[center] [h2][u]DINNER WITH A BLOOD SUCKER[/u][/h2] [img] http://i.imgur.com/ZnOpQuF.png[/img] [img]http://i.imgur.com/NeeWKCw.png[/img] Location: Reeves Residence-Hudson Valley, NY Time: Evening (around 6pm) to Night (around 10 pm) [/center] [hr] White on white on white, with a black undershirt and striped shoes with a black trim. It was all Barron wore and all of it expensive, true white was a beautiful color and in his time in post apocalyptia true white was unobtainable always stained and no amount of abraxo cleaner could grant him that hue that absence of color it contrasted perfectly with red, like a self destructive symphony white was simply the best detailing every little speck of blood, spit and puss. He wore a blank canvas and on the off chance Arcadian attacked he’d become a living portrait of Arcadian’s death. Twas a entertaining thought indeed for him as he parked his rental car in the Reeve’s driveway. Flipping his phone out of his pocket he called his wife. [color=cd0000]”Your voice is sweet nectar to my ears my rosebud, my wine flower m.”[/color] “Dear, it’s almost time for your meeting.” [color=cd0000]”Of that I am aware, I simply lost myself in your voice. Sadly I spend another night bereft of your touch, your smell, your enchanting beauty. But this is work, a task that needs to be done.”[/color] “Yes yes. Make sure you step carefully, they must not know of our plans. Nor your involvement in other business.” Barron kissed the air. [color=cd0000]”We shall not be apart long. Once I’m done here, I have the means to find Arcadian. Sleep well. My love.”[/color] He hung up the phone and soon found himself knocking at the door. [color=cd0000]”I hope I’m not too late, too ages to find a proper aged wine.”[/color] Ben stood stiffer than like a mannequin in the dining room, his nose filled with the scents of past shimmered mushrooms, caramelized onions, and numerous other ingredients. The bad part, they were already warped up for tonight’s dinner save for the main course of beef wellington in the oven. Lorrie had made Emma go all out in preparing a great deal of appetizers and horvers, most already set out on the table, to appease their coming guest tonight. The display irritated Benjamin who brooded silently as he balled his fists at his side and allowed Lorrie adjust the shawl along his tuxedo. Her fingers slipped into the outside then straightened it several times, smoothing it over repeatedly until he was wondering if the thing would fall off. When the ornate door knocker thumped heavily against the wooden door, the sound echoed into the foyer. past the large living room and made its way into the kitchen. Lorrie paused in her action and peered up, her eyes narrowed on the direction then turned to Daniel. The older man nodded once before he flashed his best smile and indicated for Benjamin to follow him. With a begrudging sigh, the teenager flipped on heel to trace his steps and follow in the man’s wake to the door. Daniel was the one that greeted Barron, his hand pulled the door open and stepped away to allow their guest inside, “No, you’re a few minutes ahead actually. The horvers and appetizers are already set on the table, the entrees, main course and dessert will be ready shortly. How do you like your beef wellington, well done, medium rare or rare?” [color=cd0000]”Oh, medium rare, I like the pink hue. Spacious Home you have here, could run a marathon in here. A bottle of Dom Perignon P2 1998, not my preferred choice; it’s a fine wine and all and considering I don’t know many good wine houses not a bad find. But I have better back in Vegas, though I’m more of a whiskey guy.”[/color] As Barron handed off the wine he continued rambling on. [color=cd0000]”You know, I cook a mean wellington myself. Learned a custom recipe replacing a few ingredients for a shindig once and it was so popular with my wife I cook it now and then.”[/color] Benjamin inhaled sharply, his eyes fixed on Barron. Something was familiar with the individual, but he couldn’t place why or how. His mind ached when he struggled to recollect the memory just ripping itself out of his grasp. A slight irritation nagged at him for not being able to understand what connected Barron to familiarity. Daniel naturally ignored his confused looked and the boy in general, making Ben painfully aware he had slipped into the background once more. In the past, it would’ve bothered him. Now he was use to it. Out of habit, Ben’s fingers slipped into his tie and subtly tried to pull it loose. Lorrie had fiddled enough with it that he felt a noose was suffocating him about the neck instead of something fashionable. He watched Daniel begin to kiss up to the power individual that had entered their home as the sight inwardly sickened him. “Of course, I believe I have some New York Honey whiskey in the study,” Daniel said, taking the offered wine bottle gratefully, then turned toward Ben, “Benjamin, would you kindly get the whiskey from the study?” [color=chocolate] “Yeah, sure,”[/color] Ben causally said then began to move off to right of the foyer, toward the double door room. His hand paused on the knob as he looked once more at Barron, trying to place the man, then opened a door to retrieve the whiskey. At the click of the door, Daniel shook his head at the teenager’s reply and then adjusted his attention back to his guest. He held out his hand then gestured for Barron to follow him to the open doorway to the left, leading into the elegant living room, “Shall we?” [color=cd0000]”Of course. Shoes on or off? Some prefer leaving shoes at the door to save their carpets.”[/color] Following Daniel’s lead he had a seat on one of the couches. [color=cd0000]”Shall we chat then, your time as DA has been smooth. And a blessing to your family.”[/color] “On, there’s marble flooring from here to the dining room. Only the study and a few other rooms are carpeted, which are easily cleaned and one of the reasons I fell in love with this place,” Daniel mentioned as he smiled, then placed the wine upon a wooden rack made for the purpose. The wood was decorated by carved ivy stems and leaves, giving a homely appeal to the usually otherwise plain red stained wood. His hand then reached for the cabinet nearby and pinched two facet whiskey glasses between his fingers before he returned to the couch. His head turned to watch Benjamin snap shut the door, his hand held the honey whisky in his hand, and edge toward the two now casually sitting on the sofa. “I wouldn’t say smooth. A few cases have slipped my attention mainly because I have to determine which is more important and make difficult choices. Lorrie has been very understanding and supportive over the matter, through Benjamin seems unfazed by my role,” Daniel mentioned, brushing by the fact Ben didn’t just ignore his methods but outright disapproved of them. Daniel smiled then reached to retrieve the liquor from Benjamin’s hands. The man held up one glass then filled it generously and passed it to Barron, not bothering to thank or address Ben. Already the teenage knew he had slipped successfully into the background. Not wanting to listen to the discussion between the two individuals, he started to shift toward the kitchen. A strange scent wafted over him causing the teenager to abruptly stop and his figure stiffen. A mixture of cologne, aftershave and… something else caught his attention as the boy continued to sniff the air. His head turned toward Barron’s direction, staring at their guest, and instinctively reacted. “Benjamin, what do you think you’re doing? That’s very rude to get into our guest’s personal space,” Daniel’s sharp, unexpected reprimand jerked Benjamin into awareness over his actions. He was literally hovering over Barron, about less than a foot from the man, and sniffing the air between them like some dog seeking a scent. [color=cd0000]”HAHa, what you’ve never smelled cologne before boy? I’ll admit it’s a tad strong But I do like the smell it gives off. Really makes an impression at times.”[/color] Of course Barron knew why Ben took an interest in him, he did everything he could to cover his own scent but the Werewolf smelled a Vampire and no amount of cologne could change that. [color=cd0000]”Still, space is important as curious as you may be I can always lend you a sample later.”[/color] Barron said playing off the young Wolf’s curiosity as best he could. [color=chocolate] “No… you didn’t smell like that before,”[/color] Benjamin mumbled under his breath, his figure pulled upright once more. Confusion and puzzling thoughts worked themselves through his mind as he tried to recover his mistake, spying the opening Barron had presented to him. However his pride refused to use it as his father interrupted his thoughts. “Benjamin, apologize. He’s usually well respected over personal space,” Daniel spoke, his words reflected how he bluntly ignored the fact his son was standing feet from them both. [color=chocolate] “I’m sorry, I was trying to place the scent. It’s a bit too…[i]unique[/i] to be purely just cologne. I only smelled it on three other individuals so far and I enjoy figuring things out on my own. That’s part of the fun for me,”[/color] Benjamin stated and tried to fight the growl budding in his tone. [color=cd0000]”Right. Kids being kids.”[/color] Barron took a moment and could smell the wafting odor coming from the kitchen, with barely a sniff he could smell food coming out of the oven. [color=cd0000]”Something smells good and this time it isn’t me.”[/color] “It seems the Welllington’s likely done, shall we?” Daniel gestured toward the dining room. [center]~~|Little Time Skip|~~[/center] Emma placed a beef wellington down before each individual, placed on a plate and steaming freshly from the oven. When Benjamin got his, he crunched up his nose in confusion when the scent hit him. Normally it would be making him salivate and eager to dig in, but not now. Thinking that the situation had began to affect him, Benjamin cut into his meat then placed a bite into his mouth. The meat tasted bland and the texture was tougher than he remembered, despite the clear juices that oozed from it and onto the plate. His expression turned up into disgust as he tried to muscle through the meat and force it down his throat. He coughed a moment before he turned his head, careful to not draw attention to himself. “Benjamin, is there something wrong with your meal?” Lorrie asked in concern, through Ben knew it wasn’t for his health she worried but the quality of the meal for their guest. [color=chocolate] “Ahem, no. I just got it stuck in my throat and lost my appetite so may I be excused?”[/color] Benjamin explained, hiding the fact his stomach rumbled inside and betrayed him. His arms fell under the table and tightly clenched it as he tried to fake illness. Lorrie glanced at Barron, who until a bit ago was locked in conversation with Daniel, then casually pulled upright from her seat. Her legs snaked about the table to his position and her hand lightly brushed his forehead for a fever. She frowned upon finding nothing then leaned into hiss a quiet warning into his ear, hiding it in a form of a kiss against his head side. It took all of Ben’s might not to recoil and snap at the bitch’s face. His left hand tightened on his thigh while her words slithered in causing dread to creep into his very core. “I don’t know what game you’re playing at, but you will not ruin this evening. Now you’re going to sit here and eat everything then you’re to excuse yourself, and head upstairs. If you try to come downstairs, you’ll find the door locked…,” Lorrie threatened then lifted upright, flashing another fake, motherly grin at Barron and Daniel. Her figure moved to return to her seat as she began to dig into her own meal, “I hope the wellington is suitable to your tastes, Mr. Vanderbilt. Emma’s an excellent cook, but I’ve been considering replacing her.” Ben tensed at the subtle threat toward the housemaid and gave a scowl in his father’s girlfriend’s direction. Her lips pulled into a more wick smile as she folded her hands under her chin, eagerly about to listen to Barron’s next statement. Barron had already had a few bites, while it was not as bloody as he would have liked it to be; mostly for the feeling of blood dripping down his throat it was still rather flavorful and worthy of a five star restaurant. [color=cd0000]”It’s wonderful, I sample dishes every week to ensure our meals are gourmet. If I had to say though it would seem Ben is changing, you know kids these days every few years they’re liking food prepared a different way or become allergic to some common food. If it’s not the food it must be the tenderness.”[/color] Cutting a good piece away roughly the size of a broccoli. [color=cd0000]”Perhaps he needs something a bit more rare, here see how this tastes to you.”[/color] Setting the piece upon the boy’s plate. Ben stiffened. However it wasn’t because of Barron that he did, but when the scent hit him, his mouth salivated and his will fought against literally snatching the bloody one up instantly into his mouth. With a trembling hand, he managed to stab the bloody piece with his fork then quickly place it into his mouth. It was quickly downed in moments. A look of blissful enjoyment crossed Ben’s face as he let the chunk slide down. Just as Barron thought, raw meat was best for a young wolf boy. Knowing he can’t just have Emma bring in raw meat he needed to convince Daniel and Lorrie it was properly prepared. And he smiled knowing just how. Sitting within view of everyone Barron didn’t need to move much as his eyes glowed red and burned into Emma, Daniel and Lorrie’s iries. [color=cd0000]”Emma was it? Could you get Ben something RAW..”[/color] To a observer the question would be abnormal but to those dining all seemed more than normal as if they could simply not hear and see the obvious. Ben stared at Barron’s statement, then glanced around the table. No one found it odd as Emma bowed and turned back to the kitchen, preparing the bloody raw wellington. When the rare meat came, his eyes widen and then instinct kicked in. He began to wolf it down at an alarming rate. In moments, the wellington vanished and no trace left save for some blood red streaks. The clawing sensation of hunger abated causing his eyes to look at Barron, confusion lingered in his expression, at what he had done to the individuals at the table. “My, Benjamin you wolfed that down fairly quickly,” Lorrie commented causally then sipped her wine, “Well it seems you were correct Mr. Vanderbilt, he does like it rare. I wonder why you didn’t order it like that dear.” [color=cd0000]”You know why Buffets are soo popular, people never know what they want until it’s placed right in front of them, that and they over indulge. Not the point though. People grow their tastes change and as a Casino Tycoon I must always anticipate what my customers want. It’s why my Casinos are so highly rated.”[/color] Placing a napkin down he watched as everyone began digging into their meal. The rest of the dinner went off with much of an issue, each individual enjoying their meal without further incident. Ben finally departed leaving both Daniel and Barron to their business, though the fact the vampire was so close made the teenage werewolf unease. Grudgingly, the boy moved up to the top floor and out of sight shortly. Time passed as his face lingered on the window, pacing to and from, his tension growing the longer the minutes became hours. Finally, he spotted Barron bidding his farewell as he slipped into his car and drove off. Casually, Ben looked to the digital clock nearby. It blinked in dim green at exactly ten pm, two hours before midnight and the full moon. It was going to be a very long night.