maskormenacelogs | (no subject)

[Cassidy's got his own reasons for excessive drinking, but most of them revolve around constant escapism from all of life's problems. He likes Maurtia Falls for the type of patrons it's draws in, and no one bats an eye at a heavily tattooed Irish guy talking complete shit as he speedily slurs out random tales of his life that may or not be true. It's not even a problem with the natives that he's an imPort, because no one around here is going to believe he'll be doing much heroism or noble acts when he's buying copious amounts of drugs from the local dealers and sharing it with anyone who pays him the slightest bit of attention.

By the end of the night he's curled up in one of the booths, hugging a near empty bottle of whiskey as he snores lightly, only eventually stirred from his slumber by a swat on the leg by the barman.] Mmmright y'are. [He mumbles in acknowledgement, grumbling under his breath as he awkwardly backs out of the booth on his hands and knees, graceful as ever, even as he collides with a fellow late leaver while trying to get to his feet.]

Ah, no problem at all-- [And then he's actually looking at her. And he freezes. The hair and the clothes might be different, but there's no mistaking that face.]

Holy shite, Tulip, love, is that you?! [Without waiting for an answer he's already starting to lean in for an excitable hug.]

I--

[ Raina is taken aback, doing nothing to stop the thrilled hug coming her way. It's a drunk. She can't really go on to question the physical affections from a drunken man in an establishment like this. And Raina is known to some as the flower lady. So perhaps that is where he is getting the name 'Tulip' from?

Moreover, Raina doesn't realize how much she needs the physical affection until she's in the embrace. Cass holds her and Raina fluidly leans against him, her head spinning from both the alcohol and her overwhelming emotions. ]

Let's go somewhere else. I can't go home right now.

[ Neither confirming nor denying her identity -- nor showing real recognition for Cassidy. She's simply accepting him as someone to keep her from her own thoughts for a little while. ]

[The hug is a warm one too, a tight embrace that's full to the brim with relief and compassion, spurred on as she leans into it and holding on for a long few seconds. When he does draw back, it's his head first, getting a closer look before he reluctantly steps back.

For a moment after she speaks, he's silent, initially curious about the accent until his drunken brain catches up with the words behind it.]

Oh... oh! We're in luck, love, mate of mine lives just down the street, so he does. Doubt he'll even be home to bother us.

[He sways his way towards the door, holding it open for her before following her out into the warm night air.] So, who you hidin' from? Not like you to be changin' identities, although I don't mind that accent.

[ What a generous drunkard. Raina prides herself on this catch -- as though the whole thing wasn't entirely accidental. But she's still got it. She has been attached to Chilton so long that she hasn't really had too many opportunities to use her sex appeal to get what she wanted. And it's a good feeling, knowing she's attractive enough to someone that he'll put her up in a complete stranger's house and--

Oh. Oh.

The more he goes on, Raina realizes this guy's enthusiasm to help isn't at all about her. It's because he thinks she's this Tulip woman. How he can mistake her for someone else at all is a complete mystery! Although....with Chauncy Anderson around, perhaps it's not too far off to imagine someone sharing similar features to her. ]

I'm sorry. [ Her brows knit together as she tries, really hard to place this man. But to her knowledge, she's never seen him before. ] I'm not who you think I am. [ Raina steps back from him, leaning against the wall of the building. ] I guess my entire existence here has been to let people down. The community over the whole Constellation thing, Frederick because I'm not as sexy or threatening as his fuckbot, you because I'm not who you think I am. You know -- [ Drunken indignation following: ] In my world, I'm a catch.

[ Until the whole monster thing. ]

[Cassidy halts as she takes up her leaning spot, brows creasing in a mix of confusion and concern at the revelation being made. For just a split second he's not sure whether to believe her, but watching the way she carries herself, her mannerisms, hell, even the way she's talking right now, it all makes it obvious to him that this definitely isn't the Tulip he knows. Tulip's a great liar and a fantastic actress, but Cassidy likes to think he can see through all of that, and that she'd never keep this sort of act up with him.

As strange things go, having a face twin isn't the strangest. He lives with Luke fucking Skywalker, befriended a robot, seen hover cars and super powers, so the concept that someone in some Universe might look the same as another is believable enough.]

Jaysis, you look just like her. [Mostly muttered to himself.

So she's not Tulip. Probably. He's 99% sure she isn't. And while he won't deny he's disappointed, it's still a Tulip lookalike who seems pretty down on her luck. With his initial excitement gone, he joins her in wall leaning, slumping back into the spot beside her with a tired sigh.]

C'mon now, you're one hell of a catch, pretty lady like you. I mean it. And I'm not just sayin' that 'cause you look just like me friend, who- might I say- is an equally fantastic woman.

[He takes a few generous swigs from the whiskey bottle in his hand, nudging an elbow lightly at her side before offering the last few dregs of the drink towards her with a smile.] Offer still stands. Just a few blocks down, I swear.

[ Raina watches him as he nears her, as he takes up a comfortable lean against her and then goes on to reassure. He could have easily walked away upon discovering she isn't his friend. It's what Raina expected him to do, really. Points in his favor. More points for comparing only to say equally fantastic woman. A smile brightens her doom and gloom. ]

Really?

[ Accepting the bottle from him, Raina doesn't hesitate to worry about what she might catch from sharing a drink with someone like Cassidy. Instead, she tilts it back and finishes off the last few swallows, swiping her arm across her lips. ]

Okay, then. Your mate's house. Let's go.

[ Tossing the bottle into the nearest trash can, she reaches out to hook her arm with Cassidy's to allow him to lead the way. ]

Tulip...you said her name was? It's a pretty name. Fitting. I've always liked flowers. Are you two close?

[Cassidy's grin is broad and toothy, disappointment swept aside for the chance of a hang out with someone that might not be Tulip, but shares her features and an apparent like for drinking. And besides, any woman willing to hang out with a trashy Irish drunkard like him is alright as far as he's concerned.

The arm linking is cute, and somewhat practical too with their inebriation, although this encounter did sober him up a little faster than normal.]

Close as bark on a tree, so we are, I like her somethin' fierce. [And, judging by just how fond he is at the mere mention of her, he might just like her more than he's mentioning. Might be why he's quick to move the subject back to his company to avoid dwelling on the one thing he can't have.]

Don't think I ever got your name, though, love. M'Cassidy.

[ Raina, even drunk as she is, can pick up on the subtle cues of Cassidy's affection. Seems like no matter what world, anyone who shares her face is a heart breaker, right? That makes her smile a little bit to herself, staggering along with him until she has enough and simply slips off her stiletto heels, opting to walk barefoot. Might be a dangerous thing in Maurtia Falls....but hey. She doesn't care so much about the risk right now. ]

Raina. It's not so floral, but...

[ She holds out her hand and makes a flower. A tulip. Offering it to him. ]

I'm not without my flowers. It's a pleasure to meet you, Cassidy. Are you an imPort as well?

[That flower trick was impressive, and something that makes Cassidy realise that maybe he'll never get used to seeing all these fancy super powers that people have to offer around here. It's like living in his very own Xmen movie, except way cooler and less Hugh Jackman.]

Awesome. [He decides with grateful smile, taking the tulip delicately and trying his best to thread it into a button hole of his denim jacket without ruining the poor thing.] Yeah, imPort here too, not got a party trick power like that though.

[The briefest of flashes of his tattooed wrist as proof, before he finally notices the switch to bare foot, and turns away from her just enough to offer her his back in the mostly universal signal for "hop on". He will gladly piggy back if it means not having Raina step on glass or needles.]

Y'need a lift, there? I'd rather we at least made it back to me mates in one piece.

[ The offer absolutely delights her. While she would normally have enough 'dignity' to insist on being carried like a proper lady, Raina's inhibitions are lowered enough to allow her to actually have fun -- to abandon her prim and proper ways and to hop right on to Cassidy's back. Her skirt hitches a bit, but hey. She doesn't seem to care as her arms loop around his shoulders. ]

I haven't been given a piggyback ride in ages. So is your invisible ability that you're super strong, Mr. Cassidy?

[ A touch flirtatious as she leans her head forward to get a look at his profile. ]

Ah, just one of my many talents.

[Cassidy's a good boy, not too handsy as he reaches back, arms tucking in behind her knees to provide support as he begins the journey with only the slightest of sways. The staggering certainly appears to be more alcohol orientated than any struggle with carrying her, and he even manages a side glance and a half-smile. Side on he's very much the same, not exactly handsome by current standards, but carrying a certain charm.]

That, and pickin' up lost souls. [Whimsical sounding as it is, it's not a false statement.] Sounds like you've had quite the evenin', folk letting you down, are they? Because I can't believe you'd be the bleedin' let down in all of this.

[ Raina's smile droops a bit at Cassidy's question -- reminded of her situation. She would normally close herself off, claim she doesn't want to talk about it and that would be it. But in actuality, she does want to talk about it. She's bursting to talk about it because her psychiatrist fiancé won't take her feelings into account, so someone needed to! ]

I'm engaged to a man who I was convinced was my soulmate. His ex just arrived in this world, someone he was with before me -- someone he never got closure with and no doubt still loves. And all I can do now is watch as he breaks my heart. Because I know how men are and I know how he is, and I know he will choose the most destructive choice possible.

[ So apparently instead of letting Chilton destroy her, Raina opts to destroy herself if the heavy drinking is anything to go by. Also, doesn't this situation sound just a tad bit familiar? ]

[Awkward love triangles? That's an all too familiar thing for him, especially being the one so quickly shunned, sucks to be the third wheel, is all he can say, but he certainly didn't reach engagement levels with Tulip.]

Ah, love, I'm sorry to hear it. Truly, I am. This place isn't easy, not when we got folk comin' and goin' willy-nilly.

[He sounds genuine, too, like heart break is the last thing he wants to hear someone suffering through. Cassidy's had enough of it in his lifetime to know it's not fair for anyone.]

Engaged, though? You two musta been here for quite a while... Or maybe y'just move fast, ey?

Three years.

[ She murmurs, dropping her chin onto Cassidy's shoulder as she stares at the path ahead of them. ]

Maybe we did move too fast. I don't know. I'm just so tired of fighting for something that should rightfully be mine. He should be fighting for me. Not...whatever is happening right now. He should be afraid I'm the one who's going to leave him.

[ Raina draws in an indignant breath. ]

It's not going to be that way, I suppose. I lost my dignity and well. Here we are. But who knows. Maybe it's fate you and I met?

Fate? Maybe.

[Or one hell of a coincidence to throw a heartbroken Tulip lookalike his way. Perhaps it's some sort of cosmic test for him, but his tone doesn't sound all that convinced of fate. And if it is fate, then it's an asshole for giving him another Tulip who's already got her heart set elsewhere. Sure, he might be able to get lucky for the night if he tries his best, but he got that with Tulip and it just lead to pining, heartbreak and a whole lot lies.]

Might've put us together, for one reason or another, I'm sure we got our fair share of similarities; two lovelorn drunkards that we are. But your fella, he don't sound lost to me, not yet. You gotta think how bleedin' hard it is to have an ex practically back from the dead. Jaysis, it's a terrifyin' thought, is it not?

[ Raina doesn't say anything in response to Cassidy because she doesn't like what he's saying. Logically, Raina knows that it's complicated. You can't exactly turn off feelings for an ex. But selfishly, Raina thinks she should have a complete monopoly of Chilton's attention. ]

Well, anyway. If he does leave me for her, I'm going to kill him. And her. And burn everything they care about to the ground.

[ So sane. Raina is completely, one hundred percent sane. Perhaps there are more similarities between her and Tulip than simply their appearance. ]

But I came out here tonight to get my mind off of my situation. So are we almost at your mate's house?

[He gets it. No response is fine with him, because who the hell gets drunk as fuck to then talk about the thing they're trying to forget? There's a reason he's almost permanently high and/or drunk.]

Ooh, a little romantic vengence, huh? Well, give me a call if you ever follow through with that. I never could turn a good ol' razing.

[And they are indeed almost at his mates house, barely moments after she's asked the question, he's staggering them both to the lower steps of a town house, one that was likely worth quite a bit. Cassidy lowers her as carefully as his drunk ass will allow, before climbing the few steps to the front door. Rather than knock he starts searching aimlessly under everything that has a ledge or moves.]

Keys around here somewhere... So three years, huh. You been here a long time, sounds like.

[ This is actually a bit of a surprise. Raina expected something more in line with what one expects when they think of Maurtia Falls. Not the nice areas like the imPort housing and where Raina lives. But she had met Cassidy in a seedy bar. It's only natural to expect a seedy home as well. ]

Really? You'd just drop what you're doing to help me ruin some lives?

[ There's a smile on her face as she asks -- both in mild disbelief and maybe mildly touched he'd just make himself available like that. ]

But yeah. It has been a while. I guess it's fine. I mean, it's three more years than I get to live back home. I've long since died back there.

[ She slowly climbs down off of Cassidy's back, reaching into her hair to pull a bobbypin free. ]

Need to break in?

[ Raina does know a trick or two from her time on the streets as a kid. She's sure she could still do the old bobbypin in the lock trick now. ]

You kiddin'? I wouldn't miss it.

[Aside from the fact that Raina looks a whole lot like Cassidy's current crush, he'd still chase down the chaos of dramatic break ups for entertainment value alone. He's sure it'd be better than any reality show out there.

But then Raina has to tank the mood with talk of death! Her death, specifically, which has him frowning in light confusion while he tries to wrap his brain around the concept of some people in this world not even being alive in their own. He has the decency to look sympathetic about it all, at least.]

Feckin' hell, you're full of surprises. C'mon then, show me what you got.

[That sympathy fades into a sly smirk, impressed at her versatility as he steps aside to allow her space, but leaning up against the door to get a good look at her handy work. A woman who threatens murder to her lover and offers to break into homes? Be still his beating heart.]

I might not look like it, but I had a pretty rough upbringing, you know. Lived on the streets of Thailand, and learned several tricks to get what I want.

[ Raina seems oddly confident about that. It's not normally something she would boast about because she had been conditioned to ignore her upbringing and focus on how wealthy and successful she is now. But well, Cassidy seems to have gotten her to lower her guard about such things. And so, here she is -- squinting into a lock before shoving the bobbypin into it and jiggling it around. It takes a few minutes. She is a bit rusty and intoxicated. But eventually, she hears the distinctive click and opens the door to the house that may or may not belong to a friend of Cassidy's. ]

Ta da.

[ She beams up at him, slipping the pin back into her hair once more. ]

Edited 2018-08-11 15:46 (UTC)

[Cassidy's poor, Irish upbringing a million years ago is far less interesting, so he doesn't share it. He figures Raina isn't looking for sympathy either so he merely quirks a thin eyebrow as he watches her work.]

Huh! Would ya look at that. Ah, well done, love! Really great job, I mean it. [He sounds genuine about it too, grinning broadly at her as the door to the house swings open to an unlit hall. Cassidy invites himself in with a tentative slink, peering through the darkness as he half checks the nearest rooms.]

Micky, mate? It's Cassidy. You in? [He gives it a few more seconds of silence before shrugging and groping for the light in the hallway, lighting up a tasteful but likely pricey interior.]

Always off around the world, is Micky. Lucrative business opportunities, so I hear. [In drugs. This guy is totally involved in drugs to afford this home and have shits like Cassidy poking around.] Another drink? Uh... food?

Lucrative business opportunities...you'll find many of those here in Maurtia Falls.

[ Mostly surrounding drugs. And murder. And other crimes. But hey. Crime's a business just like the rest of them. Raina certainly won't judge. ]

I wouldn't mind finding something to change into. This Micky guy of yours happen to have a lady friend? Or cross dress? I'll settle for an oversized shirt if not.

[ Raina's wandering further into the home, poking around the things there, stealing peeks in drawers -- just to scope out the place. Slyly, Raina turns toward Cassidy, fingers skimming the surface of the stand she'd been eyeing. ]

You could help me change, you know.

[Cassidy's briefly disappeared into the next room as she inspects the surrounding furniture and discusses a change of clothes. He's so used to passing out on bathroom floors in the same clothes he's had on for days that sometimes he forgets there's people that exist with some actual class. Because, y'know, wanting to change clothing after a long day is totally classy.

When he reappears, a fresh bottle of rum in hand, he's just in time to catch Raina turning back towards him with a proposition. With an offer like that, and a face like hers, he's honestly not sure if Fate is incredibly cruel, or really damn kind tonight, but he still takes a few long seconds to process the whole thing juuust in case his booze addled mind has missed something key here.

And then he breaks out into a broad grin.]

Love, I haven't even shown you the best room in the house yet, c'mon. [He and his rum head straight for the wide, carpeted stairs leading to the next floor, checking over his shoulder to make sure he's still got her interest. What's a potential sleepover without an amazing bedroom, after all?]

[ Raina grins, letting him walk past her. She pauses a moment, tapping the trinket she had picked up in her hands before setting it back down on the stand and turning to follow him up the stairs, her eyes roaming his back. There's a certain appeal to the Irish drunkard. A charm. Her company for the evening could be worse. ]

You must be good friends with this mate of yours. Known him a while?

[ She takes in the pictures on the walls as she passes -- whether they're paintings or photographs. This drug dealer friend of Cass's certainly lives a fine life, doesn't he?

But she doesn't observe the surroundings too long, lingering behind Cass when they reach the bedroom door and awaiting him to show it off to her. ]

[Even with them both successfully inside the house and talking, Cassidy still gives a light knock on the bedroom door as he pushes it slowly open, peeking in like he's half expecting to find someone there.

Luckily for both of them it's empty, and in an instant Cass switches back to confidence, flicking the lights on and bursting into the room with a sweeping arm gesture. The room is very much like the rest of the house; looking like some guy paid a lot of money to an interior decorator, more hotel than lived in space, but it looks comfortable. Its reminiscent of a bachelor pad, somewhat masculine in it's blacks and greys, with a whole lot of wood and silver to balance it out, a grand, tidy bed taking central space and not much in the way of belongings beyond a few items in the walk in closet space.]

Oh, aye, at least a few weeks. Best mates, so we are. [A whole few weeks, they indeed must be bestest of friends. He doesn't seem all the interested in talking about it though, focused as he is on opening the partition at the other side of the room to reveal a sizable en suite complete with a corner hot tub. No wonder he's always breaking in.]

Thought you might appreciate a dip, eh? Get rid of some of that stress your holdin'. It ain't good for you, love, to be holdin' all that inside, really it's not.

[To his credit there's a genuineness to his concern, even as he's peeling off his jacket and shirt.]

[ Raina absolutely takes note of it -- the way Cassidy casually glosses over how close he and this man are. Which either means they're not very close, they have a sketchy relationship or Cassidy doesn't know him at all. Three facts that Raina cares very little about. As long as they're not about to be arrested for being here, what does she care?

Delight illuminates her face at the reveal of the hot tub and she claps her hands to showcase it. ]

What a nice surprise. And it's cozy.

[ A suggestive glance offered toward Cassidy. She turns her back toward him, scooping up her hair to expose the zipper of her dress. ]

Give me a hand?

[ Raina looks over her shoulder toward the vampire. ]

I'm not your friend Tulip. But if you wanted...you could pretend?

[He's glad she approves! There was the briefest moment of worry she'd turn down the idea even after her obvious "help me change" offer of earlier, but her reaction wipes away all those concerns.

And then he's filled with a million new anxieties the moment she presents her back to him.]

Ooh, shite. [Half mumbled to himself as he tosses his shirt aside, bare chested, scrawny and revealing even more tattoos. His approach is purposeful, standing in close behind her with his eyes settling over the zipper, her back, her shoulders and... neckline...]

Christ, love, you're beautiful without needin' that sorta comparison.

[He reaches out for the zip, pulling at it carefully, steadily, while his other hand trails a light touch across the curve of her shoulder, his voice a soft lilt near her ear.] But if you need to be someone else for a night, I won't judge you for that.

[ Raina had offered the fantasy to drive Cassidy's passion -- to make sure he got something out of this, too. To make it so that they were both using each other to some end. But his statement about her being beautiful without comparing -- well that's damn touching. She rolls her shoulder to help ease the dress down her skin, looking back at him with a smile. ]

I'm just fine being me for the night if you're fine with it.

[ She turns toward him, shimmying her way out of her dress. Her fingers boldly go toward his pants, 'helping' him undo those and get them out of the way. Can't go into a hot tub while dressed, after all. ]

I want to make sure you find it worthwhile, though. You don't know me. I'm just a woman who looks a lot like someone you care about. So I wouldn't fault you for pretending. We all have to be a little selfish from time to time, don't we?

[It would appear he's using a few tied together shoelaces as a belt but whatever, we can't all be perfect and they come undone easy enough. Without them his jeans are practically falling off his narrow hips, and with her aid he's managing to kick his battered sneakers off along with his pants. He appears perfectly confident to be standing around in his underwear, a hand settling at her waist and nose scrunching upwards in a light, snorting laugh.]

Pretty sure not knowing each other is half the appeal.

[Her looking like Tulip certainly helps, but spending the night with randoms isn't exactly unusual as far as nights for him go.

Cassidy's not exactly being a foreplay master this evening, but he's careful not to push too far too soon. And the hot tub is right there. He turns with a lingering touch, heading over to get the bubbles switched on and squirm out of his last layer of clothing. Raina only gets a brief glimpse of a pale ass before he's sliding into the heated water, smile still broad as he briefly slips beneath the surface, only to emerge seconds later with a shake of his head and a spray of water.]

[ Her eyebrows raise at the shoelaces. WELL. That's new. Not entirely sexy. More baffling than anything. But Cassidy owns it. He clearly has no shame, and she can appreciate that. ]

For just a one off thing, sure. But is it a one off thing?

[ What is she doing? This is much worse than Sam Merlotte. But then again, Raina wasn't exactly riddled with insecurities when she had known Sam. She was at prime, haughty confidence then. She could afford to look down on the sweet country boy because she had been so high up.

Oh how the mighty have fallen.

Raina watches him and his carefree demeanor, shaking the water like a wet puppy. She shakes her head fondly with a roll of her eyes, unclasping her bra and then removing her fancy panties before joining him in the water -- a bit slower than Cass. ]

All I'm saying is...let me take you out properly. Shopping. I have money. [ And Chilton's credit card. ] You could do better than shoelaces for a belt.

Edited 2018-09-06 21:23 (UTC)

Aw, love. Are you tryna Pretty Woman me?

[Her strip and dip is watched with a keen interest, waiting for her to sit in before floating the few feet to kneel in front of her, wriggling in close enough to settle between her knees, only the very tops of his shoulders and head above the water.

There's a roguishness to his smile, acutely aware of just how out of his league she truly is and yet perfectly happy to embrace that side of their interaction. He's not in the slightest bit fancy, but he makes no attempts to hide that, and doesn't bother to lie or change just to try and get up to her level.]

That's sweet of you, really it is, but a few fancy clothes won't change much.

[ Raina watches him -- from puppy to a tad predatory. Perhaps a bit shark-like with only his shoulders and head above the water. ]

It'll change what you're wearing. Your clothes will actually fit. I'm not planning to doll you up in suits and high class life. But something a little better can't hurt anything, can it?

[ Her arm leans back against the edge of the tub, her legs resting against his inked shoulders. He's already maneuvered himself in this close -- no sense closing him out. ]

Uh-huh, and would this be for my benefit or for yours?

[The latter, he's thinking, because he's certainly not begging for new clothing. Still, Cassidy's tone comes across as amused rather than offended, unconcerned with whether this is all to do with being ashamed to be seen near him, or simply a gesture of good will for his goodwill looking wardrobe. He's too old to be worrying about what others thing of him.

And while she's not turning him away, he makes sure to test the waters (figuratively and literally), rising out of the bubbles just long enough to surge forward and plant his lips at the curve of her neck, lingering only a few chaste seconds before submerging back to his shoulders.]

Yours, of course!

[ Raina had done a lot of charity work in her time. Not because it made her feel good inside or anything, but because it made her look better. So she can sometimes forget that some people, even if she perceives them as lacking, don't necessarily need the help. Imposing her standards and values on people aren't necessarily helping them. ]

Maybe a little bit mine because it would mean I get to spend more time with you come the morning.

[ Her smile is soft, hopeful in a way that is born from loneliness. And she absolutely doesn't reject that kiss, tilting her head to lean into it. ]

[Yeah, he's not believing for a second that clothes shopping is for his benefit, but then she had to go and suggest it'll allow her to spend more time with him. There's truly no better way to tug at his heart strings than by actually showing an interest in him and the company he provides.]

Not gonna be kickin' me out come sunrise? Christ, what'd I do to deserve such a classy lass?

[Which could be deemed sarcasm coming from most, but when said with the sad smile and soft tone of his, it's all too genuine. With her encouragement he gets that little bolder, hands planting either side of her hips as he emerges from the water again, lips pressing a gentle line across her neck and jawline, before catching her lips in his, cautiousness stemming from both boundaries and rejection.]

Right place at the right time, it would seem.

[ Her hand lifts from the water, fingers threading in his mess of damp hair as she lowers her voice with a coy smile. ]

Sounds an awful lot like fate, doesn't it?

[ Raina is a firm believer in destiny. And she will definitely do her best to imprint the idea on Cassidy. But for the time being, she enjoys the attention -- the affections. They feed her emotional needs, and she's not pushing Cassidy away, especially not as his lips meet hers. She yields to the kiss, seizing his mouth with hers. Raina is bold, mouth parting and tongue teasing a taste of his. ]

[Cassidy would scoff at the idea of fate were he not a little preoccupied, as it stands he knows it's far wiser to just accept what she's got to say on the matter and let it lead from there. While Raina is forward, he's a little more reserved for those first few seconds, emboldened finally by that exploring tongue to meet it eagerly with his own, that lingering taste of alcohol shared between them.

While one hand remains to support his weight, the other shifts under water to settle at her waist, thumb trailing soft circles against skin as a gentle reassure that even when he does start to pull away, he's not done.]

You wanna see how long I can hold my breath underwater?

[Not an entirely innocent question considering the implication behind it, and the suggestion behind the roguish little smile curled at his lips, still only a breath's distance from hers.]

[ Her eyebrows raise at his question, amused and entertained by what he's implying. And there is definitely a scientific curiosity involved too. She can't exactly turn off her practical brain. ]

Oh? Is that your power? The ability to hold your breath for an absurdly long amount of time? By all means, I would love to see what you can do.

[ Her tongue graces her lips, tasting the traces he left behind as she watches him with interest. Oh, Cassidy. Uniquely charming Cassidy. How many hearts he must break... ]

Not a power, not really, just one of my many talents.

[Well, vampirism is technically a power, but he doesn't need to go sharing that fact. Past experiences have taught him partners don't usually appreciate knowing they're shacking up with a creature who could just as likely tear their throat out with his teeth as fuck them. Sure, this is Raina and she's got some unique tastes when it comes to that sort of thing, but he's not to know.]

I got other talents too.

[That smirk ever present as he slowly starts to lower, mouth suckling a line along her collar bone, down between her breastbone, leaving a damp trail until he hits the waters surface and submerges. His lips ghost across the flat of her stomach, barely there amongst the jets of water but the scratch of his stubble perfectly perceptible, lower still until he pauses just below her belly button, lingers for a second, and then slowly floats back to the surface. Apparently these talents of his include being a little shit, because he's pretending he already needs to take a breather after that short act.]

Do you?

[ The question is both interested and suggestive. But she doesn't have much time to ask what those talents are before his lips are on her collarbone -- a delightfully sensitive spot for her that causes goosebumps to rise to her skin even in spite of being in the warm water. And her eyes linger on him as he lowers, down...down, beneath the water -- touching skin with lips, closer and closer.

And then he's back up. Raina wrinkles her nose and bats some water at him to splash. ]

I hope that wasn't all, you tease.

[Cassidy wrinkles his nose right back, a grinning snort as he gets a face full of water.]

I'll see what I can do, love.

[The tease doesn't last long. After that splash of water he's slowly sinking back down, lingering with just his eyes above the surface for a few seconds to spare her a wink, and then he vanishes beneath the bubbles.

This time he follows up on his suggestions.

And the answer to how long her can hold his breath? A long ass amount of time.]