"The capes!" She gasped between laughs. "All that swooshing and dramatic posing!"
"Don't forget the accent." Tyr's terrible imitation of the lead vampire's exaggerated pronunciation sent her into fresh peals of laughter.
The Maybach waited at the curb, its sleek black surface reflecting the theater's marquee lights. The chauffeur opened the door with his usual precise movements, though Beth caught the slight twitch of his lips as she collapsed into the leather seat, still giggling.
Tyr slid in beside her, his own shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter. "I thought you might appreciate the... unique interpretation of vampire culture."
"Unique is definitely one word for it!"
Beth slid a sideways glance at Tyr, taking in his relaxed posture against the buttery leather seats. "So... is this level of living normal for..." Her eyes darted meaningfully toward the chauffeur's pristine white-gloved hands on the steering wheel before trailing off.
The chauffeur's dark eyes met hers in the rearview mirror, crinkling with amusement. "No need to worry, miss. I'm a shifter myself."
Relief flooded through Beth as she relaxed back against the leather seat. Then curiosity sparked. "Wait, the limo service specifically offers Other drivers?"
"Shifter-owned company, actually." The chauffeur's professional demeanor warmed with pride. "All our employees are shifters. Makes things easier when clients need certain... accommodations."
Beth couldn't help giggling at the thought of a supernatural-friendly car service. Of course there would be specialized services catering to the Other community in a city this size. She settled more comfortably against the seat, tension melting from her shoulders.
"So... getting back to what I was asking before," she said with a small smile. "Is this level of living normal for vampires?"
"This?" He gestured at the Mercedes's opulent interior. "Maybe for certain types, like Antonio. He practically lives in designer suits and five-star restaurants. Me? I'm more likely to be cruising on my custom Nighthawk and grabbing a beer at a bar somewhere."
"Whew." Beth's shoulders relaxed as she laughed, the sound mixing with Tyr's deeper chuckle. The tension she hadn'teven realized she'd been carrying melted away. The evening's extravagance suddenly felt less intimidating, more like a special occasion than a glimpse into an uncomfortably lavish lifestyle.
Her laughter faded into a comfortable silence as they watched the city lights blur past the windows. When Tyr's cool fingers found hers, the gesture felt natural rather than surprising. The leather seat creaked softly as he turned toward her, his gaze warm in the passing lights.
"I wanted to give you something special," he said, his thumb tracing gentle circles on her palm. "An evening that would stand out from all the others. Something magical."
The word 'magical' hung in the air between them, and her fingers tightened around his as emotion welled up in her throat. The helicopter, the champagne with elderflower liqueur, the perfect restaurant, every tiny detail planned just for her - it was beyond anything she'd ever imagined possible. No one had ever gone to such lengths just to make her happy.
"It was magical. I'll never forget this night," she whispered, her voice thick with feeling. "Not ever."
The city lights painted shadows across Tyr's face as he smiled, and Beth felt that familiar warmth spread through her chest at the sight. She'd never imagined someone would go to such lengths just to make her happy, to create memories this precious.
Beth pressed closer to the window as the Maybach wound through Manhattan's glittering streets. Every corner revealed new wonders - towering skyscrapers draped in lights, crowds flowing along wide sidewalks like rivers of humanity, street performers creating impromptu shows on corners.
"Oh look!" She pointed at a man in a glittering silver bodysuit, frozen in a statue pose. "How does he stay so still?"
"Practice," Tyr leaned closer, his cool presence at her shoulder sending pleasant shivers down her spine. "Thoughsome of them cheat and use mechanical supports hidden under their costumes."
A group of tourists dropped bills in the performer's collection box, and he sprang to life, executing a series of robotic moves that had the crowd cheering.
They passed restaurants with lines stretching down the block, their doorways spilling tempting aromas into the night air. Beth's nose twitched at the mix of cuisines - Italian, Thai, Indian, and dozens more she couldn't identify.
"The food scene here is incredible," she murmured, watching a waiter arrange sidewalk tables with precise movements. "Every block seems to have amazing restaurants."
They turned onto another broad avenue, and Beth's breath caught. Even having never visited New York City before, she instantly recognized the iconic plaza spread before them. The famous golden statue of Prometheus gleamed beneath carefully arranged lights, while the towering Christmas tree - already being prepared for the upcoming holiday season - stretched toward the sky.
"Rockefeller Center," she breathed, drinking in the sight of the Art Deco buildings surrounding the plaza. The elegant lines and detailed sculptures she'd seen in countless movies and photos were even more impressive in person.
Tourists clustered around the golden statue, snapping photos and pointing out architectural details to each other. A young couple posed for selfies with the emerging Christmas tree in the background, their faces glowing with excitement that matched Beth's own.
"It's exactly like the pictures," she said, "but somehow even better in real life."
The Maybach glided to a smooth stop at the curb, and Beth's pulse quickened with anticipation. Each surprise had topped the last - what could he possibly have planned now?
Tyr guided her toward the famous ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center. The pristine ice gleamed under the plaza's lights, reflecting the surrounding buildings like mirrors. A few late-night skaters glided across the surface in lazy circles, their blades making soft scraping sounds against the ice.
