A Taste Of Paradise, - Danika -

[Percy]

Percy had done just as planned... the night after he met Danika, a little more than two years after he turned her and she left... he called her, just as she said he should do. Percy called Danika and heard her pretty voice, and they decided upon a date where she'd come to his mansion and they'd have a drink together. He looked forwards to it. Being friends with and living with Natalia was nice, but he missed something in his life... the thing he always missed, love. Someone who'd love him and trust him. He believed he still loved Danika, and it would be nice to have her over. Natalia was not at home tonight, so it was all good. She was so understanding.

The drink had been fixed too. Percy had not really killed much since he turned Danika, because then he'd gone to Asia and learned a lot of things about others and about himself too. How could he save the world if he killed? It happened that he did, still, but that's because he had given into the fact that he was a vampire. It just happened, with his age and all too. Percy knew he could not control the urges and instincts, but he could control himself, if he wanted to. And he did. Especially tonight he had to control the urges, so he did not scare Danika away now he finally got to spend some time with her.

It was half an hour after sunrise, Percy looked in the mirror next to the door in the hall, and decided he was ready. He had showered and put on a light scent, because vampires had such good senses, so he didn't want a strong scent. He was dressed well in black trousers for once, and a white shirt. Black polished shoes, and he had even shaved. Percy thought he looked rather good. Danika would come within the next half hour, and then two hours after sunrise, two young women would ring the doorbell - they were willing blood donors that Percy had paid to come tonight. None of them would be killed, there'd be one for each. Everything would be good. Percy went to put some music on, light chamber music just to be in the background. And then he waited as patiently as he could, for Danika to arrive.

[Danika Ellis]

Danika was actually a bit nervous about going to see Percy. Sure, she had been the one to suggest they get together soon, and she had given him her card to call her, but that didn't make it any easier for her. This was the first time that she and Percy were actually doing something that they planned ahead of time. Usually they just kind of ran into each other in public. Or at least that's how it seemed to her. Whether or not Percy had actually planned on running into her was a matter she wasn't sure about.

He'd called her the night after she had run into him while on duty, the first time she had seen him since waking up a vampire, and they had made plans to meet tonight for drinks at his place. She had been to him place before, but she barely remembered it. She had blocked so much of that night out of her memory...trying to get past what she had become. Then again, she never planned on seeing Percy again. After she had gone back to his place to find it empty, she had resorted to living and adjusting on her own. It wasn't until she ran into him that whatever feelings she had towards him had been rekindled.

She still wasn't quite sure what it was she felt for him. Was it normal for a sire/fledgling to relationship to feel like this? She couldn't deny that there was something between them before he had turned her. Had it escalated now that she was a vampire? Hell, the other night, she could barely keep away from him. So there had to be something there, right?

When the sun finally set, she awoke in her apartment and got ready to go to Percy's, dressing in a simple black dress and heels that were a little flashier than she was used to. She wore her hair down in their natural curls and just a touch of makeup, finding that it wasn't quite necessary now that she was a vampire. Once she was ready, she drove to Percy's mansion, relying on both her memory and senses to get her there.

Parking in his driveway, she made her way out of her car and up the sidewalk to his front door, letting out a breath before knocking. As she stood there waiting for him to answer, a part of her wandered why she was trying so hard to impress him. She was never one to worry about how she looked unless she was doing a job undercover, but for Percy, she felt this need to dress up and look her best. It wasn't like it would have mattered to him, hadn't he already told her that he was in loved with her? And she knew that he'd be just as happy to see her in sweatpants and a t-shirt. Was her subconscious trying to tell her something?

[Percy]

It felt like such a long time before she arrived. Percy had gone to his living room to put some other music on, as he realized that old-fashioned chamber music might not be Danika's style. Maybe he should ask her what she wanted to listen to? He did have a small selection of music cd's to put on. And maybe she'd like that he wanted to hear what she wanted to hear. Yes, it was the right thing to do. He stepped back from the stereo and turned his head as he thought he heard a car out on the road. Soon it was not on the road, but in front of his house. Percy could also sense her, Danika was near. It caused him to smile, he had been looking forwards to this.

Before she was turned, they had met two times. None of those times did she know his real name. He told her when he turned her, but then she didn't want him anyway... back then, that is. Perhaps she wanted him now, that she had actually suggested they spent time together. This would be the first time they'd planned to meet and knew they would see each other, knew they'd spend time together. How could he not look forwards to that? And she was so beautiful. That gorgeous red hair. It was such a contrast to all the blondes he'd loved, and the darkhaired green-eyed males. Danika was different from everyone else he'd been with in so many ways. Not that he'd been with her yet... he'd only kissed her, but naturally he longed for a lot more.

Percy went to stand in the hall for when she made her way up the few steps to knock on his door. And she did that. She was right on the other side. Percy took the few steps over to the door, glanced one last time in the mirror and liked what he saw - and then he opened the door. She was beautiful, even seemed to have dressed up for Percy too. He smiled at her, "Danika... it's very good to see you." Percy said elegantly and stepped aside to let her in. Sure he wanted to kiss her or just hug her, but he figured he might be going too fast like that. So he just let her inside. "I hope it wasn't hard to find my mansion again." He added just to keep a conversation going. Sometimes, Percy didn't know what to say, and other times he was perfectly polite, a good old-fashioned gentleman who knew his way around the world. He felt like that tonight.

[Danika Ellis]

Danika had survived over 2 years I without Percy in her life.  She had taught herself enough that she could function regularly in society without getting herself killed, but there was also a lot she didn't know about being a vampire.  Now that she and Percy had been reunited and she had (for the most part) forgiven him for turning her, she hoped that he could teach her more.  They didn't really have much when it came to a sire-fledgling relationship, but tonight would be the start of a new chapter.  They were going to spend time together, and not just meeting at the bar or in the street.  She was heading to his place for the night, they were going to have drinks and see what else might happen.  Honestly, she didn't know what might happen.  They would see where the night would take them.

She found her way to his place and made it to the front door, waiting for him to answer.  She could sense him moving around inside, knowing that he was near the door when he opened it.  There was a smile on her face the moment she saw him, her gaze wandering over him and taking everything in.  He looked so nice, all dressed up.  She was glad she had worn that dress for him.  "It's good to see you too, Percy," she grinned as she walked inside, memories of the last time she was in his home flooding her mind.

Waiting for him to shut the door, she looked around, taking it all in. "I found it without a problem. I suppose it's just easy to sense you when I actually try." Turning to look at him, she stepped forward to close the distance, giving him a light kiss on the cheek. "Your mansion is even more lovely than I remember."

[Percy]

Percy didn't know if he was going to teach her more about being a vampire. He just knew he wanted to spend time with her, get to know her, get closer to her. Get much closer to her, if he could, but of course he didn't know if he could yet. He had just dressed up for her and was happy she was coming, the drinks would be here in an hour - after she'd knocked on the door - and all would be well. How was he to know that she rarely fed from living human beings, if she ever did, that is? Percy just assumed that that's what she did, because she was a vampire and that was an urge vampires had. He remembered when Shayne first woke as a vampire, and he was both shocked but also so excited. And he wanted real blood. Why shouldn't Danika want the same?

She looked absolutely stunning in her outfit when he opened the door, and by the way she looked at him and grinned, it would seem she liked how he looked too. Percy knew it was a good choice. For once not wearing ordinary jeans and a polo-shirt, but actual black trousers and a ironed white shirt. She was beautiful when she grinned and said it was good to see him too, and he let her inside while commenting on her finding her way to his mansion.

He smiled at her words, "It's really not that hard, if you really want to sense someone. Especially one of your own blood." Percy explained to her, and then she had suddenly turned and kissed his cheek before he had even realized what she was up to. That felt nice. The feeling of her soft cool lips lingered on his freshly shaved cheek. Danika then complimented his mansion, "You probably don't remember much, do you?" Percy said, the smile fading a little from his face. He didn't like to linger on that night, it wasn't a good memory to her. "Do you want me to show you around? Or should we just go and sit down? I thought you might want to pick some music we could listen to." Percy said and gestured towards the door that led from the hall to the living room.

[Danika Ellis]

Danika rarely used her vampire abilities knowingly. Sure, there were the few occasions that she took advantage of her speed during a chase or picked up on a faint scent at a crime scene, but for the most part, she did things as normally as any other cop would. Relaying solely on her senses to get her to Percy's had been something new for her, and to be honest, she kind of liked it. She did remember the area a bit, but mostly, it was like she was on autopilot...just making turns when she needed to because that was what her senses were telling her. Thankfully, her senses had done the job and gotten her to Percy's where she was now standing inside.

He looked good. Even before he had turned her, she had found him attractive...and then everything happened between them. After not seeing him for 2 years, there was still an attraction there, though she didn't know whether it was because he was her sire or because she actually felt something for him. He had told her that he felt something for her...but she was much slower to address her feelings. She didn't know if she loved him like he loved her, but she was willing to let things take their course. After all, she hadn't expected their reunion to go the way it did after she left him the night she was turned. She never thought she'd be kissing him and meeting him for drinks, but here she was, standing in his mansion having just greeted him with a kiss.

His mansion was a lot more beautiful than she remembered, though she didn't remember much from the night she woke up. She didn't really take the time to look around when she left. She never wanted to see Percy again at that point. She shook her head when he asked if she remembered much, "Not at all. Everything from that night is so fuzzy...and I don't really want to try to remember it," she was serious for a moment before a small smile returned to her lips. He asked her whether he wanted him to show her around or sit down and she thought for a moment. "Well...the only time I listen to music is when I work out. And usually then it's something that gets me pumped up. So I'm sure whatever you chose is fine. And we have all night for you to show me around," she smiled as her hand found his and waited for him to lead her into the living room area.

[Percy]

Back when Percy had just turned Shayne, it was all so different. The youth had not been madly upset when he was turned, he was more excited, and somehow... Percy had known what to do with a fledgling, at least in the beginning. He'd shown him how to use his senses, how to feed properly, how to entrance, all that basic stuff. Danika... wasn't like that at all. She left and he had not seen her again until earlier this week, years later. Still he didn't know if he had more to teach her, but he would definitely love to. Percy loved to 'be there' for people, he loved it when they trusted him and cared about him. And when he cared about them too, and could show it. So it was good Danika was here. Hopefully she'd come to a better understanding about who he was, they'd get to know each other better, maybe she'd like him even more?

One could only hope, when she looked so beautiful in her dress and with her beautiful dark red hair and everything. So far, there'd been no real kissing. She had however kissed his cheek, and it almost felt like the kiss just lingered there, it stayed and Percy did not want to let it go. Danika had also complimented on his mansion though, and Percy pointed out how she probably did not remember much. His smile faded slightly, and she seemed to grow more serious too. As she pointed out she didn't want to try and remember it either. Then they should just not talk about it. So Percy suggested to show her around or listen to music or something.

Danika smiled again, and said she didn't listen to a lot of music - he should just put something on. And then... then she added that they had all night. Percy liked that. All night. Her hand slid into his, "Yes... we have all night. You're welcome to stay for as long as you like." Percy replied to her and led her into the modern looking luxurious living room. He gave her a small fond smile and let go of her hand to go and put on some music. He looked through some discs and then put on one with Frank Sinatra - starting with Strangers In The Night on the cd. He didn't turn it up too loud, but enough to have the music there but for them to talk too. Then Percy turned to Danika and smiled again, the song almost made him feel like dancing with her, but he wasn't sure if that was overstepping anything. Their relationship was so fragile, he thought, and he didn't want to ruin anything. "Do you want to sit... or... do something else?" Percy asked slowly, it would be easy to tell that he would rather do something else, but was letting it be up to her.

[Danika Ellis]

If you would have told her 3 weeks ago that she would be on speaking terms with Percy right now, she would have laughed in your face. She never expected things to go this way. In fact...she never intended on seeing her sire again. He had left shortly after she was turned, and she was so used to life without him, that she had grown used to not sensing him. She didn't even know that he had returned to London until they had run into each other the other night. She wasn't sure if that was by chance or if it was her senses taking control, but looking back, she was glad that she had found him.

Things between them were going so much better than she imagined. Were they the best of friends? Of course not, but she could tolerate him. Okay...so she could more than tolerate him. She kind of liked him. A lot. And he was growing on her every moment they spent together. Like tonight. She'd come to his place for a drink and greeting him with a kiss on the cheek just seemed like the natural thing to do. She didn't really think about it, nor had she thought about more. When it came to Percy, she was quickly learning to just do whatever she felt at the moment. There was no use in denying something...he'd get it out of her anyways. And there was no need to force things. He knew where she stood on their relationship.

He had suggested they go sit down and asked if she wanted to choose some music, but she told him he could pick. He knew his selection much better than her, and really, the kind of music she listened to while working out wasn't really appropriate for this sort of situation. She took his hand and allowed him to lead her to the living area, taking the chance to look around while he walked over to find a CD. She closed her eyes for a moment when the music began to play, recognizing the song immediately. She grew up listening to music greats like Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland. Her mother worked on Broadway, after all.

Smiling to herself, she opened her eyes again to look at Percy, finding the song very easy to relate to their relationship. He asked if she wanted to sit or do something else, making it way too easy for her to get that he wanted to do something else. While her mind went through a few ideas as to what 'something else' might be, she found herself starting towards him. "Something else?" She raised an eyebrow, watching him with curiosity as she waited for his answer to what he had in mind.

[Percy]

Percy had no idea he'd be meeting Danika again, but he did not regret a thing. Meeting her again, seeing her... it brought it all back, what he began to feel for her more than two years ago. And to think that the first reason why he stalked her, was just to get a bite. Then they got to talk, and look at them now - she was his fledgling, he was her sire, they shared blood and obviously also some thoughts. They knew that years ago already, they weren't so different after all. And now they were here, in his living room in his mansion, she had come to visit him and he wanted to make the evening perfect for her if he could. He was doing his best, he thought, all while also being careful to not overstep her limits, so he'd ruin what was beginning.

So he even asked her to pick the music they'd listen to, but no, Danika wanted him to pick something. Percy let go of her hand to and pick something, and decided on a cd with Frank Sinatra. It might be a little old, and she was a young woman, it might not be her style... but it seemed right. He started it with a very special song he thought fit them, and when he turned, she had her eyes closed with a smile upon her face. So beautiful. Percy just wanted to go and kiss her. And dance with her, this music would be good for that. A slow dance with her head resting against his chest, and his arms around her. Percy could be terribly romantic sometimes.

For now though, he asked what she wanted to do, this was her evening. Danika moved towards him, wondering what the something else he suggested could be. Percy smiled and made an old-fashioned and very elegant bow to her, with a hand on his back and the other under his front, "May I have the pleasure of dancing with you, Danika?" He asked as he rose and stretched a hand towards her. If she took it, he'd pull her closer and to the area behind the leather couch where there'd be more space for dancing. Any woman liked to be treated elegantly like that, even in present times.

[Danika Ellis]

Danika couldn't help but think about how well things were going so far. She had only been at Percy's for a short time, but she was already really comfortable with being with him. It just felt so right to be there. She couldn't really explain why, but being with Percy was comforting on some level. Especially after being so used to being alone over the past 6 years. Not that she didn't enjoy being alone. She preferred being along. She didn't have a partner for a reason. Then again, everything might be different if she had a partner...she might never have met Percy or gone on the chase that ultimately lead to her death.

Looking back it was stupid for her to think she was invincible, but she couldn't change any of that now. So she learned to adapt to her new life and part of that meant having a relationship with Percy. They were forever bonded no matter what, so she should make the best of it. Especially with him professing his love for her the other night and the growing attraction for him she couldn't deny. Even now as they stood in his living room, she found herself moving closer to him, like he was some sort of magnet.

He'd put on some music, a nice slow song. One she recognized as Frank Sinatra. Strangers in the Night. It fit them so well when you thought about how things came to be between them. Percy asked if she wanted to sit down or do something else, which had her curious as to what else he had in mind. She watched him bow, asking her to dance, the same smile she seemed to wear a lot in his presence still on her face. She took his hand when he reached it out to her, closing the distance between them as he pulled her closer and led her to a more open area. Her free hand found it's way to his side, gently resting it there until she found herself in a comfortable position, following his lead as they began to dance, her eyes watching his face as they moved.