[center][h1][i][color=palevioletred]Claudia Aluredes[/color] & [color=mediumpurple]Annika Prescott[/color][/i][/h1][/center]
Annika was sitting in the living room when Claudia walked out of Alex's room. She had her eyes closed and looked as though she was sleeping. She didn't move and unlike most of the other vampires she spent her time with, this one didn't bother with the pretense of breathing. With her delicate features, she looked like a doll. Claudia walked over to her, watching her warily. Another Prescott. Another original. She wasn't sure if she was a friend or someone she should be careful around. Lately she had been getting used to being around vampires. Trusting them too much might prove hazardous to her health. Or at least those that didn't belong to the household.

[color=mediumpurple]"Claudia, was it?"[/color] Annika slowly opened her eyes. She turned her head slightly towards the couch and nodded her head at it. [color=mediumpurple]"Sit. I am not someone you should be wary of. I have no intentions of harming you."[/color]

Claudia stared at her for a few moments before she decided to accept the vampire's invitation to sit. There was no sense in being hostile. The Prescotts will soon be her family. This one was a Prescott too. But not being hostile didn't mean that she should be lax. Practicing caution would be wise. 

As soon as Claudia took a seat, Annika gave her a small smile. [color=mediumpurple]"My name is Annika. Ani, if you will,"[/color] she introduced herself graciously. Her green eyes studied Claudia carefully. [color=mediumpurple]"I was afraid you would not make it with the amount of injuries you had last night. It would have been a shame if you had not survived. I would have missed this chance to talk and see why Alex would want to marry a wolf."[/color] 

Annika's straightforward way of speaking would have irritated Claudia. But there was something about her, a sense of serenity and sadness that was relaxing and automatically put her at ease. [color=palevioletred]"I would have been happy just to stay by his side. Even without marriage. But...I'm beyond happy that he would want to be with me the way I want to be with him."[/color] Her words earned her an approving smile from the vampire.

[color=mediumpurple]"You have imprinted on Alex, have you not? It is such a rare thing to see between two so very different species. I am... intrigued. Will you allow me to attend your wedding?"[/color]

Claudia's eyes widened at the question. It was unexpectedly respectful. [color=palevioletred]"Of course. The Prescotts are Alex's family. And soon to be mine."[/color]

Annika paused for a moment. [color=mediumpurple]"Where is your brother?"[/color]

Claudia blinked. She was sure that she nor Caius had never encountered the vampire before. [color=palevioletred]"How do you---"[/color]

Annika smiled. [color=mediumpurple]"It does not take a mind reader to see that you are missing something. While Alex is no doubt your other half, there is still something missing. A sibling is the most plausible guess."[/color]

Claudia sighed. The vampire was terribly insightful and she was right. [color=palevioletred]"He belongs with his mate and has followed after her."[/color]

Annika gave her another gentle smile. [color=mediumpurple]"Do not worry. He will come if you ask him to."[/color]

Claudia smiled back and decided that she actually liked the vampire. [color=palevioletred]"Thank you,"[/color] she murmured and then belatedly realizing that she looked familiar, she tilted her head. [color=palevioletred]"Ani... Annika... you don't happen to be Annika Luminova, are you?"[/color]

Annika raised an eyebrow in surprise. [color=mediumpurple]"I did not think anyone in America would recognize who I am."[/color] She chuckled. [color=mediumpurple]"But yes, I am she that you speak of."[/color]

[hr][center][@Wick] [@King Tai] [@Venku] [@BlackPanther] [@RumikoOhara][/center]