Armand - Eternally Misunderstood Immortal -

The hostility between Louis and Antoine had been steadily stirring since their last gathering. Armand had not realised how severely until recently. Trouble indeed as his oldest friend had closed off his mind entirely from him. “I would feel more reassured if you hadn’t locked up tight as you are mentally.” Armand commented. “Yes we are courting. Neither of us likes dictation from anyone, so I respect your position. Longterm cordiality would be especially appreciated. “So what begun this feud, mon ami? Surely not Lestat?”

Louis listened to Armand. He nodded politely as the elder vampire spoke. “Why would you need to see my thoughts, Armand? Do you not trust me, mon ami?” He questioned softly. “We have been friends a long time. You should know by now that I do not lie to you that I will keep my word.” Louis lies to many but he has never intentionally lied to Armand. He saw no reason to start now. That did not mean he would share his thoughts. He did not want them misinterpreted by Armand.

“Of course, Armand, I will be a perfect gentleman when you are with him. You do not have to worry. I have not forgotten the rules of polite society.” Louis looked at him offended. He does not make scenes. His friend should know him better than that by now. “It is an old feud. It will come to nothing other than bickering back and forth.” Until I loose my patience with him and his arrogance, he thinks silently.

@auburnandamberangel

Armand looked up at Louis, he did trust his friend but he also knew his temper and revenge could be abrupt and deadly indeed. “Your thoughts are rarely veiled from me so it is hard not to be…curious shall I say.” Replying in a measured toned also. “Yes you haven’t lied to me. But you are capable of the conceit.“ “You are also aware that I protect what I love. I never want to be caught between you both. An old feud? You speak of his aiding of Lestat in burning your home don’t you? Not long after he was turned. Nothing new or fresh then. Except for the bickering. Be sure to mind flames around himself, and possessions in future then. Though I’m sure Lestat is none to pleased I’ve accordingly added another of his fledglings to my harem.” Armand shaking in head half in jest half in despair. @your-green-eyed-monster

Louis looked at his friend then said quietly to him, “Fools who run their mouths off wind up dead.” Louis said speaking of the vampire. “However, I have no plans to kill him. I really do not want him dead but I am tired of him. If it were just him and I that would be affected I would kill him with little thought. You like him, Lestat loves him. So do not worry. He is safe from me.” Louis’ mind was shielded from his friend. Something he rarely did. He did not want Armand misinterpreting his thoughts.

Louis knew that Armand was seeing Antoine. He was not going to revise his opinion of him. He may burn his home down to make his life harder than it would otherwise be. He had no such plans as of yet. Louis has not been pushed enough by the other vampire to be angered into action. “I know you like him. So let us just disagree on this. I am not telling you who to date. Please do not tell me who to like. I do not want this to affect our friendship.”

The hostility between Louis and Antoine had been steadily stirring since their last gathering. Armand had not realised how severely until recently. Trouble indeed as his oldest friend had closed off his mind entirely from him. “I would feel more reassured if you hadn’t locked up tight as you are mentally.” Armand commented. “Yes we are courting. Neither of us likes dictation from anyone, so I respect your position. Longterm cordiality would be especially appreciated. "So what begun this feud, mon ami? Surely not Lestat?"

“I confuse myself. I’d rather any potential romance not go up in destructive flames just yet.” Armand stared across at Antoine who was now reclined in the corner of the chaise. “Confuse but not enough to dampen your ardeur. I’d like that too.” Moving so he leaned into Antoine’s arms, curled up to one side against the others chest. “Touch my hair if you wish?”

Antoine gently began to stroke his hair as Armand was curled up against him. Some time has passed. “Tonight turned out to be perfect. To me it is.” I like being close to you Armand, that I know I’m not confused about. Do not talk about destruction just yet.” 

Armand felt totally relaxed, recumbent in using Antoine as a resting place. He could feel the others immortal heartbeat through his body. He hadn’t been this close, in companionable intimacy in a long time. It was comforting. “It has been a lovely evening, and successful first step. And I’ve discovered that I’m rather fond of being close to you.” Liking the feel of those graceful pianist fingers in his hair. “What would please you for a second date? - out of interest?” Shifting his head so he could look up at Antoine through a lace work of his russet lashes. Giving the other the full weight of his warm brown eyes.

Hanging his head down he shook it in disagreement. “I -I don’t think it’d be wise to take it this far on a first date. Maybe we should save it for another time?” Antoine moved his head up to make eye contact with the warm amber eyes to the right of him. He leaned back on the sofa, pulling Armand’s hand in his own up to his lips, kissing each knuckle softly, smiling comfortably as he applied each gentle kiss. 

“You’ve such pretty eyes.” 

Armand felt in part a tad disappointed and slightly rejected even though the majority of him knew Antoine was being wise. Perhaps it would have gone too far too soon. And ironically it would be him who cried foul if he felt he was only desired for fast gratification. “Your right. I was impetuous. It’s a heady thing to be desired again. I was carried away on it. I shouldn’t tease so wantonly this soon. I’m not one to move fast. Apologies. You would have come off worse, and it would have been my fault.” His hand was captured and a warm mouth attended his knuckles. “You are a gentleman, Antoine. Thankyou. Your eyes are quite stunning too.” Giving his attentive courters own blue eyes, his full amber gaze. “I must seem like such a puzzle to you.”

“Merci. You confuse me some times, the faster we take it, the fast it will burn out for both of us. Come here,” Antoine leaned into the corner in the arm of the sofa with his arms out. “I want to feel your weight on me and I would like to hold you, only if you would like it.” 

"I confuse myself. I'd rather any potential romance not go up in destructive flames just yet." Armand stared across at Antoine who was now reclined in the corner of the chaise. "Confuse but not enough to dampen your ardeur. I'd like that too." Moving so he leaned into Antoines arms, curled up to one side against the others chest. "Touch my hair if you wish?"

Antoine could barely contain himself. Armand’s compliment defeated any ounce of self control that he had left in him. He leaned down with Armand’s squeeze of his hand and kissed him lightly on the mouth. He pressed his lips against Armand’s over and over with his eyes closed.  For Antoine time stopped, it froze and like any other romantic cliche, they were the only ones left on the planet that mattered in that private moment.

Leaning back after some time he felt the blood rush to his face and shame came over him like a fresh sea breeze, “Monsieur, I’m sorry. Truly, I am.” 

Antoine had been overwhelmed by my compliments of this evening and himself. As my hand gripped his he pressed the daintiest of kisses against my lips. The merest brush of smooth pads against mine. Sweet butterfly touches, neither forceful or unfeeling. It had been a longtime since he’d been kissed and an even more significant span of years since anyone had placed quite so much restrained passion into it. 

Antoines expression went from sublime to horrified as his face flushed. Awaiting my garsh judgement of a rash action. “Don’t be sorry, Antoine. Kiss me like your life depended on it as a follow up.” Moving closer.

Hanging his head down he shook it in disagreement. “I -I don’t think it’d be wise to take it this far on a first date. Maybe we should save it for another time?” Antoine moved his head up to make eye contact with the warm amber eyes to the right of him. He leaned back on the sofa, pulling Armand’s hand in his own up to his lips, kissing each knuckle softly, smiling comfortably as he applied each gentle kiss. 

“You’ve such pretty eyes.” 

Armand felt in part a tad disappointed and slightly rejected even though the majority of him knew Antoine was being wise. Perhaps it would have gone too far too soon. And ironically it would be him who cried foul if he felt he was only desired for fast gratification. “Your right. I was impetuous. It’s a heady thing to be desired again. I was carried away on it. I shouldn’t tease so wantonly this soon. I’m not one to move fast. Apologies. You would have come off worse, and it would have been my fault.” His hand was captured and a warm mouth attended his knuckles. “You are a gentleman, Antoine. Thankyou. Your eyes are quite stunning too.” Giving his attentive courters own blue eyes, his full amber gaze. “I must seem like such a puzzle to you.”

Armand could tell Antoine was nervous. He thrummed with excitable energy. It was a good sign if he had come to Trinity Gate, entirely composed with total assuredness. Armand would have taken it as a sign of proud certainty of how the evening would pan out. 

“I’ve never really been on a traditional date, Antoine. And its been a long time since I’ve been courted by anyone. So I was unsure of what was expected of me. *not since David I suppose. Though that was more for my tale than myself*

Coming out of self reflection Armand concentrated on his perspective beau. He smiled fondly at the pianist. “You’ve done very well so far, Antoine.” Squeezing the others hand for assurance. “An enchanting idea. A little oasis in a busy city for us.”

Antoine could barely contain himself. Armand’s compliment defeated any ounce of self control that he had left in him. He leaned down with Armand’s squeeze of his hand and kissed him lightly on the mouth. He pressed his lips against Armand’s over and over with his eyes closed.  For Antoine time stopped, it froze and like any other romantic cliche, they were the only ones left on the planet that mattered in that private moment.

Leaning back after some time he felt the blood rush to his face and shame came over him like a fresh sea breeze, “Monsieur, I’m sorry. Truly, I am.” 

Antoine had been overwhelmed by my compliments of this evening and himself. As my hand gripped his he pressed the daintiest of kisses against my lips. The merest brush of smooth pads against mine. Sweet butterfly touches, neither forceful or unfeeling. It had been a longtime since he'd been kissed and an even more significant span of years since anyone had placed quite so much restrained passion into it. Antoines expression went from sublime to horrified as his face flushed. Awaiting my garsh judgement of a rash action. "Don't be sorry, Antoine. Kiss me like your life depended on it as a follow up." Moving closer.

Antoines hand had felt warm in Armands after he’d tied the corsage on that same wrist. It had been along time since his hand had nestled in someone else’s. A odd yet comforting feeling, the immortal reflected. Safer ground was the european style of kissing both cheeks. One of the few traditional greetings that permeated his whole history from boyhood to now. “I hunted early as I was not sure what this evening would entail. Returning in good time to prepare.” Armand nodded and thought on the next sentence of thanks from Antoine. “Your very welcome. My thanks for asking me. We’ve accompanied eachother to a few concerts as a party, but that I appreciate has less potential.. frisson.” Arching a brow. He knew Antoine which was the point, just not in this new light as a possible suitor. They’d arrived. He’d noted the canister, a flask to keep contents warm. Something to toast with then. A thoroughly precise date. He allowed himself a smile whilst Antoine exited his door to go round to open his for him. The chosen area was secluded enough. But as their hideaway stood out starkly in the darkness hiring guards to watch it had been thoughtful. It was eye catching, with lights adorning the romantic willow trees and white netted nest. A velvet sofa was a added touch of outdoor comfort. He walked into the tent as Antoine waved him in. Pouring some still warm blood from the flask. Armand raised his glass and toasted Antoine as he took a sip. Pleasant know not quite as good as from the vein. “Where did you acquire this from, a special kind of evil doer?” Wondering as to the person who’d donated their required beverage. Facing his host.

[text] of course 

[text] classic Saturday night plans for us both

[text] what do you say old man?

[Text: Antoine] Collect me at 8pm then. Consider that evening saved then. Armand had gotten ready in no time at all. It had been so hard to find a outfit that didn’t hold significant residual memories or meaning to them that he’d brought garments from scratch. A rich blue jacquard jacket, dark velvet trousers and a silvery Egyptian cotton shirt. Tucked in. A loose cravat at his neckline, otherwise it would feel too bare. It occurred to him that a date was a foreign concept to him, wondering if the chase with Daniel had counted in that sense. A unique form of courting. But relationship building all the same. His mind jarred, time to move to safer less cutting topics. Where Antoine was taking him?, and how this evening would pan out….This was the first step in the musicians wooing campaign. Would a step two evening be in tg the offing.

Antoine hired a private town car that was both spacious and private to pick up Armand for their Saturday rendezvous. A sleek black modern vehicle that was less gaudy than it’s longer counterpart: the limo. It was a shorter version of a limo, however still held a luxurious quality to it. The musician spent the night before scouting the location in Central Park which has no end of willow trees to decorate with dim fairy lights, white netting to keep out the insects and give them some semblance of privacy. 

He hired a decorator to fix it up in the day and cordon the space off to the public by employing two security personnel, although it was so far in the park that he doubted anyone would come across it. Still the men stood guard in black suits who he was paying handsomely to guard the area until their arrival. He went to check it out and to light the tiki torches prior to Armand seeing it. He  decorated the comfortable velvet settee with flower petals, pink, white and red petals scattered all around. The smell of the petals lingered over their soon private place. The space laid out for the rest of their date glowed an orange and yellow. A perfect hue both relaxing and easy on the eye. 

Antoine wore YSL cologne and a handsome grey suit that brought out his sparkling blue eyes to the world. He wore a collarless white buttoned-up shirt.  He wore modern dress shoes which were both black and shiny. Antoine reckoned that he could make-out his face in it the tips of the shoes. He picked up a corsage of a bright blue and white, that would bring out his soon to be lovers eyes. On his arrival in the town car, Antoine asked the driver to wait out right in front so he could text Armand. 

[text] I’m here. [text] in the black town car 

Armand promenaded in his front main lounge. Pacing if he admitted to himself he was nervous. The fact the date was entirely a surprise affair, was part tantalising, part daunting. It went against tge carefully polished inner grain of control the auburn haired, 500year old immortal perfected and preferred. Only one person had brought out a more spontaneous side to his nature…but the least thoughts lingered on him currently the better. He heard the car pull up outside before he saw it. Peering through his tinted period windows at the elegant partial stretch car outside, before his phone announced a message. Turning off the lights he headed out the front door. Remotely triggering the state of the art security systems as he went. Door keys placed in his inner jacket pocket. Antoine was stood next to the car door, settling him in before getting into the other side. Armand nodded his thanks and truly did appreciate the polite gallant details the pianist favoured. Especially the corsage. Smelling the blooms he smiled lightly across at Antoine, eyes tilting up at him. "Your suit compliments you marvellously." Turning to regard the street sides as the car glided along. Soon realising their destination from the familiar road route. "A evening beneath the stars then?" Armand asked good humouredly. Genuinely curious as to their final destination. /p>

[text] of course 

[text] classic Saturday night plans for us both

[text] what do you say old man?

[Text: Antoine] Collect me at 8pm then. Consider that evening saved then. Armand had gotten ready in no time at all. It had been so hard to find a outfit that didn’t hold significant residual memories or meaning to them that he’d brought garments from scratch. A rich blue jacquard jacket, dark velvet trousers and a silvery Egyptian cotton shirt. Tucked in. A loose cravat at his neckline, otherwise it would feel too bare. It occurred to him that a date was a foreign concept to him, wondering if the chase with Daniel had counted in that sense. A unique form of courting. But relationship building all the same. His mind jarred, time to move to safer less cutting topics. Where Antoine was taking him?, and how this evening would pan out....This was the first step in the musicians wooing campaign. Would a step two evening be in tg the offing.