Author's notes: This is a submission to "Vampy Holidays and a Haunting New Year" contest (Paranormal, WattVampires and Humor collaboration) with the prompt of working in a fancy restaurant catering for supernaturals and an annoying vampire that has drunk a little too much.

Word count: 1367

~*~*~

Normally The Twilight Court was a high-class restaurant open to...less ordinary people in London. It was located in a grand Victorian era house in Knightsbridge, hidden from human eyes by fae magic. But during popular celebrations - like the New Year's - it became The Crossroads Inn. A place that was accessible both everywhere and nowhere. Invitation only. No exceptions.

Seth had worked in the restaurant for a few years this far and was well accustomed to how everything was done and what the rules were down to the dot. The boss has been a little skeptical about hiring an unseelie, known for their penchant for mischief and disregard of all regulations, but Seth had convinced him that he could behave well enough. He wasn't particularly fond of working, but the pay was decent and he did have a certain...fascination with expensive things.

Overall both the staff and the customers were a very mixed bunch, so he didn't stand out particularly much despite not looking at all what people generally imagined when thinking of the faerie folk. Pointed ears and angular chestnut eyes flecked with gold that tilted up at the outer corners were fine, but his height of five feet, his dusky complexion and wild, deep purple hair didn't fit the picture.

He flinched inwardly as there were a few additional howls and the sound of someone banging at the back door from the outside. At the table he was currently serving sat Erica Greenwood, the leader of a werewolf pack of some renown, and her wife and their eight years old son. The guest list had had a very clear note under her name saying "do NOT let her pack in (especially during full moon)".

Erica sighed, her features starting to shift into more lupine ones. "I apologize for the ruckus. Please give me a minute to deal with them."

"Please don't bother. I'll handle it," Seth assured her quickly. He knew the youngsters in her pack were all talk and no action, riding around on their motorbikes and acting more like little street punks than wolves. And picking a fight with every vampire they met - which would be another reason not to let them in. Nothing compared to the times when bone-chilling howling from the woods made humans lock their doors and windows, and even fae knew to keep their distance when the moon was full.

"Cait." He nudged the black cat lazying around in his basket behind the counter with his foot. "Do something about those troublemakers, will you? The noise is disturbing paying customers."

The cat yawned. "Can't it wait?"

"No. Besides, it's only two hours to midnight. Make them leave before more guests show up."

Cait got to his feet and stretched his back slowly. Then he walked languidly to the back door and opened it with a slight push of his head.

The werewolves quieted down for a moment in surprise. Then they started laughing. However, their mirth was cut short as Cait transformed into 10-foot furry monster with ample fangs and claws. The door swung shut to separate the comfortable interior of the restaurant and the panicked screams outside.

That little problem dealt with, Seth returned to the guest list. His eyes lingered on a certain vampire talking with Dana, a wood nymph waitress. He had ordered expensive drinks mixed with blood one after another the whole evening. Nothing as ordinary as human wine either. No, most of them had been finest fae beverages he could have never even dreamed of being able to afford.

He glanced at the book in front of him on the counter. A corresponding name lit up in pale gold. Jared Astor. Probably an assumed identity. Despite the garb of a British noble from the late 19th century, he didn't look native to the isles. The vampire pallor masked the skin a tad too dark and the features reminded Seth more of Middle East.

He quickly closed the book as Dana inched away from the vampire, looking scared, and hurried over to them.

"Why not?" Jared asked her as Seth got to hearing distance. "With all these fancy drinks, surely you carry something less mundane!"

"I'm truly sorry, sir, but the regulations forbid serving anything else than human blood!"

The vampire's eyes were reddened. Either too much blood or too much alcohol. Seth quickly went through his options. Cait was still outside - and if he sicced the cat on a vampire here, the end result might be very messy. Droog, the troll bouncer near the front door would probably end up on losing end if things turned into a fight.

Better talk it out.

"May I ask what the problem is, Sir Astor?" he asked politely.

Jared turned to look at him. Actually, staring would have been more accurate description. "I only want to taste something more...exotic. Exquisite." He looked at Dana again. "I'm certain fae blood would be a delight beyond description."

Dana inched a little further back. "We only have human blood. I'm sorry!"

Seth gave her a small gesture of his hand to return to serving other customers. "We can mix any drink you wish with blood, but there really is only human blood in the kitchen." And animal blood, of course, but vampires didn't drink that.

Jared poked the half-full glass on the table with one finger. "I have already sampled them. Even this...whatever dew wasn't quite what I'm looking for."

Seth fought down the urge to strangle him. "Silver Dew" was one of the most prized liquors the fae had ever made. And it was not good enough for Mr. Vampire.

"You're fae too, aren't you?" Jared asked. Pleading eyes practically drilled holes on him. "Just a little bite? Please?"

Seth studied him for a moment before replying. "Okay."

Jared's entire face lit up. "Really?"

Seth shrugged. "Yeah."

"Thank you. I'll naturally pay a suitable compensation." He pulled Seth closer by the back of his head. Slowly. Gently.

Seth dug his heels in. "Not the neck." He unbuttoned the cuff of his dress shirt, rolled up the sleeve and held out his wrist. "This or nothing."

Yes, he knew he was being rude, but this vampire was seriously irritating him.

Jared gratefully took his hand and slowly savored the fae's scent and the closeness of his skin before sinking his fangs in.

The next instant his eyes rolled back and he fell from his chair to the floor.

"Idiot," Seth muttered, sealed the small bite marks with magic and fixed his uniform. Everybody knew that dark fae blood knocked out vampires faster than you could say "AB positive". Then he called Droog over. "Take him to the back room to sober up. There have been enough disturbances for tonight."

~*~*~

Jared woke way past midnight - closer to dawn actually - on the couch in the employee break room. Seth had been shaking him none too gently every once in a while while cleaning up after the New Year's party, but the vampire had slept like a log.

"About time for you to regain your senses," the fae scoffed. "We're closing up, so go home."

Jared sat up and just stared at him in what looked far too much like adoration to Seth's liking.

"...What?"

"Please come with me!" the vampire blurted out.

"Not in a thousand years!"

"Please! Your blood was the best I have ever tasted."

That left Seth completely speechless. His blood had just made the guy pass out on the spot. "You are kidding, right?"

Jared shook his head. "I'm serious. I have a nice house and a lot of money to spare. I'll give you anything you want."

Of course he had money to spare. Otherwise he wouldn't have been on the guest list. But overall it sounded too good to be true.

What the heck. Seth could easily admit he was a sucker for expensive things. And not having to work for them was an offer too good to refuse. Besides, if there was any kind of trouble, he was certain he could kick this vampire's ass to the next town over.

He smirked as he made up his mind. "Okay."