Trash Panda

~Bonsoir~

I’m inadvertently lucky actually. I took way more credit hours than I needed in my first and second year of uni, so I’m barely a full time student this year. Most of my classes are online too, so I’ll still be home a lot, just working more :) I probably won’t be super busy until January

What are you getting your degree in?

~Bonsoir~

Okay! I’m about to go into my last year at university, so I’ll be busier starting next week too

~Bonsoir~

“I have in the past, but it’s been a while since the last time I’ve touched a board,” Vail replied when Victoria asked if he had played chess before. “I can’t say I’ve kept in practice lately.” It was the way most of his hobbies went. He often spent a few years at a time mastering this or that, only to move on to something else when his interest eventually faded. The only habits he had kept up with over most of his life were reading, since authors were always coming up with new and interesting books, and dancing, which also adapted with the times. It was difficult to get bored of either when he always seemed to learn something new whenever he practiced. He enjoyed the challenge and mental stimulation of being surprised.

“I see,” he looked her over again when she spoke of the tea. “Then I’m grateful… Although I don’t believe your blood needs much enhancement.” He hadn’t had any trouble drawing up a steady flow when he bit her the last two times, and there had been nothing wrong with the taste either. Still, part of him was curious to find out if her persistence in staying hydrated would affect her blood at all. If it did, he might enjoy feeding on it even more than he already did, though it was hard for him to imagine liking it even more. If there was ever a chance for him to avoid getting addicted to the drug in her veins, it had long since passed.

As Victoria said she was accommodating, Vail had to agree. He didn’t bother to hide his staring this time as she leaned forward, exposing the skin of her smooth shoulders to him. The scent of her blood still lingered faintly from the last time he had bitten her, mingling pleasantly with her perfume and tempting him with its sweetness. Combined with the bare flesh he could see, practically snowy in its fairness, he couldn’t wait any longer. He’d done his part by chatting with her. Now, he wanted to take what he’d come for.

At her mention that she could wear even less if he preferred it, he looked up again to meet her gaze, slightly surprised by the flippant way by which she suggested it. In the world they lived in, they were already crossing lines that most women wouldn’t dare to touch. He wondered again if she was challenging him. Even when she had asked him to hide the wounds he inflicted, he had been courteous enough to only lift her shirt where he wanted to bite her. It sounded like she didn’t much care for respect though. He studied her with intrigue. If she was willing to open that door, then he would gladly step through it.

“I just might,” he whispered to her, a feral grin crossing his features just before he rose from the lounge.

Stepping over to the table, he put out the lantern that had been glowing and silently circled back to where Victoria was seated. Though the gesture was partly for her sake—he doubted she would enjoy watching him pierce and bleed her delicate body—he honestly enjoyed the power that came with the darkness. Her human eyes couldn’t make out what he was doing until they adjusted, giving him a few minutes to have complete control over the encounter. It was an exciting sensation.

Kneeling on the edge of the chaise lounge, Vail rested his hands on the Lady’s shoulders and pushed her down onto her back so that he was hovering over her like he had the last time. Now that she had essentially given him a pass to prey on her in whichever way he pleased, he intended to have a little fun with it. She was a beautiful woman, after all. No sense in pretending like he wasn’t seduced by her physical charms.

He leaned down so his face was close to her neck, breathing in her stimulating pheromones as he trailed his fingers over her curvaceous figure. After a minute, he located the slit on the front of her dress, hidden within the fabric frills. It was easy enough to loosen, and he pulled it open to expose her soft flesh underneath, which he continued to explore as he searched for a tender spot to bite.

Though he was the predator and she was his prey, he found the heat of the moment exhilarating. He hadn’t been so close to a Lady in a long time. The feel of her skin and the aroma of her essence intoxicated him. He even felt slightly lightheaded, his heart was racing so quickly in his chest.

The prelude was exciting, but the prospect of tasting her blood was even more so. Shifting lower against her, Vail traced his tongue over the right side of her bare midriff, where he had decided he would feed from her this time. The left side had been a decent enough place to draw up a flow before, so he saw no reason to change it just yet. He took her by the wrists as he sank his fangs into her tender flesh, losing himself in the rich flavor of the blood that pooled against his teeth.

~Bonsoir~

Despite Peter’s concerns, Vail had no trouble passing through the city that night. He caught a hint of silver on the wind only twice, though he didn’t see any Saints either time. The hunters were probably lying in wait at the taverns, completely unaware that their target had no intention of stopping by this time. Instead he was on his way to a safer spot, one far enough within the Crest’s private land that it was unlikely that he would be followed. Even though he was leaving his family’s manor more frequently now, it seemed his deal with Victoria had provided him with a more secure way to feed. As long as no one found his midnight strolls suspicious, there was no reason for anyone from the Order to attack him. It was rather freeing to feel so untouchable.

The walk to the summer house was quick and uneventful. Vail found the wrought iron gate in front of the property unlatched and slipped inside after double checking to make sure no one was tailing him. The streets were quiet, and he didn’t detect anything unusual among the scents in the air, so he decided it was safe to assume he was alone. No longer needing to look over his shoulder as frequently, he traveled at a brisker pace through the trees on the estate, following his memory of where the lodge was located.

After a few minutes, the familiar building came into sight. He could see a light flickering steadily in the window, and he smiled to himself. It seemed he wasn’t the first to arrive. Eager to get on with the meeting, he made his way toward the front door, but then faltered when he saw a figure near the entrance. The stranger was downwind of him, so he wasn’t sure who it was, but he didn’t want to be spotted trespassing in any case.

Smoothly, Vail stepped off the trodden path to hide in the shadow of a nearby tree, waiting to see what the man would do. His hand idly wandered to the pistol at his waist. If it was the same Saint who’d shot him before, he had every intention to return the favor. However, in the next moment, he relaxed as he heard the stranger call out something about tea through the door. It was the same voice he’d heard at Victoria’s party—a family servant, no one to be concerned about. He let his hand fall to his side.

Luckily, it didn’t take long before the butler walked back to the manor. Once he passed out of sight, Vail waited for a minute longer in his hiding place to be sure the man was gone before he continued on his way to the lodge.

Since Victoria was expecting him, he didn’t bother to knock as he pulled open the door and stepped inside. The summer house looked warmer with a lantern burning on the table. The soft colors of the furniture were more visible in the low light, and the smell of tea gave the room a homey atmosphere. It was certainly an unusual space to get on with their dark dealing.

Vail’s gaze drifted to the Lady, whom was dressed rather elaborately for the occasion, he noticed. The red dress she wore hugged the curves of her body in an enticing way, beckoning his eyes to follow the contours of her hips and chest like the work of a skilled artist. He pondered over where he would draw her blood from this time. She nearly seemed to be challenging him by exposing so much of her shoulders and upper back. If he wanted to get to any part of her that wouldn’t be seen by someone else, he would have to peel away quite a bit of fabric from the more tender parts of her figure. He traced his tongue across his teeth at the thought.

“Did you chase off your opponent?” he asked, referencing the chess board in front of her as he shut the door behind him. Having never preyed on someone in an arrangement quite like this, he was still trying to figure out how to navigate the situation. Small talk was a good way to start, right? It was at least better than springing on her like a wild animal.

He crossed the room to sit on the chaise lounge by Victoria’s side, his hazel eyes sweeping over her attractive body in a wolfish fashion. “This is certainly the most intricate setup I’ve ever hunted in…” he mused absently. “The tea is a nice touch.”

~Bonsoir~

Over the course of the next three days, Vail stayed predominantly locked up in his room, alternating between practicing his individual hobbies and pondering over what to do about Lord Spencer. Knowing that he was plotting the murder of one of his own kind was still unsettling to him, but there was no way out of it now. He was too addicted to Lady Victoria’s blood to even think of breaking their pact. Thoughts of their encounter in her family’s summer house often passed through his head like a daydream, and his excitement about feeding on her again was always simmering just beneath the surface. He was captivated by her like a snake to a charmer, willing to do whatever she wanted if it meant wetting his tongue with her enticing blood once again.

So, when the night finally came for him to meet up with her again, he wasted no time in getting ready. It was almost midnight; she would be expecting him soon. Eager to get out of the manor, he put on a coat and boots and was just about to head for the door when a sudden knock stopped him in his tracks. He cursed under his breath as Lord Peter stepped in.

His father looked over his attire for a moment, and Vail shifted his weight. He’d been planning to leave the mansion without letting anyone know. Apparently that had been much to expect. However, instead of interrogating him, Peter surprised him by breaking out in a knowing smile.

“Ah, I had a feeling you’d be hunting again soon,” his father said. “It looks like I caught you just in time.”

Vail blinked. In truth, he’d been hunting so often recently that he’d forgotten his family thought he hadn’t fed in over a week. His departure now would have looked normal. He relaxed. “Did you need something from me?” he queried, secretly hoping Peter wouldn’t ask him to run any errands in the city when he was really on his way to the Crest estate.

“No,” Peter shook his head. “I just thought I’d warn you.” His expression turned serious. “When I went out four days ago, there were more Saints about than usual. Practically every street and tavern reeked of silver. I’m not sure if they were just hunting that particular night, but given how many attacks have been happening lately, I would be cautious.”

It’s a good thing I won’t be going anywhere near them, Vail thought with some pleasure. “Thanks for the advice,” he expressed with a grateful nod. “I’ll keep an eye out for them.”

“Of course,” his father stepped back over to the door. “Good luck, Vail.”

Once he was alone again, the younger Hygrace let out his breath in relief. It was a good thing Peter didn’t know he’d gone out just three days prior or he might have tried to stop him from leaving now. He just hoped his father wouldn’t make his occasional stops any more frequent than they already were. There wasn’t much he could do to hide his disappearances if Peter started checking his room at night, and the last thing he wanted was to have to explain that he’d agreed to murder a Wynter in exchange for a taste of Victoria’s blood twice a week. His father would probably think he’d gone mad.

Fortunate this time, Vail headed out of the manor to meet with the Crest heiress, keeping a lookout for any members of the Order on his way to her family’s estate. There was no time for him to concern himself with Peter when she was expecting him soon. Instead, his thoughts turned to what was to come as he grew more eager to prey upon her again, and he hastened his pace.

~Bonsoir~

Vail’s smirk widened into a broad grin when Victoria became flustered by his question. She was always acting so tough and cocky whenever they crossed paths. He enjoyed knowing that he could still get underneath her skin with the right words. Besides that, he found their occasional banter fun. Lighthearted conversation wasn’t commonly found among his kind, and he suspected their longevity slowly sapped away their senses of humor. He’d even fallen victim to the melancholy, to some degree. However, he liked to think he had a bit more of a personality when compared with the rest of his stoic family; a tribute of his persistence to attend human events like the Lady’s party. He hadn’t turned into an emotionless monster quite yet.

Additionally, a part of him liked knowing that she had enjoyed becoming his prey. There was just something about hearing the pleasure in her voice that thrilled him in a different way than the hunt usually did. He wasn’t yet sure why, but there was no denying the feeling was there; an exhilarating sensation when he felt her heartbeat quicken and a breathy moan escape her lips. Just thinking about it again excited him. He couldn’t wait to return in three days to do it all again.

At her defensive question, Vail shrugged. “No,” he answered simply. Far from it, he was rather pleased that she had admitted to enjoying his feeding upon her. He waited in the doorway until she exited the house before following her into the brisk night. Of course, she couldn’t let him get away without asking one more query—one that he decided he didn’t want to answer openly. Though he knew how he felt about it, he didn’t want her to interpret his enjoyment as something more sinister or strange than it actually was.

“Am I not allowed to be curious?” he asked, turning the question back on her in avoidance. “I’ve never had a Lady react like you before… It was intriguing.” Meeting her gaze in the dark, he supposed he could bother to give her a little more of a window into his thoughts. “It wasn’t unpleasant though.”

With that, he offered Victoria a devilish smile and bowed to her customarily. “Goodnight, My Lady,” he said softly as he departed into the surrounding trees.

~Bonsoir~

When Victoria answered his question, Vail nodded thoughtfully. It would take plenty of careful planning for them to pull off the murder of a member of the Wynter family. Of course she wouldn’t have the entire plot laid out already. His role in it wouldn’t be very easy either. He would have to find a way to catch Spencer by surprise—no simple task when the other vampire had just as sensitive of a nose as he did. He was going to have to spend the next few days thinking of ways to trap his rival. The thought nearly made him shake his head. It felt strange to switch from hunting humans to scheming against one of his own kind. However, he’d already agreed to be a part of the murder, and he’d already received part of his payment in the form of the Lady’s blood. He couldn’t back out from it now.

As Victoria rose from the lounge chair, Vail did as well. He felt much better now that his craving for her essence had been satisfied. His mind was sharp and his body was enriched. Better yet, he wouldn’t have to worry about suffering from withdrawals again until she inevitably passed. As long as he could keep feeding on her every three days, he would stave off the fatigue and ill symptoms that usually forced him out of the manor to hunt. The next few years of his life would be fulfilling indeed.

Carefully, Vail followed Victoria through the dark house to the front door, as it had come time for them to part ways. All that was left was for him to make it back to the Hygrace estate without being caught by a member of the Order. Enough time had passed that he felt fairly confident he would make the short journey with no trouble. Humans were an impatient species, after all. The Saint who had been prowling about earlier was likely long gone by now. Since no one else among the hunters knew his face—at least, no one that he was aware of—he would have an easy stroll back through the streets of London.

“Of course,” he said amusedly when the Lady asked if he had enjoyed himself. “I did get what I came here for, even though it wasn’t quite how I expected.” Forming a pact with the heiress of the Crest household hadn’t even been a thought in his head before tonight. Plans often had a funny way of changing though.

Upon arriving at the door, Vail reached for the handle to pull it open. He could be a gentleman sometimes, when he felt like it. As he waited for Victoria to pass through first, a smirk tugged at his lip and he couldn’t stop himself from whispering in her ear: “My question to you is, did you enjoy yourself?” It was a peculiar ask, even to him, since the answer should have been obvious. However, the sound of her feminine giggle still echoed in the back of his head. He wanted to know why she had reacted in such an interesting way.

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

No worries!

Crow is a little shell shocked ^^;

Let Me Steal Your Heart [BuzzingBee + Dagger]

Crow’s eyes widened in disbelief when Penelope explained that even jewelry that had been made in Brerra was at least twenty gold pieces. He felt like his head was swimming. He hadn’t known there was that much gold floating around the market in the first place. Even though he’d always understood to some degree that the nobles were wealthier than the peasants could ever hope to be, it was jarring to find out the men and women in the inner kingdom were able to spend a lifetime’s worth of farming wages on a piece of crafted metal without batting an eye. The gap in their quality of life astounded him.

As the knight went on to tell him that clothing was even more expensive, the former thief gawked at her. “Five hundred?” he squawked before clamping his mouth shut. With so many other people around, he didn’t want to draw attention to himself. Still, it was hard for him to imagine an article of tailored fabric could be so expensive. He couldn’t even count that high. Just trying to fathom it made him feel dizzy, and he ran a hand through his hair to stay grounded. Even after living in the castle for two weeks, this was the first time he had tangibly felt the kind of world he had stepped into. He glanced down at his own clothes, suddenly morbidly curious to know just how much money adorned his body. Everything he was wearing had come directly out of the king’s wardrobe, after all.

“My gods,” Crow muttered, speaking quietly enough that only Penelope would hear him. “I had no idea everything costs so much here.” He glanced at a few of the other nearby stands. Even though he was a noble now, would he be able to purchase anything at a marketplace like this? As far as he knew, he’d only been given some new clothes and the gold in the coin purse his father had given him for his trip to the outer villages. Unless Albin had gifted him some secret trove of wealth he didn’t yet know about, he was still almost as poor as he’d been as a thief. He wondered how he was expected to function in a society like this when he barely had enough money to buy himself a few meals. Perhaps he wouldn’t be abandoning his stealing habits as quickly as he’d thought.

Letting out a sigh, he turned back to Penelope. As mind-blowing as it was to discover how nobles lived, he couldn’t do anything to change it. There was no reason for him to waste his energy fretting over what he’d learned. “Even if you were the only one who was willing to help, I’m sure you would make an enormous difference,” he casted her a fond smile. “The villagers have no idea how fortunate they’re about to be.”

Glancing at the stand she was walking toward, he slowed his pace slightly. “Go ahead and find what you want,” he said, brushing his hand playfully against hers. “I can’t say I’m very interested in dresses, so I’ll meet up with you here when you’re done.”

~Bonsoir~

As Victoria began to explain why she was unlike the other humans he had fed on before, Vail reached into his coat pocket with his free hand to retrieve a handkerchief. Even though he was safe in the summer house right now, he still had to walk back to his own home at some point. He was going to have to clean the blood off his face if he didn’t want to draw attention to himself. It was impossible to say if the Saint was still out looking for him, but he wasn’t going to take any chances.

Dragging the soft fabric across his jaw, he listened quietly as the Lady described her condition to him. The unusual case intrigued him. He supposed he could understand why she was so alluring to him now. The riches of human blood were what drew his kind to prey upon them. If she had an excess flowing through her veins, she would be a prime target for any vampire who caught a whiff of her enticing essence. He was just lucky enough to have found her first.

Well, second, he corrected as his thoughts wandered back to Lord Spencer. The Wynter had been after her for far longer, but he had been rewarded first—and would continue to be as long as their pact stood. However, after hearing more about her childhood, he was admittedly surprised she had been so willing to accommodate him in the first place. It sounded like she didn’t have the most pleasant memories of his kind. He marveled that she would still bargain with him after being attacked at a child. She really was different than any other Lady he’d met before, brave and confident.

“I haven’t,” Vail confessed when Victoria asked if he’d never come across anyone like her before. “If it’s truly as rare as you say, then that doesn’t surprise me though. I only hunt at night. If others with your condition sleep are also affected by fatigue, I’d hazard a guess that they’re all in bed when I’m prowling.” Finished cleaning the blood from his chin, he stuffed the handkerchief back into his pocket and leaned away from her as she sat up. It looked like their short time together was coming to an end for now.

“Oh, I’m sure I will,” he smiled, his eyes sweeping over her lustfully when she told him to enjoy it while he could. Feeding on a beautiful woman with the most delicious blood he’d tasted in his life; what wasn’t there to love? As long as she was around, he was going to get as much out of their encounters as he could. “Every third night,” he added, having decided how often he would seek her out. It seemed like a fair enough compromise to him. Though he would have been delighted to taste her blood daily, he didn’t want to ask so much of her that she would come to dread his visits. As peculiar as it was, she had seemed to enjoy his preying. He wanted her to continue finding it pleasurable, since her sensual sounds and movements made the experience more thrilling for him too.

“We can continue to meet here as well,” Vail dictated, attempting to meet her gaze in the darkness, though he was unsure if she could see him clearly. “Every three days at midnight. Those are my terms.” He paused, thinking once again about the dilemma that was his half of the agreement. He had vowed to help her get rid of Spencer, but he had yet to ponder the first step in how he would do so.

The boxes of silver the Lady had been carrying came to mind.

“Also,” he spoke again before she could stand up, studying her curiously. “You said the gun you purchased was for Lord Spencer. Did you already have a plan in mind about how you want to get rid of him?”