singinghuntress | IC Inbox: Duplicity

( audio . video . text . action )

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

He smiles at her as they fly, heading for the tunnel and then into it. Now that it has been cleared and is okay to travel through, he dares to do so again, and with her in his arms,he grins.

"Wait'll you see the up from above."

When they come out of the tunnel, he takes them up, slow and easy, so she can see out over the city, the way he looks every morning.

This is where I would live, if I did not love people so much."

The city spreads out below them, and he grins at her. In the sky, he feels more alive, more intense.

What does everything look like from above? "I can't vait."

As they pass through the tunnel, she glances around and notes that it's pretty clear again which is good. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to do this at all and she would miss out on this wonderful experience.

She can tell the moment they enter the UP, it's always cleaner up here and brighter than The Down. It takes her a moment for her eyes to adjust as he takes them even higher, marveling at the view that's suddenly laid out before her.

It's enough to steal her breath away for a few moments as she gazes across the wide spread of the city. From this height, she can see common landmarks and neighborhoods from a brand new view! Amazement is written all over her face as she turns her gaze towards him, catching his grin and answering with a smile of her own.

"It's absolutely beautiful." The view.. Her gaze turns back to the view as she becomes away of just how more alive he seems to feel around her. It's interesting...even intense compared to her own strange existence. In a way it completely draws her senses right to him while they were up there.

"Do you get to zee zhis view every day? Vat are zhe sunrises und sunsets like? Are zhe just as brilliant? Und vat about storms? Are you able to vatch zhe from furzher up? Or can you fly through zhem?" She had a million questions so hopefully she doesn't overwhelm him.

Clark was enjoy9ing this a lot. Having someone along asking questions and enjoying themselves made him enjoy it more too.

"I do. And you know, you could come up and see a sunrise or sunset sometime with me."

Was he inviting her sort of to another date? Maybe. Or maybe just being friendly. Even he was not sure on that one.

"Back home, I watched storms both from above and from inside. It was amazing. Here, I cannot get high enough, because of... the force that keeps me here."

He grinned as he flew them ever closer to the balcony outside his apartment. This was fun!

She perks up significantly when he mentions seeing the sunrise and sunset up here with him. though, She was also a little uneasy since well.. Vampire. But, if she can see it like this.. it might be worth it. Especially if that possibly was a second date. "I may haf to take you up zhat offer."

Though, when he mentioned a barrier or force or whatever keeping him from going higher, she turns her attention to peer up, tilting her head slightly. "How high can you go before zhe force stops you? Iz it everyvhere or just zhe cities? Can you go beyond zhe cities or are you contained to zhem az vell like zhe rest of us?"

So many questions.. He's already giving her a lot to think about by the time they touch down on his balcony.

"Just let me know." he grins at her and nods.

As they land, he starts to answer her questions. "I am not sure, exactly. It's variable. It is everywhere around this city. I have not tried to go elsewhere. What other cities?" Someone has not been told about other cities.

And the door of the balcony slides open, and reveals, well, an apartment lit brilliantly by candles a path of them also leading to a table set up for two, with a teapot merrily steaming away and cold carafe putting off condensation near it.

"As the madame requested... candles."

Then she has a fair amount to tell him about some of the other places this world offers. She briefly describes Veracity and Insincerity and how to get to the two other cities. Of the two, Veracity is the one place where she personally refuses to go.

Though if he was brave enough to go exploring...But, whatever else she might say about the other places in this world fall away once he slides the door open to reveal the candles decorating his apartment with a path leading to tea and hopefully a desert.

She smiles as she glances towards him before taking a step onto his little candle lit path. "It's perfectly lovely~. Now I haf to vonder vat your intentions might be for tonight."

It's a tease, though.. she might be a little curious as well. "So tell me Clark, iz zhis how you typically romance a voman~? Or did I simply make zhat good of an impression?"

He listens to her, and grins. He will have to explore at some point, for sure.

When she reacts to the place, he grins at her. And her question makes him blush. He feels his heart pounding as he fights embarrassment down. he's not very experienced with romance, of any kind and this is not actually meant as romantic, but just sort of date-ey, but...

"Yes, some, but also yes. I like candles, and I think it is romantic, so I do use them if I ever try that sort of thing, but also you made a very nice impression, and I wanted to make it nice for you."

His grin is warm and simple. And he is honest. He loves candles.

Even if he wasn't trying for romantic and just a casual date, he definitely ended up making things romantic whether he realizes it or not. To her, it's a little amusing and perhaps a little appreciated. It's not often someone does try to romance her a little outside of one or two of her lovers..

...And none of them are dominants so, it's especially interesting to her to have one do this much for one little date. "Vell, I zhink you've definitely on zhe right track for making zhis a nice evening for me. It's.. refreshing." In so many ways.

Especially his honesty and simple charm. It's enough to win a girl like her over under the right circumstances. Though, she does idly wonder if he even knows what kind of trouble she has the potential to be under very different circumstances.

Regardless, she takes a moment to step a little further onto the candle lit path before turning towards him with a smile and offers her hand. "Care to join me zhen? I'm curious to see vat else you haf planned for zhis evening of music und drinks."

He smiles, cheeks still a little red, and he sweeps her a bow. "Lets." Clark takes her hand and walks with her, holding a chair for her at the table, as the door shuts quietly behind them.

Once she is seated, he crosses to his own seat and smiles as he nods to the teapot. "I have Lavender Blue tea, cream, and sugar, and, to go with the tea..." He pulls open a small silver dome, and under it sits a still cool cheesecake, the top decorated with chocolate drizzle. The scent of lemon comes from it as he does.

"And there is more tea, for later, as well." As he speaks, soft music starts. The strains of Die ägyptische Helena slowly fill the air, quiet yet.

She takes a seat, pleasantly surprised when he pulls the chair out for her. He really is quite the gentleman, isn't he? Rip settles into her sea at he takes his own and glances towards the teapot as he describes the blend he chose for tonight.

Already she can catch the delightful scents of the lavender wafting through the air and its enough to relax her even more as her attention turns to the small silver dome. Cheesecake? She pauses and then catches the scent of lemon mingling with the chocolate. It's enough to make her eagerly light up. Lemon cheesecake!

Lemon plus the Lavender is always a good combination in her book. Then she noticed the music, recognizing it almost immediately. That's Strauss! The first refrains told her exactly what opera this was and it delights her to no end as a very pleased smile graces her features. Her eyes close for a moment to let it wash over her, igniting the imagination and tantalizing her senses.

Everything pairs beautifully to her and the pleased smile on her lips is a good indication of that. "You put a fair bit of zhought into this, didn't you? It's perfect..Zhe tea und zhe cheesecake vill pair beautifully.. zhe music gives us a very relaxed und intimate atmosphere.." She lets out a soft, pleased sigh. "It's been a very long time since I've had a night like zhis."

He watches her react, and smiles warmly, eyes alight with delight at her delight. He truly does love to make people happy. And she seems to blossom wider and brighter with each thing she discovers, making him grin wider and wider.

"How would I not, my friend? Tea and music with a friend is important, even more so than a first date."

he nods to her smiling warmly, then nods to the teapot. "I'm glad. You deserve a fun night, too."

Feeling bouncy, and smiling with an almost smirk, Clark reaches for the tea, to pour for her and him both. "As I do not know your likes, I brought nearly everything to the table. add things as you like, please."

Even with it being a date among friends, it was still quite the treat for her and it makes her thrilled to be pampered like this. "You're right, of course. Spending time vith zomeone you like is alvays important."

She waits for him to pour her a cup before taking it. When it comes to how she likes her tea, he might be surprised at her just taking a little sugar for it. "I can see zhat.. I zhink for zhis tea a little sugar iz all I need. Zometimes I do like a little cream vith certain flavors. I find cream und sugar pairs nicely vith a good chai." Once she finishes stirring her tea, she takes a sip, letting the flavors play along her tongue as she savors them.

"Zhough, honestly if zhis had been a year ago, I vouldn't haf been able to enjoy zhe delightful notes of any tea or food. I'm grateful I'm able to now."

He raises his own tea and adds a touch of cream and sugar, then stirs as he listens.

"I like to be prepared." H grins as he adds chai to his list for next time, maybe. If there is a next time. He hopes so.

At her statement, he blinks, then nods. "Is that because of being a vampire?" Its the first time he has said the word out loud, here, he thinks, but he has no dread in it. Not if she is an example. She inspires respect and trust, instead.

She nods slightly as she takes another savory sip. “ Zort of. I vas a vampire before I arrived here, just.. not a complete one.” Rips smile falters a little. “But, zhat little issue vas fixed by anozher vampire from my vorld vhen he vas here so, I am able to enjoy zhe zhings I’ve missed.”

Rip sets her teacup down after a moment or so. It’s actually refreshing to know he doesn’t mind that she’s a vampire though, Rip still didn’t view herself as the best example of her kind or of her own world. “ und you mentioned you vere not human eizher, right? Vhere are you from?”

He nods, smiling softly. "I am glad things were righted for you." Hye nods gently, eyes warm.

At her question, he grins. "I was born on a planet called Krypton, and sent away as a baby, because my world was dying. Two farmers found me in Kansas where my ship landed and took care of me, raising me as their own and eventually telling me about what they knew."

He waves a hand around.

"The differences in planets mean my cells drink up solar radiation and the environment, and it makes me stronger, faster, and as you have seen, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound." He chuckles a little about it.

"So I understand a little, about standing outside, even while living alongside, humans."

She tilts her head as she listens to his answers to her question, mulling them over a bit. He must have lucked out when he arrived on Earth as a baby. Rip knew too many people that wouldn't have left an alien infant alone to live a peaceful life.

"It zounds like zhe couple zhat found you must have been very loving und good people to raise you as one of zheirs. I can't zhink of too many vho vould in my vorld." She was sure there were some, she just.. didn't know them.

But, she understood the being stronger and faster than humans all to well. "So ve are both stronger und faster~. I just can't fly or leap over tall buildings." She reaches for her tea again and then pauses, smiling slightly at their own little jokes. "But, I can do ozher zhings zhat are just as interesting." Rip sips her tea, wondering if he's interested in just what some of those other things are.

"Ah, but, a vampire vas once human. Ve just gave it up to be zomething new und different." Her lack of a heartbeat was a prime example of part of what she gave up when she accepted what some might call a 'curse'. "But, living alongside humans is... a challenge sometimes. I haf to keep reminding myself how fragile zhey can be at times."

"They were. Ma and Pa were the best I could have hoped to be with." He nods to her as he smiles softly. "People can surprise you, but I think sometimes they need a helping hand, a guide to show them the way out of the darkness, and into the light." He shrugs.

Maybe.

He grins as he watches her, chuckling. "Oh yes? I am curious to know what those are." He has not told her everything yet, and he will, in time, he thinks, but sometimes it is fun to go slow.

He nods slowly. "Did you choose to?" He is curious and not judging. He wants to know more about her. She is fascinating.

He nods at her last words, chuckling ruefully. "I know this pain. The never-ending control, the never-ending caution. I once described it as living in a world full of tissue paper."

He spreads his hands, and sighs.

"Sometimes. I find to often zhere are people zhat refuse zhat guiding hand und vould razher be lost in zhe depraved darkness zhat zhey create." Rip may have a little experience with that kind of person. Fifty years worth of experience that had her caught up along with the rest of them.

In a way, arriving in Duplicity when she did might have saved her in a really, strange and unusual sense. It definitely gave her the opportunity to meet others that helped turn her life around.

"Eventually, I might show you. Once ve get to know each ozher a bit better." Some of the things she can do really aren't for the faint of heart and some are simply down right private or she's not quite sure how to do them just yet.

As for whether she chose this though? She taps the side of her teacup for a moment before taking a sip. She takes her time savoring her tea before nodding a response. "I did. I chose to be zhis twice. Zhe first time back home und a second time here vhen zhings aligned to correct zhe previous mistakes." Someday, she might explain that further to him, just not tonight.

"Zhat.. sounds like a surprisingly accurate vay to describe it. Zhough for a vampire, you also haf temptation added into zhe mix. Humans are usually our primary food source." So she was more or less, a wolf living among the sheep.

"I understand." he grins at her and raises his tea in salute to her, as he listens. She impresses him, with her thoughts and her words. He likes her style and her way of carrying herself and he nods as he speaks again.

"To getting to know each other."

He sips his tea, then nods slowly.

"I can't imagine how hard that must be to deal with, with temptation everywhere."

She smiles slightly as he salutes her as she just keeps sipping her tea. Somehow, she got the impression that getting to know him was going to be quite the adventure. "To getting to know each ozher~."

After a few more sips of her tea, she sets down her cup and considers the cheesecake for a moment or two. "You could say zhat. It iz like valking around a vorld filled vith delightful deserts but, being unable to taste zhem." It's a strange comparison but, it might help put some things into perspective at just how difficult it can be sometimes.

"Zhough, I find zhat zhere are more zhan a few people here vith a..vampire fetish. It keeps me fed vithout resorting to violence or hunting. Zhe blood bags from Haven also helps on occasion."

He was drinking his tea as he listened to her, watching her, and nodded.

"I cannot say I have such a fetish. My own feelings toward such things are... it depends on the individual. Some are more delightful than others and make one entertain ideas."

A little teasing there as he sips his tea.

"Would you care for some of that sweet... cheesecake?"

She smirks a little at the tease. "Hopefully I'm one of zhe ones zhat make you entertain such ideas. I'm told my bite can be heavenly vhen I vish it to be." Or it could be painful if he was into that kind of thing, though she doubted that was the case.

As for the cheesecake, she nods slightly. "I'd love some since you're offering."

"You are." but he hesitates, worry on his face.

"My only fear is that you might well hurt yourself trying. My skin is... tough, very touch. Most bullets, knives, and lasers don't get through it."

He nods and pulls over the tray of it, carefully cutting it into pieces, and levers a piece to a small side plate for her, and one for him.

"There you go." He passes the plate to her.

She arches a brow hearing how tough his skin is. That does pose a bit of a challenge if she were to even attempt to feed off of him. Even if she can manage, it's a gamble to see how his blood might even affect her.

So far, she's been lucky with some of her other...friends that let her feed off of them. "Zhat vould pose a problem. My teeth are strong und meant to tear through flesh und bone."

She frowns faintly before starting to hum for a moment as she considers something. "But, anozher vampire from my vorld vas known to bite zhrough metal und catch bullets vith his teeth..So, it vould be a gamble if I vere to attempt." It's really just food for thought right now.

She smiles as he passes her the plate and takes a moment to enjoy the sight before setting it down to pick up her fork. "Zhank you. Hopefully it tastes just as good az it smells."

Clark nods, still worried, but he smiles warmly. "Good to know. I am not against it, but the idea of hurting you while doing it is not exactly one I am fond of."

"I hope you will enjoy it. It was fun making it." He loves to cook new things, and for friends, even more so.