Kalon IV

Aer shoulder and setting it carefully against the bar next to her. The bar, of course, was what felt most natural. She leans forward, elbows on the countertop like the uncouth peasant she is at heart.

"So! I might got a lead on a meal for you and mister Adrian. Or whichever of ya. Thought you two might appreciate it."

Further settling in, she takes out her metal cigarette case. As is tradition.
(Katrin)
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[22:10] Kalon moved to the one of the few places he felt truly comfortable at. Behind the counter of a bar. From there, he'd rummage under the counter for a bottle of win, and a glass to accompany it. Both of which would be set down in-front of Katrin.

"A meal?" He'd question, as he ducked under the counter once more, only to return with a mug, and a rag. Which of course means, that he'd be partaking in the age old bartender tradition of cleaning a mug, while talking to someone.

"You've peaked my interests. Please continue!"
(Kalon Ivanovich)
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[22:14] And the bartender is worth his salt; a true credit to his profession, already offering her glass of wine. Instead of popping open the case she takes up the glass and sips. With her free hand she upholds another tradition. Namely, the one where she continues to offer tea leaves.

"Yep. Got this Os cadet who's a lil'... misguided," she says, choosing the word carefully.

"Got captured by Achyon. Then traded for and sprung loose. Willin' to bet he could be lured out pretty easy from the walls. Or at least out at a post where he could be vulnerable, y'know?"
(Katrin)
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[22:14] {Item} You picked up Grape Wine. Dropped by Kalon Ivanovich..
[22:14] {Item} You drop Sinka x2.
[22:14] {Item} You drop Alessa x2.
[22:18] As per usual, the tea leaves are gladly accepted, and tucked away into the bartender's bag. "Misguided." He repeats, as he sets down the mug for a few brief moments, to search through his bag for something.

That something turns out to be another bag!

Wow!

"Here." A small sack, that seemed to jingle with the sound of ores banging into each other. "It's not much, but it's something." The mug is once more scooped up, and Kalon returns to idly cleaning it.

"As for this Cadet? I'm fairly certain Adrian needs his blood more than I do. For once, I am... Quite full."
(Kalon Ivanovich)
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[22:21] {Item} You picked up Tyrium x3. Dropped by Kalon Ivanovich.
[22:21] {Item} You picked up Mythril x6. Dropped by Kalon Ivanovich.
[22:23] The artificer nods, swirling the wind around in the glass and sniffing it delicately. As if she were far more refined than she actually is.

"Misguided," she echoes with a smirk, a bob of her head. Then her ears detect one of the many familiar noises she's acquainted with. Not the clink of coin, but of ore on ore. Katrin peers into the neck of the sack.

"Well. How thoughtful of ya. Thanks, Kal. I'll make sure it goes to good use.

Then it sounds like he'll be keen on it. I'll run it by him too. But numbers never hurt and all."
(Katrin)
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[22:27] There's a quiet hum from the man, as he idly inspected the mug he's been cleaning for the past few minutes. It seemed spotless, but odds are he had missed a spot.

He always did.

It's only when Katrin speaks, does his attention drift from the mug, and over towards the woman once more.

"Of course! I'll try to have more the next time you arrive." His lips curl into a smile, before he continues. "And yes. I suppose I should be there for my sire in the event something goes terribly wrong."
(Kalon Ivanovich)
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[22:30] Katrin watches him as he idly polished the mug. Almost obsessively. But hey, who was she to complain.

"Appreciate it. Can ya do me a favor though? Pass me the bottle, and a second glass?" An innocent enough request. If anything she did anymore was really 'innocent' any longer.

"I figure lurin' him out somewhere far enough to where you two can have the advantage. Shouldn't be hard. Sounds like your hunting's been good though, yeah?"
(Katrin)
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[22:35] "Hm?"

The vampire's head briefly tilts to the side, pondering the request, before shrugging his shoulder. "I don't see why not." The mug would be carefully set down on the counter, before a second wine glass would be produced, and slid over towards Katrin. The bottle follows moments later.

"There you are."

Nod. Nod.

"If he's as misguided as you say he is, I imagine it'll be easy, and... Yes. My hunting has been going very, very well." Which is probably why he's in such a good mood! Then again, when wasn't he?
(Kalon Ivanovich)
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[22:37] Kalon was almost always in a chipper mood. Sometimes irritatingly so, if her own contrasted too much. But for now, her own mood matches fairly well.

"Great, thanks," she says gratefully, taking the bottle and the glass both. She tops off her own glass, pours a measure into the second, and then slides it his way. The bar tender now becomes the bartended.

"Yeah. Pretty easy. Gimme a time that the two of ya would be ready for a hunt, and I can see what I can do."

There's a silent invitation for a toast as she lifts her glass. This is what the classy folks do, right?
(Katrin)
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[22:44] Their roles had now been reversed, and honestly he doesn't know how to feel about it. He was always the one to serve others, never the one to get served himself.

It felt odd.

"Thank you..." He'd mumble, as his hand reached out to accept the glass, raising it towards his lips to take his first sip, only to halt when he notices her raised glass. "Ah..' He'd mutter, as he'd slowly move his glass closer towards Katrin's for a toast.

"That will be more, or less up to Lord Adrian, but when a time is figured out, I'm sure he'll let you know!" He exclaims as he pulls his glass back, to take a brief sip from it.

"Hm. It could be better."
(Kalon Ivanovich)
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[22:48] Katrin is all about turning some tables. And these tables? Hella turned. She looks quite pleased with herself about it too, smirking all the while as she watches him.

"Then we'll have to wait on him. Sure it'll keep," she comments, lightly tapping glasses with the bartender. Tink. She takes a much, much longer sip.

"You had better? Not usually the wine drinkin' type.

But right. We got other business. Seems you've been rackin' up a bit of a debt, if I didn't know better."

She leans forward. The smirk widens.
(Katrin)
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[22:52] "It's not that I've had better, it's that I could have made it better."

Oh well.

It was just wine. In the grand scheme of things it didn't really matter. Not in the slightest. Which is why his glass is set back on the table, unlikely to be touched for the rest of the night.

"And yes. The debt." He'd mutter, as he found himself folding his arms across his chest, as his crimson hues studied the now smirking woman. "With each day that passes, I seem to be falling further, and further into debt. It's pretty tragic."
(Kalon Ivanovich)
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[22:55] "I'll wanna try it sometime then," she says, downing more of what's in her glass. Then, as only a sensible creature might, topping it off. That might not be something the well-to-do do. But she doesn't seem to care.

"You're right. Reeeaaal tragedy." The words sound like an agreement, but something about her tone doesn't quite match. Or her expression, sprinkled with a hefty amount of her usual sass, with just a dash of cheek.

"So. I got a few ideas of how you can repay me. But I'll humor ya and see if you got any of your own."
(Katrin)
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[23:02] "If I happen to make something worthwhile. I'll let you know."

Even if he somehow made the best bottle of wine in all of Esshar, nay, all of Eternia, there was a fair chance he wouldn't be pleased with it. Such is life!

"Incredibly tragic. It's nearly moved me to tears." Despite his words, his tone seems to be as carefree as usual. "Unfortunately for both of us! I have no real plans on how to payback the debt. Well, nothing fun at least. Just the boring options, of offering blood, and maybe some ores. Nothing interesting."

He'd roll his shoulders into a shrug.

"I'm more interested in what your ideas are."
(Kalon Ivanovich)
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[23:07] "Real good of ya. I'd appreciate it."

Such was the blessing and curse of the craftsman- of both the culinary and artificing arts alike. The best might never truly be enough. There was always, theoretically speaking, something better.

"Oh, yeah. Real sad state." Neither of them, evidently, has a tone that matches the words. The prospect of blood is, of course, always a tempting one. A delicious one, and that's not a thing she can hide as she tentatively licks her lips.

"Way I see it, we're back up to two debts after that last lil' fiasco. But I do have a fine idea of how ya might repay me one." Katrin glances about, checking for eyes and ears. A good habit to keep. Then she beckons him in close, as if for the sake of a conspiratory whisper.
(Katrin)
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[23:17] This entire conversation reminded him of something very, very important. While he had certainly done his best to master cooking, he had completely, and utterly forgotten to continue to hone his farming skill.

Something he'd have to pick back up sooner, rather than later! But, that's not here, nor there.

"Two debts... Right. I suppose that's fair. I did steal your date from you." How he missed that random lad they kidnapped. Was he okay now? By Caine he hoped so. Maybe he'd pay him a visit later. That could be nice.

Tragically, he's not allowed to reminisce about his greasy bride for long, as Katrin's beckoning snaps him back to reality. "Oh? I suppose I'm all ears then." He'd mumble, as he waddled out from behind the counter, and towards the Drakanite, standing in-front of her.
(Kalon Ivanovich)
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[23:21] Katrin blows a soft raspberry and rolls her eyes as he mentions the poor young man.

...And yet, the blood stain from clonking him in the back of the head remained on the butt of the gun resting nearby. It had even been lacquered over. For whatever reason, which is not immediately apparent.

"Great. Glad you're willin' to depart from the norm on the debt repaying. Now..."

The artificer takes another long slug of wine before turning and standing up from her seat. It plays awfully close to the last time they'd discussed his debt. Except this time, hopefully, there is her hope it won't be interrupted. And still the potential that it might end in some kind of sexual harassment suit. But what does she care?

Not a damn bit, apparently. She draws in close, not to whisper, but to steal a brazen smooch from the bartender.
(Katrin)
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[23:33] The Ivanovich's mind began to race as he idly stood in-front of the Drakanite, as he attempted to figure out what sort of request they had in mind.

He had assumed the reason he had been becokened over was so they could more easily get at his blood, yet, their words seemed to indicate that their intended for something else.

"Of course."

He still hadn't the faintest of clues as to what she may, or may not have been referring to, but he didn't really need to think for long, as the artificer leaned in to steal a kiss from him. Perhaps he should have expected it, given the way their last real conversation nearly ended, but- He didn't.

Oh, and Katrin needn't worry about a potential sexual harassment lawsuit, Kalon seemed more than okay with it.

"Huh."
(Kalon Ivanovich)
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[23:38] It could have been anything. Granted, the signs had certainly been there. Regardless, he's unsuspecting. She doesn't mind; evidently, neither does he when she moves in to 'strike'. With no impending assault charge or resistance, she lets it linger a moment or two. Maybe three if she's feeling brave.

"...Not bad," she mutters, reaching up to pat his cheek. Still softly smirking.

"Think that'll do for one count. We in agreement...?"

A steal at twice the price. Depending on the viewpoint, of course.
(Katrin)
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[23:45] Truly, it could have been anything!

While this might not have been the expected result, it was certainly one he was pleased with. Even if it was technically his way of paying off a debt.

A part of it at least.

"Not bad." He'd repeat, as his lips curled into a smile. "Of course. That should count for one, but this-" He pauses, as he leans in towards the Artificer this time. "This one is on the house."

This time it would be Kalon attempting to steal a brazen smooch from Katrin.
(Kalon Ivanovich)
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[23:52] "Yeah?" she inquires coyly as he voices some form of agreement. Her smile widens at the sight of his. No reprisals, verbal or otherwise, and some kind of mutual enjoyment instead of the worst case scenario.

Kalon might have truly stolen it at first, but after that initial surprise it's freely given and returned. What's more is no one (namely a certain sire), seems to have interrupted it yet.

It's a good time. And not just because it's a such a great deal either. The merchant in her couldn't possibly pass up something free, after all.

The artificer does eventually pull away, peering past him to glance to the door on lookout.

"Gotta say, Kal. Ya drive a hard bargain."
(Katrin)

[00:00] It was little moments like this, that kept the man smiling. Either that, or it was the incredibly amount of blood he had consumed recently, which caused a strange high with-

Okay listen, it's probably both.

That line of thought was certainly going somewhere, but well, Kalon had already forgotten, and opted to focus on the events presently transpiring around him, and doing everything within his power to savor it.

Though like all good things, this moment too would have to come to an end. It was unfortunate, but necessary.

"So I've been told." He'd state, as he pulled back. While he didn't technically need air, he still gasped for it. Probably for dramatic effect? Or maybe he's just stupid. Again, it's probably both. Though his gaze does follow Katrin's over towards the door.

"I take it you need to head out?"
(Kalon Ivanovich)
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[00:05] For a few very brief moments Katrin is not considering the usual things her mind races over. Which are typically furthering her craft, how to make coin, or how to acquire that heady drug of choice she'd chosen. Brief, but enjoyable.

What had she been thinking about? Maybe something. The artificer can't rightly remember. The moment, his dramatic gasp included somewhere in there, makes her mind fuzzy for a time.

"I'll be sure to remind ya again next time," she says, either in promise or idle banter. A brow quirks up and she flicks her eyes back between Kalon and the door again.

"Oh, nah. Normally business is over 'bout this time. Was just. Checkin' for guests. Y'know?"
(Katrin)
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[00:11] "Please do." He'd mutter, as he took a step around Katrin, and over towards the bar counter, and like the goon he is, instead of sitting on a stool, or anything else, he'd rest himself atop the counter.

Nice, and comfy.

"Ah." He'd mutter, as his crimson hues flicked between the woman, and the nearby door, squinting at it for a few moments before shrugging. "I doubt anyone else will be showing up here anytime soon. Most of our residents are usually out, and about, or have another home somewhere."

Realistically, only two people could waddle through that front door. Lady Vanessa, and Lord Adrian.

"Odds are it'll just be you, and I for a bit."
(Kalon Ivanovich)
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[00:18] Kalon rests himself right on the counter, like an utter barbarian, and Katrin drops right back into her seat with her glass of wine. It's down to its dregs, then swiftly drained. No sense in wasting it.

"Good to know this place has got a lil' privacy." It's not as if there was anything illicit going on here. Not by the metrics that this little enclave had, but here was something irritatingly vulnerable about being caught unawares like that.

"Wasn't sure how many folks had keys. Pretty nice joint." It, like Francesca's, had a pretty damned sumptuous interior. "Well. While I'm here, if you did wanna square up the docket, we can. Does sound like you're pretty good on blood, right?"

A little smooching, a little drinking of both kinds. There's worse ways to pass an evening.

"'Course if you've got somethin' else you'd like to offer, I'm always afan of hearin' creative solutions and bargains."
(Katrin)
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[00:28] While it certainly wasn't a chair, the counter was very, very comfortable. Incredibly so. Why had it taken him this long to realize this? He should have sat on this counter sooner, or later.

"Mhm. It's a lovely manor. You're free to roam around it at your leisure, if you feel so inclined. Someone else will have to give you a key. I am unfortunately incapable of that."

Nod. Nod.

"Oh well!" It's not like he'd let that sour his mood. "But yes, we can square everything up here, and now." Crimson hues narrow down at Katrin's empty wine glass. "Excuse me." He'd mutter, as his pale hand reached out to take hold of it, while his other reached for one of the many knives that resided on his belt.

His wrist would be raised over the glass, and in one swift motion his dagger would slash it open, allowing his cursed blood to trickle down, and into the glass.

Tragically he didn't have a creative solution!

Oh well.

Can't go wrong with an old reliable, right?

"This is probably better than drinking it from my wrist. Here." The now full glass would be carefully slid over towards Katrin. "Enjoy."
(Kalon Ivanovich)
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[00:35] "I can ask mister Adrian 'bout it later. I got lil' holes I can stay in all over the place. Really oughta' make 'em more comfy some day." Mostly they were workshops. Or a place to put down a map. Nothing really refined or terribly comfortable. Her craft came before even that.

And so the ledger'd be cleared, and at that prospect the artificer perks right up. Such is being simultaneously cursed and blessed with such an addiction.

The glass was new; all her previous feedings had been sloppy, frantic affairs. Most of them also diminished by having been drained of her own blood at the same time. This gives it an air of refinement.

An air of refinement she'd have absolutely ruined if she were still undergoing those terrible withdrawals, but the artificer keeps it together fantastically as she picks up the blood filled cup, lifts in toast with a smile, and takes a long quaff. Once more she greedily licks her lips and shivers.

Her pupils dilate wide and she shudders.

"Sweet f***in' stars and stones, that's good," Katrin swears.
(Katrin)
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[00:41] "Fair, fair, but here's a little fun fact about this place."

Crimson hues briefly dart around his home for a moment, as he slowly shifted his body to face the upstairs. Well, he mostly just turns his torso. "The doors that lead to the rooms up there are usually unlocked. So if you need to get in here, just walk through them."

While the front door was locked, those three doors always seemed to be unlocked.

Oh well.

From there, he readjusts himself so he's staring forwards once more, idly swaying his head from side-to-side as he watches the Drakanite get their fix. Which would hopefully tide them over for a bit.

"I think the glass makes it better. Perhaps I should go find a chalice..." It was certainly an idea. "But! Once more, I'm glad you've enjoyed it. I expect it's better than the wine?" He'd question, as his lips curled into one of his usual smug smirks.
(Kalon Ivanovich)
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[00:44] {LONG DISTANCE FROM: Nezumi}: Nezumi's Letter To Katrin, 1835, Hello, Katrin! It's Nezumi. Rat boy who asked for a katana a while back. I got the money if you wanna begin makin that for me now. Meet ya in Achyon.

-Nezumi
[00:48] "Figure I'll be hangin' around for a while. Good to know what I can."

It was hard to care too much though further about the far off rooms. She had a rather large cup of blood. Was this more than the last time? It's hard for her to tell, given that she's never had it out of an actual cup before.

The first few sips she keeps refined. The rest of it though goes down like a fat kid on a seesaw. However much is in there all gets drained down to the very last drop. It tides her over and then some.

While she's wholly mundane, Katrin herself has become pretty flush with that dark, ichorous blood and the fantastic, unparalleled high it gives her. As her body processes it she practically vibrates for the first few seconds.

"Ooohoohooo. Yeah. No yeah yeah no yeah. It's. It's way better," she agrees with a little titter, setting aside the glass. "This uh. Yeah this makes us square. Mmmmyeup."

Her heart starts working overtime. Good thing she's young, else she'd be risking a godsdamned heart attack.

"Is it. Is it still like this? For you too, y'know? So good?"
(Katrin)
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[00:57] "Mhm, mhm."

While Katrin continued to handle her addiction in the best way possible, Kalon continued to idly glance around the manor, reminiscing about the good times that had transpired here.

Which amounts to like, two pleasant memories.

No one ever used this manor for anything. It was depressing, but hey, he got to live here for free, so why should he complain?

"Perhaps one day I'll be able to make wine that tastes better than my blood. Either that, or I'll cheat and mix it in with it." Shoulders roll into a shrug. "That way it'll truly be blood wine."

It was a fun idea, but it was one he wasn't likely to actually follow through on.

Katrin's question does cause him to quirk a brow. "I've never drank my own blood, nor do I have any intention of changing that." A hearty chuckle erupts from the Vampire, as he slowly shook his head. "I jest." Mostly. "Considering I've quite literally chugged tainted blood, which by the way, tasted TERRIBLE."

He shuddered as he recalled it.

"Yes, it's still like that for me. The euphoria that comes with it, is to die for, and trust me. I know a thing, or two about dying."
(Kalon Ivanovich)
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[01:03] To her the manor is fairly new. Empty, sure, mysterious, but empty. And not at all full of customers. These are things that are in its favor at the moment, given the circumstances.

"And when you do, I definitely wanna try that," she states with enthusiasm. A little bit of alcohol and a perfect excuse to indulge in her addiction. Someone had to be quality control. Why not her?

"Nah, nah, you know I don't mean your blood. Don't be like that." Perhaps it's her mood, or the vast quantities of blood she just drank, but she reaches over to try and flick the bartender's ear with a wild grin.

"Tainted blood? How's it get tainted? Like, in the people?

Good to know it won't go away. Wouldn't want it to."

Adrian was right in that the bargain they struck wouldn't technically require her to forfeit her soul. Not like whatever the Nethradin offered. It had still come with a price all its own.

"So! You live in here, huh? Or in Francesca's, somewhere in Achyon?"
(Katrin)
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[01:10] "If I do decide to make it, you'll be the first one to try it."

Obviously the first one to try it wouldn't be him! Drinking his own blood? Are you crazy? He wouldn't be caught dead doing something that silly.

Then again, he did spend the early portion of his career in Esshar cleaning a bridge, so maybe he would?

It's up in the air.

"And yes, I know-" He's about to say more, when his ear is flicked, and his crimson eyes narrow on Katrin for a moment, before he snickers. "Fine, fine."

As for the other questions?

"I don't know how it was tainted. I didn't stick around to ask. The person... Freaked me out. I bit her, and started draining them of their blood, and they moaned. Who the f*** does that?"

He shudders as he recalls the memory.

"Oh, and yeah. I live here." Hisbody would shift again, so he could properly point to one of the rooms behind them. "Riiight there." His finger lands vaguely near the eastern most room.
(Kalon Ivanovich)
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[01:18] Katrin already practically partakes of her own recycled blood from old Adrian. She's not terribly picky. So long as the effects are the same.

He takes the flick remarkably well, which keeps the artificer in good spirits. As if anything could ruin her high. Well, there are things, but they are unlikely or distant.

Well, except maybe what he details. That throws her off a bit. Doesn't ruin her buzz, thankfully.

"She... She moaned? What the Hell!?" the artificer exclaims, tweaking and trying to wrap her mind around that one. "I just feel kinda' like. Numb and fuzzy? Don't feel like moanin', jeez."

Thankfully her diminished attention span is directed elsewhere as draws eyes into the direction where he points.

"Huh! Good to know. I'll have to get a tour or somethin' sometime- but I oughta go. Maybe. Run some laps."

Laps, for some reason, sounded excellent right now.
(Katrin)
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[01:24] "I."

Words couldn't describe the joy he'd feel if he never had to see that crazy woman again.

He could only pray.

"I never want to see her again." Once more, he finds himself shuddering. "The other people have been far less... Weird about it." Well, except for the teenager who assaulted him earlier, and decided to do pushups afterwards.

Which, he could honestly respect their hustle. A shame they were so weird.

"Lap? Oh. Huh, yeah. Have fun with that. I should probably get some sleep myself." Without missing a beat, the man pushes himself off of the counter. "Have a lovely rest of your evening."

Again, he'd find himself leaning in to steal another kiss from Katrin, but this one is brief.

After that's over, he'd begin to waddle off towards his room.

It was late.
(Kalon Ivanovich)
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[01:28] "Any luck, ya won't have to," she reasons, snickering. Then shuddering, no doubt in revulsion as she considers the notion again. Eurgh. How vile. Even by her standards.

"Yeah! Gotta burn some of this off. Run somewhere, make somethin'." She usually has plenty of drive to do these anyway, but now hopped up on blood? It seemed as good a time as any. Inspiration strikes in strange places.

She's off in her own little world for a moment as Kalon comes in to sneak away a peck. Once it registers she still doesn't mind, flashing him a wide and toothy grin.

"Yeah, yeah. You too, Kal. Get you some good shut eye. I'll see ya later."

And then, with the mother of all springs in her step, she damn near bounds off to gods-knows-where.
(Katrin)