Arlo James

See what it's like to be a vulture's lunch

"Seriously, Babe? I'm like choking. This can't be right."

It was at least the fourth time he'd tried to loosen that tie Abigail had managed to fasten around his neck. Arlo tugging at it all over again in some effort to loosen it even despite the woman's assurance it was supposed to be that way. Maybe this was why upper class people seemed unhappy all the time. Permanent suffocation. Arlo mostly sure that he felt like an idiot and looked like a fool all at once in that black dinner jacket and pants Abby had insisted on for him. She was right, he knew, he'd seen fancy people wear this sort of thing before and he probably couldn't really show up to the house of a King and a...whatever you were when you married a King in a hoodie and jeans and shoes being held together with scotch tape. Still, he felt...uncomfortable and awkward even if he was mostly sure no one was ever going to look at him anyway. Not with Abby dressed the way she was. That red dress she'd chosen having absorbed most of his attention for most of the walk so far and every moment before. God she was hot. Was it wrong to think that about his best friend? Probably. Best friends totally probably did not picture their other friend being slowly taken out of outfits like that. Arlo stumbling over a curb in that moment, that muttered curse beneath his breath before that grin hurriedly found his features. The vampire recovering quickly to to come to her side once more, the man making every effort to banish those thoughts as they rounded that street corner and onto the street Sebastian had brought him too once before. Arlo mostly sure he remembered which house it was. Mostly.

He stepped easily onto the road then, crossing that street and towards those looming front gates. Every house in that street was a bloody mansion and yet this one was the only one with an army of cars and people sitting around it. Was this some sort of party? How many people had Seb been expecting tonight? Why were they all holding cameras? His hand reached almost automatically for abby's own the closer they got. His fingers gently entwined with her own. Arlo hardly even realising he'd done it and yet the idea of that crowd coming towards them was....unnerving somehow. A part of him unwilling to have Abby anywhere he couldn't see her. He was really going to have to talk to Seb about managing that...vampire level possessiveness, or maybe it was protectiveness, Arlo hardly sure which he thought anymore. Their presence suddenly seeming to be noticed by several of those photographers. That bright flash nearly blinding him. What in the hell?

"Seriously, bud? What are you doing? Is this Seb's house? What? I'm Arlo and this is- hang on who are you?"

That sudden explosion of questions from what could only be the paparazzi readily saw Arlo take several steps back. How the hell were they supposed to get in? Arlo tugging Abby slightly closer once more as he made some effort to field those questions and dodge those flashing lights. God, why did they want pictures of him and abby? Maybe it was lucky he was wearing the fancy jacket after all if there was going to be photos of them in newspapers of magazines or whatever the hell it was people did with these sort of photos. Seb really had to get a back entrance or something. Arlo at last managing to reach those gates, before finishing his phone from his pocket as some sort of security fellow came forward. Arlo eying him almost critically.

"Er..do you need like our names or something? This is Abby and I'm Arlo. I have like a text from Seb saying we should come tonight, does that count? He didn't give me a password or gate key or anything and I- oh, thanks mate. Come on, Ab's."

The wave of that security guards hand and the sudden opening of those gates readily saw Arlo take that lead once more, his hand still nestled in Abby's own as he made his way onto that driveway, those gates closing behind them and keeping those Photographers at bay. It had been years since he'd had to deal with any sort of press, he'd forgotten how...persistent they could be. Arlo shaking the thought away all the same as his gaze roved over those manicured front lawns. His bright blue eyes widening. Those words almost a whisper to Abby alone.

"These lawns have more structure then my life. Try not to touch anything, they might make us pay for it and i'm like ninety percent sure this lawn is worth more than all my furniture."

That lopsided grin found his lips all the same, his shoes crunching on that gravel as they made their way to the front door. Arlo glancing briefly towards his little bear once more. To see her as human was still so....astounding. God, he'd spent a year stuffing her down his shirt, the man mostly sure he was never going to actually live that down. Hell, he felt out of place here. One hand running nervously through his hair once more, arlo realising to late that very action had made it stick up in places all over again, his tie still at a bit of an angle and far looser than it should have been. The young vampire appearing for all the world as if he'd already had a night out rather then just starting one as his hand rapped on that door. A part of him almost...calmer with Abby beside him. That little bear having become so much a fixture off his life he hardly knew what to do on those nights she wasn't there to ride on his shoulders or fall asleep against him. Then again, he was fairly partial to her human form. A part of him entirely eager to show her off to Sebastian- and anyone else who might look even if they weren't...exactly....a thing.....officially. The sudden opening off that door caught Arlo entirely off guard. You bowed to kings right? Or...shook hands? No, that seemed way to casual. A curtsy? That seemed way more like Abby's thing, god he- that wasn't Dorian.

"Wow, I'm sorry, do we have the wrong house? I'm looking for Seb- er Sebastian Ellington...Bronson.....something."

Why did he have to have so many names? The man holding that door open merely let one eye lift slightly upward. I am Charles, I am the Butler. His Majesty and his lordship are expecting you, if you'd like to come in. You may leave your shoes at the door. Yours will be fine to leave on miss.

"Do I get them back?"

Your shoes, sir?

"Yeah, i mean, your not going to keep them or anything are you?"

Charles' gaze proceed to lower, eyeing Arlo's shoes for several moments before affording the vampire another long stare. I very much doubt it, sir. Arlo's own features frowned then as Charles turned away. Were his shoes not good enough to steal? Probably not, judging by the rest of the house. Arlo placing them beside the door all the same, leaving only his socks on before stepping into that foyer beside Abby.

"Christ! This is bigger than even your house, Ab's. How many people live here?"

The sudden sound of someone coming saw Arlo's gaze turn once more, the vampire almost afraid to move from that spot in the foyer unless instructed lest he knock over some sort of gold plated...something. That entire house so bloody opulent. God he didn't belong here. The sight of what could only be Dorian coming towards them seeing him almost freeze once more. Shit. He was good-looking. Seb hadn't lied. Damn. He could smell the man from here. No wonder Sebastian was obsessed with him. He didn't even like most blood outside of vampires or Abby's and yet....he'd never smelt a Fae. Not until now. It lacked that allure of Sebastian's and yet there was something....tempting about it all the same. Arlo seeming to realise in the last moment he'd done nothing more then stare for several seconds. The man abruptly and awkwardly attempting some sort of bow that ended up being a sort of lopsided nod before holding his hand out. This was Sebastian's boyfriend after all wasn't it? A part of Arlo determined to impress that man all the same. Even if he found himself hoping Abby hadn't noticed at all how pretty this guy was.

"You. Must. Be Dorian. It. Is. Nice. To. Meet. You."

Each word was pronounced with decided care and slowness as he took the other man's hand to shake it. He was Italian after all wasn't he? Sebastian had never said how much english the poor fellow spoke.....Arlo evidently deciding it was very little.

"This. Is. Abby. My....er.....friend....You. Got. Great. Gardens. There. Bud. GR-EAT."

Well, she was his friend wasn't she? That counted for something he was sure. Even if it wasn't exactly the word he wanted to say. Arlo managing that grin then, attempting to conceal his fangs as best he could while slowly sounding out those words.