“Charlie,” she repeated, as if the name was pleasing to her. Her gaze had settled on the other girl, calm and confident and even a little playful as she peered at her through heavy, dark lashes. “What a charming nickname. I’m Mila.”

She was standing in front of her now, several inches taller than the younger girl. Mila was close enough that Charlie would have to tilt her chin up a little to meet her eyes; the vampire noticed how delightfully innocent this made her appear. Her own eyes dropped to the girl’s lower lip as she absently chewed it in thought. Something as simple as that made the older woman feel a slight rush of bloodlust. The corner of her lip turned up into a slight smile, despite herself. [i]‘She’s adorable.’[/i]

"[i]If you want a place to stay for the night, you're more then welcome to crash there."[/i]

The very words she’d been fishing for. Mila felt a thrill of triumph at the invitation, which she quickly translated into an expression of gratitude. 

“Really? Are you sure? That would be great, I…I can’t thank you enough!” She looked suddenly apprehensive. “But are you sure it’s ok? I’m not interrupting any plans you had tonight? A cute girl like you, it’s hard to imagine you’re spending a night alone.” This time Mila took no pains to disguise the admiring look she swept over the girl, taking everything in. That Charlie’s blonde hair was pulled up into a ponytail was such a tease, since she still wore that scarf around her neck. Mila could imagine herself reaching out to grasp it and puling it slowly away to reveal the smooth, pulsating skin underneath. Instead, she just touched the ends of the scarf in an absent manner, gently massaging the material between her fingertips, the act bringing them a little closer together. She had a way of doing things like that without coming across as invasive. Rather her movements spoke of a kind of practiced grace - languid and poised. And maybe just a touch possessive… 

“I’ve just had the worst night, and you’re being so nice to me. I really appreciate it.”

Another chilling gust of wind swept over them as they stood by staircase. “You must be freezing right now,” Mila said, her brow creasing with concern. She crossed her own arms in front of her, as if to shield herself from the cold. Of course, she was unaffected by the temperature – it was just one of those pretenses she had to remind herself to keep up. A [i]human[/i] thing. Despite the calculated gesture, she still looked a little too much at ease in cool air, wearing only her thin white blouse and tight black skirt. 

“I hate to keep you out here like this. Shall we head up?” Mila moved to link arms with Charlie, bringing them close in one effortless, graceful move. “You poor thing, you’re shivering!” Her cool body temperature would do nothing to warm her up of course, and her sweet smelling breath would be cool on the girl’s cheek as she leaned just a bit closer to murmur cheerfully, “Here, we’ll share body heat~”

Her eyes were dry by this point and her posture had straightened. She was looking less shy and more confident by the second. It was very subtle, but it was as if her entire personality was shifting into someone else’s – someone comfortable with herself, assertive even, not at all the type to be devastated by some loser boyfriend’s actions.

“Which apartment is yours?”