not going anywhere after all

[ophis]

I see you have made your decision. Another, in place of me. I understand, and I am not surprised at all.

You already know my feelings on the matter, miss writer. We had our lovely little arguments the first time around, and was it not I who was trying to persuade you from it in the first place? So, in reality, everything has gone exactly how I knew it would. Just the way I wanted it to.

If I may make a request, perhaps your time now could be better focused on completing and writing out the rest of my story. We would not want any ... inconsistencies.

Comments

[ophis]

[ ... but ... but he looks just so delicious. Let him have a nibble. C'mon. C'mooon. ]

Some people can't handle their alcohol as well.

[ Which, of course, mister Stark clearly can. But his drink's refilled, and there's less of a need to polish it off in one gulp like last time, so he'll take smaller sips instead as he props himself up on this here counter. Because there's a counter now. ]

Not a problem for you, I'd imagine.

[ophis]

[ ... drat. ]

So I see.

[ Well, now it almost looks as if mister Tony is making it a contest. Loki chugs, Tony chugs. Loki sips, Tony sips. He raises a brow a bit, wondering if he'll do the same this time when Loki takes a bigger drink. ]

You have people falling at your feet to do your bidding regardless of inebriation, hm? Interesting.

[ophis]

As I am sure there are many.

[ Trouble can't make any promises. He really can't. Sometimes, some people just taste so darn nummy nummy that he overdoes it a bit. And the less said about vegetarian vampires, the better.

And it's totally a contest. Loki considers sipping, but when he's in the mood for a different kind of drink, this one is losing it's fancy. He finishes the glass in one last gulp, then sets it aside, and leans back on the counter with a sigh. ]

I don't suppose you've brought anything else with you?

[ophis]

That's all? My, you had me pegged for someone far greater.

[ Hey now. He doesn't sparkle. Any comments about sparkling, and Trouble here won't waste a second to chomp down.

Though the mention of champagne has him perking up. His particular favourite. He scoots over a bit on the counter so there's room to pour the bubbly, but he can't help a smirk and arched brow. ]

I had always thought champagne was for dates, mister Stark. Have I been leading you on the wrong impression?

[ophis]

Immortality. Speed, strength. A few other skills that are more appropriate in less public places. Dashing fashion sense.

[ The pros don't really outweigh the cons but shh. Tony didn't ask for downsides.

He eyes the champagne bottle with particular malice, and rather than reach for his glass he swipes the bottle once it's set down instead. Mister Stark won't be offended if he drinks from the bottle, would he? Oop, too late. ]

Perhaps I am a little more old-fashioned than you.

[ophis]

[ There's quite a few. Most people take the fact that they have the ability to tan for granted. That, and dinner doesn't also qualify as first-degree murder. But ... well, he does dress nice. Thank you. ♥ ]

Aliens?

[ Have him bark a laugh at that, which he has to pause afterward before taking another drink from the bottle. ] Oh, now that is a new one indeed. I am no alien, I'm afraid. Though I appreciate the thought.

[ Maybe being an alien would be better than the curse he lives with instead. Ah, well. Details. ]

[ophis]

[ At least you don't look like death warmed over and then froze again. But ... that will definitely depend on what mister Tony darling means by study. He is no science project.

But ooh, this suddenly got interesting. Loki takes another drink from the champagne, and sets the bottle down before sliding off the counter. He brushes away a dark curly lock of hair from his eyes, takes a slow step closer, and makes a point of dragging his tongue across his teeth so Tony can see. Pointy. ]

Why not take a guess?

[ophis]

[ Now that is a fun reaction. Quite possibly the best one he's ever received. He might've actually, legitimately scared the man. How many people get to say that?

Loki has to laugh. Now that Tony knows, there's no point in trying to hide the fangs anymore. So he laughs, and turns around to take the bottle in hand again. Tony might feel more at ease if he sees him drinking something else.

Even if he's not in the mood for champagne anymore. ]

Words are only words, mister Stark. Though I would appreciate it if you refrain from tossing wooden crosses or cloves of garlic at me.

[ophis]

[ Fine, fine, he'll take startled. But that just means he's going to have to work towards actual fright here. And he's not going to back down from such a challenge.

If Tony's interested in the fangs, there are ways he can be better acquainted with them. Very well acquainted. But of course, now that Tony knows, it's going to be a bit more difficult to sneak in a nibble.

But, then again. Challenges. Not backing down on them. ]

How thoughtful of you.

But it is a promise I am unable to keep. I've already had my eye on you for a while, after all, and there is no telling when I may be a little more hungry than usual. I may forget myself.

[ One more long drink, and now the empty bottle is placed back down on the counter. ]

It is quite troublesome, indeed.

[ophis]

[ They're all signs of panic. Tony might not be backing up in fear, but he's almost stuttering his string of word babble out and that is one of the more telltale signs of escalating fright. And wouldn't you know, it's scared victims whose blood tastes the sweetest?

It's the heart beat, fear making it pump faster and heating that delicious blood up. All the more reason Loki likes to chase his victims. Or scare the socks off them by backing them into a corner.

There isn't a corner handy here just yet, but he's going to advance anyway. ]

Believe it or not, mister Stark, immortality has little influence over willpower and sheer lust. Sometimes ... we simply cannot contain it.

[ Note the hint of gold in his eyes as he takes one, two, three steps closer. "Human food?" Oh, you do go on. ]

In a way.

Though there's not much in your wine rack that will even remotely satisfy.

[ophis]

[ Tasty is in the eye of the beholder. Loki tends to go after the rich folk, much like mister Stark, but only because they usually have a fat wallet to rummage through before departing. It isn't like he can hold a steady job, after all. He has to make do with what he has!

And who donates charity to a vampire? Honestly. ]

Tempting as it is to drink you dry, mister Stark, it is only necessary if I am desperate and weak. As I am neither, I may only indulge in a ... sample.

[ He shrugs, matching Tony's steps, one forward for every backward. Maybe he can herd him to a corner. Like a sheep. ]

You can admit that you're curious.

[ophis]

[ Hey, don't knock the King of Burgers, yo.

And what kind of job employs sunset to sunrise and provides a healthy benefits package of blood packets and fancy shoes? There aren't many. So Loki makes do. ]

You are curious.

[ This is where he earns his title, for certainly. Tony's not backed up into a corner just yet, but to further enforce the point, it's with a quick wave of black smoke and feathers that Loki vanishes, only to reappear right in front of the other man a moment later. All up in your business, mister 1%.

Don't mind the smirk. ]

I find it interesting. You, the man I've heard so much about, for your selfishness and greed and consumption, who never shares what is most important to him, willing to "donate" precious blood to a vile creature not even in desperate need of it?

Or do you just really want my lips on your neck that badly?

it's so beautiful we must reply before work-!

[ophis]

[ To be honest, Loki wouldn't be the least surprised if he found a shelf or two dedicated to the kid's meal toys. Tony seems weird and egotistical like that.

And well, working from home requires the necessity of, well. A home. Kind of difficult to do any data entering when you're skipping from hotel to apartment to street corners. But oh well, minor detail.

Though he'll admit that the invite has him baffled, Loki doesn't hop to agree just yet. Not while he's still enjoying himself. He listens, considers it carefully - laughs at the last addition. So forward, Tony dear. The prospect of actually living with the man, whether it be only for a night or not, really is laughable.

He amuses himself with the idea for only a moment, and then he grabs Tony by the collar and pushes him back against the wall behind him, leaning in nice and close and personal. ]

It's a very generous offer, mister Stark. How kind of you.

But I'm afraid I must decline. There is simply no fun when the victim isn't fleeing in fear. Without the thrill of the hunt and chase, it leaves the blood tasting bitter and unsavory. We can't have that.

[ --and, added with a fang-baring smirk: ] And you couldn't handle me.