#unnervinglyminerva

A civilian? Val has nothing to say to that. He already understands she's on edge, and the last thing he intends to do is get the lights knocked out of him. Hands up in defeat, he just says, "Alright, love. Come back soon."

It leaves him alone at the table for a moment, which isn't fun for someone who craves attention and longs for companionship. Val listens though- always listening. There are rich people a few tables away, chattering about boring charity mission trips. Out to the Middle East and Africa, and Val can feel the bile in the back of his throat as they discuss it as if they're humanitarians. He's leaning himself back, thick curls hanging back. If one were to happen upon him, they might think he's staring up at the ornate and lovely ceiling.

Upon her return, she at least sounds slightly more amiable. Speaking more about the things she's hearing and the annoyance of the whole event. He's taking a long sip of a tequila sunrise and grinning. "What, y'don't like listening to old rich white people chat about all the reasons they're full-on saints for giving .001% of their money to a vague arts charity?" He chuckles. "Maybe the whole thing is a satire, yeah? Gods an' goddesses... talking about how people love to consider themselves holier than thou. Especially the ones with the money t'spend on this shit." He doesn't comment on how she snapped at him before. Better to let that rest.

Val has always been the type to go with the flow, and at a giant gala like this, there’s so much to do. People to pick the brains of, friends and lovers to chat with. And if all else fails, there’s the bartender to tease and flirt with. He’s happy to end up settled at one of the small tables with Minerva, fingers feeling along the tabletop. There’s some sort of tablecloth, and it seems to go to the floor. Val’s glass of Riesling has been set on the surface, and from the sound of things, they’re a bit farther from the music and the cacophony of voices. So, a bit more secluded.

They slip a hand over to Minerva’s knee, on the soft fabric of her dress- it’s mostly to find her hand, though they’re grinning when they search. The hand he finds seems to be shaking just the tiniest bit, and Val’s fingers slip between hers. “Oi, you alright?” He murmurs, and leans himself closer to her. Face leaned against her shoulder, pressing a soft and affectionate kiss to the spot he’s closest to when he feels the warm skin against his cheek. It’s hard for Val not to be affectionate with his friends- even harder with his casual lovers and friends-with-benefits. And he cares about Minerva, and feels the nerves emanating from her. “We can always go fuck off somewhere, love. Just say the word. Probably have some joints in my bag, I bet.” 

Where: Anna’s Office

There weren’t many things that happened in the vampire population of New York City that Anna didn’t hear about, especially regarding her daughters, but she often hoped that they would tell her things themselves rather than leave her in the dark to hear about it over the grapevine—or in this case from another daughter.

Anna tapped her finger against her desk as she waited for Minerva to arrive. Aside from Adeline, her daughters were always punctual so she didn’t have to wait long before one of her youngest stepped through the doors. “Minerva,” Anna greeted, a soft smile on her face, the one reserved for only the closest to her. “Take a seat.”

She took a second to take in her hardened daughter, waiting for some sort of confession to come, but Minerva was a stubborn one and if she hadn’t thought to tell Anna in six months, she probably never intended to tell her until something required it. “I hear that you have someone new in your life,” she started, her brow raised, hoping the nudge was all Minerva needed to start explaining herself.

Anna had always taught her children not to be too reckless with changing humans. For her, it was an eternal commitment, which was why all her children still remained loyal to her until this day, so she thought the lesson would naturally pass. It didn’t quite seem like the case with this, however, Minerva had always been a bit more reckless and quick to resort to permanent solutions. Changing a human was as permanent as it got.