taxonomites | 4 | [ location: the taxon zoo / visual ]

While Taxon is a city of decent size, it is also rather sleepy and quiet outside of any glitches. When Katherine set out and about earlier, she hadn't specifically intended to visit the zoo. As it is, it's as good a place as any for the vampire to roam about (despite the distinctive smells the place is ripe with) in effort to ease the boredom creeping in again. Angelus had been a delightful change of pace, but that is over and done with. And now Rose has been sticking her nose where it doesn't belong, telling Stefan about being her sire. Katherine would definitely have to do something about that soon.

She passes the wolf paddock with distasteful sniff, heading towards the big cat enclosures instead. While Katherine has never really seen the appeal in gawking at trapped wild animals, she has to admit that there is something vaguely calming about watching the small pride of lions basking in the sun as if they hadn't a care in the world. It's almost enviable, really.

The trouble with calm is that it inevitably leads to idleness and boredom, at least it does with Katherine - and that's exactly what she's trying to avoid. Hence, she turns her attention towards her tablet.

"Going to the zoo just isn't much fun alone. Anyone want to join me?" she smiles winsomely at the screen. "Doesn't matter whether I know you or not. One can never have too many friends."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

For once Stefan's about to catch a lucky break, for the more he speaks to her like this, the more he's stirring up purely emotional responses in Katherine rather than physical, her sexual desire making way to a feeling that is a great deal more profound, complicated and confusing. She still wants him - God, does she ever - but Katherine is surprised to find that her mood and immediate needs have shifted dramatically. Right now, she'd actually rather just stay here in his embrace like this.

"I know," she murmurs softly, cuddling closer against him and angling her head to press her temple against the crook of his neck, her arms wrapping around his shoulders tightly. She closes her eyes and inhales his scent, sighing as she's lulled to calmness by the warmth and firmness of his body against hers and his hand stroking her hair.

She's content, Katherine realizes with sudden clarity, unable to remember the last time she'd felt this good.

"I should get going," Stefan says after a moment, taking a step back from her, but sliding his hands into hers as he does so. "Get cleaned up and find something else to wear so Damon doesn't flip out on me and start up with the third degree."

He'll shower somewhere, hatch new clothes and dispose of the ones he's wearing. New shoes, too. If he got any blood on them, Damon will be able to smell it. Such a dangerous game he's playing.

"Already?" Katherine makes a little moue of displeasure, tempted to tell Stefan to forget about Damon for a while longer. Still, he has a point. She doesn't want Damon to throw a wrench into things now when everything was going so well, but she doesn't have to like being separated from Stefan already, either. "Oh, I suppose if you must."

She squeezes his hands gently in hers, her tone suffused with hopefulness as she adds, "But I will see you again soon?"

"Of course," Stefan replies, letting go of one hand to take her cheek in his palm. "Just because I don't know what I'm doing here yet doesn't mean I want to stop. Taxon's only so big, after all."

That promise is sealed with a kiss, one he takes care to ensure is tender and full of emotion, rather than the lust and passion at the zoo which had almost lead to clothing being discarded.

Edited 2011-04-17 00:40 (UTC)

"I'll hold you to that." The corners of Katherine's lips quirk upwards against Stefan's mouth, the pleased smile lingering even when they pull apart some moments later.

"Well, then," she breathes softly, "Goodbye for now."

Best zoo trip ever.

4 | [ location: the taxon zoo / visual ]

the predator in me is put to shame by the predator in her;

the predator in me is put to shame by the predator in her;

the predator in me is put to shame by the predator in her;

the predator in me is put to shame by the predator in her;

the predator in me is put to shame by the predator in her;