Arlo James

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

It was a relief, really, to hear the woman's soft assurance that she really had enjoyed that evening. In the least, she seemed to have had fun, maybe a tiny bit to much fun if her slightly wobbly step was anything to go by. Still, she was hardly drunk. More like just a bit...tipsy. She was so little and light it was probably hardly surprising that wine had gone right to her head. Arlo largely oblivious to the fact it had been her first ever wine at all. He lingered close beside her as they made their way down that rocky, pebbly path that, frankly, seemed like the worst possible choice for a woman in heels to try and navigate. Arlo half expecting her to tumble over at any moment. The vampire having enough faith in his reflexes to be able to grab her if she did. The man once more making an effort to prompt that light conversation. It was better to build up to those more important questions right? Feel her out a little? Just blurting out those relationship matters seemed...wrong somehow without at least a little lead up and really, he needed to be sure she really had enjoyed that evening and- more then that- that she had enjoyed spending that time with him. Seb seeming to have put a fair bit of emphasis on the notion of making sure she enjoyed his company- and on actually remembering to tell her she was pretty. God he was such a fucking plonker sometimes.

That conversation shifted back to that pair of men they had befriended. Arlo willing to admit he'd even liked Dorian. Not that he was exactly surprised by the sort of man he was, in fact, he seemed exactly the sort of person Sebastian would fall for- now that he thought about it. Good-looking, old fashioned, probably shared his ye olde values and hell- they both seemed to be of a similar sort of status in one way or another. More than that though, that pair had suited each other- so much so that it was almost ridiculous. They complimented one another. Sebastian was...different around that Fae and not at all in a bad way. It was nice, really, to see the other man so happy and Dorian, he suspected, had quite the fun steak if you could pry it out of his royally polite figure. The Monarch not exactly what he'd been expecting all the same. Despite it all, Dorian had been so...casual. Abby commenting then on his lack of crown. Huh, he'd never even thought of that.

"I wonder where he keeps it? Do you reckon he has one in the house like on a hat rack or something?"

He hadn't seen a hat rack anywhere and yet that didn't mean there wasn't one. Arlo scowling slightly then in that consideration of just where you even kept a crown. Was it valuable? Probably. Maybe not on a hat rack then. Did Seb have one too? He'd have to ask him next time. After all, if you were marrying a King you probably got a crown...maybe. That sudden query as to whether or not Seb and Dorian had liked Abigail and himself prompted that further consideration the young vampire once more. His shoulders lifting upward in an easy shrug.

"I think so. I mean, Seb and I have hung out a few times now and it was him who suggested dinner. I don't think you invite people you don't like to dinner. Plus, they invited us to their wedding. If they hated us I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have done that. I reckon we're good babe."

That reassuring grin was flashed readily in her direction as they made their way towards those gates and those photographers. The sheer lateness of the hour seeming to have thinned their numbers enough to prevent them being the horde they had before and yet Arlo still found himself clutching Abigail close. The both of them seemingly just as relieved to be out of that space and away from those people. How did Seb and Dorian stand it!? Arlo easily rounded that corner then, the sidewalk dark and quiet so early in the morning, those street lamps the only real light and yet it was almost refreshing really. The man seeming to realise all at once he was still holding Abigail's hand. Arlo quickly releasing it if only for some fear she might ask him why he'd been holding it at all. Could he be any worse than this? God life was so much harder when you were sober. He never remembered it being this...nerve wracking. One hand lifted to run almost nervously through his hair, Arlo oblivious to that nervous lip bite that action seemed to prompt in the woman in turn as he suggested that maybe they needed to talk. The vampire equally oblivious to her comparison between those very words and the TV shows that normally featured them moments before some impending relationship nightmare.

At least he'd managed to get her to stop walking. Arlo himself pausing beneath that street lamp and that wrought iron fence that bordered the property that ran to the corner of that road. That softly uttered 'okay' from the woman hardly filling the man with any further confidence. Hell, had she already worked out what he was going to ask? Was she trying to work out how to let him down gently? God this was going to be awkward if she said no or thought this was a bad idea. Still, he'd started talking now. He had to say something. He'd committed to a conversation. Arlo managing to get out those words the same, asking whether or not she'd enjoyed that night and more specifically- she'd enjoy his company. The woman's head nodded slowly in confirmation. Good. Ok. This was good. Strong start. That sudden query on them always having a good time catching him momentarily off guard.

" 'course we do. I mean, those nights you come over are like my favourite nights. I look forward to them every week."
That lopsided grin managed to find him all the same at that almost bashful admittance of just how much he really did enjoy her company. Abigail still looking, well, kinda nervous. Arlo hardly considering that it was his nerves so effecting her own. His Little Bear suddenly asking if he was ok. Great. She could tell he was being weird.

"Umm, sure. I had a great time actually. I'd really like to do it again. I....It's just..."

It was now or never ahd here he was tripping over his tongue. He'd made a living off writing lyrics once. Words a talent he generally possessed (believe it or not) and yet in front of her he was hopeless. It mattered to him what she thought. She mattered. He'd spent a lifetime blotting out reality because he'd always been afraid of moments like this- of feeling- of getting tangled up somehow and making a fool of himself with those emotions he'd never really had ant practice handling. He's spent so long drowning them out he'd almost forgotten what nervous felt like. Really, he was beginning to remember why he'd been the way he was to being with. Not that he'd ever go back to it. He'd sworn off any drug after that night. He'd never touched it again. Not even pot. Still- he almost found himself wishing he'd had at least one more glass of wine. He couldn't even remember if he'd ever asked a girl out before, he must have, he'd ended up with more than one girlfriend in his life and yet he remembered those as...drunken one night stands that turned into random girls hanging around since he never could remember if he'd asked them to stay. Abby was....so different. She was so much better then them- maybe better than him. How far above his weight was he punching here? God he was never going to know if he never even tried. The vampire managing to meet her gaze once more, his own so vibrantly blue from that blood. Arlo finally managing to steel himself.

"I did have a great time with you tonight. I have a great time with you every night and I've been thinking, I mean, if you want, if maybe you might want to...go out....with....me?"

If his heart had been particularly good at beating he was sure it would have stopped all over again as that silence filled the air. Arlo looking at the young woman still.

"You can say no if you want. I'll still be your best friend, I promise. I mean, I'm probably going to go and feel sorry for myself in my room for at least two nights listening to really shit music and being bitchy to my roommate if you say no- but I'll recover- I promise."