After Eights (Elsa & Drac)

[Gummy]

Dracula had heard the Elsa Bloodstone was around again and he needed to have words. So what he did was arrange for a dress, matching clutch purse, heels and a rather nice silver hair pin to be sent to her current residence. On top of the box was a single Etoile de Hollande Climbing Rose with a strong scent and dark velvety red petals, attached to the rose was an envelope sealed with wax and with beautiful handwritten name. The card was simple.

"Dear Miss Bloodstone,
I would be honoured if your would kindly attend a dinner tomorrow night. The address is on the back and it starts at 8:30pm, sorry for the lateness.
Yours Sincerely
Count Vladimir Tepes Dracula
P.S. I hope you like the dress."

-------------------

The following night Dracula was waiting at venue which had been book specially for the pair to have some quiet time. Hopefully without any blade/dagger/crosses involved. His cloak was already stored in the coat room and his wore a fetching suit with satin lapels and white waistcoat with gold thread, the shirt was also white and his black shoes shone in the light. He was looking older and more tired than normal. He waited to see if his expected date would show.

[JacobSteakfries]

ELSA BLOODSTONE
"There's always a bloody village to save..."

---

"He's got to be having a laugh."

Elsa was incredibly incredulous at what she came home to after her waltz through New York. Here she was thinking business was slowing down here on the east coast like maybe she's been doing her job to well and Dracula is putting the moves on her? She certainly hopes not, though it'd be very like a vampire to suddenly start obsessing with young twenty-somethings such as herself.

Eyeing the 'gifts' shes been given with a mixture of suspicion and disgust, she sighed and wondered what exactly his game was. She hasn't seen hide nor hair of the Big D since she first started out this monster hunting business, and now he was inviting her to some gala? It was too dodgy not to investigate, though she didn't like it. Something about him sending a silver hair pin especially made her mind wander, like maybe it was a message to show he's not afraid of the bloodstone. Oldies like Dracula of course aren't as scared of silver as a fresh vampire, but it still made her a bit paranoid.

"Fine." She said to herself, reluctantly lifting up the dress. "I'll play your little game, Vlad. But don't expect me to play by your rules."


-------------------

It was really concerning he knew her measurements. The sodding dress fit like a glove.

When she arrived she had indulged in the vampire by arriving in the dress. (After sufficient use of frankly whatever she could find in the basement to counter-spell any potential hexes, cleaned it thoroughly in holy water, and then had the priest she had on speed dial blessed it for good measure.) Her hair was indeed pinned up, her usual ponytail pinned up in a fanned upward spread, but the silver pin she was given was assisted by a mysterium pin just in case. (Actually a flatchette round, because it's too expensive to try to make bullets out of, but it should serve as an anti-magic tool in a pinch.) She ditched the clutch purse though, wasn't her style, she had a shoulder bag made of some kind of exotic leather instead. The color and texture was so jet black it almost seemed to absorb the light around it, which made it still plenty fashionable despite its size.

"It's been a while Dracula. Haven't seen you since I was still a blonde." She'd bluntly say when she spotted him, stopping a safe distance away. The last notable thing was her choker. It didn't have a gem of any kind in it. "I hope you weren't thinking that same scared little girl would walk up to you. Unlike vampires, us humans can change a lot in five or so years."

---

"Just stow it already, you git."

[Gummy]

Vlad smiled in a friendly way as she approached him. Then placing one hand behind his back and the other offering it to her, he bowed to her.

"You have never been a scared little girl. At least I have never seen you that way. The hair suits you so grown up. Thank you for coming. I promise I will not harm you. If anyone tries anything they will have me to deal with."

He straightened to look at her and indicated for her to follow him to the table where he pulled a chair out for her.

"I have been around. Busy but around. I am glad you seem to be doing well. I am sorry for the lateness of our meeting. The summer really does cut short the amount of work I can do. There is a good selection of food available, you can pick anything on the menu..."

Yes, he was being a gentleman. Part of what he can chose to be. He meant what he said to her. If anyone did hurt her they would be sorry they ever did.

[JacobSteakfries]

ELSA BLOODSTONE
"There's always a bloody village to save..."

---

His unwillingness to admit the elephant in the room was rubbing her the wrong way. Even someone as old as him must understand that inviting a monster hunter out on a date when you're the Dracula would set off warning bells for anyone. It was so absurd she felt her old temper flare up, reminding her of their first personal encounter. Namely when she knocked his block off for trying to bite her.

"Oh it's not big deal, I usually work late nights anyway. If anything I've come to appreciate how different the world seems at this kind of hour~" She'd remark so casually, approaching him with a wide smile as she went to take his hand. Except she did not do so gently, instead pulling him close to speak directly and firmly into his ear as to not make a scene. A bold move to put a vampire so close to your neck, but surely he knew better.

"I don't have time for games, Tepes. You're not the only one who works for a living, so stow the gentleman act for the young adult novel fangirls." Her words were succinct, like a knife through butter. She tried to be more patient these days, but something about gentleman act was getting her tilted. It always did. Every vampire thought they could charm the pants off whatever girl they set their mind to with posh words and lavish promises. But the second you break through their facade they always ended up just like any other wild beast.

In her mind, all he was just another vampire right now. Which meant he was on very thin ice.

"So don't give me the runaround and just get to he point of what you want tonight. I'm giving you the privilege of my time, not the other way around." Cutting through the chaff with her words, she'd put the fake smile back on her face as she let go of the man and gestured for them to head to their table. While she wasn't particularly hungry, she at least acknowledged that a vampire likely wouldn't be keen pulling something somewhere so public. Somewhere so seen. She was going to take advantage of the neutral ground Dracula chose, but that doesn't mean he'd let him control the field.

---

"Just stow it already, you git."

[Gummy]

If Vlad wanted to he could have resisted but chose not to. It didn't matter not at the moment. The words she said were clear to him and he liked the newer version of her. The temptation was there but he didn't need to not tonight and the memory of previous encounters were still fresh in his memory. Once she leaned away he didn't say anything.

"We would look daft carrying on this conversation stood. Lets sit then I shall talk. I appreciate your time. The business will not take long so you can carry on with your evening hunting if you so wish."

If he was able to get her seated he would then take his own chair. If not he would just stand there before he continued.

"There is a war coming, part of it has already started in Toronto, Canada. Blade, I believe is up there dealing with them. The kin here are also starting to fight which is a problem. The recent swa.... fights amoung the mutants and humans and skrulls have allowed an opening. I'm trying to keep the peace but some of the youth don't follow my footsteps. Let alone I am partitioning the UN to make Transilvania a member of them. I have implemented a new tax which will stop the need for us to hunt. It is not much but the people are a little happier. It for that reason I am here. The living conditions are being improved and the money that was the tax is now going back to them in full. My way is much better with half blood going to the hospitals and half for us. In exchange we provide a safe country that will defend them against things like Skrulls."

He looked at the glasses on the table.

"I have contacted you to say... any vampires left in this country are yours for the taking once the bid has been confirmed. There is another problem that you have. The vampires here have been setting up blood farms. Humans are being stock piled in barns and other large areas in order to provide a steady flow of blood. I am against this and will help any who wish to take them down. Would you like to join me on a hunt?"

[JacobSteakfries]

ELSA BLOODSTONE
"There's always a bloody village to save..."

---

Elsa wasn't keen on letting monsters take the lead, but she wasn't going to make a scene without having to. She has some hazy memories of rambunctious rebellion that while fun to think about, aren't conducive to a professional. Or even a very likeable person. And she couldn't afford to piss of more than monsters. Besides this place does look kind of nice.

Sitting down with her arms crossed, she'd led Dracula do his sales pitch. What followed was actually a pretty surprising flow of information.

"No bloody wonder things have been quiet on the eastern seaboard." She said to herself upon hearing the troubles have moved up North. Between all that's going on it's at times hard to get information for work. After all people like using the word 'monster' for mutants and skrulls these days. She's already had to turn away her fair share of offers that were simply bigots trying to make her a personal hitman before all this.

By the time that Dracula left his offer on the table, the waitress left their water on the table. She was sipping it thoughtfully, thinking about how times truly were changing. With all that's been going on she's been putting in a conscious effort to not treat all monsters as mindless, the lines get blurry with some mutants and people like Hulk running around. She needed to know their intentions as well as their actions, she just didn't expect Vlad here to be one of those types. But even then, this wouldn't be their first team-up...and she can only imagine after over a hundred years of this vampire business you get tired of the stalking and preying all the time.

"While I appreciate the offer, it's not like I do this for the money you know. I don't need bids on vampire bounties here or anywhere." Elsa spoke with a museful tone, leaning in close on the table. "I do it because it's the only thing I know. My whole life's been leading up to this and I'm good at it, isn't that enough of a reason to keep it up?" She questioned, knowing the obvious holes in that argument. Especially since Dracula likely knew firsthand just how pleasant her father was.

"So I'll take your offer. But I'm not going to let sleeping dogs lie in Canada just because Blade is there. I do this for my own reasons, Vlad. Not because of some familial pride or because I'm a gun for hire." The look in her eyes showed she was serious about this statement, but she decided to not elaborate. Maybe if this all works out he can get the details, but even now she wasn't keen on spilling her guts out in front of a vampire.

"So sure, prove to me you're serious about this. That this isn't just some vampire politicking and you consolidating power among your own side. Because believe me, I'd like to believe you. But I've been taught in great detail about what happens to people who give an inch to a vampire." She let her stance linger in the air, looking at the menu as she did. She was going to play ball with taking down the blood farms, but beyond that? It'd take time to prove to Elsa that Dracula had everyone's best interests in mind. He was too powerful, too influential, to simply take at his word.

But if he was serious? Then there was nothing to worry about. It'd only be a matter of time before he earned her trust. Something vampires have plenty of.

---

"Just stow it already, you git."

[Gummy]

Vlad looked at her without speaking for a few seconds. The questions didn't really need to be answered. She knew the answer and didn't need him coddling her into realising it. He ordered a raw stake hold the seasoning. He did find it amusing asking for it. He thought about her suggestion.

"I would never say you were a gun for hire. I just know you would be able to work when I can not. The people there will need aid and will no doubt need support. Some of the younger vampires have a habit of branding or tattooing their property, sometimes on the inside of the wrists or the nape of the neck. They are addicts or err.... groupies... no..."

He paused switching to his native tongue trying to find the right younger word.

"Sycophants... ahhh! Wanna-be vampires. They can be just as dangerous and even more delusional than their masters. There are a number of properties that I have discovered. I just want one of your kind there to organise rescue of the people. What they are doing is barbaric and wrong."

His fist hit the table and there was a slight cracking noise that came from it as well as the glasses spilling.

"Apologies... "

He said mopping up the spill with a napkin and composing himself.

[JacobSteakfries]

ELSA BLOODSTONE
"There's always a bloody village to save..."

---

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. She frankly didn't recognize most things on the menu barring the meats, a lot of her meals wherever she went were the rustic or local variety. She ultimately ordered a steak herself, even if they were offering things like 'au jus' and a 'bacon and mushroom demi-glace' with it, it's still a slab of beef at the end of the day. Simple eats.

"Got to wonder why they bother branding them. What are they afraid of vampire rustlers stealing their human cattle?" She pointed out, though was no less disgusted by the idea of branding humans like the cattle that no doubt went into the steak they're eating. Maybe it was for magical reasons, keep them docile via spells, but that'd make them easily found by any wizard or someone who can sense magic. Or maybe they just get their kicks off the feeling of control.

Still the little outburst from Vlad did cause her eyes to widen some. Her mouth full of steak she looked around and saw that indeed some people, staff included, turned to look at the commotion. Maybe she gives vampires a little too much credit when it comes to keeping a low-profile.

Alright, alright, I get it." She assured the guy before he got any more passionate about the subject. "If you sort out a location we can get this done tonight. I'm sure this might not surprise you, but this shoulder bag has at least ten ways to kill a vampire in it." Give or take, anyway. She might still feel a little naked in this outfit, but between her and Dracula surely they can handle a bunch of wannabe vampires regardless if she's got to do it in high heels.

---

"Just stow it already, you git."

[Gummy]

The stake was good and he would probably regret it later but it was still good.

"You are close. They are like the coterie or gangs. Show their loyalty and hope to rise the ranks to be turned. Disloyalty is dealt with swiftly and those who change because of their leader vanquished need to start all over again. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the humans in the farms were some of the disloyal people."

He thought before taking the next bite about her offer and then nodded.

"I know just the one. It is not just the vampire it is their subordinates we need to be careful of. They protect their own from others, a pleasant enough afair but that does mean they carry, even things to drop others who might not be in their little extended gang. If they get together too much there will be civil war between us all and I know which side will win but the losses will be far too great."

He patted is lips dry subtly depositing the meat inside before placing it on the plate folded neatly. Inclinded his head.

"I have a car waiting if you care to travel with me or we can enjoy this before we leave?"

[JacobSteakfries]

ELSA BLOODSTONE
"There's always a bloody village to save..."

---

How kind of pathetic this situation was had truly began to set in. This wasn't a horde of seduced or brainwashed kids serving vampires, it was some kind stratified cult of wannabes. The thought alone was souring her food, as day after day people unwillingly have their humanity ripped out of them and here we got some brats who try and make a game of it.

"I get it, but if push comes to shove don't be afraid to twist their arm." Elsa spoke coldly, pointing at Vlad with her fork. "From the sounds of things, a lot of these must be kids. Monster fans dealing with things they don't clearly understand. We don't want to get into an open fight with them but we need to give them a cold, hard dose of reality lest they just go stir up trouble somewhere else." Leaning back in her chair she sipped from her glass as she looked off into the middle-distance, thinking to herself. "Best case scenario is showing them how ugly being a vampires thrall can be. And how ugly it is to take a vampire out."

She sighed, annoyed, as the reality that there might not be a catch-all solution here. What's important is dismantling this little cadre. Some may go on to cause more trouble, but others might get bored or will be humbled by the fact that vampire hunters are very real. It's always the human element that was the hardest parts of these blasted jobs.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, I guess that'll be fine." She responded to the offer for a ride after getting shook from her inner pre-planning. "I don't know about you but I'll need time for this to digest. The food and the information." She responded, cutting into her meal once again. Best wrap dinner up, the quicker they're done the better if they were going to take more conventional travel to their destination.

She kind of can't imagine the guy sitting across from her driving a sedan, though.

---

"Just stow it already, you git."

[Gummy]

Vlad nodded in agreement. Then purposefully took a deep breath as he took another part of his meat and drained it. It wasn't ideal but it was polite so she didn't feel alone. The meals here were always good and part of him really missed the joy that food brought. He called the waiter over and whispered something to them. They frowned and nodded before turning and leaving.

"Finish by all means. They are good."

He sat there for another quiet second.

"Have you had time to just enjoy other hobbies? Me, I like to read, the internet is good but to feel the weight of a book in your hand is definitely better than a slim... kindle!"

He chuckled a little before dabbing the napkin to his lips removing the last of the stake. It was good but nothing like his meal earlier. He needed other allies for his plan to work. If all failed... he knew what would happen. His mind went to the blood parties he had heard about and the enmass vampire making ceremonies. The blood was getting thinner and if they had the chance to become day walkers like some had... the world could be overrun within a year.

[JacobSteakfries]

ELSA BLOODSTONE
"There's always a bloody village to save..."

---

She gave him a wide-eyed pause with her fork still in her mouth after he tried to make small talk with her. Slowly she lowered her fork onto the plate and wiped down her hands with a sigh. There was still some meat on the bone, but she doesn't think she can mentally handle awkward small talk at dinner with Dracula. Especially if she's going to get this on the car ride over.

"I think I'm good to go." Was her only real response. There was something sad about sandbagging and old mans attempts to connect with you, but this was still a job. She wasn't exactly looking to make friends tonight. Besides, this is her hobby. It'd sound depressing if she admitted that however, so she didn't. Sure she could think of things she did to kill time, but she didn't need Dracula to remind her of how one-sided her focus in life is.

"...Maybe give audiobooks a try, I hear they're pretty popular nowadays." Her conscious, or maybe her pity, eventually won out though. She avoided eye-contact as she got up, presuming Vlad would handle the bill. She imagined being Dracula came with enough stigma, you could hardly get anyone that isn't a vampire to trust you and those that were probably were either subservient or trying to take your legend as their own. When the thought crossed her mind, she just had to give him an inch.

It seems like such a lonely existence. Maybe that's why Dracula was so gung-ho about this, a bunch of kids trying to become vampires just because it's cool. A silly thought, with how rough mutants get it, but the young don't know better. Maybe she's just giving him too much credit, but surely on some level the vampire of vampires would understand it's not always all it's cracked up to be.

---

"Just stow it already, you git."

[Gummy]

A smile and a laugh came from Dracula. As he put his cutlery neatly on the plate showing he had finished. He held his hand up with elegant fingers to the waiter.

"Please have one of your lemon marangue pies to go and the bill. Thank you."

Then he turned back to Elsa with the same smile thought for a few moments before speaking.

"I meant for you. You should spend some time relaxing, reading... or listening to an old classic. Some can be incredibly enlightening."

The waiter came and Vlad reached into his inside pocket and removed a wallet which looked more hard than normal. Given it came from his left breast pocket you could understand why it was harder than normal. He removed two $100 bills and placed it on the plate and picked up the to go bag. Then moved around to Elsa and pulled the chair out.

"If you need to change we can stop somewhere to do so."