theo-starling

[theo-starling]

"In a not hot way for sure." She says with a roll of her eyes. "I guess. I mean I managed to pack up all my stuff. There wasn't really much to begin with."

"In a hot way or not hot way?" He questions with a smirk, "-and that's easy, you probably need new clothes right?"

[theo-starling]

"I don't even know what I would shop for," Theo laughs softly, tugging playfully at his hair. "And if the bed were any softer it may actually wind up eating me."

"Are you?" He questions, finally gathering the strength to tilt his head up at her. "I think it has been a rather exciting few days but surely we can do better. More dumplings, better softer beds." Alexis pets her as he lists things off, "We could go shopping, well maybe not in person. No need to see if we can give Henri an ulcer, but that's the magic of phones."

[theo-starling]

"It is," she agrees with a shrug. "And to think my parents fought for this for me, blood sacrifice and tolling rituals all to ensure I would be a Slayer." They set her up for misery all for their selfish pride. "Oh well. At least I'm enjoying myself for now."

"That's terrible and depressing." He points out, hugging her a little tighter. Not that he's ever thought much about it, he struggles with normal mortal lovers and tends to not get involved. He isn't immune to the passing of time, and does mourn those he's lost. "Seems like there aren't many perks to being a Slayer."

[theo-starling]

"No...I mean they usually do die young. But when they don't, they just grow old and die at the normal human rate.vThey usually end up going a little mad if they do get old at all though, so I'm pretty sure the ones that died young were lucky."

Alexis frowns, he does not like the idea of her dying in any manner at any time. Though a question does pop into his brain and his mouth is a fool that runs with it, "Do Slayers age differently? I never thought about it before."

[theo-starling]

"An eternity does seem like an awfully long time. But growing old also seems gross. So hopefully I just die young." Theo snorts.

Alexis smiles against her, "I suppose there are worse reasons to be turned but I don't really suggest it. It can be incredibly boring. It's true what they say about vampire and ennui."

[theo-starling]

"I could dance and dance without breaking my toes..." Theo says wistfully, looking down to give him a lazy smile. She was raised on the theory that every vampire was the same. When they change they're only a demon and evil and nothing else remains. Of course she learned on her own that obviously that wasn't true. But it hadn't really occured to her just how much of who they were as a human would remain. Even down to potential ailments. It frustrated her further that her family and the other slayer families so long ago would curse them this way. Feed them lies and use them as weapons in a pointless battle.

He feels as though the blood in his veins turns into honey, thick and syrup like. Like he's drunk but in a way that has him melting into her touch. "Vampirism can only do so much." He replies, "If you're mad human you'll be a mad vampire. It can be the same for the body; my uncle and cousin were warriors in life. As vampires that is honed. Me on the other hand? I was a weak thing that hardly left his bed."

Alexis lazily opens his eyes to look up at her, "I'm sure if there ever was a Slayer who turned, she would be even more powerful. It can only ever really enhance what it has to work with."

[theo-starling]

Her free hand runs idly through his hair as they settle into each other. "That's an interesting thought. I never considered that a human state could have effect on a vampire state." It makes sense though, considering how different so many vampires seem to actually be. "I wonder how wild a slayer would end up being as a vampire," she says muses before letting out a small yawn.

"Better. I had drank a decent amount of blood before you two walked in." He admits, following her movement. First with his eyes and than with his body, slipping in next to her on the bed but lower so that his head is on her stomach. He relaxes to feel her warmth. "It was hell waking up. Always is with drugs like that...never really understood why, my mother has her theories. Weak mortal constitution belies a not so strong one even into vampirism." Alexis sighs, shutting his eyes and letting his arm wrap around her thigh, effectively hugging her like a child might a stuffed animal. "It is never dire, just annoying."

[theo-starling]

"I'm sorry you ended up getting kidnapped at all because of me. You're right though, they would have done something else eventually. Determined little pricks." She gives him a quick kiss before leaning back into the comfort of the pillows, keeping her hand comfortably in his. "How're you feeling?"

He turns his wrist and entangles their fingers, "For what it's worth, I'm sorry things are changing in a way that has you making such choices at all. I know they would have done something sooner or later, but if I was a bit of a better vampire maybe I could have seen them coming or at the very least, made it harder for them to capture me."

[theo-starling]

"He only offered, it was my choice to say yes. I want to be here. It's better than alone in a hotel. There's offers of whatever I want or need being delivered. And there's you. Plus these beds are way more comfy than mine was. I'm gonna have to get one when I get a new place." Setting aside her now empty box, Theo leans forward and run her fingertips along the back of his hand. "I'm good here, I promise this is all my own choice to stay."

"You yelled at him?" -of all the times to be knocked out and kidnapped. Alexis threw his head back and laughed loudly, the image his mind concocted of it alone was delightful. "I can't deny that instinct has done you some favors," He teases a hand to her ankle and wraps his fingers around the delicate soft skin. "I just wanted to be sure this is what you wanted. Henri can be a bit...overbearing is probably the nicest way to say it and that is with a hundred years or so of getting used to it. He's family, he's my uncle's heir and we sort of accepted his way about these things. You don't have to, if there's something you want to change about your situation I want you to know there's other choices."

[theo-starling]

Theo shrugs, "It was a rough start. Mostly because I yelled at him on your phone while I was panicking to the soundtrack of Daddy's Home. But you know, nothing brings people together like murder...apparently." Admittedly this was all rather surreal. In just a couple of days her whole world had flipped itself over. Despite that though, she felt strangely safe in it all. "You know my best friend is a vampire. I met her while I still lived at home. We danced at the same studio and she was the first person to ever show me an ounce of warmth. That's why...even though this is technically wrong...I trust my instinct enough when it comes to vampires.:

He tilts his head in acknowledgement, "I'd say you trust too easily, but who am I to judge?" -one could say he did very much the same only in this analogy she was the dumpling. "I'm just a little..." Alexis trails off, searching for the word. It's not surprised, as so much confused. It was not out of character for his cousin to be determined to be someone's protector; but he did not understand how he seemed at ease becoming a Slayer's main source of stability. More so when Alexis was back where he belonged and their enemies slain. Letting her stay eased Alexis's mind but it would no doubt draw this out. Draw attention from both hunters and other vampires once word got out -and it would. Why take the on for a strange girl? Alexis had his reasons, what could Henri's be?

"I suppose I'm in awe you two get on. He is a bit of a stick in the mud."

[theo-starling]

"Alexis...I helped lure a man to my apartment so you could murder him...and then we fucked right there with body like a few feet away, while also letting you feed on me...and then I went and killed a bunch of hunters with Henri...I think we've tested the limits of trust and passed at this point." Theo points out buntly before tossing another dumpling in. "Also he got me dumplings," she adds, moth still half full, "I'll trust whoever buys me food I guess."

"Besides the fact you will be surrounded by age old vampires daily?" He starts, fold his hands together. He isn't sure why she would stay, logically yes they could help her out, but there were plenty of downsides. "I mean, I know you can handle yourself...but I wouldn't blame you if you didn't trust us."

[theo-starling]

With a mouth full of dumpling, she looks at him very clearly confused and tried to swallow a bit quicker so she can respond. "Why wouldn't I be okay with it?"

"Henri is kind when he wants to be." Alexis diplomatically says, because while it is nice, he knows he will have to question his cousin later. What happened in the hours he was out, for Henri to offer her protection? -not that he wouldn't fight for her to get it if he had been awake, but it remains that he feels like he's missed something. "Are you okay with that? We have other locations, that would be just as well protected."

[theo-starling]

"Well...there's a group of hunters who haven't exactly been happy with my lack of being a slayer... They've been pretty up my ass about it despite how clear I've made myself. Apparently they were watching me still and they took you to get to me. They're very dead now, but that'll probably piss off more hunters so Henri said I can stay here for a while."

"So good for a quickie, but bad for spending the night?" Theo teases. Kicking off her shoes, she climbs into his bed with her food and is practically drooling as she gets the bag open. "Holy shit, I didn't realize just how hungry I was. Apparently panic and murder is super exhausting."

[theo-starling]

"So good for a quickie, but bad for spending the night?" Theo teases. Kicking off her shoes, she climbs into his bed with her food and is practically drooling as she gets the bag open. "Holy shit, I didn't realize just how hungry I was. Apparently panic and murder is super exhausting."

"I promise it's a nice dungeon. Fully finished with nice flooring. Can't say it's comfortable, but there's a nice open concept." He jests. Mostly. There is of course hidden rooms and tunnels below that may or may not hold torture chambers.

[theo-starling]

"My room is just down from yours," she laughs, nudging him lightly with her elbow before closing the door behind him and dropping her bag. "Though I doubt a basement in this place is a bad setup...unless it's like a dungeon or something..."

He doesn't even both hiding the smug smile he can't help but wear as she picks him. Obviously is was never a real contest, but a win is a win. With a better mood, he drifts ahead of her easily, gently veering her into his room. "Where did he stick you before? If you say basement, I'll look the other way when you stab him."

[theo-starling]

Theo goes back to grab her duffle bag and gives Henri a quick hug before picking it up. "Thank you for helping me grab my stuff, and offering a place to stay. This situation would have sucked without you." Turning back to Alexis, she heads towards the hallway. "Lead the way."

Alexis's mood visibly perks up a little, amused at her bluntness and the way Henri seems to shrink back. A feat considering the man could be stabbed and not flinch.

"Yeah, sounds."

[theo-starling]

She turns to Henri, brow raised in amusement. "He controlled himself plenty well last night." Turning back to Alexis, her smile softens, "Besides, I'm strong enough to pull you off if I need to. Do you wanna go back to your room?" Theo asks before adding playfully, "I'll eat my dumplings and then you can eat me."

There's a moment where both vampires are still as stone; her offer isn't one made casually in their company. Not that they are strangers to it, but it's been a long time since they've been faced with it being blood so precious. Alexis is poised to speak, but Henri beats him to it.

"The weaker the vampire, the harder the control."

"I can control myself." Alexis snaps, but hates that there is a hint of truth to his cousin's word.