Sibiu

[Bloodedge]

"Fortune favors the cautious, my lady," Sorin replied, finding this young woman's words to be almost laughable. Following the acceptance of his offer to escort the woman, he felt the light tingle of a grin forming upon his face. This occurrence could have revealed him immediately, but when his lips parted to show his teeth, not a single fang was present. He looked to have nothing more than a flawless pair of pearly white, human chompers. His back arched as his right arm escaped his cloak, crossing over his chest with outstretched fingers nearly touching his shoulder. In that same moment, he bowed his head as well. "If you worry not for your own safety, allow me the pleasure of worrying for you, my lady. I will ensure your safe journey home, be there dangers or not. Allow me to first introduce myself." As these words were spoken, Sorin's head rose. His piercing gaze fixated itself once more on the raven-haired female's face, and for a moment, Sorin himself seemed entranced. 'Surely she is no commoner,' he thought, believing one so well off in appearance could not have fallen far from the upper echelons of society. If nothing else, a woman of her age and visage would be married off as early as possible to a man of high stature. Maybe she already had been.

After a moment, Sorin realized he'd allowed his thoughts to escape him. Between offering his introduction and looking upon the human he'd intended to fish information out of, something had gone awry. What was it? One could only wonder. Still, Sorin knew he'd gone silent for a moment too long. He would have to be addressing that. "... Forgive me. It seems I allowed myself to be stunned by your radiance for a moment. I will contain myself henceforth. Sorin. Sorin Lothaire Phantomhive, of the Phantomhive Estate."

[Apollymi]

The young woman seemed to find this man strange. And though she was quite certain of what she'd seen previously, when he smiled at her in these moments, there were no fangs present in his visage. 'Does he hide them? Well obviously, one cannot simply have all their cards on the table like that...' she thought absently. Of course, it was a bit strange to her, that if this man intended to hide, he'd gone so far out of his way to reveal himself. Perhaps it was his plan to convince her she hadn't seen anything of note, if she alluded to having seen anything at all. For now there was naught to do but play the situation by ear. "As you like, sir." was all she had to say on the matter of him worrying over her safety since she wouldn't worry over her own. Of course, this man also said he planned to introduce himself. As such she waited, but it seemed he was quite distracted, his thoughts having gotten away from him for some reason or another.

'I hope he isn't thinking of eating me... that would put a damper on my life...' she thought with the same impassive expression. But soon enough she was being greeted by different words altogether. This man went on to say he'd be stunned by her radiance, and though she knew she was attractive enough to be paid compliments ever so often, something about how this man chose to speak to her caused the faintest hints of a blush to creep up her face. "Sir Phantomhive pays me many compliments with those honeyed words. I accept them of course, as gracefully as I am able. Though to be honest I didn't expect to be offered an escort by a man of such stature," the raven haired lass seemed to be a bit flustered herself, it was as if for a single moment, she'd almost forgotten why she was speaking to this man in the first place.

'The Viscount Phantomhive is a vampire!!' the girls' mind shouted this information at her, but she couldn't simply let go of this conversation and turn tail. Something about this situation was beyond tantalizing. An attractive well off man had taken quite the interest in her, she wondered if her parents would ignore the fact that he counted among the undead when considering her marriage prospects. As she thought this over as well, she seemed to remember that such things weren't presently concerning. "Ah, but I've forgotten myself as well. Kasmina Elise Dacian," she said as she curtsied gracefully as if the motion was practiced daily. "It's a pleasure to meet you." The young woman was the daughter of a baron. And though her father was cash poor they still held a small plot of farm land and a large storage facility as well as a set of stables and a small set of sheep. It was their meager existence on the lower rungs of upper society, which drove the girl into her current position, but that wasn't information that many knew.

[Bloodedge]

Sorin had to maintain his composure by any means necessary. This was among the more difficult things he'd ever done. Blood rose up Kasmina's neck, filling her face. He could smell it... even almost taste it. Was this the thrill he'd been seeking without knowing so all along? Did he wish to feed upon this woman, who seemed to strike a nerve akin to arousal within him. Her blood would undoubtedly be the sweetest drug he'd ever let himself be exposed to, and he suddenly found himself wanting in more ways than he could keep track of. If he gave in, he could manage. Sorin could bed this woman and drain every drop of her blood right at the moment of bliss. He could even make her a thrall and have her in whatever way he desired.

She was a sin.

He could not act on these desires, even as they grew more powerful. To go through with these thoughts was to go against his own faith, which he held strong even as a vampire. He received the female's introduction. Her name rang a bell. "Dacian? Of Baron Dacian's family? I expected about as much," he said while stepping closer. With another bow, he held out his right hand. There was an expectation of Kasmina to place her hand in his, at which point he intended to bring his face within reach of the back of said hand. Another brief moment of hesitation was to follow in this event. This one, however, had nothing to do with his thoughts of drinking this woman... but much to do with other intentions he aimed to suppress. "Lady Kasmina Elise Dacian, who smells of lilac and gooseberries. I assure you, the pleasure is all... mine." With nothing more to say, Sorin would shut his eyes and gently press his lips against the hand he held in his.

[Apollymi]

As this man struggled internally against his very real demons, Kasmina, was left to appreciate that she hadn't simply been killed at any point. 'This is surprisingly going much better than expected...' the girl's thoughts were all about her prolonged survival, though even she had to admit, she'd had less interesting conversations. Beyond this it seemed that this man recognized her family name, and even the claim to nobility that her father had. She simply nodded at this information. "Yes, the Baron Dacian is my father, and I am his eldest child..." she mentioned casually. Wondering if this one was willing to out himself by taking the life of one such as herself. Her father was no longer a seriously prosperous individual, but her family name still carried a bit of weight, enough at least that she had a great number of suitors waiting in line for whatever marriage plans her father had lined up. Though she didn't intend to see any of that through, she could at least respect her heritage.

As the man took another step forward, Kasmina had relaxed enough that she seemed unworried about his approach. A bow enused and a hand extended which caused her to place her own within it. This of course left her to carry her briefcase using only her left hand while the man busied himself with a more formal exchange of introduction, which was quite common among the upper echelons of society. 'Am I sure of what I saw?' she mentally questioned herself. This man was being uncommonly nice if he'd hunted her down just because she'd witnessed his night stalking activities. Beyond this, the more he spoke to her, the more she realized he was truly charming and quite attractive. Surely such an individual couldn't be some secret creature of the night, but...

Fortune favors the cautious.

Sorin had uttered these words himself, and they were ones she'd held fast in her own mind in this moment. She wouldn't admit to anything. That being said, she couldn't deny the distinct feeling which caused another blush to creep up her face as this man's lips met the back of her hand. She couldn't remember a time in which anyone had stirred such feelings in her. It seemed to completely slip past her notice that he claimed she smelled of lilac and gooseberry. Things which she enjoyed personally but she'd just spent the evening in a smoky tavern, she expected she should smell like ale, and perhaps a warm hearth, but never anything tart and sweet. "You're quite charming, sir. Those words belie a kindness, of which I can only hope I am deserving, thank you." the girl managed, her own words slowly drawn out as if every syllable had to be thought about. Her flesh was still warm and tingly where his lips had touched her, but perhaps this was some form of trickery. Something to ignore, many men fancied her and paid her compliments. So what made his commentary different enough to illicit such a reaction from her? 'Flirting with danger, Mina.' she thought to herself as they carried on, she could only hope they'd begin moving again quickly enough that she might leave this entire situation behind her, and let the nightmare of what she'd seen, disappear in her dreams.

[Bloodedge]

"The Baron Dacian... I am sure many men envy his genes, to have produced such a gem." Sorin lingered over Kasmina's hand briefly, only to loosen an already gentle grip upon it to allow a calm slide of the hand away from him. He rose then, offering his hand again for different reasons entirely. "Allow me," he said, alluding to the briefcase carried by this woman. If he were to be an escort, it would only fall within common courtesy to take the lady's luggage. With the passage of time, he all but forgot his original intentions in approaching Kasmina... but not quite. The vampire remained curious as to what she knew, but felt the odds would be in his favor by this day's end regardless. All he had to do was restrain himself until her home was reached.

The conversation at hand was making it difficult for Sorin to remain composed. The second blush of the night came from Kasmina. At this point, Sorin could not tell what was so appealing to him. it could have been the scent of blood finer than aged wine. Just as likely, it could have been simply the way that very same blood applied its rosy hue to amplify the already creamy flesh of her cheeks. Bite or bed? This was the question resonating within a soul struggling for salvation, but doomed to damnation. Resist was the answer which came still. "I assure you, my lady, that you are deserving of far more than what such measly words can portray. Alas, we should not tarry. Let us away."

[Apollymi]

Sorin had lingered just a few seconds longer than most would have deemed necessary. But still, Kasmina found herself waiting with bated breath, as the young man allowed her hand to fall gently from his grasp and he stood from his bow. This interaction had been tense, and not for the reasons which Kasmina had imagined they would be initially. In this moment she could almost push from her mind that she saw him feasting upon the life's blood of another being, and simply see him as a charming young man offering to walk her home. "I'm sure many would agree with that sentiment," she said quite wistfully.

The extension of his hand towards the case she carried brought a wariness from her which hadn't originally been within her person. Even as he jumped out of a street in front of her seemingly out of nowhere. In the briefest of pauses she considered her options in this moment, but she'd never taken anything from the Viscount. He was likely unaware of the business she conducted and as such he wouldn't abscond with her things. Beyond that he had no reason to. "My life is in this case, Viscount, please treat it with care," she offered before allowing him to hold on to it for her. Such a thing was almost outside of her reason, but given the outcome of her being without the things in the case and her being in the care of a hungry vampire, she figured her odds were about the same. It seemed this man loved to pay his compliments and went so far as to insinuate that his words simply weren't enough, he went on to state that they shouldn't tarry and as such she began to walk with mild interest towards her own home, wondering of course what this man got out of this exchange. 'Does he know what I know? Is he softening me up for a kill?'

[Bloodedge]

Kasmina's retort gave Sorin some insight to her life as it stood. With these few simple words, he'd come to a conclusion about the marital status of this woman. "It goes to figure one such as yourself would have many suitors," he replied. Such an assumption had already been made, based solely on Kasmina's visage and the social status of her father. It would be a boon for any man of lesser or equal status to be married into connections with such a family.

His offer to carry her case was accepted with some hesitation. It was strange that she'd hesitated at all; this briefcase had to be of major importance. Her words which followed gave credence to this, but he had no intentions other than to safeguard it no matter its importance. As he took it in his left hand, he made this known. "All the more reason to leave it in my hands, my lady. Your very life will be in my care until we part this night. God as my witness, I will allow no harm to come to you and your belongings." Another toothy, yet fangless grin accompanied this claim. He was quite serious about this. Sorin was always a God-fearing man, even being a vampire, so he'd have nothing happen to someone placed in his care so long as he could do something about it. Even if he became forced to reveal himself as a vampire this night, he would do so to honor his word. He would only have to then do something to the extent of wiping her memory of this night's events. After all, Sorin was no murderer. Taking off after Kasmina, he quickly caught up to take her side as they walked. "Is your home very far from here?"

[Bloodedge]

Three days after the chance meeting between one Kasmina Elise Dacian and a vampire, the former's family would be receiving a visitor at their doorstep. A male figure of massive proportions traversed the long walkway to the Dacian residence, with a black warhorse in tow. This flawlessly-chiseled hulk of a man sported bronze armor with much open space upon his arms and thighs, and a red cape with golden fur framing his neckline and shoulders. His warhorse was adorned with armor and a saddle of similar make, but what truly stood out about this pair was a feature of the man himself. Even the dazzling glow of amber eyes took a back seat to the burning red hair upon his head and face. This was not the hair of a native. It looked as if the male's head had caught fire, and the flame had spread down either side of his face to meet at his chin, only to then rise up into his bottom lip.

He was a Baron of the Scottish Highlands, who'd been working toward building a new life over the past month or so. Some time ago, he'd received a letter from a Baron of these lands - a man offering his daughter's hand to the highest prospect. At this point in his life, this man needed a ball and chain, so he'd chosen to throw his hat in the ring, so to speak. A mighty knock of his massive right hand would announce an arrival to the residence at last...

[Apollymi]

Some three days after the ill-fated meeting between Kasmina and Sorin, a knock thundered the door of the Dacian Residence. A man stout but well built, one Baron Dacian went to answer assuming his plan to marry his daughter off was finally starting to come into play. He'd heard rumors of a few suitors more willing to approach before and as such he always expected a visit or two per day. So he went to answer the door, while his first born son also contributed to his plans, albeit unknowingly. As the Baron Dacian opened the door, a small boy with dark hair no older than three years went running by the door, his eyes alight with laughter and giggles escaping him as he slipped out the door beside his father, and if one actually looked they would see in his hands a lace bonnet which he'd taken from somewhere else in the house. And someone was giving chase to him.

"Oh? You must be one of the suitors... I'm the Baron Dacian and that was my first born son. Children that age are full of energy, but I am sure you will know all about that eventually." He said stepping outside the door and looking up at the massive war horse. "Fine steed you have there sir, what pray tell is your name?" he asked of the man as the person giving chase to the three year old was soon to make herself known.

Dark lashes framed large green eyes which narrowed at the scene before her. She managed only a quick apology as she slipped by, though those emerald eyes widened greatly when she noticed this man's stature compared to even that of her father. And his rather astonishing contrasting burning red hair. 'That man is old enough to be my father! And huge! For once I hope he's poor...' she thought to herself as she didn't want anything to do with what she was seeing. Even so, she managed to hold her face and keep for the prize she actually needed at the moment given the requests for appropriate dress from her father. "Apologies, sirs. I have a baby to catch. Cosmin! Return my bonnet at once!" the young woman chimed. As a trail of long dark locks followed her otherwise perfectly dressed body out of the door and she chased down this child with all the energy of a young person and a smile on her face. Though she didn't like her present life situation, she did love her little brother quite a bit and as she chased the boy out into the grasses she was apparently content to play with him once she finally caught him, there while her father carried on whatever conversation he meant to. "And that, was my daughter. Normally more charming than that, but... she's always a bit freer when playing with her younger brother. Plenty of experience with small children, as you can see..." the man was speaking of the girl like he was aiming to spark extra interest her looks alone wouldn't garner.

[Bloodedge]

A patient wait was not long for this man. Little time passed before his knocking received a response from the man of the house himself. In this very moment, a young boy came running through the open door. The Scotsman shifted himself out of the way with a couple of light steps. His gaze fell upon this boy in passing. It seemed the child had taken something not his, and run off with it. "Ho, where ye goin', wee waen?" he spoke through a chortle, in a voice that was shockingly high-octave for his brutish appearance. The man's attention bounced then, reaching his fellow Baron. "Top o' the mornin' tae ye. I be the Baron Gregor MacLaird, come tae take ye up on yer offer... somethin' aboot..."

Gregor's statement came to an abrupt end. This was the fault of the second individual to come bursting through the door. This one, though, was in pursuit of the child. It was none other than the very woman he'd come to negotiate for. Her hair was notably the most outstanding thing to meet Gregor's gaze, but a quick inspection let him believe her to be capable of healthy child-birthing. Her interactions with the small lad brought a gentle smile to an otherwise stonelike face. "Aye, a man is always wantin' fer a fiesty bonnie li'ah'. No mere wench, that lassy."