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I. CHOCOLATIER DU MONDE - (OPEN)
It didn't take too long for Kyle to find a job in the city. He wasn't entirely sure if this one would last, given that he was hired for a seasonal trial period, but it meant doing something kind of cool and getting paid for it, so he couldn't complain. Working at a gourmet chocolate shop meant giving people things they actually wanted for prices they were already willing to pay. He didn't have to sell anyone on things they didn't want and had the added bonus of rarely dealing with agitated customers.

Of course, with Valentine's Day around the corner, the shop was busier than ever and most of his shifts were spent on his feet helping people. He was mostly grateful that they didn't do deliveries and that every transaction was straightforward and in-store. Plus he'd already been able to sample most of the flavors and could actually able to recommend some. Which is why, when the next customer was up, he immediately offered them a smile and a sample of the dark chocolate orange creme.

"Try this."

II. CAFE - (CLOSED TO ALEX)
Kyle couldn't help but wonder why Alex had asked him out on Valentine's Day. The girl seemed adamant in shutting down every attempt at flirting and diligent about insisting on their inability to ever progress. Which he was fine with if that's what she wanted, but the mixed message was more than a little confusing. There was a part of him that wondered if maybe she was oblivious to the day. Even still, she had to have a reason for asking him out to coffee then. Luckily, his new job at the chocolate shop provided a convenient excuse to bring her a gift without making a big deal out of it.

"Hey," he greeted her with a smile, taking a seat before she could even offer. Kyle set the small golden box in front of her. "Here, I got these for you. I figured you wouldn't like the heart box, so I went simple."

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Kyle frowned at the kid exiting the shop yet almost immediately forgot about the encounter, already moving on to the next customer. It wasn't until later that night, walking home and getting the feeling he was being followed, that the memory resurfaced with the sound of the kid's voice. He frowned as he stopped and turned around to face him.

Yep, definitely a vampire.

"Sorry, kid. I don't swing that way," he replied congenially, not wanting to provoke the thing any more than he apparently already had.

"Goodness, how scandalous. And I, a mere child," Joss teased, emerging fully from the darkness. If he was surprised that the human didn't seem entirely phased by his arrival, he hid it well. So. He'd found a mortal in the know. The American certainly wasn't a wolf and he couldn't sense any magic, so that narrowed the field slightly.

How very intriguing.

"If you know what I am, you know that the chances of you leaving this encounter fully intact are rather slim."

"Somehow I doubt that," he muttered at the mention of being a child. This kid wouldn't be the first one that Kyle saw, but the soldier was currently without a gun and a knife wouldn't do much good against a vampire, regardless of the age. He supposed it was only a matter of time really.

"I can't remember the last time I was fully intact," he joked, glancing casually about for other potential weapons and not finding much of anything. At least there was an alley he could run down to get to a main street if he could distract the thing for a minute. It made for a decent plan B. "Look, we both know you're stronger and faster than me. But I'm also going to put up one hell of a fight. Why don't you hit the Jolly Roger and get a willing victim there? Win-win."

"Ah, so you know of that particular establishment, do you? My, my, we are well-informed, aren't we?" Joss gives the American his sweetest smile. "Alas, my apparent age makes it rather difficult for me to be served there. Nearly seven centuries, and youth and beauty are still so maligned." Which is why he needs to get himself sorted with a new foster family, lickity-split.

When he sees the American casting about for potential weapons, he laughs his childish, delighted laugh and produces a well-worn, centuries-old wooden stake from inside his coat. "Looking for this? It really does pay to carry some protection with oneself at all possible times. You'd like to use it on me, wouldn't you? I don't sense anything particularly magical or spectacular about you, so you must be someone who is familiar with killing kind."

He sighs. "That hurts my feelings, you know. I'm sure you've got your reasons and they're probably awfully noble ones, but now you're not going to want to hear the deal I was about to propose. One which might benefit both of us."

"I'm sure you could find something," he grumbles a little. Obviously the kid knows way more than he does about the many establishments a vampire can frequent for a meal. Hell, had he not stumbled on a vampire eating some kid in an alley, Kyle wouldn't even know about the Jolly Roger. In that regard, the kid's being pointedly obstinate. The benefits of being undead, Kyle supposes.

He doesn't give the laugh a second thought, though his eyes find the stake easily enough. A vampire carrying the weapon of his own demise; that's a new one. Kyle looks as confused as he feels and says nothing about wanting to kill the kid, even though every vampire is a tango in the making in the back of his mind.

"Look, I'm not that noble, I just don't like getting hurt. One of my least favorite pastimes, in fact. So if your deal involves walking away, then I'm all for it."

"It does, in fact!" Joss claps his hands, looking delighted.

"It involves both of us walking away. Eventually. You see, I don't take lives unless I absolutely have to. It's very messy and I have far too many enemies to begin with. Plus, I'm quite small; I can get by on less."

He takes a step forward, still just out of range.

"I can make it so you don't remember a thing. You'll wake up in bed and tonight will have been just like any other night. I'm very good at making people forget. You might even say it's something of a specialty of mine."

"Pass." Kyle replies easily. The only reason he'd rather be fed on than die is because surviving allows him the chance at revenge. It's not going down without a fight, however, and he makes that abundantly clear as he shifts his feet and posture into an expectant stance, ready to fight. His hands are still at his sides, but his arms are tense and ready.

Joscelin's smile grows broader, revealing straight, perfect teeth and two tiny fangs.

"You say that as if you have a choice."

"I sure as hell do," he murmurs in response, muscles tensing as he pulls into a defensive position. One-on-one, unarmed, Kyle has little to no hope of taking on a vampire and he knows it, but like hell he's going to run. He'll make it as difficult as possible on the asshole and do his best to wrestle the stake away for a kill. That's the best he's got for now. If he dies trying, well, hey, at least he tried.

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S'all good

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