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last online May 14, 2024 20:34:29 GMT
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Jan 30, 2022 17:38:38 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2022 17:38:38 GMT
A series of thoughts cascaded through Cassie's mind as she waited for him to answer.
That is a rude question, why did I even blurt that out?
But really, what does he look like?
Am I... into the idea of this?! What does that say about me?
Please forgive me, God, because I have sinned, I am sinning, and will probably keep sinning. I'll pray about it later.
She shifted her eyes from his, biting her lip, feeling just the slightest tinge of panic set in. She knew she didn't like to transform around others... speaking of which, she could feel the start of it now, as the blush deepened over her ears, cheeks, and even a little down her neck. From how it felt, she could tell her color wasn't that dark yet; thank God Luca was colorblind, hopefully he'd just think she had rosacea or something.
Take a deep breath, hold it, breathe out, wait. Funny enough, it had been Bell that taught her some grounding techniques when they'd met during a program at the National Gallery of Art last year. She realized now that the reason he knew so much about them was likely because of all the years of keeping Luca together during moments like last night. Huh. Okay, I'm good. Thank God I think fast, so that whole episode was like, a minute and a half.
Cassie's cheeks were still heated, but it was the normal kind again now, not the kind that lead to her transforming. She nodded, gold eyes meeting his green ones again. "Yeah, I'd really like that. You're not gonna scare me or anything, I promise."
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last online May 14, 2024 20:34:29 GMT
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Jan 30, 2022 20:55:31 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2022 20:55:31 GMT
While he waited for a response, he studied her for a long time, and a number of thoughts went through his mind.
What will she think if she says she’s sure?
Will she be scared? Run away? Try to attack me out of fear?
Will she be okay with it? She…seems to be okay with me so far.
I wonder when I should tell her how I really do know her when I used to be her father’s partner in DC? I wonder when she’ll finally recognize me…if she’ll even recognize me? It’s been years since I’ve last seen her or even spoken to her. He winced at the last thought. No, definitely need to hold off on that for the time being. Luca bit his lower lip. It’s hard to believe how he once met them a couple of times when his former partner was alive, and later started to keep an eye on them from a distance after Ben made him promise to watch over his family before he died from his fatal wounds. Now, it was hard to believe he developed feelings for her as soon as he started to speak to her after she called to report the murder. He never knew Ben’s daughter had any kind of power; then again, he never knew Ben did either until Ben changed during an intense situation with a suspect, right when he had to shift into his partial form to make it easier to capture the suspect. He kept his eyes on her, watching her go through all the nervous motions she was doing, and even taking several deep breaths with her when he saw her try to calm herself down. When her eyes met his own once again, he smiled a little when she told him she would like to see what he looked like when changed, and he nodded. “Okay…” He smiled, deciding on introducing his ability to shift into his partial lupine form. “First of all, the transformation doesn’t have to be all at once,” he explained, “I can simply change only my eye color if I wanted to. I can see in the dark, with or without changing them, and then I can view one’s heat signature if I wanted to while they’re changed.” He paused and showed her as his green eyes changed over to a glowing amber color and then changed them back after a few moments. “Or, these…” He raised a clenched fist and made a flicking gesture with his fingers, and his fingernails quickly extended into nearly an inch long, sharp, and tough-looking claws. He gave her a bit of time to look at them, and then retracted them by clenching his hand into a fist again. Luca then smiled, showing his pearly white human teeth to her before explaining, “I also have the ability to extend and retract my human teeth into sharp fangs. Like this.” He smiled again, this time the canine teeth extended into long and extremely sharp fangs, while his lateral incisors became as long and as thin as his canines. “Say ‘cheese’, right?” He laughed, retracting his fangs. Now that part was out of the way, he went on, “Okay, now I’ll change all at once since I didn’t show you everything,” he said, “Just remember, it’s still me. I won't hurt you.” He smiled warmly at her. He breathed in and craned his neck at an angle, wincing a bit, as it always did hurt a bit when he changed. He quickly faced her as he changed from his ordinary human appearance to his partial lupine form; which also included pointed ears, and black fur similar in shape to mutton chops mixed with a chin curtain beard style around the sides of his face. His upper forehead also grew a bit of fur to a point in the middle of his forehead, blending in with his own hair at the top of his head, and then a ridged brow, along with his glowing amber eyes, fangs, and claws. He stood quietly, staring at her as he waited for her to react, and if she wanted to, to take a closer look at him.
@mayhem
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last online May 14, 2024 20:34:29 GMT
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Jan 30, 2022 21:30:35 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2022 21:30:35 GMT
Cassie listened and watched intently, fascinated. She could, at times, change just an arm or a leg - but being able to change just his eyes or his nails? Wow, that was some serious control he had over his powers, though he certainly had had plenty of time to practice. She giggled a little at his joke about his teeth, but said nothing, not wanting to interrupt.
As he transformed, she got up on her tiptoes, one hand grabbing his waist for stability. With the other, she trailed her fingertips over his changing features, eyes wide with rapt attention. It was as much out of curiosity, as to attempt to soothe his wince of pain. "As I thought, just as cute as the other way you look." She grinned, leaning in closer to rub her nose against his a little.
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last online May 14, 2024 20:34:29 GMT
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Jan 30, 2022 21:54:30 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2022 21:54:30 GMT
It didn’t take long for her to already be curious of his lupine features, but he was relieved to see she wasn’t scared of him like his late wife was when he decided he didn’t want to keep it a secret from Abbey. His eyes widened a little in surprise though, when Cassie grabbed his waist as she stood on her tiptoes, and felt as she trailed his features with her fingernails; her soft touch sending goosebumps up his spine, and he tensed up for a moment to keep himself from shuddering at her touch. “I’m cute?” He asked. “That’s a first.” He chuckled, grinning when she rubbed her nose against his, and felt his own cheeks warm as he blushed. "It really isn't the typical reaction I get the first time, but I'll take it." @mayhem
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last online May 14, 2024 20:34:29 GMT
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Jan 30, 2022 22:20:35 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2022 22:20:35 GMT
"Yeah, you really are," Cassie answered, kissing him softly on the lips and the chin, before she put her feet back flat on the ground. She held him around the waist, smiling softly with her head nestled on his chest. She wasn't quite ready to show her other side, herself, but there were some things she did feel ready to tell him.
"I bet most people get scared... but I've never gotten scared easily. Part of it's probably because my dad used to turn into a big blue demon, part of it's from the years dancing at the club, and part of it's just how I am, I guess." Welp, there it was. If he wasn't cool about her past, then it wasn't going to work out, long-term. Might as well get it out there and see what his reaction was.
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last online May 14, 2024 20:34:29 GMT
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Jan 30, 2022 23:36:02 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2022 23:36:02 GMT
“You know how to make an old wolf man blush,” he chuckled, kissing her back before reverting back to normal with another slight wince. He then wrapped his arms around her while she nestled her head against his chest. He smiled. This was nice, he thought, starting to feel content and comfortable around her. Especially now, since she reacted well when he showed her his partial lupine form. At the mention of her father, he forced a smile. Of course, now it all makes sense to him as to why she wasn’t scared. Ben did look like a big blue demon to him as well. With his partner having powers, his time working as a detective for the Capital Police was easier than it was before he moved from Wisconsin. At least, for the time he was there when Ben was alive, before the man seemingly betrayed him, and before he learned it wasn’t his choice in doing so. He sighed, his shoulders drooped forward, as he rested his chin on the top of her head, and looked sadly at nothing in particular. “Your dad changed into a demon-like thing, huh? Hmm, no wonder you weren’t scared of me at the slightest, Cassie,” he said with a smile. “And, you danced?” He asked, genuinely interested, and didn’t seem to mind how she used to dance at a club. “I can’t dance for shit, except maybe slow dancing.”
@mayhem
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last online May 14, 2024 20:34:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2022 0:02:20 GMT
Cassie registered Luca's change in demeanor at the mention of her father, and made a mental note to maybe not bring up family. His own mother and father were most likely long gone, any siblings too... and his wife... and maybe even his kids. Her heart ached for him. Damn, yeah, definitely not bringing up family again, unless he did.
With the way he blew right past what she said, she could tell he didn't get that she meant the air-quotes "dancing" type of dancing, and would have to specify. "Pole dancing. Stripping." Cassie said with a giggle. He seemed a little oblivious when it came to this type of thing, but she honestly found it endearing.
"I started because Georgetown was god-awful expensive, but I kept going because I honestly liked it. It was fun." She hugged his lower back a little closer, feeling a weight lift off her chest. "I'm not ashamed of it, but I also don't tend to bring it up, because most people are really judgmental. I've had a lot of first dates that didn't go any further after they found out what I did for a living... so even though I don't, anymore, I still get worried people are going to think lesser of me."
Cassie sighed contentedly, one hand traveling to pat him on his upper back. "I can teach you, if you'd like. Not that kind of dancing, but you know, salsa or bachata or ballroom dance. Something like that."
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last online May 14, 2024 20:34:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2022 1:39:52 GMT
If he knew what she was thinking when she noticed how his demeanor changed when she mentioned about her father, and how she wouldn’t bring it up again unless he did, he would be so happy. Less stress on his mind to deal with, and right now, he had a lot loaded on his mind. He blinked when she specified to him about what kind of dancing she did. “Pole dancing. Stripping.” He heard her say, and then he blinked, and his mind processed the information while his eyes darted around, with a dazed expression on his face. Then he realized. “Oh. Ohhhhh. I see.” He looked at her in surprise, but not in a judgmental way. God, I'm such a dumb ass...he thought. He nodded in understanding when she told him how expensive Georgetown was. “Glad you liked it and had fun. Most people can’t say that about their profession.” He smiled. When she mentioned to him about how many of her first dates didn’t go far after those who she dated found out what she did for a living, he quickly but tenderly held her face between his hands and gently lifted her head up so he could gaze into her honey colored eyes. “I am glad you aren’t ashamed of it. You shouldn’t be, Cassie. I know how it feels to be judged, to be looked down on, to be shunned by other people because of being a detective.” He caressed her cheeks lightly with his thumbs. “The reason is night and day compared to yours, but I do understand how it feels. So, please. Don’t be worried about me being judgmental of you for having worked as a dancer in the past. I’m not going to judge you for it, nor will I ever think less of you.” He leaned down and softly kissed her forehead. He arched his back a little bit when he felt her hand traveling up to pat his upper back, and then chuckled. “Yeah, don’t worry about me wanting that kind of dancing.” he shook his head, grimacing as he imagined himself trying to do pole dancing. “It won’t be pretty.” He laughed, and then nodded as he smiled warmly at her. “But yeah, I may take you up on that offer one day.”
@mayhem
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last online May 14, 2024 20:34:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2022 2:26:37 GMT
"That's probably for the best, most guys don't have the flexibility pole dancing requires," Cassie chuckled in response. She debated for a second about responding to the other thing he'd said, looking back into his eyes. God, she just wanted to out with it and tell him everything, but that probably wasn't for the best.
I don't have to tell him details. I don't have to tell him about Syd. But I really, really should tell him, she thought. Even though this is gonna be painful. He's being really tender and sweet, and I don't want to spoil this nice moment we're having.
"I have to admit, I'm one of those people that judge you for being a police officer. It's part of why I acted like I did when you showed up to take my report. I'm... working past it, because clearly you're a good guy, but still. You're probably going to be the one and only person I ever trust again with that profession." Cassie's brows knitted. "A lot of police are rotten, despicable, racist people. Some greatest hits of the DC Metro PD I've personally experienced: one of them writing me up for intent to prostitute because he was salty I wouldn't go out with him, and harassing or arresting every single one of my black friends for stupid bullshit no one white gets in trouble for, among others."
"So, yeah. Figured I should just be honest with you about that... I hope you understand where I'm coming from." She sighed, still a little melancholy. "Speaking of, don't you have work today? The morning's getting on."
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last online May 14, 2024 20:34:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 31, 2022 4:02:05 GMT
“Yeah, I’m not that flexible, but I do have reach,” he grinned. As Cassie started to explain how she felt toward the police, his grin gradually faded, and he stared at her empathetically, while he listened to what she was telling him. Damn, he wished he could tell her how he used to work as a police officer and then a detective in DC, and witnessed it all first hand how corrupt and down right nasty the other police officers were, including those who worked alongside him and Ben. None of them liked him since he didn’t give in to the corruption, and even filled out reports on other officers, and arrested others for misconduct and other crimes - mostly violent crimes against civilians, or their own loved ones. He was becoming an enemy to them, and was threatened multiple times to watch his back and quit the force, but he continued working in spite. After Ben was killed by his own hand through self-defense, and due to completely different reasons all together, he decided it was best to quit the force, and worked for a private security firm in DC, so he could continue keeping tabs on Ben’s family until he couldn’t, and moved to Astaria to start another chapter of his long, miserable life. Luca sighed, closing his eyes as he thought about what to say. “I’m sorry…” he trailed off, scoffing at that as he shook his head. “Sorry probably doesn’t cover all the things you and others have dealt with or are dealing with.” He opened his eyes, gazing at her apologetically. “I also don’t trust a lot of them either. I only trust two of them and that’s it.” He admitted and went on, “I’m what one would call a ‘pariah’ within the department. Not all of the patrol officers regard me as a ‘Brother in Blue’, or a ‘Blue Blood’. Same goes for some of the detectives who work there.” He scratched at his chin, thinking about some of the cases he worked on, where he investigated officer-involved shootings. While some were justified, many others were not. There were other crimes involving a fellow officer he solved too, and somehow, Astaria was starting to feel like DC. Then again, corruption is everywhere. Power corrupts absolutely. No truer words were spoken. “They only tolerate me working there because I’m actually good at what I do. They hate me because I’m very good at my job, and because I have a strong aversion to accepting things on face value; therefore, I withhold belief until presented with ample evidence.“ He smiled. “Corrupted authority figures and politicians don’t like that at all.” He nodded. “Thank you for being honest with me, Cassie,” he smiled appreciatively. “I do understand where you’re coming from.” When she asked if he had work today, he blinked as he froze a bit, and then looked at his wrist watch to see what time it was. He winced, “Oh, fuck,” he muttered under his breath and clasped his hands together for a few moments. “I’ll uh, have to drop you off at your place on my way to work.”
@mayhem
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