[color=92278f][center][h3]Victor Astorio[/h3][/center][/color]

Cassandra was laughing, but sobered up some when faced with Count Astorio.  She had mixed feelings about him, being the brute that flung her friend across the practice yard.  On the other hand, she had seen him in closer quarters since, and she didn't recall that Salem had ever complained of treatment at his hands.  

Ultimately, she allowed herself to be twirled, and when she came back around to face him she was wearing a social mask as well as a literal one.  

[Color=f26522]”Do Astorios serve others?”[/color] she asked with a sly smile of her own, [Color=f26522]”I’ll have to confess that you catch me off guard.”[/color]

Her question didn't seem to faze him, his smile staying the same. Pale skin almost blending in seamlessly with his mask, [color=92278f]“Some do, others let their pride get in the way. But I serve the queen and the council, as well as whomever I wish to.”[/color] 

Slowly he led her toward the dance floor with that same smile, trying not to put on too much of his vampire charm, [color=92278f]“So care to dance then? I'm a good fighter and i have good footwork when dancing too,”[/color] letting go of one of her hands and gesturing towards the dance floor where the sea of people moved and swayed with the music. 

[Color=f26522]”Well, I'll have to dance with someone,"[/color] Cassandra took his hand again and followed. 

Was that lame? She was going for dismissive acquiescence, but her head was swimming. Was Lilie right about drinking? She suddenly felt a weight of social obligation, and it seemed like it would be better to keep her with sharp. Marivaldi mage and Astorio Count. Did anyone know who they were? For that matter, did [i]he[/i] even known who she was? Cassandra realized she hadn't returned the introduction; she had assumed he knew her by sight, just based on the noble association, but it was too late to turn around and offer her name. She would have to hope he took it as deliberate. 

That simple acknowledgment was all he needed to assume her consent about stepping into the frey. Wherever she lacked during this dance he would not hesitate to fix or correct anything she may mess up on given her drinking. It was only necessary so the rest of the others moving around them did not trample them.

The two danced for some time, making idle conversation as they moved and danced with music. They both stumbled here and there, yet they continued for some time. Victor was enjoying himself and for once just living in the moment. That was until he felt a slight pain in his arm, it was not uncommon for a slight pain like he felt to happen during regeneration but this slight stabbing pain wasn’t going away and only getting worse. 

With his smile, fading the tall vampire led his partner to the edge of the dance floor and bowed. [color=92278f]“It has been a lovely evening with you miss, I hope you have a glorious evening and maybe someday I’ll see you again.”[/color] Tipping the edge of his large hat Victor made a hasty retreat to the outside balcony for some air.

The night air was cool and crisp, exactly what he needed. Now that he was away from most of the others, he could think clearly and try to figure out what he was experiencing. It was as if his instincts were on high alert being within all those people at one time. Even if the occasion was supposed to be relaxed, it felt almost like enemies surrounded him. Looking around at the few others outside with him minding their own, he still felt like he was in between fights. Did his encounter with the princess really affect him this much?

Feeling like he needed to get away to calm down the count quickly shifted into a bat and flew up to a ledge near the top of the building. He figured it would not look as conspicuous if he did that rather than climbing up there. Shifting back, he sat on a ledge with a nice view of the area and simply just attempted to get into his meditative state in an attempt to ease his mind. In only a few more minutes, his mind and body relaxed as it listened to the natural ebb and flow of the world around him. 

The pain had faded and he finally felt calm again when he opened his eyes, “[color=92278f][i]what is wrong with me?[/i][/color]” he whispered to himself. The ‘training’ session taught him a lot about himself, his training, the world around him, humility, and just how weak he was compared to some others. Perhaps he would seek her out again, when it was more appropriate and apologize to her.

His train of thought was cut short when he caught the faint smell of blood. He didn’t think that he spilled anything on him tonight, it didn’t smell like any of the drinks any ways or Salem for that matter. His nose and curiosity eventually lead him to an unnerving sight. A human carefully tucked behind a nearby ledge.

The faint scent of blood told him it belonged to a mage. Unsure at first at how this boy met his demise until he saw his neck. The draining of a human did leave some rather unpleasant damage to the vascular system, bruising and other damage quick to be seen. He had been stashed here recently obviously, but without other injuries or look of being robbed. This wasn’t revenge or emotional but cold and heartless. A predator. 

Victor was quick to steel himself, quickly pulling out the small durable brick of a Nonkia phone praised for its simplicity and near indestructibility. Skipping down through his contacts, he eventually found the emergency contact line for the facility and hit the green button like Salem said. At least one of them understood technology. 

The phone rang only a couple times before someone answered he was simply glad he did not get an automated message. He only let the operator get out the basic “what’s your emergency” line before he interrupted her. [color=92278f]“I am Count Victor Astorio, Council agent identification number H15737117. I am currently above the east entrance to the ballroom by the cliff. There is a mage here who is unresponsive, no heartbeat, is cold, and Rigor mortis is beginning to set in. It appears to me that the mage in question was drained by a vampire. I will wait here for security.”[/color] He stayed on the line for a little while longer to hear if there was anything else.

The count carefully followed his own footsteps back toward where he came from trying not to disturb the crime scene any more than it already was. He took the time to also take his mask off as well. As far as he was concerned, he was working now.


[@Achronum][@Gisk]