A response on craigslist.

Liam had just about slurped the last of his coffee when his phone buzzed. Navigating to his craigslist app, he took it in.

"Hi... still got that spare ticket? 'Cause I would love to see Morbius."

The young man's hand went up to his mouth, the briefest of smiles played across his features. He quickly formulated a reply:

"In IMAX, no less :3 And that depends, do you fit the criteria mentioned in my post?"

Less then a minute later, he got a message back:

"Well I'm definitely a woman. As for the rest... you'll just have to wait and see, tiger ;)"

Hmmm, Liam thought to himself. That wasn't what he was expecting. He'd been very clear in his original post, no tall girls, no chubbies. But... time was ticking down until the screening began, and he wasn't exactly getting any other offers. He would have to roll the dice, he supposed:

"Acceptable. Meet me at the Luxe for 9. I'll be the white guy in Venom Yeezys. Don't be late."

A good response, Liam thought. Firm, concise, and just the slightest tease of the classy style he had to offer a potential film-going companion. Just as his finger hovered over the "send message" button, it occurred to him that it was missing a certain something. Diving back into the main body of his message, he added a brief sign-off:

"- Severin"

With a smirk, Liam hit send.

Exiting his booth, he made for the door, and the brief walk across the Veranda to where the cinema awaited. He'd intended on doing some sort of a sign-off with the Barista, but it was clear she'd done something to upset one of the customers who'd come in while he'd been having his coffee and doughnut. Not hugely surprising, he didn't expect Krispy Kreme hired Concord's best and brightest.

The sun was well on its way to setting, the encroaching dusk hinting at an environment worthy of the Living Vampire himself. Liam was almost glad he hadn't been able to secure tickets for a morning or afternoon screening. There was something magical, about exiting the cinema into the night, thoughts enflamed and imagination roused. With a vampire picture, it was doubly appropriate.

Liam entered the cinema, shuffling past a sizeable cardboard display for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. He had to laugh at it's presence. Really, exactly how many tickets did they intend to sell? The whole Fantastic Beasts sub-franchise was a sclerotic offshoot, coasting on people's nostalgia for the Harry Potter movies. Morbius? Daniel Espinosa's opus was the vanguard of the new, a bold and unprecedented hybridising of the superhero and horror genres.

Liam would never betray such uncouth emotions outwardly, but the thought he was actually about to see it, after years of delays, had him squeeing on the inside.

Claiming his tickets, he scanned the rush of humanity filing through the foyer. Attendance was packed as expected, and Leto's presence in the film meant the attendees even skewed female. But which sweet maiden was his prize? That was what he was out to ascertain.

A petite brunette drew close. Liam smiled, felt his heart rate accelerate as she came within a few steps.

...Only to jump into the arms of another man, undoubtedly her boyfriend, because of course, a girl that cute had to be taken.

Liam tried to stop that train of thought in its tracks. Megan had told him, more than once, such thoughts were unhealthy, unproductive, borderline incel shit.

He turned to watch the brunette, and the Chad she was hanging off of, depart for their movie.

"Thanks for coming tonight, baby." he heard her say. "I know Ambulance isn't exactly your bag, but I've been wanting to see it since..."

"A Michael Bay fan? Really?" Liam mutter under his breath, smirking. Perhaps, he had dodged a bullet there.

"Severin?"

A voice from behind. Pulled from his line of thinking, Liam turned, to see who was addressing him.