Messages

1

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Mortal Reconnection

« on: December 26, 2020, 04:58:14 PM »

"I kick you?" Ben asked as if this was the first time he'd heard it. There was a vague memory of Kerr teasing him about it in the past but it had been a while since it had been mentioned or described. "I wouldn't do that," he denied.

Ben's thumb caressed over Kerr's lips and he wriggled to get closer so he could lay a soft peck there.

"Are you okay to call Cain in here with us?" he asked, hoping that his request wouldn't spoil their cosy mood.

2

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Mortal Reconnection

« on: December 24, 2020, 07:43:09 PM »

Waking up in Kerr's arms the next day and feeling peckish, Ben remembered his promise to Cain the instant before opening his eyes. As usual, Kerr was awake before him and watching him. He narrowed his eyes and smiled, caressing hands up Kerr's side to get to his face. He cupped it.

"I can't believe you're not yet bored of watching me sleep," he said, his voice husky and unused.

3

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« on: December 15, 2020, 11:43:10 AM »

Kerr's words had a more sobering effect than he likely intended. After speaking about violent sires and thinking about New York so much, the taking of a head was too close to the reality Ben had faced. The seriousness leant into the kiss where he captured Kerr's lips to create something more than a light dalliance into a deeper and more fulfilling passion.

When they pulled back from one another, Ben's eyelids fluttered momentarily before he returned to walking. "We should get home soon so I can have a baggie."

The pushing down of his thirst was becoming less effective. Not because of time but because of the peculiar mix of stress and lust.

4

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« on: December 15, 2020, 11:19:24 AM »

"It'll be fine," Ben said with an eyeroll and a smirk. He contained his laughter because he knew what Kerr was getting at and it was very likely that Ben would focus on Harm and cause tension between him and his boyfriend. "I won't let it get to a breakup."

5

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« on: December 14, 2020, 11:39:45 PM »

"We're not leaving Ireland just yet. There are a lot of things I'd like to see and do first. After we leave your Irish roots we can still check out other places, like Dublin and Belfast. I want to drink from someone who's drunk on Guinness. I know I can do that at Venture but it feels more authentic to do it here. And to kiss the Blarney Stone and cross the rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede and visit Newgrange and see the Cliffs of Moher. There's a list on my laptop," he admitted with a sly grin.

The grin turned into a sexy albeit tiny smile when Ben thought about Harm. "Then we can go to the London apartment and visit Harm and his boyfriend, see if they're still there." He was pretty sure they would be because London had the job thing that would earn them extra money for expenses. Harm had blurted out all his Euro plans during their museum date that wasn't a date. "There are a lot of bedrooms in your London apartment, aren't there? We could share for a bit before moving on. It'll be fun."

6

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« on: December 14, 2020, 11:13:23 PM »

Ben was surprised that Kerr had turned his praise into something bleak. Was it a leftover from visiting the manor? Kerr's insistence on focussing on the negative wasn't like him; he usually bolstered Ben's confidence.

Ben attempted to do the same. "No, Halen was sent because the city was plunged in violence and chaos. Sacramentum was asked to come because Lazarus killed Halen. After you took over, nobody else came. I'm sure Charon sent back word that you were doing a good job. He was connected to a lot of groups, so news about your good work went everywhere." Ben listed them off by popping up fingers on his free hand. "The Circle. The Brotherhood. Sovereigns. The Patricians of Rome. Das Geschlecht. I can't remember all their names right now." He smiled at Kerr. "And those other, multiple, smaller councils with the pretentious Latin names."

7

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« on: December 14, 2020, 10:51:25 PM »

Kerr's flippant remark about Charon gossiping earnt him a light frown. It seemed disrespectful to dismiss the political lessons Ben got from the ancient patriarch as 'gossip'. He missed the joke entirely.

He didn't know what to say about Kerr's reappearance because he didn't know if Charon had sent word back to his contacts about it. The Oligarchy had fallen because the Oligarchs had divided the city up between themselves while the Luminary had been away. It didn't bode well for Kerr's ability to control them but it certainly proved that without Kerr at the helm, the city had plunged into a cacophony of squabbling supernaturals. And apparently, judging by the city central vote, the supernatural denizens enjoyed the chaos.

His mute anger returned and he turned away from Kerr, removing his hand and resuming their walk. His hand naturally slipped into Kerr's again.

"When I was living with Jake he mentioned the ancients a few times. He hates them because they don't treat him the way he thinks he deserves to be." Ben rolled his eyes. "He literally jokes about calling himself the Brat-Prince and still doesn't get it."

8

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« on: December 14, 2020, 10:16:29 PM »

"Charon's name and your name," Ben said, not liking what Kerr had said about him being where the power was at but unable to deflect those words because they were true. He filled Kerr in on the headlines of his accomplishments because his sire's humbleness was getting in the way.

He stopped walking and tugged Kerr's hand so he would stop as well. Looking into Kerr's eyes and with his hand over Kerr's heart, Ben spoke.

"You were the Oligarch for a long time. Our city is famous for its leylines attracting huge supernatural numbers. After the trouble that Lazarus and Halwyn caused every supernatural political figure around the world looked our way. Halen and his Oligarchy cleaned it up because that's who Europe sent. By Romania, I think." He shook his head and shrugged, indicating that detail was unnecessary. He didn't know why he'd bothered to mention it. "Once our city got their attention they didn't look away just because the mess was cleaned up. Sacrament Et Res made a new home there as a backup. They were poised to take over at any sign of trouble but they kept their heads down because you were doing a good job. I doubt the current situation is looked at favourably, slicing the city up like it's fucking pizza."

In his absence he knew the Ward were ready to make big moves. He hoped they had momentum.

9

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« on: December 14, 2020, 09:34:46 PM »

"No, I... well, um, I mean..." Ben was uncharacteristically fumbling for his words. Kerr had challenged his idea for presenting themselves to one of the stronger councils. He remembered how Austria had been wonderful until that one terrible moment that Themba had made his presence known. Ben had stayed out of New York, out of his way. He had the understanding that should he cross paths with the African ancient again that he wouldn't be released. He might not even be taken in the first place, but it would be nice to fall back on someone powerful as a threat to Themba's good behaviour than Kerr, who Themba couldn't care less about.

They would have to have remarkably bad luck to run into the ancient vampire again on their second trip to Europe. Two for two? Surely not.

"If you think that's best, we can be discreet. My thinking was that we would introduce ourselves only because we're staying for a while rather than a short holiday. I was hoping to visit The Squire's Pipe in London. It was the Sacrament's first business. A safehouse for vampires to sleep, but they also had feeding rooms. Someone else owns it now but it's still a supernatural hotspot. I have a list of a few other places I'd like to see."

All vampire-related locations and he figured if they were going to be hanging around where vampires were going to be then word would get back to one of the councils about them.

"And I'd like to meet the vampire who Charon was going to send me to," he added like it was an afterthought but really it had been prevalent. "See what kind of person Charon was going to match me with." He would've trusted the ancient's judgment implicitly except he'd turned around and dropped Ben into Jake's lair as 'punishment'. Ben still wasn't sure if Charon had done it out of spite and jealousy or if he really had been mad at Ben's inability to be tactful and diplomatic. Ben never would be able to hold his tongue around Jake McCloud.

10

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« on: December 14, 2020, 08:52:24 PM »

"Oh, no, but it's better to pay respects to one of the councils whose territory we'll be encroaching on for their permission and protection," Ben replied in a fashion that was almost reciting as he remembered lessons given him from Sacrament. He had an odd feelings of being at Venture when told that particular nugget. Who'd he been talking to? He suspected either Jeanne or Hugh. Either face was interchangeable for him in his memory. "I thought they were partitioned councils rather than overlapping. I wasn't getting a lot of detail because Charon was..."

He trailed off, not wanting to remind Kerr that he and Charon had been fooling around playing house with Charon masquerading as Kerr. He supposed the idea wasn't too far away but he didn't know how comfortable Kerr was talking about that.

"Um... there was more talk about my being groomed for Europe than my actually being groomed." He'd been anxious about living with ancient beings again (because of Themba's nest) but the political bent calmed him when he considered it was more like the Oligarchy. "It didn't go that far but Charon did let slip a name of the vampire who was to be my guardian." He waited for Kerr's expression to guide him whether or not he should say it. He thought Kerr was interested so he divulged it. "Namri. He was the founder of the Tibetan Empire around the year 600."

Ben had at first been anxious and then excited that Charon had considered sending him to someone so important. It had been a surprise to discover that Namri was the youngest ancient in the Sovereigns. He'd wondered soon after if the council was called 'Sovereigns' because they'd all been royal at some point. He'd never voiced his question.

11

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« on: December 14, 2020, 07:12:13 PM »

As Kerr spoke candidly about his interaction with the multiple councils, Ben was drawn in completely. His attention laser-focused on Kerr's every word. The tidbits about Sawyl was a fascinating aside that better presented the information package Kerr delivered to Ben's ears.

"That is so odd," Ben breathed once Kerr said it all. "In all the extra thousands of years that Europe had to get their shit together, they've remained isolated from one another. You know, when you were in the portal, Charon had made noises about sending me to London as an ambassador for Sacramentum to keep their influence there. It's... I..." Ben frowned, conflicting memories overlapping with one another. "He didn't tell me about any of the other ones, just the one he was sending me to. They were a council of ancients in London, they called themselves Sovereigns. They're allies for Sacramentum. He said they've been on the lookout for 'respectful younglings' because they wanted young vampires but didn't want to deal with fledgelings. He said I would be perfect." Ben grinned proudly at Kerr before he shrugged and looked away. "When you came back you stopped those plans because I was no longer sire-less. I'd rather have you than fill the hole you left with anything else," Ben said quietly to the path before them.

12

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« on: December 14, 2020, 04:43:57 PM »

"I like history," Ben said needlessly because Kerr knew that about him already. "Especially vampire history. I feel a kind of detachment when reading about human history now until I hear about what vampires had to do to deal with what was going on in society around them. Charon told me a few stories about Ancient Rome that helped me to better imagine it. And when you tell me about your history about living here, it's obviously a lot more interesting than books."

A thought occurred to him once he spoke about books. He'd buried his nose into so many books at the Oligarchy library. Kerr might think it strange but he'd used his movie-memories to re-read those texts. It was better second time around because he could play it at triple speed in his head, which alerted him to the fact he was capable of reading faster. Was that a kind celerity?

"Is there an Oligarchy or anything similar in Ireland? Or are they only in the big cities?"

Austria had been amazing but they hadn't talked to or checked in with any supernatural councils while they were in any of the cities there. If they had, would they have been able to hold Themba accountable for murdering him (if he hadn't had that last-minute change of heart)?

13

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« on: December 13, 2020, 09:29:29 PM »

Ben grinned within the bear hug and continued to smile at Kerr once released. He was pleased that Kerr got what he was saying, evidenced by the way Ben was thanked. Was it so rare that they communicated that effectively? No, but usually that level of conversation was helped along with telepathically sent emotions. This time words were enough. It was nice.

"Yeah, they were," Ben mumbled his agreement. He didn't understand Kerr's guilt for killing the monster that Angus was (just like he didn't understand Kerr's anger for Digital killing the monsters Sawyl and his mothers were), but then again, he'd not killed anyone with his own hands yet and hoped he never needed to. Wanting and wishing death upon someone was vastly different than performing the deed himself. His fantasies had come very close to reality after the election; he'd thought about a particular plan of action he could take, but veered away from it.

Once something like that happened, it could never be undone.

He forced himself back to the present, because he needed to be here for Kerr instead of wallowing in his own darknesses.

"Everybody's fucked up. Just in different ways," he said.

14

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« on: December 13, 2020, 07:21:14 AM »

When Kerr spoke about it being time to get over it, Ben shook his head and drew closer to him. "I don't think there are fixed deadlines on this. You feel how you feel. I don't want you to force it because you said you 'weren't compelled either way'. I'm the one who made us come."

Ben had expected discomfort but the emotion that twanged along their bloodline was much sharper. It had a kind of stinging unpleasantness to it. It confirmed to Ben why Kerr was so fixated that vampires were not living creatures, why he held the irritating opinion that their bodies had died. Ben thought the idea came from Kerr's mortal superstitions and religious belief. Perhaps some of it did, but now he believed it had more to do with the way Kerr was sired. He wanted to believe they'd killed him rather than transforming him into something else.

He didn't know what good visiting the cellar would do. Kerr would likely only see his memory while Ben would only see whatever conversion had happened - probably a place to store wines.

His movie-memories revealed a more comfortable Kerr showing him around a decaying building. It wasn't hard to figure out it was the reconstruction that bothered him.

"You called your tormentors 'long-dead', but this place has come back to life," he said, wanting Kerr to understand that he knew what the problem was. The people who lived here - two of them, by their scent - were human and obviously wealthy. They'd become the manor's new heart but the skeleton and skin were enough to return his sire to his darkest time.

15

† OUT OF THE CITY † / Re: Reconnection

« on: December 12, 2020, 07:44:53 AM »

Love. Compassion. Guilt. They were all swirling inside of him at the pain he could see on Kerr's face and hear in his voice as he retold the story. Why had they thought coming here was a good idea? What point had they agreed on to take this risk of summoning a hurt long repressed?

"It's awful," Ben agreed, thinking of the religious bent of fear that Kerr's mind would have taken. Biblical demons to torment him and steal his soul. Would knowing the truth have made it any less horrifying? He suspected not. Crazed vampires with unknown motives were the same. "And you were with them for a long time. It would be like..."

He shrugged. There was no comparison, even though Themba had surfaced briefly in his mind. The ancient power and masochism were similar but that was all. Ben had never been confused and helpless; he'd had a form of control in his understanding of the situation and the ability to negotiate it.

"Do you want to go back home?" he asked softly.