The door had a demonic beast on it— mouth open, red jeweled eyes—as the door knocker. He opened it, then wheeled her in. Everything was dark, fresh lemon scent and smoke greeted them, a warmth the outside didn't provide.
"Welcome home, Mr. Draconis." An eerie voice said from the dark. Old and leathery, though kindness with a tinge of respect lingered there. "Should I serve dinner now?"
"Are you hungry?" Alaric asked Ari, waiting in front of the door.
She expected opulence but his house was something else. There were no other structures like it in the city. Many people were into the modern trends and styles of living. His mansion probably predated Old Seattle which lay buried beneath the hills.
It stank of wealth with a dash of creepy. Alaric seemed to favor the Gothic style over anything else. It explained the dark suits, tinted windows, and even the vintage night club. Ari let out a whistle in appreciation. Compared to her place it might as well have been another city.
Ari was going to decline but when she thought about it, she hadn't eaten in a few days, not that she was going to say that. He'd only complain about her poor lifestyle some more. "Yes. Please. I could eat a cow right now. Something for the bestest boy too." She waved off Alaric to let go of the chair. "Lead the way."
"Funny you say a cow," That leathery voice came from the darkness again as a single light came to life, shining upon the neat and sheen wood paneled walls. In one pale hand was a candle which revealed the face that belonged to the one holding it.
Long chinned, hooked nose, and brows that were pencil thin, drooping down from his widow's peak in the middle of his forehead like he always seemed so relaxed and composed. "I'll be making wagyu steak. I'm Benjamin by the way, the head butler of this household." He bowed, grey hair nearly snow white.
In his movements were sheer elegance. Way finer than Mr. Draconis himself; that was saying a lot. Rising with one arm curved at an angle in front of him, he started lighting the candelabras. Finally everything was submerged in a contemporary orange glow. The deep mahogany carpets touched every corner save for the wooden staircase that split into three paths; the kitchen could be seen from the door. Checkered floors, a long table holding a black cloth atop.
Tailcoat catching the breeze, Benjamin turned around, white gloved hand gesturing to them to follow. He of course took the time to grab hold of the handles to Ari's wheelchair, pushing her up to the table. Considering she couldn't be seated in a chair, he removed one. "I hope you're all comfy m'lady."
Alaric sat down on the opposite end. "Hopefully she doesn't trip again. Seems she's allergic to fancy dinners. Keep it simple." He smirked.
Ari couldn't believe that someone so snobby could have a kind soul like Benjamin running his household. The atmosphere was dark despite the warmth radiating from the butler.
It was hard to imagine other servants skulking around in the gloom without a single light on. "I'm also allergic to assholes yet somehow I'm still forced to endure your company" She gave Alaric a long exaggerated eye roll before grabbing a fine linen napkin from the table, folding it neatly in her lap. "Since we're stuck together you could at least make an effort to be amiable."
"Yet that didn't stop you from storming back into my office for my help. You tolerate it on your own accord. No force necessary when you know what's best." That cocky little smirk didn't seem to vanish from his lips, only deepened. "Oh, she has manners now. Such a shame I always forget when you open that pretty little mouth of yours." Alaric followed suit, folding his own napkin in his lap before rolling his cuffs up.
The butler returned after a few minutes with their steaming plates of expensive steak and broccoli with a side of mashed potatoes topped with parsley and cheese.
They probably could have thrown insults all day and Ari certainly would have had it not been for the divine intervention of hot food. The plate was more important than having the last word. Carefully she cut up her steak and blew on a piece before popping it into her mouth.
Seconds later she was inhaling and exhaling like crazy, making weird faces, and juggling the steak in her mouth while trying to chew. She scalded her tongue in the process but didn't even care. Every bite was exquisite and totally worth a little pain. Despite its worthiness, Ari still waited for the next few slices to cool before attempting them.
"You're very strange Alaric. A good looking young bachelor such as yourself lives all alone in this awfully big house and runs an even bigger empire. You wouldn't happen to be gay, would you?" Her brows rose in unison at the sudden revelation, paused midbite to eagerly await the answer. A very genuine face for shit starting.
Her words didn't seem to phase him at all, he continued to slice into his nearly raw steak, popping pieces into his mouth and chewing with his eyes closed. There was something juicy about leaving a little blood behind. "Hmm." He lifted his wine glass, twisting it between his fingers, still ironing, ignoring her.
Benjamin filled his class with white wine, smiling towards Ari. "Sorry, M'lady. But that would be me, the only gay man in this household."
Then, Alaric glimpsed up and smirked. It was as though he knew this moment would happen. "Ah, and there your answer is."
Her fingers snapped together and she shook her head forlorn. "Well you're in the right place Benjamin." Ari offered him a smile despite her gaze being glued to Alaric. "I'm making it my new goal to wipe that smirk off your face."
He walked over to her and filled her glass as well. While Benjamin leaned down, he whispered loud enough for her to hear. "He's far from gay, there's been a few women here or there. It's been a while though, I thought you would be next since it's been quite a while since Mr. Draconis brought a lady home. Do enjoy yourself tonight." He sounded serious, though there was a lingering tease in the leathery tone of his voice.
"I'll be waiting." Alaric retorted, taking a sip of his wine, gaze focused on his meal while hers was on him.
Ari nearly choked on her food, patting her own back frantically to keep it from going down the wrong pipe. She needed an excuse for the heat rising to her face so she took up her wine glass, passing the leftovers down to Rooster who had been waiting eagerly for scraps. "Me with HIM?" Her voice was incredulous, eyes darting from the butler to his master. "Have you noticed how much he dislikes me? You must be crazy." She whispered furiously after downing the last of her drink.
"Must be a virgin then. Dislike has nothing to do with the bedroom sometimes, Miss Ari." He tuned in on their conversation, finally those smoldering grey eyes lifted to meet hers. "But you're right, I wouldn't. Not that you aren't beautiful, your attitude would turn even a God away." Alaric took one last bite of his food, wiped his mouth, then stood.
He shuffled around in his pockets, fishing out some medication. "Two pills every morning and night. You'll need help bathing and changing the dressing for the wound on the side of your head as well. Let me know when you're finished eating...and talking out your ass."
"You say that but given the chance I'm sure even you'd find that denying me would be impossible." The soft candlelight glinted against the knowing brown depths of her eyes that shimmered nearly green in the right light. Full lips quirked into a smirk of her own, tilting her head in an assessing manner that let bronze curls tumble down her shoulders. "I'm done. Please continue making me feel like an injured bird you dragged home. Nothing more gratifying than a man treating you like an invalid." She gave him a flippant wave of her hand telling him to proceed.
Ari certainly wasn't a virgin but that's not exactly something you shout across the dinner table and commonly discuss amongst virtual strangers. Even if she did take a liking to the butler. It was no one's business if she was or not. The keyword had been sometimes. There was no time like the current moment that would surely prove an exception. What made him think she wanted him anyway?
Alaric pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed while she spoke to him. He always had a way with words that made women so angry with him. Not just women, most people. Though they never talked to him the way she did, and he'd only known her for a day or two. "Shouldn't you be thanking me and not complaining?" He asked, coming up to her and sticking a needle in her arm without warning her. It was for the pain the doctor said would return. Afterwards, he extended his arms.
"Come on, I'm not wheeling you up the steps. Leave forward so I can lift you up."
The butler smiled with his wrinkled eyes closed. "He always was the type to help half dead animals when he was younger. Not much anymore since he realized they don't like him." Blurted out Benjamin in the most silky leathery voice he could speak in.
"That's enough for tonight, Benji." Alaric warned. Benjamin bowed and gathered the plates before vanishing down the long hall, his walk so fluid and stiff he looked like a ghost drifting away.
"Hey!" Alaric had just stabbed her out of spite. A ruby droplet of blood welled up on her arm. "See? I like Benjamin. He is a gem. Why haven't you learned from him? You clearly need more people telling you no in your life." Ari angled herself away from the table, leaning forward and wrapping her arms around his neck. Not that she wanted to be that close but it was the most secure way. She didn't need him trying to drop her halfway up the stairs because she blurted out something stupid.