#trch:stan

Finally managing to pull herself together Kiki pushes herself up off the hard ground. Wiping away at her eyes so her vision wouldn’t be so blurry. Leaning over she snatched her phone up off the grass and saw Stan had texted her. She stared around at her home one last time before she began walking. Not having a way home she knew that she’d have to get someone to pick her up and it sure wasn’t going to be here. Nearby was a gas station that she used to go to and get snacks while walking with the professor at night. It was going to be a bit of a walk but she knew in the few hours it took to get here from Tabula that she’d be fine. Who would pick her up? Elidi? No she just had broken into her house and made a mess. Tamryn? She didn’t have the empathy or patience that the wiccan needed. Kasumi? No he didn’t know the situation at all and it would be difficult to explain everything from the beginning. Of course the whole time of listing off people in her head she already knew who she would text. Stan, he knew the previous situation and with their bond she wouldn’t be able to hide what happened. Ignoring his other texts she just sent him a text of the address to pick her up at. Pausing momentarily before asking him to bring Garridan along with him.

As she walked along she allowed her mind to wander a bit. Her feet knew where they were going as they had been there so many times before. At that moment she just felt numb, she tried to think of happier things. Sweets, Midnight,Stan...she even tried thinking of all the great memories she had made at Tabula. Those were the thoughts she allowed to take over while everything else was shoved into the back of her mind. Finally making it to the gas station she sat down on the curb and just waited for Stan to come.

“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”

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,

       It wasn’t until Stan explained that Kasumi sank to his knees, a sigh of relief escaping him. “AAAHHHhh. Kiki-- d-don’t do that to me,” he said, still looking like he wanted to cry. “That’s such a sad tale, I really believed you, you know,” he said, pouting now.    

    Once he’d gotten over himself he stood back up, dusting off his knees. “Decorating it like the sky sounds good. Maybe these.... sprinkles can be like stars. They have enough colors to represent them accurately.”

Stanislav only watched as the two, albeit more creative people, debated on how they would decorate this cake. The vampire only observed, however his expression changed to one of slight confusion as Kiki began to act out her deliberate lie. Though she was poking fun at the angel, and it was rather adorable, the vampire king gave a slight shake of his head.

             Furthermore, he raised a brow at the angel’s reaction to such an obvious lie. However, it was likely that Kasumi hadn’t been exposed to sarcasm that much.

       Remaining on the sideline, Stanislav checked his phone; instead replying to a few emails for the time being.

She gives an apologetic pout to the poor angel, of course his reaction was hilarious but she didn’t want him to cry. Reaching up she ruffles his white hair “I’m sorry Kasumi I just had to, I won’t tease you anymore though....for tonight at least” she turns back to the cake and nods, this would definitely be more simpler than designing some graph. Taking the vanilla icing she scooped it out into a bowl and grabbed the food coloring. Being an artist she already knew a lot about mixing colors and had an idea on how to get the color she wanted. Grabbing the blue dye she put in a few drops, next came violet, and then a drop of black. She seemed to be in her own little zone while working, stiring the colors together she watched as the white icing began changing into a dark navy blue. “So now we have the sky, would you like to help me spread the icing on the cake?” She grabbed her offset spatula and a knife handing the spatula to Kasumi. “Try and make sure it’s spread evenly, you do that half and I’ll do this half!” She laid the bowl of icing in between them so they’d both have easy access to it. She scooped some up on her knife and began to icing her half of the cake. Having done this before it wasn’t long before she had finished her half, glancing over and seeing Kasumi still working. “You’re doing great!” She praised her friend who seemed to be doing a good job.

Looking back at Stan and seeing him on his phone she got an idea, of course while waiting for Kasumi to finish why not tease her vampire a bit? Scooping some excess icing off of her knife and onto her finger she casually walks over to Stan. “Hey, thanks for deciding to come back with us” she had an innocent smile on her lips. “Also for buying us pizza....you deserve a reward!” With that being said she leaned up on her toes and seemed to be moving in for a kiss. Just as her lips were about to brush against his she reaches up with the icing on her finger and smeared it on his nose. Stepping back she burst into laughter seeing the vampire king looking so silly. “Kasumi look!”

     Kasumi looked at the last piece of pizza left and took it, eating rather swiftly. Nodding in agreement with Kiki’s request, he swallowed and put his own input in. “Yes, please join us! Even if you don’t eat the cake, decorating it is fun!” he said, cheerfully imagining drawing physics graphs on the cake. If the vampire agreed to join, maybe he’d allow Stan to choose the design instead.    

       After finishing the final slice, Kasumi wiped his mouth with a napkin.  “Let’s get going before the cake gets cold!” he said cheerfully.

Feeling Kiki rest her hand atop is, Stanislav relaxed his shoulders. For someone who didn’t enjoy being touched, he was willing to relish in whatever physical attention the wiccan would provide him.

                     At both Kiki and Kasumi’s insistence on remaining with them for much longer, the vampire king raised a brow. “You are right, Mister Kasumi. I am unable to partake in delicacies such as cake. And while I may have appeared to finish my business, Kiki--there is work awaiting for me at Red Rose.”

              However, the looks given to him by both angel and human caused Stanislav to let out an exasperated sigh, rubbing his temples. “Alright, I can afford to linger in your presence just awhile longer. And no, I am not decorating.”

          With that, after the trio had efficiently cleaned their area and disposed of rubbish, Stanislav was relieved to be outside in the night once more. The scent of pizza had been overwhelming inside the establishment, and he didn’t idle around as he unlocked his car; opening the driver’s side and sitting down. Starting up his engine, he looked to see that both parties had strapped themselves in before beginning the drive to Kiki’s apartment.

         Sitting in silence, watching for traffic and allowing himself to enjoy the peace; his hand rest on Kiki’s thigh once again--a gesture he had grown quite used to.

            Pulling into the apartment complex, Stanislav parked his rolls royce and turned off the engine, unfastening his seat belt and stepping out of the car. Hands in his pockets, he observed both Kiki and Kasumi as the exited the vehicle, before the trio made way to Kiki’s apartment.

Mentioning that there was more work to be done a disappointed look crossed her features. Though it was soon replaced with a successful grin as the vampire agreed to stick around with the duo. They cleaned up their table and threw away any trash before heading outside. Wasting no time Kiki got into the passenger seat and buckled herself in, turning back to make sure Kasumi got his seatbelt on. As they were driving Kikis gaze was outside the window like usual, however she was waiting for Stans hand to either grab her own or rest on her thigh. A smile tugging at her lips when she finally felt his hand make its way to her thigh. A gesture she had grown to not only expect but enjoy.

Upon parking at the apartment complex she unbuckled and got out of the car, stretching her arms up in the air. “Cake time!” She beamed as the trio walked up the stairs and into her apartment. Throwing her purse down she grabbed both boys hands and dragging them into the kitchen. She proceeded to get out all the cake decorations she had from icings, to sprinkles, fondant, and little cake candies. Laying them out on the counter she grabbed utensils that they’d need as well. “Okay Kasumi you get to choose how we decorate!”

        Stanislav had found a mask, and instead of wearing his usual silver attire he’d selected a fashionable (though plain) tuxedo, the only colour being the white and gold of his mask. Black gloves adorned his hands seeing as there was the possibility of having to dance with others, and being as averse to touch as he was he thought it better to have a barrier of sorts. Arriving with Kiki in tow, the vampire king let his human run off to explore seeing as his essence remained within her body--and he knew her location always. 

              The devil works hard, but Stanislav worked harder seeing as even at an event meant to soothe the growing anxiety and tension over the beasts in the woods; the vampire king continued his search for the necromancer by the name of Blaire. That, and he wished to keep tabs on those in his community seeing as the kindred of Tabula Rasa were both restless and suspicious.

While the night remained young, Stanislav failed to accumulate any new information and though maintained his aloof exterior;  he silently cursed himself in frustration but refused to let it show. Feeling someone bump into his bigger frame, he looked over his shoulder before turning on his heel when faced with his lover. “My, my. I held a strong conviction you’d see to the treats offered this evening.” The side of his mouth twitched into a small smile, and the vampire king assumed a position beside his lover; his arm making way around her waist. With a glove hand resting on her hip, Stanislav kept his grip both gentle and firm.

         His eyes rest on the swathe of bodies dancing before them. This was much different compared to the last masquerade he’d been to--that time he had been with his maker. But it was meaningless to dwell on the past, seeing as Stanislav much preferred looking towards the future.

       Glancing down at Kiki’s plate, he raised a brow though this was hidden by his mask. “...Interesting selection.” Knowing next to nothing about human food, and seeing he didn’t have a reason to care for it; this was Stanislav’s subtle way of inviting Kiki to discuss her recent discoveries. 

Upon seeing it was her vampire who she bumped into her eyes sparkled. “Stan!” She sounded pleased to see him. Assuming he had finished whatever buisness he had to attend to. Seeing his smile made her heart flutter and she found herself staring at his lips. “The treats?...oh the treats!” She snapped out of her daze and moved her eyes down to her plate. “Yes, I have my sweets but I have yet to find any alcohol...”. She hums softly as the king wrapped his arm around her waist and leans into his touch.

As he mentioned the wiccans choice in food she took it as a sign to explain. Knowing that Stan wasn’t familiar with modern day sweets, or sweets in general. Pointing out each food on her plate as she named them with giving explanations. “These are cookies some can be hard and some can be soft, they vary in flavors and types. Specifically these are sugar and chocolate chip cookies.” She pointed to the item beside the cookies. “This is a cupcake! They are like the cake that Kasumi and I decorated. But they are miniature and shaped differently. This one is vanilla I’m unsure of the frosting flavor yet.” That being said she poked her finger into the icing and stuck it in her mouth. “Mmm it’s vanilla frosting too! Then these are chocolate covered strawberries. If you don’t know what strawberries are they are a fruit. You dip them into chocolate which hardens and they become a fruity treat!” She continues on until her entire plate has been explained to her lover. Taking her blue optics off of her plate she looks up to see her lovers reaction.

           As Kiki accepted to a bath, Stanislav eyed the blond vampire as he got up from his seat to draw a bath. In the meantime, he kept his hold on the wiccan; refusing to let go until Garridan came for the couple.

               “Here. Allow me.” The elder vampire pulled back from the embrace, looking to Kiki’s expression as he carefully helped her up. Draping his arm around her waist, the vampire guided Kiki into the bathroom, closing the door behind them.

          Looking to the bath tub, he noticed that Garridan had left out a variety of bathing products all for Kiki to use--a gesture Stanislav clearly viewed as his way of providing a sense of care--and he looked to the wiccan as he stripped himself of his overcoat. Rolling up his sleeves, he noted the way the wiccan had reverted into an almost zombie-like state of being. “Would you like some help-?” Stanislav asked, taking on a much gentler tone.

           Stanislav stood before Kiki, helping the wiccan undress; his own gesture of caring for her. Sliding off her overcoat, her shirt, he hesitated before helping the wiccan undress from her underwear--folding her clothes as he did so--before taking her hand and helping her into the lukewarm bath.

       Kneeling beside the bath tub, Stanislav didn’t seem to mind as he reached over and began to brushed hair out of her face; now puffed up and red from her tears. Taking a wash cloth that Garridan had left out for their use, he dampened it before carefully wiping off the wiccan’s makeup. His hues searched Kiki’s expression, though he refused to break his stoicism. Of course his human would know that he cared.

       Once Kiki’s face had been cleaned, he took some body wash and carefully reached for the wiccan’s arm, lathering the damp skin with soap. The vampire king placed a chaste kiss on her hand, a silent manner of expressing his affection. Yes, he didn’t dare think of work or that damn creature within the woods. His entire focus had shifted to Kiki, the woman he had come to love with every fiber of his being.

            The elder vampire continued to wash Kiki’s body, his hands avoiding sensitive areas of her body out of a silent chivalry. His intentions were not of lust, but the desire to provide and be a protector. Eventually, he helped dampen Kiki’s hair and began to lather her dark locks with shampoo, keeping his touch gentle. Clearly, he was in no rush to care for the wiccan--in fact, he relished in their time alone, even if it stemmed from unfortunate circumstances.

When Kiki responded, Garridan gently ushered Midnight off of his lap despite her outcry. “Shh, not now--later.” The blond murmured to the kitten, watching the dark feline curl up beneath the table.

          Standing up from his seat, Garridan gave a tiny nod, noting Stanislav’s gaze once more. He held it for but a moment, giving a reassuring smile to Kiki. “Of course, just give me a moment--I’ll fetch it w-when it’s ready.”

        Leaving the parlor, Garridan wasted no time in drawing a bath for his devastated friend. Though he wished he could provide comfort, he knew far better than anyone that grief took time; and that it would take Kiki perhaps even weeks to fully process the death of her family. How his heart ached for her, it really did. It was a pity he would never meet them, that Kiki would never be able to move on as she had hoped. Ignoring the tears that brimmed within his eyes, once the bath had been filled the vampire searched his belongings. While he much preferred a shower over a bath; he had stored supplies for his own use--but had never gotten around to it--various body washes, and other care supplies he set nearby for use. While he was at it, Garridan left out fluffy towels he had saved for guests, seeing as he preferred to use the older ones. 

           Once he felt that the bath was comfortable enough for Kiki’s usage, he made way to the parlor; calling out to the couple. “Ah--sorry, I...the bath is ready. Take your time, please...I don’t mind.” With that, Garridan exited the parlor and made way to the guest room, beginning to arrange it for both Stanislav and Kiki. 

           He pulled out spare clothes for Kiki, seeing as the wiccan had stored some spare clothes should she ever find herself wishing to spend the day at the mortician’s house. He set it at the foot of the bed, before he walked out into the hallway and went to his closet. Despite living alone, the vampire preferred to be ready for any situation--seeing as his anxiety would only relent with adequate preparation--and he searched through various sewing projects and found a lovely quilt of vintage fabrics he had managed to make a few years prior. He carried it into the guest bedroom, setting it in the middle of the bed; and began to prepare for the impending sunrise by drawing the velvet curtains.

              Upon realizing that Stanislav was an unexpected guest, the blond silently panicked; seeing as his stature was much shorter and not to mention, much more lean when compared to his king’s. Nonetheless, he went back to his closet--quite organized at that--and managed to scrape by with a plain t-shirt and pajama bottoms, though he held a strong conviction they weren’t to Stanislav’s standard. Nonetheless, he brought the clothes to the guest bedroom and set them beside Kiki’s.

             Looking at his prepared guest room, Garridan let out a soft sigh. This would have to do on such short notice.

She allowed Stan to coddle her as she kept sniffling. No more tears would come out at that time, now she was just left feeling numb. The yearning for death tugging away at her mind. She seemed confused when she was helped up off the couch and then she realized “oh...the bath....” mumbling to herself as she’d completely forgotten. Letting him lead her to the bathroom, her entire body feeling heavy as she forced her legs to move. When they entered the bathroom she silently stared at the water and didn’t move until Stan spoke. Looking over she just gave a small nod and stayed silent as he undressed her. Her brain wasn’t fully processing what was going on around her nor did she care. Stepping into the tub with the help of Stan she sat down and sighed softly. The warm water felt nice against her skin though of course the sensation of warmth didn’t comfort her.

As Stan began to wipe away at her smeared makeup. Her eyes only really meeting his once and she just looked defeated. This feeling was familiar but not at the same time. She’d felt broken before, on the edge, ready to give up but never had she felt so numb. She allowed her arm to be maneuvered so he could wash it and watched in silence. A small smile twitched at her lips when he kissed her hand but it didn’t stay for long. Her focus went back to the water as she allowed him to wash the rest of her body. ‘You should be dead right now’ ‘you abandoned your family’ the thoughts slowly began creeping back in and she completely zoned out. ‘This whole situation is your fault Isabella’ her eyes widened and she reached up gripping her soapy hair and shaking her head. “SHUT UP SHUT UP!!!” She shouted but then stopped as she snapped back to reality. She blinks and looks surprised for a moment before her face resumes it’s montone look. Letting her hands drop back down into the water she made sure her gaze was averted from her vampire. “Sorry...”

            Looking down, he gazed upon his lover’s face and could feel the excitement radiating within her warm, though tired body; as well as in his own due to their newly-formed bond. A faint smile traced his lips, though he understood that Kiki would nit pick at his personal aesthetics once more.

        “Allow me to gather my belongings, then...and you needn’t worry about spare clothes. I am willing to provide...my own wardrobe.” The vampire king had never expected to extend such an offer, yet it was clear that Kiki held a special place within his life. Considering all of the information he had divulged to her thus far, this was simply another way of expressing his affection, his trust.

          Once Kiki had gotten off of his lap, the vampire king reached for his messenger bag and put his laptop inside; turning back to his book shelf and pulling a few files. He could simply finish working later, or even tomorrow evening. Given how much work he had put into the LSA with Tamryn as of late, perhaps he could use a few hours to spend with his beloved.

Her eyes lit up seeing her vampires smile, something she adored and treasured. She didn’t comment on it however and just took the moment to enjoy the fact he was smiling. The wiccan was ecstatic to be going to her vampires home, even though she braved herself for the blandness she was about to witness. “That’s very sweet of you, sweetheart”

Sliding off of his lap she stretched out her arms and waited as Stan collected his things. She looped her arm around her lovers. Noting the usual stares as they exited Red Rose. She couldn’t help but wonder if the patrons just thought of her as Stans food supply. Well whatever they thought didn’t matter, she knew where she stood with the vampire king. Getting into his Rolls Royce, she buckled her seat belt. “I’ll be the first one to see your house right? Why do you keep it so secret? Are you hiding a dungeon or something in it?” She was clearly joking.