two heartbreakers walk into a bar

The dazzling newness of Manta Carlos was starting to wear off. It was a shame for Florentin. He'd thought that having more independence would make him happier, but it didn't. Nothing did. The bright, lovely smile he wore trembled most days, and a dark bile bubbled underneath the surface, right in the pits of his stomach and crawling in his veins. He was sick, not just physically, but right in the head. Not even sleeping in Sasha's arms helped in this. The nightmares raged and raged.

He needed to be sedated or exhausted for slumber. Around eleven, Florentin gave up on any hopes of rest, and went into the bathroom to freshen up. He did his hair so they were as straight as a waterfall, put some powder on to hide his eyebags, and eyeliner to make his eyes pop. Pretty and well-dressed. Nobody would even begin to suspect he was sick.

He put on his nice shoes and traveled into the dark with no aims whatsoever, unsure if the cold air made him better or worse. His long walk had been safe. He was sure the road was filled with monsters, but he was secure that his guardian angel would get anything nasty before he would even see them. It felt like a bad thing, at that moment. Florentin wanted to get his hands on something, kill or be killed.

He needed a drink.

He stepped into a bar Downtown, feet aching. The lighting seemed to help with clearing his head. He tapped his finger's on the wooden counter. "Hello, sir? A strawberry daiquiri, please."


@Claire

Florentin was violently shook back into reality as this new person so readily invaded his personal space. At first, he stared at him with raised eyebrows and a mouth hanging open, trying to understand what was even going on. He recovered as soon as he finished talking.

"Ahh..." he said, a little dazed, before laughing. "Oh, you. What gave me away? Was it the strawberry daiquiri? Curse my weird cravings!" He tucked his hair behind his ear, chuckling softly.

He took a good moment to study the man. He was rather handsome. There was a nagging feeling at the back of his head that he was... supposed to recognize him, somewhere. He hadn't the slightest inkling on where to even start with that, however. Instead, his smiled changed to sly, and placed a hand to his lower thigh to tell him that he was very, very interested.

"Got your eyes on me, handsome?" He bit his lip. "I wouldn't mind keeping you company if you keep being sweet on me."

The bartender served Florentin his drink. Florentin picked off the little umbrella from the top and spun it around, nibbling at the end of the toothpick with his teeth as he listened to "Cairo", an eyebrow cocked. Honestly, he was probably going to forget that in the morning, but he wasn't going to forget those lips, and that ass.

"Oh, it's very good. You want some?" Florentin raised his glass, urging Cairo to take a sip of his drink. He chuckled lightly as Cairo moved his hand up. "Is that how people here do handshakes now?" Florentin smiled sweetly. "Florentin. Of the Octavius Estate."

It wasn't a bad name. More prestigious, in fact. Florentin very much had a reputation, but it was with another identity — The Mad Doctor. Lovely Florentin Octavius was nothing but a rich pretty French heir, as sweet as a lamb. Nothing about his face said he could do any wrong.

"So... Cairo. What do you do? Other than pick up pretty boys in bars, I mean." He grinned.

"It's a strawberry daquiri, darling. It's supposed to be sweet." Florentin grinned. He'd like a few things that rolled off his tongue. Truth be told, this much tension was starting to get to him, but like hell would he do the first move. He wanted to be the object of desire and let them come to him. He wasn't looking for love, and neither was Cairo.

"Metals and Temptations. I see. You must be good with your hands." He giggled, rubbing one of Cairo's arms with a hand. "I don't think I can ever compete with a professional, but I've been told I was a talented amateur." He retracted his hand to raise his drink and take a sip. "I'm partial to magic, myself. I like to think of myself as a scholar. There's no euphemisms with that of course, unless I was to be unpleasant and say... I can't think of anything. Something with fingers and page turning." He snickered. "I love learning almost as I love city lights and people."

Florentin giggled as he got closer, moving his hands to rest on Cairo's cheeks, stroking it with his thumb. "It is, isn't it? I am considered quite the genius for my age. Perhaps more private demonstrations would be preferable." He chuckled.

He was getting bored with these games. When he was asked anything else he loved, he cocked an eyebrow. He took one of Cairo's arms and wrapped it around his waist, before leaning forward to whisper in his ear, "I happen to love many things, cheri. Magic, night life, handsome men that would take me into their beds." He bit his lip, resting his hand on his thigh again, intent. "Are you such a man? Or should I keep looking?"