One on One's discussion
1 x 1's
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Niran.k X Stellarum
Alexander's gaze followed Winifred as she walked away, she had called him by his first name. He treasured it like he would not head it again, hopefully he would. He looked back at Erin and gave her a small smile, he had admired Erin and looked to her as a mother, even though he was older than she.
"I am here to speak of the hunters, they seemed to have found me yesterday night. Of course I eliminated them, and a few others", he said," But I am afraid that the hunters have more coming to me, people are getting suspicious of me not walking in day light".
He sighed and then looked to the floor, nervous and somewhat hesitant to ask her his question.
"Is there a way you could make it possible for me to walk in day light?".
Erin didm't say anything for a moment, and then a spark came to her eyes, a little fire of thought igniting. "Ah, I see, then." She sent a questioning look at a statue that stood behind her desk. One of a lady done in a greecian style fashion. "Well, I realize that. There is no need for such a bitter tongue." She tsked. Then, Erin gave Alexander an apologetic look. "Ancestors, you know." As if that explained everything. She begain to rumuge through things on the shelf until she found an old, old ring with a rose carved into the moonstone gem. Erin closed her eyes, holding it in he rhand for a moment. She then uttered a couple of words in that same odd language as her books. The rose started to glow scarlet. When Erin opene dher eyes once more, bags had appeared under them as if the magic had physically drained her. "Here. A day ring. As long as you wear it the sun shall not burn you." Erin held out her hand which held the ring, offering it to him. "But please, Alexander...remember that you can't always just eliminate your problems." She was certainly no fan of killing. "And you know very well that I don't give magical items for free. I expect a trade...The man that Winifred is expected to one day marry....Make sure that doesn't happen. Appearances are decieving..."
Alexander's face had suddenly drained of all of that eternal life that being a vampire gave him. Winifred? Marrying another?
A sudden jealousy washed over him and he felt as though he wanted to kill whoever that future husband may be.
Alexander took her hand in his, he kissed it and said," I shall do whatever it is you command me, dear Erin". He looked to her deeply, full of thankfulness and gratefulness.
When he meant that he'd do whatever Erin asked from him, it was about Winifred and also making sure he did not kill...much.
He respected and cherished her, he would do what was kindly asked of him.
"This man- that Winifred is supposed to marry- when will this happen? Or do you not know?", he asked softly, with slight itch of harshness, not towards her, but towards the man.
Erin nodded solemnly sudden. Her eyes looked sad and far away, as if she were trying to search the future for answers. "I do not know. Dear Winnie has yet to accept his proposels. She swore to me that she did not love him...But I know Winifred well. She will eventually comply to her family's wishes." Erin suddenly looked frantic. She took both of Alexander's hands in hers, eyes pleading. "Just make sure it does not happen. Phillip Astor is not the man he is believed to be." She snapped out of her small trance when there was a knock on the door. Winnie poked her head in. "Ms. Waverly, I apologize for the interuption, but I must be going. I wished only to say goodbye to you. And farewell, Sir Vlad...Alexander, I mean." She offered a tiny smile before gently closing the door once more. Winnie started towards the exit.
Phillip Astor. That was the mans name, Alexander would make sure that that man would be shamed. Therefor leading to the beak up of him and Winifred's arranged marriage.
Alexander smiled softly at Winifred and bowed his head respectfully. He looked to Erin and quickly kissed both her hands, he realised that Winifred should not be out at this time, the sun had gone down and the demons of London were just waking.
"Goodbye, sweet Erin, I shall come back soon", he said, smiling and giving her a look that said he had everything in his hands.
He rushed through the building and outside on the street to see Winifred," Winifred!", he said.
Suddenly he was behind her, grabbing her forearm to stop her gently," You should not be out alone at this time".
Winnie felt her heart lurch a little in her chest when she heard her name called. Perhaps she was just a little skittish considering the time of day. She had good instincts and knew when things were...not the way they should be. She stopped, turning to face Alexander without pushing him away from her. "Oh, I shouldn't?" She smiled slightly. "Careful now, Monsieur, you're sounding like my father." Winnie had spent a year in France during her studies, and sometimes dropped words unintentionally. "Even roses have thorns, Sir. I can take care of myself, as well."
Winnie glanced around. She was a proud girl and had read about defensive strategies in books. Surely she could get herself out of any situation with that kind of knowledge. "If you should like to accompany me, I wouldn't object, though. And please, call me Winnie."
Alexander looked at Winifred- now Winnie- and smiled pleasingly," Oh, I am well aware that you can protect yourself. But I still feel uneasy of letting you walk alone". When he heard Winnie speak French his cold, unmoving heart felt like it suddenly lurched.
It suited her and pleased him to know she knew French," Ah, you speak French as well as being an unorthodox women", he chuckled.
Winnie smiled slightly. "How kind of you." She wasn't worried about the dangers, but appreciated the company. Especially his company, for some reason. To Winifred, this man was an enigma that she just had to solve."You think me unorthodox? Well, I apologize for misleading you. If you got to know me a little better, you would be greatly dissapointed. I am hardly beyond ordinary." She chuckled. "Vous êtes le mystérieux." (Translation: You are the mysterious one.)
There truly was something unsettling about the air around them. It was still and too silent. If Winifred had been walking alone, the quiet might have driven her to madness. The atmosphere was almost in anticipation for something. Winifred had shivers down her spine too, as if something might jump out at any second.
But having Alexander Vlad there did something about that, almost as if a small sphere of warmth surrounded them and protected them from the outside. There was something all too familiar about it.
"Oh, believe me, Winnie, you are far from an ordinary woman", Alexander stated, walking beside her and smiling amusingly. He suddenly looked to her as she spoke another language, he looked to her and questioned," Is that Latin?".
He was familiar with Latin, but was not at all fluent with it. Yet, he was not sure if that was the language she spoke. However, it did not bother him, he just knew now how smart this woman truly was.
Not just a beauty, but a brain as well.
Winnie let out a light laugh. "Just French. Latin never really clicked with me, actually." She seemed a little embarrassed to say that, and she was. Practically every other girl from finishing school had no problem with Latin, but French came a lot easier to Winifred. She knew some basic conversation things in many languages, though. "Um...Quanam es tempestas hodie? I think that is Latin for....something about the weather." She chuckled. "I told you I wasn't very good with it."
She let out a sigh as they walked onward. Home was really the last thing Winifred had on her mind at the moment. She was pretty content just...being here with this enigma of a man. "What about you, Sir...Alexander, I mean? I'm sure you have a lot of extra ordinary things about you...?"
Alexander chuckled as they conversed about languages, to him it seemed okay that she knew less Latin and more French. If that's what she preferred why not? He felt she should not compare herself to her other piers, she was much more educated than anyone he had met. "Me? Unordinary? Some may think so", Alexander said, walking at a steady pace to prolong the night with Winnie. He enjoyed her company.
"My life- is somewhat unordinary", he said with slight amusement, because he was telling her the truth without truly telling her.
He could not tell her of what he was.
Winifred Chevely turned serious. She studied Alexander with her big blue eyes, wondering who exactly this man was. Perhaps she was just a little too naive to believe that he could be dangerous at all."Unordinary?" There was a small smile on her lips. "How so?"
But it didn't seem like he planned on telling her. Winnie sighed. When she spoke, her voice was soft and thoughtful. "There's something different about you....I cannot quite put a finger on it, but I know it's there. You aren't like other men, Alexander."
And then, Winnie seemed to realize something. She looked around, noting there location. They had gotten a little ways away from the busy side of the town and you could see trees through the alleyway, where the local forest area started. Winnie smiled. "Would you like me to show you something?" She asked. There was a certain place in the woods that Winifred always went to as a child when she explored. She hadn't been there since she left for school!
Alexander dismissed her curious questions of how unordinary and unorthodox he was, he had truly put his foot in it, as some would say. He looked at her softly with a slight smirk on his face as she spoke of him not being like other men. Too smart for your own good, he thought as he looked into her fascinating blue eyes. Then he wondered how Winnie would truly react to what he was, to the monster he had become.
Of course then he realised she would completely dislike it and most probably never converse with him again.
"Of course I'd like to see something, you have very much gotten my attention now, Winnie", he said, amusement in his voice and on his face.
He placed his top hat on his head and folded his arm, he offered it to her and said," Shall we, mi' lady?".
Winnie laughed, a light tinkling sound resembling bells. She took his arm gently. "Why yes, monsieur." She had been taught manners in finishing school, actually being drilled on them on a regular basis. Winifred was formed into the perfect daughter for the Chevely's.Except for the fact that she was about to go explore the woods in the dark with a man she barely knew...That probably wasn't the most practical thing to do. But Winnie was blinded by her desire to see the old childhood hiding place.
"This way..." Winifred led him into through the brush and into the coverage of the trees. Once they had journeyed far enough, Winnie unlaced her arm from his and went foreward to push back the folliage of a willow tree. She then stepped through it.
On the other side was a small, mossy clearing with a river bank glowing through the other side. Winnie still remembered discovering it by accident when she was but eleven years old.
"Dear me". Alexander was speechless. In all his long years of living he had never seen such a beautiful place. It seemed bizarre to have something so story like and fairy tale in this world, in the city of London. He gazed upon the river and the glowing plants, it all amazed him.
Alexander took his hat off slowly and then looked to Winnie with a somewhat shocked smile on his face, like an unbelievable vision appeared before him.
"It is very beautiful, breathing taking", even though he had no heart that needed breathing.
"You came here as a child? You must have had a very imaginative child hood", he said, smiling softly.
Winnie chuckled. "Amazing, isn't it? This was originally here to be a park, one where people could come get a glimpse of nature away from the city. It never became popular, unfortunately. So, eventually they stopped hiring caretakers and it was left to be. Just a little nature reserve now..." The thought seemed to sadden Winifred. Why would no one want to come here?Then, Winifred Chevely smiled. "Imaginative? I suppose so." She sighed, sitting down on a giant moss covered rock and crossing her ankles. Her dress was dark green and it seemed that if Winnie wanted, she could simply become part of the forest forever, blending in so well that no one could ever find her. "Exploring was always more exciting than lessons and political parties. You can see how one might have to imagine another life for herself completely, one much less droll!" She laughed lightly. "What about you, Sir Vlad? Did you never have your own little adventures as a child?" She smiled.
Alexander listened as she spoke, he looked at her and said," How could anyone not want to come here? It's simply refreshing and beautiful". Alexander had always loved taking a minute and wondering the fields, he had loved watching nature at it's best. It was exquisite to watch just beings in their everyday life, to be away from ordinary and routine was what Alexander liked.
He looked at Winnie and shook his head, a bitter yet soft laugh escaping his lips," My father did not think me to be a child, I was a man by the time I had reached the age of seven. My father used to tell me that adventure was for the less fortunate to feel better, that adventure was a false perception. So I believed him".
Letting out a small chuckle, Winnie added. "I'm afraid most don't think the way you do, unfortunately." She then let out a soft sigh, glancing around at the small clearing. A small plaque was at the base of a tree opposite of her, now covered in vines and leaves and all other things that nature could throw at it, as if Mother Earth didn't want it there at all. The thought made Winnie smirk slightly.When Winnie got that little peek at Alexander's past, of course she was curious to know the rest of it. Perhaps she should have been worrisome, as she was practically in the middle of no where with a man she barely knew, a man shrouded in mystery. Winnie had no fear, though, too naive and blinded by her quest to unmask this stranger. She did, however, feel some sympathy for him now. No one should have to grow up to fast. So, Winnie stood, walking over to him and placing a reassuring hand on his arm. "Well, there's always time for new adventures, Alexander." She said softly. If Winnie were to every meet his father, she would have a few selective words for him...
Alexander smiled back at Winnie, he sensed it was too late to have adventure. He was no longer in the state of mind to nor was he a child, yet somehow he would not mind trying to have more of a relaxed sense to him. Though his father now would be very disappointed in his way of life now, although he was no longer a living man.
"I suppose", he commented, placing his hands in his pockets and looking around," But I feel I have done enough to last me a life time now".
If only she knew that he was no mortal man, in fact he was a man who had been living for a long time now.
Biting her lip, Winnie dropped her hand and took a few steps away from Alexander, back turned to him as she looked around at the scene. She let out a soft sigh. "What have you done, then?" She asked, though the words came out rather quietly, more to herself. Winnie knew there was something not quiet right about Alexander Vlad, but she had no clue as to what that was. It wasn't anything that really made her uneasy, though, as she realized fear was not something that would benefit her. "Have you always lived in London, monsieur? I don't recall hearing of your name before yesterday...Of course I mean no offense by that." She added, still not turning to face him. Winnie was busy thinking, trying to piece together some type of puzzle.
Alexander suddenly looked up as she asked herself a question, a question he did not want to answer. So instead he dismissed it and pretended he had not heard anything. He looked over her, even though she faced away from him. He looked around and then looked back at her," No, I have not lived in London my whole life. I have been to many places: Italy, America, France, Russia..."
Winnie was a bit amazed at all the places he had been. France was as far away from home that she'd ever been. "That sounds adventurous." She said, a small smile on her face, as if she had done something to prove her own point. She remained staring at the creek, watching the water run through the rocks. For a moment, Winifred imagined that the water had turned red. Blood red. She blinked, and the vision was gone. "You must lead an exciting life, Sir Vlad." She went back and forth now with saying his actual name and not. "What do you do for a leaving that causes such travel? And what are those places like?" She sounded excited for the moment, like a little girl dreaming about growing up. Now, she was a young women, dreaming of getting away, going anywhere but here.
Alexander watched her back, observing her body language and trying to figure her out. Yet he could not completely place a single aspect on her."I have gotten the money from family, many family members were rich and they passed it down. But I occasionally dabble in plantations and science", he replied. He then straightened and thought back to all the countries he had been," They are wonderful. Out of the world we live in. It is peaceful and welcoming".
((Sorry! Didn't see this...))The thought made Winnie smile. All sorts of wonderous, beautiful places were out there for her to see one day...if she ever got out of London again, that is. By the looks of it, Winifred was once again stuck here.
She closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the breeze off the water. It was getting dark out, and a little chilly. Winnie didn't want to go home, though. She just wanted to stay in this moment. "Why, monsieur, must you answer all questions so vaguely?" She let out a small laugh before glancing at him over her shoulder. She had another question now. "Who were all those people at your party? I say, I didn't recognize the majority of them!" Maybe she had just been away for too long...
Alexander laughed softly. But stopped immediately after she had asked of the guests at his masquerade party. He looked at her and then away from her, taking a moment to face reality and try not to tell her of who and what he was. "Some of them were family and some long loyal friends. They came from all over the world, some are still in London", he said, slightly stuff yet trying to answer her question fully.
He could not decide whether or not them being in London was a good thing.
Winnie finally turned to face nim, cocking her head to the side and watching him curiously. "Hm..." There was a sort of ammused look in her eyes. Yes, that answer explained things, but Winifred didn't know if it was a truthful one.She simply shook her head, turning back to face the river and not him. Her mannerisms were of someone who was annoyed or who had just lost interest in a conversation. It was a little annoying tha the wouldn't tell her anything! But why should he? She had only known him for a day. Maybe his past wasn't as pleasant as her own. So, Winnie tried to change the subject. "Well, how long do you think you'll be staying in London?"
Alexander could tell that his short and unhelpful responses were becoming irritating to hear. She seemed annoyed and somewhat on edge.
Alexander faced her back again, observing her once more.
"For as long as I can", he announced, looking over her," I am not quite done with London".
That he knew for sure. That was one of the questions he knew to answer.
To this, Winnie smiled to herself. Part of her was certainly happy to hear that. She wasn't done trying to figure Alexander out. After another moment, Winnie turned away from the water, sauntering over to him once more."I do believe it's getting late." She said, a small, bashful smile on her lips. "Father might get a little edgy if I'm out too long, you know. Would you be so kind as to walk a lady home?"
((What should happen next?))
((Maybe his vampire instincts take over because he is hungry, so he goes to feed on her as they walk home))Alexander placed his top hat on his head, he bowed his head slightly as a smile tugged on his lips. "Why yes, sweet lady, I would be honored to walk you home", he teased. He walked towards her and extended his arm to her," Shall we?".
He was glad he was staying in London a while longer, he was not yet done with the area.
Nor was he done with Winnie.
((Sure :) ))Winnie laughed softly, taken his arm. "We shall." She smiled, studying his expression for a moment before looking away shyly. She glanced at the ground, cheeks colored pink.
She didn't say anything as they left the forest area and walked through the town. It was dark out now, but the streets were busy with those who enjoyed the night life. And all the bad people, of course. Who knows what might have happened if Winnie were to walk home alone...
"Do I embarrass the lady?", he asked, noticing that she was blushing. Even though he was looking ahead, he smirked at her expression. He walked at her pace, moving with her and becoming one as they practically joined.
He felt himself becoming slightly irritated, his throat became more dryer but he could hold it and bare it.
For now.
How did he...? He wasn't even looking her way, yet he seemed to know she was blushing. She looked up at him, eyes full of curiosity. "Not at all." She said after a moment of silence. Winifred brushed her hair behind her shoulder with her other hand, smiling to herself as they walked onward. Suddenly, she tugged on his arm. "Come on, I know a shortcut." She said with a little wink, heading towards a back alley where there were no people, unknowinglt making it all to easy for her to be in danger.
Alexander soon had to stop, he had to stop because his throat had become even more sore and his mind was piercing. He felt as though he needed blood now, soon the control he had on would slip. He looked and moved away from Winnie and leaned against the brick wall," Winnie, you must go, get away from me", he begged.
Winifred blinked, surprised by his sudden action. She immediately became worried, moving closer to him instead of away. Winnie took a step over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Alexander, what is the matter with you?" She said, concerned. "Are you ill? Do you need a doctor?" She tried to study him, looking for any signs of sickness. It had to be that, right? Why else would he be so rude to her so suddenly? Honestly, it kind of stung.
"Get away from me!", Alexander shouted. But it was too late.
As soon as she touched his arm and came closer the beast and savage in him took over his moral and kind behavior. He turned to face her and grabbed her, wrapping his hand around her neck and pushing her against the wall, suddenly shifting positions. He did not think, instead he looked at her with eyes as red as the blood that coursed through her veins.
Before he knew it he had bit into her neck, feeling her blood travel around his body.
((I have an idea: we could say that maybe he gets too carried away with drinking her blood. She blacks out but he comes to his senses and stops but ends up taking her to his castle where he explains his secrets))
((Sounds good to me :) ))Winnie was ready to go run to get him help. That was, until she was pushed against the wall and his hand was around her throat. At first she thrashed and tried to kick Alexander, frightened beyond belief. What was wrong with him?! Was he going to hurt her...or worse?
Her fighting did nothing, as he seemed to have some sort of super human strength. The next thing Winifred knew, his teeth were at her neck, sinking in it to her jugular. She gasped, feeling a very sharp, distinctive pain there, and it spread, stunning her. After a moment, it was replaced with an odd sense of euphoria. And then she was numb as she started to lose consciousness, mumbling something as her eyes fluttered closed and her face grew pale.
Alexander felt her body become limp under his grip, he soon and very slowly came to his senses then after. He pulled away from her and saw that he had left her neck bleeding slightly, the blood crawling out of her body and down her neck. "Oh, what have I done?", he asked, wide eyed an shocked. He wiped away the excess blood around his mouth, picked her up in his arms and headed to his castle where he lay her in the one of the guest rooms bed. Alexander heard someone come up behind him as he closed the door to the guest bedroom.
"I warned you, Alexander", Esme said, crossing her arms and shaking her head.
Winnie eventually passed out from loss of blood, her face losing its color and her body going limp as she lost consciousness. The last thought she had before she blacked out? This is it. She had no clue what she was in store for. Once she was in the bed, Winifred started to dream. In the dream, she was bleeding of course, as she feared that was still the case in reality. Certainly her father would be wondering where she was, and come rescue her before she bled out in the dream. How would he be able to save her in real life, though? She was going to die, wasn't she? Not without a fight, that was for sure.
After awhile, the life entered her features once more. Her mind started to wake up, and her eyes fluttered a bit. Winnie was stirring.
Alexander had heard her stirring all the way from his home library. He made his way through the shadows of his castle as he saw the guest bedroom come in sight. He opened the door and closed it behind him, though he stayed in the dark and against the door, giving her some space.
"Winnie?", he asked softly and hesitantly.
Winnie stirred more, her eyes slowly opening as she heard her name. Was it her father waking her up for the day? Perhaps the whole thing had just been a dream...And then she realized that this wasn't her bed and the voice didn't belong to her father. It was Alexander Vlad. She immediatlly sprang out of the bed, scurrying to the opposite side of the room and staring at him with wide eyes. "Stay...stay away from me!" She said, trying to make it a warning.
Alexander could see the terror that she felt. He could especially hear her heart almost beating out of her chest, which was a definite sign of fear.
"There is no reason to be scared of me. I know what I did was very unorthodox and unusual. But I have an explanation to everything", he stated softly.
As Winnie started to remember the full incident, one hand reached up to touch her neck softly. "You...you bit me..." She said, almost trying to make herself believe the events that occuried. Winnie had walked back so that her back was touching the wall now. If he wanted to hurt her, she would be defenseless and with no means of escape.
"Then start talking." She said, almost a whisper. Winifred narrowed her eyes at him.
Alexander stayed where he was, not moving but standing steadily and still. He placed his hands in his pockets and laughed bitterly," Would you believe me if I said that I am a monster? A so called fictional creature you tell children about to make them sleep". He sighed, finally looking up to face her and said," I am a vampire".
A million emotions passed through Winifred's eyes, her brain on high alert. There was fear, of course, though she hid it with her blind courage and stubborn will. Then, there was denial. "Funny." She said through her teeth. Winnie grabbed the nearest thing she could find, a leather bound book from the nightstand, and held it up as if she intended to use it as a weapon if necessary. Still, if Winnie's memory served correctly...he drank the blood from her neck. Isn't that what those creatures did in old lores? Winifred decided to take a rational approach. "If you were a...a, you know, then why on Earth would you tell me? Why would you even let me leave at all?" She would find holes in his explanation, prove to herself that he was crazy and not her....that such things were impossible.
Alexander should have gotten one of his apprentices to hypnotise her to forget all this, too much was being revealed. One day it would hurt her.
Alexander suddenly stepped forward, but because of his vampire speed he had soon traveled further than he anticipated. He was very close to Winnie, inches away even.
"I am a monster, but I have grown very fond of your company. Also, I don't like to kill innocent people", Alexander stated, looking down on her with a straight face. Yet he still had slightly emotion of regret and sorrow, he knew that she must have been very confused.
Winnie had backed up against the wall already, so was now trapped there by Sir Vlad, trying to calm her rapid heartbeat. Fond of my company... Earlier, she would have been flattered by such comment, and perhaps have blushed. Now, she could only speak in a sharp whisper. "Generally if you're fond of someone's company, you do not try to eat them." She said, a hostile and witty reply. Yet, there was an underlying tone of empathy. Winifred had calmed down a lot, letting things settle into her mind. If Alexander was telling the truth....Oh, what a curious thing! How many other mysteries were conceiled in this world?
Alexander did not dare look at her, he simply looked down and left his gaze to wander the wooden floor. He placed his hands behind his back and stepped back, giving Winnie her space. "Yes, you are completely right", he stated, finally looking up to look into her eyes emptily,"But I can not control who I am when I am hungry, when I become the beast you saw any civil and emotion in me leaves". It was true, he could not control it. It would come and go as it pleased and would control and consume him till he fulfilled the demand.
((Sorry to interrupt but can both of you guys post on ours?))
((Sure thing, I'll do it later on because I'm heading off to school))
Erin raised an eyebrow at Alexander. "Hmm...Well, I suppose I would be doing slightly better if you would not tell me untruths." She smirked slightly. She had always been an eccentric woman and she certainly looked the part of a witch. "Now, speak what is truly on your mind." She said as she gathered her cards and slid them back inside their case. She set the tarot cards on the shelf behind her that also housed many other unusual objects. "Go on. Spit it out, now." She commanded, though she sounded more like a nurturing mother than a commander.
Meanwhile, Winifred had found something in the main room while she waited for Ms. Waverly to finish doing business. A book labeled The History of Magic and the Supernatural: Vol. 1. Curious as always, Winnie opened it to a random page. She was suprised to find that it was in a language she didn't recognize, one that must have been very old, for the book seemed very old. But, if Winifred had been able to read it, she would see that this section spoke of those who survived by feeding on living. Vampires.