IC Inbox: Duplicity

[singinghuntress]

( audio . video . text . action )

You have reached the inbox of Rip van Winkle. Leave a message so I can get back to you later~.

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text;

[nightroadsaint]

Hello Ms. Rip. How are you this evening?

I have something for you. A delivery to mail it. But I'll need an address from you if you want to receive it.

Re: text;

[singinghuntress]

The address of where I live is simple enough. Send it to 'Between the Covers' bookstore.

I live in the apartment above it.

And I'm doing good this evening, thank you for asking Abel~.

text -> action!

[nightroadsaint]

There's no answer afterward, because it was meant to be a surprise. He waited until sundown to finish work and finally get paid of his first paycheck. It wasn't much, but it's enough. He went through the streets of the Down and he managed to find it. He entered the shop, the bell rings to alert a customer is coming in.

Still the same nerdy looking guy since they met at orientation over a week ago and he gave a night to remember. He was wearing casual, so up until now, he didn't tell her he's a priest by occupation. He was wearing a silver cross hung from his neck beneath his shirt though, but not visible.

"Good evening, Ms. Rip. Who knew you own a bookshop? There's so many books here!" He said with delight, he loves books.

In his hands, it's a plastic wrapped bouquet of violet lavender. "I came to bring you these. This is lavender. I heard they're good to help with sleeping. With spring, there's a lot of flowers for sale. I happen to pick them because purple is a nice color." He rambled.

Re: text -> action!

[singinghuntress]

Like most days, Rip had issues sleeping so she had been at work all day and evening at her shop sorting books and helping patrons like she usually did. Though she kept wondering just what Abel might be sending her and keeping an eye out for a package...

That is, until a certain nerdy looking silver haired vampire with a bouquet of flowers walked in. The chime had gotten her attention easily enough to call her out from the massive stack of books she had been hidden behind. Rip wandered over with a pleased smile on her lips as he greeted her and gently accepted the flowers.

"Zhe bookstore belonged to my first dominant.. I just decided to keep it after he left. Personally I zhink it's been one of my better choices since I got here. It's peaceful here." Trust her, it was difficult getting things settled with her being a submissive but, she managed it with the backing of various dominants and now.. she ran it just like any other business.

Or at least tried to.

"Thank you for zhe flowers, purples und blues are among my favorite colors." She smiled a little more as she sniffed them. "Und... I usually haf trouble sleeping so maybe zhese vill help tonight or.. in zhe morning. Vhenever I manage it."

[nightroadsaint]

The flowers were meant as a gesture of thanks, but also a surprise gift of his affections. Abel was browsing the shelves, stepping on tippy toes to read through his glasses, and looking at the science and non-fiction section. Books always send him in wonder.

Hearing that, he was struck with emotion. After all, he lived a very long time, and he arrived here shortly, and still couldn't make of his settlement or even sort out his thoughts. "I see. I'm sorry to hear that. You have my condolences." The duties of being a dominant was quite a culture shock to him.

With a nod, he understands her point of view, that her life here is more advantageous than going back home. Keeping a mental note of her favorite color.

"If you have trouble sleeping, I was thinking of lavender oil and essences. I would rub those on my pillow to sleep. For now, keep them in a vase."

Abel is all smiles, as he feels at ease around her now, but still a little shy. "What kind of books you have in stock here? I never seen these in my homeworld before."

[singinghuntress]

She nodded slightly, accepting his condolences as she fussed with the flowers and settled them in her arms before moving to lean back against the counter. "It's fine, I haf a different one now zhat gives me both protection und lets me do as I vish as long as I obey my contract." Which considering it was the most freedom she was going to get, she would accept it.

As for the books, she glances towards the shelves he's looking at and the piles near him. There were a lot of different languages represented but, the majority of them seemed to be native to this world and more or less romance novels or some form of porn. Though, she was working on sorting out the ones that weren't...

"I'll keep zhat in mind. Zhe nightmares haf gone avay for zhe most part. I just haf issues sleeping now. At least, vhen I'm alone anyvay." She shrugged a little. "As for zhe books, zhere are several from zhis vorld.. Zhere are just about every kind of romance novel you can think of across several genres. But, I haf managed to find ones in other various languages. German, Chinese.. even a few in Italian."

Needless to say, it was a book lovers paradise. " Beyond zhat, zhere's a little bit of everything."

[nightroadsaint]

"I'm glad that worked out for you. So many different contracts, I noticed. I wonder how people work theirs out. As for mine, it's pretty standard. I let my submissive do what he wants as long he keeps me updated in what he's doing in case of an emergency."

Abel can see that at the lots of romances and smut novels, and he isn't surprised at the variety of collection she has in her stock. He was looking for non-fiction and any science books.

With a nod, most of Abel's nightmares came from his own past and history in his world. "It's hard to sleep when you're alone. I have it easier to have my submissive live with me. He comes with a pet parrot, so I can sleep easier having some company living with me inside the apartment. It's easier to sleep with a living soul sharing the same space with me." He admits.

Abel swiped to the photos section on his phone and showed her the birb. "The parrot. This is what he looks like. His name is Kotosaka. He can talk."

With a hum, as he browsing the books aisles some more. "I was thinking, maybe you have a German-English dictionary? My German could use a little work."

[singinghuntress]

She nodded a little. "My first two dominants left. Zhey vere.. sent back home. My current one iz also from zhe same vorld so ve haf a good understanding of one anzoher." Among other things. All Rip really could say about her relationship with Alucard was that it was simple yet complicated.

At least she didn't fear him anymore and with that disappeared her nightmares.

"I agree. I try to haf people in my bed often enough, but, some nights I'm just avake for days at a time." She shrugged slightly and toyed with the flowers in her arms. "Perhaps I should get a pet like your parrot. It might help..."

Maybe. Her train of thought was gently derailed when he asked for a German-English book, causing her to arch an eyebrow slightly in amusement as she moved towards one of the piles she had started stacking and grabbing a book three down in the pile before handing it to him. "It's not zhe greatest dictionary, but, it's passable. Zhough, learning German is easy. It's zhe English I haf a hard time vith."

[nightroadsaint]

Abel listened very carefully. "They were sent back home? Would that be possible?" He was hopeful and optimistic since he had his fair share of unpleasant experiences that gave him reason to find a way to return home. For now, he's only curious. "That's good that you and your dominant are cooperative and have a mutual understanding." Thankfully, his submissive is quite understanding too.

"Sometimes, having a pet isn't enough. I...I want to have people in my bed too. People I'm compatible with. That's why I give my submissive permission to have the same freedom I have."

Abel took the book, read it. "This is good. Thank you." Then taking money out of his wallet to pay for it at the front desk.

"You have a hard time with English? I'm an Englishman, so I can teach you if you like. If anything if you're not busy tonight, I would like to spend time with you and keep you company." Blushing lightly. "Even though I'm new, you're one of the people that came to mind that I want to share a bed with." He admitted. "You're very beautiful."

[singinghuntress]

She nods slightly. It was troubling to her that they could be sent home. That was the last place she wanted to go considering what she left behind..Her own bloody death was not something she wanted to return to.

"I'm pretty sure a fair amount of us feel zimilar in some regards." She accepted the money for the book with a slight smile, ringing it up and depositing it in the till easily enough once it was in hand. Though, she did have to pause at the offer and what he said..

"I could use a little help learning to read English better und perhaps speaking it better az vell. Lucky for you, I'm not busy tonight. " She leaned against the counter, studying him for a moment with a slight tilt of her head. "Abel, I don't mind sharing a bed vith you und you're quite handsome just, don't go falling for me. I'm more trouble zhan anyone can handle."

There might just be a slight quirk of a smile. "Besides, monogamy isn't my zhing. But.. hafing a partner villing to show me a good time often? I can alvays use more of zhat in my life."

[nightroadsaint]

At her terms, Abel slowly...laughed with amusement. Almost dryly, like there's something painful and ironic. He found her honesty refreshing because despite he was new...that was the unpleasant experience and lesson he learned. He broke a few hearts. Out of necessity. He can't be tied down and he can't tie others down. Learn his lessons very quickly with the partners he spends his nights with. Fully grasping he's a monster that not a lot of people comprehend or control...that this discovery is not shocking to him anymore.

Perhaps it's a good thing he learns not to be clumsy and reckless as he left his priest clothes back at his apartment. That was just a cover to throw his fellow priests and nuns off-track that he was a pious man. He still has his faith. Though he suspects most of them are wolves beneath their clothes, once they're off.

"You and I are so similar, Ms. Rip. Trouble follows me like a magnet wherever I go. It makes my long dull life more interesting. Did you break a lot of hearts during your time here?"

Abel uses the book to cover his smile. "Or did you devoured them? During my time here, I found that my habit and hunger is similar to yours. If I find a partner that can give me a good time, I'm up for that...and you're fun Ms. Rip."

Lowering his book slowly, "I come back to visit you because I'm back for more."

[singinghuntress]

She was watching his reaction, gauging it and feeling seemingly satisfied with what she saw. As for his question, she pauses and pulls back to toy with the till and prod at a few of its buttons. It's an old fashioned thing, but, reliable.

"Actually, not as many as you might zhink. It's hard to break hearts vhen zhose around you are avare of how much of a monster you are vithout zhe appropriate..containment in place." She looked a little uneasy admitting that but, it was a thing with how her life was. There were many that knew who and what she was, and she didn't mean just a vampire.

Acceptance for.. other issues was not something she sought because she knew she would never get it. So, he may have hit a surprising sour note in his attempt at flirting with her.

But, Rip wasn't going to dwell longer than she had to before turning her attention back to him. "I'm glad you appreciate my hunger. Perhaps ve can use each ozher to satisfy each ozher as often as ve can.. After all, I'm razher durable und you may need a partner like me."

[nightroadsaint]

With a nod, he appreciates her sharing her experience with him. He finds her advice resonates, so a part of him relaxes. He has issues too. While he seeks acceptance, part of it, he felt like a misfit and won't be accepted, no not for his own sins. He does not need forgiveness, as she has no part of it. It's something he does on his own.

Hence, why he felt he lives a double life...which is both freeing and yet complexed.

"I agree with you." He didn't intend to hit a sour note, so his attempts at flirting, he did not pursue...for now, it's a small pleasure simply chatting and talking.

"Oh my, you said using each other. I don't intend to use you as a means, but rather enjoy and take delight in your company and get the satisfaction of not feeling alone at night. While durability is admirable, my needs have a variety...that I would like to share. Companionship, perhaps. After all, I like books and I certainly like it that you tell me what's exactly on your mind."

Thoughtful look, it doesn't hurt to ask her out. "I'm free tonight. If you're not doing anything tonight, I would like to be your companion."

[singinghuntress]

Something about what he said made her smile. It was rare that she found a companion that did want to stick around for other things...To date, she's found maybe.. three. Including him.

"Is zhat so, zhen I suppose I could use a little companionship tonight~. I'm free as vell, so I don;t see vhy not. Zhen perhaps you can tell me all about zhe ozher varieties of needs to vould like to haf help vith."

[nightroadsaint]

With satisfied approval, "I think all of my needs are met. After all, you're captivating, but for a beautiful vampire like yourself and running a bookstore as well? I think you're someone I would like to get to know and talk."

After all, Abel can talk and rambled quite a lot. And share knowledge too. His needs are simple, among other things.

One thing for sure, the nights would probably not be quiet anymore. One more companion of the night to add to his and her list.

[singinghuntress]

Rip seemed to collect interesting companions in her time in this city and she really couldn't complain about that. For the most part anyway.

"I'm only captivating in zhe vay a shiny new toy is captivating. My beauty doesn't meant much in a place like zhis nor does my bookstore. But, it iz vat I choose to do und zhat is all zhat matters to me."

They could probably talk each other in circles all night given half the chance. So, he was right. The nights wouldn't be quiet anymore. It's just a question of what kind of noise they would be filling it with.

[nightroadsaint]

"I don't intend to make you a shiny new toy." He said, almost a shrug. Though there are attempts on his part and the others who made an attempt to make a toy of him too. It's a bad habit of this place. "I don't believe people can be acquired like that." But it happens. That's the point of view of Duplicity there.

"Beauty doesn't mean much, that's true. Beauty fades over time. But I still think you're an exception."

Anyway, after he paid for his book. Smiling cheerfully. "Anyway, what interesting things people do for the nightlife? Any suggestions?"