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[So. It's been a couple months, perhaps, since things became very strange for a certain elf and...probably pretty routine for everyone else in Aravalle. Sure, a small menagerie of woodland animals has managed to sneak into the castle grounds and disturb the poor gardeners and groundskeeper, and Shirin herself is actually remarkably difficult to find for anyone who can't track her by blood, but she's a quiet semi-permanent houseguest, and does her best not to disturb the staff while they wait for the masquerade to pass. She declined--vehemently to be seen in the capital; her being anywhere near politics was very unlikely to go over well with the elves and it probably wasn't worth international incident for Konstantin to bring a snack to the whole thing.

But now that things are due for a return from whatever ridiculous debacle the party was, certain elves are...oddly restless. Prone to pacing the length and breadth of the castle like some sort of caged beast. Unsettling the hell out of pretty much every member of the household and Aravalle's own court. Possibly pinning one noble to a wall with an arrow after he got too pointedly loud about complaining where she could hear. Things like that.]

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Well, you were welcome to make the trip. All I have asked is that you admit you prefer your place here to the wall, or, accordingly, return to the wall.

I'm not bored enough to start an international incident yet.

[...She's not answering that second part, though. And may have become suddenly very interested in the ground.]

[He tilts his head at her some.]

...I'm still on the fence if I'll demand you dress as a servant as well.

I would rather go naked. [Flatly.]

...Really, didn't anyone ever teach you not to play headgames with your food?

You're a lot more interesting than any meal I've had, living or unliving. And if you're going to avoid the issue, I'm going to insist on further absurdities.

[He pauses, briefly.]

Really, you'd look rather nice in the uniform.

If I'm so interesting, why have you not considered normal things like asking me questions instead of continually trying to get me in a skirt?

Because I am telling you, the day you take my pants from me will be a cold day in Hell.

[She's still dodging the topic, and yet somehow managed to combine it with suggesting he pry more specifically. That's...special, Shirin.]

Fine. Are you willing to admit that you'd rather stay here than go back to them? Why are you so reluctant to talk to me about this? Have you considered that skirt comes with an apron and we have some of the finest textiles in the land?

[Really, she's going to find out that he is shrewd, and caring in his own way... but she's made this a hill to die on.]

...It just feels like this is some sort of game still, but these are deep, raw wounds you'd have me open up, and it isn't an easy thing to do that.

The apron is tempting, but it's no real substitute for total freedom of mobility. So again, no.

Life is something of a game, Shirin, given the incredible length and scope both of ours will run. I ask only that you would be so kind as to join me in the playing of it. Take that however you may wish.

And also consider how comfortable lace can be on bare legs and that as my personal servant you would answer only to me.

Have you worn a skirt, to verify this? I might need a demonstration if that's the case, Konstantin.

[She pauses for a while, clearly mulling this all over.]

Fine, but...not here. In private.

Edited 2015-11-29 09:13 (UTC)

[He chuckles, then.]

You are aware of where my chambers are, then, Shirin?

[He can slip across the room like a fucking shadow after saying that.]

[She might have muttered something along the lines of 'you little shit', but she's making her way to his chambers in spite of that, so.

She does look for somewhere to sit down when she gets there, and looks just...tired. More openly vulnerable.]

Please don't misunderstand. Very little of this really has anything to do with you, in the end.

Of course not. The scion of an out-of-favor ruling line must have her own secrets that make our dalliances look trifling. Tell me then, what significance would you have me play?

It's not really...[She trails off, and laughs, a little weakly.]

You ask me to state my preference, Konstantin, but it hardly matters. Here or at the wall is no different--the people here just fear me for far simpler reasons. And it isn't as though I can return there if I wanted to. They...would very much like it, if you were to kill me, the consequences fully draining me would have be damned.

I am aware of what they would like, what my servants would like, and what I would like. I will only ask you to tell me what you wish once more, Shirin.

I'm--I must take this circuitous route. This is difficult, for me.

All I've ever wanted was...was a home I could go back to. Nearly 200 years and I've never had that, to my memory. I'm not sure it's possible, as the world stands now.

[It may be becoming apparent that she doesn't know that the servants are fond of her, despite how terrified of her power's effect on the land they may be. Sadelf.jpg.]

You realize my staff is exceptionally fond of you, yes? Enough to where they would probably be rather thrilled if you became a permanent resident in this little menagerie of mine.

[He chuckles.]

If you wish a home, Shirin, I will offer you one, here...

'Fond'? [ROLLS TO DISBELIEVE.]

...As a permanent snack? You can't subsist only on my blood, I'm told that's rather bad for you after a while. But...

But I doubt you'd have to kill anyone else, while I still live. There's not much else I can really offer in return. I was never allowed to learn real control of my magic.

[A beat.]

Which, ah. Would imply that I accept.

[She can be taught!]

Fantastic, then.

[He smiles, standing up and slowly advancing on her.]

I would have some proof of your loyalty in this matter, then, Shirin?

You're going to have to be more specific, I don't have the tools to slap a matching tattoo on you and I'd hate to damage that delicate skin.

[Ah, yes, sass the vampire advancing on you and you basically agreed to let chew on you whenever. Good idea.]

I rather enjoy your bravado, Shirin, hollow as it might be... I wonder if you'll insist you don't enjoy this part as well.

[It is amazing how fast he can clear that room, without it looking like more than an unhurried walk.]

You want me to be clear about that you're gonna have to work for it, I am fairly certain that's how it works for humans too.

Oh, I don't think you can help but be clear about it, Shirin.

[And yeah, he's leaning in and just biting her. Not like last time, where it was sudden, but rather actually letting his fangs take their time to sink in this time. He also doesn't seem to drink as much before he licks the wound closed.]

[Yeah she can't really muffle the noise that got out of her, because this is apparently one kinky damn elf you've acquired, Konstantin, and she ends up kind of leaning on him, a little.]

...Now this is just unfair.

No, Shirin. This is purely unfair.

[She wanted him to run his fangs up one of her ears, and then lick the scratch closed, right?]

And if you would like, I will be glad to do it and more nightly. All I ask is that you officially cut ties with the elven court, so that my county does not become a scene of international intrigue or a case of casus belli for your former queen.