Nodding, she completely agreed.
"Don't I know it."
Grinning, she added, "Not that I'm one of them. I'm what I am today because of them, though. As far as siblings go, she was a good mother. A little big on the 'let's get in trouble' vibe, like any good sibling should be, but with her being 'mom' too, there was never anyone to reprimand us."

"Oh, hadn't thought of that, so did that make you the 'good' girl?" The barrista wandered over and unobtrusively refilled Tal's cup with more tea. He gave her an absentminded grin and glanced at Kenly. "More hot chocolate?" He knew if she said yes Amber'd have a replacement over quickly. He sometimes thought she lived in the place she was always there.

Shaking her head no, and waving a 'thank you' to the barista, she smiled.
"You could say that. I'm the calming side of the two of us."

Lifting his teacup he sipped at it, his eyes conveying his amusement, "So, the calming side huh? Somehow I think it was merely a relative state." He hadn't meant the pun...but now that it was there he was pleased with it.

Smiling wider, she flashed her fangs at him again.
"I guess that's one way to put it. But, really, if not for me, I'm sure half the world would be on fire, in one sense or another.
Also, Mr. Tal, just because I'm a vampire doesn't mean I'm incredibly old, I'll have you know. As vampires go, I'm quite young. A baby, you could say. However, I won't leave you with egg on your face because what I was before I was a vampire does denote the incredible age... So your implication is correct."
She had the sense about her to offer him a coy pout, proving she'd only thought out the first part of what she said, the latter coming to her as she spoke.

Mentally backpedaling Tal tried to recall what he said that would intimate her age, "Oh, uhm, wait, no...I swear, I wasn't saying you were old, it was a...the...." Smoothing his free hand over his face he muffled a laugh. "The 'relative' comment was over her being your relative m'dear. I know much, much better than to even hint you're more than 21 years of age. Wisdom however is ageless and you've that in spades I think."

Raising an eyebrow she mouthed '21' at him.
"I am 26 actually. Don't make me any younger, please. I've earned this age. My kind age much slower. So, chronologically that's a big fat lie, but going by the way we age, it's as close as I can get."
Leaning back against him, she sighed softly, looking about the room. There weren't quite as many people now as there were just half an hour ago.
"Seems we've scared everyone else off. Shouldn't you be home in bed by now, my little dancer boy?"

Looking about he noted that the room was barely occupied and he lightly rubbed his fingertips against her arm. "I suppose, though if we were going for 'turning into a pumpkin' I did that hours ago, I'm merely operating on autopilot." Glancing down at her he sighed, "And you're just getting started I'm sure. But, since you're right shall I walk you home then totter off to my own abode?"

Smiling, she stood and offered him her hand.
"How about I walk you home instead. I'd offer to keep your bed warm, no funny stuff, til you fall asleep, but you'd already found that I'm not a very good furnace. Not to mention I'm a virtual stranger, sad as that is. Besides, we can let you pretend to be the one keeping me safe while we walk in the dark."
She couldn't help grinning mischievously at the last.

Tal had to give a self-depreciating grin when he realized that she would be more likely to take care of any issues. "Well now that you mention it, I am all for equal opportunity walking-home." Taking her hand he stood, for a moment he stood a bit close then tugged her hand to lead her towards the door. "Just old habits dying hard, one of my more...memorable foster homes sorta beat etiquette into our heads." This was obvious as he held the door open for her and gave a fast wave to Amber as they headed out.

Smiling again and walking out past him, she leaned up quick and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.
"Such a gentleman. I must thank you for a lovely sit-down. After I get you home, however, I'd love to set up another 'run-in', if you'd be willing."
Standing on the sidewalk, she held her hand out to him, willing to hold his or tuck it into the crook of his arm, depending on how gentlemanly he felt like being.
"Come. The night is beautiful and we have a lovely walk ahead of us."

Taking her hand he strolled off into the night; while not tucking her hand up completely he did use it to tug her closer to his side. "I'd love another 'run-in' myself, but I do have to ask." Though he knew he didn't have to be hyper-alert he still kept his eyes moving as they headed down the block towards his apartment, "and forgive me if it's very Bram Stokers...can I see you during the day or are you holed up in a very dark room?"

Not looking around as she could sense her surroundings, she leaned into him.
"You can see me. You won't be able to talk to me, or rather, I won't be able to talk to you. Unlike your typical vampires, I won't burst into flames and turn to dust, but I am mute. It's an interesting twist, I know."

Blinking he looked down at her, nearly running himself into a light pole. "Mute? That's probably the most random thing I've heard.... Do your vocal cords just not work, or is it..." stopping himself he waved his free hand in the air beside his head. "Never mind that, I'd love to see you, even if we couldn't converse, but I like talking with you too."

"Well, you could always talk to me. If we're at an internet cafe, or have a pad of paper with a pen, I can talk back. And, feel free to ask whatever you want. I'll answer just about anything."
Bumping her hip against him, she smiled up at him, letting him know she meant quite literally anything he could think of.

Lightly guiding their journey he spotted his apartment, it was the lower level of an old brownstone tucked in a newly renovated area of town. The entrance was tucked just below street level and Tal dug out his keys. "So, is it the sun that stops you talking, or just the tilt of the earth? Couldn't you get around that by being in a room with no natural light?"

Smiling at the attempt to understand, she shook her head.
"It's basically the same idea as a normal vampire being burnt up. I wasn't exactly normal when I was turned, so what happens in the daytime isn't exactly normal either."
Stopping when he stopped, she watched him dig out his keys and stood, leaning against the wrought iron fencing keeping the general population safe from falling down the small depression into Tal's apartment.

Pushing the key into the lock first on teh door, then the deadbolt Tal swung his door open and flicked on the light. It revealed a mudroom splashed with colourful coats and a half dozen shoes. Gently grabbing Kenly's hand he tugged her close and rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. "Well, in case you're bound by other silly things, you now have my permission to enter Cassa La Tal...just be careful of the rogue tap shoes that live here." A large, orange tabby sauntered into view and stared at them both before giving an offended yowl. "Though you might have to ask Biscuit's permission later, he sorta owns the rest of the place."

Giggling, she smiled appreciatively up at him then hunkered down and wiggled her fingers at the feline.
"Kitty! Here kitty, kitty."
Looking back up at him from where she was squatted, her smile was bigger than ever.
"Thank you for inviting me in, it's appreciated. You didn't have to, by the way. It's always nice to hear it, though. And if he's anything like you, I think we'll get along just fine. I love kitties."
Realizing the position she was in, she stood up and cleared her throat, putting her hands behind her back as she twirled into the doorway, hunkering down again and wiggling her fingers at the house-mate again.
"Come here, Mr. Biscuit. I want to be your friend."
She practically cooed as the large cat sauntered toward them with a put-out expression on his face until he was in arm's reach. As she scratched behind his ears, the purring that rumbled from him was some of the loudest she had ever heard.
"Where did you ever find this fine monster? He's so soft, and loud."

Watching his often aloof cat easily fall sway to her appeal Tal grinned and watched the two of them. "Well, got this thing when he was so small he could fit in the palm of my hand. Brought him home, let him sleep at the head of my bed so I could feed him every couple hours. He kept growing and growing and now he rules the house. He's a good roommate, he keeps the house clean, doesn't hog the tv, and rarely leaves hair in the shower."

Tugging lightly on one of her curls he grins, "you'll have to fill me in on exactly which things I should and should not worry about." Snapping his fingers he digs around in one of the hanging coats and pulls out a small card, "My contact info, I know it seems odd to have a business card, but it's easier than actually remembering my numbers." He offers the card to the currently cat-involved woman.

Reaching up, she accepted the card.
"Makes sense to me. And he's a very handsome specimen."
Pocketing the card, she reluctantly stood, leaving the feline to his own devices. Looking about as she followed him farther into the abode, she looked around appreciatively.
"It's not really that obvious that this is the house of a couple of very eligible bachelors. It's very nice."

As Biscuit glared up at Tal for distracting his new slave Tal bowed dramatically. "Assuming you don't have to hope home for a bite to eat you can have the fifty cent tour." He mentally tried to recall if he'd made his bed that morning....

Grinning, she shook her head.
"If I get hungry I'll just sweet-talk you to offer me a sip."
Sticking her tongue out playfully she amended.
"I won't have a problem finding a sip if I need it. So, I'd love the tour!"

"Oh I'm sure you could talk a diabetic into seconds of dessert," toeing off his shoes Tal kicked them into the corner and pulled her along past the mudroom and led her into the front hall. Heading to the left he flicked on a switch and nimbly side stepped as Biscuit trotted into the room, heading for his bowl. A haughty look showed he wasn't happy over it's state, but Tal was bound to not let it get to him.

"The kitchen, I'm a terrible cook, but it's amazing how many cabinets I still manage to fill up with things. I'm an inveterate gadget buyer." His counter was covered with toasters, blenders, choppers, and a variety of other things.

Giggling as she was tugged along, she looked around as they moved along. Looking around the kitchen, she couldn't help smiling largely.
"I'll have to make you dinner one of these evenings. I'm a great cook, but don't get the chance to do it often, for obvious reasons."

"I'm all for a home cooked meal," tugging her to another door he opened it and paused to let the cat proceed him in. "Lazy bugger could push it open himself, but he likes having a doorman." Moving into the next room, the living room, he paused and let her look around. This room was a bit less cluttered, just a sectional, entertainment center and a couple bookshelves. The books weren't organized in the least. "I'd like to say something macho like this is my 'man cave', but really, I tend to sleep more on that couch than anything else."

Looking about thoughtfully, she decided to amend her previous compliment on the bachelor pad.
"Perhaps I should become a regular visitor... Give a few things a touch of order."
Patting his hand, she wanted to let him know it was a positive comment.

Assuming a mock offended pose, "Hey now, we were going for 'casual dorm room' I think we achieved that nicely." A hallway led off from the room and he stopped at the first door on the right. "Okay, this is the one room you're going to tease me about...a lot. I can take it." Pushing open the door he flicked on a light, and it bounced back off a room full of mirrors and across a full weight set and state of the art stereo. "My upstairs neighbor rejoiced after I sound proofed the room."

Giggling, she shook her head slowly.
"Typical guy thing."
Turning fully to him, she ran her hands up his torso and smiled widely, her fangs in full view.
"It pays off. So, I'll keep the teasing to a bare minimum."

"Oh, trust me, not just a guy thing," tugging her in and closing the door he made sure the cat wasn't in the room. Flicking on the stereo he let the music from the current production he was in fill the room he pulled her into his arms and danced her around the room. "This is a professional dancer thing."

Allowing him to spin her around the room, she let the sound of the music wrap around them and fill the room with a soft buzzing that could be felt just under the skin-not a bad sensation at all.
"I might have to start finding me some more dancers."
She smiled up at him as she let him continue to lead her around.

Leading her through a series of fast turns and then the prerequisite dip he slowly let her up and grinned. "Sorry, I hate sharing my dance partners." Giving her a long look he tipped his head, "You've also had some lessons, otherwise you wouldn't be this good.... I'll have to take you out for a night of serious dancing."

Fluttering her eyes at him, she lowered her chin so she look up at him through her thick dark lashes.
"I can be exclusive if you can. And I'd love to go dancing with you."

Turning off the stereo, no matter how good the sound proofing Ms. Metz upstairs would still hear a bit of it if she was awake, he grinned. "I'm not about to claim all your time without giving up mine as well." Opening the door he ushered her out and came to the next door also on the right side. He gave up a small prayer that he hadn't exploded the room without recall then flicked on the switch. The lights revealed a room done in dark blues and light woods, his bedroom. And saints be praised the drawers were all closed, and the bed even relatively made.

Stepping in, she turned a circle to get the full appreciation of the room, taking her time to take it all in.
"The color scheme is lovely."
Turning to face him, she slowly walked backward and dropped onto the bed, spreading her arms as she did to distribute her weight. Giving him a sultry look, she gave him a demure smile.
"It's comfortable."

Leaning a shoulder on the door jam Tal watched her walk through his room. When she sprawled on the bed he worked very, very hard to not join her there. He'd known her for only a couple hours, he was not foolish enough to literally jump into bed with someone after so short an acquaintance. Thankfully Biscuit soon joined her in the sprawling, the large cat taking up nearly as much room as Kenly. "Considering the two places I refuse to be uncomfortable are my bed and my couch, yeah, it's very nice."

Nodding, she happily picked up her attention of the cat, not concerned that he was staying on the other side of the room. She was enjoying the feline just as much as she would have, had it been Tal.
"I can't imagine having it any other way."
Turning her attention to the cat again, she started talking to him.
"Has to be just so for the king of the house, huh buddy? Yes, yes. Mr. Tom must have things purrfect, after all."
Smiling widely, genuinely enjoying the furry creature, she scratched the under-side of his chin vigorously.

Biscuit gave in graciously...and promptly bared his furry underside and soul to Kenly. Tal had to admit his heart melted as he watched it happen. That cat was decidedly short-bus special and he trusted his instincts to know a good person. Finally, after a few more zen-like centering breaths, he felt he had enough wherewith to not go overboard. Moving over to the bed he sat down on the side and ran a fingertip over the cat's furry tummy, selfsame feline very obviously enjoying the attention.

Smiling like a happy child up at him, she continued to scritch and scratch the feline.
"I don't have a cat of my own... I don't really have the time to have a pet. Sad as it is. I'm going to have to worm my way permanently into your life just so I can play with Biscuit."
Giggling, she winked and leaned down to nuzzle the cat's forehead.

"I'm pretty sure he will require me to bring you home frequently...I'm not a good enough slave. I don't give him food whenever he wants, the glutton, and I'm terrible at scritches when I am tired." Stroking the cat slowly, Tal just watched as Kenly enjoyed his cat. "I'm surprised you don't even have time for a cat, they're pretty even keel...otherwise I'd never be able to keep one either."