"I think you're right about the refined breeds, Tats," Selena said after some thought. "If I wanted to be a wolf, I'd've just gone to the zoo like we planned. If I'm in a dog park, I'm taking full advantage. My sisters might tease, but deep down they'll be fucking jealous of how beautiful I'll be. It'll be fun to watch them sulk as their girlfriends check me out."
"Just remember, I'm the only one for you," Tatiana teased, an impish grin on her face.
"I'm not gonna sleep around, babe," Selena nodded, "but it's fun to flirt. Just be careful with those toothy grins of yours out in public; the humans'll see your fangs!"
"No worries," Tatiana snickered. "Vampire fangs are retractable. As far as the mortals are concerned, I'm just a pasty kid who wears too much black. "
"You aren't pasty, Tats," said Selena, putting her hand on the lovely vampire's shoulder. "You're ivory-skinned. Huge difference."
Tatiana smirked. "And what difference is that?"
"One's fucking gross, and the other's sexy," said Selena, and amorous glint in her eye. She placed a kiss on Tatiana's cheek.
Tatiana rubbed her cheek, her cadaverous cheeks blushing blue with vampire venom. "Th-thanks, Lena. Does... does this mean we're an official item?"
Selena smiled. "I guess it does, Tats. To be honest, I think we've been unofficial girlfriends for the past six months. We go everywhere together, we check each other out, we support each other, and we hug all the time. I think it's high time we made it official, don't you?"
"Hell, yeah!" Tatiana shouted, jumping four feet in the air.
"Don't do that!" Selena gasped, panicking. "People will see! What the fuck even WAS that?!"
"Vampire reflexes," said Tatiana. "If I needed to, I could jump two or three times that high. I honestly didn't mean to do that. I just got so fucking happy, I lost control of my powers."
"I get that," Selena smiled forgivingly. "It's okay."
"Thanks, babe," said Tatiana. "So, no wolfdogs, huh? I think I like that. Vamps like their women refined." She winked at Selena. "Have you settled on a breed yet?"
"I mostly just ruled out the wolfdog," said Selena. "Hmmm..." She glanced around the dog park. After a quick scan, she spotted an especially gorgeous saluki whose owner was preoccupied with the water fountain. The willowy sighthound had a stunning solid red coat and magnificently feathered ears. Selena knew her sisters would explode with envy if they saw her looking that beautiful, dog or not. Luna, especially would hate seeing Selena outshine her in the grace department. As for Diana, it might be a laugh to steal HER girlfriends for a change!
"That one," Selena whispered, pointing at the saluki. "It even matches my hair."
"Ooh, that's a nice one," Tatiana said, picturing its features transposed onto Selena's frame. "You'd look awfully sexy as a saluki girl. Freaking go for it!"
The saluki's owner suddenly returned from the water fountain. Noticing the girls staring at his dog, he shot them a dirty look.
"Shit," Selena grumbled. "I really wanted that one."
"You'll have it, honey," Tatiana said confidently. "Just leave this to your vampire girlfriend."
Tatiana strolled up to the man and looked him directly in the eyes. "Hey, mister? Ya got a second?"
The man turned to Tatiana and looked at her disapprovingly. "Scram, punk! Don't you have a back alley to graffiti on or something?"
Tatiana chuckled to herself. "Oh, I don't think so." Her usually blue eyes suddenly glowed an unearthly shade of red, their magic burrowing deep into the old grouch's mind. She spoke to him in a whispery, echoing voice infused with the vert essence of primal Night. "Hear my words, mere mortal! My friend wants to brush your dog, and you will let her. Am I clear?"
The man nodded helplessly.
Tatiana smiled with satisfaction. "Dog's all yours, Lena! Hurry up and brush it; I can't hold this forever."
Selena scampered up to the saluki and brushed it. On the third brushstroke, she suddenly felt the Werebrush begin to vibrate. "I think it's charged," she whispered to Tatiana as she scampered away from the curmudgeon and his dog.
Tatiana gave Selena a thumbs up. Her sinister crimson glow faded from her eyes, the normal blue color returning.
The man's glazed expression passed, and his face scrunched up in aggravation once again. "Ugh, what the hell is it you want, kid?" he sighed impatiently.
Tatiana smiled sweetly. "I just wanted to tell you how pretty your dog is."
The man's expression softened a bit. "Oh. Y-yes she is, isn't she? She's a dog show champion, you know."
"Oh, I can tell," said Tatiana, scratching the saluki behind her ears. "You're very lucky to have a dog like her, sir."
The man blushed. "Th-thanks. Sorry 'bout the way I snapped at you. You can never be too careful with teenagers. I just saw all the black clothes and jumped to conclusions."
Tatiana laughed. "Happens all the time! Can I just tell you again what a beautiful dog she is? Saluki, right?"
The man nodded. "Yep."
Selena waved as she turned to leave. "Bye! Nice talking to you!" She then sprinted back to Selena, careful to not run faster than a normal seventeen-year-old girl.
"Nice job, Tats," said Selena. "He really doesn't remember being mesmerized?"
"They never do," said Selena. "Pretty rad, huh?"
"Vampires are so cool," Selena grinned. "The movies and TV shows really don't do them any justice."
Tatiana glanced at the silver Werebrush. "Got that thing charged?"
"Yeah," said Selena. "It was vibrating like hell right after the brushing, and I can still feeling tingling a bit."
"Well, let's get you home so you can brush you own hair and unleash your inner dog. You can even show your bitchy sisters when it's done. Or maybe you'd prefer to try it out in the woods. That'd be a fun place for a weredog. Hey, maybe you could do it in Karnstein Manor! My Moms and clanmates'd love you. Especially my sister Liesel; she loves the shit out of animals! How does that sound, Lena?"