crimsonhour

@crims0nblack 
            
            [ Jasper didn't move an inch, remaining casually sunk into the leather sofa with his arm resting along the backrest. When her eyes flicked past his shoulder to wink at his guard, a quiet, amused laugh escaped his nose. He tilted his head slightly, pressing his tongue into the inside of his cheek before settling a cool, unhurried smirk back on her.   ] " Flattered ? " [ He echoed softly, swirling the amber drink in his glass without taking a sip. ] " Let’s call it mutual interest. And as for 'lured' ( ... ) " [ He leaned his head back against the cushion, his gaze narrowing with effortless confidence. ] " You walked through my doors on your own feet, sweetheart. You're sitting in my private booth because I run this lounge, you caught my attention, and I don't waste invitations on people who just want to be seen ."  

@spellswoven 
            
            [ Kneeling at her feet, Jasper cradles her arm with quiet, dangerous grace. His gaze rises slowly along the line of her skin until his molten-gold eyes lock onto hers through dark, heavy lashes his head tilting just a fraction as his brow lifts in quiet, intense challenge. He exhales a heavy, warm breath against her wrist, watching the goosebumps rise on her skin, before drawing in a slow, deep inhale to savor the sweet, magical scent of her blood. A subtle flick of his tongue traces the sharp edge of his canine before he rests the gleaming tip micro inches above her fluttering pulse. His jaw ticks with suppressed hunger, golden irises flaring wide in the dim light as his voice drops into a low, smooth purr. ] " Are you sure, witch ? Because I haven't eaten all night. "

@erogod 
            
            [ Jasper’s tongue briefly glides over his bottom lip, a slow, quiet hum vibrating in his chest as he watches Gabriel’s little theatrical display. He tilts his head, dark eyes dilating for a fraction of a second catching every subtle beat of Gabriel's pulse, the effortless arrogance, and that sharp, knowing flick in his expression. For a split second, a rare flicker of genuine surprise passes over Jasper's features ; the lingering thought of how easily this one reads right through the calm facade passes through his mind, though he swallows it down before it can reach his surface expressions.  A smooth, boyish smirk tugs at the corner of Jasper's mouth, his head tilting further as he leans both forearms against the polished wood of the bar, bringing himself just a bit closer. He lets out a low, breathy laugh that shakes his shoulders. ]
            
            '' Sarcastic applause and a Columbo reference? Careful, sweetheart ( ... ) you’re going to make me think you actually prepped that speech in the mirror before coming in tonight. '' [ He reaches out with slow, deliberate grace, casually taking a fresh crystal glass from the shelf behind him and sliding it in a slow circle across the counter, his dark gaze never once breaking contact with Gabriel’s. His jaw sets into a relaxed, dangerously charming line, teeth glinting subtly under the dim lounge lights. ] '' But fine. If you want to play the second game, who am I to deny a guest in my own lounge ? '' [ Jasper tilts his chin up, tapping his index finger lightly against the edge of the polished mahogany counter, a quiet, amused spark in his dark eyes. ] " Just don't get too comfortable thinking you've got the upper hand. The fun part about games ( ... ) is that the house always wins in the end. "

gabriel’s fingers lazily circle the rim of his glass, his attention drifting toward the silver napkin as though jasper has just presented him with the world’s most fascinating piece of evidence. he looks at it, then at jasper, then back at it, a slow grin creeping across his face. ‘wow.’ he gives a quiet, breathy laugh, leaning his hip against the counter. ‘okay. that was good.’ his eyebrows lift, amusement dancing across his face. ‘skin that doesn’t quite fit.’ he pauses, considering it with exaggerated seriousness before giving a small shake of his head. ‘little dramatic, but i respect the commitment.’ gabriel takes another drink, his eyes remaining fixed on jasper over the rim of the glass. there’s a brief flicker in his expression, something sharper and more knowing, but it’s gone almost immediately, replaced by that familiar, irritating grin. ‘so let me get this straight.’ he sets the glass down with a soft click. ‘you’ve decided i’m weird.’ a beat passes before his grin widens. ‘congratulations, columbo. you cracked the case.’ he gives jasper a couple of slow, sarcastic claps before casually reaching for his drink again. ‘but here’s the fun part.’ gabriel tilts his head, studying him with open amusement. ‘you don’t know what i am.’ his smile turns almost boyishly pleased. ‘and i don’t know what you are.’ he raises his glass slightly, looking entirely too pleased with the situation. ‘which means we can either sit here and pretend neither of us is being suspicious…’ he takes another sip, his eyes narrowing playfully. ‘or we can keep playing this adorable little game where you pretend you’ve got me figured out.’ a crooked grin pulls at his mouth. ‘personally? i vote for the second one.’ he lifts his glass toward jasper. ‘way more entertaining.’

@erogod 
            
            [ Jasper lets out a low, breathy chuckle, leaning back against the mahogany counter with an easy, unbothered smirk. His dark eyes lock onto him with a lingering, predatory stillness , his vampiric senses are fully sharp, catching the unmistakable signs , non human edge beneath the other's facade, yet refusing to give him the satisfaction of asking about it. ] " Oh, yeah ? " [ He tilts his chin up, his voice dropping into a smooth, velvety drawl. ] " Do you like it enough to admit I was right, or are you just trying to keep me entertained ? Because if a simple drink is enough to get you leaning back in for more, sweetheart ( ... ) your 'reputation' might be easier to break than you think. "
            
            [ Jasper shifts forward just an inch, his dark gaze narrowing with sharp, dangerous confidence. He slides a silver napkin beside the person's glass, his fingertips brushing other's with an unnaturally cool touch before he smoothly pulls back. ] " Keep your sweet little secrets for now — I do love a good mystery. Besides, I know when someone’s walking around in skin that doesn't quite fit " 

rose grinned more , leaning in closer to him . " mm . . and you should know how much i love to leave you waiting . . on edge . . until one of us finally gives in . . i can't help myself ~ "

@-bloodyy- 
            
            [ A slow, amused smirk pulls at his lips as he tilts his head, gaze locking onto hers with quiet authority. ] " If you knew I'd say that, darling, you should know better than to keep me waiting. "

ocean eyes darkened , a little grin curling the corners of her mouth . " i had a feeling you would say that . . "

[ julia doesn’t get far.  the second his fingers close around her wrist,  instinct snaps through her—-  quick and vicious,  the reflex to twist free already beginning before she catches herself.  her eyes drop to his hand,  lingering there for a beat.  then she looks up.  he’s close.  much closer than he was a second ago.  she c͟o͟u͟l͟d͟ pull free.  easily.  they both know it.  instead,  she stays exactly where he’s brought her,  allowing a few seconds of silence to stretch between them while her eyes narrow thoughtfully.  her lips part,  but nothing comes out.  that bothers her more than his hand around her wrist.  julia swallows quietly,  recovering as a faint smile finally pulls at her mouth. she turns her wrist slightly within his grasp,  not fighting him—-  just enough that her fingers nearly brush his. ]   i guess not.   ( .. )   what do you want,  jasper?  

@eadimidium 
            
            [ He slowly unfolds his arms, resting his tongue against the inside of his cheek as an amused brow arches. As she turns to leave, his hand swiftly wraps around her wrist, pulling her back until the distance between them vanishes. ] " Hey ( ... ) " [ His voice drops to a low, velvet murmur, a sharp, playful glint in his eyes as he tilts his head down toward her. ] " Do you really think I’m just going to let you walk away that easily ? "

maybe.  maybe not.   [ a pause.  she exhales through her nose,  giving him a longer look than usual.  she blinks and finally breaks the silence,  offering a small smile. ]   i should get going.  i have stuff to take care of. 

@wiccaanways 
            
            [ Jasper lets a deliberate beat of silence stretch between them, leaning forward just enough to let his voice drop into a smooth, dark murmur. ] " ( ... ) it'll be , because I find you far too interesting to leave alone. Get some sleep, sweetheart. I'll be seeing you , very soon  "
            
            /  2/2

@wiccaanways 
            
            [ A sudden, scorching wave of heat rips through Jasper’s chest, the unnatural spike in temperature making his pulse hammer against his throat as his blood threatens to boil. A subtle crease cuts between his brows the only slip in his composure and his jaw tightens hard as he absorbs the physical hit. His dark eyes narrow, locked onto Jack in a razor sharp, lethal glare that burns brighter than the spell itself. He knows exactly what stands before him — a siphoner, a half-breed creature born to bend blood and magic and he feels the agony of it, but he refuses to give Jack the satisfaction of seeing him bend or kneel. As the spell finally lifts and the heat recedes, Jasper slowly exhales a harsh, measured breath through his nose. He forces his features to relax, though the dangerous glint in his dark eyes remains entirely unbroken. He tilts his head back, resting his hands casually over his knee as he tracks Jack standing up. A slow, dark smirk gradually cuts across his lips bruised pride wrapped in lethal confidence. ]  
            
            " Scared ? " [ A low, dark chuckle hums in Jasper’s chest, his eyes trailing up to meet Jack’s gaze with heavy, unwavering intensity. He runs a deliberate finger over the rim of his crystal glass, brushing off the physical strain like an afterthought. ] " You confuse fascination with fear, Jack. Magic tricks and parlor threats don't intimidate me — they just tell me precisely what kind of creature I'm dealing with. " [ He leans back comfortably, the sharp smirk on his lips sharpening into something intoxicatingly bold. ] " If you think a little heat is enough to make me break ( ... )  well, walking through the front door like everyone else ? Perhaps. But if I decide to return to your bank, it won't be out of caution ( ... ) "   
            
            /  1/2

and you underestimate mine. i’ve clawed my way through hell, handsome. [ jack remains unmoved, his eyes lingering over jasper’s frame as he closes the distance between them. frankly, any smugness shifted into an unwavering confidence backed by decades- no, centuries of experience. demons, witches, vampires tended to think less of the siphoner. The half-breed, the abomination, the devil’s bitch, the errand boy, and now— the nuisance. ] what makes you think you could challenge me? 
                 [ he speaks lowly, though there was a bit of a playful edge to his words, void of any threat because, frankly, jack didn’t believe in threats. he believed in action and promises. ] funny thing about blood— just because it’s not in my body doesn’t mean it can’t be manipulated. [ he smiles small as he makes the temperature of his own blood rise that jasper had already consumed just enough to make him sweat and feel the heat in his body. the bottle too starts to shake, bubbling in pressure. ] i meant what i said about my weakness, you and that (…) handsome face of yours. [ his eyes fall on his lips for a moment, closing as his mind drifts. ] but weaknesses are meant to be overcome. you wanna know what i’m capable of? i will boil you from the inside out or— [ the spell lifts, no longer rising in temperature as he lets it fade in intensity. ] we can play nice. 
                  i may not have a fancy lounge like you, but that bank is everything to me. what i do is everything to me. [ he repeats, taking the glass and bringing it to his lips for a final sip. he stands up. ] i don’t know if you planned on stealing from me that night (…) but next time you will walk through those doors like everyone else. hopefully, i haven’t scared you away. 

@bIoodswrath 
            
            [ He stayed completely grounded in his human form, no trace of golden light in his dark eyes, no hidden fangs just a quiet, intense focus. As Emiko spoke, he noticed the sudden shift in her demeanor, the subtle flinch that rippled through her frame when she uttered the name Castor. His dark eyes softened, catching the raw weight of her words, but his expression remained calm and steady. He tilted his head slightly, resting his jaw against his hand while his thumb idly drummed a slow, thoughtful rhythm against his cheek. ] " They are demanded ( ... )  " [ He echoed her words gently, his voice smooth and low, carrying a soft, unhurried warmth. He didn't push or rush her, simply letting the name sit between them in the quiet night air before continuing softly. ] " Castor ( ... ) " [ He paused, watching the subtle movement of her hands and the tension held in her shoulders. A faint, lopsided half-smile tugged at the corner of his lips not out of amusement, but as a silent attempt to offer her a safe, reassuring anchor. He shifted slightly, leaning a fraction closer across the table, his posture entirely relaxed to offset her visible discomfort. ]
            
            " Who is Castor, Emiko ? " [ His tone was quiet, grounded, and attentive. ] " Is he ( ... ) your father ? A handler ? Sounds like you're still carrying the weight of him.  " [ He let out a soft, barely audible breath, his eyes staying locked onto hers with a calm, unwavering presence. He gave her room to breathe, brushing a thumb over his knuckles before speaking again in that steady, grounded tone. ] " You don't have to carry his rules here. Whether it's payment for a drink or just two sentences across a table — whatever words you choose to give me tonight are completely yours. "

to emiko, no one mattered more than aden and ximena. not the fans who made her feel adored when she was on the stage, not the other band members who made her feel welcomed for the first time since she was eight years old, not even the keepers of the house who talked to her like she was a person. aden was the one who made her feel welcome when she was younger, the first person that she had ever talked to in the building that was supposed to be a home but was actually just a prison. she understood ximena’s situation, for the most part—- her world got turned upside down at a young age, it was the hardest thing for a child. she allowed herself to be a safe space for the girl, perhaps one of the only ones in the world.
            
            “no, no..”  the vampire shakes her head and furrows her brows, her gaze still set on her fingers. how was she to explain this to someone other than aden, who was there through it all? who understood her better than anyone because he was in the same hell?  “they are not borrowed, they are demanded. it is castor’s words that i speak, whether or not he is here to demand them.”  the first time she has uttered his name in centuries, and she still flinches. the memory of him, the memories of the home she still lives in—- it eats away at her like he still has power over her life, as if it were even possible for him to return from the ashes in his grave.  “you asked me to. it was the payment for the drink. that, and.. well, i don’t know how else to communicate with you.”

@bIoodswrath 
            
            [ He rested his forearms on the cool surface of the table, leaning forward slightly as his dark eyes stayed fixed on her. The soft ambient light caught his features, human and grounded no strange golden glint, no hidden supernatural edge, just quiet, concentrated attention. As Emiko picked at her fingernails, her whispered confession hanging between them in the quiet night, Jasper didn't interrupt. He let her finish, watching the delicate tilt of her head and the way her lips pressed together. Slowly, he twitched the corner of his lips into a subtle, lopsided half smile, tilting his head to the side as he met her gaze. He draped one hand comfortably over the other, completely at ease, brushing a thumb over his knuckles. ] 
            
            " Your brother and niece, huh ? " [ his voice was low, smooth, and naturally warm, completely unhurried as he gave her space to settle. ]  " Must mean a lot to you if they're the only ones who get past that wall. " [ He paused, letting the silence breathe so she wouldn't feel rushed before continuing softly. ]  " And yeah ( ... ) it makes complete sense, Emiko. When you spend a long time keeping everything locked up inside, using your voice feels foreign. Like you're borrowing words that don't belong to you just to get by. " [ He shifted his weight, resting his chin lightly in the palm of one hand with his elbows anchored to the table, keeping his eyes locked onto hers with a quiet, reassuring presence. ] " You don't have to force it with me. Two sentences or two hundred — I'm right here listening whenever you're ready. "

" . . you know the answer already , don't you ? this body . . in life , i had always had limitations , but to think they'd follow me into immortality . . "

@-bloodyy- 
            
            " I outran my past centuries ago , love. — but tell me , how does immortality taste so far for you ? Is it freedom , or just a different kind of cage ? "

" . . you make it seems so . . easy . i was wonder if you had something to run from . . "

@crims0nblack 
            
            " Knock ? " [ he murmured softly, his voice a velvet-smooth drawl that easily cut through the soft echo of dripping water. He took a single, slow step forward off the doorframe, letting his hands slide casually into the pockets of his dark leather jacket as he tilted his head to the side. ] " Now where would be the fun in that, El ? " [ He strolled nearer, stopping just a comfortable arm's length away from the edge of the tub. His eyes tracked the slow path of the soapy sponge dragging up her wet collarbone, his smirk broadening into a wicked, lingering smile that softened the sharp line of his jawline. He leaned down slightly, resting one hand flat against his knee to bring himself closer to her eye level, his gaze locked directly onto hers. ] " And as tempting as an invitation like that sounds ( ... ) " [ he drawled softly, his tone laced with a dark, honeyed warmth as his tilt of the head deepened, ] " ( ... ) I wouldn't want to ruin that pretty gown pooling on your dressing room floor out there. Besides, I prefer being the spectator when you put on a show like this. "
            
            /  2/2

@crims0nblack 
            
            [ The moment her voice met him, his spine immediately made contact with the flat wood behind him. He pressed his back straight against the flat wood, holding his ground as his dark obsidian eyes took in the scene the lingering steam, the soft lap of warm water, and the quiet silkiness of her silhouette sunk low in the tub. A slow, heavy exhale escaped his lips, blowing a faint puff of warm air upwards as his chest rose and fell in a sharp, deliberate breath. The sheer, unabashed boldness of her stance caught him off guard for a mere second, the sudden heat of the steam hitting his throat. His dark eyes flicked downward toward the wet tile floor for a fleeting second, a low, breathy chuckle vibrating against his collarbone as he gathered his usual sharp composure. When he looked back up, his gaze was dark, human, and completely devoid of any inner golden glint just warm, intense obsidian fixed entirely on her. A lopsided, boyish smirk slowly pulled at the corner of his mouth, his tongue darting out to poke against the inside of his cheek in a silent gesture of playful intrigue. ]
            
            /  1/2

@crimsonhour 
            
            She was finally back stage, the noise had cut off and she was all by herself. The heavy zipper of her glamor dress hissed down her spine, the metallic sound cutting sharply through the quiet of the dressing room. With a soft sigh, El shrugged the stiff, sequined straps off her shoulders, letting the heavy gown pool at her ankles in a glittering puddle.
             
            She walked to the bath that was attached to her dresser, stripping everything off and letting her hair loose, She sank down until the water lapped just beneath her collarbone, leaning her head back against the edge of the tub. The rhythmic sound of splashing water filled the small room, a warm, protective cocoon of sound and steam.
            
            That’s when she felt it again, a pair of familiar eyes watching her "You really don't know how to knock, do you?" she purred, her voice dripping with a sultry, honeyed mockery as she slowly dragged the soapy sponge back up her wet collarbone. "Though... if you wanted a bath, all you had to do was ask."

@eadimidium 
            
            [ A subtle, amused scoff pulls at the corner of his lips as the French melody fills the space, his gaze dropping to her outstretched hand for a brief heartbeat. With a low, quiet hum, he slowly slides one hand out of his jacket pocket, his head tilting slightly as he steps fully into her personal space. His dark eyes crinkle at the outer corners, carrying that signature, soft spoken playfulness as he wraps his fingers firmly around hers, tugging her just an inch closer. ] " comme avant, huh? Bold choice ," [ he murmurs, his voice a smooth, low register right near her ear as he places his other hand lightly at her waist, matching her tempo without missing a beat. A slow, lopsided smirk spreads across his features, his gaze flicking up to hold hers with easy, grounded confidence. ] " If you were trying to catch me off guard, sweetheart, you're going to have to try a little harder than that. "

i’m starting to think i should’ve.  ( .. )   we have more in common than i thought.   [ she lets out a small laugh,  her shoulders raising and dropping once as if facing defeat.  then,  an idea.  the brunette reaches for her phone from her back pocket before newly painted nails navigate through their own process on her phone.  she speaks as she does so,  glancing up to him before focusing back to her phone. ]   not quite.  i’ll be impressed after this—-   [ suddenly,  a song of her choosing connects to the speaker.  it’s a french song, comme avant.  her smile widens and she slips her phone back into her pocket,  offering her hand to him. ]   let’s see what you got.  

@eadimidium 
            
            [ A low, quiet laugh escapes his throat as he watches her close the gap, his head tilting slightly to mirror her angle. The sheepish look melts away, replaced by a slow, fond smile . He pushes his hands deeper into his pockets, broad shoulders shifting as he rocks back on his heels, eyes crinkling at the corners. ] " Well, you never asked, " [ he says softly, a teasing arch touching his brow as a quiet chuckle vibrates in his chest. ] " Besides ( ... ) I can do a lot of things you don't know about. Don't tell me you're impressed already ? "