First Date with a man since . . .

Celeste Darken · Post by **Celeste Darken** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 11:51 am

I watched silently from the shadows of the second story building nearest to the small group, invisible to prying eyes and the man who insisted on smoking on the balcony in spite of the frigidity my invisible presence brought.

But then, made he just thought it was the night air coupled with the winter chill.

The transfer from the medical examiner to the coroner came with the cold professionalism of the corpse that passed them. I watched in bridled anger at their aloofness, at their unfeeling, caustic attitude. Benjamin Holster watched it all stoically to the side of the hearse; his lips were pursed, a man used to seeing death. I climbed down from the balcony and approached the sheriff silently. All three men shuddered at my presence, but didn’t say a word. Ben thanked them for their actions and slowly walked away, his hands in his jacket pockets.

“How can they be so unfeeling about it?” I asked, wondering if my question was rhetorical or not. “Hannah was only a little girl . . . an innocent.”

“They’re used to it,” he shrugged. “And I warned them she was a little . . . um, yeah.”

We kept walking. Ben turned to look at me in concern. “You all right?” he asked.

I shrugged. I couldn’t think of anything to say. Nauseous from animal blood and sick at heart with Hannah’s death, but I wasn’t going to say anything about that. I could see him thinking things through carefully. He knew I would refuse any offer of human blood, whether it was already shed or not. Rather than lie, I decided to not reply and continue on, looking ahead.

“You want to go out?” he asked suddenly.

“Out?” I glanced back at him.

“Yeah. A date. You know, we go out and watch a movie or something and grab a bite afterwards.”

Date . . .? “Grab a . . .? What do you mean by that?”

“Nothing,” he said quickly. “I meant grab a Pepsi or something. Er, uh, we can go out only as friends, if you want.”

I creased my eyebrows. “I know it would mean the world to Molly,” he added.

“. . . All right. Only as friends, you understand.”

“Right.”

Bert_the_Turtle · Post by **Bert_the_Turtle** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:50 pm

Well, gosh darn it. I'm jealous. :wink:

Kolya · Post by **Kolya** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:51 pm

Bert_the_Turtle wrote:Well, gosh darn it. I'm jealous.

Of who?

Holister · Post by **Holister** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:10 pm

Bert_the_Turtle wrote:Well, gosh darn it. I'm jealous.

Wait Bert its gets better. :wink:

I just can't wait for ol' Ronny boy to get wind of this.
:twisted:

GhostSpider · Post by **GhostSpider** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:21 pm

Bert_the_Turtle wrote:
Well, gosh darn it. I'm jealous.

Of who?

Isn't it obvious Kolya, he's jealous of Celeste :lol:

.

Congrats guys.

Shang Li · Post by **Shang Li** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:23 pm

I am happy for you both. Ms. Darken, you will unfortunately find making such friends harder and harder as centuries go on - I am happy to see with one.
Mr. Holister, be carefull to remember, these are memories of you that may last forever.

May peace and happiness surround you both. (normaly the gaze of Amaterasu - but I understand her presence would be unpleasant)

Ron Caliburn · Post by **Ron Caliburn** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:27 pm

Ben . . .

Sometimes I wonder about you.

But right now isn't one of those times, I know you're crazy.

Darken, when next I see Ben, he'd better not have a hickie or there's a silver stake with your name carved in to stick you where the sun'll shine.

Holister · Post by **Holister** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:48 pm

Maybe Ill fill you in on some the details Ron, but a true gentlemen nevers tells. lest just say I had a wonderful time.

Ron Caliburn · Post by **Ron Caliburn** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:59 pm

Holister wrote:Maybe Ill fill you in on some the details Ron, but a true gentlemen nevers tells. lest just say I had a wonderful time.

I thought you quit drinking.

Ron Caliburn · Post by **Ron Caliburn** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 2:01 pm

By the way, seeing as she started this thread int he War Stories section, perhaps she didn't enjoy it as much as you did.

Holister · Post by **Holister** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 2:05 pm

Why Ron, you almost sound jealous?

Shadowstalker · Post by **Shadowstalker** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 2:05 pm

We shall just have to wait and see what Celeste has to say about the date.

Ron Caliburn · Post by **Ron Caliburn** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 2:52 pm

Holister wrote:Why Ron, you almost sound jealous?

No, just worried you'll develop a case of anemia.

Why can't you go for a much nicer girl like Natasha or Rain.

Celeste Darken · Post by **Celeste Darken** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 2:54 pm

It was . . . interesting, to say the least. I put it in War Stories because nowhere else seemed appropriate.

I had never liked Pepsi, and somehow I don’t think joining the ranks of the undead would change that. Ben ordered a Pepsi for himself and a milkshake for me while I waited outside. No sense in freezing the patrons that wanted to come in for warmth. He came out and handed me the chocolate, and we found an empty park bench. He sipped his drink while I put my lips around the straw.

My eyes widened.

“Something wrong?” Ben asked, his hand going to his gun and his face looking crestfallen.

“No, there’s no trouble anywhere. It’s just that I can’t . . . swallow it.”

“You what?”

I can’t swallow the milkshake,” I furrowed my brows in consternation, checking the straw and finding no obstructions. “It’s like . . . the straw isn’t hollow . . .”

“Do want me to get you a spoon?”

“No, it’s not the straw,” I shook my head, trying again and failing. “It’s me. It’s like when I try to breathe. I just . . . can’t. Try breathing through your gills, and maybe you’ll understand.”

“Wait, breathe through my . . . huh?”

“Argh, this is aggravating,” I growled, staring at the shake in annoyance. “I can drink rat blood, I can drink pigeon blood, I can even drink human blood, but I can’t . . .”

I saw him pulling up the sleeve to his coat. “Don’t even think about it,” I glared at him. “Um, just a second. I’ll umm . . . go catch a bat or something. Be right back.”

Holister · Post by **Holister** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 4:05 pm

Honestly, I surprised she said yes to the date. But let me tell ya'll something. It was the best date this sheriff has ever been on. Cee was radient
last night, I never once thought "hey she's a vampire".
It felt, well just right last night, normal. Unlike here around you clowns (:D) I was a gentleman, the one my momma raised right. I just glad that she had a good time too.

It was good to see that side of her, I don't think she shows it that much. She should though, maybe one day she won't have to keep it hidden away any more. Im talking about her smile in case you were wondering.

Celeste Darken · Post by **Celeste Darken** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:49 pm

That’s very flattering, Ben Holister. Probably the nicest thing anyone has ever said since Sifu Long and Shang Li. And thanks again . . . for just talking with me, too.

We strolled down the sidewalk and enjoyed the sights that were a part of Washington DC . . . hmm, I never thought I would ever stroll again. Sifu Long was right . . . I had forgotten what it was like to be human. The others we passed by looked at me oddly as we passed. I wasn’t sure if it was because I was wearing sunglasses or whether it was because I was so awed by the feeling of not worrying about monsters for once, it might have shown on my face.

A man in a pinstriped suit and white Stetson hat with a tiger design band approached us. “How’s it going?” he asked us genially. “What’s a nice couple like you doing out on a night like this?

“Um . . .” I hesitated, glancing at Ben. He glanced back at me, and he shrugged, at a loss.

“We’re fine,” Ben said finally, hesitantly encircling my shoulders and answering his first question. “How are you?” He left it at that. I pursed my lips and tried not to mimic a stiff, hesitantly slipping my hand around Ben’s waist.

“Glad you asked me that friend, glad you ask me that,” the other replied brightly. “It seems that I am in the possession of two Riverdance tickets that will have its final showing tonight at 11 tonight, sharp. And for only $100 dollars, you can go to that. What do you say, folks?”

I normally didn’t care for scalpers or concerts, but I caught the gleam of interested surprise on Ben’s face. Apparently, it was a fair price. But I still wasn’t sure. Luckily, I had some cash on me that I had earned from various odd and end jobs.

“Do it for $50, and you have a deal,” I said.

“For a concert in the Wolftrap Farm Productions?” We had entered the haggling phase now. “I’ll take nothing less than $75, ma’am.”

I got the price down to $65. We were supposed to be in our seats by 9:30, which gave us about two hours to do some other sightseeing.

* * *

“Thank you for taking me out, Ben. I had forgotten how enjoyable dating could be.”

He scuffed his boot against the cement. "I was kind of hoping we could have made it to that Wolftrap concert. Too bad we got gypped with a bunch of fakes. I’m sorry you lost your money, too.”

“Don't worry about it,” I assured him. "I wouldn't do well at concerts, anyway. And I don’t need the money.”

He looked unconvinced. Finally, I took the back of his neck and pulled him close, turning his face away just enough so I could kiss him on the cheek.

“I had a good time, Ben. Really.” I smiled at his stunned look and backed away, returning to the shadows.

Bert_the_Turtle · Post by **Bert_the_Turtle** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:52 pm

*Is actually grinning here sitting at his computer*

Never say that love in any form is dead, even if one of those involved clinically may be. :wink:

Holister · Post by **Holister** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:10 pm

Thank you Cee, I had a wonderful time too, and I will never forget it, or you.

As soon as I get some things cleared away back home, Ill be back.

Shadowstalker · Post by **Shadowstalker** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:25 pm

Ben dateing Natasha Kolya may have something to say about that, and I have something to say about the Idea of Ben dateing my sister Rain. See also NOWAY! Sorry Ben just you being manipulated by a crazyman you tried to turn you against your friends and the reaperance of the death persona, well I would like to see her with someone a tad more stable. :wink:

Bert_the_Turtle · Post by **Bert_the_Turtle** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:28 pm

Shadowstalker wrote:...well I would like to see her with someone a tad more stable.

That precludes anyone here, Hahaha :lol:

Kolya · Post by **Kolya** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:31 pm

Bert_the_Turtle wrote::D *Is actually grinning here sitting at his computer*

Never say that love in any form is dead, even if one of those involved clinically may be.

Love is dead.

Shadowstalker · Post by **Shadowstalker** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:35 pm

I spose it could have been worse and Kolya could have said "Love is Undead.

".

Bert_the_Turtle · Post by **Bert_the_Turtle** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:35 pm

*Smacks Kolya upside the head*

What is love now? :lol:

Holister · Post by **Holister** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:36 pm

well maybe you guys should try dating more. Get away from the huntin' for a while. Kolya, you should try asking Nastasha out. Shades, well, maybe Huntress if she ever gets back. Bert...you already have too much of a love life

Bert_the_Turtle · Post by **Bert_the_Turtle** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:37 pm

Haha, damn, and here I wanted to ask Natasha out.

Kolya · Post by **Kolya** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:39 pm

Shadowstalker wrote:Ben dateing Natasha Kolya may have something to say about that

I will at least tell her my opinion - and it would sound just like Shadowstalker's.

Any further talk on this subject, I leave for her.

Holister · Post by **Holister** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:42 pm

You should try askin her out anyway Bert. You two would make a great couple.

Bert_the_Turtle · Post by **Bert_the_Turtle** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 6:43 pm

Talk about a long distance relationship though. I'd need to learn magic so I could teleport around, haha.

KonThaak · Post by **KonThaak** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 7:09 pm

heh...heh... im too married to date. glad yall had a good time.

Ron Caliburn · Post by **Ron Caliburn** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 8:23 pm

Notice he left me out? Not that I'm complaining, I'd never be a good one to have a relationship with anyway . . . some nght I probably won't come home.

First Date with a man since . . .

First Date with a man since . . .

The Milkshake

The Play is the thing