Who: Claudia and Irina What: catching up Where: Verdant When: early July Warnings: probably low Status: g-doc
Between wedding planning, helping to run the museum, and collapsing most nights, Claudia had failed rather a lot at spending time with people outside her now wife and those at the museum. Irina included, which she should remedy because Claudia actually liked her former boss.
Given that Claudia decided to take a few days off just to relax, she’d texted Irina about going to get a drink and catching up. She left the where up to the vampire, knowing how Irina had preferences for most things.
She really did want to see how things were going. On the night of, Claudia wore a pair of jeans and a cute top that looked presentable but without being too fancy. Even now Claudia would go home and immediately change out of work clothes into ripped jeans and long sleeved shirts under tank-tops.
Irina graciously accepted her former assistant’s invitation to join her for a drink. Claudia was married now, and the vampire felt she owed the woman a gift. She had picked something out from the shop for Claudia and her new spouse. Chuuya was given a kiss to the cheek, told to not get into trouble then left for Verdant.
As usual, Irina dressed as if she were gracing Fifth Avenue with her presence: a designer mini dress, genuine silk stockings and matching stilettos. The bouncer was given a cursory glance as she sauntered into the club, then her all too pale blue eyes searched for Claudia. Upon spying the woman, she strolled in that direction.
“Claudia,” she drolled with a smile on her face. “You look splendid.” Air kisses were placed beside both cheeks.
Claudia didn’t feel like Irina owed her anything. Without the vampire’s support, Claudia wouldn’t have a job she loved with people she really enjoyed. She wanted to check in on Irina anyway, see how her former boss fared.
She smiled when she heard Irina’s greeting. “Hey Irina.” Claudia would never return the air kisses, mostly because she knew how ridiculous the former hacker would look attempting it. So ridiculous.
“How are you?” Claudia asked as they walked to the bar to order. She would go sit wherever Irina deemed appropriate. “As per usual you look gorgeous.” Rebekah and Irina always looked so put-together.
Strangely, Irina didn’t mind sitting at a bar. She knew she drew attention, loved it so found perching her petite backside on a barstool garnered her looks. It was also fun to intimidate people into giving her their seat with a single arch of her shapely brow.
“I am well,” she said as they reached the bar. “The shop is doing well for what it is. It’s the nature of that business to go slowly. We aren’t some franchise in a mall.” Irina’s nose wrinkled in disdain.
Once she was seated she smiled to Claudia. “You look happy.”
Claudia rather preferred to let Irina do her version of intimidation. She could never rise to the level Irina achieved, neither would she ever wish it for herself. The redhead didn’t particularly like being stared at, but next to Irina she didn’t think anyone would.
She couldn’t help but laugh and shake her head at Irina’s wrinkled nose. “No, I don’t think you’d find anything like what you’re selling at a mall.” Which seemed good, because Irina’s taste was far more Fifth Avenue than American Eagle and Orange Julius. Thankfully. “Karl joined you and Chuuya then?” Claudia knew the werewolf by name, but didn’t talk to him.
“I am!” Claudia couldn’t help her smile. “Back home I won’t have the opportunity for this kind of life, so I’m thrilled to marry a woman I absolutely adore. You look pretty happy yourself,” she added with a smile of her own.
“He did,” Irina confirmed. There was a sly glint to her eyes that suggested that she was very content about this, and for more reason than just having someone else on the payroll. Karl and Chuuya had turned her endeavor into something quite lucrative. “I have to say he is quite effective.”
“Good,” the Tzarina said. She was genuine in her well wishes for Claudia. Aside from being an excellent assistant, Irina liked Claudia and wanted the best for her.
The bartender brought their drinks and Irina pointedly lifted hers with her left hand, upon which rested a beautiful and large sapphire, surrounded by diamonds and set in white gold. “I am happy.” She smirked before she took a sip.
Claudia recognized that glint and thought it good that Irina felt positive about the werewolf joining her team. She knew from her conversations with Chuuya that he also liked Karl. “I’m glad. Karl seems like a good person to have in your business.”
She smiled. Claudia knew how rare it was for Irina to like anyone, and certainly didn”t mind being in the exclusive club.
When the Tzarina flashed her ring, Claudia gasped. “Irina! Congratulations! That ring is gorgeous!” The redhead knew that Chuuya considered proposing before Irina got sent home, so to know he asked Irina warmed Claudia’s heart. “You deserve all of the happiness. You and Chuuya both.”
Irina looked entirely pleased with herself as she kept her glass up so her ring could be admired by anyone looking their way. It sparkled more than a disco ball when the light hit it so it was hard to miss.
“Thank you,” she purred. “Chuuya obviously has good taste.” With a little help. And Irina definitely wasn’t going to admit that he proposed while they were under the influence of the Dome and she wouldn’t let him take it back.
Claudia couldn’t help the gentle teasing when she said, “I might need sunglasses to shield my eyes from your ring.” The ring completely suited Irina, for which Claudia felt glad. Irina deserved a ring as sophisticated and beautiful as herself.
“Well, yes, he fell in love with you.” And hate, but Claudia wisely didn’t say those words out loud, given she liked living. “Will you be taking some time to plan your wedding?”
“It is a sign of intelligence on his part.” She wrinkled her nose as she chuckled. Even if she was playing calm about it, the sparkle in her eyes gave away how happy and excited she was about being engaged.
“Of course I am.” Irina set her drink down on the bar then gave Claudia her full attention. “I haven’t even begun to make plans. I am lacking a personal assistant and have to do it all myself.” She gave a melodramatic sigh, but there was a twinkle in her eye.
Claudia snorted at the sign of intelligence comment. “Chuuya has his moments.” As a friend to both Irina and Chuuya, she felt okay saying such a thing, since both would recognize her teasing in the moment. The redhead absolutely adored how happy Irina looked and how the sparkle in her eye added a little something.
She couldn’t help a second snort. “Don’t look at me for wedding planning. Cosima and I went low key and had Hope’s restaurant cater for us. I’m surprised you haven’t hired a personal assistant, to be honest.”
Irina gave a melodramatic sigh. “I had hired the best. Once. Now no one can compare, and you know I would never settle for second best.” She chuckled as she lifted her drink again. “Besides. I’m giving Chuuya some time before I truly start planning. I have to hand him small paperbags to breathe into from time to time as it is.”
She wrinkled her nose in amusement as she smiled then held out her glass. “To matrimony.”
Claudia fake batted her eyelashes at Irina. “I don’t think I could be an assistant to anyone but you, Irina.” For all of the vampire’s dramatics, she did treat her assistant well. “Probably wise, having spoken to Chuuya for more than two minutes.”
She raised her glass and clinked it lightly against Irina’s. “To matrimony.”