James

[kersen]

Kersen was... nervous, which he knew was completely silly. But it had been such a long time since he'd been on a date like this. Even though he and Klaus had gone on dates, it was after they'd already slept together.

He took a lot of care with his appearance. Dressed as a boy, but with his typical androgynous flair. Some makeup, mostly his eyes, and a pair of trousers that he knew made his ass look amazing. Also the cashmere scarf that James had admired.

James had offered to come to his house, so when the doorbell rang he managed to clamp down the butterflies, and answered the door, a smile already on his face.

Comments

[kersen]

That amused smile made Kersen happy. "Let's just make sure we get to the wine quickly before it's all gone," Kersen whispered.

[unreadytodie]

They were all sat at a large table, with evaluation sheets in front of them. They were presented with one wine at a time, and asked to write down their opinion on colour, aroma, flavour and after-taste and their guess as to the denomination, grape and year. The truth was then revealed and people could find amusement in their erroneous guesses.

It was an entertaining, if somewhat formal affair.

When it was done, they were offered a glass of the wine of their choosing and were welcome to stay to chat and enjoy the rest of the evening. "Shall we go outside to the garden for a cigarette?" He asked Kersen.

[kersen]

James had done considerably better than Kersen at the guessing; though Kersen could appreciate good wine, his palate was a bit... different, than a human's.

"Yes, wonderful idea," said Kersen. Once they were outside, he pulled out an elegant silver cigarette case and offered one to James. "Did you smoke before you knew you stopped agin?" he asked. There was no one else nearby.

[unreadytodie]

James nodded thoughtfully. "It kept one warm in the trenches." Warm and calm. And often times it was one if the few things that reminded one of their humanity. "You didn't smoke before?"

[kersen]

"Tobacco was only just becoming popular in Europe when I... before I was turned," Kersen said, not wanting to say 'while I was still alive.' Best not to draw attention to that. "Honestly, I started smoking in part because I convinced myself psychologically that it helped control my hunger." Okay, maybe he shouldn't have said that actually.

[unreadytodie]

It made James quite uncomfortable. "Ah. And does it?"

[kersen]

"It doesn't matter," Kersen said gently. "I don't need it now, my self control is more than enough. Now it's just... habit."

[unreadytodie]

James knew it was meant to calm him, but it didn't quite. "Does...addiction play a part? For you, I mean."

[kersen]

Kersen actually had no idea if he was talking about blood or cigarettes. So he just said, "I don't think so," which was true for both.

Then he looked a little somber and said quietly, "I didn't mean to... remind you."

[unreadytodie]

"I apologise, " James said. "You show me nothing but decency and delightful company and yet when you mention... Well. I find myself rather looking past it, but I understand it is who you are. You shouldn't have to hide it."

[kersen]

"And yet your reaction is completely understandable," Kersen said with a little sigh. "The fact that you can look past it at all is something."

[unreadytodie]

"Well... You're not dressed as a cartoonish version of Dracula. That helps," James said with a tiny glint in his eye and a smile on his lips.

[kersen]

"I would never," Kersen assured him with feigned indigence.

He took a drag on the cigarette and looked out at the garden. "If you're not ready for the night to end either... maybe you'd like to come see where the peacock ended up?"

[unreadytodie]

"I'd like that very much," James admitted. "Your sewing room, you said?"

[kersen]

Kersen smiled brightly. "Yes." Then his eyes glinted and he added, "The lighting is pretty good."

Both of their cigarettes were nearly to the end, so he added, "Is there anyone you'd like to say goodbye to?"

[unreadytodie]

James smiled to the tease. "We might say our goodbyes to the host," he suggested and gestured Kersen to enter first.

[kersen]

Kersen walked back in ahead of him, taking in the house one more time. It really was beautiful. And so open, so many windows - the opposite of his own house. He found himself wishing, stupidly, that he could see this place in the daylight.

[unreadytodie]

Politeness over and done with and a cab called, Kersen and James walked out of the house. "It's a beautiful mansion, isn't it?" He remarked, having noticed Kersen being quite taken with it.

[kersen]

Kersen glanced back at it. "I confess, I was thinking how beautiful it must be in the daylight. All those windows."

[unreadytodie]

"It must be, yes," James said, and felt a bit for Kersen, who would not be able to see such beauty. His hand found the small of Kersen's back, for a brief moment.

[kersen]

Kersen smiled a little, and started to say something, but then the car that Kersen had called before they walked out of the house pulled into the driveway. So instead he said, "Our chariot awaits."

[unreadytodie]

Ever a gentleman, James opened the door so Kersen could step inside, before going to the other side and getting in himself. They were small gestures of civility, but James adhered to them always.

[kersen]

"Thank you," Kersen said, as he settled in the car. It was one of the things he liked best about James, actually. Maybe there was a part of Kersen that appreciated the old fashioned. Because he was even older.

It wasn't long before they arrived at Kersen's house, and as he opened the front door with his keys, he smiled at James and teased, "I really do want to show you the painting. This isn't some kind of 'let me show you my etchings' kind of ulterior motive, just so you know."

[unreadytodie]

There were several replies James thought of. He was not one for spontaneous impromptu replies. Everything he said and did was measured and weighed.

"Oh," he said. It sounded vaguely as if he was disappointed, and that was exactly the effect he was going for.

[kersen]

Kersen didn't comment on this, but a little smile did twitch at his lips... and he took James' hand to pull him back to the sewing room across the hall from his bedroom.

The lighting in the room was quite good, because despite not having a window that could open to the light, there were lamps with soft bulbs and an overhead light. There was a sewing machine and a cutting/drafting table, and shelves filled with fabric and related things.

The painting was hanging above the drafting table, centered and lit by the lamp there. And in the middle of the room as well there was a tall dress form (clearly custom-made for Kersen), and on it was a stunning gown that was in the last stages of completion. It was made entirely of feathers. Midnight blue, royal blue, teal, turquoise, the colors creating lines that followed the curves of a body. The neckline featuring a collar of sparse feathers, and the whole thing ended in a train that looked, well... like a peacock tail, with the black eyes of the feathers dotted with black crystals.

Kersen looked almost shy as he confessed, "I was inspired."