RP:Celebratory Drinks

Summary: Irenic and Valen celebrate their victory over a drink and a meal... Or two.

House Dragana

Towering over the abyssal forest, the dark mass of House Dragana is no less eerie than the vegetation, or lack thereof, in which it stands. The mansion's outer perimeters are flanked by the twisting trees and there are no gates to prevent the seemingly less desirable denizens of the forest from trespassing upon the property. A sleek, obsidian walkway runs from the house's entry to the path. The only source of light without comes form wrought-iron lanterns that are placed on either side of the walkway, spaced perfectly from one another. Within them, an eldritch glow of a deep, verdant hue flickers. Those brave enough to approach House Dragana's doors will be greeted with iron knockers bearing blackened skulls, their eyes set with emeralds that glow with the same light from the lanterns. Within the house's walls, there is no shortage of decadence. Only the most elegant of furniture is placed throughout its rooms. A grand staircase of blackened wood leads to the upper levels, where rooms for those that reside within the house can be found. Midway up, the stairs split to the left and right, spiraling upward. Here, there is a landing with a set of double doors that leads to a large ballroom. The lower level of the house plays host to a dining area and kitchen, though rarely used, a grandiose library filled with grimoires and tomes, and a small museum of artifacts collected by the house's residents. Though there appear to be no candles to light the way, an ethereal glow floods the innards of the house, providing ample reading light - undoubtedly arcane in origin. Dark magic is weaved into the house's existence as a measure of protection.

Valen would most certainly be asleep at this point in time, seeing as he usually slept like most people during the night, though what most do not understand when it comes to Vampires is that they look absolutely dead due to not needing to breath. And so, as the moon shone through the library window right onto the couch he had laid on, a most beautiful sight was there to behold...if a bit morbid. His pale skin seemed to shimmer in the moonlight, not sparkle, but shine. His crimson red hair in those gentle curls, though slightly messy, would be fanned out around his head as he remained as still as a board. This night though, as he had only fed that short time from Valrae even after they got back, his skin would be even more pale as he slept and dreamed...and he looked absolutely wondrous and beautiful. His pointed ears would be visible now, as the hair that usually covers them was out of the way. It had certainly been a long and trying ordeal but he had drifted off with a smile, knowing that he had made two very special people happy, as well as a book that had fallen to the floor he had been reading.

Irenic understands how vampires work all too well. So, when he silently made his way from Valrae's room on down to the library once more to make sure he didn't make too much of a mess of things from before. Once inside the library he would pick of the book his two friends had been reading and started to straighten up Larewen's desk before putting the books back, all the while silent. He carefully made his way to Valen and studied his looks, what was different? Ah, the vampire looks deathly pale when it wasn't like that before... 'He needs blood,' concluded Irenic in his mind before he sat himself in an armchair opposite the man before gently clearing his throat, which he was sure would awaken the sleeping man before him. Irenic means to thank him and repay any debts he's owed, but from the sight of Valen - Irenic hopes it just blood he wants since he looks so out of sorts.

Valen would mumble a few indiscernible things at the clear of his throat, before his eyes would shoot wide open and he would jolt up with a start, almost screaming "No!" Terror and panic was on his face, and if he had been breathing it would be in a deep and panicked pant, but either way he quickly composed himself when he found out it had simply been a nightmare. Looking tiredly sheepish over at Irenic, a yawn would be sounded, before a brief "Oh...hey. Thought you would be deciding to...never mind." Moving now into a sitting position, his eyes would, as they always had, lock on to the Avian's yet something new was there now in the Vampire's. Something dark, foreboding, and altogether uneasy would be staring back and one might wonder if this was part of the hunger or if something more sinister had taken hold of this man. A smile would be given all the same, that timid yet all too familiar expression of just being happy to see someone. "Sorry I fell asleep...Just been really tired though I think I can manage to at the very least make something without burning it, you must be hungry. I could always make another apple-pecan pie if you like. Valrae might even like a piece as well though, seeing as you are in here, I would say she too has fallen into that sweet embrace of dreams.."

Irenic eased himself down the armchair in a slumped sort of position the best he could with an injured wing proved to be a bit difficult to do so comfortably. Still dressed in his casual wear and bruised up but resilient, "I've eaten. Larewen has blood stored here somewhere... But from my understanding it doesn't give the same effect you need." There was a pause that hung in the air before them... "It's nice of Valrae to help you in such a way... but I have to let you know, my friend... You aren't looking too well." He smooths his own dusky tendrils from his bi-colored view. "I am sure you performed amazingly and I'm sorry it did not go exactly as planned, but I thank you tremendously for you help, Valen." He allowed another pause hang in the air, "Shall we find this blood stash... Or?"

Valen would eye the injured wing with tremendous concern and would rush over to him, a bit slower than normal perhaps, and give it a good look over taking great care to not hurt him any further. All mention of food seemed to be forgotten and it seemed to be his only concern was for his friend, and be damned anything else even his own sanity and safety. "To hell with what I need right now or how i look, are you alright??" he would say in a rather hurried, harsh, but still caring tone. "Valrae certainly did help, but I want you to know Edlin that I did not do it for the beast that rages inside me. I did it because I would not have been able to get her here with that much blood lost..." He would look once more into his face, fighting back a tear. "I was supposed to get you both out. Look at what has happened because of me!" He knew very well that above all, most Avian's valued their wings as no two pair were alike...so he had been led to believe. "Your poor wing is injured, and it is entirely my fault!" The question that was posed to him drew little more than a scoff, perhaps this time a bit harsh and skeptical. "Or what? If you are offering me blood Edlin then save it. I do not deserve such kindness, and while you are correct that for me, fresh blood is much more potent, I will not be feeding from you." Looking away now, he would stand and cross his arms. "I fed off of Valrae because I knew my situation was dire, nothing more. Feeding on a willing donor is perhaps one of the things that I view as the most romantic symbolism. You are giving part of yourself to sustain another..." Turning around to look at him, a single tear would trail down his left cheek. "I would not want that image be forced upon you, that view, unless you wanted it to be so."

Irenic is used to fighting and the wings being injured. The specific memory of the runesmith carving runes into them in order to use the portal into Hollow and that was much more painful. "Ah that. It will heal. I am not worried of that, Valen - honestly." Edlin looked Valen square in the face, "I'd say you are the only one worthy enough to feed off her. I only mentioned it to make my point that you need to stay strong as well." His tone was calm and laid back although he looked a little vexed when Valen turned from him. Edlin sighed and stood while his friend was turned from him. "I didn't realize something like that meant so much to you. I just wanted to thank you and keep you strong because you are a champion and quickly becoming one of my closest confidants." Edlin wipes the tear off of Valen's cheek and the warmth of his hand would warm the vampires skin, but he realized the movement may have been a bit intimate and a conflict flashed behind his gaze though he didn't shy away. The same arm went around Valen's shoulders as he started to walk out the library side by side with him. "No worries. We did it though. I'm impressed with you, with her and obviously my self." His smirk returned to its devious nature in his jest as he started his way to the kitchens, "Let us celebrate with some wine, blood-wine for you and a good meal, yeah? I'm cookin' this time!"

Valen's eyes would flash a deep crimson, blood-like, almost like his hair at the mention of being worthy to feed from the witch. "Who are you to say who is worthy? Huh?!" He quickly regretted his words and the tears, after having been so caringly removed, would re-appear and make him all that much more shut off. "I understand when you tell me what you meant. Though perhaps you should think more about what you mean to me..." would be his retort. the mention of him being a champion, as well as being so close to Edlin now made his heart flutter and his knees weak though he remained fully in composure. The conflict in his eyes was noticed, and though Edlin did not shy away, Valen would certainly take advantage and just before entering into the kitchens...his emotions would dissolve like a floodgate...tears pouring down his face. "Gods above Edlin I -want- to feed from you!" would ring out as he quickly turned on heel and buried himself in his friends chest. "Don't you realize just how much I care for you! I did all of this, for you!" He knew he must seem a mess but fatigue, and the physical tiredness that was now beginning to take hold simply could not be ignored and so he laid himself bare to his friend's mercy. "I care for you above all others...I know, I know you don't know how you feel for me just yet but if that was an offer I will take it just to feel like you and I have something...like when you kissed Valrae...and flew her around while doing it!" The sobs continued, more so now because he was fearful of what this man would do knowing he had possibly seen a somewhat intimate instance without his permission.

Irenic grunts softly, "Poor choice of words on my part… You know how I feel about vampires and you are the exception to that. I meant if it were anyone else I would be hunting them down right now." Was stopped before the kitchens with yet another person crying into his chest and in the back of Edlin's mind, he starts to wonder how he's let himself gone so soft. Edlin's arms wrap around Valen's shoulders in an embrace while his wings follow suit, a wince of pain from the wounded one. "I hear you… I do." He just held his friend there in an embrace allowing a nice moment of quiet to wash over them. "What Valrae and I have is special, but still delicate as I don't know where I stand with her." He places both of his own hands on Valen's shoulders to take a step back so he may look upon him squarely, "And Valen. I don't keep the company of others so often. You've gotten much father than most and I feel what you and I have is also special, but just as delicate - all in it’s own unique way." Edlin cleared this throat, "Now… You should know I care for you too as the only other vampire I ever let feed from me is Lady- Larewen…" His gruff voice became a little softer, "I just… I have a different feeling about feeding as you probably know very well they type of memory that will come up in my mind. So, the fact that I offered to begin with despite all of this should show I do care about you, Valen." He hopes this was enough proof he needed to not lose a friend today, not after today. "Shall you feed?" The question was asked again and Edlin usually never asks twice, just as he never follows the steps of an angry woman and never competes for the attention of others.

Valen felt a fool, a complete and total fool as those sobs gradually became a gentle laughter. The only reason he was laughing, was his own view of himself as he must look to this most trusted of friends that he had currently. "Forgive me...Edlin." he would say after a few moments, enjoying the embrace of both strong arms and wings, as well as that age-old favorite smell of his. After allowing that quiet to pervade, he would answer the Avian's words with his own. He -wanted- to ask how could this man be so stupid and not realize certain things about Valrae but honestly, he was too weak and hungry to care. "I hear you too Edlin. Always." As the man stood back from him, though he felt sad the touch and closeness was ended, the words that followed once again filled his visage with a sheepish laugh. "What we have is special...?" Oh how he wanted to simply break down again, but willed himself to simply listen to his words more. They made sense as he certainly saw what type of memory Edlin kept about Vampiric feeding, and caused him to sigh "It does. It certainly does show you care I...Forgive me." was all he could offer. What else could he ask? Well... "In answer, Edlin, about whether I will feed...Yes. You have done me the highest honor by even offering, and yes...I will accept. But as you said a drink first, for you, and you -did- say you were going to make something...if you still want to? You certainly deserve a drink though after that show no doubt and it might help your wing to dull the pain at least for now. If not..." He would hold up his hands and give his knuckles a crack "Mayhap I might offer my services in a back rub? I know that in between the wing muscles, and even those muscles in general, must be extremely tense." A gaze, grateful for the clarification and for the company in general would be given as he held the kitchen door open for him now. "though, if you would perhaps prefer to get it over and done with...Grab a seat, and just...relax, though you might not feel like cooking afterwards.."

Irenic was relieved to have avoided any arguments or hurting of feelings while he quietly made his way around the kitchen to prepare a roast of sorts. First things first, he pours some Avian wine and some blood enriched wine for him and his friend to have a toast. Edlin sort of works out his mother's recipe for the succulent roast she used to make, he may not have her recipe book anymore, but his mind could nearly see it if he thought hard enough. Taking generous sips of his wine while taking out all of the spices he needed and rubbing them into the cut of beef while using up choice stocks. His movements were quick as if he was in some sort of quick-order restaurant yet somehow silent as to not wake the sleeping tenants of the home. His sleeves had been pushed up his forearms as his gaze was solely focused on the task at hand and he started the roast while he washed and cut up the potatoes, carrots and onion while the smell of the meat was wafting through the entire bottom floor of the house. Edlin set aside the vegetables to cook a bit later as they didn't need to cook as long and he tasked himself to use that time to find dinner rolls. By all this time he's already had half a bottle of wine once he finally added the vegetables to the roast. "Alright." Edlin seats himself at the kitchen island upon on of the stools there. "While we wait for our feast to complete, lets go ahead and help you out." His buzzed smirk betrayed his enthusiasm.

Valen saw the relief and offered a re-assuring smile to him that his feelings were most certainly, not hurt in the slightest...it had after been a long and trying caper they just pulled off! His eyes would gaze in wonder at the professionalism that seemed to accompany his friend as he worked, it reminded him of when he had made that pie, and he knew that this was going to be one of the best meals he had had in a very long time. At the smell of the cooking meat his mouth would water ever only just, it all smelled so succulent he had forgotten briefly about the thirst until he noticed the wine that had been set out for him. Trying to stand on ceremony was not hard, it was completing the task that caused him issues as he started out sucking it down like a person who had been in the sun too long though managed eventually to ease into moderation as he realized nothing was going anywhere. Edlin's words roused him from any other thoughts, and would follow him to the kitchen island and nodded in silence before walking up next to him. "I...will tell you this will most certainly be different, and if things get...uncomfortable, let me know, but as I told Valrae..." He would lean in, running a hand over one of the Avian's pointed ears to see if they were as sensitive as his own in a sensual manner while whispering into it with a seductive quality in tone. "We will be doing things my way this time." With that, he would turn Edlin's face to meet his...and this time he would initiate the kiss. Valen's lips would move slowly at first, testing the waters, before a hand would move around the back of his head...pressing it deeper. His eyes remained closed as he continued, and after a few moments would start to travel his lips up the man's jaw, before trailing his fangs along the skin until it reached the neck. A few more kisses here would be given and then, ever so gently, he would press his fangs into the flesh while still massaging the back of Edlin's head.

Irenic allowed the kiss with not much of a return seeing as he was just kissing on someone else a moment ago and for once he thought that would be wrong, 'Ugh… what have they done to me?' he would wonder in the back of his head. He tries to focus on anything other than the biting and feeding at hand and instead focused on the smell of dinner. Ah, a champions meal after their victory and definitely more wine… He was actually starting to feel a little tired now as he didn't get the proper rest back at the Jail, but he continued to let his mind wonder.

Valen would then start to draw from him, a voice in Edlin's head answering 'Who did what...?' He would recognize that voice, and he would know who it was. Valen's hand would move to carefully massage the muscles of the Avian's wings, taking care to not hurt the already injured one. As he fed, Irenic would notice the simple fact that he would now smell his most favorite thing, as so many did while around the Avian himself. It would seem that the tables, no matter how small that particular one is, had been turned and he was now subject to it from one who was clearly no Avian. As he felt the blood coursing into his system, he would use the most primal parts of it's power as well to start restoring him back to his prime. Paleness would start to ebb, his hair would start to look more vibrant, and that smell would grow as he regained his strength.

Irenic refrained from responding to the question for a while as he was trying to exercise his efforts on anything other than what was going on. It was easier when he had no memory of this act when Larewen fed from him previously he almost got a pleasure from it, but now it's all too real and hindering on his psyche. Valen's efforts to sooth and calm Irenic were welcomed, but probably not applied as he stayed pretty stiff through the endeavor. All Edlin could smell was how his childhood home was; his mother was a local chef and their home was attached to the quaint restaurant, so all he would smell in this instance was herbs for cooking or tasty pastries baking in the stone oven. Edlin could almost feel the burn on his tongue because every time he helped her bake he was too impatient to wait for the treats to cool, but he tried to center himself a little more in the here an now while he idly fiddled with the hand towel in his hand ready to stop the bleeding once Valen would finish.

Valen would finally let go of Irenic's neck, not only because he was quite sated with that most exquisite avian blood but he could sense Irenic's...discomfort as well. Helping to bring the hand towel to where the wound was, all he could do was be torn. He was so happy, and truly honored that he had allowed this to happen...it meant he trusted the vampire, cared for his well being. That thought alone made him truly happy but at the same time, he knew the reason why he had been so stiff...he knew why he was unable to relax during it, and the thought that he had made him relive those memories made him feel saddened as well. "Edlin...Are...you alright?" He felt it was at least polite to ask, even if it was only just that at this point. He would not move away from Edlin until the male answered, and that he was sure that he could suppress the bleeding on his own.

Irenic held the towel to this throat and of course offered that devilish smirk exposing those crowded teeth, "Not as bas as I thought to be honest." Edlin subjects Valen to a lingering bi-colored gaze which travel's up and down his friend's form, "Lookin' good!" A hearty chuckle was offered while he stood, swayed just slightly before making his way back over to the wine he'd been drinking from in order to down some more of it straight from the bottle. Edlin opens the oven and checks the tenderness of the food while mumbling to himself, " Good… Good. What is a Honeymoon Salad?" He seemed a bit out of sorts, but he remembers the riddle well from when he was a boy, his mom would always ask a riddle like this before supper, "Lettuce alone, with no dressing." He chuckled once more as he downed some more wine… "Oh yeah, so answer your question. All you people have made me soft… I used to be ruthless… As you know." He winked at Valen, but something would feel almost manic about it. The butt of the wine glass comes down a little hard on the island which is now between the men, "She wasn't even insane, ya know." He hiccups once, "They threw her in there because they were afraid she would take me and revolt against the crown," Another hiccup, "That asylum made her insane… Well that and you know… Being raped and witnessing the headless corpse of her husband de-" Hiccup, "Defiled as well." He grumbles a bit about something which had plenty of expletives peppered in it and after a quiet moment, only interrupted by hiccups, he checks the food once more, "Ding!" Hiccup, "Hhhitzzz dunnn." He uses his bloody towel and a mitt to get the food out and open the lid which wafts the smells of deliciousness into the air, "Tah-dahhh." His neck starts bleeding again and he's quick to put the towel back on the wound while reaching for the wine when he goes on the hunt for plates and silverware.

Valen would start to feel infuriated, just a bit, at the wink and the tease though he hid it well when around others that he did not wish to upset. Or maybe it was the alcohol in Edlin's blood that was helping that along, especially after the amount he had as well. Either way, something was tugging at him how one moment this man could make him so...sad...and then, in the next instant so happy. It was so unusual. Either way, all this happened in his head as soon as he looked him up and down and brought yet another blush to his newly rejuvenated face. "Stop it..." he would say, in a playful manner. The antics that then carried on brought the thought that, of course, he would be even more drunk now that he had less blood in his system than before. As he listened now he knew that perhaps he had done more damage than good, that perhaps Larewen had been perfectly right to keep those wretched memories away. Even hearing about what happened made him cringe, knowing fully too well how he must have felt at witnessing it. Still, his vision started to get a bit hazy so he made sure to keep the blood booze away from him, for now at least. A laugh would still come to his lips when he said the dinner was done, and the smell that greeted him was more than just simply pleasant, it was heaven. "Edlin...No one has made you soft..." He was not even going to approach the rest of that subject, yet, until this man was seated dammit. He had a surprise for him and that was that. Following him, and listening to any more rants, if just to help him not fall over, he would ask "You have done enough, why not let me help with the silverware?" The riddle answer dawned on him, after having sailed over his head, and he had to fight the urge to giggle. It -was- a rather good one.

Irenic opened a cupboard to reveal only drinking glasses and sighs before a soft grunt, "Probably a good idea…" He meandered his way back to the stool he was sitting at and of course with wine bottle in hand he waited for Valen to search for the plates and such. He guffawed rather obnoxiously, "If course I'm soft, I cannot get hard! There is nothing there to get hard." Another guffaw at his lewd joke before downing the rest of this wine bottle and lest I remind everyone that Avian wine is stronger for these creatures, I imagine, have a higher tolerance. Once Valen found what they were looking for, Edlin would stand back up, accidentally knocking over the stool he was sitting on in the process and help him plate their meal. Once that was eventually be accomplished he would place the rolls out and find some butter in the larder after a long hard look in there. Edlin placed Valen's plate next to his own knocked over one and then places his own plate down. Edlin sees the chair, "Valen, stop knocking stuff around people are trying to sleep… Shhhh." He guffawed once more before picking it up and sitting upon it, "Lesseat!" He felt his stomach contract and sound out it's desire for food.

Valen almost dropped the dishes he managed to find at the mention of that lewd comment out of sheer hilarity. Damned Alcohol...He was starting to get giggly. So it was, a small squeak of a laugh would burst forth and he would just stand there embarrassed before bringing the plates and utensils over and setting a place for both of them. At being shushed however...Valen would begin to feel the effect of that Avian wine kicking him in the brain, and could not help but stand up after having just been seated. In a rather dignified, overly dignified most likely, Proper English accent, he would look aghast and place a hand over his chest. "Now, now, now Edlin! Don't 'shush' your friend Valen...Why...Why you'll wake up the WHOLE HOUSE!" A moment of silence before a snickering laugh. "Besides, I didn't knock over a stool.. chair.. couch? I don't even..." A blank stare would be given before he looked down at his plate. "When the hell did this get here?" Looking now over at Edlin he would narrow his eyes a bit before "...You win this time...You fast mover." Well...so much for subtlety, grace, and aplomb...Valen was properly wasted. Looking once more at the plates in front of him, as his vision had somewhat worsened, he would marvel at just how good it smelled once more before hearing Edlin's stomach, and his would sound as well. "I think they are talking to each other..." And with that, he would dig in...hoping that the food would at least soak up what alcohol had not been absorbed yet.

Irenic guffawed at Valen's last comment before stuffing his face like a greedy oaf. After his gorging he rubbed his stomach with a sigh for he felt a little better, "Well… I think I am off to bed. Thank you for all you've done, I hope you had at much fun as I did." He stood and gave Valen a fumbling drunken hug before meandering his way to his own room with the aid of the walls here or there.

Valen would blink at the departure after he had finished his dinner as well, feeling slightly less inebriated. "You are most welcome Edlin." He knew the Avian must be exhausted and could only feel the calm and alluring arms of sleep, the brother of death, himself, though perhaps he would find a bed this time to read in...might be a bit more practical and ideal. "We will speak again soon I hope, though I do suggest you sleep in." As he vanished from sight, the lone Vampire would begin to start cleaning up after their dinner. "Oh well, plenty of time to read later." That had been certainly an odd occurrence, one he might wish to not repeat. Best to stick clear of that Avian wine…