Los Angeles: Blood Moon - ❌🍕🟩ch9-just-a-dream

Chapter 9 [POSSIBLY A RETCON] Location: Cafe in downtown LA Players: Tash, Jean-Paul @!Yr Hyennaes (Tash/Kris/Agnes) @Jean-Paul / Sasha (Lucas) ST: no need Previous scenes: #❌🍕🟩ch9-business-only (edited)

Despite his wishes of avoiding the Venture Towers, this is the second time Jean-Paul is coming near it. It is for a good cause though? No, not really, it's more for his own personal wishes than anything... He'll drive towards the entrance with his white 1953 Corvette, dressed appropriately with Louis Vuitton clothes only, and when he gets there he'll wait for Natasha to get in. Yes, he's being very noticeable, but he doesn't have his bodyguard with him this time. Hopefully the blue-haired weirdo won't show up.

19:20

(He's dressed somewhat like that)

Natasha was talking by the phone most of the time of waiting. Her voice tone was more of the one to give away business orders, but little black dress, nice tiny diamond jewellery and expensive clutch told about the real date. When she saw Jean-Paul she stopped the talk and came closer. - Oh my God, - she held herself from whistling, - well that's a real show-off. Tash smiled. - Hey there.

"It's part of my nature, what can I say?" He'll get off the car and open the door for Natasha to get in. Although technically she could jump in, that's not the appropriate way to get inside a car, is it? "Ready to go to Hollywood, Mademoiselle?"

- Oui, Merci, - Tash got inside the car sliding her fingers over the shining door polish searching for her own reflection in there.

Jean-Paul will start driving to the Café. The car is well maintained so it often doesn't give him problems with the engine or anything like that, but it still is an old car. "By the way, if you see a Toyota following us... throw a bottle on the street so it can pop its tyres"

- O-oh you're getting mean, I like it, - Kirov laughed, - It is you or my company is creating you a bad influence? She got a bit more serious. - It's about the stalker ye? Don't worry, I know how to handle hostile women. I am Russian after all.

"It's more that I'm pretty sure if sees me going out with you she's definitely going to do something crazy... and I don't even want to think about what it may be, so I might as well avoid it, even if it means getting her car to crash... I will only hope she'll be wearing a seat belt" He shrugged. "What would you do if she approached though?"

- I don't know. I always follow the situation. She gently put her palm on Jean-Paul's back. - Don't worry about her, If anything happens - I can take care of it. Okay? She lightly smiled. It was obvious that she s[pent some time as a Ghoul. Probably any ghoul would do the same, act the same, talk the same. But she wasn't his ghoul. As she really e=mentioned, she was somewhat free of her choices.

"Yeah, okay, I feel like I may be starting to be a bit paranoid with this too" He laughs a bit. "Never had an experience like that before... but anyway, I'm just going to enjoy your company tonight, it's much more fun" He'll smile at her for a bit, but then turn his attention to the traffic. "Have you been to Hollywood yet?"

- Nope. It's just two and something years I am in USA at all, remember? I needed to run my business and I actually never thought of going there. All the stars sooner or later went to Las Vegas. It is a Mecca of some sort. You wanna show me something?

"If I want to show you something? I mean, where to even start? There's the Hallway of Fame, the Chinese Theater, imagine thinking of the possibility of one day having my name on the Hallway of Fame... it gives me chills, even though I can't feel that anymore"

The girl Laughed. - Yeah, that could be a great deal, but just think people can vomit on your star, - she got nasty, but softened right away trying to explain, - I don't know if it is worth. It's... I am sure you can do better then that. It is not about the star. You can get one just paying money to the right people. I know how it works. But I am not that much into art to know what is the real deal. Do you?

"That's a fair point... what makes a movie truly good is something else" His look changes into a more serious one, more focused. "I like to think I understand art well enough... but the truth is that no art ever pleases everyone... the most well critiqued movie of all time, The Godfather, I've seen people say it's bad because it's slow paced... so how can you really know how to make art... perfect?" He takes a deep breath. "Sorry, I started philosophizing a bit much again... I'm not sure if I should go there"

- Perfect is just a subjective matter. So I'm more materialistic in that. If you don't have anything called professional defect - it's good. Hm. That actually makes impossibility of anything super good but... It's all emotional sphere on the top. I'm not an expert, just telling from my experience as far as I can. She tried to calm him with this talk. But it also made her think a lot.

"Well, art isn't really materialistic, is it? I mean, sure, you can try to look at the box office and I suppose you would say the best movie ever is Titanic... but is it?" He shrugs. "Ah... well... so, anyway, did you ever have an agent when you were a model? You seem so... how can I put it? Self-sufficient"

Tash lauhged. - Yes, of course I have worked with agencies. It just made life easier. And I was looking for another things back then.

"By the way, you said something that made me kind of curious, actually... you said you could recommend a secretary, not that I need one, but, who would it be?"

- Depends on what your requirements are. Tell me... What is is t you desire? - She grinned wide devilish grin.

"I think I desire someone with dark hair, pale skin, blue eyes, Russian accent, with many secrets that she may not be willing to share just yet... if she's secretly famous it's even better" He wasn't looking for a secretary, he was just wanting to know what exactly she was suggesting when she said that the first time... but why not take advantage of what she said anyway?

Natasha chuckled. - Well that is my role in here? a Secretary? I could only imagine it in a very spicy situation but working as one, - she made a gesture, - please, save me from that. You can ask a president wash the floors, and it could be fun, but it is just not a president's job, right? She was definitely a very high opinion about herself. And indeed most of Cam kindred would just tell her to shut the fuck up, even more the Anarchs she met did. Gun in the face? Normal, getting used to it already. She stuck in emotion again. Yep, no sadness, but nothing to be happy about as well.

"I think you forget one of the things I just said, Mademoiselle Kirov, I already have a secretary... this is hardly the job I would have for you" He chuckles. "Have you got your own company, or is your only source of income selling information?" (edited)

- It depends on why do you ask. You know this kind of questions are usually considered suspicious in my business. But yes, I have a few. The ones you may know for sure are makeup brand and I just recently bought and renewed the Aphrodite Studios in Las Vegas. Yes, the former porn studio, - she chuckled, - I didn't want to turn it into a night club, so I just made a new thing - now it is a 24/7 SPA with a huge rest zone.

"I miss the good old days when I could spend a whole week in a spa and actually get some joy out of it, now at most I could spend half a night and it'd be for just the memory, because the treatment would do me no good" He takes a deep breath. "How is Las Vegas anyway? I always wanted to visit the fake monuments they made there"

- No way. It is invaded by Sabbat now and probably will be lost for some time, - she really brought in some bad news.

"Sabbat, huh?" Not the first time Jean-Paul was hearing of them in LA, but he really wished he hadn't heard of them any times. The topic was never a pleasing one. "Well, how was it before that?"

- Busy for me, big events, big people, huge LV events and then He appeared, - she chuckled. - How have you met your Sire?

"In the Cannes Film Festival, I went there because of my family's influence and invited some of my friends from Sorbonne, she could overhear what I was saying about the movies, and... I guess she was also attracted by my fashion sense" He smirks. "We started talking there and... well, you know the rest... how did you meet your domitor?"

- I was looking for another VIP access to some kind of society, - she chuckled, - just needed to share a drink. That's what I did. Now I am in the VIP club, he didn't lie to me, - she laughed, - never regretted the decision.

"Well, I guess you can say you have front row seats to the VIP club... but you're not really there yet... not that I'm sure it really is a good thing to be in said club, not being able to see the Sun, kinda sad, but it does wonders for your skin"

- Oh I am sure it does wonders to your skin as well, - she laughed, - actually I have one thought always buzzing in my mind since we met. How much camarilla guys do you know or seen except of that Harpy guy?

"I avoid meeting them, didn't I already tell you that? Unless I saw someone on the street and they passed by me at some point... I don't think I know anyone else, why do you ask?"

- Because from what I have seen and known you are the most fitting camarilla toreador template. In a good sense of course. She smiled. - Everything you tell, all the descriptions that you do fits just as designed you know? So I am a bit surprised you're so much in fear of the Ivory Tower.

"I don't know if you are saying that as a compliment or as an insult... but I feel offended either way..." He takes a deep breath. "Here's where the difference lies though, if I was really like a Camarilla Toreador, I wouldn't be listening to your opinions, because the only one that would truly matter would be mind, and I would likely just kick you out of my car... but, I am an intellectual, every movement needs those, the fighters and the thinkers"

- Okay. Do you want me to tell something nice or be frank? - Tash moved to a serious notes of a talk. It did sound more like a business matter.

"Is this when you're asking about the bad or the good news first? I always prefer the bad news first, so be frank, then say something nice"

1

1

1

- Don't think I am trying to play a smart ass here. I don't know everything but I do know shit about how politics work. It's all the same, just you have some more instruments in your pocket. Look at me. You can kill me just with one hit. And you don't do it. Why?

"Well, to be frank, I can't really kill you with just one hit... it would take me some effort to do it and a lot of blood... but I don't do it because I want to work together with you, I want to know more about you, I want to take you to this place, I think you're a lovely woman... and most importantly... I am not a killer, I could never kill anyone"

- How does it change you from any normal human in this matter? - she shook her shoulders. It seemed she was about to lead the thoughts somewhere, but started form far.

"It doesn't, it's not supposed to, I don't want to lose my humanity... except for one thing, one very major thing" He takes a deep breath. "Our need to drink blood to survive"

As he mentioned the blood, Natasha tried to hide the inner excitement about the whole thing. It just exploded inside with a feeling she misses Adam so much. She took a little pause to catch a breath. - See. Why do you think Camarilla Toreadors would be different? Actually I know one Toreador there. Very nice guy. I am sure you two would find something to discuss. Oh actually I've just met this guy. Dylan. It was a good meeting. No one threw me our of the car. On the contrary... The business meeting went amazing. I am not like you, I am een in more danger probably, but as you can see, It's just a matter f who you are. You just need to have a good ally to take an eye on you. One can never survive being a bitch to everyone. Even the one with power. I know it. I am an influencer. If someone doesn';t kill me right away and does something bad to me - I know just the ways to turn any life or un-life to a living hell. I don't need to be a superhero to do it. Just the same as people do. Probably now she even could be frightening. But as she promised - she was fair. Powerful, Self-confident. A true leader.

22:28

Still a human.

"Here is the thing, okay? I don't care about business... I suppose making acquaintances is useful, but business... only for funding my movies... I'm a man of the arts, a passionate man, not a man who sees everything with this type of view, although I can appreciate it, because, as I said, it can be useful... but I suppose I can try meeting some of these people, if you can build a bridge"

- Sorry. What I mean - it is jut the same. I have seen many kindred... I know... knew some more of Anarchs, Cams... Even Sabbat. Not all of them are alike, but also not every and each follow the template. Just correct me - is it the list of strict rules that frightens you in Camarilla? Or something else in particular?

"The fact that each Prince has their own manner of ruling, one may be more lax, the other may be more strict, and there's nothing you can do about it... some cities may protect Caitiffs and thin-bloods, and others have scourges just to hunt them down, even though they blatantly deny everything the Sabbat preach... they claim to protect who's there, but they only protect who's on top, the little ones can get screwed for all they care... sure, I may say a few things here or there that may suggest I dislike how the Last Round bar looks like... but I would give my life to protect a fledgling Caitiff who doesn't know their sire, while in the Camarilla they may just be killed, even though they had no choice or any idea of what happened... That is why I don't like them"

1

- You can still disagree with me, but the society needs a clever leader. For some reason it is the Prince. If the Prince is shit - he won't save his place for long. Of if he is too loyal, believe me, I've just seen how Camarilla was taken by Sabbat because... I personaly think Prince didn't want to put his attention a lot to what everyone in his domain did, generous, but stupid, - she was a little angry about the whole situation as she knew she would have spoken to the Prince and maybe avoid the explosion and shit, but she's just a ghoul. - So sometimes the society needs a strong hand, 'kind' and 'blind' is not the same, but just letting it go is no good either. There is a really radical fraction of Anarchs in LV, no better then Sabbat. They do what you desvribed earlier. You get on their territory - you get killed. I would still not judge all anarchs for what these psychoes do. Do you understand what I mean? She sighed, remembering these recent bad times. She had so much to say, Tash knew she can put herself in more danger telling all this, but she seemed just could not stop. - Cams are not the enemy. They're just more open about their politics. The rules were made to protect the Kindred, not to kill them. Princes can be loyal, but you can not be responsible for every lost soul over there, - she spread her arms and she shook her head, - We all want to hope it will be all good with the random newbie, but just the faith is not enough. One caitiff can break masquerade in the bad time and place. One! To get both Camarilla and Anarchs BOTH in danger, - she seemed like spoken to a public already. Just the tribune was missing, - The enemy will not care who did this! Either you ignorant or not. It will just be an end to all of... us, - she still told like she was a kindred already, but her life is dependent. Not a surprise. - That's why tradition of Embrace was made. Not to let just all people in. But only the ones that are trusted the most! The valuable to the

23:54

current vampire society. And I do believe a normal Prince would give a vampire who lived long enough to come to him not showing his true nature to people a chance to prove himself. I would not be glad of other decision either. That's also why the one who embraced with no reason and left the newborn vampire just as-is has to be punished. Because he's putting everyone in danger. Natashe was desperate and highly, frenkly emotional about the feeling she needs to enlighten the Toreador with the stuff she knew already well enough. - And to know who is joining your domain is made for safety too. What if the Caitiff you're saving with your life is a cunning sabbat infiltrator? Who will protect YOU? Thst's the idea. That's the sence of all of it. The rest is just a personal bullshit that was, is and will be in any society. Be that Cam, Anarch or regular human Primary school. She tried to get rid of all the tension, she sighed and rested on the seat like she just gave a revolutionary mision speech. [Tryin' to use my leadership 4, charisma 4, public speaking/media influencer specs here

]

"Okay, so what you're saying makes sense and all, and I suppose I can agree with the fact that there should be some investigation instead of accepting every Caitiff, we have means to do that... but despite the Camarilla claiming to have so much order, the whole concept of the Praxis is too barbaric, there should, at the very least, be elections for the Prince, every ten years or so"

Natasha got a little more quiet. - Well, it is not a bad idea, but usually this is more of a question of when. When all of them are not satisfied with the current prince. What do you think?

"I don't know about that, I think there should be a periodic election... that's the whole base of how democracy works, but since we live for a long time, it shouldn't be just 4 years, that's too short, it's why I said ten, but the Primogen council, which should also be chosen by each clan, should have the right to impeach the Prince and call for a new election" (edited)

- Well it.... Doesn't always work. It is so, - she chuckled, - so human ahahah... I guess not a lot of your society members are ready to change a lot every couple of years. Even ten. That's too short, - she raised a brow, - do you want me to ask around? - She seemed pretty serious. - Like that would be fun. And I am not afraid of being stupid in that. I am just a ghoul, no? - She laughed. - Why no one offered that anyway? Mayne they would agree.

He shrugs. "Let's be honest... no one would want this to happen, this is wishful thinking, not even the Barons are really democratic... but that's how life is, isn't it?" He takes a deep breath. "Nah, don't ask around, but if I ever joined the Camarilla I certainly would try to get this to work... why not? Changing the system from within and all that... What am I even saying? This was supposed to be a date, why are we getting so political anyway?"

That made Tash grin first and then burst into joyful laughing. - I like the conversation. And... Are you brave enough to start the change from within. I mean. Why not try? You can always return to Anarchs if it doesn't work.

"That's for the future, I'm comfortable where I am right now, and Isaac Abraams is very rooted in the cinema business, so I have no actual reason to start worrying about politics just yet... for now, I just want to make my movies, and mark my name on History in another way... but maybe you can help with that as well"

- Oh I can. I am interested in good investments, - she grinned and skipped the part where she told he's a coward that wants to just live a quiet life. She could not blame him for that. - But yes. A date it is. So... Did you have a lot of dates though? You probably did... except of you're a toreador on top of that, - Kirov smirked.

"Well, when I am not busy with making movies, I do tend to go on dates, with various purposes, sometimes inspiration, sometimes feeding, and other times simply to enjoy life" He smiles a bit. "I imagine throughout your life as a model you had a busy dating life as well, but what about afterwards?"

- Ah-huh, I get it, what kind of date is this one? Inspiration, feeding or enjoying life? - Her words sounded way playful. Every time biting was spoken about she got totally crazed deep inside like talking about herione with the junky. - Yeah. Had enough, but not anything serious till that case I moved to USA, well, after... A few, - she smiled shy.

"Hm... I invited you here because I wanted to enjoy your company, mostly... but we can always see where the night leads us, can't we?" He will very softly just run the back of his hand over her cheek when they're on a red light. "We're almost at the Café... I suppose if I had a more modern car we'd have been there by now... but I wouldn't give up style for speed"

1

He could notice Natasha turned her head like naturally so the fingers slid to her neck a bit and touched a trembling anxious artery. An obvious hint what she would like to, but that indeed was a question of the night. Maybe it will end with a big fight over how Vampire society should look like. That would be a miss but hey, a thriller one! - I have a Mazerati, but I guess Adam would like to take it yet...

"So that's his name?" He raises an eyebrow and chuckles a bit. He didn't even have to try to get the name out of her and it ended up coming out. Maybe he was playing his cards right after all. "Well, either way, today I'll make sure to give you a proper meal... and a proper drink, which was not something we could have last time" He will say when he parks his car near the Cavoletti Café. It looks life a fancy place on the outside, but Jean-Paul has already made reservations for a table inside.

She stood out the car and let Jean-Paul bring her to a cafe. She looked around remembering she did have a spray can in her purse just in case. - Yes. His name is Adam, - she smiled mildly narrowing her eyes. Remembering her domitor revived nostalgic feelings. She still missed him. Always.

Jean-Paul would make sure to have opened the door for her and to offer his arm for her so that they could walk together inside. If she reciprocated or not it was fine. Either way he led her to the hostess who eventually led them to their table.

14:03

1

Kirov went in looking around. The place looked very simple, not even a comparison to russian restaurants. but she was ready to try their food as she trusted Jean-Paul with it. She was ready to make her verdict. - It's... decent... - she dropped in a low voice with a smile.

"Just decent? Ah, well" He shrugs. "I suppose it is too minimalist... they could use better tiles, but overall it is pleasing, anyway..." He hands over the menu to Natasha. "Make sure to choose a good wine, who knows if I'll be drinking it later tonight"

Good she had a good makeup that didn't let her show blush that mich. - Do not tease me with such promices... - "no-o go ahead, continue" Devil's voice appeared in her head, - it makes all my appetite vanish, - she smiled a little.

"And we can't have that now, can we? We barely just arrived" He chuckles a bit and leans on his seat. For now he decided to take a seat by the head of the table, but he plans on moving closer to Natasha as time goes on. "Tonight you can have whatever you want on the menu, it's all on me"

The girl grinned trying not to think of the talk earlier. - Well, that's generous as I am about to order the most expensive things our there, - she made a devilish grin to see Jean-Paul's reaction to the fact. That even returned her to her Russian days of modelling when she did that all the time. Just used rich men to her pleasure.

"I wouldn't miss the opportunity either... eating good food is one of the pleasures of life I will certainly miss... but there are others that managed to replace it" Jean-Paul smirks slightly. He doesn't mind spending his money on food for her... it's not like he'd spend it for him anyway. "Just remember that it doesn't matter how much it costs, but how good it actually is..."

She slightly bit her lip with the the thought "What are you doing you naughty bastard. Okay, Breathe. There you go." - Sometimes the cost does not fit the goods. Let us see, - she raised a brow intriguingly looking into the menu. She ordered the dish with the most delicious meet (well, promised to be one at least) and "the best wine you have here".

"Straight to the main dish, skipping even the hors d'ouevres and the entrée? An interesting choice" Jean-Paul makes said comment, and just makes sure to order a glass to accompany Natasha's wine drinking, although he won't actually drink it. "I hope you are not trying to get rid of me" He chuckles.

- Get rid of you?! No-o. You will not get it! I am not a gourmet, - she shook her shoulders, - I like to get to the most delicious stuff, - she smiled excusing herself, - the habit to take till it's hot. If you know what I mean, - Kirov chuckled.

"So what you are saying is that you do wish to spend more time with me, then... I'm glad to hear it" He chuckles softly, and moves a few inches closer to her. Just a bit. The wine does get served before the food, and both glasses are served.

Tash pointed at the glass. - Can you smell it the same? Or the 'sickness' took it as well?

"I can smell it, the grapes, the alcohol, it smells very nostalgic, and it really makes me wish I could get a glass myself..." His sigh this time was a sad one. A good glass of wine was something he'd never refuse. Of popping open a bottle of champagne... He looked a bit sad thinking about that. "Make sure you enjoy it for me"

Tash narrowed her eyes. - Oh I will, - she took a glass, rolled it a bit in her hand and tried. - Actually it is way not bad. As I mentioned I am not a gourmet. Especially about wine, but that shit is good.

"You'll learn to appreciate the finer things in life, just stick with me and I'll teach you" He is very carefully paying attention to how she's bringing the glass of wine to her lips and how the wine is going in. Red wine really does look like blood, doesn't it? Her smell, and that sight, were certainly very appetizing. He moved a few inches closer to her. "How often do you ever take a break to relax and just... enjoy life?"

1

1

Natasha licked her lips and put the glass on the table. - Well, I'm not such a busy bee 24/7., I do have my free hours. Just lately with all that sab.. stitution in Las Vegas made me totally exhausted. But here it is another story yet., - she smiled, - Anyway. You can find out something interestong, - that meant something but... just intriguing yet.

17:10

When the meal was there, she started her dinner with no rush, enjoying.

"What do you meant by finding out something interesting?" He seemed a little bit confused about what she said. Did she want to say something but didn't feel like saying it yet?

- That's a surprise, if you dare taste it, - she chickled lightly.

"Would I? Would you?" He looks into her eyes as he asks that, reminding her of the deal he suggested to her the previous night. "I surely would like to have a taste of the wine..."

The girl took the glass and made another sip, looking into Jean-Pauls eyes with a light smirk. Then she returned the glass onto the table and moved it just as inch towards the Toreador. Stylish little hints.

1

"What are some of the things you miss the most about your time as a model? I'm sure that, despite enjoying your new life so much, there's gotta be things you miss"

Ooh, that question made her think. Probably a funny view. What did she miss? "I frankly don't know. I easily go with the flow until it brings me to a better. Probably just miss an illusional opportunity to send Rossellini to a hospital instead of myself", - sounded playful but so-o bitchy.

"Who's that Rossellini? I think I've heard the name before, but I can't quite remember where it's from" Jean-Paul isn't exactly an expert in kindred lore. He might know the Giovanni exist, but probably not that the Rossellini are also Giovanni.

She sighed. - As far as I knew - a part of Giovanni family side branch. The freak I was about to merry until we had a fight and he broke my arm. She told that with no sorrow but a cold disgust.

17:35

That's where she definitely put a big dot she's not the easy one. Strong emotions and huge drama around.

"Ah, so you even had a fiancee once... a shitty one, unfortunately... I hope he got what he deserved" Not necessarily death, but a good kick in the nuts, or something like that... death usually wasn't something Jean-Paul wished for people.

- Well, he was the one with the money. I was the one who wanted them. We came to Vegas... and it happened. I was left alone,, but I don't break that easily ya know?

"Sticks and stones" Jean-Paul nods at her. "Would you like another glass of wine, ma cherie?" Jean-Paul asked, and by now he was pretty much sitting by Natasha's side, with how much he had been moving closer to her slowly, as time went on.

- Why not? - She noticed that slow-mo moving to her, but didn't make a hint she knew. She took another glass probably meant to be his, but he didn't drink. So she just changed the glasses.

"Where are you staying, now that you're here in LA? You already know I live in Hollywood, but I just realized I haven't asked you that yet"

- I have a few rented and I still plan to change probably... An old habit not to stay a lot in one place as fans get annoying. You can understand. I think I'll choose something on Hollywood hills.

"Planning on staying close to me?" He chuckles softly at the suggestion that she'll be staying close, in Hollywood.

She smiled and took a few sips of vine. - Who knows maybe it's you, not me, - she chuckled, - so seems we're going one direction there after all.

"I suppose we are..." Although maybe the two didn't really have the same exact direction in mind. Jean-Paul didn't think it was a good idea to feed on someone else's ghoul after all. Either way, he moved closer, this time he could feel the attractive smell of her blood even stronger, and he caressed her cheek again, with one hand. "We can take what's left of that wine back to my apartment, if you want"

1

She was weighing 'yes' and 'no' pretty a long time narrowing her eyes. It could seem she just enjoyed the touch. Well she did, but it was a new city, new meetings. How trustworthy is that vampire after all? And it was not about the blood but reputation. Finally she looked Jean-Paul in the eyes. - Okay, we'll see if you're a man of style after all, - she could not stop herself from urging him.

19:05

in a good matter of course.

Jean-Paul will call for a waiter so that he can pay for the bill and he'll ask for the wine bottle's cork as well so he can take it home. Although he does have some more wine at his apartment. "So you'll be judging my tastes?"

She grinned playfully. - I'll you'll be judging mine I guess it's fair, - she chuckled.

"You're right" He will stand up and offer her his arm so they can walk back together to his car.

The girl took his offer and they went to his car.

Jean-Paul will take her back to his car, and open the door for her to get in. He won't offer her to drive since she had some wine, so just in case. And then he'll sit on the driver's seat.

Natasha was thoughtful and quiet during all the road. Only when the car started to slow down she inhaled the air. - You know In such areas of the city even the air is expensive, but nice though. I don't know it's it about the gardening substances or cleaning liquids the maids use. It just... Different ins good way. Something I think I was dreaming of since I was a little girl. It sounded really nostalgic. Even romantic.

"And now you get the chance to actually live in one of these places... how does it make you feel?" Jean-Paul asked with a smile, looking into her eyes at a red light. He always felt like his heart warmed up when he heard stories like those... and even more from her.

She was dreamily smiling: - Like I am almost a princess, - she still was catching the details of architecture around, trying to guess the owners and their character, - you know so these houses reflect those ones living in them especially the decoration, garden, and other details. What do you have at yours?

"I don't have a house, I have an apartment, so unfortunately I can't really express myself that much... but if I'm honest, I think these people who own all these houses, these mansions... these decorations don't reflect them, the houses are beautiful and expensive, but they're mostly hollow... I try to fill my apartment with what I like, but, I would prefer to show you, rather than talk about it"

She smiled. - Okay then. I'm intrigued to see.

Jean-Paul will make sure to take a large number of unnecessary turns before going to his apartment, it's not so that Natasha can't figure out where he lives, but just in case he's being followed by a specific person. But eventually he gets to the garage, and parks his car there. There's a motorcycle parked in the same spot, which is the one his bodyguard uses, but he wasn't needed that day. Jean-Paul will leave the car first, and once again offer his arm to lead the way up to his apartment.

The girl noticed the Paranoia. Seemed she wasn't the only one who got annoying fans. - I told you. Don't worry about her. Of she was able to catch you she probably knows where you live, h she thought for a moment, - which is really bad... Ugh, no more 'her', - she smiled trying to encourage him going to his place.

"Yeah, enough about that" Jean-Paul just headed to the elevator with Natasha up to his floor. His apartment is very well decorated, but, with a difference from what he was saying about the people from before, who only hired people to decorate their houses, but were just hollow. His apartment was personalized by him. A lot of autographed posters of different famous, and not so famous, but critically acclaimed movies, such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Godfather, American Psycho. A collection of vynils of soundtracks of movies, and other places, all in a shelf made especially for it, and the vynil player was tastefully made to fit in with the decor of the apartment. He also had a home theater set up with a large plasma TV, and a good sound system (for the time). There also was some art and some props he could gather from some of the shorts he made that have sentimental value to him. "What do you think?"

The girl was looking at all the stuff with a wide smile and finally spoke: - That looks like a big movie fan nerd den, - she chuckled, - in a good way of course.

"Well, I like to think it's a bit more tasteful than that... but thanks" He chuckles. "Why don't you go ahead and choose one of the vinyls so we can hear some music? Anything there is good"

Natasha was sure she can not go wrong with any of these recordings, so she just took the first one that could seem at least a little familiar. Maybe even the last name of the singer of musician was totally messed with the actor or something. - There, - she passed the vinyl to him, - I am not sure if just 'listening' would be good but I also have no idea if this one id good for dancing. What is that anyway? I'm not that keen in old school.

"A good choice, Pulp Fiction had a great soundtrack, it was also a great movie... did you watch it?" Jean-Paul will get the record player started so he place the vinyl on and start playing it. Most of the songs are for dancing anyway.

2

- It is just I don't like to 'just' listen to music. i can do that on the go, but not like... home. Do you dance? - She smirked and offered vampire a hand.

"Please, I used to party everyday after my classes at Sorbonne... of course I know how to dance" Jean-Paul will take Natasha's hand and dance with her. (edited)

Well, that was definitely not the smoothest dance. From both parts. But Jean-Paul was still enjoying himself, and he couldn't help but to laugh when he noticed how not good it was.

The girl was used to that. She's not the one to judge the dancing. She embraced Jean Paul by the neck and danced with no thoughts of the quality. - It just returned me to the modeling days. Many of those I met during that time were too drunk to dance, - she looked into his eyes, - maybe you are already, - she giggled and put her nose to his shoulder.

"If I'm drunk, it's with something other than alcohol right now" Jean-Paul will whisper in Natasha's ear after she embraced him so closely. He was enjoying the dance. Although it didn't fit the music at all, he enjoyed her company, her warmth and especially her scent. But he decided he shouldn't do anything about that. For now, all he did, was to enjoy her embrace, and keep his head close hers.

- Does that make you feel alive? Or something else? - She quietly asked and left a soft unseen imprint of her lips on his neck, cooling down so fast...

Jean-Paul will activate blush of life so he can also be warm, and so he can enjoy the whole situation a bit more. "I suppose it does make me feel alive..." He will also lean down and kiss her neck, suggestively. But he will not bite her neck. Not yet at least.

But apparently he wasn't able to control himself. Her scent was too strong, and after the kiss, he bit her neck, and began to drink her blood.

That was the real taste of life. Something he never yet tried from a mortal. Provocative and tempting too much to resist for long: the notes of sun, good vine and at the very least - the remainders of cocaine and a damn mix-of-who-knows-what-desperate-set of drugs you probably don't suspect right away from that kind of a girl. The blood was extremely strong, Jean could swear twice more potent like any other human. True blue blood. The vampire felt her fingers pressed more strong over his clothes and a loud short moan of pleasure resounded above the ear.

Although the experience felt great, and Jean-Paul felt like just from the one blood point he got he was almost full... he knew he couldn't do that. She was not his ghoul. She was someone else's ghoul, and... it was wrong to drink her blood, no matter how delicious it tasted, and no matter how much it might seem like she wants you to have it. "I'm sorry... you said your domitor does not like it when others touch you... I should have controlled myself better"

1

[the bite is subject to a retcon leaving it only as a fantasy, she basically would just stop him] (edited)

- You're the Rose, I am sure you know how to lose control in many other ways, - she put her head on his shoulder never wanting to let him go.

Recap: It should have been a date, but at some point the dialogue turned to a hot political dispute. Jean Paul insisted that camarilla has too many non-democratic flaws connected with the Princes position and too many unneeded death sentences to caitiffs. Tash tried to explain that sometimes that's a must and even tried to recruit Jean Paul to Camarilla if he wants to try and make a difference. But that was a "no". At least if didn't turn out as a fight and the date it was. Restaurant, vine and black screen at Jean-Paul's apartment at Hollywood heels. (edited)