An Illusory Freedom (Closed for Mairead and Chgris)

[Mairead]

A cool breeze teased bare, porcelain flesh and teased silken ebony locks as Diletta sauntered down the sidewalk. She tilted her head back and stretched her lithe body, not missing a step and certainly not caring if anyone happened to see her little display. And such a display it was.

Her attire consisted of a simple spaghetti-strap dress of red silk. A single layer that clung to her every curve just so and accentuated them to perfection. The skirt of it, which fell to the tops of her thighs, fluttered just the slightest bit in the breeze, giving a hint as to what she may or may not be wearing beneath.

On her feet and marching up to mid-thigh were boots of black suede with six-inch heels. She moved in them with an easy grace that one obtained over decades, perhaps centuries, of living. Though she was still quite young by the standards of her race. Her long, ebony hair flowed freely past her hips in careless, natural curls. It gave one the illusion that she had just been with a lover.

For all intents and purposes, she was and had been free from her "obligations" for fifteen years and had been making the most of it. Living the life. She had gotten ink done, as well as a couple piercings here and there. And she had only taken on clients that she wanted to take. It was rather refreshing. She could have given up her former lifestyle altogether but... why give up something you are good at?

Lately, though, she had taken to being mostly an escort. Being the eye-candy for an upstanding gentleman and leaving it at that. Seperating actual sex from the job so that she could enjoy it more on her own time. She still had admirers and such that knew her from the old days but she knew how to handle them. They were like clay in her hands.

On this particularly lovely evening, she was heading to one of her favorite haunts; a club. It was a curious mixture of a dance club -which was on the first level- and a bondage club which occupied the lower level. She frequented both regularly. It catered generally to vampires and was infact run by them. But there were the occasional humans and various other types. She strode on in with a casual confidence in her step. Hips swayed seductively and lips pouted sexily; all without even trying. It was simply natural to her by this time.

She went to her favorite spot at the bar to simply people-watch and debated whether or not to order a drink. She was a little bit restless tonight. Who could say why?

[Chgris]

Cole walked out of the storeroom into the main bar of the club. He was dressed in his standard outfit of soft black leather boots, black jeans, and a white dress shirt. He had been away for months, wrapping up the affairs of a former life. He had changed his name as often as he changed his location, especially since he had finally broken away from the Italian coven his Sire had been in when he was turned.

It had taken nearly three hundred years for him break free from them. He had learned a great deal about surviving from them, and especially how to change his identity to avoid arousing the suspicions of the mortals he came in contact with. Unfortunately, it had come at a cost. His service to them had entailed the training of submissives. That in itself hadn't bothered him at all. What had, was the fact that he suspected some of the girls he was training were not exactly volunteers.

It was the confirmation of that fact which caused him to finally leave the coven. And it was on less than pleasant circumstances when he did. Indeed, the last few months had been spent hunting down two members of the coven who had come looking for him, and giving them the opportunity to see their final sunrise. Now, all he wanted to do was go back to his latest life as Master Cole, running his club, occasionally playing with a willing woman, and generally keeping a low profile.

That is, until he saw the ebony haired beauty sitting at the end of the bar. When she turned to face him, he was suddenly struck by a deep sense of familiarity. He knew her from somewhere, but he couldn't place exactly where. He walked down to her, determined to find out exactly why it was he should know her. "Can I get you anything?" he asked.

[Mairead]

Diletta glanced up as she noticed a gentleman, and a handsome one at that, approaching her. Instantly an alluring smile began to lift the corners of her mouth and there was a mischievous gleam in her velvety brown eyes as they lifted to meet his.

Could he get her anything? How sweet.

She sat back in her chair, all the better to look up at him, and chuckled softly.
"I can't think of anything at the moment," she said softly, accent thick. "But if you are not too busy I would love to dance. Would you care to join me?"

[Chgris]

When he heard the accent, Cole became intrigued. He had heard one like it very recently, as the two vampires who had hunted him screamed their last futile curses before the sun had ended their struggles. Could it be that there had been a third?

No, that made no sense.If she had been with them, she would never have been foolish enough to approach him this openly. True, he treated his club as a Haven, ruthlessly enforcing neutrality on any and all who came here. It was a place to relax, to talk, to enjoy life and unlife. He even had a few rooms set aside that had been used to peacefully conclude blood feuds and vendettas.

But he still couldn't shake the feeling that he should know her. "Dance?" he replied. "It would be my pleasure, dear lady."

He took her hand and led her onto the floor just as the last song was ending. "My name is Cole," he introduced himself, lips brushing across her knuckles. "Welcome to my club."

[Mairead]

It was clear to Diletta that something about her had caught this gentleman's attention; aside from her pretty face. The way he looked at her gave her the impression that he was attempting to figure her out. But for the life of her she could not see what it was she had done to catch his eye so completely. Unless he was simply that easily attracted... which she doubted was the case.

Even her accent caught his attention. Not in the way that made one go 'Ah, how enchanting,' but in a way that gave him a faint expression of recognition. That both amused and intrigued her. Especially since she knew she had never laid eyes on his face before. Not that she could recall. And she would remember a face like his, it was far too handsome to forget.

She let him lead her to the dance floor, swaying slightly to the music as they walked. Once they had reached their destination she was actually surprised and impressed with his gentlemanly display of kissing her hand. She could not help but smile at him warmly. "A pleasure to meet you, Cole," she said with a graceful and practiced dip that was a tad out of place in their current surroundings but she did not care. "I am Diletta. I am surprised that I have not seen you before. I have been frequenting your lovely club for some time now."

[Chgris]

Recognizing the movement she made for what it was, Cole arched a brow, and bowed over the hand he held. "I've been away on business these past few months," he explained. As the music began, he let himself flow with it, leading her through the motions of the dance. It wasn't his preferred style, this modern dancing, he much preferred the more structured movements of the grand ballrooms of his first life, the graceful flow of a waltz, the sensual seduction of the tango. But Diletta was proving to be an exceptional partner, and he found himself enjoying the experience.

As they moved together, he couldn't help but admire her poise and grace. That, and the nearly unconscious way she had of seducing him. It was obvious that she wasn't actively trying, it was just part of her manner. "I can see I have been away far too long," he said, lips close to her ear as they danced, his hands on her hips while she faced away from him. "If you have been frequenting my club, I think I should be paying you." His hands subtly directed her gaze around the room, pointing out the men, and not a few women that were watching them.

"I was wondering why attendance had been up of late. Now I know. It seems you have quite a few admirers." He chuckled softly as the dance ended. "Another dance, or can I offer you a drink?"

[Mairead]

Amusement lifted an ebony brow as Cole finished of his courteous gesture by bowing smoothely over her hand. So he was one of the older ones as she was. Though by the feel of him, he was probably older. She had not yet reached her second century so she was still considered to be young bur she did not let it keep her from gaining respect.

Another point to tack to the roster; he could move. She did not particularly favor club dancing, there really was no elegance to it. Only lust. And despite her nature she preferred elegance and beauty. However there was some allure to the sensuous movements to beings could make together. Much like they were doing.

She let herself relax completely into the motions, the music; letting him guide and move her as he would. She dipped and rocked with him in time to the music. She even slipped her arms up behind her to curl about his neck so that she could run her fingers through his hair as they danced. As well as letting her fingernails lightly tease the back of his neck. Something she never would have been able to do without the benefit of six-inch heels.

She smiled at his comment about being away too long. A sensual curling of the lip. Though when he made note of her penchant for drawing a crowd let out a sultry laugh. "It would be both arrogant and narcissistic of me to take credit for the influx of business for you, caro, but I do appreciate the compliment." Though she chuckled. "Perhaps you should pay me."

When the song ended she turned about to casually mold herself to him, though she was polite enough to give him at least a modicum of space. "Surprisingly I am not particularly in the mood for a drink." She leaned in to whisper in his ear. "Perhaps we might find somewhere to talk? Take the focus off of me for a spell and let the customers get back to their evening?"

[Chgris]

An amused smile crossed Cole's features as he nodded agreeably. "Certainly we can find somewhere quiet. There are more than a few rooms here that are soundproofed," he laughed as he let her imagine the rooms downstairs in the bondage club.

"No dear Diletta, not there," his amused smile filled with genuine humor. "I was thinking more of my office," he said, indicating the mirrored wall above the bar. "Though there are rooms here also that are often used for quiet meetings."

As he led her from the dance floor, he glanced back out at the room. True to his expectations, not a few of the patrons were watching them walk off with wistful longing in their eyes. But more than one also had a look he didn't care for. One that bespoke trouble, or at the very least irritation, later. He shrugged, confident that none would be stupid enough to break the rules of Haven in his club.

Walking behind the bar, Cole led her through the door into the business office, then punched in the code that opened the door to the stairs up to his office. As the door slid open, he bowed her through, following her up the stairs. At the landing he again punched in a code, the heavy door opening with a dull click. Cole pressed it open, Bowing Diletta into his office.

The mirrored wall was indeed one way, giving a fine view of the main club. A large dark wooden desk was against a far wall with a soft leather office chair behind it. The walls themselves were paneled in dark wood, the whole room built solidly enough to completely shut out the sounds from the club. A long, soft leather couch faced the window, flanked by end tables, and a leather recliner. A few paintings adorned the walls that otherwise were covered in bookcases full of leather volumes.

"Please," he said, waving to the couch. "Make yourself comfortable." Going to a cabinet built into the wall next to his desk, he took down two crystal goblets and a dark glass bottle. Sitting on the sofa, he removed the cork from the bottle, and filled both goblets. "It's fresh," he said as she watched. "Well, fresh from the blood bank, that is."

[Mairead]

There was a spark of amusement in Lettie's dark eyes as he teased about moving their conversation to one of the dungeons below. So her host had a sense of humor. And a wicked one at that. She approved. Though the funny thing was that she likely would have agreed to let him take her below had he been serious. But she would keep that little tidbit to herself. She'd learned long ago to limit a man's knowledge as to how much sway he really had over her. She was no fool.

She glanced upward toward where he intended to take her and nodded as they proceeded to head in that general direction. She rather liked having a gentleman escort her for once. She slipped her arm through his, a gesture reminiscent of an era long gone. Well it would have been more so were it not for the natural seduction in her step.

Even though she was not trying to catch any attention she felt eyes on them. Felt hands brush against her in an attempt to deter her from leaving the floor. And she did not doubt that there were more than a few women reaching out for him as well. She did not spare any of them a single glance for her attention was on her host and their destination. She did not wish to be distracted. It had been too long since she had been in the company of one of her kind and genuinely enjoyed said company. She would savor this even if it meant simple small talk.

She was actually quite amused by the modern security. She'd never much cared for it but it was still fascinating. They were quite literally alone and secure. No interruptions to be had here. She liked that.

Once bid, she crossed to the inviting looking sofa and settled herself into a corner of it with a delighted sigh, delicate hands roaming over the supple leather. Very cozy.

There seemed to be no end to his ability to amuse and surprise her for now he was handing her fine crystal that, to the untrained eye, would appear to be filled with fine wine. And fine it was to their kind. "How charming," she said with a chuckle. "Hmm so what brings a gentleman like you to open up a club? And one of such dual nature at that. Surely there is a story behind it, caro?"