Stage Two

[Existentially Odd]

Kerr's attention was on the mortal. Though he was interested in what Gabriel had to say, he only really registered that he owned a construction company and... something about meetings before the mortal was close enough to touch. "I'm Kerr," he said, shaking the young man's deliciously warm hand. He smiled as he was told his name was Charlie and lingered as he released his hand, turning in time to be asked what work he did.

"This is Charlie. Ben, Gabriel," Kerr introduced simply, moving his shoulder against Charlie's as he twisted to indicate the booth's other inhabitants accordingly. When his hand dropped, he deliberately left his side against the mortal's, allowing the others to greet the newcomer before he answered Gabriel. "We keep ourselves entertained in many ways. But we work at The Luminary. It's a hotel catering for supernaturals," he told Gabriel, leaving it for Ben to add whatever else he wanted their companions to know about their professional lives.

Wouldn't it be ironic if Gabriel was staying in their hotel while he was visiting the city? It would certainly make an out-of-club adventure easier - or more likely. Kerr's eyes danced as he envisioned driving the four of them back to The Luminary and toying with them in the elevator on the way up to the penthouse... or to another, anonymous room. He'd been deliberately vague by saying they worked at The Luminary to protect their identities as its owners, it would be best to keep that mindset until they could be sure Gabriel and Charlie were trustworthy.

[Trillian]

"Hi," Ben said, looking Charlie over now that he'd joined their table and was a potential on their list. His clothing reminded him a bit of Cain - like a subtle version. Their clothes were where the similarities ended, in looks, though they were both darker. Ben shifted his gaze back to Gabriel, whose intensity and glowing gaze the colour of poison had attracted Ben's lingering stare. Gabriel had already said a few suggestive things and Ben had the impression that he would be the focus if they made moves with Gabriel.

"Um, is that where you're staying?" he asked the vampire. He used to see the names of those staying at the hotel but now it had become a hub. He didn't even look at the hotel guest registrar anymore, more concerned with the names on the Academy's list.

[pinkroses]

"You must see all sorts then," Gabriel said with a smile as Kerr mentioned they worked at the supernatural hotel. Kerr had been quite vague - his description told their new companions nothing about what they actually did there. Management? Catering? Night-time cleaning staff? Front of House? Owners? There were hundreds of tasks available at a hotel, so it was odd Kerr hadn't specified.

"I have no idea," Gebrial responded to Ben's question before slipping his phone from his pocket. "My PA organises everything - I just go where she points me," he added, flicking through his phone for a second before he gave a small nod. "Yes, this time I am staying there - I don't think I have before though. Is it newly opened?" he asked, his question directed to Ben as he had asked the question.

Charlie suddenly felt a little out of his depth opposite the man who didn't even bother looking at where he would be staying, knowing someone else would just take care of it all. What must it be like to live like that? Charlie didn't get to stay places like that often, so he thought it he was he'd like to check out everything online before he got there. He took a deep breath though, trying to calm his nerves and focus on the couple he'd approached, not the newcomer.

"That place looks amazing from the outside, I really want to stay there," Charlie said with a grin, enjoying the pressure of Kerr's body against his and nudging his shoulder against Kerr's. As he picked up his bottle to take a sip with one hand, Charlie let his other brush against Kerr's leg under the table. Maybe tonight would be the night he'd get to see inside if Gabriel was staying there.

"Do you get, like discounted rates on rooms and stuff if you work there?" Charlie asked, assuming the two wouldn't live where they worked.

[Existentially Odd]

"It's only a couple of months old," Kerr confirmed for Gabriel, finding Charlie's heat beside him was making him more aware of everything - Gabriel's eyes and delicious-looking skin being two of particular notice at that moment. "It's just been refurbished. Hopefully you like it," he grinned, his gaze lingering and hinting that he hoped there were other things Gabriel liked more than the decor of his hotel room.

It was still strange, to be openly flirting with other men with Ben right beside him but it wasn't as difficult as he'd expected it to be. He still wasn't sure he wanted to push Ben into getting into anything difficult but... it would be so easy to suggest they all go back to Gabriel's room to check it out, after that opening.

Charlie's contribution slotted in before an invitation could be made and Kerr turned to look at the mortal by his side, the grin still in place. "You do. Lots of people live there," he informed, thinking about that hand below the table more than their hotel. Both of his hands slid below its clean surface, one heading for Ben's thigh, the other for Charlie's. The mortal seemed to know what he was doing and Kerr wondered how experienced he was at being drunk from. Before he could ask, Ben spoke.

[Trillian]

Ben couldn't fathom not picking his own place to stay. When he, Kerr and Ichabod travelled to Austria, Ben had relished checking out hotels and picking between them, sorting out the 'must sees' and 'close to'. He supposed it must be different for business, and he had to concede privately that Gabriel had more age on him and therefore was no longer excited by selecting hotels and other mundane tasks.

Ben's gaze flicked briefly to Kerr when he answered with the age of the Luminary. At first he was confused but then he understood when Kerr spoke of it being refurbished.

He wondered if Gabriel would recognise it as the old Chambers building. Being from out of town meant he might not know it. Ben's head swivelled when Charlie spoke about wanting to visit there. His interest spiked - their donor ranks were still thin and Lovebite wasn't growing as fast as they'd anticipated it would. He was tetchy about mentioning it just yet, though. He didn't want to exclude Gabriel. But before he turned back to the vampire, he gave Charlie a broad, warm smile of encouragement. It faded when he looked at Gabriel for the heat of his smile transferred into his eyes. He found himself responding to Gabriel's looks, age and mannerism.  Shallow, sure, but Gabriel had charisma.

"If your PA didn't book you into the suites there, you should get a new PA," he joked. He looked at Gabriel steadily, hoping to receive confirmation of exactly which room he was in.

He felt Kerr's hand on his thigh and automatically placed his own hand atop it.

[pinkroses]

Gabriel smirked at the look on Kerr's face, enjoying the playful tones and banter between the group. When he'd popped in here tonight he'd been anticipating a feed, maybe a warm body to play with during the night. Now there was a growing likelihood that he'd been going back to his hotel with one warm body and two cold ones, which was even better.

"I definitely will be getting someone new if she hadn't got me the best available. And if the suites are the best, that's where I'll be," Gabriel said with a small shrug. He had just checked his phone to see where he was staying, not the exact details and his current surroundings were a lot more interesting than digging out his phone again. 

"I'm definitely looking forward to seeing it, now I know it's refurbished. Do you know a lot about that? Perhaps you could give me a little tour, point out the things I should know?" Gabriel suggested casually before glancing towards the human. "You can fulfil your wish to see it as well."

Charlie's felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as Kerr's hand settled on his thigh and his heart rate picked up marginally. He loved being fed from and the idea of having three vampires, all of who seemed pretty up for a night of fun... fuck, it was exciting. How often did this kind of opportunity fall into someone's lap? Without realising he was mirroring Ben, Charlie slid his hand over Kerr's entwining his fingers through the vampire's.

He raised an eyebrow slightly as Kerr mentioned people lived at the hotel. That seemed weird, but Charlie didn't really know how many hotels worked - maybe that was a standard thing. He'd only meant to ask whether Ben and Kerr could get them a discount for tonight... but money didn't seem to be much of a problem for any of the people at the table.

His cheeks flushed as Gabriel included him in the offer of going back to his suite, feeling a spark of excitement at the idea.

"I'd like that, especially with knowledgable tour-guides," Charlie responded, less casually than Gabriel had spoken, his eagerness shining through as he returned Ben's warm smile, but his dark gaze settled on Kerr, who he was most interested in getting that tour from. Gabriel was pretty attractive, and they'd likely have fun, but he was not why he'd approached, so if Kerr refused it would be kind of disappointing.

[Existentially Odd]

Kerr laughed warmly, his eyes twinkling at Gabriel's invitation, turning his head to grin at Charlie's acceptance. So, it seemed they were bound for The Luminary after all. Kerr had visions of the four of them in Gabriel's suite or in the penthouse, then rolled time back to imagining offering them a lift. He had a car, it was unlikely the out-of-town-businessman did and Charlie seemed the public transport type (though he could be wrong). If they accepted his offer of a ride, they'd figure out pretty quickly who they were dealing with when he pulled into his signed, designated parking space at home. He could park somewhere else but wasn't sure he saw the point in subterfuge when neither of the two men seemed interested in getting anything out of them beyond what they were hinting could happen.

"We can give both of you tours of anything you wish to see," he murmured, turning his hand over so that Charlie's palm was pressed to his. His flesh felt so soft and pliable and Kerr couldn't help but imagine that warmth pressed against his chest, on his hips, clutching at his bare back. A surge of awareness somersaulted his stomach and tingled through his groin. The hand under Ben's turned over too, but he toyed with Ben's fingers rather than holding it, lightly stroking up and down, caressing his nails with soft circles or pressing the pad of his thumb into the centre of Ben's palm. His touch was suggestive of sensual pleasure yet ostensibly playful.

"Umm... you should know that it's a twenty-eight storey old building with a chic, high-tech interior, it's completely supernatural friendly, has twenty-four hour room service - blood included - and it also has a meeting spot with a club sort of feel where mortals employed by the Lovebite app are available to meet. Lovebite is like a dating app designed to connect vampires and donors. The donors mostly live in The Luminary as part payment for their services. The club is on the twenty-first floor and is called Luminescent. And you should also know that I have a car. I can drive us all there, if you'd like?"

He smiled from Gabriel to Charlie but his gaze turned to Ben last of all. If he felt all this was too much, too soon or just not a good idea, Kerr expected he'd see it in his reaction and he'd hastily pull the plug. He hadn't said anything that couldn't be undone.

[Trillian]

It was easy letting Kerr take over, allowing him to guide the night. Ben preferred it that way so he encouraged Kerr with light smiles and nods, though his gaze continually drifted back to Gabriel. The other vampire's easy charm and devil-may-care attitude reminded him a bit of

Lazarus... no
Themba... not quite
Ash

the Hollywood ex-starlet. That guy had been full of swagger and ego. While Gabriel wasn't full of bluster and bravado, he still had a helping of swagger in his careless intensity and a dash of ego along with a sense of privilege. His entitlement very likely came from hard work and time, if he'd built up a construction company, but he behaved like a man who didn't care about the details yet always wanted the best.

It appealed. That confidence, whether it was manufactured or deserved, it appealed. Ben was drawn to those who behaved like they were in charge of their piece of the world. Gabriel appealed. His looks were secondary to his manner (though his looks were what had Ben staring at him in the first place, so they were up there even though they were secondary).

Kerr might've been worried about Ben going through with it, but he was certainly thinking that way. Of course he might change his mind once they were at the crunch point, but right now he was keen. His excitement thrummed a path through his bloodline with Kerr... and his fixed gaze and light smile advertised his desire to Gabriel.

Charlie wasn't even an afterthought, but he figured the mortal would draw everyone's attention soon enough.

[pinkroses]

Charlie grinned as Kerr's hand reacted to his own, feeling the anticipation building in the pit of his stomach and his thumb brushed lightly over Kerr's skin. He watched Kerr intently as the dark haired vampire described the hotel, the club and the app. The mention of the app was a little confusing - Charlie had heard of it but not really looked into it much. He'd thought it was like a match up app, but what Kerr was describing was more like... the humans were being pimped out using the app.

Still, getting paid to stay in a swish hotel and being fed from, that didn't sound too bad.

"Sounds great," Charlie said, although his thumb had stopped moving on Kerr's hand as he mulled over for a moment what he was getting himself into if they were using humans like that, but this wasn't like that.

"Looks like I can give my driver the rest of the night off," Gabriel said, nodding in agreement to Kerr's offer, slipping his phone from his pocket and sending a quickly message before returning his arm to the back of the sofa, this time letting his fingers brush gently at the hairs at the nape of Ben's neck.

He was well aware that the couple might choose to back out, thanks to Kerr's warning earlier, but he was hoping that wouldn't happen since the grouping they had here, particularly with the warm body opposite him, could definitely have a good time tonight. Fresh blood would be better than room service at any time.

Not seeing any point in waiting longer, Gabriel turned to slide out of the booth. "Shall we?" he asked, holding out a hand to Ben. Charlie quickly downed the rest of his juice, but would wait until Kerr started to indicate he was moving before Charlie would get out of the way and then follow along obediently.

[Existentially Odd]

Kerr was buoyed by Ben's desire; it fed into him, was amplified and he looped it back, daring to begin imagining all sorts of delicious scenarios unfolding tonight. Accidental-on-purpose touches, shared caresses, first kisses and last items of clothing shed. He lifted Ben's hand and pressed his lips to the back of it, smiling at his beloved before releasing him to follow Gabriel.

He turned towards Charlie, surrendering his hand in order to let him get up. "After you," he murmured, following the mortal out of the booth when he shifted to his feet. The rough pairing seemed to be Ben with Gabriel and he with Charlie for now but he knew they were all interchangeable - and he was as intrigued by Gabriel as Ben was.

Kerr moved with Charlie by his side, feeling it would be too strong a declaration to hold his hand as they walked. Still, he leant close as they started in the direction of the exit, mostly so that he could be sure the mortal heard his question over the music. "Have you eaten tonight? You'll be able to order anything you want from room service," he assured with a smile. He predicted Charlie would need to keep up his strength and it was only fair to feed him if he was going to attempt to nourish all of them.

[Trillian]

A shiver ran down Ben's spine at the touch on his neck. His eyelids fluttered at the sensation and he looked down at the table. It made him feel strangely vulnerable but also enhanced the eroticism - mildly capturing how he'd used to feel as a human. He marvelled at how brave Charlie was, to sit with three vampires. As a mortal, Ben would've been envious of his position but too cowardly to commit to the situation himself. Perhaps that was why he was focussing on Kerr. His partner was certainly the kinder one out of the two of them.

When Kerr kissed his hand he grinned even though he felt a touch embarrassed at the loving display in front of two people who they were planning on having a wild night with. Was it weird? He didn't really know (or care, really). Once his hand was released, he shuffled towards the end of the booth and took Gabriel's before taking the final step out. Holding his hand was also weird as it didn't feel like Kerr's and he hadn't held anyone else's hand - with the exception Murphy's and stupidly, Jake's, which had been designed to humiliate him apparently.

This, was very different.

[pinkroses]

"Yeah, I have," Charlie said, before glancing between the three vampires, suddenly realising what he was really getting himself into. Potentially being fed from by three vampires in one night... but it would probably just be a taste, not a proper feed. "I'll probably be taking you up on that though," he said with a grin at Kerr. This was exciting - he didn't know exactly what the plan would be when they got there, but being fed from was always a buzz, then fucking afterwards, or during, only made it better.

Charlie didn't mind losing Kerr's hand as they headed outside, there were enough gentle brushes and closeness to keep the tension running high and he took the opportunity to watch Ben and Gabriel strolling together from behind. They were both handsome, with good forms, especially from behind, and Charlie enjoyed the view.

Once Ben was out of the booth and they'd begun moving, Gabriel released Ben's hand and slid his arm around Ben's waist, pulling him a little closer so that their hips nudged together as they wove through the crowd. He glanced back over his shoulder at Kerr and Charlie and gave them a playful wink. With only one human between them, perhaps it would have been wise to pick up another warm body, but there was plenty of Charlie to share around and they could top up with room service if needs be. He was sure they'll all be focused on more than food shortly anyway.

Continued here