POSSIBLE PG+ RATING

The most shadowed corner of the Broken String -- which was saying something -- was occupied, and by someone who didn't seem like they belonged here. Sherise had her hood pulled as far forward as it would go, so that the only thing that could be seen was her vibrant red lips, and a slight gleam in the eyes. She didn't normally come here, but she had been bored, and decided to find something a bit more lively than her usual haunt in the City of Lanterns.

Granted, the Broken Strings was not her normal type of place, to be honest. But she hadn't been able to think of anywhere else to go. So here she was, sitting in the Broken Strings, nursing a minuscule glass of bloodwine, almost too small to even BEGIN to satisfy her thirst.

She sighed, and looked around the room, glancing into each corner, taking in each person that was here, and then passing over them as not worth her time, either as a friend, a companion, or anything for that matter, more than an annoyance.

She shook her head, and settled back in her chair, waiting, watching the door, wanting to see who would come in next. Hopefully someone interesting would come in.

The sun began setting behind the Broken Strings, Theron's own personal alarm clock telling him his day was just about to begin. Cascadia was a great place, in Theron's humble opinion; the waters were clear, the drink fantastic, and the women to die for. His feet were dancing to their own little jig on his way through the tavern doors. As soon as his first foor planted itself on the floorboards, he raised his bare arms with an, "Oi!" A scattered chorus echoed throughout the tavern, coming from the other regulars in here. Theron skipped around tables and danced between chairs. The room was still relitively empty, as the end of the day hadn't fully come 'round. When he reached the barkeeper, he gave the man a handshake and a pat on the arm. "Another day down, Chief. Many more to go?" The tender behind the counter clapped Theron's arm, too, with a reply, "Aye, Captain. May these days last forever." It was clear they've known each other for a while.

Theron didn't even have to ask for a drink before one was in his hands and he had turned around. He gave another, "Oi!" To the tavern, and again it was echoed by some patrons. Theron always had a habbit of eying the ones that didn't, as they were usually women he hadn't met yet. In fact, tonight might just be one of those nights. His eye caught someone sitting in the corner, draped in shadow. What caught Theron's interest were the supple red lips and the curves under the robes. He grinned and sauntered over casually, taking a seat not across from her, but a little to the side without invading her space. "You don't have to be shy around this lot, sweetie. The men in here are cowards when it comes to beautiful women sitting alone. Why don't you start by taking that hood off and smiling for me?" He himself smiled out one corner of his mouth and raised his mug with a raised, questioning eyebrow.

She looked up when the male called out to the bar, her ears picking up every bit of conversation with the bartender, and then the second call to the tavern. She shook her head. A braggart, like as not. But when he sauntered over and sat next to her, she decided this one might actually be worth her time.

When he told -- well, more of a request with a demand behind it -- her to remove her hood and smile, she smiled as asked, after forcing her teeth to recede slightly to normal size. It was a trick she had perfected over the years, and it allowed her to pass as normal at most times, unless there was a spellcaster that could sense undead, or someone who had already met her in full form before.

She pushed her hood back, her raven hair falling free from the loose band she had it in inside the hood. "That better?" she asked, a light smile on her lips. Her purple eyes, now visible, sparkling in the light of the room. That was another trick she had learned, and it usually worked.

She smiled more brightly, and then pulled the coy act up. "Why would you want to sit with me? There are PLENTY of women who would LOVE to have you sit with them, who would be more worth your time," she said softly, batting her eyelashes.

The little man in the sound-proof box in Theron subconcious beat helplessly at the glass again. The last time it was this frantic was when Theron had first met Lilith. There was something even more slippery about this one, a danger that was much more imminent. Sure, Lilith was one of the most dangerous women Theron knew, but that kind of dangerous wasn't the feeling Theron had that this would could transform her tongue into a sword in the middle of a kiss. But as soon as that rich, dark hair fell on those thin shoulders and those beautiful red lips parted in a smile, Theron tossed another mental cage around the little man in his head as he stared at the brilliant purple eyes. The shine was something unexpected as she had been drinking, and that usually caused something else. Theron cursed himself for picking out the sly ones. Well, at least he was somewhat ready for this one.

Theron grinned and played a bit of embarassment as he glanced down at the table with a whole-hearted smile. "Come now, love. My time isn't worth much these days and I'd rather spend it on who I choose, especially if I can make someone as gloomy as you smile in such a way to visibly liven your spirits." Of course Theron didn't realize the irony in that last statement, but nevertheless, his hand never rose to tap the bottom of her chin as it usually would have. "What brings someone with your status to a place like this?" He even skipped the part where he verbally put her up there with the queens, and assumed she already had that role down already. After all, she had chosen a wine in this lower class tavern.

She smiled softly, keeping the bashful charade up. "Oh. Well, I just got bored with all the upper level taverns around the world, and decided I'd try this place. It doesn't seem half bad. At least I'm not expected to act like a snob," she said, batting her eyelashes again. Hmm. This one might ACTUALLY be worth taking the time to get him to hang around for a while.

One hand came up to brush a part of her hair back, revealing the pointed ears of an Elven maiden, and she giggled lightly, a sound that anyone that knew her would stop and stare at. She didn't giggle. Not ever. Her laughs were the malicious ones, ones that caused nightmares for all those that had reason to fear her, one that those people dreaded hearing in their ear.

She blushed lightly, another trick she had learned, one that had its uses at times. "So what brings a fine man like yourself to this place?" she asked. It was a very pointed remark. She wanted to know exactly what it was that he did, what he worked at to make his living.

As soon as she verified her status, Theron leaned forward, a little more interested in this fair. Then she did the cutest thing ever by pulling some hair back, giggling, and blushing. A combination that usually got Theron worked up quite a bit; no one seemed to do that but the new barmaids back home, and when this other woman performed the act, Theron might have actually felt homesick if he wasn't completely focused on her. He wasn't sure how she felt about the ears though. Those meant elvan, and Theron heard too many dangerous stories about them, but once again, the little man in the soundproof box in Theron's head went unheard.

Fine man... Theron grinned and looked down at the table, seemingly charmed, but trying not to outright laugh. "A humble business man like myself comes to help out my long-time business partners on my off days." He pointed a thumb at the bartender. "I help him keep a crowd for the nights I take off from finding a new ship to um... Liberate." His smile mixed with sly and charm creeped up on his face, the smile that always ends up getting him in trouble.

Pausing, he tilted his head to the side and watched the adorable woman before saying, "You know, lass, this place rightly doesn't suit someone as fine as you... I petition a walk, you and I. What say you?" His eyes softened in the invitation, but that smile stuck to his face. "I believe the moon wouldn't mind sharing radiance tonight." Leaning forward, he repeated what she had done with the hair in her face, but on the other side. He never took his eyes off of hers.

She smiled bashfully, but inside her mind was racing. It's the middle of the night! If the moonlight hits me, I'm done for. I have to convince him to stay in here. She blushed, and giggled again, and then locked her eyes to his, eyes opening a bit wider. "I'd really much rather stay here," she said, pulling on the vampiric domination that she had as a result of having lived for as long as she had. "It's a bit too chilly for my tastes out there," she said, dropping a hand and allowing the cloak to fall open, revealing her attire. She had started this night with the intention of attracting a male for ANY purpose, and so she had forgone the high cut blouse she normally wore beneath the corset for one that left her chest bare, leaving her cleavage visible, as well as the very barest peek of her ample breasts.

"Don't you want to stay inside? Besides, if you're here to help the bartender, I don't think that he'd want you wandering off with me," she said, casting her eyes down. She had done what she meant to do with the locked gazes, and so she went back to the coy act, her eyelids fluttering again.

Theron felt odd staring into this woman's eyes. Odd, to the point where he didn't even realize anything was wrong. He sat, listened, and obeyed. When her gaze lowered, her words rang in his head and his own eyes lowered, admiring the view graciously provided by the woman. That, alone, was enough to convince Theron of anything.

"You know, you're right." He nodded a little, tearing his eyes away from her bossom, "I would be a little cold outside. In fact, it might even be a little chilly in here. I had a nice warm bath waiting for me before my charity work..." He looked away momentarily. When he looked back, the look in his eye changed to a sly grin that wouldn't have hinted on his lips, "...I'd hate to be so selfish as to not invite you to warm up with me, love." With how coy she was acting, Theron wasn't sure if she'd go for it, but the opportunity presented itself to ask, and Theron wasn't going to pass up a chance like this.

She blushed, and looked away. Inwardly, she was grinning like a cheshire cat, fangs bared. Outwardly, she was the picture of innocence. "I... Oh, I don't know, good sir. I don't feel I know you quite well enough for that." She shook her head slowly, her hair moving slightly as she did, and then looked back at the table, eyelids fluttering, CLEARLY stating that she would not be against him convincing her otherwise.

In her mind, she was dancing for joy, and preparing for a LONG night ahead of her. If things went well... well, things would be a lot steadier come morning. And of course, she could go all night if she needed to. She didn't have to sleep. Hadn't had to sleep for the last two milennia, but she did simply for appearance sake.

Theron's seen that look before and knew what it meant. Smiling, he nudged her glass closer to her and took his own in hand. He nodded toward the stairs. "Finish your drink and come with me. It'll be fine, trust me." He emptied his nearly full glass in one chug and set it down on the table hard. He eased himself out of his chair, stood up, and held out his hand for her.

To tell the truth, he was midly impressed with the acting skills on this lass. he knew such, if only because of a few minor details. First, she didn't blush during that last performance, and every truely innocent girl he's been with turned bright red and stammered. Secondly, she wore just the right clothes to make someone like Theron kiss the floor.

She giggled. Downing the little bit of bloodwine that was left in her glass, she placed her hand in his. "If you're sure it'll be okay," she said softly, and stood slowly, the cloak swinging open fully, revealing that she was wearing a skirt that, unlike her normal skirts, only fell halfway to her knees. Now, the skirts she normally wore fell all the way to the floor, or very nearly. And she also normally wore boots. Right now, however, she was wearing high heels, six inches of extra height on the heel.

As they headed toward the stairs, she looked down at the floor as she leaned on his shoulder, her face turning about the color of a tomato. "I just... just... be gentle... I've.... Well, I've never been with a man, in ANY fashion." Her smile vanished, and turned into a nearly pitiful pout. This was the honest truth. She had never had an interest in them, at least not in that way. But something about this one.... He was a brigand, a scoundrel. And for some reason, that sort of person always piqued her interest. But they were usually always too willful, or murderous raving lunatics. This one, though. He was kind, sincere, and most of all, knew how to talk to a woman.

Theron took her hand with a smile, casually watched her stand with eyes caressing her body. Walking beside her, he swung the arm holding her hand so that it crossed her arm over her front and his arm rested on the small of her back; he pulled gently, rubbing the side of their hips together. He glanced at the bartender with gleaming eyes and the bartender stifled a grin, and nodded slightly instead, going back to work.

"I just... just... be gentle... I've.... Well, I've never been with a man, in ANY fashion."

Theron's eyebrow shot to the cieling as images of multiple women flashed his thoughts. He quickly recomposed himself with a grin, "No worries, love... we'll ease into things." His grin split his face on that comment and he eyed his companion with a humored look, not really meant to be taken seriously.

It was then he never even got her name. Things were moving on well... And Theron swore under his breath. Things that went well were bad. The little man in the soundproof box broke free a little too late... again. Theron walked up the stairs and headed to his own personal bathing room, partner in arm, "So what's your name, love? Or should I just keep calling you that?"

She blushed, looking up at him with a twinkle in her eyes. "Sherise. Sherise Moonglow, though I don't mind you calling me that," she said, blushing lightly. "I... I think I'll like that," she said, in response to his 'ease into things' comment.

She blushed, knowing full well what he probably meant, but at this point in time, she didn't care. She wanted to enjoy herself tonight, and if that meant going there, she would. Of course, she might be a bit... out of it tomorrow, but she didn't particularly care. She was going to enjoy this night, and everything that came with it.

She giggled. "So what exactly is it you want to show me, then? And what is your name, if I might ask?"

Theron smiled, placing a hand on the door knob to his bathing room. The metal handle was warm to the touch of a relieved Theron. "My name's Theron, love." He opened the door and gave it a small push, letting it swing open the rest of the way, revieling a heated, steaming room with a large, circular bath in the middle of it. Of course it wasn't his, but no one needed to know that, or that he was borrowing it for the moment.

With the arm around Sherise's back, Theron nudged her into the room first and he followed, quietly closing it behind him and locking it on the knob. He was already enjoying the extra warmth and let his large thick cloak drop from his arms and back in a heap on the floor. "Ah... Now, isn't that much better?" He walked over to the wall next to the door and grabbed a pair of towels, then stepped back to hand one to Sherise with a smile.

She took the towel with a shy smile, and let her own cloak drop to the floor. Her body was perfect, at least what could be seen with the way she was dressed. There was a flush creeping up her neck, and it didn't look like a heat flush.

She nodded, and smiled at him shyly. "A bit," she said softly. Now she WAS getting shy, simply because, in spite of all the ways she had ever gotten what she wanted, this was completely new for her. So she was trying to keep her body from forcing her to break and run.

Theron eyed Sherise playfully, but noticed she was starting to get either nervous, embarassed, or just shy. Maybe his initial thoughts about her were off? Something that rarely happened to the genasi. He mentally shrugged and decided to take the lead, then.

Tugging on a string on the front of his pants, they dropped to the floor around his feet, followed by a wink at Sherise. He debated taking even his skivvies off, but for the uncertainties surrounding his current victim, he left on the shorts and stepped into the makeshift hot tub and invited her in with a crooked finger and lingering stare.

Sherise blushed slightly, and slowly undid the string that was holding the corset as tight as it was, loosening it from both sides, before letting it drop down past her waist, and to the floor.

Her skirt soon joined the corset, revealing a pair of tight fitting boy-shorts underneath. When she lifted the blouse straight up over her head, she paused for a moment, and then pulled it the rest of the way off. She had on a simple strip of cloth, enough to keep her covered, but most of her skin was now showing.

She walked over to the tub slowly, her eyes on his, and slipped into the water across from him, a low sigh her only sign that this wasn't COMPLETELY new to her. She was at least used to pampering herself with a hot bath.

She smiled shyly. "So... now what?" she asked.

Theron raised an eyebrow at her question. Experienced women were so much more interesting, he had to admit... Oh well.

Leaning forward, Theron took her hands in his and leaned back, pulling her with him until she was practically sitting on his lap. "Well, if you have to ask... maybe you shouldn't and just go with it." He took her chin in his thumb and index finger and leaned in to plant a long kiss on her lips. He moved his hand from her chin to the back of her neck, and his other rested on the side of her hip. Pulling away from the kiss slowly, he grinned with his lips still brushing hers. "Just go with it, love..."

She gasped lightly when he pulled her into his lap. It hadn't been ENTIRELY unexpected, but she was still shocked by how quickly he was moving. When he kissed her, she reacted instinctively, her arms going around behind him, her nails dragging gently down his back, as she leaned her lips into his. Her hips moved slightly, pressing into his as she kissed him back.

When he pulled back, she gasped for breath, and pressed her chest against his, her eyelids fluttering. The flush was clearly visible now, even through the steam coming off the water. She leaned her chin against his shoulder, and sighed in contentment. "This is nice," she said, directly into his ear, her warm breath wafting over it.

Theron grinned when she put her head on his shoulder. He took advantage of this to nibble on her elongated ear, when a question came up. "I knew you'd feel more comfortable in here where it's warm and quiet..." He kissed her ear lobe and moved down toward her neck, "So, if you don't mind me asking, what race are you? You look elven, but you don't act like one... at least, not from personal experience." His lips brushed her skin when he spoke. As he was pulling away from her to listen to her response by actually looking at her, his eyes caught a pair of small marks on her neck. He eyed them questioningly, but didn't say anything just yet. His next statement was more of a murmur than a whisper, "You'd think elves would be more uptight about this kind of thing..."

She batted her eyelashes. "Is that really important?" she asked softly, her back arching when he nibbled on her extremely sensitive ear. Her alarm bells had gone off, especially when she saw his eyes on her neck, right where the vampire had bitten her some 2700 years ago.

She shook her head. "I'm an elf, I've just been around for a lot longer than most elves." She shrugged. "I don't know why I've lived so long. It's one of those things that I accept," she said, leaning forward to lean against him, her chin resting back to his shoulder. "It makes for some interesting reactions.

"I guess I'm just one of the lucky elves," she said softly, returning his gesture and nibbling on HIS ear, her teeth grazing it slightly.

Theron's gut was wretching. Something was seriously wrong here. Women were bad, Theron knew, but he knew nothing of how bad elven women were ontop of that. ...Or whatever this one was. He was in the middle of a thought on how he hated people with luck while his was so crappy, when she attacked his ear. Chills crawled down Theron's arching spine and when her teeth brushed against it, he bit his lip in a failed attempted at stopping a very quiet moan. At that instant, the rush of addrenaline clouded his thoughts and the little man screaming inside his head was shut back into a soundproof box.

Leaning forward, Theron took control of the situation his own way, quickly taking the two of them to the opposite side of the hot tub where he was now ontop of her.

[Fade to black.]

The next morning, Theron woke early. The sun hadn't yet even poked over the horizon and the sky held that deep blue mixed with orange on the horizon. Truth be told, he hadn't actually gone to sleep very heavily. If anything, it was a slight nap. He glanced at the woman next to him, and that little man in his head was throwing a tantrum. Theron half-smirked at the thought that nothing was wrong until he noticed something. The smiling woman next to him, obviously either having good dreams or still enjoying the night before, caught his eye, or rather, her teeth did. He leaned over with a furrowed eyebrow and examined the exagerated k-9s and one of his eyebrows shot strait up. His eyes went between the bite mark on her neck and the two sharp teeth.

Theron was out in a flash. He was still tieing his pants with his cloak over his shoulder by the time he raced downstairs and out the front door of the inn. He got some odd looks from passerbys when he finished fitting his pants. Nevertheless, he ignored them, slung his cloak around his back and caught it with his other arm, and headed down the nearest alley as fast as his feet could take him without attracting more attention.

Sherise awoke to the sun shining in her eyes, to an empty bed. She sat up, and then realized that her fangs were out. She swore. There was no sign that Theron had ever even been here, other than the fact that the other side of the bed was as messed up as hers, and the water still drying off the floor.

She sulked for a few minutes, then rose and dressed herself, calmly, slowly. When she got to the corset, she shook her head, removed her blouse, and changed it for the one she normally wore. She was going home, in a way. She would be off men for a while, given what Theron had just done.

To be honest, she thought him rather shallow, simply for running out just because she was a vampire and hadn't told him. She hadn't bitten him, so why was he so uptight.

Once she was dressed, she practically floated down the stairs and out the door. She was heading for Taras, and the Song of Elves Tavern and Inn. Maybe she could properly enjoy herself there.