れモ尺工ちち丹 (serpentined) wrote in summerview, @ 2019-01-12 08:01:00 |
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Entry tags: | zander brutus, znerissa drake |
like a bright light on the horizon
Who: Nerissa and Zander
What: SWEETS. And an important talk~
When: Saturday night
Where: Mostly the bakery, then they go for a night stroll
Rating: Low!
Status: Complete
The bakery. Yummmmmm. Give her like, one of everything. Nerissa could probably stay in there for hours, if given the chance. The sounds of shifting pans were comforting for some reason, and the countertops in the place were always well-polished - obviously, it was kept clean and inviting. The display racks though, they were what made mouths water - perfect loaves of bread, sugared puff pastry packed with things like currants, iced cinnamon buns. How could she refuse? If only she could bottle the scent of the bakery and bring it home, to make it seem like she actually knew how to use her oven - the air was perfumed so nicely by legit sweet confectioneries rather than chemicals, ooooh. Too bad this was only a stop on the walk home tonight - the sun had long since fucked off, and rather than cooking (ha) Nerissa had wanted to go out for dinner. Zander wasn’t working and neither was she, so, food it was - at the new Cajun restaurant that had just opened up and trust her, she’d eaten her fill - and then dessert. Yeah, she’d inhaled like a shit ton of gumbo but that didn’t stop her from wanting something sweet during her attempt to not feel so delightfully bloated on the way back to her place. “Come oooooon, I want cake and cookies,” she insisted, tugging on her gargoyle lover’s hand. “I’m about to give birth to a food baby though, so maybe just one cookie.” Although Zander likes to cook for Nerissa when she didn’t feel like it (he had been practicing and becoming quite good, he thought) he wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to try new food. This Cajun food was very flavorful. And spicy. His senses were still slightly agitated—he too, had eaten far too much. How Nerissa could even think on the idea of stomaching more food much less smell the bakery without wanting to gag was beyond him. True, he could put away quite a bit of food but even he had eaten perhaps a bit too much for his own good. The gumbo had been very, very good. “Hmph,” he muttered lightly as she tugged at his hand. The Gargoyle planted himself firmly like a stone in the sand, just for fun, but he’d never turn down his love. Teasing her a bit was fun. “Alright then. But I don’t want to hear anything about a belly ache.” He let her lead him about and into the sweet smelling facility that broke even through the spice still in his nostrils. “They’ve got those cheesecakes you like. In little bite form.” He hovered over one of the glass containers eyeing things curiously. Of course he’d put to memory what Nerissa enjoyed. Hell, Nerissa always had room for cheesecake. Zander was basically dating a bottomless black hole - it was like she had to eat as much as she did in sea serpent form when she was still human, or she’d die a thousand deaths. Maybe not that dramatic, but still. Foooood. “Fuck yeah, I want some of those,” she decided and immediately ordered a half-dozen, drizzled with chocolate sauce and some with caramel. What? They were bite size, that would do. “You want anything, baby?” Ness was already pulling out her wallet, prepared to pay for this after dinner delight and get themselves a table. In the corner. Something private. Fuck yeah. So lovely, always to the point. “Yes, I’d like you to put your wallet away, thank you.” He had no problem scooting her little self out and her wallet out of the way so he could intercept payment. Yes yes, she was a strong independent woman but when she was with him, chivalry wasn’t as dead as her world would have it. Zander also decided at the last minute he would like one of those delicious cookies. A large overly populated m and m cookie. Treats in hand he followed her over to the oddly secluded table and sat down alongside her, the chair crying just a little because he wasn’t paying attention. Heavy thing he was. “We’re not eating this at home, love?” Awww. It was sweet of Zander to pay, he was always quite the gentleman. Well. A lady on the streets but a freak in the sheets, eh? Whereas Nerissa was a lady...hardly ever. But anyway, she didn’t protest when he shooed away her tip money - she just grinned, making herself comfortable in her seat. “Eh, I like the ambiance and we’re here, soooo...” she shrugged, popping a cheesecake bite into her mouth. It was also possible that she’d steal a liiiiiiiittle piece of Zan’s cookie, but not right now. In a little while. “I also wanted to talk to you about something. I was out on patrol with Jayati the other night, like right before my party, and she told me some stuff? And it kind of involves....investigating. Things.” That was a great lead-in, wasn’t it? He wasn’t so quick to go in for the cookie. Now, he was much more interested in the conversation, his demeanor stiffening in his chair as he listened intently. An odd place to have this conversation but Zander could hear that the lowly employee was back in the staff kitchen. Unless they could hear better than he did of course. “What did you find?” He was slightly upset she hadn’t told him that something was awry. If Jayati and her were talking about things—things he didn’t know of, he would be the one she’d tell, yes? Especially if it was dangerous. “Go on.” The Gargoyle settled his crystal blue eyes on his mate, not exactly in the mood to beat around the bush, or sugar coat things. If that’s what this was all about. Nerissa could tell he was prickled already about not being told sooner and ugh. She hated when Zander got all disappointed with her and shit, because he didn’t really get angry he was just a quiet hunk of disappointment and sometimes literal stony silence - like, it happened sometimes because every couple had their tiffs or whatever but that didn’t mean it was a pleasant feeling. It had her feeling kind of guilty, actually, but it wasn’t like she was intending to be malicious or that she didn’t trust him - of course she did, she trusted him more than anyone here. But communication between those who patrolled could probably be better. Anywaaaaay. “There was an article in the paper about how some have gone missing from other sanctuary cities,” she said, manicured finger tips drumming on the table. She put her hands in her lap instead, or else she’d just inhale cheesecake bites because stress. “Just like...taken from their beds. Vanished. So I told her I’d talk to you about going there to check it out. And I mean, you wanted to see other cities like this one too, and potentially meet other gargoyles...” Frustratedly, she blew a piece of dark hair from her face. “I’m sorry I didn’t mention it the day of or after or something but no one said anything to me since then and I wasn’t sure if it was still a thing but then I just said ‘fuck it’ and decided I’d make a move on it. We can make a move on it, if you want.” Zander was never angry with Nerissa per se. It was just exceptionally easy for him to convert from calm to business in no time at all. He trusted she had her reasons for waiting. It had been her birthday, perhaps she was thinking on it...only he told her everything as he found it. They were still a new couple and none were perfect. Not even his parents and all their infinite wisdom. He was just happy to have Nerissa at all. He frowned at the news of people being taken from other supposed safe havens. It meant there were traitors. It also meant there were spies and the humans already knew they existed. It was only a matter of who knew what. The thought caused a low rumble in his throat, more upset that Jayati had not informed him sooner. Or she had put that on Nerissa….the town should know. Precautions should be taken. Things were too lackadaisical. “I’m surprised Jayati hasn’t come forth with more than just a thought on sending us to look.” With a small sigh, the Gargoyle forced himself to calm as much as he could, reaching across the table to take her hand tenderly so she knew he wasn’t cross with her. “Searching for others of my kind is less important than figuring out who is slipping through barriers and stealing the others. Wouldn’t it be more wise than to send the two of us to merely inquire? We could meet the wrong people. Lead them right back here.” “I definitely don’t want to lead any back here,” Nerissa scrunched her nose - because oh, hell no. So far it didn’t seem like they had any traitors in their ranks, but obviously it was becoming something of a problem in other cities. Those disappearances had to have been a result of backstabbers from the inside. There was literally no other explanation, unless people were...voluntarily disappearing without even leaving a damn note or something. She squeezed Zander’s hand, slender fingers weaving between his own. “Yeah, maybe we could just go and act like we’re passing through? Look around, casually inquire? We get some drifters here sometimes, so, I don’t know. It’s plausible. Or do you not want to go at all?” Ness wanted to go, she thought it’d be helpful, but she wouldn’t make a big deal of it. Like slapping on a detective badge and pretending this was an episode of Law and Order: SVU. No, casual was definitely best. Making a vacay of it, even. Zander pondered this carefully, free hand running across his chin and scratching at the stubble. His mind was in alignment with hers. They were not detectives, nor sly in any means of the term. Not him at least. “I’m a very large inconvenience for traveling, much less a stealth mission we have little to go off of.” The Gargoyle was all for finding answers. But without a threat in visible sight he thought through things very carefully in a stone like manner. Always watching. Always pondering. “I want to protect this town.” He replies finally, looking her in the eyes once more, his thumb brushing across her fingertips. “But I want to do it right. We need more information from Jayati. And a backup plan, should something go wrong….what does she want us to do should we come across the culprits?” “You’re not an inconvenience,” Nerissa tsked, though she knew what Zander was saying - he was all stone form during the day, and really couldn’t travel. “We’d work with it - take a late flight or something, then hunker down. Start our exploring when the sun ‘effs off.” But she wasn’t about to go in this all willy nilly either, that would just be a dumbfuck thing to do. Back to the cheesecake bites - they helped her think. “We’ll talk to Jayati, then?”she suggested. “Together. So I don’t have to relay info or vice versa.” Sneakily (but not really, because she had such a fangy grin illuminating her features) she reached over and broke off a piece of her beloved’s cookie. She would say that, but it was true. For all the strengths he possessed it came with a cost. Quite an annoying one he had found, once trying to live in a different world. But without needing to travel much, he’d adapted. Zander huffed lightly, giving her a look that knew better but was unwilling to push the subject. “We definitely need to speak with her. Maybe this is exactly what the traitors intend. Find more hidden cities. Off we go and walk into a trap.” Paranoid? Perhaps. But Zander trusted very little. Especially when it came to humans--now there were other creatures involved that couldn’t be trusted. Was there no decency in any society? He was very, very disappointed. “We’re supposed to guard the city. That’s what the spies are for. You, she and I are a powerful stand should anyone get through. If two of us leaves...that leaves the city vulnerable.” He was already knee deep in tactics and picking this thing apart. It had ruined his mood and desire for the cookie so with a light sigh, he pushed the rest of it over to Nerissa. “Can we even trust anyone in this city?” “Don’t have to trust people to work with them,” Nerissa pointed out, having polished off those cheesecake bites and now starting on Zander’s cookie. Poor guy - she’d make it up to him later, especially since she was familiar with the grey rainclouds that often colored his vision. “And yes, there are people worthy of trust here - the ones that are worthy, they understand that trust is best when it’s earned.” She wasn’t exactly a ray of sunshine herself, but she tried to bring just a smidge of optimism to his outlook - too much was just bad; she had little patience for those in this town that walked around with their heads full of puff pastry cream (that wasn’t how the world worked), but a little positivity never hurt. “We’ll find two people better suited for spywork, then,” she promised. “While we keep things safe here. Okay?” “You’re very reckless, my darling.” Zander couldn’t agree there. Not if the very person he was working with could stab him in the back. But possibly he just took everything to heart and far more seriously. Not that Nerissa couldn’t handle herself, of that he knew, but the implication of anyone with ill will towards her was nothing short of him biting their head off for dinner. Protective of the city, very. Protective of his mate—actions first, questions later. “Alright.” He agreed with a firm nod, glad they had talked this out. He even gave her a small, loving smile, thumb still brushing over her soft fingers. “If you don’t think you’re too full, I could take you for a flight. The night is still young.” And at its most beautiful in the sky. “So you say,” Nerissa rolled her eyes but hell - she wouldn’t even be with Zander if he didn’t know how to trust people. At least a little. Sometimes you had to give an inch or so (though in addition to that, her seduction skills were top notch). A flight? That definitely piqued her interest. She was already up, full of food and sweets but guaranteed to not throw up on him - not even Ness would ruin such a perfect, romantic moment. “Let’s go, let’s go!” She was even more excited about that than cramming delicious treats into her black hole of a mouth, that said something. “Are you going to carry me in your arms, all honeymoon style?” True. Zander had taken quite a leap in his trust with Nerissa--but had she asked him, he would had argued that was different. Instinctually he connected with her in ways he hadn’t anyone else. You don’t find someone who is the perfect match, you find someone who will make you better, his mother told him once, a long time ago. For trusting, teaching, and all other purposes, Nerissa did make Zander better. And she was exquisitely seductive. He was an Oxford gentleman but a man nonetheless. Now her happiness pulled a smile to his face as he sat up and wrapped their leftovers neatly to put into her bag, wrapping an arm around her snugly as he led her out of the sweet smelling shop. “It’s probably for the best that I do, actually. Though something tells me you don’t necessarily mind.” “Of course I don’t mind!” Up like a daisy and pop, she practically leapt into his arms, winding her own around him plus hooking him between the deadly traps of her legs - but this put her at a better vantage point to kiss him. Red-hot and searing, muwah, before she jumped down again. She was wearing a skirt, a devil-with-the-blue-dress-on, actually, polka dots and ruched fabric that clung to her petite waist (a miracle, considering what a garbage disposal she was in terms of food), but that was okay. No one would be looking at her lace underthings while flying, except Zander hopefully. “Ready when you are,” she grinned, adjusting her purse so it was cross-body and she didn’t have to hold onto it. That was much better. He was thankful for the quick change of subject, and ever more so for his dear Nerissa, returning her spontaneous affections with a chuckle. He stepped away from her and lifted the back of his shirt (he was tired of buying new ones) to let his ridiculously large wings free. They stretched out wide, wider than the shop’s width and he rolled his shoulders a little, settling into the stone against his alter form’s muscles. “Alright then, off we go.” With a swift and gallant motion Zander scooped her up into his arms and sprinted off. Gargoyle’s preferred high perches for a reason. They were heavy and hard to get off the ground. But with the right take off, and some leverage, he leaped up atop the nearest building, then the next until his wings rocked upwards into the sky. High above the city and into the moonlight. Zander loved being in the air, so high and away from everyone and everything. Save for the warm sea creature he held tightly in his grasp. He idled in front of the view momentarily, wings pushing and pulling the air to steady them. “I can never see the ocean but at least I can show you the sky.” “Never say never,” Nerissa protested, stubborn as a mule - hey, stranger things had happened, right? But she was glad for this now; it was peaceful up here, taking in a view usually only reserved for birds (or gargoyles with beautiful wings, as it were). The wind tousled her hair, whipping it about her face - and she draped an arm around Zander’s shoulders, holding herself to him though with the flex of his muscle, she could tell she was more than safe in his arms. “You’re so hot,” she swooned, giggling, then added more seriously, “I love you.” “I’ll sink, Rissa,” he reminded her with a chuckle at her stubborn persuasion. Which in all fairness, had only let him to good things this far. Zander enjoyed watching her take in the sights, gauging her reactions and delighting in sharing this with her. Oh her and her swooning when he was nothing special and she was quite the catch. A deep purr rumbled in his throat at her words. He squeezed her even tighter against him, nestling his head against hers. “And I love you, my darling.” Zander gave her a quick yet tender kiss. He couldn’t idle too long with her in his arms and wiggle around. Not in this form. “Let’s go home.” Dawn wasn’t approaching soon but he was done being out and about when he didn’t have to work. With a push of his wings, they were off and descending to her cosy beach home. |