Spice and Sparkles ((Closed RP- Baron Harkonnen, Jasper, and the Raptor))

[i-am-harkonnen.livejournal.com]

((Many thanks to A-mun for coming up with the thread title. It is my area of extreme FAIL.))

Although he couldn't claim to be satisfied, the Baron had finally gotten his rooms in order. He was still irritated that rooms was really one large room, with a closet and a semi-acceptable bathroom, but didn't plan to put up with it forever. What he'd managed was tolerable for now, and, he'd managed to improve on his wardrobe and the sheets.

And so he was sitting in his room, attempting to enjoy a quiet afternoon and finding it rather impossible. Practicing basic spells in secret was interesting, but, it wasn't enough to occupy an entire day. He required actual diversion, in the form of company. He didn't feel like wandering around the castle, as he'd already had an exhausting last few days, his joints were aching, and he seemed to keep ending up places without chairs. But, he didn't feel like being by himself anymore, and, his mind kept drifting back to his meeting with Jasper.

He did say he'd come visit, and it seemed like he was settled in enough. And so, he decided to see if he'd been getting his hopes up for nothing, or not. Pleasant company was always an excellent diversion, although he didn't expect it would end up quite so pleasant a time as he'd like. And so, managing to summon a piece of paper and a pen from across the room after a couple tries, he penned a short note.

To Jasper Hale,

I've finally made some rooms acceptable for now, and it would be a pleasure if you were to visit me this evening, as we recently chatted about. I shall be looking forward to your response or your arrival,  and shall be hoping for the latter.

Regards,
Baron Vladimir Harkonnen

After folding the note meticulously, he put his head out the door and shouted for a house elf- at least they were appearing instantaneously now, having learned he'd be calling them on a very regular basis. When it appeared, he told it to deliver the note as swiftly as possible, and then to have food brought. He returned to his sofa, practicing more object levitation and summoning, and waiting for either a response, or the evening.

Comments

[j-whitlock.livejournal.com]

((I tried not to make the end seem forced. Since their conversation could really carry on indefinitely if we let it, I think it best to end it soon. XD Sorry for my epic slowness. In the future I'll definitely try to keep my novel length tags down so I'm not stalling our threads for quite so long.))

Even as brief and mild as it was, Jasper caught that flicker of vague irritation from Vladimir at the mention of Alice and Edward, and his eyes narrowed ever so slightly. This gave him a sort of focused curious look, rather than being an expression of suspicion, which was very deliberate. He'd learnt to keep his own real emotions from showing when it was necessary to—as it so often was when attending human schools, and being in a constant state of pain due to his thirst. Staring at his teachers and 'peers' as though he'd like nothing more than to leap over his desk and eat them on the spot was never received well. Except in the case of the teachers being older women, who seemed to find that unsettling vampiric nature of Jasper's flattering.

He could guess that the Baron was becoming lost in his own thoughts simply by the very subtle shifting of emotion, then the more alarming change his anger brought, but had no way of knowing what those thoughts might be. Perhaps the Baron was also married, and wasn't particularly fond of his wife the way Jasper was of his. But, then, any marriage the Baron might be involved in would presumably be of the political variety, since he was a planetary ruler from a seemingly almost medieval future. The inexplicable gratitude caused Jasper to smile as one would at a verbal or physical cue—something he didn't normally do, since it gave him away so blatantly. But he was allowing himself that much, with Vladimir, since he knew the truth about him now. Emotions were fair game and Vladimir would do well to remember that.

He nodded thoughtfully to Vladimir's comment about tigers. "I could probably transfigure something in here to be an Earth tiger—and there's actually a few varieties of them—but," he paused as he glanced around the room, "it would be better to do it elsewhere, sometime. I wouldn't want it destroying your room." And he also wouldn't want to accidentally injure it if he had to restrain it.

"More of this planet is becoming industrialised each year. Mankind's really done a number on it. It's on a steady decline... slowly dying." Which was why it hadn't surprised him to find out multiple planets had been colonised in the future the Baron was from. He was sure he'd see the pressing need for it arise in his own lifetime.

"I am flattered you don't find me similar to your mentat, then," he said seriously, deciding it may be best not to inquire further about Piter at this point. "But I am still willing to help you in whatever capacity, if you'd like me to." He chuckled quietly. It sounded a little forced. "Not killing people for you, of course. Too much blood on my hands already. But you know what I mean." And it couldn't hurt to make his meaning clear. The raptor was by then stirring, likely sensing Jasper's faint but growing restlessness. It had little to do with their conversation, and everything to do with the smell of the Baron's blood. It would be better for both of them if Jasper excused himself to get some fresh air soon. He gradually sat up from his slouch against the cushions, giving the raptor a fond pat on the snout as he also sat up, already alert despite his prior unconsciousness.

[i-am-harkonnen.livejournal.com]

((No worries at all on slow- I have the same lengthy habit and should try the same. *g*))

It didn't escape Vladimir that his flash of anger seemed to cause a shift in Jasper, but he was pleased when its fading reversed it, that too-lovely smile appearing again. The Baron supposed sensitivity to emotions was a frequently frustrating thing- he wouldn't want to be assaulted with feelings all the time, unless they were pleasant ones to experience. He realized he'd have to make an effort to manifest positive emotions as much as possible around Jasper. At least it would be easy. That smile was enchanting, and Vladimir found he didn't want Jasper to suffer.

He did like Jasper's idea about transfigured tigers. That would be interesting to see, and a good excuse to spend an afternoon outside with him. . .well, probably an evening, given Jasper's remarkable trait. The subject of animals caused him to wonder if Jasper might want to accompany him on an owl-buying excursion, which presumably would involve a trip to Diagon Alley.

"I'd agree it's better not to transfigure the furniture- it seems like something for out-of-doors. But, I would like to see that, and perhaps we could venture out to the grounds some evening, although probably best we don't transfigure anything in A's garden, either." A worked hard on it, and, it would be a shame to ruin his efforts. He supported the cooking at Hogwarts with his spices, and so they seemed very important to Vladimir. "The air here's remarkably good, it apparently hasn't been put through as much as some worlds. Giedi Prime, the world I am from, is not good for sightseeing. Unless you like volcanoes, as we do have some very impressive ones. According to our histories, it did have more greenery at some point, but, never in my lifetime. We deal in industrial materials there, metals, oil, fabrication. It's a good world for that. Lankiveil, another holding, is in better shape, mostly water, but very cold." So cold the whales had fur, which happened to be a luxury commodity in the Imperium.

The fact that Jasper didn't seem to want to hear more about Piter came as a relief-. Separation from Piter was one part of his anomalous exile he couldn't regret. The only part he missed was his mentat services. Jasper really did seem better for such, here. He didn't need assassinations or incredibly complex equations run (both of which he could probably do well anyway), he just needed someone to listen to his thoughts, correct the mistakes, and to help polish his ideas. Which probably wouldn't be important here, but, he intended to treat the professor idea seriously anyway.

Vladimir couldn't help but have a flush of excitement that he quickly tried to tame at Jasper's confirming he was willing to help in 'whatever capacity'. It couldn't mean what he hoped, he was sure, but he still enjoyed the possibly unintentional innuendo. Although he hadn't missed that Jasper would probably make a brilliant assassin, that wasn't what Vlad wanted from him, so it was very easy to give Jasper an affectionate smile, and to reply lightly, "Yes, of course- I fear my requests would be far more dull." He still wasn't sure why the hell it was so easy to feel affection for Jasper. "I expect I'll just need you to come by to chat with me, perhaps every couple evenings? I certainly can't go taking all of yours." Just as many as he could manage, of course, being naturally inclined to possessiveness even when he did have the best of intentions. "And I'm sure that I'll want more of those truly remarkable massages. It really has done wonders." He noticed the raptor stirring, and Jasper looking a bit restless, and realized how much time had passed, suddenly noticing his own weariness.

"I believe it's time for bed- I hope I've not kept you too long. It's been the most pleasant evening I've had thus far at Hogwarts, and, I do appreciate it." His smile lingered as he meant this, and he added half-jestingly, "Of course, if you wanted to stay, you'd be welcome, but, I think you and your pet would find it boring." He really might have felt slightly better to have a vampire and a carnivorous dinosaur nearby while he slept- it was kind of like guards.

[j-whitlock.livejournal.com]

"An evening walk would be nice," Jasper readily agreed. Nevermind that the Baron didn't walk. Semantics weren't important there. "You could expound on your homeworld, and those which you have a tyrannical hold over," he said lightly (and yet with clear interest), so that the Baron would perceive it as a jest, though Jasper was also quite serious. Regardless of Vladimir's unusually pleasant behaviour with him, he had little doubt that the man was very different in his own time, his own universe. He briefly reflected on the Baron's prior trace of anger, again wondering at its cause. Perhaps he'd ask, one day.

Vladimir's excitement, even as quickly tamped down as it had been, was still enough to have Jasper grinning slightly. He couldn't help his amusement—and continued astonishment at Vladimir's apparently genuine enjoyment of his company. It was... unexpected.

"Forgive me if I seem rude," he said, his smile turning a little awkward. He clearly wasn't used to explaining this to anyone; normally he'd just leave, with or without offering excuses. "But I'm afraid I'll be behaving even more rudely if I stay very much longer." The Baron should be able to guess why, so would hopefully understand. And if he chose to take any of it as innuendo, well, he was free to.

"And I don't sleep," he replied in a similarly jesting tone, though what he said was true. More accurately, he couldn't sleep. And he did rather miss the ability to dream, but wasn't sure he'd want to experience dreaming after everything he'd done in his unlife. "But thank you for the offer all the same. And especially for inviting me over—I've enjoyed our conversation." He stood, nodding politely to Vladimir before ushering the raptor toward the door. "I'll come by every so often," he said over his shoulder, "just send a note when you feel like chatting, if you don't mind, so I can be sure I'm never interrupting anything." The combination of spice, the almost overpowering scent of blood, and Vladimir's emotions still had him feeling vaguely intoxicated, and he smiled to himself as he added, "A jealous vampire is not a pretty sight..." He was hardly serious, of course, but figured the Baron would appreciate the sentiment. Just the right touch of possessiveness could be flattering.

[i-am-harkonnen.livejournal.com]

"We'll have to call a little stroll on the grounds a plan, then. I expect that the summer nights are lovely. It's a great deal more scenic than my homeworld, although it does have it's impressive bits of scenery." Namely volcanoes. Giedi Prime wasn't a 'nice' place at all. He smiled at Jasper, unable to dampen the affection welling up for him. To realize that this perfect creature wanted to spend further time in his company was just so flattering, somehow enhanced by the knowledge that Jasper was apparently fantasizing about him too, just in a much different way. But was it that different? Possibly not from the vampire perspective. True or not, he thought that was an unusually provocative thought.

And then came that almost painfully charming smile of slight awkwardness. It added just the right touch to his apology, and so of course the Baron did interpret it as an exceptionally delightful bit of innuendo. Jasper really was a gem, and was swiftly securing a firm position of favorite in the Baron's mind- it was difficult to imagine anyone could be more entrancing. Needless to say, the Baron was finding himself unusually happy, the emotion unfamiliar, as the Imperium didn't give that many chances for it, but, still pleasureable. And here, it didn't seem such a risk. Without the political games of the Imperium, Vladimir was finding that the environment would allow for a much wider range of behavior. Which could possibly include some level of affection for someone? It was a good enough rationale, at least- Jasper really was far too lovely for it to require too much.

He of course didn't expect Jasper to be staying the night, and so didn't experience anything but a small twinge of disappointment, easily brushed away by Jasper's easy concession to visit him whenever. And entirely eliminated by by Jasper's little statement about interruptions and jealousy. Vladimir certainly did appreciate the sentiment, and probably appeared to literally radiate his pleasure at it, to Jasper's empathic senses. Oh, what a gem indeed.

Vladimir smiled fondly at the departing vampire, and suddenly remembered something that he thought Jasper should be aware of. He really didn't want his new favorite harassed by what he was beginning to worry was some sort of stalker. "Oh, and do be warned, Jasper, there's been this. . . well, he's a raving albino with a sword, and, he's been lurking in my hallway sometimes. I've found that if you you ignore him, he eventually stops hollering." He sounded apologetic, and was, as he was pretty sure that it was specifically him that the albino was stalking on the occasions he was in the corridor. "However, I'm sure you'd be more than a match for him. I'll send you a note very soon- thank you for a lovely evening." His affectionate smile lingered, and the sentiment carried into his words- he really did think that Jasper could deal with the albino fine. Which was saying something- the albino had managed to concern Vladimir somewhat, which wasn't easy. Respect. . . that was one of the strangest parts of this unfamiliar feeling that he seemed to be unavoidably cultivating for Jasper.

Of course, this respect didn't prevent him from only halfheartedly practicing a few spells after Jasper left, and he was unable to really focus on that particular subject for long before floating off to the bedroom, where he found himself seriously resenting Hogwarts' lack of decent slaves. He wasn't supposed to have to manage this himself, but under the circumstances, there wasn't really an alternative.

((At least Jasper was well away from his room by then. XD I figured it was time to close this one, lest we find a way to make it stretch even further. *g* It's been way too fun.))