Haunted Roads

When: Late Night
Where: Restaurant
Who: Dimitri and Ophelia - Narrative

Always Dimitri went into meetings with Ophelia with that calm demeanor that seemed as though it could never be budged. He swallowed down emotions and sought to look upon her and not feel so…swayed. But those intentions always so quickly faded the longer he was around her. She, like no other, knew how to get under his skin. How to wiggle her way past that calm and strike at all the other emotions buried within. In a way he loathed her for that, how quickly she could unravel him. And yet at the same time there was a part of him that loved her still for it. It was in her presence that he felt alive. It was with her that the dullness of the world around him seemed to shed away. Leaving something else so remarkably different in its place.

She did not allow him to hide beneath that work or that indifference. She pointed out the flaws in all he spoke and all reasons he gave. She attacked his reasoning’s as though they mattered not. But the trouble was that they did. That for all the reasons he had to let himself truly be swayed by her, he had just as many reasons to not. To deny her presence and walk away.

Yes he had reasons….and yet none of them seemed enough to curb that ache that formed when she spoke that she would be leaving. He had known the words were coming. He knew by her actions and her tone that this decision had been delayed for some time now…hoping to push him to follow. He knew, but it did not dull the weight of the words. Somehow, however, he managed to keep at bay the depth of the reaction. Giving her so little of what she wanted to see from him. He could not falter, as always with her losing even that slightest bit of ground meant that you would soon fall.

Already she had spoken her goodbye to the only other childe she had that would allow themselves to care. Nothing held her here….save him.

( Candlelight from the dinner table flickered as he watched her. )

When: Night
Where: Towers to start
Who: Dimitri and Justine

Dimitri’s time, as of late, was both spent on family and work. While the others within the family were always busy that did not mean that Dimitri was not aware of where they were or what was going on in their lives. All seemed to make it a point to keep aware. But the distraction of work was a well needed thing for him. The Towers did not give him near enough work often, but the last few weeks were busy with talks of possible expansion of the Towers property. There was a company interested in restoring some of the land to make a park behind the towers. Dimitri, of course, had a bit of mixed feelings on the topic. He knew well the sorts of creatures that lived in the depths below the others and was not…completely convinced a park in this location was a wise choice. However though there were risks he did know that many of the supernaturals in the Towers had children and that likely the werecreatures and fae types would enjoy having some nature a bit closer to home.

So far it had come to a bit of a pause, Dimitri speaking that he’d only agree to the park being put on his land if he was allowed sole rights to it after dark. During the day all were welcomed but it was to close at sundown. For all the humans had to know that simply meant none would be there after dark. But Dimitri’s plan was to allow it to the Tower residents at that time. Especially the weres around the full moon. Perhaps if there was a place close where they could roam there would not be so many…attacks around that time.

Still the talks were nothing but busy work. Something to occupy his time but hardly give him anything truly challenging to deal with. Dimitri was the sort of man that needed a bit more activity. A constant need to be on the move and have his hands in various business deals. He did not enjoy the lazy life or sitting idle. He had no idea how his brother had ever been content to simply mill about the towers doing nothing else with his time. It was for these reasons and more that Dimitri was questioning his place here at the Towers.

All thoughts of business and matters of that sort were pushed aside for tonight. Tonight he had plans to have dinner with Justine. His first thought had been to cook something for them. But really Dimitri could use some time outside of the Tower walls and instead had made reservations for them. Neither of them were exactly picky about food, as neither would likely be eating that much. For Dimitri it was far more about the ambience of a place.

It was still a bit early as Dimitri closed the file he was working on and shut down the computer. Early enough that the light was just beginning to fade from the sky to signal the fall of night. It wasn’t the nearing night that stilled his work but more the simple desire to be done with it. It all became so monotonous. Nothing but repetitive acts over and over again. Words that all blurred together, movements that felt near robotic in nature. Something had need to change. He knew that much.

Until his sister arrived Dimitri retired to the library, picking up a book to read that most humans would consider ancient.

When: Night
Where: Old Town Towers; their condo
Who: Dimitri, Juliette, Justine, Chloe

A family dinner seemed a simple thing but for the Baptistes it was always turned into quite the event. Perhaps it was due to the fact that they rarely spent as much time together as they used to. Perhaps it was only because Dimitri had time on his hands and was able to put forth so much effort. Whatever the reason for it, the dinner proved to be quite grand. None of them had need to eat true, but that did not mean that they did not enjoy the tastes of food still. Dinner was more a sampling, small amounts of what each of them loved.

Dimitri had worked through the morning hours as he often did and though he had attempted rest it had not worked as he had planned. Thoughts plagued his mind and made such attempts to relax rather difficult. A curse of the family it seemed as they became that way when they were uncertain on any particular point in their lives. It made the timing for this event perfect in a way, giving them excuse, and means, to forget all else for awhile. A night to simply enjoy being among family..allowing the rest of the world to fade away.

Or at least that was the plan…how well that worked out for any of them was another matter all together.

With much of his workload seen to Dimitri took the hours before nightfall to help in preparation for the night’s meal. Though he rarely cooked he was actually quite skilled in it. A talent that he did not even realize he held till late in his life. It wasn’t exactly a hobby he put much time or effort into however, his attention and time were almost always needed somewhere. He made sure of that, constantly flooding himself with work and projects in order to keep himself busy. Dimitri wasn’t the sort that really enjoyed being still or lacking in something to do.

Though he cooked he wasn’t the only one doing so. Others aided as well as there was too much to make for one person to handle.

Towards the end Dimitri left the finishing touches to others while he checked on some last minute work. There was little else for him to worry on really. The home was always in pristine condition and the large dining room was already prepared. Set with candles and all around the home fireplaces added a faint warmth to the home. It was more for light then for that, as cold was not something any of them truly felt anymore.

Music of long ago also filled the air, music that they used to listen to before times became so struggled and their lives went off in various directions. It reminded him of home, a home lost to all of them but yet remembered well. For times beyond the pain. For smiles and laughter.

There was time yet before the others would begin to arrive, Dimitri took seat in the living room near to the fire…watching the flames dance and cast shadows upon the walls. To the table near to him was a glass of wine briefly touched and to his hand a cigarette held between the fingers that was nearly spent, a window near to him was opened just enough to drag the scent of such away.

Who: Ophelia and Dimitri
Where: Canlis Restaurant
When: Night time

The Caché, the secret little niche nestled in privacy, providing Canlis’ most spectacular view, and now one of Ophelia’s favorite finds in this Emerald City. The ages old vampiress had a habit of learning bits and pieces of whatever city she stayed in and Seattle was no exception. She did after all, intend to be here at least a little while. Though, she could just as easily be gone again, if it proved too much.

Her life now was much as it had always been, save the years with her children. A nomad, traveling where the wind willed her. The only time she’d settled had been when she had family. When they had gone, so too had her roots, she lifted up and moved on once again, heavy hearted, but having finally known love. She’d been touched by the experience, and had learned as well.

Dimitri had agreed to meet her and so Ophelia had made arrangements at a neutral spot, where neither would feel put upon, or pressured in any way. If she believed he wouldn’t hate every moment of it, she’d have simply set a date upon her yacht, her home, but that, for now was out of the question. As was a meeting in the Towers where he lived. Where his siblings lived.

Nevermind, The Caché was a nice room, a pleasant atmosphere with a spectacular view. Though neither she nor Dimitri had need of food, they could and did, at times, indulge in certain edible delicacies, a few of which would be served to them tonight. The waiter also would be serving her own wine as requested, though of course, for a surcharge, as Canlis was in it for the money. She paid well, tipping in advance for what she expected to be spectacular, and discreet, service.

The room lit only by candlelight, and the occasional twinkle of stars as they fought their way through the clouds, Ophelia took seat on the chaise, leaving the table for after Dimitri arrived. A cigarette was brought to her lips, quickly lit by the waiter, who knew to look aside from many city laws when it came to this room. The music of a by-gone era played softly in the background, music the two had so enjoyed in their days together, and in their travels. Perhaps it was played for his benefit, but in truth, this was the same music Ophelia most often found herself drawn to. Perhaps for good reason.

When: Night
Where: His room
Who: Dimitri and Juliette

The night hours were always quiet around the home. The sisters often went out to see to their own affairs and Ophelia was, for now, out of sight and mind. It was a time that Dimitri often spent alone seeing to work still not fully caught up. There was not an overabundance to see to with the Towers but there was enough. Rarely was it just that however, for Dimitri. He was looking into other possibly business ventures. A man that cured a racing mind with work. Often burying himself in it.

He'd not bothered to find his way to the office for tonight. Instead he'd stayed to his room. The window was open to allow in the night chill and the scent of falling rain. It was peaceful enough even if Dimitri's thoughts did not exactly echo its sentiments. Why were his thoughts so turbulent? Likely due to much but for tonight he'd carelessly dismiss it as nothing more then not having fed today. An easier answer then truly having to think upon all of it.

Though quiet nothing truly ever was. In the distance he could hear the subtle beating hearts of servants in Chloe's room. Down below him there were residence walking through the halls. Outside someone was whistling as they walked. For a vampire, for suprenaturals, there was no real quiet. Dimitri long ago learned how to tune such noises out but tonight nothing wished to be ignored. No even the faintest of sounds were thunderous. Yet he didn’t move to close the window as though that would lock the sound away.

Instead he simply continued to read on, scanning various documents and information gathered. There was much of it, all scattered about his desk in various forms of disarray. It wasn’t Dimitri’s typical style but ever since returning, ever since Julien’s death, Dimitri wasn’t quite the same as he used to be. They had all moved forward, scars had healed, but was anything ever truly forgotten? No…their sire present now at their sides was proof of that fact.

He should leave the room he knew, venture out into the night. Find someone to feed from. There was a long list of things he likely should do other then stay at his desk. The night was early still wasn’t it? There was time yet….though truly for all he knew the sun could be set to rise in a slim few hours. Time was not something he’d been paying much mind to.

His attention was truly only diverted when he heard steps approaching. Faint sounds blending with all else around him. But they were steps he knew, recognized easily, steps that so often were sounded in time with his own.

Juliette.

Sighing softly Dimitri pushed away the papers, allowing his gaze to shift towards the door as she neared it. “Come in Juliette…” not that she would need to knock at all. No she knew she was always welcome at his side. That is how it had always been. No matter the struggles or troubles surrounding them.