Trading Tips

[Cynthia]

Cynthia stretched herself before entering the inn, glancing in the small compact she carried despite knowing that she was utter perfection; angelic, even, in appearance. Long, darkened lashes and girlish features were played up so that she looked more like a youthful adult than a teenager. Cynthia's curse. Perpetually a child. It didn't matter to her though, there was always a man there to see to her needs.

She entered the inn, sneering at the doorman who quickly looked the other way, instead of asking for her ID. She approached the bar, letting her mind work her features only slightly, enough to keep her from being terribly hassled as being under 21. Not that she looked over 16 - but she could play at least 18.


Twirling a finger around blonde strands, she pressed her lips together and looked over a small cocktail menu. Oh, what a way to pass the time.

[Emile Fawkes]

New York had changed so much since Alisoun had last been here. Agni had taken her to Midnight when it had been at the peak of its majesty, introducing her to all the best people and the most obedient pets. Then Midnight had burned. It had left her with no pets and no mentor, and she'd been forced to make her own way with Phillip as her only companion. She had fled back to England, the most familiar place she could think of, waiting and hoping for whispers of Agni or - better yet - Midnight's return.

And now Midnight had returned. The building was strong and the vampires beyond compare. Agni was still missing, but Phillip was at her side and she had a place to go. She felt powerful again. She felt deadly, and hungry for pain and blood.

She also felt in need of flavor. Phillip had been left in the car with her mountains of newly-bought clothes, the product of a busy day of impromptu shopping. She could feel him in the back of her head as she entered the Inn; he'd been watching her try things on all day, everything from sundresses to sweaters to lingerie, the latter of which had tormented him considerably. He wanted her. He wouldn't ask for it until later, but she knew she would hurt him again tonight. Whch was fine. Alisoun wanted to christen her new room in Midnight with her first and favorite Pet's blood.

But no blood just yet. Phillip's pain would wait. Alisoun wanted something earthly, and what was more human and earthly than a drink at a bar? She smiled sweetly at the man at the door as she walked in. Ahh, it smelled so lovely in here, like humanity. A pretty girl at the bar caught her eye. A vampire? Yes, the girl felt like blood and violence. Alisoun was interested in meeting a New York vampire, asking her about the times and what had changed and what was going on.

"Pardon," she said, taking a seat next to the girl. "I couldn't help noticing you. You're quite lovely." She nodded at the menu. "You wouldn't mind recommending something, would you? I've never been here before."


((text left uncolored due to Alisoun not making up her mind what she likes. <_< ))

[Cynthia]

Cynthia raised her head to the woman, about to say something quite rude until she realized that the woman was... well, she looked like a doll. She looked somewhat like what Cynthia imagined she would have looked like, had she gotten the damned chance to grow up.

For a moment the vampire stared at her older counterpart in silence, and something passed from her to Alisoun that could only have been called a sort of respect. She finally spoke, voice so carefully crafted and trained that it sounded as though the sweet song of spring itself had been made into audible words.

"This is also my first time, I admit," she said, lashes batting habitually, though she knew her charms were of no consequence to the other woman. "I was... actually about to ask the gentleman there what he recommended." She gestured to her target, a man of perhaps twenty five or more, dressed in a dark t-shirt and nice jeans. "I suppose he can wait, though. Won't you have a seat?"

There was something visable in Cynthia's eyes, a liquid black, as she spoke, but they changed back to a honeyed brown, and she only smiled lightly. Hunger. Not hunger for blood, but for... something else. Cynthia would use every mean she could to trap a target.

[Emile Fawkes]

Alisoun returned the invitation with a brilliant smile, and slipped into the seat. "Of course, thank you." If this was the New York vampire's first time here, too, it seemed they would have to muddle through finding a drink together. That sounded like fun. It had been ever so long since she'd done anything fun. This vampire was quite lovely, her long lashes fluttering sweetly over liquid honey eyes. Beautiful, but appearing so young; like a child. It made Alisoun want to take her home.

Alisoun leaned politely around the other vampire to get a look at the man in question, nodding her approval as she turned back to Cynthia. "It never hurts to ask, especially a man so fine." Alisoun imagined he screamed beautifully. "My name is Alisoun. Might I know yours?" There was hunger in the girl vampire's eyes. She was curious to see what it was for.

[Cynthia]

"Yes, a man so terribly fine indeed," she purred, watching him for a moment before looking back at Alisoun. "I'm Cynthia," she said, extending her hand. Cynthia.... was known for her ways by some, but only in small areas. With all of the vampires in the world running rampant, it was easy to forget the doll of a girl... unless you were interested in the sort of things that she did.

"You know, I can't help but notice how much you resemble a doll I have. I got her from... England, I believe, several years ago. She has been my favourite for the longest time. I put her in a glass case so her age will keep." Ah, yes, the dollmaker she'd charmed into commissioning so many of the little lovelies for her. It was a compliment, however strange it might sound. Cynthia still said things perhaps a little girl might say, despite her age.  

[Emile Fawkes]

"Alisoun." Alisoun liked the feel of Cynthia's hand as they politely shook, it was soft and delicate and that of a blossoming young girl. She listened to the story of the doll, how Cynthia had put it in a glass case to prevent its rot, and thought unsurprisingly how the doll sounded much like Cynthia. Alisoun had been turned at a lovely age, her mid-twenties. It had allowed her to move through the centuries as neither a responsible adult nor a hapless, helpless child, giving her more room to explore the human world than had she been an old woman or - like this girl here - nearly still a child.

"We are all like dolls in glass cases, I think," Alisoun said, a smile playing on her lips. She liked the way this vampire girl thought. "Crafted for beauty, then frozen in time." Cynthia did not remind Alisoun of anyone nor anything, but she was lovely and sweet and all this talk of dolls made Alisoun want to think of her as one. "And time is thus made ours." She smiled more widely. "So what brings you out on this late night, Cynthia?"

[Cynthia]

Cynthia smiled fondly at the mention that she was like a doll - she had her moments where being a perpetual child-like creature was easily used to her advantage, but sometimes.... it proved disasterous.

"I felt a little restless, and came out for a... bite. I'm still in the process of trying to find my next pet, and it's getting harder and harder as times change. Men nowadays are ashamed to be seen with a girl such as myself. Two hundred years ago it was nothing to marry off your young daughter to a wealthy old man, and now I have trouble getting them to even look at me."

She pouted, her voice with a sad lull in it. "I do not understand. Am I not beautiful? Am I not deserving of such attention?" Lashes fluttered as she looked sadly to Alisoun, for comfort.

"If only I could find  a good man to worship and adore me as I so deserve. Perhaps I shall buy one. Do you know if that's possible?" Obviously the girl had never heard of Midnight. It might... be a good thing.

[Emile Fawkes]

Alisoun nodded, understanding completely, for she herself came from a time when a girl of Cynthia's age would be off and married by now. Humans were so amusing, that at any given point in time they were convinced that their way of thinking was "right", and that the thoughts and ideas of times past were dull-witted and scandelous. It made life for vampires who were forever young, like Cynthia, difficult, when the ideas about youth's maturity was in perpetual fluctuation.

"If only I could find a good man to worship and adore me as I so deserve. Perhaps I shall buy one. Do you know if that's possible?"

As soon as this question left Cynthia's lips, Alisoun's heart swelled with joy. In just these few minutes she had grown fond of the pretty girl vampire, especially in light of their doll conversation, and was overjoyed that an excuse (one she had not had to fabricate) to take Cynthia to Midnight had presented itself without a fuss.

Perhaps Phillip's torment would have to wait.

"My dear, sweet Cynthia," Alisoun said, with the happy air of a woman imparting a secret for 'just us girls', "you are beautiful, and deserve nothing less than the eternal worship of men. Have you ever heard of an enchanting place called Midnight?" She sat back on her stool and curled a delicate finger around a tendril of hair. "It is where all these dreams may and will come true. I am on my way there now, and if you will come with me, I can help you purchase and train as many Pets as you like." A light lit in her eyes. "Would you like to meet mine?"

(Phillip, if you would be ever so kind as to join us?)

[Cynthia]

Implying that Cynthia was able to buy her own man instead of having to keep searching was a fine idea indeed. She leaned in as Alisoun whispered to her, eyes widening as she spoke of this... Midnight.

"I have heard stories, but I thought they were all just tales. You mean it really exisits?" she breathed, despite that she hadn't taken a natural breath in 300 some odd years. She looked on with lidded eyes, imaging all of the... wonderful things she could accomplish there.

"You have a pet?" She absolutely glowed, and an onlooker may have mistaken the exchange of information for something pleasant - and it was. But only in the twisted sense that the women shared. "I would adore to meet him!"

She might explode with anticipation. This was amazing. How convenient that she had chosen this inn that very night. Now perhaps all she needed was to select a pet of her own... but first she needed to see Alisoun's.

[Emile Fawkes]

Alisoun nodded. "It burned, many years back, but has since been restored. I have heard that some things have changed after the appointment of its new Master, Ian, although it is still a sanctuary for those of us who treasure tradition... Ah, Phillip." The muffled thump of soft, brown leather boots and the creaking of the door announced Phillip's emergance. Alisoun waited for her brother to cross the floor before she held out a hand for him to take. He kissed her fingers and stood at her side, eyes flitting to Cynthia.

"Phillip, I'd like you to meet a new friend of mine," Alisoun purred, stroking her Pet's arm with her nails. "This enchanting young lady is Cynthia. Cynthia, this is my Pet and my brother, Phillip."

(Kiss her hand and say hello, Phillip. Tell her how lovely she is.)

Phillip did as he was silently told, trading Alisoun's hand for Cynthia's and brushing his lips to it softly. "Hello, Cynthia. I am honored to make the acquaintance of one so beautiful."

Alisoun's brother had been bonded at the age of thirty or so, at the very peak of his life, and it showed. There was not a gray hair nor a wrinkle of age, and he resembled his Mistress strongly in the shape of his eyes and texture of his hair. His face was strong and smoothly angular. In centuries past, it had belied a gentle heart and loving soul, but Phillip had been hardened since then. He was obsessive; a bodyguard; a killer. In body he was an obsenely well-sculptured and handsome man. In mind he was a slave to pain and twisted need, his entire world centering on Alisoun and earning her love. Just as she'd trained him to be.

Cynthia would like him.

"Of course, they needn't be quite like this," Alisoun added, her nails still raising goosebumps on Phillip's skin. "A Pet is what you make him."

[Cynthia]

She watched as the man-servant took her hand and gave it a light kiss, before telling her how lovely she was. She nearly gasped with inhuman breath and gawked at Alisoun.

"You can teach me to do this?" she asked, voice quiet and amazed. Lashes fluttered again in their habitual manner, flitting from the man who worshipped every ounce of Alisoun and back to the wonderful vampire herself.

"Even in my.. state?" she asked, referring to her size. She did not like dealing with reluctant men. She had to find a way to win their hearts, to make them adore her, before turning that love into a black poison of obsession and spreading it through their veins. It was so... utterly tiring.

[Emile Fawkes]

Alisoun was pleased that Phillip's introduction had gone over so well. She had, after all, introduced Phillip as both her Pet and her brother, and that didn't always sit right with other vampires; even those with minds like hers. Cynthia, however: now here was a vampire after Alisoun's own poison heart. This girl was so perfectly, purely, sweetly malicious. All she needed was the proper grooming to transform into a lovely Midnight butterfly. Alisoun had never held a desire for children, but Cynthia was beginning to make her wish for a daughter.

"I can teach you everything, and more," Alisoun promised. Delicately she brushed a lock of Cynthia's hair from her eyes. "You must never believe yourself to be lacking, nor should you ever doubt that you are perfect the way you are. You are just as capable of training a Pet as any vampire. I would not conceive of bringing you to Midnight as my personal guest if I believed otherwise." In Alisoun's mind, it was already decided that Cynthia would be her prot?g?e. Just as Agni had taught her, so would she take this doll-child under her wing.

"That is, of course, if you truly desire to accompany me...?" As if the question even need be asked.

[Cynthia]

Oh, Cynthia didn't care if Philip was her brother. She wouldn't have cared if Alisoun had introduced him as her father - in fact, it only solidified the fact that Cynthia knew that she had been somehow destined to meet this older version of herself. Perhaps she would tell Alisoun of her father.

When Alisoun hinted that Cynthia may not want to come along with her to this wonderful garden of oppertunity that was Midnight, her jaw simply dropped with horror. "Oh, no, Alisoun, I would love to accompany you. A woman such as yourself clearly knows what's what," she added. For all of the false complements Cynthia handed out to men and women around her, she had not uttered one lie to Alisoun.

She truly was everything Cynthia ever could have desired out of a mother. It was too bad her own was such a pathetic, miserable wretch who could not stand that her daddy devoted her so much of his love and attention. She smirked slightly. What a kick in the face this was to that dead bitch. Cynthia was ageless, and perfect, and she was rotting in a grave. Good riddance.

"When shall we leave?" she asked, trying to hide her excitement.

[Emile Fawkes]

The strangest part of this whole exchange was that while Alisoun was calculating her words to earn the response she wanted, she did not intend to directly manipulate Cynthia at all. And, really, why should she, when the words uttered by her little doll were so flattering on their own?

"We may leave whenever you are ready. I have a car waiting outside, and if you need to stop by your current home for any personal effects, it would be no trouble at all." She hoped Cynthia was at least living somewhere nice. It wouldn't do at all to find out that her small beauty was living in some rat trap excuse for a domicile. There were far too many common vampires these days who refused to take what was rightfully theirs, and resigned themselves to living in dingy dwellings. Fallon had always refused to hole up in anything less than absolute luxury, bending to his will anyone or anything that refused him what he deserved. It was the one thing that he and Agni had agreed upon.

Should it turn out that Cynthia was living in someplace... distasteful, Alisoun would not look down on her for it. She was, after all, quite young in appearance, and being young didn't get a woman the things it used to. No matter. Alisoun would make up for whatever Cynthia did not have and give her luxury ten times more grand. A vampire of Alisoun's age, intelligence and experience was obligated to educate and care for the new generation of Midnight.

She turned to Phillip intending to instruct him to clear her purchases from the backseat and put them all in the trunk when a thought struck her. If she were to take on a tutee, then she must care for Cynthia properly. A gleam lit her eye as she looked back to her youngling, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Cynthia, would you like to go shopping?"


((XD Half a thread and they're already on their way. It's kinda scary how well they hit it off.))

[Cynthia]

"We may leave whenever you are ready. I have a car waiting outside, and if you need to stop by your current home for any personal effects, it would be no trouble at all."

Cynthia just beamed at Alisoun as she stood, not even bothering to pay for her drink. You didn't have to pay for things when you were as beautiful as she was. "My home isn't far. It will only take me a moment to go inside and grab what I need." And when she said "need" she meant the things she could absolutely not leave behind, which was a very precious few.

At the suggestion of shopping, she cocked her head at Alisoun. "I would love to go. The thing I like most about New York is I can avoid places like the Gap in favoure of Chanel and Dior.. and every single piece I buy will be tailored to fit me, and me alone."

Cynthia was very self-oriented. So was Alisoun, it seemed. She smiled at her older counterpart again. "I am ready when you are, lovely." And the room drew in a breath as the two women stood side by side, looking absolutely stunning.