Exton

"Hmmm... just talk to you? Most guys today would have offered a romp." Tori frowns, the pale green of her eyes momentarily flicker red. The frown passes and her eyes tilt with laughter. "Ok... first question, exactly how old ARE you? Second is... in what language did you speak to my niece?"

Tannr pauses, thinking. Just as he opens his mouth to answer Ike slides a beer in front of Tannr and motions to two girls at the bar. He glances at them, a confused look on his face, and Tori frowns. Pasting a sweet smile on her face, she hefts the glass and salutes the girls with it, then drinks it down.

The girls turn their backs and begin to hit on a guy at the bar. One turns back and winks at Tannr, pointedly ignoring Tori. "Sorry Handsome. They have a reputation for trying to bed as many men as they can in a night." She frowns at the girls. "And they don't care if a guy is sitting with another woman."

She begins to rise and Tannr touches her hand. He gives her a half smile. "I about to answer your questions. I am about ten years younger than Erik and Raina, so close enough to 700 not to care." He looks at his sister, dancing with Nick. "Icelandic. We speak Icelandic. Okay, that was two questions. Here's my two... why does everyone use nicknames for people instead of their names, and would you like to dance?"

Ike laughs, choking. Tori glares at her a moment, and the younger gargoyle slips back into the crowd to help the waitresses. "I am not much of a dancer, but yeah, I'll dance."

They head out to join the slow dancing couples. Tori slides her arms around his neck, hands loosely clasped. Tannr looks at the other men, then slides his hands around her waist. He leaves a bit of room between them and Tori smiles. Ike's voice slides into her thoughts, Old fashioned man... Tori swats her.

"Names have power, especially around Witches and Sorcerers. Use Names are better to use than True Names. Nicknames are even better." Tannr nods, eyes distant. He has seen stranger things than someone being controlled by their name.

His lips curl into a small smile. "I'm not a sorcerer."

She murmurs something which gets lost in the music.

"What?"

 "What I said was, I won't break. You CAN hold me closer. I won't bite either. At least not unless you want me to." Tannr blinks and pulls her a little closer. He watches her face and Tori stares back. Ike pushes into her mind. Liar. You said 'You could have fooled me'.

Tori frowns and Tannr loses his smile. He loosens his grip, giving her more space. Tori presses closer. "Sorry. My sister got in my head. I had to chase her out. It's a family thing. I'm about to go kick her ass if she doesn't stop."

The red flicker is back in her eyes. It banks as she gets her temper under control. Tannr watches the flare up, fascinated. "Your eyes are... amazing."

Tori laughs. "I have a hot temper. It shows in my eyes. Ob goes to ice, I go to fire. We are gargoyles, elemental creatures." She sighs. "I'd rather have something more mundane."

Tannr grins. He brings a hand to her face and traces along the line of her cheek. "I like them just the way they are. They fit you."

Tori blushes. She looks up at the ceiling, tilting her head back and blinking fiercely. He touches her chin and she lowers her head to look into his own eyes. She stares unblinking, making him think of snake goblins he had met on the Unformed Plane. She blinks, just once, and is back to herself.

"Spring green... like leaves in the middle of spring. That's what your eyes are. Such a warm, vibrant color..." She suddenly grins. "Have you ever worn a kilt?"

The music changes before he can answer and Tori grimaces as she spies the girls from the bar heading their way. She tugs at his arm, putting the growing crowd of dancers between them and his admirers. She dodges around Byte and the soundman catches on. he stands and moves in the girls' way, letting the pair make their escape.

"Want to get out of here? I know a quiet place we can talk. My Gallery is only a few blocks down."

He nods and Jeb holds open the door so they can slip out. The Werewolf blocks the way, letting them leave in peace.

There is a slight breeze that holds the threat of autumn rain. Tori breathes deep. The wind plays in Tannr's long hair, making it dance. She reaches out and slides a tendril off his shoulder. "I wish my hair loved the wind as much as yours." She links her arm in his and begins to point out different shops, telling him a little about the town and its people. As she unlocks the side door of the Gallery, there is a shift in the breeze. The scent of Hound fills the air and red eyes gleam for a moment.

"The Hounds are on patrol." She turns on a light, locking the door behind them as they slip inside. The small room is set up like a sitting room, equipped with coffee maker and stereo. "This used to be Grace's space. It still holds the peace of her presence." Tori points to a small statue of an elderly woman surrounded by children. There is a distinct resemblance to the young Gargoyle cousins Tannr had met earlier.

"That is our Miss Grace. Stoney sculpted it from several of Star's sketches."

Tannr examines the statue as Tori makes a pot of coffee. He can tell this woman meant a lot to Tori. There was a pride in her voice as she spoke the woman's name. He settles on the couch, Tori sitting next to him. He accepts a cup and smiles.

"Tell me about her? She obviously was a special woman."

"Is. She walks in the Otherworld, thanks to Herne. Samhain approaches and I have hopes she can visit again."

They talk, at first awkward and hesitant, then more and more like old friends. Tori relaxes, letting down a little of her tough act. There is something about him that strikes a chord with Tori, something that draws her to him. She shakes her head and rises to change the music on the stereo. Her back is to him as smooth jazz fills the room.

She stiffens as hands slide along her waist. She flashes back to another time before feeling the energy. Tannr. She turns into his arms as he asks her to dance again. Slowly she relaxes, pushing away thoughts of someone else, letting the anger ebb, holding the pain at bay.

He stares in her eyes, watching the play of emotions. There is something in hers he can't define. His hand cups her cheek and Tannr asks softly, "May I kiss you?"

Her answer is less than nothing, the barest hiss of sound. "Yesss..."

His lips brush hers, gentle, tentatively touching. When she doesn't pull away or push forward, he kisses her again, lips gliding more firmly over hers. Tori sighs, enjoying the moment. When he pulls away, she doesn't move, waiting. He kisses her again and her hand slides along his cheek, sinking in the wild silk of his hair. His own fingers tangle in her spikes and the music is forgotten.