Chương 24: Second Taste of the Spotlight
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Vampire rule N°21: Don't stick your fangs in crazy.
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It was a calm night, with only twelve gunshots and screams of utter terror being caught by the aspiring f*ckmothering vampire.
*Bang*
'Actually, make that thirteen.' He thought, morbidly amused, picking up on the screams of a man who just executed his dear wife for having an affair with his father...in law.
*Bang*
'I stand corrected, fourteen it is.'
Truly a Gotham Moment.
The police sirens were ringing by the time he reached his destination, one of those self-aggrandizing hubs for insomniacs who enjoy oddly specific beverages...and he ain't talking about vampires.
'Smells pretty nice.' John thought, taking a moment to enjoy the aroma of coffee beans as he stepped into the café.
A small and rustic hipster-magnet of a spot, with all the decorations and meaningful art one could expect from such a place.
Instead of the standard seating arrangement, it was filled with many small closed booths, an absolute treat for people with social anxiety or those longing for more intimate discussions.
Not his first choice, but he was the one getting asked out for a change, so it wasn't his problem.
Now that was a strange thought; the vampire being invited by the prey, pretty ironic.
He avoided the waiter, a lanky fellow with a well-groomed moustache and an oversized beanie, going directly for the plat-du-jour.
It didn't take long for John to spot a familiar blonde head extending from one of the booths.
A very distracted blonde head.
Now that's just asking for trouble.
The vampire walked soundlessly for such is his nature, he towered over the booth, his long arms reaching out for each side as if to block the poor woman's escape.
He cast a shadow over her, but she didn't seem to notice, a rookie mistake; shower-thoughts are to be left in the shower, everyone knows that.
"Hi there!" He said with a smile that only grew larger when she yelped, getting the attention of the staff and the few clients who gave any care to the outside world.
Now if he was an ordinary fellow, he might've gotten in trouble for stalking the lady and being a nuisance, his harmless prank would have summoned legions of Karens ready to strike him down with their fearsome nagging.
Fortunately though, John looked good, so all he got was a few chuckles.
"Now that was a cute sound." He said, taking a seat right in front of her.
"John!" the flustered woman admonished, lightly reaching out under the table to strike his leg.
Now if it was an anime, she would have punched him in the face and made him bleed despite his superior durability.
Unless it was a hentai, in that case, she would've struck his third leg.
"I regret nothing." He said with a chuckle, but Vicky was wise enough to ignore him and order something from Beanie Guy, he took the opportunity to check her out….ergh, study her current attire.
She had shed her coat, leaving it lying beside her, so he could clearly see her white-collared knee length black dress, her long stockings-covered legs and brown boots.
To this he could only say one thing.
'Stockings are justice.'
"You look incredible." He said, leaving out the light degeneracy, that kind of stuff should only be said after putting a ring on the woman's finger.
"Thank you," she smiled adorably, the kind of smile that disarmed more than one person before she stole and revealed their dirty little secrets, "You clean up nicely too."
'My skincare routine is bathing in the blood of virgins.' He wanted to say, but understood that all relationships required sacrifices.
A rather awkward silence was about to set in, but they were rescued by the one and only Beanie Guy.
"Here you go," He put two large cups on the table, "Two Triple Venti Half-Sweet Non-Fat Caramel Macchiato with Extra Whipped Cream, Two Pumps of Hazelnut, a Dash of Cinnamon, No Foam, Light Ice, and a Drizzle of Chocolate on Top."
Even as a world-hopping, aspirant fuckmothering vampire, John was confused.
"Thanks," Vicky, on the other hand, was not.
He sipped some of the suspicious beverage, let his transformed taste buds do their jobs then formed an educated opinion based purely on his subjective perception.
"I prefer black coffee."
"That's boring," Vicky said.
"No, it's inclusive." He said, then continued before she could process his words, "How's the job treating you? Heard some pricks were giving you a hard time."
There was a second question in that sentence, did she want his help dealing with them?
Their little arrangement was rather simple, he'd help her get information and proper equipment, use his connects to keep her superiors out of her case, and she'll raise in the ranks until such a time when she can actually cast a light on those responsible for the social and economic disaster known as Brideshead, and the whole East End to a lesser extent.
The why or how of John's involvement with her career were still a mystery for her, one she tried and failed to uncover, but there was no way it was simple altruism guiding his actions.
"Same old, the paperwork and office politics trying to kill your soul, folks mocking you for only getting fluff pieces then complaining when you got some solid stories without begging the higher ups like a good puppy..." She went on a small rant, holding the cup close to her mouth, and John let her unwind.
His only participation to the discussion were the occasional 'hm' and 'that's crazy.'
Just enough to show her he's listening, but not enough to end her momentum.
"—And then that bastard Scott had the gall to say that I only got so far because of my looks, he practically shouted it in front of everyone! Can you believe it?" She shook her head, an angry frown marring her beautiful features.
"Sounds like a gaping asshole." Said the man who drinks blood to survive.
"Pfft." Vicky nearly choked on her overly fancy coffee, and he quickly reached out to pat her back. "Hahaha, what the heck?"
"What?"
"Is that an actual insult?" She asked, her righteous anger changing into some type of mirth.
Talk about mood swings...
'Women.' John raised his cup of coffee.
Somewhere in the cursed world of social media, somebody's day was ruined because of a single word accompanied by the best of beverages barring blood.
"I don't know, but it fits him." He answered, smiling gently.
"It really does." She nodded with a small grin, looking at him as if she suddenly discovered new depths to his character, "You know, when I first met you, I thought you were one of those fake, self-absorbed douchebags who thinks the whole world should bow down to them because they're hot, but you're really a good listener, I feel much better already…"
'Should I just Presence-blitz her and be done with it?' He wondered, something he asked himself daily 'Nah, she's being cute, it would make feel bad.'
That would be the most pragmatic choice, he was wasting precious night hours drinking pretentious coffee in a hipster bar, hours he could spend feeding, finding people he could feed from, using the blood he got from feeding to beat down some drug-dealing punk.
Enjoying unlife.
However, he's scummy-action quota was already completed for the week, same thing for his abusing emotional-manipulation quota; if he was to ignore it and go overboard, he might just start getting bored.
To an ageless vampire, there was nothing worse than boredom.
Unaware of his dilemma, Vicky reached out to grab his hand, a sinful action he couldn't help but reciprocate.
'Lewd.' The most degenerated parts of his brain called out, a consequences of the horrifying ordeals he went through to gain his place in this world...or his use and abuse of the internet, it might also be both.
But that was neither here nor there.
The two of them shared a moment, something more intimate than the shallow seduction of his many single use human blood bags, something build on genuine appreciation.
Her appreciation for his character.
His appreciation for her blood quality.
Truly the most sincere of romance.
It wasn't long before they left the café after paying for their obviously overpriced drinks, but John supposed they were also paying for the 'experience'.
There was something slightly heart-warming about the way she linked their arms as they walked, subtly guiding him to her home, talking about things as inane as her funny coworkers or this and that spot in the neighbourhood and how it changed from her childhood.
At the end of the day, even a Gotham girl is still just a girl.
"That's me." She said, reluctantly freeing his arm as they stepped in front of fancy apartment building, the kind with an actual doorman. "I had a great time."
"Me too," John said, looking at her with those intense blue eyes of his, as if he was seeing right through her.
As if she was the only thing that mattered in the world.
'I'm hungry, I'm hungry, I'm hungry…' He thought, her blood was all but asking to be drank.
He reached out and held her close, embracing her carefully as she yelped and froze before melting into him.
His hand slid through her hair, massaging her scalp in the right spot to both please her and make her move head to give him access to that beautiful, appetizing neck.
'Thanks for the meal,' He thought, his fangs expanding as he delivered a kiss, piercing through her flesh and giving her a taste of that higher pleasure.
*Moan*
Her blood was different from the rest he's drank, much sweeter, much stronger than anything he's drank so far.
'I'm sorry Max, but she has you beat.'
It took all of his will to stop feeding before he started actually damaging her, he licked the wound close and enjoyed the last few drops while she all but collapsed in his arms.
"That was…" She said, panting, looking at him with wide baby blue eyes that couldn't understand what just happened.
"Incredible." He finished, capturing her lips for a less enjoyable but just as fulfilling kiss.
[Task Completed: First Taste of the Spotlight
Rewards:
+100 EXP
New Ability Unlocked: Dominate (Enhances your control over the minds of your targets, allowing you to implant suggestions and alter their memories temporarily.)
Bonus Objectives (Optional):
Seduction: Gain her trust and affection. (+50 EXP) Completed]
[You've successfully fed on a noteworthy individual.
Vicky Vale has added unique qualities to your power, unlocking new potential. The essence of her influence and status amplifies your growth.
Experience Points Gained: 750 XP]
"Yes," John whispered, "It was simply incredible."
"Do—do you want to see my home?" Vicky asked, once more making the fatal mistake of inviting a vampire.
But if that's her wishes, who is he to deny her?
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