[Video]

[whatwas]

[If there's one thing Adstringendum is good at, it's yanking people around. Where Horst had been laughing and giddy the night before, he's...well, not now.]

Mina was sent home. I'm sure those of you who knew here are aware, but....

[But he personally checked everywhere she could possibly have gone. Just in case. Hope springs eternal, they say.

As he shuts off the feed, there's the faint sound of something German-sounding. Or maybe it was just static.]

[A few hours later: Private Video to Raven]

Are you awake?

Comments

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[ahandsomedevil.livejournal.com]

I'll be there. But we need to be sure the windows are closed up. From the sunlight. I'll probably forget if I'm drunk.

[He doesn't really like the idea of being burned to ashes in Raven's bed, but there's not a chance he's sleeping alone tonight.]

[Video//Private//Unhackable]

[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

[She nods.] We'll move the wardrobe in front of the window if need be.

[She might fall asleep in the meantime, but she'll wake up as soon as she he arrives.]

Just don't... let the kitten out while you get inside. And please try to be discreet. I'll speak to Hinata tomorrow morning.

[It's probable Hinata won't be happy to discover Horst had spent the night in her room. But maybe if she doesn't actually see Horst while he's here, Raven will manage not to get her too upset about it.]

[Video//Private//Unhackable --> Offline]

[ahandsomedevil.livejournal.com]

I will. I'll be quiet as a church mouse.

[And several hours later, he arrives, staggering and reeking of booze, but quiet.]

[Offline]

[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

[Candles set on her bedside table are litting up the room. Raven had been drowsing a bit, her book abandoned at her side on the bed. As he comes in, she pushes herself up on her forearms, checking what time it is on her PCD.]

Well... good morning, Horst. [Her smirk turns into a pout as she adds.] I guess there's not a drop of brandy left in all Adstring by now.

[She makes a mental note that he's been drinking far too much lately. And even with him being a vampire and all, he can't go on like this forever.]

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil.livejournal.com]

Maybe a few drops somewhere. [He mumbles that, as he slides into bed and buries his face against her stomach.]

'Morning, Spatzi. You're warm....

Cloud says 'thanks'.

[Offline]

[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

[A flick of her wrist and the huge wardrobe is silently moved in front of the window, masking it completely.]

[She can't help but blush at his touch. And then she starts chuckling softly because well, it tickles...] You too. Have you fed or is it just the booze?

Oh. And what does he thank me for?

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil.livejournal.com]

I fed. [Although from his tone it's clear he doesn't remember when. It leads him to try to remember how much he's had to drink, but he lost count around the third bottle of whiskey. Good thing he's already dead or he'd have just killed himself with alcohol poisoning.

He rolls them over so she's on top of him, and he absently strokes her hair.]

He's glad you let me stay here I think. And tomorrow, I'll stay with him....

[Offline]

[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

Ah. [She smirks slightly.] So he's not the jealous and possessive type then? Good to know. [She starts tracing circles on his chest with the tip of her fingers, the usual comforting gesture she uses with him.] It feels something has changed between you two since the last event. You're closer somehow...

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil.livejournal.com]

[He jerks at that; normally it'd be a joke, but after that week?]

I don't--

What do you mean?

[Offline]

[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

[She's surprised by his reaction and the confusion - and nervousness? - she senses from him. She shrugs.] Well I wouldn't know. I wasn't really myself during that week, remember? It's just a feeling that I get. That there's less bickering between you too... But I certainly didn't mean it as a bad thing, you know. [She gives him a small reassuring smile.]

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil.livejournal.com]

[He shakes his head]

No, no it's not bad. I just wondered how much you could tell--

[He winces, rubs his jaw]

I'm not supposed to talk about it I think.

Re: [Offline]

[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

I already told you I don't pry.

[Although she's not sure he knows himself.]

Then don't. This is between Cloud and you. There are also things between you and me that I wouldn't want you to talk about with anyone else.

It's good if you spend tomorrow night with him. [She smirks.] It wouldn't be fair if I was the only one who had to deal with a drunk vampire after all.

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil.livejournal.com]

I know you don't. It's why I can talk to you.

[He yawns, fangs briefly visible in the dim light, and then he rubs his eyes.]

What do you not want me to talk about with other people? [Not that he talks about anything important to him to anyone but her, anyway, but he likes to know just in case.]

[Offline]

[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

Well, for instance, that I allow you to come here and sleep over. I'm fine with Cloud, Alice and Hinata knowing but I wouldn't want just anyone to know.

Same goes for me letting you feed off me.

As for everything I told you about my past, my father, my teammates and the Prophecy about my birthday, I'd rather you don't tell anyone about it. It's only fair that I get to be the one to decide who I want to tell those things to, right?

[She pauses.] And of course, there's the bond. That's between us. No one needs to know.

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil.livejournal.com]

You needn't worry. I haven't told anyone about the bond, and I would never presume to share things about your past or your life.

I told Merlin about you feeding me, but only so he wouldn't insist I feed off of him so often. [He's getting better--his tone no longer goes hoarse when he talks about Merlin.]

[Offline]

[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

[She gives him a small smile.] I'm not worried, merely answering your question.

You did it for a good reason. And I don't think Merlin would ever have used it against me. As long as you're careful who you share this with, I'm okay. [She notices and she's kinda proud of you, Horst. Her lips brush against his neck to distract him.] I guess you've found new willing donors recently. [Because you didn't ask her as often as she had thought you would since Merlin is gone.]

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil.livejournal.com]

[He shakes his head, but only slightly; he likes the feel of her lips on his neck. She's the only one he's comfortable with touching his neck.]

I just haven't been hungry. I fed off Cloud a few days ago, though....

[Offline]

[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

[She can tell he's fine with the touch and her lips linger against his skin a while longer, even as she smirks.] Oh. And you're still here to tell this story?

Speaking of Cloud, I told him mako seems to react well to my healing powers. Thought it might be useful one day...

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil.livejournal.com]

[He laughed softly] It was his idea, if you can believe it.

...Are you worried he'll get hurt or I will?

[Offline]

[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

I believe you. [She shrugs casually.] We all did pretty weird things last week anyway.

Both of you. [She might be a little more worried about you, Horst. But you should be able to guess that.]

[There's pause during which she just looks at him, wondering if she should just wait until he falls asleep. But there's still something she has to tell him.] I might be going to the Inner City soon.

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil.livejournal.com]

Oh, that was...before. But yes. Last week was eponentially more strange.

[But he sits up when she says that.] What? With who? When?

[Offline]

[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

[Raven gives a start, nearly jumping backward and out of bed at his reaction. She glares at him reproachfully.] Shhh. I don't want Hinata to come banging at my door. And she will if you're not quieter.

I don't know when yet. With Hitsugaya and... other people. [She's a bit mad at herself. She knew she should have waited until the expedition was about to happen before telling him.]

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil.livejournal.com]

[He just stares at her for a long time, then shakes his head.]

I'm going to the Underground soon. [There, now they've both come clean.]

[Offline]

[feel-nevermore.livejournal.com]

[Raven's eyes widen, she leans closer to him.] The Underground? Why? With who?

[And then she claps her hand over her mouth, realizing the way she's just reacted and chuckles quietly.] Azar... We're both hopeless.

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil.livejournal.com]

What is wrong with us? [He's laughing, too, quietly. He pulls her into a hug.]

I'm going with--me. Just me. [He can't handle the idea of taking someone else with him underground. Last time, it got him killed.]