OTA

[kersen]

Kersen sometimes did this thing where when he was feeling his worst, he tried to look his best. Elaborate drag when he was the most down, for example. Like maybe he could force cheerfulness with sequins and lipstick.

This time, he couldn't seem to muster up the energy for drag, though. What "look" said 'I just found out a lover is a serial killer'? Particularly coupled with 'what does this say about my taste in men'? Finally, he'd just gone with the forced cheerfulness: dark purple leather pants and a shirt (gifted to him by an employee years ago) that read OF COURSE I'M PRO-GAY, DO YOU THINK I WORK THIS HARD TO BE AN AMATEUR GAY in bright rainbow colors.

... also he'd started smoking again. Which was a little ironic since he was pretty sure that any effect they had on him was purely psychosomatic.

However, at the moment he was having a smoke break outside his bar. It was fairly early yet, just past 9pm. The streets were still full, lively with people leaving restaurants and shops, heading into bars and theaters. He liked this time of night, where the world was still alive. Wished he could experience more of it.

Some asshole walking by threw a homophobic slur at him, and he was briefly, stupidly tempted to flash his fangs as a threat. Instead he said, "The most fabulous you'll ever see, honey," and flicked the cigarette to the ground. Luckily it was the cowardly sort of asshole, and he just stuck up his middle finger and kept walking.

Comments

[kersen]

Kersen toed out the discarded cigarette with his shoe. "Remind me, when did tobacco come over from the new world?"

Okay, he wasn't actually that old. But close.

[kersenjr]

"Uh," Bonnie said. "A long time ago?"

[kersen]

"Right," Kersen said. "So, I guess I first smoked around then. But I don't do it very often..." He sighed a little. "Mostly when I'm stressed. It doesn't actually do anything. Psychosomatic."

[kersenjr]

"Oh," Bonnie said. She'd used to be a smoker and it was a little disappointing knowing that it would have no effect on her now. Though it wasn't really surprising.

[kersen]

Kersen was quiet for a moment and then said, "Well, Bonnie. Do you think you're ready to practice your control tonight?"

[kersenjr]

She really wanted to say no, but she knew she couldn't. She wanted to run away, but she knew she couldn't do that, either.

"Sure," she said, but she didn't sound happy about it, and she wasn't looking at him anymore.

[kersen]

"I'm sorry," Kersen said, genuinely apologetic. "I know this is awkward. But you don't want to risk hurting someone do you?"

[kersenjr]

It wasn't awkwardness she felt as much as shame and utter dread, and somehow Kersen apologising made it worse.

"No," she said.

[kersen]

God he felt like an ass. He'd spent a lot of time feeling like that lately.

"Alright," he said, and took a little breath. "What would make you more comfortable, a man or a woman?"

[kersenjr]

"A woman?" She nearly swore but held it in because she didn't want to make Kersen feel bad. "I don't know."

[kersen]

"Let's go with your first instinct," Kersen said gently. That would have been his suggestion but he'd wanted to make sure. "Come on." He nodded to the door. "I have someone in mind. It will be fine."

[kersenjr]

Bonnie wasn't so sure about that. She waited quietly for him to lead the way inside, crossing her arms over her chest.

[kersen]

Kersen led her to the room behind the bar where they took blood donations from customers. "I'll be right back," he said, and then disappeared. He returned a moment later with a dark haired woman in her mid-thirties. She was well dressed but plain, and she looked relaxed and unconcerned.

"Pearl, this is Bonnie," said Kersen. "Bonnie, this is Pearl. She's a friend of mine. I told her what we need, and she's happy to help."

"Nice to meet you," said Pearl kindly.

[kersenjr]

Bonnie was fiddling nervously with her sleeve. She didn't smile back.

"Hi," she said.

[kersen]

Kersen decided it was probably just best to get right to it.

"Pearl, your wrist please," he said gently, and watched as Pearl rolled up her sleeve and offered the inside of her wrist to Bonnie.

[kersenjr]

She hadn't expected things to go quite so fast. She hadn't been happy about this from the beginning, but now that there was a stranger's bare wrist in front of her, she suddenly felt overwhelmed and sick to her stomach. She tensed up and drew back a little, making absolutely no move to take Pearl's wrist.

[kersen]

It took an act of restraint for Kersen not to snap at her that if she could attack someone without their consent she could hardly be shy about this now. But. Restraint.

"Bonnie," he said, his voice even. "Drink."

He did not assert any particular will into that statement. He suspected he could tug at their bond and make her want to obey him, but he really, really did not want to cross that line.

[kersenjr]

She stayed frozen where she was. She felt stupid just standing silently, but she didn't know what to say. "I..."