15
Friday Nov 20th - Rufus and Harry- 7pm
Rufus came out of the bathroom at Harry's Occult Shop, having changed into a spruce green dress shirt and a black leather vest. He still wore his black faded denim jeans. He blinked a few times, getting used to the contact in his eyes to have them both be blue rather than to rock the heterochromatic blue-brown look that he was born with.
He cocked his head looking at Harry offering him a wide crooked smile. “You nervous about tonight? It's going to be your big night. The lady pays well but it’s live donation. She's pretty, though, and Italian." He said with a wink.
Harry gave a chuckle that screamed nerves. "My mom would be thrilled... You know, if I had a date to have dinner with a hot Italian girl, not be dinner for one.” He smoothed his hair for about the hundredth time. "Should I have shaved? I hope not, cause I look like a punk without my beard.“
"I mean, do what makes you comfortable. You didn't go all heavy on the fragrance around your neck or anything, did you? Most Vamps don't mind you smelling like you put in an effort, they don't have our noses. But the flavoring if you splay or spray it on near a bite site tends to be a little gross. My Were-Wolf buddies were a bit unnerved, but that was due to the lady's bodyguards. I guess she's a high-end lady, so she has guards. So, from what I was told Lady Carmen, or Master Deluca? I think that was the last name. I'll double-check that with Noah before we head in."
"This is way different than chilling in the back room of a club and pretending you're just red crossing it." Harry muttered. "No, I don't wear cologne. It messes with my nose, and I don't like that. My shampoo smells like rosemary and mint though. I'm used to those smells at home, so they don't bother me."
"Yeah, I get what you are putting down. It was very much a case of being reached out to and offered the invite because of our blood type. Top dollar is top dollar, if you are wanting money, this is an easy gig. Plus, we got each other's backs. You can be rolled or not. Honestly it hurts less and with me there and having your back you will be safe. Rolling alone you run the risk of a dishonest vamp going too deep, but with the buddy system you should be golden. I'm not sure but Noah might be there to sit in for this too. He can be a little finicky about who gets to feed from us. But don't quote me. Just know I got your back buddy we're good. You've been fasting and not doing the garlic in anything for the past four days, right? I know that part can suck, aww sheesh... I'm rambling like a knob, sorry. I am admittedly a little nervous too. Last time I donated to a lady vampire, she took a bit of a liking to me. A little too much and yeah, I mean I was her escort for a night and we hung out a couple times knocked boots but I thought it was just fun you know. Didn't realize it was more to her than that, Noah always told me vampires were really casual about sex, so I guess she was an outlier, and I upset her." Rufus made a face. "Maybe to the point of leaving Seattle... I've heard she's moved. Thats some rotten luck to have with the ladies, piss em off enough that they leave the state you are in." He let out a low whistle. "If this one looks like she wants to fuck me don't leave us alone please. I don't want to upset anyone else while I'm here in Noah's entourage."
Harry snorted. "Wow. Not the usual wing man speech there." His nerves broke a little and he chuckled. "Usually it's hey man, help me score, not hey man keep me from banging a hot chick with fangs."
"Yeah, you know what they say or least where we say the hotter the chick the more crazy, they tend to be. Crazy can be fun but…if they decide they want more than fun than you're in trouble, and you might have to do the bear trap maneuver, you know what I'm saying?"
Rufus leaned against the counter. "I don't know, I can't tout to be the Casanova of Vampires or the ladies to be honest. The vampire I was talking about before. She was my first encounter in the bedroom with anyone of the fanged persuasion. It was admittedly hot despite being cool. But yeah, I figured it was super casual and that she was just wanting to sample the menu. Noah explained if I travelled with him, I'd be seen as a bit of an exotic for the Were-Dog thing. Limited edition flavor that isn't easy to find normally."
"OH, right. Cause we aren't contagious. Yeah, that definitely keeps the numbers low. Have you met many Were-Dogs?" Harry asked. It seemed like something he might have asked before but he was nervous and couldn't remember. Sometimes it was hard to focus.
"Only in my family. You are likely the only Were-Dog in the city, since I'm just passing through. You might be the only one in the state, it's hard to tell. Not many folk want to come out as being cursed. It marks you as different but gets you the same treatment as being a normal shifter a lot of the time. I've been more Dog than man most of my life though so I'm used to it. And I’m kind of lucky to have found a group that accepts me as I am. I know most Wolves don't see me as cousin or brother because it's a curse, and I'm not tied to the moon. I think they're just jealous because we aren't mound tied and silver doesn't mess with us any worse than regular metal," Rufus said with a sly smile.
"Yeah, my dad was the only other Dog in the city besides me til he died, and my mom is all over me to give her grand-puppies, but I mean, not that many chicks are keen on that I think. And I know it’s technically a curse, but I've been doing the dog thing for so long it’s really hard sometimes to think human stuff." He gave a laugh. "I don't really know any Wolves though. I have a Rat who's like a little sister to me. She helped me out of a bad spot a while back, and I helped her too. I guess that's kinda weird though huh?"
Rufus thought about it and shook his head. "Nah not so weird I mean I'm rolling with two Wolves a Were-Leopard and a Were-Lion, there was a Were-Bear but she was smart and got out after seeing how bonkers the Vampire scene can be. It takes a certain sort to dig a den and settle into it. I must be half crazy. I owe Noah pretty big and being old school, I am a man of my word. I figure a year or two of working for him and we can call it even. He does good work and helps shifters out. So, it’s a cause I can support and don't feel bad working for him. The other Vampires before Noah, not so much. Best advice I can give is don't get too involved if you can. Donate, be polite and then get the frick out of dodge. Doing that means you aren't likely to get pulled into anything too nuts."
"Sounds like good advice. Last thing I need is to piss my mom off by getting too involved in the 4p's- preternatural politics, pissing contests, and pussy," Harry said with a smirk.
Rufus chuckled. "I never pegged you for being such a mama's boy. But yeah, Vamps aren't all bad most got deep pockets. Know your limits and you're pretty good if you stick to them. Let's head on over to Archangel and check in so we can get things done."
"You don't know my mama. She scary when she's angry," Harry laughed. He pulled out his keys and jingled them. "You wanna drive or should I?"
"I'm good with whichever," Rufus said as he exited the shop. "If you haven’t been to Archangel Towers I don't mind driving. It is where I am currently hanging my hat."
"I've been, remember? I dropped off the basket of stuff my mom baked for you and your pals. She's still a little miffed over the can’t use garlic cause of Vampires thing." He led his friend around back and unlocked the van climbing into the driver’s seat.
"Ah yes. Sorry my friend. That seems like ancient history with all the scrambling and hustling that we've been doing since we got here. It's your wheels so by all means feel free to drive us where we need to go then," Rufus said as Harry locked up the store door and they walked to the vehicle. Rufus slid into the passenger side and slipped on his seatbelt.
The trip to the triple towers of Archangel Industries didn't take long at all. As they parked in the underground visitor parking at the building Rufus fired off a quick text. By the time they reached the lobby, Noah was exiting the Residential elevator to meet the two. Rufus made the official introductions and Noah shook Harry's hand, greeting him pleasantly. "Did either of you want a coffee or something sweet to drink before we head up to meet Master DeLuca? It tends to help you not have your sugars drop too much."
"Thanks for the offer. I'll defer to those who know better than me," Harry said. His earlier nervousness seemed to settle, leaving him feeling oddly relaxed.
With drinks purchased by Noah, the trio entered the residential elevator to Master DeLucas floor where they encountered a smartly dressed Were-Wolf in the hallway that looked at the trio with a neutral expression.
Noah smiled extending his hand as he introduced himself and their reason for being there.
"I'm going to have to search you before you enter. Nothing personal just doing my job. Can't be too careful. Who's first?"
Noah grinned "How about I go first while our two donors decide who's next?"
"I'm easy going," Rufus said casting a glance at Harry. "You want to get it out of the way like ripping off a band aid or you want to be last?"
"Um yeah OK, I guess. I mean he's just searching us, right? Or are you asking if I wanna be the appetizer?" Harry asked, giving Rufus a confused look. The Were-Wolf was a bit intimidating for sure. They all were, really. It was that kind of sense of contained violence most of them had. But he was sorta used to it, since all kinds shopped in his store.
"Well, I meant for the frisk but if you want to also go first on the donation front too, you can color me impressed bro," Rufus chuckled.
"I've been frisked before, man. Just not necessarily by someone so... expensive looking." He glanced at the Were-Wolf with a sheepish smile, “I mean his shoes look like they cost more than my house. I'm beginning to feel really underdressed. But yeah, whatever is okay,“ Harry said with a shrug. He was hella nervous now after seeing what the bodyguard looked like, but he was doing his best to keep it contained.
"Vampires have deep pockets after a while. Not so much the young ones normally. They're Masters at slashing the costs of their grocery bills," Rufus joked. "Get on their good side though and you get adopted. I've heard the perks can be pretty nice should they choose to show their generosity."
After a search, and asking for names, they were let inside where they found Master DeLuca sitting on the couch as she reached for a remote and muted the news channel she had been watching.
The Were-Wolf announced the group and Carmen nodded as she silently studied the group for a moment as she gestured to the couches. "Do have a seat gentlemen," she said, her amber eyes looking intently at Rufus and Harry as she reached a hand out expectantly, her Italian accent was heavy . "It isn't every evening that I have such interesting company."
"And it isn't every day that gentlemen such as ourselves are able to present ourselves before such a lovely guest," Noah said, giving his head a slight bow as he took her hand and gave it a gracious kiss.
The action seemed to content the female vampire. "Now it is not often that I come across a fellow traveling vampire, Mr. Knolls. What brings you to Seattle with your companions?"
Noah smiled. She didn't take long to start the interrogation. "What brings any of us to wish to travel? Curiosity and a desire to see what is over the horizon for those of us that have such desires? The novelty of travelling introduces you to so many new and interesting sights and people. Who couldn't resist wanting to visit America, where existing isn't a crime, and you can walk in the open? As for my evening companions, here? You would have to ask them. Harry here is a local Seattle Native."
Harry felt her Vampire gaze settle on him curiously and Rufus gave a small nod as she waited for Harry to speak.
Harry shuffled a bit, his eyes studying the carpet. A blush was creeping over his tanned cheeks. "Uh, yeah, I mean Yes, sorry." He corrected, trying to resist digging his toe into the carpet. “My family has been here for a few generations, but as far as I know I'm the only were dog in the area, so it was cool meeting Rufus. I hooked him up with a job delivering orders for my shop, and we hang out a lot, so I guess that's the why I'm here." He peeked up at her, surprisingly shy. “I’m glad I came though."
Carmen appraised him and let out a soft sigh. Americans on average, the ones she had studied on the streets. had varying differences than the locals in her own country. She patted the couch. "Come here and let me get a better look at you, Harold. You don't mind if I call you that, do you? I'm assuming that is what is on your birth papers and that you go by Harry informally."
Harry smiled. "No, I don't mind at all. That's what my friend Lil calls me. And my mom, when she's mad at me." He laughed. He gave a quick glance to Rufus and Noah, then approached to sit next to the Vampiress. "I'm sorry if I'm not doing things right. I haven't met too many Master Vampires.“He was suddenly rather self-conscious. "Are you really from Italy? I meant, if you don't mind me asking. "
"I am from Italy, yes." She studied him. "So, you donate but aren't very aware of the customs and procedures. Fear not, I won't exploit you. I am here as a guest, you will find Vampiric guests strive to be well-behaved. Isn't that correct, Mr. Knolls?"
Noah nodded. "That is usually the case."
"When did you realize you were a Were-Dog, Harold? If I may inquire, what did you do to anger a witch to end up cursed?" she asked.
The question seemed to relax Harry a bit, and he seemed suddenly a lot less like a teenager on his first date. " Me? Oh no, it wasn't me that made her angry. I'm actually not sure if it was a great or great great grandfather that was the start, the story got a little embellished, but the basic idea is grandpa had an affair with a pretty powerful witch and she was mad he wouldn't leave his wife for her. But the curse actually didn't happen until his son did one of her family members wrong. I've heard that he cheated on her or left her at the altar or something. But that's where the curse came in. Something about all Shaw men being dogs," he chuckled. "So yeah, I didn't really 'realize' I was a Were-Dog. According to my mom, the first time I changed I was still in a crib. I've been like this all my life. I think usually it's a puberty thing, so I guess I'm just... odd."
She let his answer hang in the air before nodding. "As a baby..." She mused. "I cannot say I am an expert in Were-Dogs but that is the first of me hearing being cursed since the crib and a curse passed down through the family. She must have been very powerful," she consoled as she lightly touched his knee giving it a pat.
Noah watched silently as he felt as if he was refereeing an event.
"Or really good at wording curses," Harry agreed. "But it's not so bad, except for the fact that my mom, she's Italian too by the way, keeps bugging me about grandbabies and it's not exactly the thing that most ladies look for. At least it’s only the males of the line who inherit the curse, but small consolation." If he had been in his dog form at the moment, his tail would be wagging.
"I can't disagree. Your mother hails from Bel Paese? I ask because you Americans have this fascinating obsession with claiming nationalities despite not being born or speaking the languages of such country, but your great great grandfather was from the old countries," Carmen replied, her lips upturned slightly offering a bemused smile. "Have you noticed this pattern as well, Mr. Knolls?"
"Not off the top of my head but I will be aware of that now Master DeLuca. Perhaps it is due to America being so young compared to other countries," Noah offered.
Rufus sighed softly, Oh you mean the landmass that's been around for as long as the rest of the world that my ancestors lived on before it was just colonized by the whites and the Spaniards a little later than the rest of Europe?"
Carmen nodded. "If you are an Indian of this continent, then yes. "
"We prefer the term Native American or Indigenous, Master DeLuca. Indian is a rather outdated and mildly offensive term."
"I see. I will make note of that. English is a language I am still learning. Let us stir the conversation back to you Harold. I believe you were talking about your mother and your heritage?"
"Ah. Well, in this case my mom really is Italian. When she was in school, she did a foreign exchange student thing, and Dad met her when he went on vacation to the east coast. They kept in touch, and she eventually moved here, and they got married. I actually don’t know where my dad’s side of the family came from,” Harry said.
"He died when you were young?" Carmen asked.
Harry shook his head. "Only a couple years ago. He just didn’t talk about his family much, and I never knew my grandfather."
"I see. That is unfortunate. Are there any questions you wish to have answered before you donate, Harold?" Carmen asked. It was a shame he didn't have more of a pedigree he could share with her.
Harry tried to think of what he should ask, but it was slightly difficult sitting right next to such a beautiful woman. "Um, well, all my previous donations have been indirect, so this is my first time doing things this way, so I think we are supposed to agree on location, right? I've never been rolled, but it should be ok since Rufus is here, and I'm not some kind of pain junky. Do you have any preferences?" he said, hoping he didn't sound like a rambling idiot.
"I'm a traditionalist. The Neck is my preference." Carmen confessed as she reached out to trail a finger gently along his neckline. "I can be gentle. How well do you heal? I've heard that Were-Dogs are weaker than most shape shifters? No offense I've not come across many of your kind."
Harry couldn't suppress a shiver at her touch. "Well, I wouldn't win a fight against your Were-Wolf bodyguards for sure, but I heal well enough. The scar is from a Were-Rat attack." He tapped the scar running diagonally across his nose.
Carmen sat with his answer and nodded. "If you heal faster than a human, you shouldn't have any issues. I've never had complaints from willing donors that I was too rough or my teeth too dull." She rested a finger at the junction a couple inches above where his neck and clavicle met. "Here would be a good spot. My guards heal up fast enough, less than half an hour, and you wouldn't know they had donated. Humans of course take several days to recover. I have had Master Salvatore explain how permission must be given and that there is paperwork that has to be filled out if you are an employee. Other paperwork must be filled out if you are a free agent. A form of consent for legal purposes, as you are feeding a guest within the business premises. You are fine with a hundred dollars for your donation tonight with the agreement of me being fed from this spot with you allowing for me to use my ability to make your donation more pleasurable than it would normally be without it?"
Harry went over everything she said in his mind. He had been through the whole paperwork thing when he had signed up as a donor at Nightshades, so he was familiar with all that. "I agree to one hundred dollars as payment with the requested location of the neck and the use of rolling for the purpose of pain reduction,” he said, making sure he repeated the specific terms out loud. He was nervous, but strangely excited, and he kept having to remind himself it wasn't appropriate to nuzzle up against someone he had just met.
Carmen snapped her fingers and one of her bodyguards vanished and came back with an attaché case, pulling out forms which she passed to Harry. "I want to ask about your diet as well. I am sure you are aware that garlic is something that we find... Unappealing. Do you exclude it from your diet?"
Harry started looking over the papers, trying to hide the fact that his eyes kept straying to her form beside him. He wasn't doing a very good job of it. "Of course. Mom wasn't very happy about that, but I explained that spending time in some of the most popular places in town meant being around Vampires, and Vampires didn't like garlic. I finally convinced her that me being palatable to the tongue meant I had better chance to be palatable to other senses. She is REALLY into the idea of me finding a girlfriend."
"Given your apparent age it is surprising that you don't have one or do your tastes drift towards same sex?" She asked casually as she looked over at Noah and noted how intently he was taking in the conversation and watching her and the two Were-Dogs.
Harry almost tore the paper he was signing at her words. "No!" He squeaked. "No. Nope, no way. Not into guys. At all." He waved his hands in embarrassment. "I'm into girls. Just... busy. I took over my dad's business, so I'm always there. And... it's an occult shop. I'm not too keen to hook up with a witch, fake or no."
"Life is short, do not let it pass you by. If you do, you will soon find yourself an old man on your deathbed and your lamentations won't be 'Why did I not work more, it will be why did I not make connections and take more chance to try new things," Carmen explained as she smiled softly, vaguely amused, at the dark-haired pup.
"That is sound advice, Master DeLuca." Noah replied, nodding his head,
"Well, I am here..." Harry said with a little shrug. "That does count as trying new things. I just... I want to take care of my mom. She won't say it, but she's lonely, in a way that isn't so easy to fix. She doesn't have any family here except for me. I thought I wanted to expand the business, you know, in a way honor my dad’s memory by nurturing the thing he made, but I think really, I just want mom to be happy again, really happy. I just have to figure out a way to convince her I'll be okay, and she can go home to Italy." He wasn't usually in the habit of spilling so much personal information, especially to those he didn't know, and he wasn't sure why he did it now. Maybe it was needing to defend himself, maybe it was something else. Sometimes the pressure of such things seeped out past the dam.
"Perhaps I can assist you on that front. If I find you suitable palate wise, we could figure out something beneficial, it is how you say it?" Carmen replied.
Rufus tilted his head slightly brown eyes flicked from Noah to Harry then to Carmen.
He had so far not sniffed out any bullshit, but her offer made him a little more alert.
A Vampire in Canada had been quick to offer help and loan him money with interest. It had been akin to getting into bed with a mafia loan shark. Then again Noah had been quick to bail him out.
Rufus lowered his head as he tried to suppress the urge to snicker at the Mafia thought Carmen was from Italy after all, her accent made that very clear.
Harry twirled the pen in his hand, his shoulders suddenly tense. "Not to be insulting or anything but that seems like something that would be too good to be true, and in my experience, if it seems too good to be true, it usually isn't - true that is. Not that I'm calling you a liar or anything. I just tend to be a bit... Nervous." He might have said nervous, but the word that fit better was paranoid. Rufus had seen it in him before, when they were hanging out. It was hardly unexpected though. He was the lone dog in a city full of high power shifters and he had already admitted to one run in that left him scarred.
"It wouldn't be out of the kindness of my heart. It would be a business transaction. Should I find you palatable, I would be interested in acquiring your donation services. So, you can see I do benefit. I am aware the price point we agree on tonight is higher than going rates that are normally offered, but I was very curious to try Were-Dog to see how it compares to Wolf," Carmen explained. "If your blood is not to my standards there is Rufus but given that he seems tied to Mr. Knolls, who is also a guest here, I wish to not cause friction between us. As Vampires, we can be very territorial of those that donate. I am guessing that Rufus donates to him. Correct me if I am wrong."
Noah nodded, “He is a part of my entourage and one of my donors, but under my discretion he does donate to others."
"So, as you can see, this would potentially not ruffle feathers," Carmen explained to Harry. "Plus, it doesn't hurt that your bloodline contains some ancestral ties with my country."
Harry nodded. "Good to know, but I kinda have to say that I’m not planning on leaving Seattle myself at this point. This is my home, and I'm happy here. But who knows, it's something that can be talked about later I guess, depending on how things go tonight." He finished with the paperwork and handed it back to her assistant. "For now, it's probably time I find out what color eyes you have, and if they are as gorgeous as the rest of you." He gave a lopsided grin.
"As you wish," she said simply as she took the signed papers from him reading everything over as Nigel had shown her.
It felt so strange to go about getting a meal compared to the hired help that offered blood to her without all the paperwork.
"It all seems in order," she said as she gracefully turned her body towards him on the couch and caught his gaze as she told him to relax.
He felt himself slowly sinking into the depths of her amber eyes. There was a sensation of feeling distant and like he was curled up on the floor near a fireplace basking in the heat and being pet, her fingers gliding though his metaphysical coat of fur.
Noah watched silently, a little less tense to see despite her being from Europe that she was not mistreating her vessel.
Carmen fed as she analyzed the flavor and composition of his blood silently. When she was done Harry came to his senses alerting him to reality, he found her pressing gauze to his neck as she held him. "Welcome back. How are you feeling?"
Harry gave a lopsided smile. "That was... nice. No pain. It felt... Kinda like snuggling in front of a fireplace. How about you?" he asked as he reached up to take the gauze. "Tasty? Not tasty? "
"It was unique," Carmen commented. "With a proper diet, you could likely find yourself with repeat customers. Many a Vampire would be curious due to the novelty of what you are. But if you could abstain from certain foods, you would have a full donation card I suspect. Do you have a direct way to contact you should I require your services again? Should you be open to the idea of a repeat donation. I plan on being in town for a little while."
"I don't mind," Harry said as he fished in his wallet and pulled out a card. "I'm at the shop most days so if your people need to get me then that’s the best way. "He borrowed a pen to write on the back of the card. "This is my cell phone." He held out the doctored card. “Of course, if I don't answer I very well could be wandering the city in my other form. I do like to do that."
Carmen took the card, studying it in her elegantly manicured fingers, "I shall call ahead to solidify plans should I desire another taste. Do try to abstain from the garlic, I plan on obtaining your services later this week."
She turned her attention to Noah. “With donations out of the way did you wish to stay and chat or did you wish to let the Were-Dogs enjoy their night while we talk of things that would likely bore the pair?"
Rufus looked to Harry then to Noah. Noah gave a languid shrug to Rufus, indicating he wasn't insisting on him hanging back. Rufus looked to Harry. “Shall we? Or did you have anything else you wanted to ask Lady Carmen?"
Harry laughed. "I think so far I've managed to not put my foot in my mouth. It might be a good idea to not push our luck."
Noah's presence had dampened his reactions. He wasn't as paranoid as usual, and perhaps it had helped him not climb into the woman's lap like he really wanted to do, but he didn't want to get the bodyguards up in arms because he was getting too friendly. He really wanted to roll over on her lap and present his belly for belly rubs. Dog brain was in tail wagging pee myself a little mode. Not a good way to make a first impression.
"We will see ourselves out if you are good, Noah," Rufus said, looking back to the unassuming Vampire who sat across from the dark-haired Italian beauty.
The pair of Were-Dogs made their way out of the suite, back into the hallway and to the elevator. Rufus sighed softly as he gently rubbed his neck. He leaned against the wall as they waited for the elevator. His dark eyes flicked over to Harry. "So how would you rate tonight and the whole donating here tonight? I don't like the fact we had to leave Noah on his own, but I guess he is a big boy that can handle himself. I just wanted to touch base and make sure you are okay bud."
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