Misery Business

[Hiar Delathir]

"Kiato," Hiar whined turning to his lover with a pout. "It is so boring today. We don't have anyone coming in till tomorrow and no one has come in today." It was rare for there to be openings at his Inn and Spa, it was quiet the hotspot and quiet well renowned. However, there were bound to be slow days even though they were few and far between. Hiar was not one that liked to sit around idly by. He loved serving his guests he was not happy just sitting around. "The next shift doesn't come in for another two hours which means I have to stay here."

Despite him being the owner Hiar made sure that he worked some of the shifts at the front desk to give his workers a break. He never would make his workers do something that he would not do himself. Of course his lover and husband was all ways by his side to make sure that he took care of himself throughout the day. Hiar was constantly working on something doing with the place so he needed to make sure that his sunny love got taken care of.

"Calm down Hiar, don't you have something to read or any accounting to do?" Kiato sighed as the blonde shook his head. Obviously all the accounting had been finished earlier. He knew how his love hated to be bored with nothing to do. He could think of a few fixes but none that would be appropriate, even in vampire society. "It is just a few more hours and then the others with take over." He hated it when Hiar pouted. It sent him into needing to fix the problem, however, this was one that he could not currently fix.

"But Ki!" Hiar whined again still keeping up that cute pout. "I want something to do now!" It was odd to see the blonde without his customary smile. Pouting was as far as he would go into a serious mood. It was usually over trivial things. However, there were rare occasions that the happy facade would drop, that would be when you needed to watch out. Kiato had only seen it a few times and hoped to not see it again any time soon.

"I am sure things will pick up soon my love." Leaning down Kiato placed a light kiss to the pouting lips. "We will be more then busy tomorrow so take this as a small blessing. Now I have to go do a massage so behave yourself while I'm gone. I'll be back at the end of the shift to pick you up." With one last kiss Kiato left his lover to his boredom and hoped that things would go smoothly should someone actually come in.

[Dorian Vissius]

Dorian threw the door open and staggered into the lobby. His normally immaculate appearance was gone and he was now a complete shambles. His silky hair hung around his face in tangles and mats, slightly resembling something more along the lines of a bird's nest. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth and a large bruise was starting to darken his left eye. He sighed as he observed his tattered appearance. In spite of his disgust at appearing so disheveled, a cocky smile spread across his face.

"Hah, I showed that poor bastard a thing or two about fighting..." he licked the blood from his lip as he swaggered to the front desk and slammed a hand onto the desktop. "Yo, I hear this is the best place to come for a makeover, what have ya got?"

[Hiar Delathir]

Oh thank the heavens! He thought for sure he would die of boredom as soon as his beloved had left. But oh this was just perfect! This man sure was a mess and obviously was looking for the works. Giving a slight giggle he tried to ignore how the man slammed his hand on the counter covering it with a bloody handprint. "It does seem that we have had quite a rough day my lord. As for services we have everything that you could possibly want at a spa. It is just a matter of how much you want to pay." He stated with his usual smile in place. He tapped one perfectly manicured nail against the expensive marble counter.

"Might I ask what happened my lord?" If it was a vampire that caused the problem he would make sure to take care of them. People all ready thought Vampires to be bloodthirsty monsters. He and his brothers did not need any more harm done to their race's name. "But perhaps I will cut you a deal since you are in such sorry shape. I can tell you are particular about your looks."

[Dorian Vissius]

Dorian blinked and pulled back slightly, taken rather off-guard by the vampire's enthusiastic response. Then he steeled his expression back into casual emotionlessness.

"Just some poor sap who thought he could get away with insulting me," he growled. He toyed with a strand of hair that fell into his face as he glared at the vampire through half-closed lids, as if daring him to try the same, while withdrawing his hand from the desk and clenching it into a fist. "At least that one had some bite to match his bark... at first. But he left running away with his tail between his legs... or he would have been if I hadn't broken them." He smiled.

"But that hardly matters, now, does it? What matters is that now my beautiful hair and face are ruined," he added after a short pause, frowning slightly. He had been planning a trip to this particular spa for a while, but he hadn't been expecting to show up in such a state... in other words he had not been planning to spend as much money as it would take to fix him up now. Although he was wealthier than many people thought upon first meeting him--amazing, really, how eager people were to hire you to do their fighting for them--but business had not been quite so prominent as of late. More and more people found reason to dislike the nature of what he was these days, it seemed. But he merely shrugged. What was a hot meal or two compared to restoring his sexy good looks? Besides, looking pretty made it easier to snag one or two victims for some blood to drink. He could live on that for a while, until his next job.

The demon looked back at the vampire. "Ah, hell, I'll take the works. Money's no object." I hope he added silently to himself.

[Dorian Vissius]

"Oh goodness what a rough day you have had indeed. What ever could someone have said to insult you so badly?" He asked with a slight giggle again his good mood returning from his boredom. All most as soon as the man had removed his hand he had cleaned the spot up so that he would not forget to do so later. "Might I get a name for my rosters?" He asked politely. He was definitely the most polite out of the four Vampire Princes. It was hard to tell he was related to them most of the time.

"Trust me it does not come cheap and after such a day as you have had it would be shallow and rude of me to make you do such a thing. Not when this happened in my city. I hoped you taught that creature a good lesson for his rudeness." He picked up a quill and dipped it into some ink before starting to scribble something down in his roster. "The room and food are on the house. We can accommodate any food that you might wish. You are in the Vampire Capital after all. I am sure that Kiato would not mind giving a massage on the house to help you relax. It is the best way to keep from showing age." He gave a soft chuckle as he looked back up at the man.

Hiar, the ever-cheerful Vampire Prince, was showing why he stood out among his brothers. He would hate to lose a customer for being unsympathetic host. Besides, the man was obviously good looking under all that grim. It would be so rude to not allow him to shine! "Half off other services as well. It is the least I can do. Besides, I would like to see that pretty face without any blood covering it."

[Dorian Vissius]

Dorian was again taken aback by the vampire's response. He simply wasn't used to people treating him even remotely cordially, much less offering to do him any favors. He blinked slowly several times before responding.

"Dorian Vissius," the blood demon said at length, getting his head back together, intentionally ignoring the vampire's first question. He would not admit to a stranger that he had been mistaken for a woman and that was what had angered him. "And, ummm... thanks?" Dorian did not make it a common practice to be polite, but he figured this was one of those times when he could afford to try. Getting over his initial shock from the vampire's over-bearing personality, he decided he rather liked the man in front of him. Besides, it was always a good idea to be nice to people who offered you free food.

Still, he had not quite decided how to take that final comment.

[Hiar Delathir]

Hiar quickly wrote the man's name down on the roster before closing it with a soft thud. "Well Lord Vissius you have a long day of relaxing and pampering ahead of you. Would you like me to show you to your room before I set you up for your first service?" He asked kindly wanting to make the man feel right at home. "Kiato's appointment should be over shortly so how about we go about getting you cleaned up?" The man's hair and face were just an absolute mess! This would never do to send him in feeling less than optimal in how he looked.

"The first thing that should be done is to take care of your hair. They certainly did a number on it. It should be no trouble at all for the stylists though. They'll have it looking better then ever when they are done. Then a nice facial and soak in the hot springs might do your skin wonders. Blood is such a tricky thing when it comes to skin health." Smiling the whole time he turned around to snatch up a key for one of the open rooms. "After that if you wish you can have a manicure and pedicure to get that awful person's blood out from your nails. No use in letting that be a reminder."

Turning back around he lead the man down one of the many halls. They were just as elegantly decorated as the front entrance. It was obvious that Hiar saw no expense when it came to making this place the best. It had cost him a fortune but if it made his customers happy then that is what really mattered. "After that you will have that massage. Kiato will work out kinks that you didn't even know were there. Now is there amenities that you would like for me to get for your room?" Every room was the same until the customer came. They could customize what they would like to have in it allowing them to make themselves at home.

[Dorian Vissius]

Dorian continued to stare dazedly at the vampire for a moment, blinking slowly a few times. Then he shook his head firmly. Why was he getting so out of sorts? It was just a vampire... a very effeminate vampire... but still. Why was he having so much trouble responding under his usual, indifferent facade?

He tried once again to gather himself and respond calmly to the man.

"Uh, ahem," he cleared his throat uncertainly before regaining his composure. "I'd like to have my hair done as soon as possible, please." That was the key. Focus on his ruined looks and becoming beautiful again. Just don't think about the... almost equally beautiful man in front of him...

"What the hell?!" Dorian shouted at himself over the last thought, realizing only a little too late that he had shouted it out loud. He flailed his arms for a moment in panic.


What the hell is wrong with me? he thought desperately. Why am I acting so utterly ridiculous?! Maybe that punk just hit me too hard in the head... yeah that's it... he chuckled nervously, but still he turned his eyes to focus on the wall to his left so he wouldn't look at the vampire in front of him.

[Dorian Vissius]

Hiar gave a nod at the request and sent a telepathic message to the hairdresser that was currently on duty to get ready for the poor man following him. He continued to chat away as he was contacted back that she could be ready in about five minutes. Perfect timing, enough time to drop off the guest's luggage and head down there. However he had to stop and look at the man with a raised eyebrow as the man shouted at himself. "Wow...well..." The confused look was replaced by his customary smile.

"Well then..." He reached over and plucked the pack the man was carrying and slung it over his own shoulder as he reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out the key that was needed for the room. Stopping at one of the intricately decorated doors and opened it carefully setting the pack inside the door before closing it. "This will be your room for the remainder of your stay. Now let's head down to the Hair Salon so that we can get that hair of yours taken care of." He stated smile still in place. He could tell the man was nervous around him, he was not sure why but he was going to take full advantage of it. He was giving the man a huge discount after all. It was not like he was going to run off.

Leading the way to the salon the Vampiress on duty looked up upon hearing the door open and her boss stepping through with another man that was just a mess. "Oh my! This is worse than I thought! Don't worry sir I will have your hair looking great in no time!" She stated ushering the man into one of the wash seats to begin the treatment. It did not take long to get the hair cleaned and conditioned to the point of almost being excessive before she moved him to a chair to give it a small trim to clean up the spilt ends the blood had caused. Once finished she let him look in the mirror. "What do you think?" She asked hopefully as she looked over at Hiar who was still standing by the door. She really did not want to look bad in front of her employer.

[Dorian Vissius]

Dorian grumbled unintelligently in response to the vampire's chatter. He continued mentally kicking himself until they reached the salon--stopping long enough to remember in which room he would be staying. He was relieved to an unexpected degree to pass from the hands of his tormentor into the care of the hairstylist. Suddenly realizing how entirely exhausted he really was, he completely surrendered to the whims of the vampiress.

As she washed his hair he could feel he was returning to his old self. Perhaps it had merely been a matter of his impaired looks putting him in a bad mood. As the hairstylist finished giving him a trim and showed him his reflection in the mirror, he felt properly arrogant and superior once again. He tossed his red-tipped silver hair and grinned smugly.

"It will do," he sniffed, too tired to put on his full air of superiority, but still trying his best. The sheen to his eyes betrayed how pleased he truly was, though. "Yes, I feel much better," he continued a little less stiffly, realizing how nervous the vampiress was, obviously eager to please. He tried to throw her a gentle smile, then thought better of it--his smiles tended to look evil or threatening even when he didn't mean any malice--and settled for a respectful nod. Then he took a deep breath and braced himself to return to the other vampire who waited at the door to the salon.

[Hiar Delathir]

Hiar gave his employee a gentle smile for her good job. If this man was pleased then she must have done a good job. He seemed to be rather picky about his hair. Smiling at the man as he stepped forward he leaned in and chuckled. "All right now lets get you to a facial, manicure and pedicure before I get Kiato for that massage. Come on now!" He stated happily turning and heading off to another part of the salon. Oh this man was amusing. He was absolutely nervous around him how wonderful! He could really have fun.

"Keep up handsome or you might have to wait in line." He giggled as he pushed open another door. He ushered the poor man into it only to be greeted by four or five different sets of eyes. "These fine ladies and gentleman will get you spruced up in no time! Facial, manicure and pedicure all at once. What more could you ask for? Now give him the best everyone." He then stood back and let his workers take over. It was funny watching the poor man just get shoved into a reclined seat but he sure the protests wouldn't last for long.

[Dorian Vissius]

Dorian didn't even have time to think before he was thrust into the next room. Unlike when getting his hair fixed, he could not relax and forget his problems as he was shoved into the nearest chair. For one, Dorian had never been the type to be able to stand being around more than one or two people at any given time. Actually for the most part, even that was really more company than he liked. Being surrounded by five different people, all at such close quarters, was making his skin crawl.

But secondly, and most importantly, he had caught the look that had hovered over his host's eyes for a second before it had been cleverly concealed behind a benign smile. He was actually enjoying this, damn him! The vampire knew he was making Dorian uncomfortable and he was milking it for all it was worth!

Unfortunately the blood demon was in no position to act outraged or start spouting oaths of revenge--what with an apron covering his clothes to protect them from the cream the employees were lathering all over his face--never mind the fact that his hands and feet were securely held down by the other workers, ready to attack with nail trimmers and files at any second.

Instead, Dorian settled for a low growl and a quick glare shot at the root of all these problems. However, as soon as his eyes met the vampire prince's, he found he could not hold the other's gaze. growling again, he squirmed a bit in the chair--earning him a reproach from one of the employees telling him to remain still--and closed his eyes, trying to focus on being pampered.

However, as the workers finished up his facial, manicure and pedicure package, he thought ruefully about how all of this "pampering" was considerably less relaxing than he had been hoping.

[Hiar Delathir]

Hiar could do nothing but chuckle as the man was forced to do the bidding of his employees. He place one arm around his waist while resting the elbow of his other on his wrist so he could lean his cheek into the palm of his hand. He kept that grin plastered on his face until they had finished. He let a pout cross his lips as he let out a sigh. He really should be enjoying this more. Why would he not just relax? Such a pain.

"Well that wasn't so bad now was it?" He asked his smile returning. "You don't look very relaxed though. Good thing I have the massage set up for you. Kiato should be free now. Just hop up and follow me." He stated happily as he nearly skipped out of the room. Some of the employees could be heard laughing as their boss left. Anything having to do with his husband sent the man into super hyper mode.