your boy is, this boy worth pulling rank over. So. Who is he?” echo-de-la-lumiere: “He touched my stuff!” *sits up, looking indignant* “I thought your people knew better than to touch another vampire’s mortal. He should have been able to smell me on him.” “He’s the whore you called for me. The one with the Dead twin brother. Or were you going to surprise me at my funeral?” yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “Be that as it may, you know it is your actions which will draw attention, not that of a zombie guest.” Alexander sighs. “So I take it this means you like the redhead?” *laughs* “Oh. Well. That. What does it matter? ” echo-de-la-lumiere: “He’s a fiery little devil. Your kin mistook him for the Dead one. If this happens again, talk is more expensive than one dead whore. What did you think I would do with him? Bring him into this life?” yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “Oh I wouldn’t dare make such an assumption. I only figured if uninterrupted the boy’s path would be inevitable. Why not expose him to as much as possible before he makes his decision? It’s just a bit of fun.” echo-de-la-lumiere: “And if his brother yells for something like a war?” yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “You think Niki London or Madame de Paris would lead us into war with the vampires over a yearling’s destroyed brother? Ha. What a fantasy.” “I am curious how things are going though. You like him enough.” echo-de-la-lumiere: “I’d prefer to be spared the interrogation and skip to the lecture, if you please. And we both know I am allergic to oversight.” yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “Then why are you here Nicolas, if not to gossip?” *lifts a perfectly arched eyebrow.* “I all but gave him to you. I deserve to know. If you’re just going to waste him...well, how terribly boring.” “Do you get good use out of him at least?” echo-de-la-lumiere: *finally looks over at Alexander and grins* “I enjoy the way he asks for more and regrets it in the same breath. Especially when his ass his full.” yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: *rolls his eyes again* “Getting your money’s worth then. When is he going to start giving it to you for free?” echo-de-la-lumiere: “Ah, the boy is a professional, n’cest-ce pas? He wouldn’t.” “Whoever heard of a whore giving it away for free? Bad for business, even for a regular.” yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: *regards Nicolas carefully* "So what is this then? You going to pay him twice a week until you exhaust him? I assumed you wanted more." echo-de-la-lumiere: “How much do I pay to keep him *only* mine?” yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: "Well that depends of course. Does he want to be yours?" echo-de-la-lumiere: *watches Alexander carefully* “This is why I asked about the brother. Why does it matter what Jeff wants?” yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: "Well if he does not want you, you're going to have a helluva time convincing him to only work for you. Does he like you?" echo-de-la-lumiere: “Bien sûr. I make him like me.” yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: "Mmm, you're so charming of course," *sarcasm is heavy enough to crush any spirit* "Do you want him to like you?" "Think about it before you answer." echo-de-la-lumiere: *grins, all fangs* “I want him to love me.” yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: "Why?" *sharp, to the point* echo-de-la-lumiere: “I want him to need me.” “Why do you have Max?” *asked almost idly, but eyes are watchful* yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: "Max assists me in most aspects of my life. He's versatile and resilient, and I need someone I can trust." echo-de-la-lumiere: “But you could manage without him, yes, you could survive, if you wanted?” yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: *shrugs* "Of course Darling, I'm a cockroach." "But I would not have the same sense of security and well being as I do with him. He does so much for me, you know that." "Do you know how much work it is to care for a mortal?" "You want him to love you, you want him to need you, those are big and broad words Nicolas, do you know what you want them to do for you?" "Consider, for example, if he falls in love with you. What will you do then? Consider if he needs you--not only that precious cock of yours, but everything you could conceivably provide as a...well a patron to his art. He needs a shelter, food, proper care. How much of that responsibility do you want?" “Now I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with keeping a pet, but is that what you want?” echo-de-la-lumiere: “What does Max require? Is that what you give him? Does he love you?” yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “Max is self sufficient. He only needs me for one thing and that’s keeping my end of our bargain. I would say he’s grown accustomed to me.” echo-de-la-lumiere: “Be truthful. Does he love you?” yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: *pauses, features arrange into something pleasantly neutral* “Ours is an arranged marriage. Maybe it’s easier if he’s grown to care for me. But love? Darling, as pretty as it would sound if I told you he did, I really don’t think so.” echo-de-la-lumiere: “How do I do it without driving him mad? I want to see what happens, what he does.” yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “What? Like you drive me mad?” *smirks* “Define “mad”. What do you really want from him? Companionship? Housework? Blood letting? Something you can dress up cute and fuckable to take with you to the parties you ruin?” echo-de-la-lumiere: “I don’t ruin every party I attend!” “Let him keep my house if he wishes. I would prefer to leave him trussed in my absence and trotted out at one of those awful soirées.” yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “So you want to show off? Play with the big kids? Well I suppose it’s good for you. How old are you? Probably time you put in a little effort to your reputation. Well. A house pet then. You don’t care what he does for you as long as he looks, tastes, and fucks good? You’re probably more or less on the right track then.” “Do you intend to enthral him?” echo-de-la-lumiere: “What do I do with him, do I tell him I’ll buy out his contract?” yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “I’m not going to talk to you if you won’t answer my questions. Are you going to enthral him? If you do, he’ll beg to be yours Nicolas. That’s exactly what I mean, you’ll have him without having to spend another euro.” “Does he know what you taste like? Can you tell if he likes it?” echo-de-la-lumiere: *frowns, puzzled* "Why does any of that matter? Isn't it enough if I make sure he won't want to live without me?" yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: "*Is* it enough? Do you want him clawing at you at every moment? You've seen how ugly the botched ones are. Don't you want someone who can still stand up with his own goddamn spine? I mean it isn't always the vampire's fault, sometimes people just aren't cut out for it. You should be able to tell even now if he'll crumble. You know, like those miserable ones Dorian has had to put down early, the ones who just beg and whine the entire time and cry without a pacifier. You know, you've seen them." echo-de-la-lumiere: "How *is* Dorian? I haven't heard him in quite some time. No, Jeff quite likes everything I do. Perhaps it's time he realizes it." yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “Oh he’s well. Just got back from Iran. Business is going well for him.” “So what, you think you’ll just convince him? Offer a full time position and he’ll jump on it?” (He assumes so) echo-de-la-lumiere: *makes a face* "A messy orchestration. He creates such messy arrangements. Will his brother interfere? You seem to know more about this than you're willing to allow me to operate on." yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “The brother is fickle. They’re young. Obviously he’s a bit preoccupied at the moment. It only happened about eight months ago. From what I understand he offered his twin come over with him, even though they have no bloody idea how to do it, and the twin—yours—left in the middle of the day for Paris. I think it damn near broke the kid’s heart.” *shrugs* “I’m sure the brother won’t cause you trouble unless you let him. If you dispose of your pet once you get bored with him I’m sure there will be hard feelings.” *pouts* “I know I’ll be disappointed.” “What do you want him for anyway? I know it was a marvellous suggestion made by a very good friend with the best intentions but if I’m honest Nicolas I never expected you to put in the effort. Why make him yours when you can have a new one every night?” echo-de-la-lumiere: "I've had him." *he shrugs* "Now I don't want anyone else to. What were this very good friend's best intentions?" "I cannot give him what you want. Hundreds of years later, I am still watched." yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “I’m not suggesting you turn him. That would be an irresponsible recommendation.” *grins* “I just...well from a bystander’s perspective darling I just want to see what happens. Besides you say he likes you already. I can’t imagine. Have you given him your blood?” echo-de-la-lumiere: "Well of course I have! I fucked him, why wouldn't I give him a taste? I am a responsible lover." yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “Ever the gentleman. A taste Darling? A drop? Or do you shoot it in the back of his throat?” echo-de-la-lumiere: *proudly* "All of the above. But what's the point of you asking?" "Do you suddenly have an interest in our bestial affairs, O Holy One?" yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “You know what I’m asking, Monsieur. At least you should if you know how Dorian keeps his beauties wanting. You do know how thralls come into being yes?” echo-de-la-lumiere: *sighs wearily* "You mean when you don't finish your food and they come back wanting more?" yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “Mm that’s certainly one way to put it. What do you make of such situations?” echo-de-la-lumiere: "It..." *looks away* "I *looks surprised when his voice cracks* "—I am not overly fond of the arrangement, no." yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: *watches Nicolas falter. Doesn’t actually want to offend his friend but has a clear desire to understand his motives* “Darling, if you feed him too much, and by too much I mean mouthfuls, he will be entirely and completely devoted to you. He will crave everything about you, your touch, your scent, the taste of you, any spare glance. You’ve seen these creatures. But if you do it, if you want that from him, you must be able to provide for him.” “He would be a good companion for you. Hell, if he can handle you already even without a thirst f his very own then I think he’s worth he effort.” echo-de-la-lumiere: *looks at Alexander* "How do you do it with Max? He provides for himself, you don't feed him. I've seen the two of you." *wistful look* "He's always so warm and wiling." "Even when he doesn't need to be." yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “Max and I have a business relationship, that’s all. I employ him. If you want to give this boy a job to do, fine...ask him to clean your house and take your clothes to e dry cleaners and pay him twenty euro an hour to do it. But if you want him in your home and in your bed and under your teeth, you’re going to have to do something to negate what is only going to be a natural animal rebellion. What kind of creature puts himself in a position to be /fed/ on at the leisure of his predator?” yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “You know I don’t drink Max. I certainly don’t fuck him.” echo-de-la-lumiere: "I don't need an assistant, I need someone who will fight me on things. What's so bad about that?" yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “Nothing at all!” *grins* “You want him for yourself. You don’t want to break him.” echo-de-la-lumiere: "What do I do if he's broken already?" yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: *somewhat surprised* “Why? Do you think he is?” *laughs* “This might come as a surprise but just because he likes you doesn’t mean he’s broken.” echo-de-la-lumiere: *expression is carefully blank* yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “All the better if he can naturally tolerate you. There are very few of us who can, after all.” echo-de-la-lumiere: *smiles at Alexander fondly* "And do you merely tolerate my awful presence, Alexander, dear?" yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: *pouts* “Darling didn’t you just say you like it when people fight you? That must mean you adore me as much as I you, if you tolerate my constant “affection”...” *rests head in his palm, sighs pleasantly* “So. Tell me more. Do you have a plan?” echo-de-la-lumiere: *bites into his lip idly, deliberately letting Alexander smell him, goading him on* "You overestimate me, my dear. If I had a satisfactory plan, would I be asking what you do with Max?" yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: *notes that Nicolas trades the tease of fresh Blood for the admission of a need for council* “Well all I know is that you want him to need and you don’t want him to go mad. A dilemma indeed.” “Do you want him in your home? Or farther than that?” echo-de-la-lumiere: "Are you going to laugh at my answer?" yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “No, of course not. Not if you’re honest with me.” echo-de-la-lumiere: "I want something that'll love me, and let me fuck it when I want to but not all the time, and maybe I'd always find it at home when it was time to sleep, but it could entertain itself and tell me interesting things when I got home..." *trails off* "Max does that for you, right, except for the fucking? He loves you." yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “Yes,” *smiles fondly* “if those are your criteria I suppose he does. Now. Will I ever get to meet this Living boy you want to love you?” echo-de-la-lumiere: “What would you intend with him?” “I saw him first. He has my Blood.” yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: *laughs gently* “Consider me curious. I only want to know if he is as handsome and angry as his brother.” echo-de-la-lumiere: “He’s not promised, then? I can have him? What do I do if he starts going...” *makes a squiggly hand gesture* “Tiresome?” yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “You back the fuck up and call me before you do anything.” “Would you have any objection if I asked you for the leftovers? Personal project.” echo-de-la-lumiere: "You want a little one running around, is that it?" *smiles, amused* yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “No. I only believe my stamina for curiosity will outlast your patience.” echo-de-la-lumiere: *suddenly sits up straight from where he's begun to slouch* "Is that so? Care for a wager of some kind regarding dear Jeffrey's survival?" yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “Mmmm. Interesting. What would the stakes be? We both want the boy to survive but don’t exactly have the utmost confidence in the other’s motives. Is that correct?” echo-de-la-lumiere: "What is it you want that I've been refusing you?" "Make it interesting." "*I* want Max. For an evening performance on the saxophone." yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “No. You do not get Max. I don’t even know what that means no you can’t have him.” echo-de-la-lumiere: "You can be present, I only want to hear him perform!" "Entertain *my* curiosity, why don't you?" yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “Do you withhold from me, Darling? I couldn’t tell. If I win...if you grow tired of the boy or kill him prematurely or neglect or fuck him to death I win. I win...your cooperation and time until the end of the world. If the brother steals him from you or makes an attempt on your life, you win OR if he boy asks you to and you successfully turn him, you’ll be granted an automatic win. How does that sound?” “No. Leave Max out of this. What kind of performance would you want from him anyhow? I won’t let you.” echo-de-la-lumiere: "No deal. If I turn him, your people give me safe harbor from *my* people. And would you render me a slave with my services? If I lose, you may call upon me once a year with a request that does not endanger myself or my interests, until Jeff is destroyed. And Max plays the saxophone, does he not?" yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “No. He does not play the saxophone and even if he did how do I know this performance you have dreamed up for him won’t be something depraved? He’s not to be fed from, pushed, tortured, entrapped, or fucked by any one of my peers.” *breathes* “If either of us turn him it’s an automatic win. But he has to choose which side he goes to, go willingly, and survive the transformation. I can grant you my own protection but Darling I do have my limits. It’s not the only way to win, besides. Let’s give it a year. One year. If he survives the year win defaults to you. I shall permit you an evening’s /conversation/ with Max at a location of his choosing...just the two of you. If you kill the boy before then or he is not of sound mind or body, then I win and my prize is the leftovers.” “After a year we renegotiate, and present options to the unfortunate one.” echo-de-la-lumiere: *raises one eyebrow* "That's all you want? Leftovers?" yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “To do with as I please, yes.” “No stashing corpses in your closet. I can’t turn an already rotting body but I can work with a dead one.” echo-de-la-lumiere: *visibly more eager-looking* "That all sounds quite reasonable." yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “Does it?” *quirks a brow* “Shall we shake on it then?” echo-de-la-lumiere: *looks up at Alexander incredulously and stands up with his wrist offered* "Are you Undead or not?" yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: *drags himself up from the hair with minor theatrics* “As you wish, my love.” echo-de-la-lumiere: *grins and bites his own wrist with a loud popping sound, then offers it to Alexander * yourstrulyalexanderdietrich: “If you can stomach it...” *offers his own wrist, unbitten for the vampire’s pleasure, and dips with a delicate flick of hair to drag his Dead purple tongue against the offered wound.* echo-de-la-lumiere: “I wasn’t doing anything else tonight anyway.” *closes his eyes as Alexander drinks, then delicately* “Pardon.” *slips fangs in for a quick draw before sealing the wound with his tongue* *shudders at the Dead Blood sludging through his veins and slowing him down*