[Lestat has been stewing on his conversation with Rafa but finally sends her a message. It's not at all pleasant but he's at least...trying. Sort of?]
We should talk, little beast.
We should talk, little beast.
[She certainly isn't expecting to see him in her inbox. Expected if anyone was going to contact her, it would be something to do with work. Claudia frowns, but knows that ignoring him will just cause more trouble than it's worth.]
What could we possibly have to talk about?
What could we possibly have to talk about?
( louis has given her space since the night they ran into one another. it isn't altruistic — in truth, he simply hasn't known what to say. she's right, and he knows it: he doesn't understand her, in the most fundamental way.
but he does love her. and his recent discovery that she had spent time willingly with lestat stirs the beginnings of an unfamiliar hope inside louis's heart. he's grateful for the strange combination of distance and intimacy that this technology affords him. confrontation has never been his strong point. )
Lestat told me that he took you hunting.
but he does love her. and his recent discovery that she had spent time willingly with lestat stirs the beginnings of an unfamiliar hope inside louis's heart. he's grateful for the strange combination of distance and intimacy that this technology affords him. confrontation has never been his strong point. )
Lestat told me that he took you hunting.
[Claudia's of two minds. On one hand, she's not ready to talk to Louis. On the other, she's desperate for that connection. It would be better if he was saying that he'd be coming to her without pause.
But here they are. And the first word in his message is Lestat.]
I wasn't given a choice.
But here they are. And the first word in his message is Lestat.]
I wasn't given a choice.
I may have found someone intriguing for you. I'm speaking to him privately, for the sake of your confidentiality.
What do you think?
( link )
What do you think?
( link )
[Claudia can't help smiling when she opens the network post that Louis has directed her to.]
He seems perfect! Thank you, my love, for taking action in my stead. I would be quite interested in speaking with him, if you believe him to be amenable.
He seems perfect! Thank you, my love, for taking action in my stead. I would be quite interested in speaking with him, if you believe him to be amenable.
[After speaking with Diva, Akechi waited for the day when he would be called in for an interview. And so when the day came, he walked into Fangtasy nonchalantly, before he was brought before the other owner of the establishment. Wearing the outfit he had first arrived in this world with, his briefcase firmly in his gloved hand he greets her with a polite nod.]
Greetings, Claudia-san. I'm Goro Akechi, here for the interview for a part-time security position?
[Standing at 5'10", the human does not look like someone who would be a good 'bouncer' at first glance.]
Greetings, Claudia-san. I'm Goro Akechi, here for the interview for a part-time security position?
[Standing at 5'10", the human does not look like someone who would be a good 'bouncer' at first glance.]
Edited 2020-10-05 22:41 (UTC)
[The office that Akechi is escorted to is a stark contrast to the rest of the establishment. Not a drop of red in sight, the notably understated room still gives an air that no expense has been spared in the furnishings. She doesn't stand from her chair, but puts down the pen she'd been using on some manner of documentation.]
Yes, good evening, I've been expecting you. Please, take a seat.
[Her demeanor mirrors his own politeness, and she smiles slightly as she gestures to one of the chairs on the other side of her desk.]
Yes, good evening, I've been expecting you. Please, take a seat.
[Her demeanor mirrors his own politeness, and she smiles slightly as she gestures to one of the chairs on the other side of her desk.]
Hello Claudia. It's Elijah Mikaleson. I do hope you remember me our time at the lighthouse? I know it has been a while since we've spoken.
However, a proposition of a job was somewhat offered to me by Ms. Diva while we were out the other night and she said that I should contact you, since you did the hiring for Fangtasy. I have worked in almost every job imaginable and am excellent at business as a whole and believe that I would be a wonderful asset to your establishment wherever you might have me serve. I currently am Head of Security at Touchtone, but have free time in the evenings and am looking for something to do with that time.
Thank you for your consideration.
However, a proposition of a job was somewhat offered to me by Ms. Diva while we were out the other night and she said that I should contact you, since you did the hiring for Fangtasy. I have worked in almost every job imaginable and am excellent at business as a whole and believe that I would be a wonderful asset to your establishment wherever you might have me serve. I currently am Head of Security at Touchtone, but have free time in the evenings and am looking for something to do with that time.
Thank you for your consideration.
Elijah, hello. Of course, I remember our time fondly. It's a pleasure to hear from you again; I apologize for being so out of touch, myself. I've been quite busy since agreeing to co-own Fangtasy with Diva.
If you wish to work with us, you're more than welcome. I'd certainly love to have you, no further consideration needed.
[His age and demeanor is qualification enough; who is she to deny someone so ancient?]
If you wish to work with us, you're more than welcome. I'd certainly love to have you, no further consideration needed.
[His age and demeanor is qualification enough; who is she to deny someone so ancient?]
Edited 2020-12-09 21:24 (UTC)
Christmas was never a tradition for their family for a number of reasons, and Louis cannot shake the feeling that there is something strange about celebrating it now — particularly when it comes to Claudia, who had never been human at all. He takes great care choosing her gifts, though he feels hopelessly lost trying to shop for a grown woman, and it reminds him more than ever of the strange, doomed life they'd led in Paris.
When Claudia returns to her home on Christmas Eve, she will find that someone has delivered a red-wrapped package with a black satin bow. Inside is a winter coat, a matching velvet jacket, warm leather gloves, and a ring.
He'd written half a dozen cards that utterly failed to express his sentiments, all too maudlin or strangely ironic; instead, the note attached makes no mention of Christmas at all, and simply reads, "With love and warmth, Louis."
When Claudia returns to her home on Christmas Eve, she will find that someone has delivered a red-wrapped package with a black satin bow. Inside is a winter coat, a matching velvet jacket, warm leather gloves, and a ring.
He'd written half a dozen cards that utterly failed to express his sentiments, all too maudlin or strangely ironic; instead, the note attached makes no mention of Christmas at all, and simply reads, "With love and warmth, Louis."
[The box is waiting for Claudia one evening when she starts up her shift. It's wrapped in shiny gold paper and contains a gift card to an upscale boutique and a fancy bracelet.]
Thank you for your work with the building.
-J.S.
Thank you for your work with the building.
-J.S.
[It's not the first time Diva has sulked around Fangtasy and it certainly won't be the last. In this case however it's not because someone has slighted her in some way (not exactly) but because she's upset for someone else.
That someone else being the person whose office she's currently moping in. Body extended over the arm of the sofa she's spread out on she sighs dramatically, brow furrowed, as she waits for Claudia to come back. In one of her hands dangles the device she'd sent invitations out on. She had been doing her part to get people to come to Claudia's party, after all, and yet...she feels as if she's failed.
Ugh.]
That someone else being the person whose office she's currently moping in. Body extended over the arm of the sofa she's spread out on she sighs dramatically, brow furrowed, as she waits for Claudia to come back. In one of her hands dangles the device she'd sent invitations out on. She had been doing her part to get people to come to Claudia's party, after all, and yet...she feels as if she's failed.
Ugh.]
[Diva's never been exactly subtle, so Claudia was able to tell right away when the other woman's mood shifted into something fowl. As someone who's never cared for dramatics, there's an instant where she feels a spike of annoyance, but it disappears almost as fast. Diva's been so perfectly enthusiastic about her upcoming party, it's hard to find any reason to feel negatively about her.]
Are you alright? You look positively put out.
[Giving Diva her full and undivided attention, Claudia puts down her pen and paperwork.]
Are you alright? You look positively put out.
[Giving Diva her full and undivided attention, Claudia puts down her pen and paperwork.]
un: thearchivist; text (backdated to about a week after taking Claudia's Statement)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
compellingstatement
2021-01-29 08:31 pm (UTC)(link)
I don't have the words to apologize enough for what happened.
I wasn't quite myself, but that's no excuse.
You are, of course, entirely free to stop working at the building.
I'll continue to see you're paid as if you are.
The money will just be coming from me, directly.
I'll not bother you beyond that.
Beyond what I can't help.
I'm sorry.
I can't stop any dreams.
I wasn't quite myself, but that's no excuse.
You are, of course, entirely free to stop working at the building.
I'll continue to see you're paid as if you are.
The money will just be coming from me, directly.
I'll not bother you beyond that.
Beyond what I can't help.
I'm sorry.
I can't stop any dreams.
[Jon doesn't get a response immediately, though it does come before her next shift. She has to take some time to decide how she feels. She's angry about what happened, but can recognize, especially after his apologies, that he was a victim of circumstances, in a sense. She can hardly control her need to feed, either. Missing a single night turns her into a perfect monster.
The dreams, mostly, are a shame.]
If my employment with you was about monetary value, I would have left it months ago.
[Now that she's well-entrenched in Fangtasy's finances, Claudia doesn't need the extra income. It's really just a perk.]
I'll be there, as scheduled, unless you intend to terminate me.
The dreams, mostly, are a shame.]
If my employment with you was about monetary value, I would have left it months ago.
[Now that she's well-entrenched in Fangtasy's finances, Claudia doesn't need the extra income. It's really just a perk.]
I'll be there, as scheduled, unless you intend to terminate me.
( louis pays her a visit one night when the club is more or less quiet. he brings a gift, a black velvet hair ribbon wrapped around a book of occult tales from some other far-off world, all purported to be true, all ringing false to louis's ears. he seems distracted, inwardly, in the way that he often is when something's been bothering him.
it doesn't take him very long to come out with it. )
Claudia... I know that I haven't been very good to you. I'm not sure that I know how to be good to you, but that isn't any kind of an excuse, and I'm so very sorry for it.
( his brows furrow guiltily, hands wringing before him in a nervous mortal gesture. )
May I ask you a foolish question?
it doesn't take him very long to come out with it. )
Claudia... I know that I haven't been very good to you. I'm not sure that I know how to be good to you, but that isn't any kind of an excuse, and I'm so very sorry for it.
( his brows furrow guiltily, hands wringing before him in a nervous mortal gesture. )
May I ask you a foolish question?
[Things have been different, lately. Her own affairs have kept her secluded enough as it is, and she's kept up to date with the goings-on of the network. With the announcement that Rafa had vanished, it was an easy enough assumption to make that Louis would likely be valuing his privacy, as well as finding solace in the comfort of others.
So when he arrives with a gift, she accepts it with muted surprise, and examines the offered collection of books while he finds his voice. It's a good excuse not to stare intently at him while he collects his thoughts, and after all, this is a lovely gift. Finally, Louis says what has been bothering him, and Claudia offers him a hand, seeking to pull him down to the booth with her.]
Of course you may.
[She decides against voicing her thoughts about how he may or may not have treated her. More than anything, Claudia muses on what answers he may be hoping for, concerned that she may not have them.]
So when he arrives with a gift, she accepts it with muted surprise, and examines the offered collection of books while he finds his voice. It's a good excuse not to stare intently at him while he collects his thoughts, and after all, this is a lovely gift. Finally, Louis says what has been bothering him, and Claudia offers him a hand, seeking to pull him down to the booth with her.]
Of course you may.
[She decides against voicing her thoughts about how he may or may not have treated her. More than anything, Claudia muses on what answers he may be hoping for, concerned that she may not have them.]
May we speak?
( hecate you could just show up at the club, have some chill )
( hecate you could just show up at the club, have some chill )
Yes, of course. However you may prefer to do so.
[Meaning she's totally free to meet up, if that's easier. Two old women.]
[Meaning she's totally free to meet up, if that's easier. Two old women.]
Hello there! Is this Ms. Claudia? My name is Johnny Rayflo. I've been speaking to Ms. Diva about potentially taking on a position at Fangtasy and she suggested I reach out to you, since, as I understand it, you would both be my employers if I am hired.
Yes, this is she. Thank you for contacting me, Monsieur Rayflo. I do run Fangtasy alongside Diva and am happy to meet you.
Would you prefer continuing our introductions here, or may we set up a time to sit down together?
Would you prefer continuing our introductions here, or may we set up a time to sit down together?
[It's a surprise to get a message from Mona--it surprises her to get messages from most people, especially when it has nothing to do with business dealings. She opens it, of course, and an eyebrow raises at the lingerie that's left to her without comment. The last encounter that she had with the woman was particularly saucy, one could say, so her mind doesn't immediately go to this being some kind of misfire.]
Are you reminiscing?
Are you reminiscing?
Oh that wasn't intentional. It's this place again. But it does bring back some fond memories of us.
[She has thought about their last encounter often. Most of her sexual experiences here had been with men and she'd been craving some girl love for the longest time. The gorgeous woman appeared at the perfect moment, for sure.]
[She has thought about their last encounter often. Most of her sexual experiences here had been with men and she'd been craving some girl love for the longest time. The gorgeous woman appeared at the perfect moment, for sure.]
I think...
God, it pains me to say this, but say it I shall.
I think I require a steady job.
Louis spoils me utterly, and it's a delight.
But I suppose I ought to contribute something, yes?
God, it pains me to say this, but say it I shall.
I think I require a steady job.
Louis spoils me utterly, and it's a delight.
But I suppose I ought to contribute something, yes?
This must be mortifying for you. I almost wish you'd sent it on video.
[There was a second where she groaned to herself, seeing a message coming in from Lestat. A part of her, of course, didn't think he'd really do all that much to follow up with her despite the general progress they were making. Yet, here he is...and then she realizes he's asking her for help. Why else would he message her such a thing?
It's all very easy to put together, and she can't help it. Claudia laughs.]
If you want to live in the sort of style you're used to, indeed. Poor Louis has many talents, but his general lack of ambition hinders him from any particularly lucrative job offers.
[Well, he'd do well if he wanted to sell his body, but that's obviously out of the question.]
You believe I have a job for you?
[There was a second where she groaned to herself, seeing a message coming in from Lestat. A part of her, of course, didn't think he'd really do all that much to follow up with her despite the general progress they were making. Yet, here he is...and then she realizes he's asking her for help. Why else would he message her such a thing?
It's all very easy to put together, and she can't help it. Claudia laughs.]
If you want to live in the sort of style you're used to, indeed. Poor Louis has many talents, but his general lack of ambition hinders him from any particularly lucrative job offers.
[Well, he'd do well if he wanted to sell his body, but that's obviously out of the question.]
You believe I have a job for you?
[ Tsurugi shows up, as promised, around dawn, after a fairly restless nights sleep. He never quite sleeps well, not even when he's curled around Diva, so he looks fairly tired when he knocks on Claudia's front door early in the morning, a cup of (incredibly cheap) coffee in one hand and a stack of papers stuffed under his other arm.
He'll head to work after their meeting, but he's in no particular rush for now. Yawning, he rocks back on his feet, waiting for the door to swing open.
He's surprised, a little, that Claudia has even agreed to meet him, much less in a place as private as her home. They've worked together before, of course, but she's clearly, understandably, not fond of him. ]
He'll head to work after their meeting, but he's in no particular rush for now. Yawning, he rocks back on his feet, waiting for the door to swing open.
He's surprised, a little, that Claudia has even agreed to meet him, much less in a place as private as her home. They've worked together before, of course, but she's clearly, understandably, not fond of him. ]
[Claudia's fortunate that her history with Lestat helps her prepare for these kind of characters. Though, granted, Tsurugi is worse in many respects; Lestat at least had taste. And tact, too, when he wanted. She often reminds herself to be good behavior, if not her best behavior, when dealing with him. For Diva's sake, if nothing else.
Although she doesn't necessarily smile when she opens the door for him, it's clear that she's not particularly aggressive.]
Good morning; come in.
[And what do you know? She gives him a joke. Well, a very dry, bemused sort of joke.]
How ironic, the vampire being the one to invite in the hunter.
Although she doesn't necessarily smile when she opens the door for him, it's clear that she's not particularly aggressive.]
Good morning; come in.
[And what do you know? She gives him a joke. Well, a very dry, bemused sort of joke.]
How ironic, the vampire being the one to invite in the hunter.
A largeish black box with a red ribbon has been delivered to Claudia's home. In it, she will find a red dress.
The note reads:
To my dearest Claudia,
I hope the holidays find you well.
Perhaps you will find some occasion to wear this.
If not, I'm certain we can invent one.
Yours ever,
Count Georg von Krolock
The note reads:
To my dearest Claudia,
I hope the holidays find you well.
Perhaps you will find some occasion to wear this.
If not, I'm certain we can invent one.
Yours ever,
Count Georg von Krolock
un: darkhalf; text + in- person sometime before or after event stress
fearofeverything
2023-08-29 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
[VERY POINTEDLY... while sitting across from her (and looking right at her), he hits send on:]
[Sorry not sorry]
YOU'VE BEEN BLASTED BY THE
( ) ) *
)\ ) ( /( ( ( /( ( ` (
(()/(( )\()) ( )\ )\()) )\))( ( )\
/(_))\ ((_)\ )((_|(_)\ ((_)()\ )((_)
(_))((_)__((_) ((_)_ ((_)(_()((_|(_)_
/ __| __\ \/ / | _ )/ _ \| \/ || _ )
\__ \ _| > < | _ \ (_) | |\/| || _ \
|___/___/_/\_\ |___/\___/|_| |_||___/
ONCE YOU'VE BEEN BOMBED, YOU HAVE TO BOMB 8 OTHER PEOPLE!
IF YOU GET BOMBED AGAIN YOULL KNOW YOUR REALLY SEXY!!1
IF YOU DIFFUSE THE SEX BOMB CHAIN, YOULL SUFFER A VERY UNSEXY BRAIN INJURY!
BOMB WHOEVER YOU THINK IS SEXY!![Sorry not sorry]
[Seeing him staring right at her, Claudia meets his gaze with an idle curiosity that changes to preemptive annoyance when her device pings she has a message. With a sigh, she puts down her book and opens up her inbox to see...whatever it is she's looking at.]
Congratulations. Several seconds in my immortal life have been wasted. Are you suitably amused?
Congratulations. Several seconds in my immortal life have been wasted. Are you suitably amused?
YOU'VE BEEN BLASTED BY THE
( ) ) *
)\ ) ( /( ( ( /( ( ` (
(()/(( )\()) ( )\ )\()) )\))( ( )\
/(_))\ ((_)\ )((_|(_)\ ((_)()\ )((_)
(_))((_)__((_) ((_)_ ((_)(_()((_|(_)_
/ __| __\ \/ / | _ )/ _ \| \/ || _ )
\__ \ _| > < | _ \ (_) | |\/| || _ \
|___/___/_/\_\ |___/\___/|_| |_||___/
ONCE YOU'VE BEEN BOMBED, YOU HAVE TO BOMB 8 OTHER PEOPLE!
IF YOU GET BOMBED AGAIN YOULL KNOW YOUR REALLY SEXY!!1
IF YOU DIFFUSE THE SEX BOMB CHAIN, YOULL SUFFER A VERY UNSEXY BRAIN INJURY!
BOMB WHOEVER YOU THINK IS SEXY!!
( ) ) *
)\ ) ( /( ( ( /( ( ` (
(()/(( )\()) ( )\ )\()) )\))( ( )\
/(_))\ ((_)\ )((_|(_)\ ((_)()\ )((_)
(_))((_)__((_) ((_)_ ((_)(_()((_|(_)_
/ __| __\ \/ / | _ )/ _ \| \/ || _ )
\__ \ _| > < | _ \ (_) | |\/| || _ \
|___/___/_/\_\ |___/\___/|_| |_||___/
ONCE YOU'VE BEEN BOMBED, YOU HAVE TO BOMB 8 OTHER PEOPLE!
IF YOU GET BOMBED AGAIN YOULL KNOW YOUR REALLY SEXY!!1
IF YOU DIFFUSE THE SEX BOMB CHAIN, YOULL SUFFER A VERY UNSEXY BRAIN INJURY!
BOMB WHOEVER YOU THINK IS SEXY!!
[She can't believe she got this stupid thing more than once.
Actually, she can, but it's still incredibly annoying.]
How relieved I am to have a regenerative ability.
Actually, she can, but it's still incredibly annoying.]
How relieved I am to have a regenerative ability.
[Claudia frowns at the message. Of course he is--and even though she knows he has no control over disappearing from the city, Claudia's petty enough to want to curse him for it. Mostly because, as always, she's going to be the one picking up the pieces.]
Where are you?
Where are you?
HE BOUGHT ME A RING
AND IT WASNT AN APOLOGY RING EITHER
AND IT WASNT AN APOLOGY RING EITHER
[On her side of the screen, Claudia's face scrunches up. She supposes this is the part where she's supposed to be happy for Diva.]
Oh? How unlike him to spend the money. What an incredible gesture.
[More annoying is that Diva's probably completely forgiven the flower debacle because of it.]
Are congratulations in order?
Oh? How unlike him to spend the money. What an incredible gesture.
[More annoying is that Diva's probably completely forgiven the flower debacle because of it.]
Are congratulations in order?
[ There is a small black box with crimson ribbon. Attached is a lighter red note with a single name to suggest where it's from: Nathaniel. Inside is a vial with red liquid inside attached to a chain. When the vial is open, the contents are obviously blood. When ingested, the blood will have a kick. Nathaniel's blood. No other context is included. ]
[He doesn't actually know what he intends to say when he reaches out. Really, he's not thinking that far ahead. All he knows is what happened, what he saw -- what this Claudia, this Claudia-who-is-not-Claudia had said would happen. A warning of things to come, but one that had vanished from his mind the second he'd been sent away.
There's a long beat before he actually starts talking.]
I went back. I went back for nine years.
I saw what happened to her -- to you. I was there when it happened.
There's a long beat before he actually starts talking.]
I went back. I went back for nine years.
I saw what happened to her -- to you. I was there when it happened.
[Claudia most certainly will never meet this counterpart of hers. Still, she had hoped that there was some way, some twist in fate, that would spare this her-that-wasn't-her. To allow one of them, at least, survive Paris and maybe even find peace within herself.
This message confirms that there was no such happiness for Claudia in any iteration of herself. She's quiet for a long moment, too, unsure of what to say. It wasn't as if she could apologize.]
You couldn't stop it, then.
[Still...she was sorry. Past all of the anger she had felt for so long, with the different forms of Lestat she had met, she knew despite it all that he was mourning for her.]
This message confirms that there was no such happiness for Claudia in any iteration of herself. She's quiet for a long moment, too, unsure of what to say. It wasn't as if she could apologize.]
You couldn't stop it, then.
[Still...she was sorry. Past all of the anger she had felt for so long, with the different forms of Lestat she had met, she knew despite it all that he was mourning for her.]
[Louis will hang around a little bit, but will eventually set the gifts at the back door of Fangtasy, marked for her. Inside the two boxes are a flash to the past and something cozy for the winter. There is also a note reading, Let me know if there's anything I can do for you. -Louis.
[Wrapped in lilac paper are two boxes, both tied with silver bows and sitting pretty on top of Claudia's bed. He figures she'll find them there easiest, right?
Inside, she'll find a huge pearl necklace with matching earrings. They aren't perfectly round, but that's because Floyd found and extracted them himself, of course.
A handwritten note inside one of the boxes reads,]
did you know that land dwellers think pearls are super rare and valuable? mermaids wear them all the time back home.
i found these ones for you ♥ the oysters were HUGE (but didn't taste too good)
~floyd
PS its cool you came back
Inside, she'll find a huge pearl necklace with matching earrings. They aren't perfectly round, but that's because Floyd found and extracted them himself, of course.
A handwritten note inside one of the boxes reads,]
did you know that land dwellers think pearls are super rare and valuable? mermaids wear them all the time back home.
i found these ones for you ♥ the oysters were HUGE (but didn't taste too good)
~floyd
PS its cool you came back
Page 1 of 2