Traveling across the Atlantic was always going to be a little tricky for a vampire. Thankfully this petite kindred had become very versed in the process over the past few years, and had James to accompany her, making sure that nothing happened to her while she slumbered. Most of the trip went by easier that way, time flew as she did. Though when her silver eyes opened to see she was still laying enclosed in her coffin she gave a small sigh. Stretching out her senses she knew that it was still daytime, and that they were still in the air. If everything had gone according to plan, they would be landing in New Orleans just after sunset.
What had made Nike change her mind about coming back? Well, there were several things really. One of the main truths being that the vampires of this city were an open target. Without a Master to help keep control, if anything went wrong, it could shed a very nasty light in their direction for all their kind. It was still true that she still didn't want the job, didn't think she would be capable of the responsibility, and could only pray she would not be corrupted by the power it provided, but maybe, just maybe, she could become the leader the people needed.
Geller believed in her, and while she didn't understand why he had placed his faith in her, he had. Their was still an ache in her heart where her Shaggy Knight was concerned. Nike didn't think that ache would ever really go away, and she knew that what she was about to do would be like ripping open the wounds, but she would survive. How did the saying go, what didn't kill you made you stronger? If that was the truth, then perhaps the diminutive vampire was stronger than anyone believed.
After Ash had left her castle, she'd debated for over a week on what to do. What was the right choice, if there even was a right choice? Finally, she just decided to follow her instincts, and surprisingly her instincts were pointing her towards New Orleans. She made the phone calls everywhere, setting up to purchase property in the city, and though she knew if she wanted, she could return to live with Geller, it would not be right for a Master of the City to live off another. She found a perfect little mansion that was in the French Quarter, suitable for her needs and set into motion to purchase it. Then she called the airline company.
Everything from that moment had happened so quickly, and though James grumbled the entire time something deep down knew that a part of him was happy that he was going back. Perhaps Geller's little family had grown on him too. The last phone call she made before being sealed within her coffin for the trip was to Ash. To let him know that she had thoroughly gone over his request, and that she would be arriving in New Orleans on Christmas Eve. She did ask that he not tell anyone else, for she wanted her return to be a surprise.
Feeling the pressure around her drop as the plane started lowering altitude, a small smile played on her lips. They would be landing soon. As the wheels touched down on the runway Nike could barely contain her deathlike stillness in the coffin. Now that she was actually here, she was feeling a bout of nerves race through her. The process of deboarding was taken care of, and when finally the lid of her coffin was lifted, silver eyes found James staring back down at her with a frown.
"Do not frown at me so! You will make people think you are upset with me." A smile hinted at her lips as she teased him for his annoyed countenance and then a hand lifted to take his so he could help her leave the coffin. Leaving the airport took time, as they had to find their luggage, and a ride to the lace that would be her new home. She stopped their very briefly, only long enough to freshen up after her flight and change into something more festive. The dress she chose looked like something a very young Mrs. Clause might have worn. It was red velvet, trimmed in soft white fur at the collar, wrists, and hem. The neckline was a perfect square cut revealing the tops of porcelain cleavage to wandering eyes. Her hair was brushed out and left to fall in cascading curls down her back like liquid night.
The ride to Geller's did not take long, but every minute that passed had her fingernails tapping lightly on her velvet covered thigh. Yes, she was nervous, and not even James's huffy looks of exasperation could calm her down now. When she exited the car, she was glad that her servant followed, looking all too much like a skinny, non-bearded Santa with a huge bag full of gifts slung over his shoulder. The stairs were taken in graceful steps, but when she got to the front door, she almost faltered. Gathering her courage, she took a deep breath, and lifted a hand to give a knock on the door that was strong enough to resound throughout the entirety of the house.
While waiting for someone to answer the door, she lowered her gaze to the ground, her foot tapping softly on the concrete. When she heard someone coming to open the door, she straightened her shoulders. Hearing the door handle turn and feeling the light spill out to highlight her petite form, she lifted her head, lashes fluttering upwards to allow that liquid silver gaze to fall upon the person answering the door. A hesitant smile tugged on her lips as she said very softly, "Merry Christmas!"
+It was eight thirty on a Friday night which meant the board was already full. Luckily this was a night of the week where the kitchen closed at eleven leaving the work to the front of staff to supply drinks for those there for the late night show. Unluckily it was almost Christmas which meant that patrons were tourists voracious and full of piss and vinegar. The tickets fluttered in the pull from the exhaust fans. To his right, below the window, plated appetizers were already lined up, waiting to get delivered to the tables; the window was full of saute dishes, the work table in front of the fry station a panorama of steaks of different donenesses. Frank was still running - working a double too- and he ferries the plates out by hand, four or five at a time.+
+Still, Geller had to press-gang the occasional busboy or empty-handed waiter, seperating them out from the herd at the coffee and bread stations and returning dirty plates and glasses, into delivering desserts. It was no good having ice cream melting over the clafoutis or the whipped cream on the chocolate mousses starting to fall. The food was hot, the kitchen hotter, and his voice was already getting blown out from shouting out orders over the sounds from the dishwasher, the hum of the exhaust fans, the whine of Paco-Jet machine and the growing roar of the dining room.+
+Geller made a hand gesture to a friendly waiter who knows what he wants, and soon brings back a beer stein filled with margarita for him. The drink manages to take the edge off his raging adrenaline buzz and goes down nicely with the three double espressos, two beers, three cranberry juices, eight aspirins, two ephedrine drinks, and a hastily gobbled hunk of merguez, which he'd managed to squeeze into a heel of bread and devour in two bites. By now his stomach is a roiling hell broth of suppressed frustration, nervous energy, caffeine and alcohol.+
+Tim, a veteran waiter, is dry-humping Frank - to Frank's apparent displeasure. He's blocking the lane and impeding traffic in the narrow kitchen with his thrusting. Geller is forced to ask Tim nicely not to sexually harass his runners during service....after work, please. An order is sent back and Steven is not happy about it, but the grill man is already starting to slap the refire back on the stacks. Frank reaches around Geller and loads up on plates, picking them at random as if he's plucking daisies. Geller dry swallows a few more aspirin and ducks back into the stairwell for a few puffs of a cigarette in a momentary lull before going back into the fray. +
"I got a hot nut for table six." +Geller yells. It means there's a rapidly cooling boudin in the window waiting on it's partner.+
"Two minutes." +Says Steven.+
"Where's the fucking confit?" +Geller hisses at poor Manny who is struggling valiently to make blini for smoked salmon, brown ravioli under the salamander, lay out plates, and do five endive salads at once. A hot escargot explodes in the window, spattering Geller with boiling garlic butter and snail guts.+ "Fuck. Peenchayy escargots!"
+Eventually though the tickets slow down, the customers stop getting sat cause it's closing time, and Geller buys a round of beer for all his men. Men who have had a good night. There is a certain feeling of accomplishment to staring down a packed house of five hundred seatings and pulling through, not just anyone could do it. And even more there weren't many who would want to do it.+
+As he was on his way out the door he thought about going home but he knew that he'd just lie there, grinding his teeth and smoking cigarettes. The holidays are exciting but hectic, which he doesn’t mind so much, but the nights are lonely as hell now that Jenna has gone away. So instead of going straight home he left his car in the parking lot and walked down the street awhile before ducking into an inviting looking workmans pub - Irish bartenders, bowls of stale pretzels on the bar, and Van Morrison on the jukebox.+
+After a couple of sips of a Bass Ale he felt perfectly at home with the drinking crowd and the stale beer stench. He sipped and smoked and looked longingly at a plate of chicken wings a couple of stools down. But he couldn't eat right now if he wanted to. He was still revved up and in the zone waiting to come back down from the high that a full press night put him on. "Magic Carpet Ride" came on the jukebox and he was wondering if the dully lit interior of this Irish bar was some kind of time capsule. But at least it was a place to chase away the devil in his head, and the negative thoughts brewing there, for an hour before he went home. +
+By the time he walked through the door of the house his adrenaline rush had faded somewhat, leaving him grateful that he was a lycanthrope so that he felt only his forty-two years of age rather than about seven hundred after the day he’d had. A fire crackled in the living room, the lights on the tree and on the garland wrapped around the banner made the place look festive and wholesome; like a home. From somewhere he could hear the sound of eighties cock rock and assumed it meant that Zoe or Venus had taken control of the stereo. He dropped his keys on the small table in the entryway and headed straight for the kitchen, his space in the large abode that he shared with so many others. On his way past the bar he grabbed a bottle of Jack Daniels and carried it with him, the perfect thing for making late night eggnog for whoever happened to still be awake.+
+Getting ingredients from the refridgerator and the red Kitchen Aid blender from it’s cubby hole he had just set about mixing his concoction when he heard a resounding knock from the front door. It wasn’t strange for people to be coming in and out of the house at all hours, but it was all kinds of odd for someone to be knocking considering most people had their own key to the place. Wiping his hands on the dish towel hanging from his belt he headed out of the kitchen and towards the front door. One step out of the kitchen and he paused, his black and silver whorled eyes staring at the front door with skepticism. The feel of power, the vibe coming from the door, he recognized it but didn’t believe his senses for the moment.+
+Pushing back that sense of doubt he continued towards the door and once he was standing beside the door he lifted a hand and pressed it lightly against the wood. He could feel Nike there and to a lesser extent could feel the power emanating from James – Senore Man-Witch. After that seconds pause he grasped the door handle, threw back the locks, and opened the door with a quickness that left him standing and staring at the unexpected visitor. Looking from Nike, dressed as Mrs Clause apparently, and then to James holding his bag of goodies, Geller felt like he didn’t quite know what to say. Funny how that could happen sometimes, the inability to speak when something takes you completely by surprise.+
“Merry Christmas.”
+Nike’s words were simplistic but fitting and hell, at least she’d managed to say something which was better than he was doing at the moment. Wide set oversized lips pulled back into a grin that showed his fully feral white teeth.+
“I didn’t know vampires celebrated Christmas. Learn something new every day.”
+With that ridiculously inappropriate greeting done he let go of the door and stepped towards her. There wasn’t any discomfort or restraint in his movements as he gathered Nike up in his arms for a warm hug that would lift the petite vampire off her feet for a moment. Tucking his head in close he drew in her scent, his beast recognizing it and storing it like treasured memories. Letting her slowly down to her feet once again he still had his hands on her arms as he looked back at James.+
“You know man I missed your scowling face. A man like me needs a healthy dose of disapproval in his life to get by.” +Stepping back he pushed back the door behind him and ushered them inside.+ “Come on in.”
“WAKEY WAKEY, SANTA’S HERE EARLY.”
+Calling out to those in the house he doubted that any of them would mind being woken up considering the reason. Besides, who didn’t want to have Christmas a little bit early? After Nike and James were inside he closed the door behind them and turned the lock. Pointing towards the Christmas tree he didn’t mind when James wandered off; probably hoping to find Maya, pervy Brit.+
“I was just making some eggnog. You wanna….”
+As he moved towards the kitchen he asked the question without asking it, knowing that if Nike didn’t want to come with him then she wouldn’t. Swiping his hand back over his head he pulled off the black and white skull designed doo-rag that was there to keep his hair out of his face while he worked. Slightly greasy black hair fell across his cheeks until he brushed his fingers back through it. Geller was trying for normal, when what he really wanted to do was give her a shake down to find out what was going on. He could guess of course, but that wasn’t the same as knowing.+
Finger tips rubbed over Vincent's chest memorizing every attribute that made him irresistible. She moved more so sideways to drag the right cheek over it to stare up at his face. The TV from the movie continued to highlight his features each time a special effects happened in each sequences. A slight inward moan expressed how nice it was to enjoy the husband and wife moments like this. You know to be absolutely lazy? Venus kissed right above his nipple pec for a humble offering of love before turning her eyes back to watch the ending moments to the movie.
"..do you want to grab something to eat after this. I'm starved " She confessed peacefully. "Or do you want to exchange presents early." in a mischievous way she tickled at his side, without guilt, so that she could distract him from the movie. Nipping here and there at the skin with her lips. Soft and flirty.
Before any wanton affection could be exchange the boisterous tone in Geller's shout downstairs could be heard. Those eyelashes fluttered across her husbands biceps as she eased out of his arms to sit erect on the bed. Keen hearing took note that the door shut with the indications maybe someone important had arrived? Crawling ontop of Vincent, with her forehead to his, and peering down with a raunchy smirk.
"Alright my tasty treat. Lets go check it out. " She moved off him in a vulgar way to plant her feet properly on the floor. Assisting his lazy butt out of bed so that he could come with her and see what the commotion was all about. Tossing him the T-shirt he once had on before she coaxed him to lay in bed shirtless.
" Better put this on. I don't know if everyone is gonna appreciate a define chest like I do." she teased.
She was already wearing a dark Christmas red flannel shirt and same material jog pants. Worse part about getting out of bed was the damn cold floors. Eagerly she ran to the dresser to slip on a pair of socks trying to beat Vincent in the process. One last thing needed to happen and that was a pee break. The hygiene process of washing hands, drying them in a towel, had been as fast as she could. Poor Vincent dragged out of the bed and made to wait? Interlocking her fingers into his own they proceeded to chit-chat out of the room and down the stairs.
If Christmas was going to be dealt early thank god her presents were already wrapped and under the tree for everyone to open. Reaching the bottom step she looked to view Nike walking towards the kitchen. Venus and Nike barely ever spent time together sine her schedule was different then her own. Life had changed slightly, that the undead best friend to her brother, wasn't aware of. Venus loosed her grasp from Vincent's hold so that she could take a bold attempt to embrace the woman. Vampires always seem so robotic so she tried not to make her hug seem to imposing.
"Welcome home Nike. Merry Christmas." Venus warmth purposely was pressed to the cold woman. Not to be filthy but to just have that want to keep poor thing warm. Virtually impossible but the thought was rather generous if anyone tried to decipher it. Still detaining the deceased one from following into the kitchen ever briefly she did a quick introduction. " Nike this is my husband Vincent. Vincent this is Nike my brothers amazing best friend..." Venus realized that Nike didn't know about her adoption. Wonder how that was going to go over? Stepping aside she allowed Vincent to become acquainted.
Into the kitchen she lead the two inwards so that Nike and Geller could catch up. She and Vincent would only remain in the same vicinity for short period. Clearly her target in this room was the coffee machine. Going through the cabinets she sought out the filter and pointed over to the other larger cabinet for Vincent to be aware of. " Can you go in that cabinet and grab the coffee beans. The grinder is over there ..." That's how this early Christmas began so far...
It was Christmas eve and Vincent was more than happy to cuddle up with his wife and spend their first Christmas eve watching old Christmas specials in bed her. Currently they were nearing the end of "It's a Wonderful Life" on the decently sized flat screen that was pinned up on the wall oppisite the large bed with the crimson down filled comforter that they were currently laying on top of. Vincent's head propped up on a few pillows to aid him into looking above the beautiful blonde mane that tickled his chest with each breath. The moment was one he would be happy if continued until they fell asleep.
Venus's light tracing fingers, that played upon his flesh like a master musician, left trails of heat in their wake. If her fingers were warm the light kisses that rained upon his chest were like fire that melted into his very core and left the traces of her love upon his soul. His thick firm right pec was adorned with scars of their past that had brought them closer and torn them apart over and over again. Their fates had been blended together now and he couldn't see being detatched and still surviving.
Her words danced on the air brought a smile to his lips, the thought of exchanging presents was as tempting as it was for any child on Christmas eve, but he wanted to wait till the morning. "I think we should wait" As Venus continued the assult on his flesh with her nips and flirty kisses she brought a light moan from his lips to respond to her flirtateous playing. Vincent's hand was not silent as he had pulled up the flanel shirt she was wearing to tease down her low back even to her elevated side making her expose more of the flesh for his hands to play over. By the time Geller called up to them the tight yoga pants had been pushed nearly all the way down over her ass.
The position of the pants made that raunchy dismount even more pervserse making it impossible for him to not roll his hips into her and take a grip of her beautiful behind and pull her tighter to him as she brought her forhead to his. A playful spank colided with her yoga pant covered ass before she went skittering off the bed and nailed him with the projectile of his t-shirt. Taking the snug black t-shirt he pulled it over his head as quickly as he could so when he sat up in bed he could watch her dance through the room. Dark brown eyes danced over her body as she hid those pretty little feet away in the soft socks.
" You know I generally don't like to see you put on more clothing... It kind of is counterproductive as far as I'm concerned. " Vincent spoke up through the door of the bathroom attatched to their room. He had been wearing a pair of dark wash denim that hung low on his trim hips. The taught abs and firm pecs which had been treated to her affections and stained by her lip gloss. He swung his feet off the bed and walked over to the dresser to find a pair of black ankle socks to cover his feet.
He didn't mind waiting for Venus to return from the bathroom, but as he did he made sure he turned off the television just as the ending credits rolled to the movie. Vincent wasn't human, but he couldn't reach out and feel the others in the house with his aura like the others, but he was sure they knew he was here. When she approached him he leaned down and stole a light kiss from her lips before wordlessly wrapping his fingers in hers and leaving their room in the cloud of darkness to descend back into the cheerfully decorated main rooms of the large home.
Vincent's eyes fell on the new young looking woman who seemed to have a connection with his wife and Geller. Vincent stood back and watched as his lovely wife and the petite vampire embrace, and when he was introduced he would give a kind smile pulling upon his lips as he offered his hand out to Nike " It is a pleasure to meet you Nike, or would you prefer Mrs. Clause?"
Vincent then followed Venus into the kitchen to help her prepare the coffee for what may end up being a long night. Being directed by Venus in the kitchen wasn't anything new as he didn't know a location of anything in this place and the times he tried to cook for them he was usually asking her where he could find something or he would spend minutes opening an closing different cabinets.
Finding the coffee beans and pouring what would have equaled out to 2 cups into the industrial looking coffee grinder that got its fair share of use in such a busy household. He had been in a Venus induced drug like daze as they had been watching the movie, and now he was slowly coming out of it. The coffee would help and through it all he would hopefully get the chance to get to know yet another member of Venus and Geller's family. The container of coffee grounds was then carried back to where his wife was and he set the container upon the countertop. Vincent's side pressing against his wife's as he leaned over to whisper softly into her ear. " So give me a quick few things I need to know about Nike so I don't look like a complete fool. Unless you want to see me floundering all night. " A playful bump of his hip at her side was given to accentuate the flirtateous tease in his words.
“I didn’t know vampires celebrated Christmas. Learn something new every day.”
Nike tilted her head to the side, her eyes widening ever so slightly at the awkward greeting. It had been far from what she had expected, yet her lips pursed together in a wry smile and she gave a slight shrug of her shoulders, "What can I say?" She spoke softly watching as Geller closed the distance between them, letting him enfold his arms around her in a warm hug that lifted her off her feet. A hesitant laugh fell from her lips as she swung her feet, hugging him back, letting her senses delight in that brief closeness before he set her back down.
Silver eyes watched as Geller spoke to James, and couldn't hide the amusement in her gaze at the wolf's words, while his hands lingered on her arms before he stepped away and opened the door wide for them to enter. The diminutive vampire side-stepped, walking through the doors as Geller shouted to the rest of the house that there was a surprise. James shuffled over to the Christmas tree, dropping the bulging bag nearly overflowing with wrapped presents and then quickly disappeared from sight. Nike wondered for a moment if he was going to hide in her old apartment, or seeking out a certain young blonde that he'd seemed to grow an interesting attachment to.
“I was just making some eggnog. You wanna….”
The corners of her lips hinted at a smile and she inclined her head, following him with graceful steps. She could see the questions that he wanted to ask reflecting in the surface of his eyes, but instead of giving him an answer, that secretive smile grew and she lifted a slender ebon brow. Before either of them could discuss anything on their minds though, Venus and another man came down to investigate the loud shout that Geller had given to the household
"Welcome home Nike. Merry Christmas."
Sterling silver hues watched as the curvaceous blonde wolf walked over and embraced her fondly, making Nike pause for a moment, going completely still, before her arms enclosed around Venus and she returned the affectionate hug. To be so near the warmth of wolves again felt almost like sunbathing after the harshness of wintertime. Her eyes closed as she took in a deep breath, "Merry Christmas Venus, it is good to see you again."
Detained momentarily from following Geller into the kitchen, her gaze turned to Vincent as she was introduced to the man, the power within her that could sense supernaturals vibrating within her. A part of her deep down begged to unleash the power within, let herself seek out each individual and wrap around them, but she held back. Instead giving a kind smile, her body automatically moving in a graceful lowering of her form, her head tipping down slightly in curtsey. "A pleasure to meet you Vincent." Dulcet tones held the lilt of her rich English accent and a hint of surprise blossomed in her eyes, her gazing flashing towards her shaggy knight when Venus mentioned the word brother.
Her thoughts remained hidden as she kept silence on the questions within her, burning to be asked. How much had she truly missed in her self-imposed exile? There was no doubt in her mind that she would find out soon enough. Until then, she saw as Vincent stretched out his hand in greeting lifting her own pale hand and slipping icy fingers into his grip. Nike kept her own touch light, barely flirting against his skin before pulling her slender digits away. "I prefer goddess, actually, but Nike will do for now," The joke slipped out casually, as if it were a part of normal conversation, the only hint to it being a joke was the mischief dancing in her eyes and a ghost of a smile.
The petite vampire followed the rest of the small group into the kitchen, coming to stand close to Geller's side, watching him silently as he moved about the kitchen in preparation for making his eggnog. For a moment, she wondered what such a dish would taste like, if it would be like anything she'd had so long ago the memory was barely a fleeting wisp of dust in the wind. Giving herself an almost imperceptible shake, she chased the thought away tilting her head to the side as Vincent whispered something to his wife that she heard as if he'd asked her himself.
" So give me a quick few things I need to know about Nike so I don't look like a complete fool. Unless you want to see me floundering all night. "
She couldn't stop the small laugh that bubbled up, and as her laughter left her, it carried an ability that made it almost irresistible not to smile in return. Turning her head she fixed the man with her gaze, although no bespelling power flooded into her eyes. "First off, it should probably be mentioned that I am quite an old vampire, with a keen since of hearing. Don't worry, I promise not to bite, unless you want me to." The grin that lit up her face made it clear that she was having a bit of fun.
Nike gave the man a small wink, moving again until she leaned her back up against the counter that Geller was working at. Taking a comfortable pose, she tilted her head back so she could look up at the wolf, her long curls sweeping back from her face. "So, what have I missed? It seems you've been busy since I've been away."
-- Edited by NIKE SPENCER on Friday 30th of December 2011 04:46:11 PM
