The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

MA/NSFW

***

Aubrey sat on her couch, cigarette in hand, reading Daniel's manuscript, immediately enjoying it, appreciating his choice of words, correct use of punctuation. Old-word terms had her smiling, the use of which were dying out, in favour of shortened, lazier versions, abbreviations.

The words spoke of much life experience, much more than than man could have had, if her guess at his age was correct.

'Must be an old soul.'

She liked old souls, she'd only dated children 'masquerading' as grown men. The kind who would shout, stomp around until they got their way.

They never did.

***

The next morning came quickly, not quite as cold as it had been prior. Aubrey still bundled herself up like an Inuit, minus temperatures made her grumble, and being in extreme close proximity to other people so early in the day it was pitch black outside, the light of the train stinging her eyes didn't sit well.

The sooner she was off the train, the better.

***

"Morning."

Savannah looked up from her desk, face peaky.

"Uh oh, someone was out till four in the morning again. See, this is why I don't have a social life. Means I don't end up heaving what I had eaten the night before up. Not in work's toilet too, that's just uncouth. The audacity of youth."

Aubrey smirked, placing her bag and jacket on the rack.

"Panadol, tea, no milk or sugar, and don't put your head back. You'll feel much worse, spinning equilibrium and all that."

The receptionist rolled her eyes, regretting it after the head spin. The older woman was right.

"Even at eight-thirty, you manage to be insufferable. Fuck off with your big words."

Aubrey enunciated every syllable.

"Eq-uil-lib-rium."

"Piss off, for the love of God."

"God? Don't you mean Daniel? He's due in today."

Savannah shot up from stupor, searching under the desk.

"Really? I look like shit too. Where is my damn makeup bag when I need it?"

Aubrey sighed.

"Here. Give it to me."

Green eyes squinted.

"What, you want to actually wear a proper amount? That'd be a first."

"Forth, and no. I'll do it for you. I know how too, I just am old enough to not give a fuck if wrinkles are setting in, my under-eye bags look like I've been punched by a boxer, and my ever thinning lips decide to fully retract into my mouth. Whereas, you? You're young, vibrant, and much prettier than you give yourself credit for. Seriously, don't be a bitter old hag like me."

Savannah's eyes turned doe-like, innocent, showing her youth.

"You know that. I can see that you do. Bag, please?"

The older gestured for the medium sized peony vanity bag, tiny white flowers dotted here and there.

***

"We have half an hour, so I think I'll go fairly simple with this."

Grey eyes scanned the contents of the bag, fingers perusing when she found the natural section of makeup. All neutral shades. "I'm playing artist, you'll be my masterpiece."

Savannah blanched.

"I should be worried."

"No, you should be honoured."

"Hawdeehaw. Whatever."

Aubrey got out some sponges.

"A little foundation, concealer, some powder here and there."

She applied these as gently as she could, the fact she could be gentle forced a smile from her.

Several brushes came out next.

"Should I poke your eyes out, or..."

Head shakes cut her off.

"I'll do it. I don't want to look like I've been punched by a boxer, after all."

Aubrey grinned. "Very good!"

"Ha ha." She pointed a chipped long nail at a small pan of beige suede eye shadow. "That one?"

The elder nodded, Savannah getting to work with that, using each item Aubrey had chosen. They consisted of brown eyeliner, her 'non spider lash' mascara and a muted pink lipstick.

Aubrey proceeded to fiddle with her phone whilst waiting, seeing how many balls she could catch and add to the snake in the old classic mobile game.

***

"Done. Just need to clean my brushes now." Savannah looked at the desk clock. "Ten minutes. Right."

Aubrey looked up from her phone, ever the petulant teenager, looking up from their phones in disbelief that anyone dared disturb them from social media likes. Her face dropped upon view of the other woman.

"Well well. If Daniel ever wanted to screw you, he would, looking like that. You could front an ad."

Savannah chuckled. "I think the camera lens would crack." The two laughed softly.

"Thanks though." A knowing wink followed. "I knew you weren't so bad. You just use ice queen tactics cause that's easier than trying to get on with people."

"Most people are arseholes, Sav, you'll learn that with age."

She began walking to Margot's office, her boss's arrival imminent.

"Condescending much? I take it back."

Aubrey turned on her heel, wry tilt of her lips.

"Maybe I am an just a frosty bitch."

The secretary shut the door on whatever the receptionist did or said next.

'Right, tea and Daniel's file...'

***

Aubrey spent a few days compiling Mr Hurst's work, moving the folder around until all the edges were in line. Not that she minded, it just looked better that way.

Nine rolled around, Margot took the file and began reading intently, glasses perched on her slight yet prominent tipped nose, eyes crinkling in mirth in parts and stopping to sip Oolong.

Her secretary left her too it, taking her own cup to the kitchen, wondering why she hadn't bothered making herself one earlier.

Daniel was due in just under two hours. She had two hours to do god knows what. She'd filed all papers, used post-its for appropriate reminders, filled in Margot's timetable, appointments, names, book titles withstanding, couldn't fill the kettle with more water...

Savannah mentioned brushes and cleaning.

Fastidiousness kicked in loud and proud, so, the older decided to help the younger yet again.

Anyone would think she actually liked the girl...

***

Daniel walked up the stairs looking like he'd just walked off an Armani runway. What he wore caught Aubrey's eye, she found she rather liked that look. Smart, but not try-hard. Classic, timeless white pressed button up, black waistcoat showing his slim frame and dress pants skimming slight hips.

It was his accessory that took Savannah's eye, and she wasn't as pleased.

***

"Pocket watch? Ewww, is he like eighty or something? Like, am I hitting on Grandpa?"

"Not everyone likes modern things, Sav. He is of a different generation, I guessed around my age."

Savannah cautiously threw a line.

"So, fifty?"

Aubrey knowingly took the bait.

"You won't make it halfway to fifty, if I have my way."

"Ladies."

The man's amused face and tone made the ladies jump. Aubrey handled it slightly better.

Slightly...

***

"Arguing again?"

Savannah got on the defensive.

"That's what girls do," she spluttered out, "Mr Hurst."

Aubrey chimed in before Daniel could utter anything.

"Savannah merely meant that women can, and will be rather vocal at times. It isn't on you however, our attitude is on us. Apologies."

Daniel's eyes flashed something the elder recognised, it baffled the younger.

"Oh, I know."

With that, the man casually walked away as if he hadn't just mind fucked the ladies.

***

"Did he just..."

"He insinuated he knows women can be vocal, and I'm willing to bet not in the argumentative way I mentioned."

Savannah, wide eyed and mouth open gasped.

"How many women has he screwed to know that? Sheesh."

Aubrey kept a stern face, despite the man's tone and clear knowledge of women, the intonation struck her fairly deep.

"Sav, when you look like that, the question is how many women have not done that. Not many would turn him down, though I don't see him the type to flit around. I also don't see a ring, or any sign he is in any way engaged. Perhaps a perpetual bachelor?"

"He could be my bachelor."

Eager squeals and hands waved around excitedly. "Have you seen The Bachelor?"

Aubrey scoffed, holding Savannah's chair so she could no longer bounce like a giddy child on a bouncy castle.

"Why on Earth would I watch that drivel? I'd rather someone mow me down, then go back over me, leaving tire marks in the letters 'F U' Besides, I have my hand and a vibrator. Not a visuals person."

The receptionist was perturbed.

"Didn't need the visual, but, thanks?"

Aubrey squeezed her shoulder.

"You're welcome. You do realise I am grooming you for my job, right? Not planning on being here all year. I have three weeks off, if and when I want it. Rainy day fund, I need a holiday badly, and someone has to play secretary till I get back, right?"

Light emerald's teared up, confusing grey, worry flashing its light.

"Uh, I didn't mean to disturb you that much. I thought we all played the fiddle from time to time."

Savannah laughed. "'Strummed'? 'Flicking the bean?'"

"That last one sounds like a torture method. No. There are far easier ways. And people say only men do it." She smirked. "Right."

"Bullshit, and they know it. They just don't like that most women take their pleasure into their own hands instead of them fumbling around."

Aubrey shook her head.

"Nice to know your sex life is going down the toilet. I don't have one, likely need a vacuum cleaner down there, its so dusty."

Savannah flushed.

"Jesus frigging Christ girl! Moths flying out of it, its so unused? Awww. I'd say you need to be 'nicer,' but hey, I prefer you for you."

"Good to hear it, cause I'm not changing."

She smoothed back her hair and readjusted the clip.

"Tea trolley time, like an 'eighty year old' woman. Even have the biscuits too."

***

Savannah felt better, that was clear when Aubrey mentioned biscuits. Her eyes lit up.

"Oooh, what type? Gimme."

Aubrey got said trolley with a teapot, spoons, sugar, milk and the aforementioned plate of sugary goodness.

"Nice. I quite like these myself, though I am partial to a Murray mint. Proper elderly person."

"I'll," she looked at her stomach, "fuck it. One or two won't harm my diet."

Aubrey got the packet, not wanting Savannah to paw at the ones on the plate.

"Here."

She got out two and handed them over. The packet was put safely away from reach in the highest cupboard door the woman could reach whilst not in heels. Luckily, Savannah was not wearing heels that day, likely feeling too queasy to stand, let alone in stilts.

***

"Off to a wedding in two weeks. Old mate of mine, Grant. Finally shacked up. He used to go out with tarts, but stopped when he realised they only wanted his cock, not the rest of him."

Aubrey just about got that, around her mouthful of biscuits.

"Could they fit all of him inside them? Lucky escape for him, I reckon."

Savannah almost choked. Aubrey pat her back.

"We have tarts too. I like eating them, but don't aspire to BE one."

"Too old to be one now," the former mused.

The elder's deadpanned, turning the blond's head towards her.

"What is it with you and my age? Really now."

Savannah retorted, to Aubrey's surprise and delight, she was standing up for herself.

Not that she was trying to bully her.

***

"Says the woman who uses her age against mine!" She lowered her voice. "Look. I know I'm young, and ditsy like its going out of fashion, but I worked really hard to be here, and continue to try, give it all I have. I make mistakes, yes, but don't be all high and mighty like you never have, cause we both know that isn't true."

Aubrey's heart softened, grey eyes closed, her mouth lowered into a frown.

"I'm sorry. I can see why you'd be upset. I go too far with jokes, I get obnoxious, and I swear like its going out of fashion." She sighed. "Want me to go?"

Savannah pouted but nodded.

"Want an ice cream sundae?"

Arms folded, the fabric of her blouse crinkling.

"Are you bribing me? Buying my happiness?"

Aubrey sheepishly nodded.

"Make it a vanilla, hazelnut crunch, with a shot of caramel, little fudge pieces and chocolate shavings."

"Are you extorting me?"

Eyes squinted as Aubrey grabbed her purse. A wicked grin confirmed her suspicions.

"You are apologising, right? So, yes., in a way, I am."

"Well played," the elder congratulated, "Barbie doll".

She was halfway down the first stairwell before Savannah could reply...