The Velvet Brew Lounge (NeroMeowington/ChibiMonkey)

[NeroMeowington]

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Welcome to the Velvet Brew Lounge​

We hope that you enjoy your stay​

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The Velvet Brew Lounge was a quaint little café placed at the corner next to a busy junction. The window walls on the façade allowed to have a clear view of the square across the street and the monument at the centre of it. Like always, it was a busy day: many people passed through this area of the city, day and night. Perhaps this was the reason why the owner chose this location, aside from the aesthetic qualities.

The café was small, having fifteen covers total and six of those were at the counter. It had everything to evoke a sense of serenity: leather couches, pillows, aromatic candles, soft orange lights, gentle music, and rustic furniture. Above the counter were the TV and the blackboard with the beverage and dessert menu, and for the right price, the barista could take a custom order.

A few of the regulars were already here – the local beat cop that always seemed to get the short end of the stick; the weary, soft-spoken attorney that often stayed up late to work a case; the taxi driver that came by for a latte at the start of his shift. In the middle of this cozy picture was the owner and the almost perpetual night shift barista, Kaoru Williams: a pale, slender, feminine male in his early-to-mid-twenties with medium-length wavy dark hair. He always wore a black polo shirt, dark jeans, and a brown apron for work, and tonight his habits haven't changed in the slightest.

The man's main point of sale wasn't his skill as a barista, even if he was pretty good; no, it was his hospitality. He had a knack for knowing what people want, when they want it, and how they want it done. He weaved the questions about his customers' desires into the conversation effortlessly, and offered a smile to kill for while they wait for their order.

Right now, Kaoru gracefully floated between the espresso machine, the dessert cake showcase, and the tea station, preparing the orders of his current patrons, whilst entertaining them with small talk.

"How goes the beat, officer Miller?"

"Nice and quiet, Kaoru, just the way I like it."

"Glad to hear it! I hope your colleague will come back from his sick leave in no time."

"You and me both, bud; God knows I don't like working nights."

Kaoru chuckled. "Well, a cup of coffee should make the wait more bearable."

Miller laughed.

"…freak storm is approaching the coast…" The newscaster chimed impassively.

 

[ChibiMonkey]

Akiho wasn't dumb, however, sometimes he could be a bit naive. While he was confident in what he was thinking Kaoru was...he was entirely clueless to the true danger he was now in. He didn't fear Kaoru even after learning what he was - perhaps that was his first mistake. But he had thought it didn't change anything...why should it? Akiho knew that sure, perhaps things would be a bit different if Kaoru was a vampire out for his blood and all... but he didn't think that would change anything in their relationship. He severely, and naively, thought they would remain close and without any true threat from the creature of the night.

Akiho soon found out just how misplaced that naivety was, when he felt that grip tighten almost painfully so on him, and the Kaoru's very real threat of snapping his neck right here and now. He could tell he wasn't just bluffing, either, causing a slight chill to run down his space.

Finding himself on his back, with a tight grip around his neck threatening to crush it, Aikido's body was tense, a slight sense of fear, as well as confusion seeping in. "Kaoru?" he questioned, his mind reeling as he tried to process the sudden change of atmosphere and how this date had turned out. "W-wait" he spoke a bit nervously as he looked to the others bleeding wrist, and back to Kaoru's face "I don't understand what's wrong with me knowing?" he spoke naively "It's not like I'm going to tell anyone. I swear. Don't you trust me?" he asked with a frown and furrowed brows, heartrate pulsing quick in a slight panic, eyes glancing back to the others bloody wrist. "What happens if I take that? Will I be like you?" he questioned, not necesarrily afraid of such a prospect, but...well, he had just no idea what he was getting himself into. Not that he wanted to die, either, though...

 

[NeroMeowington]

Unlike the usual cordial and affable demeanour Kaoru usually displayed, right now he was cold, blunt, and ruthless. He kept staring into Akiho's eyes without blinking. "You don't have the luxury of talking or asking questions, dear. Drink or die. That's all I'm willing to offer." He said calmly and monotonously, his voice now low and gravelly. He still hung the wrist high above Akiho's mouth, blood droplets now splashing across the body piercer's face. The grip on the throat kept tightening.

It was time to make a choice.