Gathering Post

[lcrpg_npc]

The Queen's official birthday celebrations might wait for the better, brighter weather of June, instead of the actual date just passed, but there was no lack of things to do in London this week, even if it was cooler and damper than the week before. St. George's day festivities were scattered throughout the city, competing with celebrations of the four hundredth anniversary of Shakespeare's death. Getting around the city could be even more difficult than usual on Sunday, with multiple streets closed off for the London marathon.

There were exhibits - everything from graphic design to a survey of Sicilian history to the influence of underwear. And the same level of diversity could be found whether you were in the mood for music, theatre, good food, or late night fun. There was something for everyone, and no matter your plans - or lack of plans - you never quite knew what you were going to find, or who might find you.



[Week long gp! Tag in, tag others, and check in daily to see who's joined in.]

Comments

[thenorthman]

That was definitely the kind of answer Eric approved of. He ignored the elevator operator - he hasdno doubt he'd seen much worse - and took her hand, then turned into her, trapping her before the elevator wall and his own body. She had more than enough time to stop him if she didn't want him to, as he leaned in to kiss her, something deep, complicated, and promising, meant to leave her breathless by the time they reached the Roof Gardens.

[codenamemilady]

Milady had no intention of stopping him. She'd invited the kiss, and the promise in it. At his disposal and in his hands didn't mean she was some delicate flower, though, wilting when plucked and falling apart when crushed. She was spring steel, giving and bending when pushed the right ways, but strong enough to push back and return to herself, and she let Eric feel that as she gave into the kiss, and found herself quite breathless when the elevator and the kiss stopped.

[thenorthman]

She was exquisite, and Eric smiled against her lips when the kiss stopped, a hand on her hips, the other still holding hers. He took his sweet time straightening up, then smiled at the elevator boy and offered her his arm before stepping out.

[codenamemilady]

Milady took the offered arm as though it was hers by right – tonight it was – and allowed him to lead her out of the elevator without a second thought for the operator or what he might think of them. It had only been a kiss, after all. Her subtle smile was for Eric.

[thenorthman]

"The gardens, or some privacy?" Eric asked conversationally as they headed for the bar. There was a VIP area he could easily get them into, or they could have a walk outside. Of course, there was a third option.

[codenamemilady]

"Privacy, I believe. It's worked for us so far, and I don't see any reason to change that now." All the better to put herself in his hands as well.

[thenorthman]

Privacy it was. Eric gave her an expectant look as they reached the bar and, when she did not change her order from last time, chatted with the bartender to select a good bordeaux for her.

[codenamemilady]

Milady waited until she had her drink and they'd stepped away from the bar to observe, "You're very knowledgeable about wine for someone who doesn't drink."

[thenorthman]

"I like good things," Eric answered with a smirk, his hand on her back to draw her towards the VIP area. He turned his head towards her to add, sotto voce, trusting his peripheral vision not to have them walk into anything, or anyone, "But I have better plans for my mouth in the near future."

[codenamemilady]

Good answer. But Milady smirked as she murmured back, "Who says I'm good?"

[thenorthman]

"I wouldn't call you a thing either, so that works out," Eric insolently remarked, and gave her a smile before turning to the VIP bouncer. "I'm Eric Northman," he told him, once he had made eye contact (and glamoured him). "I'm on the list."

"Of course, Mr Northman," the bouncer replied, moving out of the way for them to get through.

[codenamemilady]

"It does," Milady agreed as they continued on toward their table. "Men who would call me a thing generally find the cost of their mistake too painful for their liking."

[thenorthman]

"Generally," Eric echoed, not quite a question, as he led her towards an alcove at the back of the room. The atmosphere here was more intimate, half-lit, the tables spaced out and the service as discreet as possible.

[codenamemilady]

"Generally. Always." Milady waved off the distinction as irrelevant. "I've been told my judgments can be absolute.

"But really, only when it's necessary."

[thenorthman]

"That sounds very relative," Eric remarked with a small smile, gesturing for her to take a seat on the sofa behind the table.

[codenamemilady]

"Hm." Her skirt rode up slightly as she took a seat, revealing more pale skin against the slit in the black fabric. "I believe so. But my definition of 'necessary' doesn't always align with others'. I don't believe in being taken for granted."

[thenorthman]

"Is that what I rescued you from?" Eric asked as he took a seat beside her, turned towards her. With the size of him, it meant that one of his legs settled against her knees, and he had no doubt that if she objected, she would say so.

He also had very little doubt that she would object, given the way the evening had gone so far.

[codenamemilady]

If Milady objected, he would know, but she had no reason to, and a brief press of her knee against his leg showed her approval.

"Taking me for granted would've been a step up for him, I believe. But getting him out of my life completely would cause... complications for me right now. So for the moment, I have to settle for educating him."

[thenorthman]

His arm lined on the back of the sofa, Eric was clearly entirely focused on her, which wasn't 100% true, but it was a nice impression to give, on more than one level. "Standing him up will have served its purpose, hopefully."

[codenamemilady]

"It's a start. I'm sure when I check my phone, there'll be a series of increasingly cross messages to be deleted." She didn't seem bothered by the idea, or in any hurry to check those messages. Not when she had Eric's attention for herself.

"You'll be thinking I'm some virago, though, if I keep on like this. I'm not. I simply don't see the point in having less than I want."

[thenorthman]

"A virago isn't a bad thing to be," Eric replied, raising his eyebrows slightly.

[codenamemilady]

"Most men would disagree." Eric Northman was not most men, as Milady had suspected from the moment he invited her to join him at the opera. "But most men don't know how to get what they want either. They only believe they do."

[thenorthman]

"Most men are fucking idiots," Eric agreed wholeheartedly, lips curved in a slight smile as his fingertips found her knee. The touch was light, but not tentative. It was a prelude, not hesitation. "I prefer the company of people who will have what they want." Like her. Like Pam. Who would most definitely like Clarice.

[codenamemilady]

"You've yet to say exactly what it is you want," Milady pointed out, invitation more than actual question. "Beyond my company, which you have tonight."

[thenorthman]

"But where's the fun in saying it," Eric replied, curving his fingers along her thigh, a glint in his eyes as he leaned in, and down, to kiss that tantalizing spot between her ear and her choker.