Meetings (Trenton)

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

Mari sat at the coffee shoppe and glanced about. Trent had said he wanted to meet her here but had not said what it was about. After the big confrontation yesterday with Darryl she was still a bit leary. She sipped her chocolate raspberry coffee and relaxed a little bit as she waited for him. She didn't know if this was a casual "Hey how are you?" hanging out kinda thing or if he was going to give her the old "Can we just be friends?" speech. After kissing Rodney everything in her life was even a more confusing jumble than normal.

She massaged her temples and brushed a brown curl out of her eyes. She had some of it pulled away from her face and held with a rose clip that matched the pink top she was wearing. Oddly enough, the same top she'd first met Trent in. Her father had managed to miss it in his attempts to get her a new wardrobe. She sipped her coffee and waited, checking her phone for the time as she crossed her legs at the ankles like charm school had taught her.

[Trenton Dante Moore]

After grabbing a human for a quick bite---though he hadn't killed them---Trenton headed for the coffee shop. He needed to talk to Marina. He had been confused by her actions, but had tried not to show it. Plus there was the fact that he still brutally killed and fed from people. How could he survive acting in two different ways? He let out a non-existent sigh as he entered the establishment.

Seeing Marina, he let a smile grace his lips. But it wasn't a fake smile or a smirk. It was a smile that he had only shared with one other girl before and that was Diana. Before Marina, only Diana could ever get him to show a true smile. Their talk in the library came back to him and his eyes clouded. What was he going to do? He couldn't just tell her that he had fallen for someone and that the girl in question was actually keeping the monster at bay. She would never understand.

Trenton shook off his thoughts and approached the table he had seen Marina at. As he did so, he found himself staring at her. Something about her had changed. Her hair was now brown and curly and she looked---by human standards---perfect. Her loveliness has magnified. How did this happen? he wondered.
"Hello, Mari. May I sit down?" he queried.

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

Hearing his voice, and feeling how conflicted he was, Mari looked up at Trenton as he entered the room, she couldn't help but smile at him as she gestured for him to sit down, "It was good to see you yesterday. How did your classes go? I'm pretty sure you aced them like you usually do." she said as she waited for him to sit down across from her and put her hands on either side of her coffee. Feeling its warmth through the cosie they always put around them now to prevent folks from burning themselves. The cardboard felt stiff and unyielding even as she ran a finger over the logo on it absentmindedly.

"So, yeah. Something changed with me. Like I mentioned yesterday. I woke up yesterday looking like this and I'm still trying to figure out what it means. My family evidently has a long line of cupids in it and I got tapped to be one for some odd reason." she took a sip of her drink and looked at him, "So you're friends with my for lack of a better term "stepmom" Diana, huh?" she said with a grin and twinkle in her eyes. There was no censure. She had no right to judge him, after all she had kissed Rodney on the quad about a week ago. Lord knows sometimes things just happened and you didn't always know why. Besides, Trent and Diana had known each other for centuries. "She pretty much helped raise me after my mom passed on." Well was murdered but this was public after all.

[Trenton Dante Moore]

As he sat down, Marina mentioned his classes and his exams, stating that he had probably aced them. He chuckled.
"Well, it certainly helps that I have taken several of the classes many times before," he stated. He then listened as she went on to say that she had gone through some changes, mentioning that she came from a long line of cupids and for some reason she had been awakened as such. Reading the uncertainly on her face, he reached over and went to put a hand on her hand. "Do not fret, Bella. We will figure this out together," he promised. Sure, he was not certain as to how he would reconcile his two sides, but he was not going to abandon Marina in her time of need.

When she mentioned Diana and how close they were, Trenton had to smile and shake his head. Trust Diana not to mention that she knew Marina. Though to be fair, he had not mentioned the girl either, not wanting to give his old friend further ammunition to get under his skin.

At the mention of her mother's death, Trenton frowned. He did not like it when Marina was sad. At her question of him being friends with Diana, he nodded.
"Yes, she and I have been well-acquainted for quite some time," he answered. Then, "Why am I not surprised that you would know her?"

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

Feeling his hand on hers she smiled up at him, "My life is just so confusing now." she said softly. "I just don't know what's going on any more. Things are moving fast and yet they aren't. I just don't know what to think." she took a swig of her coffee and sighed, "My dad wants me to marry you. Kinda makes it ackward given that all I've got to go on is what HE wants." she resisted the urge to rub her face and smear her makeup.


"Its my lot in life to know everyone but to be alone. Don't you know that?" the tone in her voice was half amusing and half bitter, "Everyone knows of me and heck they think I'm your girlfriend in the vampire community. Even my dress designer had something to say about it." she hated politics. She just wanted to have fun. Why did people bring their baggage into things? It shouldn't matter who she hung out with and she resented everyone having to chime in with their opinion even if she could see their point.

"There are people who think you listening to my dad is a bad thing. They think its a sign he or I have you by the short hairs. Its really...hard for me. I mean I don't want to make your life complicated but if I have to listen to one more vamp tell me how me having coffee with you is a bad thing I'm gonna snap and stake them. I've had 2 that tried to jump me the other day because I knew you. They ended up getting their asses dusted by some good Samaritan but yeah its kinda hard. I mean I like you and I don't want to cause you problems or anything so yeah I just don't know what is going on."

"The fact that you've been friends with benefits to Diana is just one of those things I guess. I mean hell my dad has been with half the demonesses in this city. I suppose it shouldn't surprise me and its not like I can make a judgement on it." The fact that she wasn't shocked or even blushing said something about her upbringing and she knew it wasn't good. Inwardly she sighed.

[Trenton Dante Moore]

Marina sighed and stated that Reginald wanted her to marry him.
"And how would you feel about that?" he queried, keeping his voice impassive. While he had not given it much thought, he could see himself marrying Marina. Of course, if it was just a marriage of convenience, it would not be as pleasurable for him than if they were wed because Marina wanted to marry him.

He listened sympathetically as she stated that a lot was happening and that she did not know what to do. When he learned that her hairdresser had commented on them, he had to bite back a chuckle. His eyes flashed in fury when he heard that vampires had attacked her.
"They did what?" he asked, trying to keep his temper in check. He was not angry with Marina and did not want her thinking such. He just had to get information about the vampires so that he could kill them. However, he soon learned that someone had already done that when they had come to Marina's rescue.
"I am grateful you were unharmed, though I apologize that my courtship with you placed you in danger in the first place," he told her.

When she mentioned his relationship with Diana, he had to bite back a laugh.
"Oh, that is not what you think, Bella. We were and still are only hunting buddies. Not that she is not attractive, but she would certainly kick my a---butt," he stated, censoring himself. After all, Marina was a lady and he was going to talk to her as was required. Which included not using vulgar language. "So, how did you and Reginald meet Diana anyways?" he wondered. He was honestly curious, and maybe for once, he would have something that he could use against Diana in the teasing department.

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

"I don't know. I mean I don't want to get married just because my father told me to. I want to marry someone I love and that takes time and it just feels so rushed right now. I like you but we would need to get to know each other I mean I don't even know if Vampires can get married and its clear that people aren't happy about me being around you much less dating you so it affects you as well and its complicated. I don't want to be an embarrassment to you or ruin your plans. I care about you too much to just think of myself with this. I mean I don't even know if vampires can..well yeah...so its not just like going over to Vegas you know? What are your plans? I know there are a lot of things going on in the vampire community and you're important." She was blushing scarlet at this stage, she looked up at him, "Its a big decision. I'm still trying to understand you, and you're trying to understand me and I don't want to rush that. Hell, I've been locked in a tower for 26 years what do I know about how the real world works? A few excursions outside don't make for much practical experience." she admitted as she looked into his eyes. She ran her hand through her hair as she held his with her other after she let go of her drink. It was clear she was trying to think this over carefully. "I was lucky my dad let me go to college and keep a job but it doesn't mean I know a lot about how things go. I'm' just...I'm still learning how to take care of myself and I just don't want to be a burden to anyone. I don't know what my place in your life would be or what purpose I would serve. I mean I want...I want to be a partner not just someone you would have to protect."

"I had a hunter come to my rescue. Its just not something I expect to see every day..." she said as she looked a bit dazed by it all. "I'm not used to everyone knowing my business. I'm used to being very private and I had to explain my life's story to folks and its just hard because I had to do it twice in one week." she said softly as she looked at him her hand went down as she placed it back on her coffee and took another swig of it, "Is Courting what we're doing? I'm just so confused Trent. I mean its been two months since I met you." she squeezed his hand running her own up and down it lightly, "I feel like everyone knows what is going on except me." she smiled a bit ruefully up at him then she flushed red, "My friend Rodney wanted to meet you. He said something about needing to discuss things about making sure I was safe and that my dad wasn't being a pervert." she rubbed the back of her neck, "I told him about my past and...." she ducked her head biting her lip as her brown curls tickled her cheeks, "I was upset and crying and he kissed me to cheer me up. That's what triggered my change. I don't know why it did but it did." she looked at him apologetically, her brown eyes wide and pleading with sadness in their depths. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to hurt you and I just don't know what happened really. I was just really hurting and lonely and Diana had said you two were intimate and I didn't know what to think. I mean she's like my mom and I don't want her upset with me. I thought that you would go back with her or something. I just didn't know and with you being gone I just let my emotions rule my judgement and I'm sorry." she looked at him, "That's why I don't know whats going on. There are so many people telling me different things that its hard for me because I couldn't talk to you and I missed you."

"She said you were intimate Its okay if you were, you're male and men have been held to different standards for centuries, I mean, look at my dad. If it looks at him funny and he thinks its cute he's trying to jump it. Dad met Diana at one of those big wig galas. I was just like seven. Dad brought her by to see me after the gala was over and she's just visited ever since. I keep my nose out of their business since its not my place but yeah. Its kinda obvious she distracts him." she blushed softly as she looked at Trent, "I checked the listings for a cupid and it said I am probably immortal which means I won't die and so if I'm not going to die....well that's why I've been wanting to take my time. I'd not want to rush things if I wasn't needing to. I was thinking it would make things a lot less stressful for both of us. I want to be able to understand and know what it is I can do to help you if we did get married. You have a long past and there will be people coming into and out of your life and I would need to be ready to accept that. Its not as simple as a few old flames here and there. You have a lot of history both good and bad and I just don't want to be surprised by it like I was with Diana. I mean I don't think I could tolerate some girl you slept with in the 15th century treating me life I was a fling. I'd probably have the urge to stake her out of sheer annoyance."

"Besides, if we did get married...what would that entail? I don't think I could handle being a vampire. I like healing people as best I can. Its very confusing, there is so much I don't know. We've not even kissed or anything so...I'm kind of flying blind here. I feel so silly not knowing these things..." she murmured as she let her other hand hold his and she bit her lip.

[Trenton Dante Moore]

Trenton nodded in agreement when Marina stated that she didn't want to get married just because her father wanted to and that she wanted to marry for love.
"Of course. I understand," he murmured. She continued, stating that she wasn't sure if vampires could get married and that their relationship was causing conflict, and that she didn't want to mess up his plans.
"Forget about all that, Bella. My plans will be just fine and as for marriage, I have never been traditional in our community so no one would be surprised if I did marry you," he told her, stepping closer. As he did so, she went on explaining about a conversation she had had with a friend from the university and a shared kiss that had triggered her change and that apparently she was from a long line of cupids.

Suddenly, Trenton found himself more drawn to Marina than he ever had been. Before he quite knew what he was doing, he went to place his arms around her and leaned in to kiss her.

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

Relief flooded her features as she looked up at him and he spoke to her, "Oh good. I was worried I wasn't making any sense." she admitted as he seemed to relax a bit more. Maybe this wasn't as bad as she thought.

"They wouldn't?" the fact that he was non traditional meant little to her given that she didn't know what traditional was but he seemed to be rather dismissive of her kissing Rodney and she sighed in relief. She had not wanted to hurt him so the tension fairly melted away once she realized he wasn't chomping at the bit to go kill Rodney or yell at her father. "Oh, good. I was so worried." she felt his arms go around her and she looked up as he leaned in and kissed her.

Surprised, her thought process completely derailed as she found herself kissing him back. Holding onto his shoulders so she wouldn't fall from the suddenness of it all. She'd just been through so much that the idea that she didn't have to worry that he'd be mad at her made her lean into him and close her eyes as the kiss continued right in the middle of the coffee shoppe. A soft moan erupted from her and she sighed as she stood there. She lost track of time and everything else as the kiss seemed to go on forever.

Her body felt lighter and she stopped caring where she was as time passed. It was just nice to not have to hide what she was or worry that she was going to get in trouble for it. She spent most of her time dodging some faux pas and for once she didn't have to. It just felt good to let go and let someone else worry for once. She didn't think about him being a vampire or what her pheromones were doing she just enjoyed the moment curled up in his arms and letting herself just let go of all her worries. Kissing him was liberating and let her show her gratitude for all he had done. She opened her mind to him and tried to speak silently, "Thank you, Trenton. Thank you for being there for me. I know you don't have to be and I appreciate how much you are."

[Trenton Dante Moore]

Kissing Marina was an experience Trent would never get tired of. His features curved into a grin as she reciprocated the kiss. He loved that he could have this affect on the girl with no need for his compulsion powers. Regardless of what the other vampires thought, it did get somewhat tiresome making others do your bidding at times. Besides, he had not had a decent relationship in decades and he was rather enjoying this courtship.

Trenton kissed a bit harder, making sure to hold back so he would not hurt her. As he kissed her, he was overcome with an urge to ravish her, leave her breathless. Realizing what was happening, he slowed the kiss back down but let his lips travel from her lips, down her chin and towards her neck. Then, suddenly, he remembered where they were. Whereas he did not care if anyone saw such a public display of affection, he knew that Marina would.
"I...think we should go somewhere...more private," he stated.

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

Floating on a happy cloud Mari felt the tension she'd been feeling melt away. She could sense Trent was relaxing and in her mind that was a good thing. It seemed like their relationship (if thats what it was) was going to a different level. With Trent there were no verbal cues and she really was kept guessing. They would need to sit down and talk and figure out what was happening between them but for now this was a simple moment between the two of them.

She felt his lips travel down slowly and her legs turned to jello, she managed to slowly open her eyes as he spoke and she blushed, "Yeah, that would probably be a good idea." folks were probably not staring but they would be if it continued on. She felt her senses come back online and she stretched slightly

[Trenton Dante Moore]

Trent nodded when she agreed that leaving would be the best idea. He went to take her hand and lead her out, his eyes watching to make sure that no one tried to approach them for any reason. After exiting, he headed down the familiar path to his home. When he finally reached the front door, he opened the door and pushed it all the way open.
"After you Bella," he said.

OOC
Sorry it's kinda short.

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

Feeling his hand in hers, she smiled and let him lead her to where he lived just off campus. She figured that they needed to figure out what was happening and she needed to know what was going on in her life. She paused at the door and smiled softly as she looked to him to open it.

Thread closed.