This is an rp I started about a month ago. Sadly, we never really got to finish it, or even get into the thick of things. But what we did do is very interesting, and I like it quite a bit. I'll do my best to convert it into something easy to read, like I did with the beginning of Second Sight and Shapeshifting. It's good practice for me, and a fun read for you. It happens to be one of my favorite settings, though this is only the first time I've started an rp with it. I think it turned out well, thanks to all the little details that came together.He sat in his carriage, with his hand propping up his somewhat angled chin. His hair was a vague crimson hue, with his eyes being a piercing golden. His mask was made with black silk, and was covered in white designs made with leather. His complexion was an unearthly pale. He wore a black tuxedo, a white button-up shirt, and a red silken tie. He smiled as the carriage pulled to a stop. The driver opened his door and held out an umbrellas as it was raining. He stepped out, smiled to the man, and took the umbrella. He gazed up at the building. It was a victorian styled, five floor building, with vines growing up the walls. He entered the building and was taken away by the abrupt performance of the Symphonie Concertante, written by Mozart. He smiled and waded his way through the crowd.Rhia had arrived a little earlier, as she always enjoyed listening to the musicians set up and tune their instruments. Her own skin was just slightly tanned, the dress she wore leaving her arms, collarbone, and neck bare. Her long, auburn hair was curled and pulled into a bun that allowed a few pieces to frame her face and neck, one locke resting delicately on her shoulder. Her crimson eyes glanced about the crowd as it began to grow, the mask white and facetted with mother-of-pearl. The mask had a smile frozen in place, lips red to stand out against the stark-white mask. The dress itself had full skirts, embroidered and beaded expensively, the colour being a very dark maroon with gold and black trimming and lace. She still stood beside the orchestra pit, enjoying the music as she watched the crowd.He led her out to the dance floor and let his feet do the talking. He let his left hand rest on her waist, and his right hold her hand up in the air. He was a fairly good dancer, and began to take the lead. "What do you think the chances are that we happen to know each other?" His hands were smooth and gentle, and, as they danced, his breathing became cut off with each breath he took.She, too, moved gracefully through the dance, following his lead so well that it created the sense of intimacy that normally only lovers could obtain while dancing. That, or two really good and seasoned dancers, she told herself. An amused look entered her eyes at that comment, her laugh as musical and pleasurable as her voice. "Not very good, I'd say. I'm not a very well known presence here in Paris. But, that's what these dances are for, right?" She wore a perfume that had been lost among all the others when they were only standing close, but now that they were dancing, he'd be able to smell it above all the others, something no one in Paris wore for certain. It was a clear hint that she was either rich and could afford imported perfumes, or she was a foreigner.His piercing golden eyes, eyes that were very rare, played along her mask and then stopped on the amusement in her eyes. "Well, you never know. You may just be blindly popular, as several of these twits are." As the scent of the perfume caught wafted through his mask, he smiled with a vague familiarity. He wore no cologne, just a small amount of after shave, not as rare as her perfume, but other men did not seem to be wearing it.She would have taken notice, finding she rather liked it, in part because no one else was wearing it. "I should hope not. The gossip about a mysterious stranger is much more interesting." That smile found her eyes again as she gazed back into his. She couldn't remember finding someone so amusing and charming so quickly before. Though, she certainly wasn't complaining. As the song ended, so did the dance, though another was ready to begin. Someone would ask to step in, and she flashed a look to him that told him she would seek him out later. It wasn't becoming at these things to dance with only one person for the entire time, and she'd rather not draw that sort of attention.He smirked behind his vague mask. "I'm positive the gossip will begin to brew rather quickly tonight." As the stranger stepped in he released his hand from her hip. Still having her hand in his, he bowed and brushed his lips across her skin. He stepped back, giving the stranger room and walked out off of the dance floor. He had rather enjoyed her company, and was delighted to know he would have the priveledge of enjoying again. He picked up a glass filled with a rosy red substance, red wine of course. He took a sip and then set it down before approaching another guest and asking her to dance. He led her onto the floor just as the clock struck eleven.She found through the course of the next few dances, she couldn't help but continue to seek him out with her eyes, as if making sure he hadn't left. By twelve-thirty, just about everyone was exhausted, and the formal side of the masquerade seemed to come to an end, people milling around, getting something to drink or eat, or seeking out their dates or previous partners. Rhia retrieved a glass of wine, momentarily forgetting her acquaintence as she walked out onto a balcony to get some fresh air. She pulled the mask forward just enough to drink a long sip of the wine, sighing audibly in relief of finally being able to relax. She was finding she rather preferred being a musician than a dancer, and was longing for her seat among the violinists.As Mozarts Symphonie Concertante had finally ended, he left the dance floor to lean against a wall. He revealed a white handkerchief and dabbed at his neck, and underneath his mask at his cheeks. He found he enjoyed the aspect of being the mysterious gentleman, but did not enjoy the warmth of the silk in his mask. A lesson learned. He spotted the woman through the balcony doors and found himself walking through the glass doors. He smiled and stopped beside her. She straightened up when she noticed someone behind her, unconsciously adjusting her posture so she continued to portray the 'proper lady', even before knowing who it was beside her. Heaven forbid the gossip turn to suggest she was unproper. She knew where rumors went after that. When she saw it was him, she smiled behind that mask, though continued to stand up straight. Her gaze shifted out over the gardens below them, the moonlight twinkling in the fountain that was running in the center, probably only to impress the guests with the hosts' wealth. "I was beginning to fear I wouldn't see you again." Spoken casually, with not real hint that she actually feared that. Just conversation.He smiled behind his mask, his eyes playing with amusement. He leaned over the iron posts that prevented them from falling and gazed down at the gardens. A few loose locks of crimson hair fell in front of his mask. "Well, you really shouldn't. It might jynx our chances." He looked over at her, and her proper form. He turned around and leaned his back and elbows against the iron posts, gazing up at the starry sky. "Not very long until the masterful unveiling. Penny for your thoughts?"She continued to look down into the gardens, expression frozen in the masks pleasant smile, eyes revealing nothing despite their reputation as windows to the soul. They revealed only what she wished them to. It was not easy to do, and there weren't many who even took the time to master such a skill. "I'm only wondering why I chose to come to a country that puts corsettes and dancing together." Joking, of course. She didn't look at all as faint as some of the women in there, and hadn't even loosened it as many others had. That didn't change the fact that it was uncomfortable, of course.He laughed at the joke. "For the music, of course." Right on cue, the Notturno, a piece for the orchestra, began. He let the music soothe his ears, before turning his attention back to the stars. He sighed and slid down to sit on the ground. "Well, I hope these people do not expect us to be proper out here. Several of the dancers out there have begun to loosen their ties, I think they're losing their nerves."She actually took her eyes away from the garden to look down at him, and the musical sound of her chuckle floated on the wind. "Or the alcohol is getting to them. I'd put my money on both." She turned to face the door, then gracefully lifted herself up to sit on the balcony rail. Her dress, luckily, was not stiff, and easily draped over the bent knees. She took a deep breath of the fresh night air and leaned her head back, eyes drifting shut. After a few seconds, he'd be able to see the faint smile beneathe the mask as she began to hum the piece the orchestra was playing. Perhaps he wasn't so wrong about her having come for the music after all.He leans his back against the iron bars and looks up. "Yes, the alchohol. But, I'd say their doing quite well. There are only a few typsies, and I have only spotted one who has passed out." He closed his eyes as a drop of dew fell down on his mask from an ivy vine above them. "Well, are you having a good time, at least?"She looked down at him again. "I wouldn't stay if I wasn't." She chuckled softly to herself as she looked back in towards the dance floor. "I've begun to think I get some sort of pleasure from watching them make fools of themselves." As to who 'they' were, the term was really only used in those days when someone of lower class referred to the nobles or rich. The way she said it...it didn't quite sound that way, and after all, she was there as someone rich enough to be invited. Perhaps she meant the French in general, if she were a foreigner, yet even that didn't seem to fit.He looked through the doors at the dancers curiously. The woman didn't phase him as poor, so he was a bit perplexed on what she meant by 'them'. He began to examine each one of the dancers and smiled. Most of them were drunk, while all of them were dancing. Maybe that was what she meant. He still had no clue. The clock hit twelve forty-five. Only fifteen minutes left, he thought. He was looking forward to it, to finding out who his mysterious new friend was. He stood up, and dusted off his pants and held out his hand. "Would you like one more dance?"Again she smiled behind that mask, letting only traces of it reach her eyes. She took his hand and slid down from the rail, careful that nothing on the skirt of the dress got caught or tore. "I'd be honored." She walked with him back into the ballroom, taking a couple deep breaths to ready herself for that last dance. They managed to get out onto the dance floor without being run into by any of the others, which was a marvel in itself, and after sliding into the now comfortable and familiar position, began to dance once more.He smiled as he found himself in the same position as before and, standing up straight, began to lead the dance. He glanced at the other dancers, whose steps were being slurred. He was thankful, for once, that he did not drink as the others did. A few minutes passed and a couple to their right left the dance floor, others began to follow as the piece neared an end. He smiled, and the amusement was clear in his eyes. "Better watch out, we might just win a prize."She laughed lightly, hardly winded by their dance. "I'd be wary of any prize they might have to offer." Five minutes shy of one, the dance would come to an end. The nearing of the 'hour of truth', as some called it, seemed to sober a few of the people, most everyone waking or shaking out of their doze. They all milled around to find the ones they wished to be near when the unmasking occurred. The two of them were already exactly who they wished to be with, so they could just simply leave the floor and find a place along the wall like everyone else. For the first time in the few weeks she'd been there in Paris, she found she was actually excited for this time. She was just as curious as he was to know who her mysterious partner was.He smiled and his hands fell from her waist and her hand as the song ended. He looked around at the awakening dancers. They all seemed more confident, but few of them went without stumbling. He was enjoying the sight more than ever, and he was anxious to find out who his partner was, though he would never show it. Two minutes to one, he glanced over at his partner, and as much as he had tried to hide it, his eyes revealed a bit of excitement.She was a bit surprised to see that excitement. So far, he'd been as controlling as she'd been in hiding his true emotions, so she was quite pleased to see that. She let her amusement find her own eyes, still successfully biding back her own eagerness. She listened to the other count down the last few seconds, as if counting down the new year, not nearly drunk enough herself to count with them. At the last few seconds, she lifted her hands behind her head, untying the delicate ribbon that held the mask in place. As the last second was counted off, she gently pulled away the mask. Her features were angled, just as delicate as the mask had been, though rather a bit more interesting. Her face held the same pale tan as the rest of her skin, bangs allowed to brush against her forehead and cheeks. Over her right eye was the trace of a once-deep scar, though now was only visible when the light played on it. She would seem...uncannily familiar, though it would be next to impossible to place where he might have seen her face.He was able to hold off until the very last second, when he reached behind his head to untie a black silken thread. It easily came apart and his mask fell into his hands. He shook his head, and breathed in the fresh air. The mask had made that aspect of life difficult. His angles were almost square, but at the same time, cut off very smoothly. There were dark circles around his eyes, most likely from late nights. And his skin was the same unpleasantly pale as the rest of his body. He looked over at her and smiled at her appearance. Something rang off in his mind, but he couldn't place it, and sent it off to the back of his head. She returned the smile, taking in his face. There was something about it.. That little itch at the back of her mind she'd felt when he first asked her to dance was starting to dig, but she somehow managed to shake it off. She offered her hand, in greeting this time. "I'm Rhia." It was an odd name for the area, or even countries around them. Celtic, perhaps, though she hardly looked like she came from the Isles. Something about it, as simple as it was, would make her face seem all the more familiar, yet still recognition would hang just out of reach.He smiled, though the name rang in his mind, he kept a pleasant calmness. "And, I'm Lucious." His name was also odd, not because it was foreign. More because, the name had gone out of style several decades ago. "Its nice to finally meet you." The words flowed out of his mouth naturally, but it did not seem like he meant it. He bowed and kissed the back of her hand again, before standing up straight."Likewise." She tucked away his name with his face in her memory, managing a brief curtsey in response to his pleasantries. She then glanced around, masking her nervousness with a look of boredom, as if she no longer wished to be around the pack of drunken lords and ladies any longer. "It is late, and these dances only get all the more boring once the masks come of." She glanced back towards him, smiling faintly, a smile that only barely grazed her eyes. "I believe I will take my leave." It was odd, so suddenly wanting to leave, even if what she said was true. Despite her attempt to hide it, she did appear somewhat anxious, shifting her feet more than once and glancing around at the others. Perhaps she had never stayed long enough to remove her mask before. That, of course, was strange in itself.He was surprised at her nervousness, it struck him as odd. But, what really got him, was the fact that he wished to leave with her. Seeing as how he had never let go of her hand, he led her through the croud, and out the doors into the silent of the night. The darkness of the night made his golden eyes seem to stand out, almost as if they were glowing. He smiled and released her hand, taking a step back. "Forgive my directness, but, where will you go?" He was curious about her, and found himself wanting to know more. Perhaps, it was because of that nagging suspicion that they had met. She held the mask in one hand, brushing back her bangs with the other once he let her go, rather surprised he'd decided to come outside with her. Of course, she had little reason to be surprised, all things considered. She, too, shocked herself as she found herself telling him. "There's a hotel down on fourth I've been staying at." It was a well-known hotel, not too pricey, but not exactly dirt cheap, either. It was in a nice location, a peaceful part of Paris.He had an expression of thought on his face, trying to remember where the hotel was. Soon enough, he remembered, and smiled. "Well, if you like, I could give you a lift. I know the place." He had stayed there at one point or another. The staff was very civil, unlike the snobby staff of the high priced hotels.Which was precisely the reason she had stayed there as long as she had. "Well.. It beats walking." Which meant either her ride wasn't scheduled to be there until later, or she had in fact stayed longer than she had intended. She found herself somewhat excited at the idea of him taking her back to the hotel. Whether it was a good or bad excited, she'd yet to decide.He smiled and motioned for his driver to bring the carriage up. He held the door open for her, politely waiting for her to choose her seat, and, after giving directions to the driver, stepped in and closed the door behind him. "So, how long will you be staying in Paris?"She climbed in, choosing to sit facing forward, resting the mask in her lap. She smiled faintly as she gazed out one of the small windows, always enjoying the look of cities at night, with the street lamps lit and candles in a few windows of the houses they passed. "Until I run out of fun things to do. Then it's on to Venice."He sat across from her, facing the rear of the carriage. He placed his mask on the seat beside him, laying it face up. "Before I got my invitation, I thought I had run out of fun things to do. But, I guess not. Good luck with Venice, I've never been there, so I can't recommend anything."She chuckled softly. "That's alright. I've heard of plenty of things to do over the past two weeks that Venice is known for." She let out a soft sigh as the moving air from the window brushed back her bangs. It was a warm night, and the cool breeze was greatly appreciated. "Have you been in Paris a long time?""No, only a year. And, I'll be leaving for Prague soon. If you can believe it, I'm not french." He laughed lightly at his own joke. The carriage stopped in front of the hotel, and he opened the door and stepped out, holding the door open for her again.She laughed as well, allowing her gaze to find him again. She waited for him to step out first once the carriage stopped, and she stepped gracefully down out of it after him. She held the mask delicately between her hands and looked over at him again, smile warm on her lips. "Thank-you very much for the ride. Perhaps I could repay you with a cup of coffee? They keep rather nice brews in the rooms here."A smile brushed his lips and nods. "I would enjoy that." He motioned for the driver to wait for him and the driver nodded. "So, where were you before you came to Paris? Or have you been living in that hotel?" The carriage rode off down the cobblestone streets, waiting behind the hotel."Oh, no. I've only been here in Paris about three weeks, and here in this hotel for two." She nodded politely to the doorman as he opened the door for them and she led him towards the stairs that led up to the rooms. "I've simply been travelling around through Europe." For those days, it wasn't exactly an ordinary occurance that a single woman, especially looking as young as she did, early twenties at the oldest, to be travelling around. Even if she were of a rich family, most girls were married off before they even had the opportunity to consider travelling.He stayed one stair behind her as she led the way. "Ah, well. That certainly explains it." He removed his jacket and folded it over his arm. As the ongoing mountain of stairs came to an end, he smiled and stood up straight. "And, how long do you think it will be before you run out of fun things to do here in Paris? Have you seen the sights?"She chuckled as she led the way down the hall, reaching into the small pocket sewn cleverly into her dress, pulling out the room key as they approached her room. "The first week. I always get them out of the way quickly, just in case I have to pick up and leave the city early." To which she gave no direct explanation, unlocking the door to the room and pushing it open. She let him through first, so she could lock the door again behind him. Inside, there wouldn't be much of a clue that she'd really been there two weeks, though that could be due to the cleaning ladies keeping it spotless. Her things were probably unpacked and tucked away in the armoire and desk.He entered the room and looked around. Her last statement nagged at him for a bit, but he pushed that to the back of his mind with the rest of his nagging suspicions. The room struck him as uncannily tidy. "You travel lightly don't you?" He leaned against the wall, folded his arms with his jacket tucked into his arms, and watched her. "I don't know many women who travel light, but you look like one of them.""Heh, your suspicions are correct. I can't exactly afford to be hauling around trunks of things. Should I need something, I'll buy it in the city, and if I still have it when it's time to leave, I'll sell it again. This dress, for instance." She spoke casually, as if she were just glad to have someone to talk to for a change, though even in all the dialogue, she still revealed next to nothing about herself, only opened up more questions. She readied the coffee, then went to sit down while they waited for it, she reaching down to take off the high heels."I thought so. Well, you must be an experienced traveler then. Most would not bring up cautions like yours. They just pack to appear flashy, and important, and wealthy. Half the time they only appear pretentious." He remained standing up, leaning against the wall and watched her as she took off the high heels. Feeling he would not be out of line to loosen up a bit, he loosened up his tie, it hung an inch from his neck. The collar of his shirt spread out, revealing the begining of a three clawed scratch down his chest.The scratch would not go unnoticed as she got to her feet again, carrying her shoes over to a spot out of the way beside the armoire. "I see I'm not alone in having a few battle scars." And yet another peculiar thing for a woman to say. It was highly improper for a woman to fight, even in organized duels."I'm afraid not." His hand flw instinctively to trace the scratch at his neck. At this point he had identified several improper traits about her, but he didn't care one way or the other, because there were several improper traits about him as well. "Would you mind if I asked you how you got yours?"She paused for a brief moment in what she was doing, as if considering it. A solemn look fell across her face and she continued, lifting her hands up behind her head to take out the pins that held her hair up in that bun. "I would prefer if you didn't. It is not a point in my history I wish to revisit." Her hair fell from the bun, it reaching just past her waist and still slightly curled, naturally highlighted by the sun."I see." He slid to the floor and set his jacket down beside him. He watched her hair fall. "Please forgive me for bringing up the subject." He smiled at her faintly, and his eyes did not seem as bright as they had before. "So, how about that coffee?" He tried to lighten the mood.Her smile returned fairly quickly, seeming to be able to put the memories behind her with little trouble. "Yes, I think it's about ready." She moved back to the coffee pot, readying two of the mugs stored beside it, then carefully poured the hot coffee into them. "How do you like it?" From the angle she stood, and the better light of the room compared to the ballroom, he'd be able to make out a number of other scars, one just barely visible beneathe the choker she wore around her neck, along with a few on her shoulders and arms. This was by far no ordinary woman, and with each mark he could make out, she would seem more and more familiar.He took the mug and took a very small sip and smiled up at her. "Its delicious." He looked up at her and the smile faded. He caught sight of the familiar scratches. They were so very familiar it almost hurt. He felt almost as if he had caused them himself. He stood up and smiled once more. "What brand of coffee is it, exactly?" He said with another sip. If she looked close enough, she would see several nicks just underneath his chin.With each time she looked at him, she studied him a little more closely, taking in everything about him. How he stood, or sat, how his expression shifted while he talked, everything that could tell her more about him. She looked away again as he asked about the brand of coffee, going back to take up her own mug, reading off the name on the label. She went and sat down in the chair she had been in before, closing her eyes as she took a careful sip. "Where in Paris are you living?" She seemed to ask only to keep the conversation going, wishing to keep the uneasy silence at bay.He watched her as she sat down. "Not too far from here, actually. With a little persuasion, I convinced a friend of mine to put me up. He doesn't speak very much english, so it was difficult." He set the mug down and sat down in another chair. "Ah." She smiled a bit with a chuckle. "It's always difficult relaying your intentions to someone who doesn't understand a word you're saying." She spoke with obvious experience in the matter, shaking her head lightly at the memory. After another sip of coffee, she spoke again. "Luckily, almost all human language is similar in some way, and pretty easy to pick up." The way she said 'human' would be reminiscent of the way she'd said 'them' back at the masquerade, as if she were somehow set apart.He smirked in a devious manner, and as much as he tried to hold back his comment, it just was't happening. "I'll say." But, he quickly corrected himself. "I mean, most languages use words from other cultures." He feared his attempt at covering up his maniacle moment was in vain, as the smirk still remained on his face. The comment from the masquerade came to mind, and this time he did not push it to the back of his mind with the rest of his thoughts.She blinked, and slowly let her gaze drift back over to him. She considered him for a moment, debating whether or not his first comment meant what she was thinking it did. She didn't let her gaze wander this time, watching him closely as she spoke again. "Where is it you're from, if not Paris?"By now, the smirk had faded, and his gaze had caught hers. "Several places. I'm a traveler." He stood up and retrieved his mug, taking a drink, and returned to his seat. "And what about you? You never really answered my question on where you've traveled from.""I suppose I've lost track. The weeks of travel and months of learning countless new customs and languages all run together as the years go by." She continued to watch him carefully, almost sizing him up, taking her eyes away only long enough to take a long drink from the mug.He aloud a deceitful smile to cover his lips, and this time the amusement did not appear in those undecided eyes of his. "Well then, we're at a standing point, don't you think?" He took another drink of the mug."Yes, perhaps we are." She let her legs cross beneathe the skirts of the dress, and she set her mug down on a table beside the chair, folding her hands over her lap. "You know, I haven't heard the name Lucious in a long time, and even then only from the older generation. Is it a family name? Passed down, perhaps?" Oh, there was more than just the simple question, there, and it was obvious, but she wanted it to be. That smile of his had sparked her interest, and she was now beginning to pose a challenge.He easily got the point there. He leaned forward ever so slightly. "Oh no. I was the very first in my generation to receive it. Actually, where I was born, it was quite a new name. But, don't fret. I'm not as old as that sounds." He chuckled at the irony of his last sentence. "And what about Rhia? I've only heard that name once in my life."She smirked, just slightly, now quite enjoying herself. "My father had a fondness for foreign and unusual names." Which explained not looking Celtic, as the name had suggested. She stood slowly, finishing the coffee in her mug and taking it back over beside the pot, to be exchanged for a clean one when the cleaning ladies came by the next day. "And I suppose I'd have to answer your previous question in order to learn about your own scars?"His eyes portrayed a vague playfulness as he watched her. "Oh, I'm afraid so. As much as I'd wish you not to visit those harsh moments again, it cannot be avoided." He smirked once more and stood up to put his mug up as well. "But, if you do not wish to discuss it I completely understand."Her own eyes narrowed just slightly as he came to stand beside her. She turned to face him fully, arms folding across her stomach in a rather pretty pose, head tilted just slightly as she sized him up again. "Why is it, monseiurre, that even though we've long since left the dance floor, it feels as though we've never stopped dancing?" Her tone wasn't accusing, or upset, or even frustrated. She sounded...pleased, intrigued, as if she would continue all night without tiring.His smirk became a gentle smile. "Because, madomoiselle, the music refuses to be stopped. It is as simple as that." His tone was calm and gentle but, his voice sounded vague. A trait that would cause him to appear all the more familiar. She watched him, losing herself in his gaze. After nearly a minute, she roused herself from that trance, coughing into her hand as she looked away, beginning to once again turn away from him. That had been the longest she'd ever been facing him straight-on, before always having her head tilted just slightly to keep from giving him that clear view. To have seen it for so long and so well, her identity would be right on the tip of his tongue, and it would feel clear that to see her face for a little longer may just reveal that mystery.He took a step back and returned to his seat. The thoughts that he had once pushed back in his mind now held his full attention, and it was apparent by the stunned look on his face. He glanced down at his feet, and then traced the scar at his neck with his fingertip. He looked up at Rhia, and eyed her scars. He met her gaze, and his expression was curious.She noticed that curiousity, and did her best to avert her gaze as she, too, went and sat back down. After a few minutes of silence, her hands went again to the back of her neck and she carefully unclasped the choker. Pulling it away, the dark scar would be quite clear, running from one side of her jaw to the other, as if her throat had once been slit. Also there would be the nearly invisible traces of a scar he would know all too well, two small dots positioned over a major blood vessel. It would be the final piece of the puzzle. Not only was her face plastered in every constable's station and tavern throughout the town as the most expensive bountyhead in history - though for crimes unspecified - but she was also known among various vampire covens across Europe. Her blood was poison able to kill a pureblood vampire with only a single ounce of her blood, and if a turned fed long enough from her, it was said he would be turned back into a human.His gaze wandered over to where her choker had once been, and his face froze, becoming even more pale than before. His eyes widened in fright as he realized just who he had shared a cup of coffee with. And then it was the two small dots, that was what really broke him. That brought the whole thing together, why he thought she was so familiar. He wanted to leave, but he was frozen in place, and he had made a promise to reveal his long forgotten scar when she did. He unbuttoned a few top buttons of his shirt and opened the flap to reveal a four inch long three clawed scratch running down his chest. One that would strike her as hers had struck him.She would take the surprise a little more gracefully, letting out a slow breath. Her gaze lifted from the scar to find his eyes, wry smile on her lips. "I thought I had seen those yellow eyes before. I'm impressed you survived." So, he'd been with the ones who had tried to hunt her down. She was impressed the spell she used to obscure the memory of her face had worked so long with him. Her name had long since cleared among the vampires. She didn't hunt them, and they'd found that proven. But that didn't change her reputation among them.He rebuttoned up his shirt. "And I'm surprised they left you alone." Truth be told, he was more impressed with her than he would admit, but he was more upset with himself for not recognizing her sooner. He tightened his tie around his neck, cautiously. He reclaimed his calm demeaner and smiled. "So, they've really stopped hunting you?""It's been fifteen years since I last felt eyes of the Turned on my back, so I'm assuming so. It's not like I've asked. But, with so many eyes already present watching me, it's sometimes hard to tell the difference between them." She crossed her legs again, leaning back in the chair. She closed her eyes with a sigh, as if just thinking about her various predators and wannabe predators was exhausting."Well, then I'm convinced. They usually keep their word after a certain period of time, unless of course, they hear word that you've attacked again." He looked up at the ceiling cautiously and then back over to her. "But, I find it hard to believe that some rogue has not attempted to feed from you.""Well, I suspect word of my 'poisonous blood' travels fast. Not to mention my skill in protecting myself. Why take the chance on a victim who will not only fight back, but may just kill you even if you get a taste?" Her eyes narrowed with another wry smile. "Why, are you hungry?"His eyes scrutinized her. "I didn't do it because of the bounty, I did it for the challenge. I just assumed that the generation hadn't lost its class. But, no, I'm not hungry. I've already had my share anyhow." He smiled vaguely.Her nose wrinkled slightly and she shook her head. "How I ever fell in love with one of your kind, I will never know. I can't stand the taste of deer's blood, let alone humans'." She hmphed to herself and looked away. "But, then again, I'm not a vampire."He sighed and shook his head. "You wouldn't know what a good meal was if it bit you in the ass." He smiled playfully. Reminiscing such times would normally put him in a bad mood, but not tonight. Maybe he had drunk more wine than he thought, no."I disagree. That goat was quite tasty. Cooked, of course." Her own smile echoed his, and this time it reached her eyes. Seeing her so laid-back and cheerful, it would be rather difficult to see her as the dreaded enemy the vampires had once thought her, let alone how she could manage to have three hundred million dollars riding on her head."The goat was tasty? You see? You wouldn't know a good meal if I bit you in the ass." He laughed. "No, humans are much more gentle and carefree, which makes the kill all the more better." He smiled ang leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest.She shrugged, not offended by the way he talked about it. Hell, she had that bounty for -good- reason. "I just wish you vampires would learn to pick out the annoying humans... I don't think anyone would complain if you weeded out the swine. It might make -everyone's- lives better." She thought about that for a bit, then sighed. "But, I suppose the cruelty spoils their blood..""Thats not the only reason. Some of those humans enlist vampires to do their dirty work, and the vampires avoid trouble with the excuse of feeding to live, so if I were to go and kill one of them, I'd have a bounty on my head. Thanks but, no thanks." His gaze began to wander around the room."I see. I should know best of all that is something to be avoided, eh?" She shook her head, then slowly got to her feet. "Excuse me, but I really have to get out of this dress." She pulled open the armoire doors, long enough for him to see quite clearly what was inside as she bent down to get something from the bottom. There were a few sets of clothes, nothing strange there, but also hanging on some of the hooks on the doors would be two swords, one very familiar and one not so much, among other little bits of weaponry. Something a little out of place, hanging on one of the hooks, would be a small golden locket. She straightened up, some clothes under her arm, and she closed the armoire and headed for the bathroom to change.He nodded as she opened the armoire doors and peered inside. He grimaced at the swords, and smiled at the clothes, and eyed the golden locket very carefully, getting a good look at it. He had memorized its appearance by the time the closed the doors and walked into the bathroom to change. The locket did strike him as a bit odd, but then, so did a lot of other things. So much for traveling light, he thought.It only took her a few minutes to change, wearing a pair of breeches that disappeared under a pair of warm socks. Button-up shirt fit her well, and was long, stopped about mid-thigh, meant to be tucked in. She had the sleeves rolled up, and the top couple of buttons were left undone, along with the last couple. She hung the dress up on a hook on the outside of the armoire, then moved to sit back down again, looking much more comfortable. Knowing her reputation, being in that dress had probably been torture. Some said she was the least lady-like woman in history.She arched a brow at his suggestion, watching him closely. She sat uncomfortably now in that chair, unsure of what he was planning. But, she wouldn't find out unless- "I guess I have no choice, now that you've sparked my interest." He was pretty good at doing that, she was finding. It was a little unnerving.He grinned at her remark and held out his hand to her, casually. He flashed an innocent, trustworthy smile. He could feel her eyes watching him carefully, and as much as it annoyed him, he would live.She took in and released an even breath, then placed her hand in his. Even if he had provided an amusing evening for her, she could hardly forget he was a vampire, and rather suspected that if she hadn't been who she was, he would have taken a nice little bite out of her. Well, she wanted to think that, at least. Part of her was beginning to doubt it.Leaving his jacket, he led her out the door and down the stairs. This time he nodded to the door man. He didn't even bother to call for his driver, he just led her down the street and crossed west for five blocks. He stopped in front of a small, violin selling, shop. He released her hand and gently pushed open the door, entering the building. The place was in poor condition. Water buckets on the floor, dust falling from the rafters above, the paint peeling off the wall, he had led her to a dump of a house. He walked to the back of the house, entered a small room with homey accomadations, and stepped out the open window and into a field. He glanced back at her and smiled. He lifted his arm and studied his watch for a moment.Fireworks began to burst in the sky, but that was not the fun part.She ignored the glance from the doorman from her strange - for ladies in France - attire, following Lucious with quiet patience. She enjoyed Paris at night, anyway, and rarely had an excuse to go out in it. Being dragged along by a vampire was certainly plenty of an excuse, though thought with a faint smirk. She bit back the urge to pull right out of her grasp as they passed through the violin shop, the musician in her wanting to test the strings of each violin hanging within the shop. But, she controlled herself, and followed him through the house, her gaze taking in only what they could manage to glimpse as they passed right through and out into the back. Her gaze lifted to the fireworks, faint smile coming to her lips again. Fireworks themselves held fond memories for her, and she hardly payed Lucious any mind once she saw them.He looked over at her and smiled, satisfied. He sat down on the grass and watched the fireworks. But, this wasn't everything he had brought her out to see. The fireworks were loud and would bring out wild animals, but it was also a lunar holiday. Which was why he wasn't surprised to see the pack of wolves sauntering out of the woods. They ran around, wrestled, chased the butterflies and the flies and then the stood in a circle and they howled, pointing their noses up towards the moon. He smiled and his eyes glimmered vaguely as he watched the wolves. Her gaze drifted down from the light show when she heard the wolves. Her brows lifted, not quite having expected that, but her smile didn't falter. She stood a little longer, then slowly stepped back beside him and sank down onto the grass, arms wrapped around her legs, pulling her knees up to her chest. Her gaze became quiet, almost entranced by the wolves as they played and paid homage to the moon. Her gaze slowly lifted back up to the sky, looking past the fireworks and up to the moon, hand absently lifting to curl around the side of her shoulder.He heard the soft ruffle of the grass as she sat down behind him. He crossed his legs in front of him and glanced back to Rhia, curiously. He smiled and looked back to the wolves. They continued to frolick and howl at the moon, with an admiring tone. Absentmindedly, his hands began to pick at the blades of grass at his feet as he watched them. Without glancing back, he broke the silence. "Peaceful, isn't it?""Very.." After a few seconds, she sank back in the grass, letting out a relaxed sigh. It was easier to look up at the moon while on her back. She muttered something quietly under her breath, though the words would be unrecognizable. While human languages all seemed to have something in common, the elven tongue was entirely alien. She closed her eyes for a long moment, faint smile still clinging to her lips.He raised his gaze back up to the moon, the fireworks were beginning to die off, but not entirely. He recognized the language on the spot, unfortunately, he did not speak it, so he did not understand what she had said. He spun around to look at her and smiled. "So... are we still not trusting each other?"She blinked out of her daze, propping herself up on her elbows as she looked over at him. What was it someone had said to her.. Only she could make scars look beautiful. They certainly didn't detract from that graceful elven beauty. "Who said anything about not trusting each other? I came here without a lick of explanation, didn't I?"He sighs. "Sure, you did. But, you had questions, I know you did. You always have questions. And... you hesitated." He leaned back and fell against the grass. "Besides, do you really expect me to believe that you trust me after that performance of questioning me?""You had your own questions, I'll remind you." She watched him in amusement. She couldn't help but take his words sincerely. She was no good as a snack, and he knew well enough who she was and that the covens were no longer after her. She really didn't have anything to worry about, right? She sat up, then crawled over to his side, sinking down again beside him on her stomach, looking out at the wolves and the edge of the trees. "I trust you. As much as can be expected, anyway."He shifted to his side and looked at her, holding his head up with his hand. He knew she meant it, he just needed to hear it to believe it. He smiled and laid back down on his back once more. "Well, its nice to know." He gazed up at the stars as the clouds began to float their way into the sky.She laughed faintly to herself as she tilted her head down to rest her forehead on her hands, nose pressed against the grass. "I never thought I would ever again befriend a Turned. What a strange place, this Paris..."His hands began to pick at the blades of grass again. "The city of love." He closed his eyes and breathed in deeply, enjoying the cool night air against his lungs, and slowly breathed out."Hmph. The city of wine, and smelly cheese, if you ask me." She pushed herself up to her feet, stretching her arms up over her head. "Say, that friend of yours wouldn't mind terribly if I tried out one of those violins, would he?"He opened his eyes and laughed as he sat up. he smiled slyly. "No, I doubt very much that he would." He stood up and stepped through the open window, his head popped out the window again. "Which one do you want?"
She shuddered a bit at that smile of his, taking it for what it meant. Lovely. She glanced over when he called out to her. "Right wall coming in, third row from the ceiling, second from the back." Well, that was a frightening amount of detail. If he knew anything about violins, he'd know the one she chose was exceptionally well crafted. She'd picked it out the moment she walked into the shop.He scrutinized her with his eyes. "Well, aren't you the picky one..." He walked to the front of the house, found the right wall, counted the rows down. Once he picked out the third row he walked to the rear of the wall and to two. He snapped once he had found the correct instrument. He gently removed the violin and its bow from the wall and carried it back towards the bedroom and through the window. He handed the instrument to her. "Here we are."She took it with a light smile. "Thank-you.." She looked it over, studying it, getting a feel for the wood, the handle of the bow, the strings under her fingers. After a few seconds of looking it over, she tested the strings, tuned it without too much trouble, then lifted it into place. She closed her eyes, then, with all the grace he'd seen from her thus far, she slid the bow across the strings, and began a serenade even Mozart would take his hat off to.He watched her play and, as the melodious music flowed into his ears, his jaw dropped slightly. "Oh my." His voice was no more than a whisper, for fear of interrupting the music.She slowly backed away from the window, and turned just enough so she could look down the field towards the wolves that had yet to retreat back into the woods. It seems they, too, had heard the music, all of them standing very still and looking up towards her. At one part of the piece, she slid one foot back and dipped forward, in what looked like a bow, or to the wolves, a submissive and inviting posture. they ducked their heads down and started to trot over, though they'd stop within about ten feet, sinking down to their bellies as they laid there and watched, and listened. It seemed she had talents besides fighting and dancing.At first, he thought she had bowed, but then he looked ahead of her at the nearing wolves. His eyebrows shot up in pure amazement. He looked back over to Rhia as she continued to play. He was beginning to feel inferior by the minute, and it got irritating. He dropped to the ground, crossing his knees in front of him. He enjoyed the oncoming flow of music while watching the wolves.
After a few more minutes, she let the tune fade away. The wolves perked up, some of them sitting up, one or two getting to their feet eagerly. A smile spread across her lips and she bent down to one knee, letting them come closer and sniff at her, she scratching behind the ears of one of them. One of them licked her cheek, before, without any real warning, they turned and darted back for the woods. Rhia chuckled, then went and sat beside Lucious, letting out a happy sigh.He crossed his arms across her chest and watched her and the wolves. He blinked in surprise when the left for the woods, finally, he lowered his eyebrows and looked over at Rhia. "I didn't know you could play." He smiled. "I mean, I didn't know you could play well."
She chuckled, running her fingers fondly over the wood of the violin. "My cousin was fond of all things recreational. He became addicted to music, and to fireworks, and to dancing.. It was hard not to become attatched to them as well after spending months at sea with him." She looked over at him, smile quite sincere. "Thank-you, for giving me the opportunity to enjoy all three tonight."He listened to her as she talked about her cousin, he sounded like the popular guy. When she thanked him he looked over at her, his cheeks flushed slightly. "Anytime." He smiled vaguely again, and his cheeks became pale once more.
She noticed that hint of a blush, and her smile grew just a little as she looked away. She sighed faintly as she looked back down to that violin. "I wish I had room enough to carry one of these while I travel... Quiet nights in the wilderness would be so much more entertaining."
He looked down at the violin. "You don't have room...?" He looked down at the grass, a ladybug lay on a blade of grass. He picked up the blade and the ladybug skittered across his hand. "I could get you a case... if thats what you need.""No, that's not it. It's just too bulky, and too heavy. I carry enough weight with my swords, when I haven't the time to cast a feather-weight spell on them. I may no longer be chased by vampires, but there are plenty of others who would so love to see me dead." She said it with a sneer, as if challenging them all to even try."Too bulky an too heavy. Alright then." He took the violin and the bow from her and stepped through the window. He walked to the front of the shop and replaced them gently on the wall. He walked to a room opposite of the one with the window and opened a chest. Inside the chest was a case, he opened the case and pulled out a cherry wood violin. Smaller and lighter than the one he had taken from her. He pulled out the bow and walked across the hall, into the room, and stepped through the window. He handed the violin to her. "How about this one?"She glanced up, her eyes widening slightly when she saw it. "I haven't seen anything like this since..." She let her voice trail off and she reached up for the violin. She held it as if it could crumble in her hands, taking in each curve, each layer of stain, the smell of the oil on the strings, however old it was. Swallowing uneasily, she lifted it up under her chin, and began to play, so lightly it looked as though she felt unworthy to play something so delicate. But even as quiet as it was, the sound was beautiful. Her ears twitched with pleasure, her cheeks filling with a blush. She didn't get out more than a few notes, before lowering it back to her lap, looking up at him. "You aren't really just giving this to me, are you?"He sat down beside her. "Of course. I don't play the violin." He smiled her, but it soon disappeared. "Why? Is there something wrong with it?" He stroked the cherry wood of the violin carefully with his fingertips. "It looks like its in great condition, but thats just my opinion.""Oh, no, it's beautiful.. The strings could use a little oil, but.. Well, this violin is very valuable.. It's design is pristine and very desirable.." She closed her eyes at the memory of the last time she'd seen one of this design. A king's court! And he was offering one to her? She couldn't.. "Thank-you, for the gesture..but I couldn't.." She handed it back to him. "I'd be too afraid of breaking it to play it.."His jaw dropped when she handed it back to him, he handed it right back to her. "But, you must! You said it yourself remember... silent nights in the wilderness? Take it. Its yours. I don't need it, I only play one instrument and this is not it." He shook his head.She looked at him a bit stubbornly, but then took it with a sigh. She could always sell it or give it to some king as a gift if she found she could not bring herself to play it. "Thank-you..." She glanced over to him again, fingers trailing over the neck of the violin fondly. She was beginning to wonder about Paris' catch phrase..He smiled. "I'm sure after a week or so, it won't seem so fragile." He layed back against the grass, his head leaning against the wall of the store. He stretched his feet out and gazed up at the sky again. "Maybe so.." She watched him a bit longer, leaning back against the wall. She closed her eyes as she listened to the gentle sounds of night, and after only a few minutes, her breathing would ease and her muscles slackened, dozing off. It was fairly late, or early, nearing the morning's twilight.Her breathing caught his ears and he looked over at her. He smiled and watched her sleep. He knew how stubborn he was being, but he wanted her to keep that violin. He stood up and stepped through the window again. He opened the bedroom closet and took out a blanket. He stepped through the window one last time and covered her up with the blanket. He layed down again, his head resting on the soft grass. He rolled to his side and fell into a deep slumber.The morning's light would rouse her a few hours later, she slowly opening her eyes. She glanced around, trying to figure out where she was. She then felt the violin between her fingers, and memories of the early morning came back to her. she slowly sat up straighter, glancing down at the blanket, then let her gaze wander in search for him. "I can't believe I fell asleep...stupid woman.."He woke up to 'stupid woman'. He yawned and stretched out his arms, length-wise. He picked himself up, and bent backwards, popping his back. He shook his head, his hair was a mess. Several locks were pointed upward. He looked down at Rhia. "Sleep well?"She glanced up at him, fighting the urge to laugh at his hair - she'd always found it amusing, the state in which people woke up, especially since her hair always seemed to remain immaculate, even in some terrible wind storm. "As well as one can while sitting up. Thank-you, for the blanket.." She folded it up as she spoke, standing and resting it over the window, still cradling the violin delicately. "I should get going.."He smiled and picked up the blanket, folding it into a small square. He stepped through the window and replaced the blanket in the closet. He retrieved a case for the small violin and stepped back out through the window. He set the case down on the ground and opened it for her before sliding it over to her. "I guess I'll see you another time then..."She rested the violin inside the case, tucking the bow into its pouch in the lid, then closed the case. She stood, lifting it from the ground. Her gaze lifted to find his eyes, an almost sad look in her eyes. It almost...looked like she was getting one, final look, as if she'd never see him again. "Yes.. Maybe." She glanced once towards the woods, then turned to duck inside.He was at a loss for words. He had identified the sad look in her eyes, and he didn't know what to do. He walked over to the window and raised it higher for her. He glanced up at the cloudy blue sky.Before she even got all the way inside the window, she sucked in a tight breath and she quickly grabbed his arm. Before he could protest, she jerked him inside, just before a loud 'thunk' sounded from where he'd been standing. Still trembling from the impact, was a black-shafted arrow. "Stupid, stupid woman!" She'd have pulled him down onto the floor, actually shielding him, one arm across his chest as she looked up at the window.That was the last thing he would have been expecting. He looked up at Rhia and then out the window, where he saw the black arrow. He removed her arm and crawled over to the window and shut it, he closed the shutters and locked them. He turned back to Rhia, a curious expression on his face, but he held all questions he might have had. "You need to get out of here.""My thoughts exactly... Though you would be wise to get out of this place as well. If it's who I think it is, they won't hesitate to burn this place if they think I'm staying here." She got to her feet as she spoke, remaining quiet for a bit as she listened for any sound of the place being surrounded. She glanced over to him then, truly apologetic look in her eyes. "I'm very sorry.." She turned, and began to head for the front."Hang on, Rhia." He caught her by the arm and pulled her into the room where he had found the small violin. He let go of her arm and pushed the bed out of the way. Where the bed once stood was a rug. He through the rug aside to reveal a trap door. He smiled. "My friend was a wanted man." He opened the door and jumped down into the dark tunnel. He held out his hand for her.She stood there for a moment, debating on whether or not to follow him. It wasn't that she didn't trust him. Hardly. Rather, she didn't want to get him even more involved in this than he already was.. If he remained by her side..the bounty hunters might begin to assume he should be taken out in order to get to her.. But, to run out that front door would surely mean a lot of pain... She groaned and took his hand, hopping down into the tunnel.
He ran down the tunnel, her hand still in his. After ten minutes of running his breathing became hyperventilated. Soon enough, though, they arrived in a storm cellar. There were barrels of wine and wheels of cheese against the dirt walls. He climbed a ladder and slowly opened the cellar doors. After a moment of silence he threw the doors open and jumped out into the sunlight, he offered her his hand again.
She'd be breathing heavy as well, reaching up for his hand and letting him pull her out. She bent over, hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath, looking around. "How close...to the hotel..are we?"
He caught his breath and stood up straight, looking around. "A block." He ran a hand through his crimson locks and looked up into the sky carefully. Then he looked down the street, and then back to Rhia.It only took a minute more for her to catch her breath and her bearings. She nodded, recognizing where they were. She turned to look at him, brow furrowed, again that concern filling her gaze. "You shouldn't come with me, you know.."He smiled, his eyes glimmering more vaguely than ever before. "I shouldn't, but I will anyway." He walked across the street, towards the hotel.She smiled faintly, despite herself, and began to follow him. They wouldn't even reach the sidewalk before the whole area shook with the sound of an explosion, Rhia grabbing his arm again, as if ready to drag him out of the way of something else, gaze turning towards the sound. To her horror, smoke would begin to rise in the direction they were headed. "No...those bastards..they wouldn't.." She let go of his arm and bolted towards the smoke.
He remained calm, even as she grabbed his arm. Then he saw the smoke, and his gaze became pierce. And then she took off. He shouted for her. "Rhia, wait." Then he took off after her. He glared at the rising smoke and then looked at Rhia, his speed increased as he chased after her.She stopped only when she saw the building, engulphed in flames. Her eyes burned with rage, free hand gripping into a tight fist. "They won't destroy Blade so easily..." She turned to Lucious as he caught up, shoving the violin into his arms. "Hold this." She turned towards the building, looking quite serious about running right into the inferno. That was probably precisely what the bounty hunters had hoped. She was rumored never to abandon her sword, whatever the circumstance.
He took the case and watched her run into the blazing fire. His face was a frozen blur of panic. His jaw became set and he ran into the flames after her, much to the horror of the onlookers. He leaped over the flaming door, which had fallen to the ground.
That grace she'd executed while dancing proved useful as she maneuvered around the flames and falling debris. She somehow managed to hear his footsteps behind her before she reached the stairway and she turned to look at him, eyes widening. "You're a fool!" Gritting her teeth, she waited for him to catch up, then quickly grabbed his arm. As she did, he'd be able to feel the heat from the flames suddenly cool, as his skin chilled. Satisfied he'd be a bit safer, at least as safe as she was, she turned and started up those stairs.
He ignored her comment and, before catching up with her, loosened his tie and removed it from his neck. He ran after her and when the cool came one, he was surprised, but grateful. He followed her up the stairs, clutching the violin to his chest.
She came to a stop as soon as she reached the top of the stairs, letting out a despairing cry. The hallway leading down to her door was gone. The explosion must have been set in a room across the hall from hers. But her room was still intact, though burning, so there was some hope. Taking a deep breath, she slammed herself into the door of the closest room to the missing part of the hallway, it giving without much of a fight. She just hoped the walls would be as forgiving.
He followed her with cat-like accuracy. He watched her carefully and glanced into the flaming room. "They're going to be waiting for you.""Then let them wait. I've taken on dragons; I can take on a few stupid humans." She looked around the room as she moved into it, finally grabbing one of the chairs that hadn't caught yet. She got a running start, then swung the chair with her momentum into the wall. The fire had destabalized it well enough, and the chair managed to put a decent size hole in it without breaking, letting her use the chair again to knock out some of the loose bits of plaster to make a bigger hole.He sighed, shrugged, and followed. When he came to her side he opened the violin case, took out the violin and bow, and handed her the case. "This might have more of an effect." He took a few steps back and clamped the violin to his chest, shielding it from the fire.She glanced over, paling some to see the violin exposed to the flame. But, she'd trust him to take care of it, and dropped the chair to take hold of the case. "Keep close. I don't know if putting holes in these walls is going to have any effect on the ceiling." She hopped through that hole, flames licking at her sleeves and shoes, but not catching thanks to that spell. Her room was the next one over, so it would only require one last hole. Sure enough, that case would do a much better job, not needing that momentum to cause a section of the wall to crumble.He stepped back up to her side as the whole was made and took the case back. He replaced the violin and its bow and locked the case. "After you."She grinned faintly. "Ladies first, even into the Inferno, right?" She shook her head and ducked into the room, not wasting a second as she hurried to the armoire. She pulled it open and her hand went first to the locket that hung on the door. She undid the clasp and lifted it up around her neck, clasping it into place. It only took her a couple minutes to have Blade strapped onto her back, her second sword at her hip, and her various other weapons either tucked away on her or into the bag resting at the bottom of the armoire. It seemed the whole thing had been protected by charms, not a thing inside touched by the fire that burned all around them. She gathered up only what she needed and slung the bag over her shoulder. Drawing the black sword from her back, it took no time at all to create a new hole, this time leading out of the building into the gardens below. She'd noticed before there were a cluster of bushes beneathe her room, and fifteen feet wasn't too bad a drop, not hesitating a moment as she jumped clear of the flames.He followed her into the bedroom and waited on her while she packed. His eye caught the golden locket and then his gaze trailed to the flames. When she had finished he followed her as she jumped and landed in a crouched position on the bushes. He waisted no time in standing up, reclaiming his sense of gravity.
As soon as they were clear of the flames, the spell on them both would fade, their skin warming up again. She remained in a crouch, taking a couple of deep breaths. It was exhausting, using her magick even for such a simple spell, not to mention the adrenaline that allowed her to go through all that was wearing off. After a bit, she stood up, looking around slowly. No one.. There wasn't anyone. She didn't even sense any hostility as she had before. "Maybe they expected me to die in the fire.."He shook his head. "I doubt it. If they were hired they would go and tell whoever it was that hired them about their failure, this might have even been a test.""Couldn't hurt to hope, though." She lifted Blade up and over her head, sliding it back into its sheath. As her hand came back down, she'd hit the back of his head, glaring up at him, though it was laced with relief. "You shouldn't have followed me in there!"He held the back of his head. "I told you I'd follow you even if I shouldn't! And I intended to follow through!" He returned her glare with his scowl. "But since nothing happened, lets just drop the fact that I went in there even when you called me a fool and that you kept running after I called after you." His scowl melted into a smile. "Whats done is done and now we can drop it."She pouted some, but sighed and let it go, forcing a smile back onto her features. "Right. Let's get out of here. I hear the police out front.. The ones who set this bomb won't stick around if it means getting caught."He nods and walks around to the back of the hotel. His carriage was still there, but the driver was gone, no surprise there. He occupied the drivers position and waited for her.((To be revised later.))
