Crimson Wine and Cadaverous Company

Tahir had been enjoying exploring the corridors of his home. This was the kind of place that would take some time to discover, and he liked that. Though he wasn't in any rush.

His nose had picked up a familiar scent that he'd nearly forgotten in his time under the curse.

The man followed the scent down to the basement, and after registering the dungeon for a few seconds kept on moving to a large door leading to the nicely stalked wine cellar.

A large grin made it's way to his face, his pointed canines showing even. If he were in his wolf form his tail would be wagging.

It had been so long since he'd enjoyed a nice drink. He skimmed through the bottles and was pleased to find a bottle of old Shirazi wine.

He took the bottle and held it in his strong hands with care, striding back up to his room to enjoy the fermented drink.

Though once he turned the Aria hallway he saw the figure of another person in his wake. The beautiful vampire woman that greeted him and his sister when they first arrived.

His eyes lit up but other then that his expression remained collected and calm.

It was early evening and Alexis had just woken, she hadn't slept well, though it didn't show on her features.

She had forced herself to sleep in her bed instead of the coffin, it felt so foreign to her now, she had too much space in her bed, she felt too exposed to sleep, she was use to being completely enclosed, that and the paranoia of accidental sun exposure had made her edgy.

She gave a gentle yawn and walked out of her room, flicking her silver hair over her shoulder, she had tied it into a braid tonight and the silver rope hung down her spine, ending near her ankles.

The sound of heavy foot steps caught her attention and she glanced over her shoulder.

A gentle smile graced her hips, it was Tahir, no one else had a build as big as him, she was tiny in comparasion.

"Good evening."
She called to him softly, her golden eyes shining happily.

The large man strided up next to her, walking beside and looking down at her for a moment before staring ahead.

"Ah, yes, it is a very good evening ." He said as he drummed the tips of his fingers against the glass on the wine bottle, showing it off to her.

"Care to join me for a drink?" He invited, looking down into her brimming yellow eyes.

"I mean, if you're up for it.... wait to vampire's drink wine?" He asked, suddenly realizing that she may only prefer blood to drink rather then normal beverages.

"Been raiding Giacinto's wine cellar? Nice choice."
She mused, examining the bottle briefly, he had a good taste for wine, that was definitely a point in his favor.

His next question had her bursting into laughter, her hand reaching up to cover her mouth, as her laughter dulled down to an amused chuckle.

"Sweety, I could drink you into oblivion."
There were only two things that Alexis had a high tolerance for, pain and alcohol.

"I love wine. Come, lets have a drink."
She added, giving him a warm smile, poor thing really didn't have much experience with vampire's did he..
Oh well, he would learn fast enough living here.

Tahir could only smile when she burst out into laughter. She may have been laughing at him but that didn't really matter much to the man. He just like the sound of her laugh.

"That sounds a bit like a challenge lovely." He grinned, looking down at her with entertained silver eyes.

She was a lot smaller then he was, and thus he assumed she couldn't handle as much alcohol in her system as a six foot tall and sixteen and a half stone man.

But he liked her spunk, that was for sure. And any girl that was down for a good drink was a girl he would get along with just fine.

She smiled softly and walked past him and towards the sitting area, hooking her finger through one of the belt loops on the back of his pants, dragging him along with her, making him walk backwards towards the couches.

"You offered me a drink? So lets drink."
She flashed him a grin and sat down on one of the over stuffed couchs, sighing softly in comfort.

"I'm affraid that challenge will have to wait if you only have one bottle with you."
She chimed, a bottle to herself would do next to nothing to her sober state.

Tahir smiled bigger and went with her twisting him around and causing him to walk backwards. Playfully he held his head high and walked with over exaggerated pride despite looking pretty silly in that moment.

Once in the sitting area he sat down on the couch next to her, flashing her a grin as he popped the cork off easily with just his thumb.

"So eager to stain those pretty lips with alcohol." He mused teasingly, though on the inside it was kind of a turn on for him. She looked classy enough, but he liked this glimmer of a wild side she was showing.

He took a swig of the dark, rich plum colored drink and then handed her the bottle.

"To be honest I wasn't sure if I was allowed to just help myself like that. Didn't want to overstep any boundaries you know? Had all that wine been mine I would have grabbed a lot more then just one bottle."He said, all ready enjoying the liquorice pepper berry flavor soaking into his tongue.

Alexis giggled softly at his antics as they walked, for such a large serious looking man he seemed to have a sense of whimsy, she liked that, he was undoubtably amusing to be around.

"Quite eager."
She admitted softly, the taste of blood was routine, it was nice to taste something with a bit more of a kick to it.

"Trust me, there is no shortage of fine wine in the castle, if Gia didn't want you to take it then it would not be able to be accessed."

She took the bottle in her grasp and brought it to her lips, taking a large mouthful and drinking it with a soft purr, it was lovely.

Alexis handed it back to him as she licked her lips.

"I'll have to meet this Gia woman and thank her personally. That's some real generosity." He thought outloud while Alexis took her drink.

He tried not to stare as her supple lips wrapped around the rim of the bottle and the soft purr emerged from her body as she swallowed it down. If he indulged himself she could easily drive him crazy.

So he opted to lean back in the sofa and stare ahead, not being able to help the smirk on his face. He took the bottle back from her and took another nice guzzle.

"You know, according to legend, wine was discovered by a Persian girl in despair over her rejection by the king. The girl decided to commit suicide by drinking the spoiled residue left by rotting table grapes. Instead of poisoning the girl, the fermented must caused her to pass out and awaken the next morning. She realized that life was worth living and reported back to the king her discovery of the intoxicating qualities of the spoiled grape juice. She was rewarded for her find." He said after handing the bottle back to his drinking companion.

"I'd be on your guard when you do, Giacinto is a succubus, chances are when she meets you she will try to lure you into her bed.
There is no escape after that."

Alexis smirked softly, she couldn't help but wonder what Gia would think of Tahir, he was a fine looking man, even by lycan standards. Most women would snap up a chance at laying with him.

"What a strange way to attempt to kill yourself."
She mused softly, taking the bottle back and taking a long drink.

"To desperate Persian girls who don't know what a blade is."
She toasted softly, raising the bottle slightly before taking another sip and handing it back to him.

A succubus? Unless she was some sort of hag he wouldn't mind that at all. Though again, it might not be the smartest move to just fuck around here. He'd have to watch himself.

It had been over seven hundred years since he'd had a lustful good time with a woman. No wonder it was on his mind so much. He'd have to go into the city soon just to find a girl he'd feel comfortable sleeping with, not one he would see the next day.

Though in all honesty he'd probably fantasize he was with the woman sitting right next to him. She was charming and alluring in a way he'd never encountered before.

He let out a low laugh at her thoughts on his story, and smiled at her with brimming silver eyes.

"I'll drink to that." He agreed with a grin, taking the bottle and downing another hearty swig.

Alexis stretched her arms over her head, her joints cracking happily as she lay back on the couch, giving a contented little purr, she was comfortable and relaxed, a rarity these days and she planned on making the best of it.

Good wine, good company, what more could she ask for at the moment.

She smiled warmly at him as he laughed, it was a rather charming sound, deep and husky, she hoped that she would hear him laugh more often.

Her mind wandered, thinking about little things about the man, things she would not voice, she mused for a moment, wondering about when he looked like without that shirt on.

Before she started to delve into the more perverted part of her mind her eyes flicked over to the window, the night was calm and clear, a perfect evening.

"I propose that we venture out into the garden once we have finished our gluttony of fine wine."

On nights like these she liked being outside, walking, running, feeling the night air against her skin. The night was more intoxicating than any wine.

Tahir handed her the bottle, enjoying the lengthy dark chocolate finish flavor and licking the corners of his lips.

He followed her gaze over to the window and looked outside as well. It had been a lovely day, and it was sure to be just as nice of a night. These last few summer nights before fall set in were something to cherish.

"I second that proposal." He agreed, resting his arms behind his head as he leaned back into the cushions of the couch. He arched his back and stretched out his long muscular legs, letting out a little content grunt before relaxing again.

Alexis stole a glance at Tahir as he licked his lips, she suspected that wine tasted even sweeter off of his lips.

She closed her eyes and lay back banishing that thought from her mind, that was not something she wanted to think about right now.

Bringing the bottle to her lips she took a long drink and sighed contentedly, she loved how alcohol left her body feeling warm, it was comforting.

"Nothing quite like a good run on a night like this."
She muse, opening her eyes again looking out into the garden again.

The large man couldn't help but let another chuckle escape from him at her words. The more he drank the more at ease he felt, whatever walls he still held up against the vampire coming down.

"There is 14.5% alcohol in this vintage Lexis. I'm sure by the time we finish we'd make a funny sight trying to run about the garden." He contemplated out loud.

"But to hell with it, sounds like fun." He said, gingerly taking the bottle from her and swallowing it down buoyantly, his adam's apple bobbing as he gulped.

He liked the idea of being a fool with her. Two people with enough confidence to not fear looking ridiculous together. A goofy smile rested on his face as he thought about it.

She giggled softly.
"Light weight."
Alexis mocked him softly, a cheeky grin spreading across her lips.

"Perhaps you'd have more luck on all fours."
She could not help but smirk at that comment, yes she had meant that in his wolf form it would be easier for him to run around whilst intoxicated but the sexual innuendo in that statement was far too obvious not to laugh.

Alexis covered her mouth with her hand as she laughed softly, looking at him with lit up golden eyes.

The large man looked up at her with a facial expression of faux hurt.

"Hey now, don't make fun of me, I'm sensitive about it." He joked, but he couldn't hold the offended expression long before cracking into a smile, giving her a gentle shove on the shoulder.

Once she made the all four's comment he couldn't help but laugh out, very much enjoying her wit, even if it weren't for the tipsiness settling into him.

"Perhaps" He said as he handed her the bottle, his own silver eyes lit up as well.

"I'm not surprised someone as small as you can't hold their liquor, it's all about body mass."
She teased again, laughing again as he shoved her, this was far too much fun.

"Come on, Hündchen, lets get outside before we wake everyone up."
She replied, taking a drink from the bottle and getting to her feet, grabbing his hand and giving it a gentle tug.

She wanted some fresh air and to lay out on the grass.

"Yeah yeah, I know, I'm working on it. Give a fella a break." He waved his hand dismissively at her teases, his tone giving away that he was having a lot of fun as well, even if he was the butt of her jokes.

He took her hand back when she pulled him up, not wanting to let go. But if she did let go he would as well. He didn't want to creep her out after all, since they'd only just met.

It was weird for him that he'd only known her for a short time. All ready it felt like it had been much longer, like they were old friends meeting up again for the first time in a long time.

Perhaps they were companions in the first life before coming to earth. The man had an ancient set of beliefs, thinking that life started before being born, and that earth was merely the second stage of three lives he was to live, the last being his eternal place after death.

He didn't like to think of his life after death. He'd damned his soul with the black magic and as such was glad that he had the chance to live here on Earth forever.

He followed the small vampire woman with a content look to his eyes, holding a glimmer of admiration for her. She was brave and funny and bold even. Not many woman would be like that around him. In fact, not many people in general come to think of it.

Her dainty hand curled around his large one, guiding him down the hallway, the bottle safely in her other hand.

"Not working hard enough."
She chimed in, a giggle in her tone as she talked, she was definitely slightly tipsy at this point and her mood could not be more cheery.

She was comfortable around this man, she could see how others would find him intimidating but size wasn't an indication of ferocity.
Chances were that she was more dangerous than him despite the size advantage.

Once they had made it outside she took in a calming breath and sat down on the lawn, untying her hair so that it flowed down her back and onto the grass freely.

"This is so much better."
She admitted.

"Someday I'm sure I'll get to be as big and strong and manly as you Lex." He joked, giving her a piece of her own medicine. His eyes were hooded and he couldn't stop smiling at this point.

There were defiantly no walls around him by now.

The way her soft elegant hand felt against his large calloused one made a little warm feeling stir in his gut. Oh yeah, he'd defiantly fantasize about those hands.

Once Alexis found a place she liked, Tahir flopped down next to the vampire on his stomach, folding his arms in front of him so he could rest his chin on them.

He took a deep breath and let it out with a content sigh. He always enjoyed a nice lush bed of grass. It was pretty uncommon in the desert area he grew up in.

"I doubt it, you don't get muscles like these by laying around on the grass all day drinking wine."

She replied with a smirk, flexing her arms before laughing and laying back on the grass with her hands under her head, her silver hair fanned out on the ground around her.

It amused her that this was only the second time she had met this man, she didn't even act this care free around her own brother let alone someone she just met.

At the end of the day she was tired of being so distant with people, her past had defined her for so long that it was nice to be around someone who was oblivious to all of that.

The man could not help but let out another hearty laugh at her joking and how she looked so cute when she flexed. Though he was pretty sure there was some merit to her words. He could sense that she had power about her, and that she wasn't just a pretty face. Even before he saw her effortlessly carry his sister's belongings he could sense the strong aura.

"Let a man dream." He said with a grin, trying to make it come out as a growl, but instead it came out as more of a purr. Alcohol always softened his usual air of intimidation and turned him into a giant teddy bear.

Lazily he picked a long blade of grass from the ground and stuck it between his teeth. Perhaps it was part of his lycan blood, but for some reason or another he enjoyed the earthy taste of grass.

"Sorry Hündchen, but unrealistic dreams are made to be broken."
She could not help but chuckle as his attempt at a growl, the purring noise was oddly cute, coming from a man like him.

She had the urge to crawl over and curl up next to him, she wondered how warm his skin must be from spending his days in the sun, but she resisted.

She tilted her head to the side and looked at him for a moment, he was one of the biggest lycan she had ever seen, not height wise, a few others in the coven were taller but he was the most well built.

Her curiosity got the better of her and she could not help but wonder what he looked like as a wolf.

"Such a cruel woman." He said with a smile, looking over at her. Silver eyes met golden ones and he found he didn't want to look away.

The alcohol did not make her any more or less beautiful, no, she was lovely on her own without the affects of the wine. It did however, make him less reserved around her.

Gingerly he reached his hand over and played with a strand of her silver hair in a very innocent sort of way. His eyes never broke away from hers.

"Was it always this color?" He asked softly.