Originally posted October, 2001
((Having creative and active players equates to a lot of fun and unexpected pleasures. This showed up in my inbox one day, an interaction between Jenn and Clint's characters (Alex and Raphè, respectively) unsolicited but greatly appreciated. I loved that my players were continuing the game into the spaces between sessions and using that time to build relationships between characters.))
Raphè undressed as he walked quietly across the bedroom floor. Thinking how he couldn’t be lucky enough to slip into bed before Alex he proved himself right. The moment his hands hit the covers Alex’s eyes popped open. It was a bit eerie that his eyes were already trained upon Raphè.
"Where are you returning from?" Alex queried as a thin smile crossed his lips.
"The bathroom," Raphè answered thinly veiling his lie.
"That explains your side of the bed being so warm," he retorted as he slowly shut his eyes.
"You’re so mean. All I wanted to do was spend some time with you before you woke. I just can’t gaze on you enough."
It was a very real confession, which Raphè unabashedly spoke. He was surprised at his candor but only felt his love for Alex. Raphè slid into bed effortlessly, getting his wish to just look on Alex as he slept.
After barely ten minutes Alex’s eyes popped open and in an instant he had Raphè pinned underneath him. Alex’s hand was upon Raphè’s chest and his mouth hovered a scant inch from his neck.
"It does give me pause to wonder what took my Raphè away from me this morning. Is it that you grow weary of my company?" he asked knowing full well that was not the case.
"Never," he said flatly.
Alex’s hand slid down to Raphè’s naval in response to his answer. Raphè smiled widely at the prospect of trading pleasure for honesty.
"There’s no way I could leave you, Alex," Raphè continued. "Were it not for the fact that how I handle the setup for this affair reflected upon you I would have been here the whole time. It was hard enough for me to pull myself away from your side, but in the end it should be worth it. I’m taking this very seriously and want it shown which Toreador has the best taste in the city. Everything is coming together perfectly and it will reflect upon you well. Elizabeth is finishing up the final details now. If it would please you we could go look at it after dinner."
Alex dropped his hand immediately to Raphè’s groin and lightly pressed his lips on Raphè’s neck. Raphè gasped deeply and held his breath, waiting for Alex to make his move. The pleasure was enough to keep Raphè still for the next thirty years. Alex knew fully well what Raphè desired but thought that the tease would be worth it.
"I have something for you," Raphè uttered weakly under Alex’s touch. "It’s in the corner."
Alex chided himself internally for not reading this surprise from Raphè’s mind. His lips pulled away slowly as his head and eyes turned up to the corner. Alex saw a young man sitting in the corner, sleeping with his knees drawn up to his chest. Alex quickly picked up what Raphè had to divine from conversation and inference. The young man had only one desire and that was simply death.
"Are we meeting Elizabeth for dinner tonight?" Alex questioned softly, the excitement mounting.
Raphè nodded futilely as Alex read the answer from his thoughts.
"We dine at 9:30 tonight," he said weakly, knowing in his heart that he’d done well but letting a moment of doubt slip in. "But before we get too distracted… we need to cover a few more things."
Alex’s hand moved quickly to Raphè’s chin and a single white finger lifted it up. Raphè blushed wildly feeling almost giddy as he relished Alex’s touch. Their eyes locked together and Raphè realized that Alex could look deep into his heart.
"Are you sure you’d rather talk?" Alex asked and quickly kissed Raphè.
"It’s not what I want," he began deliberately; "It’s what we need to do."
Alex understood what he was driving at and relinquished to his side of the bed. Raphè felt the sudden withdrawal and sat himself upright. It let him feel as if he had some power with which to use on Alex.
"Elizabeth will acquire the wait staff tomorrow and I have arranged for Isolde and Cassidy to interview them on Thursday morning. I can arrange for us to meet the ones that pass muster on Thursday night and we can make our decisions from there. Entertainment is still a question as well. Samantha suggested getting Kathy Glens for the evening. I know she has performed at the Succubus Club on numerous occasions, but that also implies she’s in with that jackass Stryker. If that’s the case I would suggest Lorna Veilings or Patricia Barber. Both are exquisite performers and not too well known. I don’t think that Ms. Veilings has ever performed in the states, being a natural Canadienne. I could have Elizabeth contact them, if you so please."
Alex paused as he looked at Raphè. He understood everything perfectly well but just couldn’t help to indulge a stare at his love.
"Yes," Alex began. "Have Elizabeth contact them and get their availability. I’ll figure out Ms. Glens’ relationship with the Succubus Club and that ‘jackass’ Brett. One must be gracious at times as these so I must make a show of respect to an established Chicago Toreador, such as Stryker. I would suspect that the respect is mutual but I’m certain that he would prefer another on the council. I’m merely an upstart in this town and not as deeply rooted. As uncomfortable as it feels we must remain cordial and respectful with the established Toreador. To annoy them would be… unwise. Anything else?"
"Most of the other details for the Prince’s reception need Elizabeth’s presence to discuss," Raphè said as Alex’s gaze changed. Alex always looked softly upon Raphè but it seemed that there was a longing present. Raphè blushed again and turned his head away.
"Why do you look on me so?" he asked as he felt the warmth rising up his neck and across his face.
"Your beauty is enough to keep me looking for years, but it would only be an objective look. My longing for you comes from somewhere else entirely."
"Boy’s can possess beauty, but not men like me," Raphè chided. "Would you rather I were like that boy in the corner with youthful beauty instead of the man that I am?"
"You are no boy," Alex started strongly, "but you still possess beauty the likes of which one could wield as a weapon. I thank fortune for the fact that you don’t take arms against me."
Raphè snapped his head around to look at Alex. An admission that he had such power over Alex was rare, at best, and carried much weight. Raphè pulled close to Alex and let his hands gently caress his neck and chest.
"Never would I use any weapon against you, aside from guile. But even then only to bring you what I believe you may want or need. Would you care to open your present now?" Raphè asked, choosing his words carefully.
Alex reached back to the phone while keeping his gaze upon Raphè.
"Jonathon, please ring us at 8:30. Thank you."
Raphè smiled fiendishly and went to the corner to retrieve Alex’s gift. The young man was a marvelous specimen of the human form. A hard life had left it’s mark upon the body in dozens of ways but it also chiseled the man into a superb and enticing shape. Alex moved from the bed to take his gift, the excitement of it showing. He felt his blood pumping faster as he took hold of the barely conscious man. He saw then what was in the man’s heart. It gave him pause.
Raphè looked disturbed by his sudden stillness. Alex bent forward and drank, slowly savoring the moment, with his eyes still locked upon Raphè. What Raphè couldn’t do was read memories. Alex could and it was the one thing that prevented him from ending the man’s life right there.
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