Vampire Queen's Soulmate

Plane Ride

Rodrigo sat on Esme's plane, waiting to take off. It had been a long time since he'd been in such luxury. His home was comfortable, but he preferred to live that way, instead of flaunting his wealth. Esme had no such qualms.

The plane was tastefully done. The seats were plush and inviting, upholstered in a light blue velvet with cream stitching. The floor of the plane was in the same colors, the carpet equally soft. There was a bar in the corner, and 3 bedrooms with bathrooms in the back. There was also a kitchen and a bathroom for the staff.

An attendant, a tall thin woman dressed in a blue and cream uniform, offered Rodrigo a drink upon his entrance. Rodrigo had politely declined and asked for water. The attendant's eyebrow rose just slightly, almost imperceptibly, but he had caught it and smiled inwardly. Perhaps Esme's guests drank alcohol, but he was not one of those guests. Very rarely did he indulge in alcohol. He found it interfered with his practice, and so he steered clear of it.

At his feet, a pet carrier jiggled around, and a pitiful mew came from within. Rodrigo rolled his eyes. He had tried to leave Gatita at his mother and sister's home. He really didn't want to have to worry about taking care of her, especially on a potentially dangerous trip. But the cat wouldn't take no for an answer. She had howled and hissed, scratching Rodrigo's sister and flying around the house in a whirlwind of fur and claws. She finally ended up on Rodrigo's shoulder and refused to move, scratching him if he tried to get her down, and swatting at anyone else who attempted to take her from him. So, here she was, on a plane, about to have the ride of her life.

Another mew, this one a little louder. "Shhh, gata. You're just fine," Rodrigo soothed her. Under his breath, "You wanted to come with me." He rolled his eyes. At that moment, the attendant came up to him.

"Are you comfortable sir? We will be taking off shortly. Is there anything I can get you before we do?" she asked solicitiously. Rodrigo smiled at her.

"I am very comfortable, thank you. I appreciate your hospitality," he replied. The attendant's cheeks reddened under his smile, and Rodrigo couldn't help but smirk. The attendant was attracted to him.

"No thanks is needed. Please let me know if there's anything I can do for you. Once we get in the air, you will be free to move about. The bedrooms are open to you if you so choose. The flight will be two and a half hours," she said. She looked down at the carrier. "Does your...friend need anything?" she asked.

"If you could bring me a small dish of water when we are up, that would be fine. She won't need anything to eat. This is her first flight and I wouldn't want her to be sick," Rodrigo replied. The attendant nodded.

"I will get that for you ASAP," she said, and turned to continue last minute preparations.

"What is your name?" Rodrigo asked, touching her arm lightly.

"Mariah."

"Mariah. It's nice to meet you. I am Rodrigo," he introduced himself. Mara nodded her head, and smiled.

"Its nice to meet you," she replied, and left him.

Rodrigo settled back in his chair. He pulled a blanket over him. The plane was a bit chilly.

"So! You like to flirt, huh?" Rodrigo heard a voice that sounded distinctly like Esme. But she was not there. He stilled, and listened.

"Did you not know vampires can communicate through the mind?" she asked.

"Oh, I knew. I just didn't expect it. Hello, reina. How are you?" Rodrigo inquired.

"Do not avoid my question," Esme stated. She sounded jealous, and Rodrigo called her out.

"Are you jealous, reina?" he asked calmly.

"As a matter of fact, yes. You flirt with Mariah easily, but with me, you act as if I have the plague. What's up with that?"

"Reina, we are going to be working closely together for some time. Do you think its wise or necessary that we play these games?" Esme laughed silkily in Rodrigo's mind. Suddenly, he could see her, sitting on her terrace in a silk robe, her legs crossed enticingly. The night sky was cloudy, no stars in sight. He wondered if it would be raining when he got there.

"It is not a game I play, Ojo. I am attracted to you. You are attracted to me. Don't deny it. We will be together, regardless of what work we have to do. That is a promise," Esme said smoothly.

"I will not deny my attraction. However, there are pressing-"

"We will discuss all that when you get here. Enjoy your flight," Esme cut him off, then shut down the link between them, leaving him feeling empty and slightly annoyed.

Mariah announced the plane's takeoff, and then the pilot came on the loudspeaker. He welcomed Rodrigo warmly, wishing him good health and repeating what Mariah had said earlier. A firm request to buckle seatbelts and secure "our furry friends", and then the plane was taxiing down the runway.

Rodrigo picked up the carrier, and held it firmly, knowing Gatita was scared. He could feel her anxiety. He looked through the slits in the carrier, and locked eyes with the cat. Her eyes were wide, and she was panting.

"Tita," Rodrigo whispered. They stared at each other, and Rodrigo began channeling, sending warm, calming energy into his cat. He kept eye contact with her as the plane took off. Gatita began to visibly calm down, her body relaxing. Rodrigo continued channeling until she curled up in her carrier, making biscuits in the blanket he had placed there for her. Satisfied that she was content, he ceased, and placed the carrier back at his feet. They were on their way.

Mariah came up to him a moment later, a dish of water in her hands.

"For your kitty, sir," she offered him the dish. Rodrigo took it from her and placed it in the carrier. Gatita lapped some up, then curled back up again and fell asleep.

"May I say what you did for her was incredible. I've seen a lot of things on this plane. But that....that was a first," she said, clearly in awe of him. Rodrigo shook his head.

"What I do is nothing new. Energy healing is very common," he replied humbly.

"Sure. I know that. But you have a way about you. You...you glowed when you were helping her. There was literally a light shining around you. That I have never seen, with anyone who does what you do. You have a true gift," Mariah said, and with that turned to continue her duties.

Rodrigo watched her leave, and thought about what she said. He knew that he often radiated a glow when he sent energy, but it had been awhile since someone pointed it out. He was used to people who knew him and let him do his thing without gushing over him. He had issues taking compliments sometimes, and so he preferred not to listen or hear them. But Mariah was new, and she didn't know the extent of his abilities. He smirked again, and leaned the seat back, so he could meditate during the trip. If she thought that was something, wait til she saw him meditate!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Two and a half hours later, they were landing in New York. Rodrigo had a great flight. He wasn't so sure about Mariah. She was definitely freaked out, a little bit. She wasn't lying when she said she'd seen some s**t, but Rodrigo was another story. She felt great around him, his energy was wonderful. But he was the first one to have phenomena about him, at least the first one she ever saw. Other healers worked their magic, and that was that. No fanfare. Rodrigo was in a different class altogether, and she was honestly a bit frightened by it, though she wasn't sure why. Maybe it was because it was effortless, and he seemed totally indifferent to it. Like he wasn't even trying.

As the plane came to a stop, Rodrigo began to gather himself, and checked on the cat. She was sleeping peacefully in her crate. When they were completely stopped, Mariah came up to him warily.

"I hope you enjoyed your flight, sir," she said, eyeing him cautiously.

"I did, very much," Rodrigo replied, smiling warmly. Mariah swallowed.

"When you have your things ready, you can exit the plane. There is a car waiting for you outside, and your luggage will be transferred immediately. Is there anything else I can do for you?" she asked.

"No, everything was perfect. Thank you for everything," Rodrigo answered. He placed a hand on her arm. Mariah sucked in a breath. His hand was warm, she could feel the warmth through her uniform. An almost electric sensation traveled up her arm and spread throughout her whole body. Her wariness was replaced by a feeling of peace and calm. She visibly relaxed, releasing the breath she didn't realize she was holding. She looked at his hand on her arm, then looked into his gray eyes. Rodrigo continued smiling.

"Thank you again," he murmured, then broke the contact. He bent to pick up the carrier, his long braid swinging around his body. He rose, nodded at her, and left the plane.

"Here we go Tita," he whispered to the cat, stepping outside. The cat meowed back softly. "Showtime."