Somewhere between Christmas and New Years
Felix pulled up outside the Avalon in a black sedan as he kept watch on the door. In the back seat Ariana was maneuvering things around on an iPad while she waited. She had pulled up the Sacramento Bee's Christmas light listing, it was apparently a tradition that was extravagant for those who decorated. One particular place they would drive by was the Capitol, which was always beautifully decorated.
This time, Ariana and Dillon would have a chance to speak freely. Many of the other places they ventured to it was quite difficult to speak. Ariana pointed to several places on the map and showed Felix, so he would know where to drive.
Dillon is nearby, looking around with a face of scrutiny. It could be vigilance due to his recent appointment as one of the domain's stalwart sentinels, or it could just be him looking for a sign of his favorite Lordess. Taking advantage of the temperature to throw a scarf around his neck, Dillon is content with the illusion that he is just a fashionable young fella. Truth is, you'd be surprised how easily you can tie up a potential foe who thinks he's got the drop on you with a scarf, and beat the stuffing out of him.
It's easy to spot Felix in the front seat of the car, to which Dillon nods politely, but it's the flash of fetching blue eyes and copper hair in the back that he strikes out for. Smiling easily as he leans down to look in the window. He is obviously blushed, and is tempted to do something silly like fog up the window with hot breath and draw a heart in it. The Gangrel Deputy resists this temptation in favor of a polite wink, opening the door only after he's positive Ariana is aware of him. "Don't suppose I could bum a ride from a fair lady, Madam?" he asks with feigned ignorance.
Ariana laughed a little and shook her head. "I think perhaps there may be room." As she sat in the back seat, her legs were crossed at the ankles, a black skirt laid over black silk stockings which ended in simple black heels. She had a royal purple blouse to which belled sleeves peeked out of the leather jacket she wore. It looked as if 60 degree weather did not phase her in California, as she had been through much worse. Compared to other natives in the state, she looked all too casual for winter dress. "I am not sure if you have seen any other lights on display in the city, but this looks to be quite amazing." She leaned forward and looked at the map on the iPad in the front seat with Felix.
Dillon slides into the sedan almost shyly. For all his usual gallantry, he wasn't used to women picking him up. And while it was true that the more he talked to Ariana, the more he admired her, he also felt more and more out of his league. Even stranger since she'd let him know at the concert that she was so young.
"I've only spotted a few things of note," he says, shutting the car door behind him. His husky voice is still perfectly cool, at least. "Like the Tree Lighting Event in Old Sacramento they had at the end of November. But I never get to really appreciate the effort that goes into it. I'm... eh, usually driving." There's a half-chuckle at the end the sentence, as he pictures himself crashing into a mailbox or something because he's distracted by the pretty lights.
After Dillon was situated, Ariana leaned forward and gently squeezed Felix's shoulder. The car departed and headed slightly north the first place on the map in that direction was still in the Communal Domain. "Well, it is difficult to take in such displays while attempting to pay attention to the road. Felix is quite good at keeping focus." Turning to Dillon as she sat comfortably, she smiled as she inquired. "Tell me, did they decorate of this proportion in Chicago?" Sitting behind Felix on the back driver's side area, Ariana wondered which direction he would take as the car escorted them. The Lordess thought about sitting up front, so they were both on one side of the car, yet that would be rather rude while trying to converse.
"Every tree in the city, it seemed." Dillon says of Chicago, raising his open hands to add scope to the picture. "Then everything else when they ran out of trees. I always looked forward to the giant wreathes they hang on the lion statues outside the Art Institute. Big red bows and everything. It's just funny because the statues themselves are so permanently stoic, and serious." Then he abruptly starts laughing, and turns his face into his hand. He takes care not to be offensively loud, but the laugh, he couldn't help. The crooked grin is still on his face when he turns back to Ariana. "I'm sorry, I just pictured the lions as a very different pair of stern sentinels that we know." By which, of course, he meant Conner and Sidor, complete with wreaths and nice red bows.
"But Sacramento, for what it's worth," Dillon says, still smiling, "manages to compete with cities many times its size."
"I remember the brilliance of New York, although quite different from here. Time Square seemed like Christmas to anyone who was new to the city." Ariana recalled, having a few memories of New Years Eve. "I will also agree that it does keep up with larger cities as well." She remarked as they continued to drive to the location.
The Lordess realized it was the second time Dillon remarked on at least Conner. Her eyes puzzled she looked to the Gangrel. "You have made a second comment in regards to Mr. Greyson. Is there any particular reason for this?" Her tone still pleasant, but intrigued. Sidor was a new one to bring up. She did not make any movement that indicated she was upset, but she waited for Dillon's reply.
At the mention of New York, Dillon smiles almost wistfully. "The lights of the Big Apple are fairly impressive year-round. But sadly, I've only seen the Christmas displays on film. I never felt like I spent enough time there. Manhattan Island, especially."
When she points out the mention of Conner, Dillon stops. Considering. He hadn't even really thought about it. "Hm, I guess you're right. I don't know if it came across as disrespectful or not, but that wasn't my intention. The opposite, actually."
He figures this would be as good of a time as any to give Ariana a little more of his story, so Dillon explains. "The Chicago Art Institute, and the lions that stand vigil in front of it, aren't as old as I am. But they were in the city long before I was. And I watched them stand silent sentinel, night after night, unchanging, for nearly sixty years. We watched others in the city move in, move out, be born, grow up, grow old, and sometimes die. Even buildings were built, and crumbled around them. Call me poetic, but I always liked that about them, even if they were just a pair of statues. I just naturally drew a humorous comparison to my immediate city and Covenant superiors.
"What makes me curious," Dillon says with the playful raise of an eyebrow, "is why you're keeping the running tally."
“Well, it is just a little odd say stuff about the man who granted you the position of deputy.” Her eyes looked into him a little to answer the obvious. “Besides, I am the Harpy, it is sort of my job to remember things like that.” Ariana winked.
“I do see your point, however, in respect to watchful guardians. Perhaps you should have mentioned that prior to your other comment.” The Lordess smiled softly.
Ariana saw another house coming up and she was sitting on the opposite side. She leaned over toward Dillon to get a better view. “I wonder if they have ever seen snow?” She laughed a little. “All of those plastic snowmen on the lawn are fun, yet irony in a way considering we are in California. I have not looked up the weather patterns here, but I am guessing if it ever does snow it is only a trace.” She tried to look a little more to something that got her attention. “What does that sign say?” Her hand moved to the seat between them, yet touched the side of Dillon’s leg as she anchored it. Ariana’s torso was stretched over Dillon’s lap for a moment. “More lights?” Her tone slightly jovial as she looked around.
"Yes, I'm afraid I have long-borne a tendency to let my tongue say something flippant before my brain can check it." Dillon shakes his head a little at himself, almost smiling. "I'm glad you're so understanding, Madam Harpy." The tone with which he uses Ariana's title is not exactly formal; friendly, but still courteous.
As Sidor was steadily replacing Vincent as the voice of wisdom in Dillon's conscience, he thought it rather natural that they might come up in casual conversation. It's not like he was being a gossip. As far as that goes, the Prince's Harpy seemed to be sitting here admonishing against gossip. There are obviously more layers to the scenario that the Gangrel Priscus knows. He recalls the Russian's words months ago about taking care which Kindred women he let his guard down around.
It's a fight for attention when the house comes along. Ariana Donovan on his left, National Lampoon's Christmas on his right. But of course, as she steered their conversation toward it, it would be rude for Dillon to keep looking at her. "Snow, they might have seen, but a blanket of it... well, not unless they travel a lot, I bet." He ducks his head a little after the Lordess leans over, allowing his face to ease beside hers so they can study the show, and the sign. He can't keep his own smile away, glancing to Ariana. "They seem to be compensating for lack of snow with Christmas spirit."
“Those lights are so… gaudy.” The redhead snickered. Ariana decided not to let it get to her further. His explanation was plausible, not everyone was perfect. Dillon did not seem to be the type to be ungrateful, he was a member of the Sanctified and hopefully it was just a misunderstanding. Yet, she could not help herself and grinned a little when turning to him next to the window. “You have a problem with your tongue?” Ariana could not help but ask. Trying to mix a little business with pleasure like someone told her long ago. “It is quite alright, not everyone can be gifted with eloquent lips.” She turned her torso to Dillon gently “A gifted tongue can change lives, shape nations and touch the hearts of many.” Ariana spoke as if she had read words of wisdom.
“Then again, if you are obtuse with your words it can also get you banished to the barrens or thrown out of the Domain.” The Lordess shook her head as she recalled a few who thought they could move mountains with a hand spade. “How did your family meeting go? I have observed most the new Gangrel and only spoken to a few. We have so many neonates as of late, I have done my best to keep track even if it is only watching from a distance."
Dillon gives Ariana an amusingly long-suffered look. "My brain has always entertained some wild and crazy thoughts, and most often at very inappropriate times. I do well to stem the tide of what makes it to my mouth, but sometimes, things make it through." He makes a slight gesture of acquiescence with his shoulders, almost a shrug. "But of course, you are very much correct. Words have the power to shape our Requiems in ways that claws and fangs simply can't match." Knowing nothing of Dominate, or any similar blood-gifts, Dillon probably doesn't realize the half of that. Still, he is earnest.
"Which is exactly the point I hope I conveyed to the rest of the new Gangrel. They seemed to understand, but I guess time will tell. There's probably at least one that I didn't get through to, though. There's only so many times I will repeat myself." His voice hardens a bit there, at that, but wasn't directed at the Harpy, so it fades. "The fact of the matter is, there is no excuse for hiding behind stereotypes in order to get a free pass to live on the fringes of a Prince's Domain to eke out a living without doing anything beneficial. I told them that wouldn't happen, here. They will contribute to the well-being of His Majesty's Realm in gratitude for his hospitality, and behave themselves while they do it, or I will throw them out myself."
"A lot of lights, but still somewhat tasteful." Ariana’s hand moved just for a moment, hovering over Dillon’s lap. She quickly pulled back not knowing how he would react. Although, they were looking at the lights after all and two trying to look out the window was rather interesting. “Do I dare ask what thoughts you entertain?” A musing smirk creased her lips as she continued. “I do wonder what else may make it through.” Her eyes looked away from the window back to the Gangrel.
“Your family’s numbers increased quickly over the past few months. Did you send out invitations?” The Lordess chided. She shook her head slightly. “All joking aside, it is wonderful to see your clan increase in numbers. Stereotypes are hard to overcome it seems. However, some of us do try to move above it and hope that we are successful in doing so.” Ariana smiled as she thought of one in particular in her family. “I am pleased you made that clear regarding free passes. Contributing is something we all must do.” Her brow quirked slightly as she asked. “Who was the one you did not get through to?” There was a little concern in her voice, given all that has happened lately, one could not be too cautious.
Dillon tried not to show his notice of Ariana's hand. He's pretty good at staying nonchalant, even when every instinct was keeping him aware or the Harpy's movements. What he found extremely interesting was that he couldn't pin down which set of instincts required that of him. Certainly not his instincts as a soldier, but then if it was, that was just habit. Not his instincts as a predator, as this is Madam Donovan, not some kine girl to be tempted and tempered with his divine Purpose. Maybe just his instinct as a man sharing the backseat of a car with a beautiful woman.
But the fact that she of all people showed any social hesitance whatsoever-- even if it was just out of politeness-- made the Gangrel smile. Or rather, helped him maintain it. "It is much less of an eyesore. I suppose they set a plan and followed through, instead of buying the biggest and brightest things they could find and launching it at their property with a trebuchet." When she faces him and asks about his zany thought process, it stops. As though his brain got stage fright when it was put on the spot. So he decides to go with the 'best policy'. "Honestly, when... uh... Well, when I look you in the eye, it's hard to think of anything, much."
Seizing the opportunity to address the family as a minor distraction, Dillon tilts his head and squints up one side of his face in a classic sort of 'I dunno'. "That was more or less just me assessing the odds. Seven new Gangrel in town all of a sudden, all with their heads screwed on straight and ready to be an asset to the community is just too good to be true. I just wonder if I can spot the warning signs of trouble before it becomes big trouble. Big, embarrassing, Breaching trouble. I do worry about this one fellow, a Mister Giovanni..." Dillon's face tightens a bit, as though he is loathe to spread unfounded rumor. "He's not as socially eloquent as others, and when he tries to be, the results are disastrous. I don't think he's dangerous to the Domain or anything, just that his mouth might be dangerous to him."
A playful guffaw later, "I bet that makes me sound like a hypocrite."
“That is a great deal at once. I am sure you handled it with ease. One of out seven is not entirely as bad as it could be. Eloquence is not something that comes easily, but as long as he understands etiquette where it is needed, he should be fine." The redhead's mind thought back to the Ventrue meeting. "Unless of course, it is beyond that entirely. One of my own family members was not necessarily feisty, but did indeed show that he was not worthy to live in the Domain. Expecting something of a free lunch, if you will.” The announcement of Kaiden’s revocation was not a secret. Ariana was more than glad he was gone. “Yet, as we just discussed, sometimes words have power. They can also bring about someone’s demise, even if it is their own.” The Lordess mentioned, not as a threat, but a cautionary tale.
Ariana was not prone to Dominating someone at random, much less another good standing member of the Domain. She looked to Dillon for a moment as they continued the slow paced drive through a well decorated store front area. “Why would looking me in the eyes deter your train of thought?” A curious smirk on her lips.
The car suddenly jolted to a stop as Ariana had caught someone attempting to cross the street through parked cars. Her eyes and head quickly looked to see what happened. Thankfully, Felix had rather good eyes despite his hearing impairment. She had put her hand out to stop herself, thinking it moved to behind where Dillon was sitting. Instead, it was on Dillon’s chest and when she turned to look, her face was inches away from his. “Oh, I ... I …”
"I believe I saw the announcement," Dillon says of the revoked Ventrue with a little nod. "It really is a shame. You'd think someone would have the sense to be on their very best behavior in a Clan meeting with both the Alder Prince and his Harpy. Who is a Regent. And his Priscus." His dry smile grows with the punctuations. Obviously inferring that Ariana deserves one's very best behavior as well, and perhaps Dillon had transgressed with too many easygoing words, earlier.
Which made it very hard to properly express why his brain froze up, but he thought perhaps he could. As soon as the Gangrel opens his mouth to speak, though, Felix brakes the car. Dillon reflexively raises his hands to steady Ariana, stopping just short of grasping her upper arms. He doesn't seem react to her touch, at least not in any physical or uncomfortable way. The muscle under Dillon's shirt, while not bulky, is firm and lean. The look in his eyes? Still soft and kind.
He finishes her stammered 'I...' with "Almost took an embarrassing dive, there." Still, Ariana's eyes kept him from saying anything really smooth. Dillon's smile returns to try and break the tension, but he doesn't pull his face away. "I wasn't about to let you bounce all over the car, though. Don't worry."
"Forgive me. Perhaps I should have been steadied before hand." Ariana shook her head. She was slightly embarrassed at her oversight, but not Felix's caution. "I should have realized that we were on a busier street. There are a lot of people out so it seems." She chuckled softly, but still did not move, nor move her hand. Although she could not figure out why. Her eyes glanced for a moment at his hands that were so near to her arms.
"We were talking about sense. It seems some do not have that sort of thing." The Lordess stated attempting to distract herself, yet she still had not moved as she returned her eyes to Dillon's. "Maybe I should return to the seat belt..." She smirked and began to lift her hand.
Dillon's lopsided smile barely contains his amusement. He still hasn't moved much, though his hands have slipped a little lower now that there is no immediate danger that Ariana will go crashing into the floorboard at his feet. "Don't apologize. Or feel that you should sit back. I'm certainly willing to catch a beautiful woman now and again."
Then, apparently as an afterthought, he adds. "I wouldn't want you to miss anything, of course." Hazel eyes glance out the window to indicate the view, before returning to Ariana's ... nose. Perhaps that is a safer place to look. Not that Dillon thought the Harpy would use her blood against him, or anything, he just feared his mental gears grinding to a halt again.
Her eyes gave a slow closing blink of thank you as she responded. "Thank you. This is rather fun is it not?" Ariana looked out the window as Dillon gestured to the next house. "Now that is rather quaint, and less shock value than some of the other ones." She smiled as she turned to Dillon.
When she did, the Lordess noticed something, as if he were avoiding something particular. "Is something the matter?" There was a half chuckle, yet questioning as its tone emerged. "Am I too close for comfort?" She looked to Dillon's eyes, puzzled by no return gaze.
"Oh yes, I'm enjoying myself immensely," Dillon answers, letting his hands settle back into a more relaxed posture. Surely he means the light show. In honesty, he did quite like the more understated approach of the property they were passing, but he supposed there was simply an artful way to do everything. When Ariana busts him not looking her in the eye, the Gangrel smiles and looks out the window. He's wearing an expression of what appears to be amused bashfulness. "I apologize. What I started to say before..." there is a pause, as though a sentence is being prepared beforehand. Then he looks her in the eye.
"There is a very arresting quality about your gaze, Madam Donovan. My intuition says that it is the blaze of intelligence, and perhaps cunning. But in any case, I find myself falling prey to my family stereotype when I stare too long." Dillon polishes it off with a grin. "It's not an effect I'm accustomed to, but isn't entirely unpleasant, either."
"Falling prey to a stereotype? Forgive me but I am unsure I follow." Ariana said honestly as she turned to face him, still hovering over his lap. Her side just barely touched his thigh as she did. The Lordess' eyes held a smile as she looked to Dillon. "Perhaps you could elaborate for me, if you please. I do not want to be hasty and jump to conclusions." She was so curious as to what he may be getting at. It would only help to speak verbally before something was taken out of context.
Her hand moved to his face and gently touched his cheek. "Please, be honest with me." Ariana said kindly.
"The stupid Savage," Dillon explains, his grin fading to a modest smirk, "unable to say anything witty because his mind is blank. Do you not have that effect on most men? Or are so few of them brave enough to look you in the eye?"
Dillon closes his eyes at Ariana's touch, holding it a moment before opening them. He very slightly feigns a hurt expression, just a crease between his brows as they turn up a little. "I'm always honest with you." There's the grin, again. "Honestly."
Visibly astonished, Ariana's eyes slightly widened. "The problem with stereotypes is exactly just that. Behavior denoted previously by some sort of flagrant reputation. If someone chooses to believe it, that is the path they will follow. However, I have always believed that it individualized in regards to clan stereotypes." She stated pleasantly, then smiled to Dillon. "So no, I do not think you are a stupid Savage." Her torso had unconsciously moved toward him a little, after her hand and been on his face.
"Some are brave enough to look me in the eye." She paused for a moment. "I would not say I am oblivious to the effect I have on men. Did you ever think that perhaps it is not wit that I am looking for?" She shrugged her shoulders slowly and softly spoke. "I will give you a hint, honesty is a good start." Her hand had left Dillon's cheek and rested on his shoulder.
"Well, it's a good thing," Dillon says of his wits, with a prolonged blink and slight shake of his head. "Because I seem to have left half of mine at the Avalon, back there." Content to leave talk of Clan stereotypes behind them, he continues to look Ariana in the eyes with that half-cocked grin on his face.
"A good start..." The Gangrel echoes quietly. He looks away animatedly, not turning his head, but screwing up his expression as his eyes search for the right words. Looking back to Ariana's, he ventures slowly, "...toward a long and fulfilling friendship?"
“Well, sometimes just acting naturally,” Ariana realized the irony of her words. “can be the best route. You do have this natural southern charm about you.” She winked as a smile slipped softly over her lips.
And yet, she recalled that Dillon had kissed her once before. The Lordess wondered if it was her move next. But it was something about the word he used that made her only want to test her thoughts. She leaned in further with her lips inches away as she briefly looked to his lips, then back to his eyes. “Friendship, long and fulfilling, yes, that is a good start. Unless…” Her voice trailed off, either waiting for him to fill in the blanks or his reaction.
The irony isn't lost on Dillon. Usually, protocol in any Kindred society dictated that you be careful of the face you put on for others. It could make or break the quality of one's Requiem, no matter which Covenants held the most sway over the city. "Oh, well thank you. I'm fortunate that my upbringing has kept me from looking too foolish. Or at least, has made my foolishness more endearing."
Though he thought he sensed what Ariana might be getting at-- it certainly looked obvious enough-- the Gangrel wasn't sure if he should risk kissing her again. He wanted too, but who wouldn't? Was it smart to? There's the question... "Unless we take a risk and go further, you mean." Like his words, and his small smile, Dillon's lips didn't shy away from Ariana's. Any closer and she will feel the breaths he pushed through solely for the purpose of voice.
The copper haired Ventrue smiled softly and spoke just above a whisper. “Well, that depends on how far you want to go.” She took the queue from Dillon’s body language that he did not pull away. Not having to move far, she leaned in and softly began to kiss him. Her beast shivered inside at his more powerful beast, but it calmed as her rational was quenched.
Ariana’s hand moved to the nape of his neck up over the collar and scarf to gently touch his skin with her fingertips. Her eyes closed while the contact ensued further and the warmth of her blushed lips pressed to his own. Still balanced by the other hand on the ledge of the car window, she let her lips entwine with his further than the last time. Her own body language moved her torso closer to the Gangrel's chest. The only apprehension she showed was the wait of reciprocation from Dillon…
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