OTA ; Don't Stop, Make it Pop, DJ Blow My Speakers Up

[walkingheroin]

Who: Lucifer Morningstar and OTA
Where: Deux Lux, Floor 6, Room 66
When: Anytime in March
Rating: TBD, probably PG-13 or so
Summary: Lucifer does what he does almost every other night - he has a party. Shenanigans and conversation ensue. This is essentially a catch-all for March for him. Let me know if you want something specific.
The Story:

[Once the drama of New Years dies down and he's drunk the entirely of his bar two or more times, Lucifer finally reopens his club to the public, seemingly no worse for the wear. He's chatted with a few specific people, reflected (marginally) on himself a bit, and has come to several conclusions.

All of which he'll be keeping to himself for the most part.

That said, he seems a bit brighter than even when he first arrived, as if there's a bit of weight off his shoulders, and he's almost less of a businessman and more of a guest in his own place as the nights continue on. He drinks along with everyone else, dances when he pleases, and plays the piano often, lending his singing voice more than occasionally.

Still, a few things weight on his mind that he'll need to take care of, but on the whole, he's quite chipper and easily approaching....or as approachable as the Devil can be.

That said, he's not seen a whole lot outside of his nightclub or his penthouse up the stairs, which means he might be a little more reclusive still than he first appears...]

Comments

[poppycock]

[ a totally reasonable question met with a totally reasonable response: klaus smiles at her well-aimed wit with a playfulness to match her teasing jest. he breathes out a laugh. ] The cat doesn't seem to mind, nor the horse, but the bird...

[persevere]

The bird.

[So deadpan.]

Do I even want to know how you managed to get a hold of a horse here? What, did you walk it out of a closet and somehow have to get it outside, because I sure haven't seen any horses wandering the halls.

[poppycock]

[ by the time she's asking about horses and closets, klaus is dimpling in earnest. he takes a swallow of his drink as she goes on, his eyes bright. ] There are stables outside, you know. Perfectly functional space to acquire a horse.

[persevere]

I know that, but you have to get a horse to put in the stable first, right? Or is there a working closet thing out there?

[Don't make her think about wanting a horse of her own, Klaus. Don't you dare.]

[poppycock]

[ but how can they take romantic horse rides down the beach then?! he dare, he double dog dare

also ok you caught him. klaus peers up towards the ceiling and answers purely hypothetically: ] It might be necessary to use one on the first floor, preferably closest to the Great Hall, if one were so inclined, [ he gestures that as an aside ] for the easiest, simplest, and least traumatizing experience for the horse and the owner [ a wry, crooked smile here because maybe it was somewhat difficult ] in question.

[persevere]

[That's not fair. It's not like she's always wanted a pony or a unicorn her entire life.

Or wait, she probably has. Dammit.]

...I wouldn't even know how to take care of a horse. You know, if I wanted one.

[She's...clearly getting ideas, though.]

[poppycock]

[ what a coincidence, because it just so happened that ] I know how to take care of a horse, [ he says, so innocuously. so innocuously and casually, if not for how obvious he is as he gazes at her. he offers his help as if there's nothing more he'd rather do. ] I could teach you.

... Along with the many tomes of detailed instructions you'd use for research, of course. [ he is using what he knows about her, and he's using it right now to tease her. ]

[persevere]

Considering you have one, I'd sure hope so.

[This may be, in fact, where she wanted to steer this conversation, at least unconsciously. It's probably wrong of her to be interesting in spending more time with him, and yet...]

I'd rather learn by doing rather than reading. If it's not too much trouble.

[Is she agreeing to pull a horse out of a closet??? How did we get here?]

[poppycock]

[ klaus mikaelson is how we get here. said reason for how we get here takes a moment to consider and wonder her words and if there truly is willing interest in them. a small smile touches his lips; he also considers there's no way else to know but see. he downs the rest of his drink and straightens to face her fully. ] In that case. [ there he pauses and nods pointedly at the door with just the smallest measure of challenge. ] Shall we?

[persevere]

[There's a pause as she seems to consider, followed by a gentle roll of her eyes before she gestures with a tip of her head towards the door.]

Alright, fine.

[She pulls out her device then, shooting a quick text off to Elena so that she doesn't look for her when if she separates herself from Damon and even notices that she's left.

That done, she slips it back into her clutch before raising her brows expectantly at him.]

Let's go.

[poppycock]

[ there's certainly no need for further prompting; not for klaus, considering the warm, triumphant eagerness he's feeling right about now. he gestures for her to lead the way, ever the gentleman. as a gentleman, his hand hovers behind her as they make their way through the crowd, his palm brushing the curve of her arm when the spaces grow tight; he opens the door for her once they reach the exit of deux lux.

he walks ahead few paces as they spill out of the noise and clamor of the night club. his hands fold behind his back. ] May I ask if you even know how to ride?

[persevere]

[Each gentle brush of his skin against her has her heart beating harder, her thoughts drifting back and forth from the present to a very real dream she had, and she swallows back any anxiety or excitement it might bring inside her chest. It's not going to be like that, and she hasn't even decided if that wasn't just some weird concoction of her mind. It wasn't real, and that's all there was to it.

Besides, he has a girlfriend...thing. Also, thinking about this at all was wrong.

And then they're suddenly in the hallway and he's pacing himself ahead of her, and she hopes to god that her cheeks aren't red.

Her steps are quick as she follows after him, keeping up with his long strides at a human pace.]

Are you asking if I've taken lessons? Or if I can keep myself in a saddle without falling off?

[So...technically no.]

I've done it before, at least. A couple times. At a brisk walk.

[poppycock]

[ he doesn't neglect to look back nor to slow and let his stride match hers. he does so truly want to be here with her, absent of his usual apprehensive and meticulous comportment—a comportment of which he has been intensely so lately. attentive and discerning though he may still be, there is no other thought in his mind, no other consideration besides the pleasure of her company.

if it is foolish or wrong, it does not matter to klaus. what harm is a stroll to the stables? ] Both, [ he answers. ] Either. I'm certain with your grace you'll grow proficient. Horses are malleable creatures; all they really need is to be understood.

[persevere]

[In that case, she'll slow as he does, because she's in heels and even if they don't hurt she'd rather not ruin them by walking faster than she needs to.

Her hands are clasped in front of her, bouncing gently as she walks, her curls doing the same as they cascade around her shoulders, moving in waves with each turn of her head.]

My balance is impeccable these days. [Thanks Katherine.] Besides, I'm going to spoil the crap out of it. It'll have to love me.

[poppycock]

[ he didn't necessarily mean her balance, but it's true all the same. he also couldn't imagine a horse nor any creature disliking her, though he can imagine her spoiling one. he dimples with his smile and slows to offer her his arm as they reach the stairs. ] I've no doubt it will. Though be stingy with the sugar cubes. They're not very healthy. [ is his piece of teasing advice. ]

[persevere]

[It only takes a couple steps for her to catch up, and she doesn't even think about it this time as she takes the offered arm before they start to descend the stairs.]

Okay, not completely spoiled.

[She's no pushover, okay. But there will be plenty of brushings and talking.]

You'll have to introduce me to yours, too. They can be horsey friends.

[poppycock]

[ the term "horsey friends" is quite enough to pull a short and genuine laugh of affection from klaus. ] Persephone's very playful and dignified. I'm sure she'll like you and your new horse. [ he glances to her on that 'you', brows lifted just so with implied flirtation. he'll gladly introduce her to his mare; it heartens and amuses him to consider the further bond that it invites and might forge.

and because he is curious: ] What kind of horse will you envision?

[persevere]

So she's just like you, is that it?

[Playful and dignified. So very Klaus, obviously. She's not resorting to blatant flirtation at all.

/sarcasm

She's basically given up on giving a fuck as to whether or not she's supposed to be doing this. It's not like they're doing anything wrong (unlike that dream, parts of which keep flashing through her head and making her pause). Well, maybe flirting with a boy who has a girlfriend...thing is wrong, but maybe they broke up? It's not her job to police him and, again, they're just talking. Totally fine.]

I can't tell you. That would ruin the surprise.

[She smirks at him as she gently tosses her head in his direction.]

[poppycock]

[ there could be a touch of pink filling the tops of his cheeks as the silence stretches at the mere implication of her suggestion; it's certainly less the description of him and more the inferred intent that silences him. he's punchdrunk and all too pleased, his eyes rounded and his smile involuntary as he glances away.

words, right. he uses them, from time to time. ]

Well then I'll have to wait with baited breath. [ he waits a beat and then looks at her sidelong. it doesn't mean he won't guess. flirtatiously. ] Will she be clever and stunning?

[persevere]

[At this rate, maybe his blush will finally match hers, though she'd be quick to blame it on the liquor in her veins if anyone ever pointed it out.

Caroline can't say she doesn't like that she seemingly has an effect on him, though. She's sure she's ever been around someone who wanted her company quite this much and it felt...good.]

As if I'd settle for anything less.

[poppycock]

[ klaus would blame her without hesitation or remorse. so does he answer her without a beat because he too can't and wouldn't say he doesn't like she has an effect on him either.

or vice versa. the warmth of his smile lingers, as does his gaze on hers. ] Nor I.

[persevere]

[Caroline's mouth falls open slightly at that, her chest seizing briefly before she manages to find her breath again, shaking her head as if shaking cobwebs from her brain.

Without thinking about it, she reaches out, grabs his hand and squeezes, pausing his steps and waiting for him to turn towards her.

In her tipsiness, she doesn't have time to realize that this might change everything, for better or for worse, and she's not sure which way would be which. There's a pause where she just stares at him briefly, the slightest furrow to her brow, as if she's trying to read his mind and failing miserably.]

...Why are you doing this?

[poppycock]

[ the firm and forward grasp of her hand suddenly in his sends a jolt up and through him: elation, thrill, and trepidation all. the ghost of the tender delight he has felt remains in the light in his eyes and in the touch of his smile as she stops them; he turns towards her without thought and with an accepting eagerness. but that ghost fades when he sees the searching and grave expression on her face.

his heart calms or it does only at his insistence. his expression mirrors hers, falling into an uncertain, inquisitive visage. he's not blind, nor deaf, nor dumb; she has acted differently tonight. so perhaps has he, loose and reckless with compliments and interest. despite that, he's not quite certain what she means.

what is clear is neither does she. ] What am I doing that confuses you?

[persevere]

[His response does little to calm the beating her her chest. If anything, it picks up speed, her cheeks burning hot as he teeth tug on her bottom lip. She doesn't know what she wants regardless of the answers to her questions and briefly, she debates trying to drop the entire subject, but the look on his face makes her believe that he's not going to let that slide.

She breathes out, the grip on his hand tightening out of reflex as she tries to steady the slight wobble in both her emotional and physical balance.]

I just...you're flirting with me, right? I'm not like...imagining that?

[She's pretty damn sure she isn't. He's being kind of obvious, and she's doing the same in kind.]

I mean, you said we're friends in the future or whatever. Is that just kind of our thing? We drink and flirt?

[There's an unspoken or tacked onto the end there, because she doesn't sound so sure. But she also doesn't want to get the wrong idea, and she sure isn't going to let some boy screw with her head again. She just wants to know what to expect.

She's gotten hurt enough.]

[poppycock]

[ the rush of her heart is deafening. it's all he hears, secluded in this stairwell: a relentless beat that stutters and stops and starts his own with vengeance and dread and relish. his hand squeezes hers to steady her and the gesture is as involuntarily and it is eye-opening. (he has only ever desired and longed to be this for her: steady and loving and here.)

he has done her wrong in his selfishness to enjoy her; it hits him in a painful blow that takes his breath, just how sincerely this could all mean something to her, as it could easily to him. she's not the caroline he knows, wise to his past ruthlessnesses, in love with a boy he despises and she protects, just as she rightfully protected herself. it chokes him for a moment, all she does not know, and that past is least of those concerns.

there's here and now. there's his future. there's the fresh bruises on his heart; the paralyzing remorse of that, that she does not know. his lips part and he pulls in a shaky breath as he looks down and to the side, searching for words that do not come. it twists him up inside with anguish and uncertainty, how innocent and liable her questions are and how complicated his answers are too.

his fingers tighten around hers again; they shift, his palm touching hers as he climbs the few steps to be beside her, his eyes full. all there is to start with is the truth, no matter how he hesitates to part with it. it would be easier to let it go, he thinks; it would be easier for her if he did. would it be fair? to him, he wonders, or to her? ] No.

Not entirely.