#ft. stigr

[ravisurendra]

for @stigranselm

Soren scanned the dining room one more time, mouth twisted into a small frown as his fingers tapped against the bartop. He'd given into his nerves and showed up for their appointment early, nursed two drinks to take off the edge and cut himself off halfway through the second -- there was no affording being tipsy at such a crucial venture. It was a small venue, but fine quality: public to afford Soren meager bit of safety, not so far from the castle that Stigr would be unwilling to accept his invitation, sparing on details as it was. All he had to do now was wait.

Soren had bet on intrigue to be enough to lure the vampire down from the hilltop and miraculously it had worked. Ever since he'd learned exactly which councilmen were currently in Oymyakon, he'd been steeling himself for this encounter. The odds that Soren could make his way in Krovstown and ingratiate himself with the castle to any degree without being recognized by his father's old business partner were next to none. If Stigr outed him in the belly of the beast, it would be a disaster. If he refused to look the other way now, then the game would be over before it had even begun, but at least Soren might get a running start. And if he agreed...

Stigr was a business man, after all. Soren wasn't totally sure what exactly the councilman might want for his silence, but he was determined to find out. It wasn't as if he had much of a choice. He'd very nearly reversed his decision and ordered a third drink after all when he caught at first look at his guest in the mirrored wall behind the bar. It was like being transported back in time watching the vampire cross to where Soren leaned into his chair, not a hair on Stigr's head seeming to have fallen out of place in the last decade since they had seen each other. Immortal. He would have to put more effort into wrapping his head around that here.

"Councilman Anselm," Soren turned quickly, voice far more calm than he felt. He extended a hand, meeting Stigr's eyes, every lecture in Viraj's office about setting the proper tone for a negotiation running through his mind again, "It's a pleasure. I appreciate you taking the time to meet. Should I assume that we both understand why I asked you to come here today?"

[gwyndolence]

Gwyn felt a flicker of surprise, almost thinking that was Stigr's way of politely letting him down before the elder's invitation followed it up and the sith relaxed again, a relieved smile blossoming across Gwyn's face. "I think we shall," He straightened immediately, slipping under the partition between the bar and the club to be at Stigr's side without hesitation. They made for an odd pairing side-by-side, Gwyn all long, thin limbs and glittering jewelry and torn black jeans next to Stigr's classic refinement, "I find myself suddenly rabidly interested the interior of the councilmen's rooms. Show us the way?"

"I suppose we'll never know." Stigr finished off the very last of his drink and lightly pushed the glass away, moving to stand. He idly stretched his arms above his head, considering the actual bartender that was standing off to the side conversing with another member of staff. Very obviously flirting and apparently not minding Gwyn overtaking his job. "Shall we move this to my suite, then?" The vampire questioned with a small smile, his attention shifting fully right back onto Gwyn. "If you're bored of playing bartender for the night, of course."

[newtras]

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[satrthere]

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Open Editor Rout Khalaf, FT Editor, chooses stories that he likes to this booklet. The US dollar as the world's world's state can come under calamity and out of trade restrictions, fundrages warned. Friday Cureny fell three years against the Euro, increasing the slide that started last week after President Trump Trump “RIPRALT TRA.IDS TO REP.ILS TAX IN STIGRS TAX. Happy investment among the…

[ravisurendra]

continued from here

In all honesty, Soren hadn't quite computed who he now found himself bound to until the other spoke and those lofty tones and the cadence of the woman's voice immediately pinged recognition in the human's mind. If it was at all possible, his face went even hotter. He'd come up to the castle to begin with to try and bargain his way out of the spell that had him dressed in leather far tighter than any trousers he'd ever willingly put on himself and the harness he was trying to cover with his jacket. "I - um, I hoped the consultants here might be able to help me out. Do you think they can..." Soren gestured at the chain between them with a feeble flicker of hope.

[ravisurendra]

"No doubt of that, councilman," Soren shook firmly back before he slid his hand safely into his pocket, giving Stigr a polite nod, "Merry Christmas." He would be as careful as he had to be, in the castle and beyond, he thought as he turned the way they'd walked before. He was trying to be careful now, even, feeling Stigr's eyes on the back of his head until he rounded the corner and let out a long, worried breath, knowing it'd be difficult not to spend the rest of the night overanalyzing every detail of the encounter.

It was disappointing for their time to end so quickly, but Stigr knew he was at fault for that. And, really, he saw no reason to try and keep Soren for longer than the man was comfortable with. Given everything with Taliesin, they were likely to run into each other quite often. "Of course. Just be careful." He replied, reaching out to take Soren's hand to shake briefly. "It was my pleasure. I hope we see each other again soon."

[ravisurendra]

for @stigranselm

It'd been too long since he'd been at a proper club. Even dodging the tail end of countless wings and who knew what else sticking off of people's costumes, Soren felt he was fighting for his life just trying to get to the front of the bar and wrangle enough attention to ask the bartender a few questions. He was in no way prepared for how many party-goers were in Krovstown that night, not compared to the strangely relaxed air of life he'd seen in the village thus far. All these people couldn't have come down from the castle... could they? He pushed his way between two dancing men who had gotten their drinks without bothering to make way for anyone else to get through, smacking his hand down on the bar finally with an exasperated grunt as he shouldered a bit too hard into his neighbor in his efforts to close the gap.

"Sorry," Soren leaned back with an apologetic grimace, staring for a second at the admittedly pretty impressively made costume the other man was wearing, "Just need a mo-- councilman?" There was no way. The human stared at the other man incredulously, taking in what little he could make out of his face and saying the first thing that came to his mind as he tried to process the sight of Stigr in this get-up, "You have to be burning up in that."

[ravisurendra]

Bound: Stigr

"I promise I didn't cast that."

[ravisurendra]

That bit was perhaps the least surprising response Stigr could have given. A councilman who liked control? It seemed a safe thing to bet on. But Soren didn't want to think overlong on the ancient's position, not when the atmosphere over the party was helping soothe the anxiety that seemed to be his constant companion nowadays, making it easier to be bemused by the vampire's next confession. Imagining Stigr as a child had been hard enough. Imagining him as a doting lover... "indeed," Soren tipped his flute of champagne the vampire's way, an ironic smile tugging at the human's lips. There was still a hint of something uncertain in his eyes but he went for it anyways, bolstered by the party's magic and the drinks he'd already imbibed. "A toast befitting the holiday, then. Here's to us. To being bad at love."

"Yes. A natural worry, I imagine. It doesn't help that I have a difficult time not being in control of things." Given that Stigr was a perfectionist and often found others lacking in some kind of way, it was impressive that he was ever able to hand over control. The only reason he'd been comfortable leaving his country in the hands of some of his fledglings was because they were very aware of what was expected of them. "Something we share, I see. Being romantic has never been something that I was particularly good at."

[ravisurendra]

"Excellent," Soren managed and took himself where Stigr had directed without a moment's hesitation. The emotional weight of everything they'd discussed, the strain of being in the castle, and Stigr's - everything was piling up. The first few moments Soren was actually in Taliesin's new room, he barely saw it. He sagged with his back against the door, mulling over the vampire's words. Everything with Karl, with the masters who had already hurt his brother... Soren rubbed his face again, heaving a heavy sigh as he tried to fix his head on straight. Focus. He just had to focus. He should probably be glad the councilman gave a shit at all.

Pushing the thoughts aside, Soren made himself stand again and take in his surroundings, all the deep yellow Taliesin was so fond of, a few plants already shoved in promising corners. He couldn't help but be reminded of the other's bedroom in Mumbai, thousands of miles away. Soren sat heavily on the end of Taliesin's bed, stroking his hand over the comforter. Would Stigr want to be there when they spoke? Would he care? The minutes seemed to slip past as Soren poured over the words he needed to say, how to truly determine if his brother was alright while his master was in the room. Things were progressing in his slapdash plan but nothing was getting any easier.

"I would hate for you to be uncomfortable. It wouldn't take me very long to change." Stigr reassured him calmly and with an understanding smile, managing with ease to keep his amusement at bay. He had to wonder if Soren would ever become difficult to fluster, but he somehow doubted it. His gaze remained fixed on the human, watching the younger man get to his feet, clearly determined to not look at him. Stigr hummed quietly and stretched in the chair before he got to his feet, gesturing with one hand. "Be my guest. It's the first room down the hall. While you look at your brother's room, I can change into something more suitable."

[ravisurendra]

Soren's gaze darted back to Stigr's face at the movement, hating the smile he saw there, like his answer was just another thing the vampire had already predicted. The human was feeling vulnerable enough already without the elder circling him like a vulture, but at least he had himself mastered enough not to turn to keep his eyes on him. As if it would make a difference. Soren knew how keen a vampire's senses were, likely Stigr could fucking smell it on him - the fear. The councilman had spent years in a pleasure palace stocked with good-looking men trained for this. Hell, Soren wasn't blind or vain enough to not realize Taliesin must have suited Stigr's tastes more. How much really could he possibly offer him?

He was frozen a moment again as the order registered, like he was still waiting for Stigr to change his mind. But Soren's fingers were steady when he reached for Stigr's suit jacket, he could be proud of that, even if he fumbled a moment before ultimately deciding to drape it over the back of the couch. He was almost surprised Stigr wanted himself undressed. Was it better or worse than just getting put on his knees and told to fish his dick out like a - Soren couldn't finish that thought. He wasn't even getting paid for this, staring blindly at the other's collarbone instead of his face as he worked open his shirt. Once the councilman was bare to the waist, Soren's eyes flicked down, swallowing thickly against the dryness in his throat.

He'd have to get his shoes first if Stigr wanted him to take off the trousers too, Soren thought, feeling ridiculous and a little frantic. He sank down to his knees anyways, not entirely sure he wouldn't sprint for the door in the next second if he didn't. "Do you..." His fingers hovered over Stigr's calf, not quite confident enough to make contact before Soren finally looked up again, eyes dragging slowly to the vampire's. His voice sounded tiny to his ears. "Everything?"

Stigr nodded with a very faint smile, clearly not in the least bit surprised that the human had slept with men before now. He was quite pleased by it, actually, since it meant he likely wouldn't have to be too gentle with Soren the first few times. And there was a rather large part of Stigr that was curious just how talented those experiences might have made Soren with his mouth. Unless he turned out to be the type of man who preferred to be serviced -- not that he would be getting that very often from the vampire himself. He moved to circle calmly around Soren for a few seconds, taking in his new prize before Stigr settled back in front of him.

"Now I would like for you to undress me." He began calmly, planning on being more physical himself soon but wanting Soren to have to participate more than the human likely wanted. "And then down onto your knees. I would like to determine for myself if you have a talented mouth or it's something we'll have to work on."

[ravisurendra]

Squirm, Soren didn't. But his expression did drop a moment, startled, clearly not missing the implication. When Stigr didn't explicitly foray into detail, the human's mind quickly supplied him with wild imaginings to fill the gap that he had to push aside just as fast, for sanity's sake. Well played. "I've never been very good at croquet, I admit. If some cricket bats appear from the basement, I'll give it a go." He almost joked that Viraj cared that his sons knew the game nearly more than he did that they knew the family business, but the words stalled out behind his lips. It felt far too surreal to talk about his father in front of this man. "Should I take that proposition to mean you're a sporting man?" Soren asked automatically, noting that the vampire hadn't even bothered to ask what he wanted to drink. He settled next to him at the bar, mouth twisting only briefly, unamused. "Sure." He smiled banally. "At least this vice comes with company."

"We do. I'm sure with time we'll find something else to make a habit of." Stigr said casually, even as amusement slid very briefly across his expression. The councilman had the suspicion that it would make the younger man squirm. There were many things he would prefer to do with Soren, but, for now, the vampire would keep those things private. "We could go and watch one of the games outside being played. Unless you would like to join in on one of them, of course." They'd reached the bar by that point and Stigr ordered both of their drinks, turning to consider the human before he offered a smile. "I don't think it's something we need to worry about just yet. Worse things we could be doing, hm?"

[gwyndolence]

"There's only one way to learn the answer to that question, my sweet." Gwyn's eyes sparkled with amusement as they met Stigr's, a sly smile tugging at his mouth as he traced the rim of his empty glass with the tip of his finger. His gaze dropped to the elder's lips and slowly, slowly dragged upwards again. Too soon to tell exactly what kind of man the councilman was within the walls of his suite. Did Stigr crave a challenge or total obedience, or something in between? Gwyn had encountered plenty of powerful men on either side of those longings. Under the right circumstance, the sith was happy to fill both roles. And he was very much warming up to the idea of seeing Stigr mussed and out of those fancy clothes. "Would we be having this conversation if you weren't interested in finding out?"

"Rather soon, I imagine." If they weren't in a place like Krovs, Stigr might not have been so forward or quick to offer an invitation. In the castle, however, he felt that there was very little point in restraining himself with most things. That was the whole point of the place after all, wasn't it? He chuckled softly, drumming his fingers idly against the bar while he considered the younger master. "I believe you have been on your best behavior so far. Are you saying that will end once I get you in my bed?" Stigr was admittedly curious how he would feel about Gwyn not being so well behaved. There were very few he tolerated a lack of manners from, a handful perhaps. "I would like that very much."

[gwyndolence]

"And how soon is that, councilman?" Gwyn's answering grin was light, but clearly interested in Stigr's implication, a bit pleasantly surprised by the possible immediacy of the invitation. At first blush, Gwyn might have pegged Stigr for the type to play hard to get. Certainly with a man like Gwyn. "I would like that, but we only have the next few thousand years to spare," He sighed wistfully, "And I did promise to be on my best behavior, so long as you were around." Stigr's easy confidence was not so unfamiliar for a vampire of his stature, but Gwyn thought he played it off admirably well compared to the many braggart ancients the young master had come across in his time. Cool and alluring... it had been quite a while since he'd played with a personality like this. He'd forgotten how enjoyable it could be. "You should. We might even plan 'next time' together -- if you would like."

That small smile was back on Stigr's lips, the vampire tilting his head while he considered Gwyn. "Perhaps you'll get to compare your image to the real thing soon. Assuming that is something you would like, of course." Given the way that Gwyn was looking at him in that moment, Stigr very much suspected that they'd end up in bed at some point that night. He was a little more selective about who he slept with when it came to his fellow masters, but Gwyn had certainly caught his attention. "I have never tried applying that to hunting, no. I'm quite capable of controlling myself at this age, of course, but I've never seen the point in making myself wait during a hunt. Perhaps that's something I should try the next time."

[gwyndolence]

Gwyn grinned toothily at the question, the grin of someone who'd been caught out and wasn't ashamed of it. "Fantasizing is a strong word, don't you think?" He winked, tone still friendly and casual, "I'm considering the image. Analyzing it. Comparing it to the man in front me now, for curiosity's sake." There were very few things Gwyn wouldn't do for curiosity's sake. His eyes roamed over Stigr openly as he spoke, assessing what he could of the elder's body beneath the lines of his clothes, before they flicked up again to meet Stigr's gaze. "All business? How very much like a councilman." There was a bit of a tease in that, but none of Gwyn's usual disapproval. Business in the context of hunting was never boring. "Have you never tried a little bit of self denial for anticipation's sake?" Gwyn's lips tugged into a smirk then, letting the implication lie, "I'm not usually one to deny myself anything, but a hunt like that after a few days of purposeful hunger can be very exciting. Doubly so with another... you just have to be able to control yourself until the fun begins."

"Are you fantasizing about that image now?" Stigr questioned, his smile widening somewhat as he looked back at Gwyn. The other man certainly wasn't wrong -- more often than not, Stigr hunted his prey without clothing getting in the way. As particular as the vampire could be about his belongings and his appearance, it was quite inconvenient every time he needed to clean a suit or throw it away because it was far too ruined to look decent again. "I've been told I have a ridiculous amount of 'pretty suits' to wear, so you would be correct." They were his go to choice, though Stigr sometimes wore something more casual like a button down.

He sat forward in his seat a bit more as he listened to Gwyn speak, gaze flickering over him with more interest. "Ah. So you like to play while you hunt. I can't say I've indulged in that very much myself " Stigr toyed with his prey, yes, but he'd never attempted to do so while in a crowded space like the bar. Having to reign himself didn't hold much interest for the councilman, who much preferred to simply let himself lose control for a little bit. "I do. Which is perhaps why I haven't hunted in that way for some time with all the readily available food in the castle."

[gwyndolence]

"'Often' doesn't mean 'always'," Gwyn teased, a certain sparkle in the sith's eyes now that he'd found a good thread to pull, "Seems a bit hazardous to attempt such a thing in your pretty suit. But I suppose a man like you can buy as many pretty suits as you like, hm?" Stigr had a rather endearing smile, it softened his features immensely when compared to his previous neutrality. No wonder the councilman was so careful to stay composed.

"Depends on how great my appetite." Gwyn hummed thoughtfully, gesturing with one hand loosely out to the club, though he kept his gaze on the elder's face, "A scene like this is an easy hunting ground, but plenty enjoyable. Much better to be mostly sated, then the game becomes how much you can get away with in plain sight. If there is to be stalking under the moonlight in the wild... I much prefer to do so hungry. It puts a finer edge on things, don't you agree?"

His agreeing seemed to have further interested Gwyn, the younger master leaning in closer drawing a soft laugh from the councilman. "It may be, yes." There were very few times that Stigr actually allowed himself to lose any semblance of control, which was probably why hunting in the old way was something he still did. Letting go like that, giving into the more animal part of himself, made it easier to continue to wear the civilized, calm mask that he typically had on. He raised an eyebrow, leaning in that little bit closer as well. "Well, I admit, I'm rather curious who has caught your eye."

He wouldn't pry, however. Stigr cocked his head, considering Gwyn with a very small smile. "I've done both methods before, though I highly prefer the latter. There's more of a challenge there then if I were to invite someone to my house before the game started. Though, that said, I'm often wearing clothes in that instance." There was the faintest hint of teasing to the elder vampire's voice, his smile widening a bit. "And you? What do you prefer?"