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[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/aJK9ifX.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/ZU37SiB.png[/img]
[color=19D4AD]Interaction:[/color] [@Potter] Elena [@HylianRose] Nora [@Chrys] Amira
[img]https://i.imgur.com/sPIxd99.png[/img][/center]


Amira’s ignorance brought Emil joy. 

There was no hiding the smile that crept upon his countenance as he held Amira's gaze. For one delicious moment, he considered which would be kinder: to let her wonder, or to reach into that innocent little world of hers and pull the floor out from beneath it. He had always enjoyed the pause before a scream more than the scream itself. 

Then another woman joined them.

His gaze slid to her with patient interest, taking in the warmth of her smile, the brightness of her greeting, and the way she placed herself near the trembling brunette. Same face as the trembling girl who looked about as skittish as a kitten, but she was much taller. 

He didn't answer her question, nor move his gaze when Nora spoke. He merely listened, savoring every fragile tremble in the girl’s voice. Poor little thing. She was trying so hard to be brave, and Emil found effort so much more entertaining than success. He wondered what he would have to make her crack like an egg. Not here, of course. Not in front of all these witnesses. Public fear was vulgar when mishandled. 

It would have to all wait until his dreams tonight.

[color=19D4AD]"Elena."[/color] He repeated the name finally, sounding it out as if tasting each letter. His eyes wandered briefly over the room, searching for the missing third, because he was certain now that these were the infamous Pawonska triplets. Trained like athletes, hidden away like treasure, whispered about often enough to be interesting. Emil had always considered himself a connoisseur of peculiar things, and the Pawonskas had the distinct scent of something very odd.

His smile widened suddenly in the silence, eyes bright and lovely enough to look almost sincere. Count Schmidt swept into a bow before Elena, then took her hand with practiced grace and pressed a kiss to the back of it, holding her gaze all the while.

[color=19D4AD]“What an absolute delight that you have joined us,”[/color] he said warmly. [color=19D4AD]“I may even be positively thrilled.”[/color] His laugh was rich was he straightened his posture. [color=19D4AD] "Of course, we should not sully such a beautiful evening with grim talk.”[/color]  His eyes flicked briefly to Nora, softened with his false apology. [color=19D4AD]“I should hate to distress delicate company.”[/color]

Then his attention returned to Amira.

[color=19D4AD]"However,"[/color] His voice lowered in an almost intimate manner. [color=19D4AD] " Does your curiosity ever outweigh such a thing? "[/color] He tilted his head, fascinated.

[color=19D4AD]“I know I become positively unbearable when everyone in the room knows something I do not.”[/color] His smile softened and as did his tone. [color=19D4AD]“So tell me, [i]pet[/i]. Would you prefer I spare you the ugliness?”[/color][/color]