"Someone sued you for four million dollars for calling them a hobo? Darling, who on earth was your lawyer? I can find you a far better one if that was what you had to pay."

I can't say I've ever found myself in a court room for exactly that reason, her sarcasm evidently missed in that moment- though the look on my face only seemed to result in her giggling as I rolled my eyes by way of response. Maybe she found lawsuits over name calling entirely funny although really it was hardly something she needed on her record- then again, who sues someone over name calling? Honestly, I've been called a lazy bastard more times then I care to remember. Maybe I should have been cashing in on it- although I really don't see the need to chase petty cash around quite like that. Four million is fairly petty in retrospect. What? My retrospect anyway. It was fortunate perhaps, that my mention of a surprise so seemed to delight her, or at least, earn a childish sort of hand-clapping. I knew she didn't like surprises, she never had and yet really I am entirely sure this stems from her need to know everything all the time, along with her need to control it- if she can. It's simply the way she is and I accept that, in fact I rather like to be in control of a situation as well, between the pair of us though we seem to manage reasonably well enough. When vampires break into the house I am entirely content to let her be in control, when it comes to teaching her something new in the bedroom that is far more my area and truthfully, there is something truly exquisite about seeing her unravel- even just a little bit. Either way, this evening, I had every intention of at least showing her the reason for our time in France although some part of myself was decidedly unsure as to exactly what she might think of it.

Her hand grasping my own ended any thought of that, at least for now, heading downstairs and into the dining room. Maybe I did look at the models just a little bit, I'm not made of stone after all and they are in bikini's. Maybe I should convince Kat to swim more instead of jog, I do have a pool, it would be far more convenient for the both of us. She wouldn't have to run around in the hot sun getting sweaty and I wouldn't have to sit in it and watch. That swimming also happens to involve a bikini is truly just pure co-incidence. Like the fact I forgot to put my shoes on. I blame my sister for that, or would have, had she not already left. Had Elena actually known she was here, or that she planned to do that? I pushed the thoughts away for now though my rather over-active mind was sure to continue to go over them in some part of my brain for the rest of the evening at least. Maybe I had lived here for a portion of my teenage years and yet, I assure you that no one ever served me this. I suppose that might have had to do with my getting along so well with Elena's housekeeper, she'd been an older woman though friendly enough, in fact she had almost reminded me of my nanny. She had always managed to make me something distinctly non-French unless it was fries. Judging by the appearance of what is apparently sheep cheese and goose liver I am going to assume she retired. That is decidedly unfortunate. Would it be impolite to ask for a steak? Etienne was staring at me with what I can only assume is controlled restraint in an effort not to laugh with Elena looking moderately concerned as to why I wasn't eating. I am entirely sure I don't eat.....goose- or any obscure part of it. Kat however, seemed entirely bolder, taking a mouthful as if she actually enjoyed it.

"We are not making out later."

It was mumbled very near beneath my breath though I am entirely assured she heard it, the faintest quirk to me lip dancing momentarily before I returned my attention to the plate, leaving Elena to talk and hopefully distract everyone from looking away from whatever plan I was yet to come up with for removing the majority of my meal. How many courses could there be? My own plans were briefly derailed by Elena's question, blue gold gaze flicking quickly to Kat who seemed to have already developed an answer. You could have heard a pin drop. Even Etienne had stop eating to stare towards Kat as if she had declared her desire to fly to Mars on the next space shuttle. Well- it was still better then announcing she was some otherworldly assassin. I let my gaze wander briefly back to Elena whom had done little more than purse her lips together. That- was not a particularly good sign.

You...play with guns?
"She doesn't play with guns, Ele-"
I find that interesting.

Why did I even bother talking? Her words indicated her version of 'interesting' was not purely academic or curious, the disapproval in her voice was almost palpable although, mercifully, she didn't seem determined to say anything else about it- at least not directly.

Do your parents approve of your work, Katerina? It is rare these days to find women in any field of science, they must be proud.

She paused again, briefly, before taking another bite of her own meal. Had I not been so distracted by the conversation taking place I might have made a better attempt to get rid of my own. I knew where Elena's line of questions was going however, she was doing as she always did- attempting to find out about Kat's family, her social status I suppose- something far less relevant back in the city and yet something that still played a crucial role here. She was, I am assured, attempting to discover Kat's, well, breeding- for want of a better word.

You must forgive my questions Katerina but you see, Kohl has never brought anyone home before and naturally we are curious, aren't we, Etienne?

Etienne seemed to have decided silence was the best answer, offering a polite smile and little else although I am entirely assured I can see the humour he is taking from this somewhere within. Kat however, had taken this momentary interim to lean over towards my plate, cutting into a piece of the meat before lifting it up to my lips. Had it been chocolate, or champagne, hell- had it been a piece of pizza I am entirely sure I would have been far more appreciative of this moderately romantic gesture. As it is I am entirely assured she is taking far more amusement from this then me- her eyes very near aglow with delight as my own narrowed into a look far less then impressed as everyone at the table seemed determined to focus their attention upon me once more. Oh brilliant. Two however, can play entirely well at this game. I managed to flash her a grin all the same, chuckling softly as I moved to encircle her wrist with my hand, leaning smoothly over to brush my lips against her cheek in a token of affection- or seemingly so, words spoken whisper quiet to her ear alone.

"You are going to pay for this, one way or another."

I felt myself smile against her, lips brushing softly against her jawline once more as the tiniest flare of my own power came to life, dancing across her skin, making her desire just that little bit more before I moved to pull abruptly away. It would be impolite after all, to do such things at the table, lips moving to take the portion of food from her fork as I did, chewing it smoothly now as if it was by far the loveliest thing I have ever eaten. It tasted like I had put an eraser in my mouth. I was eating an eraser. Etienne, thank god, evidently took it upon himself to salvage the moment.

It is being most lovely to be having you here, Kat, I call you Kat yes? Elena is saying it and I saying it again, Kohl is not bringing women home before and we is liking it very much. We is hoping for many years he is finding girl to marry.

My rather exceptional effort to swallow the food had turned into an effort to prevent choking on it. Etienne, as ever, seemed determined to plunge onwards as I struggled to make some sort of recovery. He had said something similar to me on the phone before, despite my assuring him I had no plans to get married any time soon. Sure, maybe one day it was on the cards, I mean, who didn't eventually want to get married? But Kat and I.....we were, well, hell, we were still working our way through having a normal relationship let alone anything else and to be honest- I hardly needed Etienne freaking her out. She has commitment issues as it is, we both do really, it's unexplored territory for the both of us. I finally managed to choke down the food.

"Ten, we're not really at that....stage just yet."

Well, it was honest wasn't it? Hell, I don't even know what to say when it comes to relationship talk. Etienne however, seemed oblivious to any tension he might have caused. Typical, really.

When you is wanting to know all his secrets, Kat, you tell me, I is knowing them all- mostly. There is being many things I know that he is bad at too, yes, always he seems like he is good at everything, but he is not, do you want to know what he is bad at?

He paused almost to make it more dramatic. At least the marriage conversation was over, my eyes rolling, already knowing what he was about to say.

Polo. Kohl cannot play polo. He is very bad rider of horse
"I fell off once, Ten, once."
Yes- from horse that was not moving.



k o h l
so you want to play with magic?