[hider=Tension and Snacks] [center] [h1][color=f49ac2]Amaris[/color] and [color=f26522]Cassandra[/color] ~Following Cassandra's Adventures~[/h1] [sub]Interacting with: each other A [@Gisk] and [@WeepingLiberty] collab[/sub] [/center] Still perched at her vanity, Amaris cast the book aside with a groan of frustration. There had been little in the way of a response from the person she reached out to, often a sign the house was busy with other matters or perhaps that the subject matter was predicted and promptly ignored. Left to her own devices, the countess had tried several different methods to replicate the book’s instruction but had little luck in actually achieving a result. She glanced down at her fingertips noting the many puncture wounds she had haphazardly inflicted upon herself. It was a stretch to say the least, but Amaris had hoped that there might have been a natural talent for the lost art that would reveal itself under the right circumstances. Up until this point, it had seemed that just bleeding all over the tome was enough to trigger the desired responses, however this time would not be so forgiving. There had to be some trick she was missing, a mispronounced word or a clearer intention for the paper to change colors. Whatever it was that she was doing incorrectly, it was clear that she wasn’t going to be able to learn it completely on her own. There was no guarantee that she would have the opportunity to speak to the Lord any time soon but what other resources did she have? The sound of a door opening and closing once more drew the countess’ attention, a light suddenly shining behind Amaris’ eyes. Swiftly finding the book a new home, Amaris rushed for the door excitedly, wondering how she had never thought of it before. Amaris had the perfect resource; her very own mage in training! There were bound to be similarities in concept that Amaris could learn by studying magic through the eyes of a mage. It was far from perfect but what other choice did she have for the moment? Exiting the room, Amaris approached the common space at a much calmer pace than she had her bedroom door. Her smile faltered some as her partner came into view. Cassandra looked flustered about something, her hair somewhat disheveled in appearance… or at least more so than when she had departed for the morning. “[color=f49ac2]I was still up studying when you came in, I thought I would welcome you home… Is everything alright?[/color]” Her tone was mostly confused but still held a hint of concern. With all the houses in attendance, not to mention the events of the other night still fresh in her mind, Amaris couldn’t help but worry that someone might be targeting her new partner. [Color=f26522]"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine."[/color] Cassandra had meant to come in and go straight to her room, but that was far from proper when her partner had come to greet her. She instead veered her course to the sitting room, and took one of the big leather chairs that was facing Amaris. After a quick look down at her hands, she folded them together to hide the blackened right. [Color=f26522]"Well… it's just, I was talking to some older students. We… saw some mage collars. It pi- made me mad."[/color] With an internalized sigh of relief, Amaris turned from Cassandra as she spoke her mind about her outing. She had disappeared from sight for only a few brief moments, returning with a glass of cold water which she held out calmly to the mage. Her expression was a bit more relaxed knowing that there was no immediate threat to her partner but a small degree of concern remained. “[color=f49ac2]I see. It is rather unfortunate that a school as progressive as this would allow such practices to take place so openly within its walls. I’m sorry you had to witness that.[/color]” The countess was far from being a fan of such accessories but there was little to be done about the industry while it still held its current influence. It was one of the many things she sought to change as she grew into her role of nobility but there was little comfort to be offered by unloading political plans upon a disturbed mage. Instead, Amaris tried to offer a kind and reassuring gaze to Cassandra. “[color=f49ac2]The collars... were they fitted to a friend of yours?[/color]” [Color=f26522]"No,"[/color] and yet she went ashy in the face suddenly as she took the glass of water, placing it down on the side table without looking at it. She had just set fire to a dorm because it was happening at all. What would she do if Lilie was wearing a collar the next time they met? Or Salem? Get herself killed in a dramatic gesture, no doubt. She didn't know them that well in all honesty, but she liked them. [Color=f26522]"No, it was a stranger. Strangers. How can that be allowed?[/color] Amaris was patient while Cassandra processed several emotions, expressing each one briefly before moving onto the next. She released the glass as the mage accepted the beverage, but found herself momentarily distracted by the faint scent of smoke that wafted by her. For a moment she pictured Cassandra sitting outside smoking a cigarette with the other students she had mentioned hanging with, but the smell wasn’t strong enough to support such a theory. There was something off about it but Amaris couldn’t quite figure out what it was. Perking up as if she had just remembered she had been asked a question, Amaris pushed aside her wayward thoughts to respond. “[color=f49ac2]There is no excuse for it but it is one of those things that just… is. The accessories don’t often present an immediate danger to the physical health of a mage, so it’s not deemed abuse by the courts.[/color]” It wasn’t much of an explanation, she knew that, but Amaris wasn’t sure what else she could say. It didn’t matter how much she condemned the subject at hand, Cassandra still had to be prepared to continue to see such sights around her. “[color=f49ac2]I hope you know I would never seriously employ such a method with you. That is unless you find that is something you are into?[/color]” Amaris smiled lightly, attempting to lighten the mood if only by a small amount. [Color=f26522]"I… What?"[/color] Cassandra had a sudden vision of Amaris with herself on a leash. Only they weren't in public. She flushed suddenly, radiating a wave of heat that Amaris could feel from where she stood. Cassandra picked up the glass of water and busied herself drinking it. [Color=f26522]"Is it okay if we drop the subject?"[/color] Amaris couldn’t help but laugh at Cassandra’s sudden outburst, the mage’s once ashen complexion returning to a healthy flush. “[color=f49ac2]I suppose we can drop it for- Oh Cassandra! What happened to your hand?[/color]” As Cassandra lifted the glass to her lips, Amaris caught sight of what looked like a nasty scrape on her hand. She found it strange, however, that at no point in time did she pick up on the scent of blood that should have accompanied such an injury. [Color=f26522]"Nothing,"[/color] she answered just a little too promptly. [Color=f26522]"It's just something my skin does. Look.[/color] Cassandra put the glass down and lifted an index finger. A lighter-sized flame appeared, and she pressed it down on her forearm. When she brought her hand away it had left a black mark. [Color=f26522]"It'll go away. Like a red mark when you get slapped. Does that happen to Vampires?"[/color] Stepping closer, Amaris took up Cassandra’s hand in her own. Her grasp was gentle as she ran her fingertips gingerly over the soot colored mark. A part of her was worried that the discoloration was also painful, but having witnessed the mage hold literal flame to her skin with a straightened expression was enough to quell the panic. The detail that sat at the front of her attention was the scent of the flame. There was no material of note to burn, but the flame still carried a unique smell that matched the smoke she thought she had detected earlier in the conversation. Knowing the new mark would soon disappear meant that the original mark had to be somewhat fresh. Cassandra was a bold girl, she had proven that much during the incident with Princess Nox, but Amaris didn’t know her well enough to say what her temper was like. Had seeing the collars really affected her to the point of spontaneous combustion? Or something worse? “[color=f49ac2]I guess we never did get a chance to discuss your affinity, did we? But why were you messing with fire in the first place, you weren’t threatened were you?[/color]” Cassandra flared up in earnest, hiding her(pretty egregious) misdeeds forgotten. [Color=f26522]"I'm not [i]messing[/i] with fire. It's a part of me. Like… like blood is a part of you. You don't [i]dabble[/i] in drinking blood or… or turning into a bat or whatever. How dare you?"[/color] She stood up, mindless of Amaris's proximity, and put her hands on her hips. Cassandra stood a solid four inches shorter, but squared up like she was four taller. Amaris instinctively withdrew a step but straightened to her full posture, icy eyes responding sharply to the mage’s advance. The countess doubted the girl meant any physical harm so that wasn’t her concern, but rather the emotional chord her words struck was really what set the vampire off. “[color=f49ac2]How dare I [i]what[/i]?[/color]” She spat cooly, maintaining her rigid glare. “[color=f49ac2]Do you honestly believe you can draw a comparison between the only substance I can consume to stay, for lack of a better term, alive and a force that if displayed without care will be labelled a weapon? The powers that be won’t care if it’s a part of you or not, they will come and they will take you like they took Minfilia.[/color]” The moment the words passed her lips Amaris took pause and dropped her gaze to the floor, her posture sinking considerably. [color=f26522]”[i]Fire[/i] is a weapon? Are we pretending today,”[/color] she was speaking quietly now, matching some parts of Amaris’s posture, but refusing to look away, [color=f26522]”That no human has ever been killed by having their blood drained? Are you going to…”[/color] Cassandra was going to say, ‘Are you going to threaten me with a disappearance every time I mouth off.’ But she knew perfectly well that that wasn’t what Amaris meant in bringing up the other night. Quite the opposite, she thought. [color=f26522][i]If I’m going to control my magic, I need to control my feelings first, isn’t that what I’ve been learning?[/i][/color] Her stance didn’t shrink down as Amaris’s had, but the tension left her body. She closed her eyes, and with some effort her face smoothed out too. Cassandra stood like this for a moment, and then began a well practiced apology ritual. [color=f26522]”I’m sorry, Countess,”[/color] she said, falling back on manners learned from childhood. She dropped to one knee with the thoughtless ease of someone who has had to do this often. Her head was bowed, and she took the briefest moment to brush her hair to the side, so that the back of her neck was exposed. [color=f26522]”I know that you say these things because you want to protect me. Please, forgive my impudence, and allow me to make amends.”[/color] Amaris took a step forward with a mixed expression. This had all started because Amaris wanted to act like some sort of housewife welcoming their beloved home, and now her mage was bowed before her offering herself up as penance for a pointless disagreement. The countess had half a mind to decline the offer, but the dull ache she felt reminded her that she had yet to fully recover from her previous fast. Rather than stepping around, the countess knelt before Cassandra and reached gingerly for the mage’s arm. She glanced at her palm for a moment, taking in the intensity of Cassandra’s emotions. “[color=f49ac2]Please at least try not to make me worry.[/color]” Amaris chastised half-heartedly before sinking her teeth into Cassandra’s wrist. She hadn’t been anticipating any particular flavor but upon tasting the first few drops of blood, the countess knew that it couldn’t have been any other way. While she bore strong preferences for sweeter drinks, Amaris had to admit Cassandra’s blood was surprisingly refreshing. It filled her with a warmth somehow different from just the normal flush of consumption, an underlying spice that did not overpower but only enhanced. She found it to be exactly how she imagined the mortal drink known as cider to taste if she based it off of scent alone. Amaris couldn’t imagine a better flavor for so kind yet so passionate. Cassandra allowed her arm to be picked up, and her eyes widened suddenly(hidden by her downcast head) when Amaris bit. While she drank, Cassandra straightened herself, so that she was sitting up on her knees, and the two were once more level with each other. She had the smallest ember of anger in the deepest part of her heart, but it was almost drowned out by an intense guilt. She [i]had[/i] caused trouble today, and she had snapped at her partner while trying to hide it. What’s more, the injustices she had fought today seemed to be the antithesis of Amaris. Cassandra was incredibly fortunate to have a partner who cared about her enough to worry. These feelings seemed to wash out in waves as Amaris drank. Cassandra closed her eyes as her head began to swim. She swayed in place and had to brace herself, placing a hand on Amaris's shoulder. [Color=f26522]"I'll try,"[/color] she said in a weak slurring voice. The countess had to keep from chuckling as she pulled gently away from her snack. She supposed the pair were rather lucky she only required something small to carry her through to a proper meal, giving the mage an opportunity of what to expect moving forward. Amaris couldn't help but wonder what it actually felt like to be fed from, considering the question before deciding it was best to ask another day. She quickly ran her tongue across the punctures to aid in their healing before running a thumb by the corners of her lips to catch any escaping drops. "[color=f49ac2]Let's get you to bed, it seems like you've had a long night.[/color]" Twisting about carefully, Amaris positioned herself to scoop the mage up piggyback style, supporting her weight with a fair amount of ease. She knew Cassandra was likely able to walk on her own, albeit a bit shaky, but Amaris didn't want to chance it without first knowing how she reacted to blood loss. Approaching the rooms, Amaris slowed to a halt and carefully set the mage down before her door. She turned and offered support to steady Cassandra's stance. "[color=f49ac2]I can accompany you the rest of the way if you wish, but I think this might be where I bid you pleasant dreams.[/color]" [Color=f26522]"Yes,"[/color] she said dreamily. [Color=f26522]"I mean, no, I can manage. But thanks, you too."[/color] As she turned to walk to her bed, she had the vagur worry that vampires maybe didn't dream. She didn't think that was true, though. They were strange in many ways but not, she thought, quite [i]that[/i] alien to mortals. Cassandra pulled her three blankets over herself, and curled the innermost into a comforting cocoon, and slept surprisingly well. [/hider]