Welcome to Gaia! ::

Scarlet loved making her dear friend laugh. It sent shivers of delight racing over her cool skin. She flashed him her most brilliant smile, but quickly sobered her expression to hide her fangs. Still, her eyes were warm with mirth.

"Will you be staying long?" she asked after his laughter subsided. "We have your usual suit ready for you, and I'm sure we could scrounge up a meal to suit your tastes. I have another child I will distribute tomorrow evening, but other than that my schedule is completely free."

Scarlet flashed another smile. "Not all my guests are aware of my unique state, Precious. I prefer not to cause a riot." But she was pleased that he was staying.

"They suspect, perhaps," she conceded. "But I have gone to great lengths to achieve a bond of trust with some who are not undead-friendly. Regardless, the last thing I want is for my more lively guests to get nervous. I have...donors, should you get the impulse to nibble a neck."

"You might retire to the small parlor and I will have Devonte bring one to you. I would join you, but I have my hostess duties here," she explained. She held back a small sigh. She wanted nothing more than to share a sip of hot life with her friend, but if some of the gossips saw her leaving with Twi, even for a half hour, she would be in for a whirlwind of roomers.

Scarlet looked around the ball and saw that all the guests were suitably involved in conversation or dancing or drinking. Only Devonte stood alone, ready to welcome any stranglers or last-minute crashers. "Well, it doesn't look like I'm needed anywhere right now, so unless you want to pass me back to Sam for another dance..."

She pursed her lips peevishly but her eyes were smiling. "Leave it to you to be the only vampire here besides my brother who wouldn't jump at the chance of sharing a fresh drink with me," she teased.

Scarlet gave him a brilliant smile, fangs bared, and led the way, weaving expertly between the other bodies that crowded the dance floor. With a glance over her shoulder to make sure she wouldn't be missed, she ducked into the hallway. After a little ways, she made a sharp right into a parlor.

The walls were lined with books and two reclining sofas faced a plush, velvet upholstered ottoman. Scarlet pulled a tasseled cord as she entered the room, signaling some far away bell.

"Our dinner will be along shortly," she purred.

"That's actually the point of holding large balls--to make appointments for more intimate gatherings," Scarlet agreed. There was a quiet tap on the door. Scarlet opened it and ushered in two humans, one buff and tanned blond male and the other a demure Asian girl in blue. "Gentlemen, dinner is here. I trust you'll remember your manners as these two have graciously volunteered their life-giving fluids. I have flechettes available, if you do not want to leave teeth marks, but my donors are fine with going au naturelle." The "L" sound turned into a seductive glide of the tongue over her gleaming white, sharp teeth. "Guests first," she insisted and gently pushed the two towards the waiting vampires.

The two donors sat on the ottoman between the two sofas, looking tense and a little excited. Nervously, they looked over the small group of blood suckers, wondering who would be the first to take a bite.