[Nymphadora]

Feeling Vicious' grip on her upper arm, she startled slightly by his suddenness. Not a moment ago he'd been several feet away, and moving further. Sucking in her breath as she looked up to him, her eyes searching his, she waited for an aggression that never came. Or rather, an advance. Unlike before, she'd not kiss Vicious, but she'd sure as hell not stop him if he wanted to kiss her. She'd even gone as far as find ways to be in his presence, giving him more than enough chance to pursue something. When it never came, before and now, the disappointment was there, no doubt. But relief also followed. Part of her, Fariah if she had to guess, wanted him to ravage her. Throw caution and ambition to the wind, and scoop her into his strong arms. While the other part, was silently glad that nothing happened. To be able to be around him without having to worry about his touch or kiss, it would be nice.

Furrowing her brow slightly, gazing down to her arm then up to his eyes, she wanted to pull away. For one, he wasn't being gentle, and for two, she had no idea where he planned to take her. Moving uncomfortably as he ushered her through the market, she slowly brought her hand up to Vicious', gently prying his grip from hers. Still holding onto his hand, she spoke softly, unaware of how her delicate hand remained in his grasp. "I'll come willingly, you don't have hold me like a prisoner."

Not moments later they found themselves at the cafe, the memory of the place allowing her a warm smile. Squeezing his hand gently, Nymphadora looked up into V's eyes. "I didn't think you'd like such a place. Especially coming from the pub." Looking back toward the door, she took a step forward to walk into the establishment, hopefully to find a table and a waitress.

Piper's Boutique & Nymphadora ¤ Dafont ¤ Aethereality ¤ Kate Beckinsale

[Evischoul]

They were almost at the cafe when he felt Dora extract herself gently from his grasp, glancing down at her almost in surprise. He was a big man and acknowledged freely that he was also an aggressive brute. Used to living first in a rough and tumble home full of male children and fighting his brothers readily for anything from clothes to the family title of strongest; then in barracks for a great deal of his life, sharing space with men equally aggressive; and then alone for centuries save that jackass of a Scribe who was too timid to chastise him when he was too rough. It was such an integral part of him that he didn't really think about how hard he was grabbing.

Noticing the shadow of bruises already forming on Dora's flesh, he scowled in self-reprimand. He'd have to watch himself with her, she bruised way too easy.

It took him a second to realise her hand was clutched in his, swallowed by his fist. She made him feel like a clumsy oaf, her dainty little hand making his seem like a giant's paw. The novelty of holding hands completely threw him and he stared at it dumbly, following her into the cafe without even realising he was moving. He'd never held hands before. He'd never met anyone who even wanted to hold his hand. Well, a few arm-wrestling matches but that didn't count. He couldn't believe how... good it felt. He felt like a lemon, a girly, sappy lemon, but it was good. Warm and fuzzy. Like... someone gave a censored enough to hold his hand. Someone who wasn't completely repulsed by him.

censored... me.

"It's not." Stumbling over his words, he blinked and scowled. "I don't. But since you trashed my booze and Xanth will torch me alive if I st... ah... take more I figured, why the censored not? Besides," he drawled as an afterthought,. "everyone has to eat, right?"

Pulling Dora to one of the booths, he ushered her into it. They could sit at one of the smaller tables like polite people but he wasn't polite and he wanted room to spread out. He was going to mind his manners and sit on the other side opposite Dora, too, but censored it. He liked it when she got breathless and nervous, so he was fully intending on crowding her into the corner next to him. "So what's good here?" Like he'd have a clue what she was talking about but... polite chitchat and all that.

OOC: GM with permission?

Aethereality † Piper's Boutique

[Nymphadora]

Smiling at his words, glancing back at him slightly as he stumbled over them, Nymphadora led Vicious inside, her hand still clutched in his. She'd not caught on to the comment about his 'stealing' from the pub, although if she had, it wouldn't have mattered much. She loved Wolf, and wished the best for him, but this world was full of people like Vicious. He'd have to learn to deal with it. Had she thought much about it, she'd been there herself. After what V had said, she herself should have paid for his small theft. She, after all, was Xanth's Aide for a reason.

Stopping before a booth, Nymphadora released Vicious' hand, bracing herself against the table as she slide to the closed side of the booth. Smiling up at the god, expecting him to take a seat opposite her, as was normal practice, her breath caught and eyes widened as he slipped in beside her. He was... a big man. There was no doubt about that. Even though his body was pure muscle and bone, he still required the table itself to scoot out, which it did as he sat. Blushing as her eyes found his, she made a mental note not to watch him so carefully in the future. It was embarrassing to know he saw her looking at him.

Angling her body to face him somewhat, one hand rested in her lap, as the other took rest upon the seat between them. Biting her lower lip as she gazed at the menu the waitress had set on the table before walking out, she shrugged lightly at his question. She'd only been to the cafe a handful of times, and even then she couldn't remember what she ordered. The atmosphere is really what she came here for, not so much the food. Not to say that the food wasn't delicious. "I really don't know. The milkshakes I suppose." It was sad how she felt so much like a teenager out on a first date. Not a first date with this man, but with anyone period. This wasn't a date though, just a friendly... hanging out. Was it?

Looking back into Vicious' eyes, she gazed into his features adoringly. Feeling her heart begin to thud, she spoke quickly, trying to distract from the fact that she very much wanted to finger his long red hair. "I'm sure they'll serve you, whatever it is you like. I think they even serve blood here." Eyes widening slightly, she corrected her statement hurriedly. "Not that you drink blood or anything... just that... they... you know... have a wide range...." Trailing off, her cheeks flushing, Nymphadora reached for the napkin, busying herself by pulling it to her lap and fiddling with it.

Piper's Boutique & Nymphadora ¤ Dafont ¤ Aethereality ¤ Kate Beckinsale

[Evischoul]

V watched her fold that paper thing over and over, his gaze flicking from her hands to her face as he realised she was just as nervous as him. It was ridiculous. They were just two people out for some food, sharing some polite conversation, avoiding trouble. V wasn't an antisocial censored and he really doubted she was antisocial either, so why the censored were they having so much trouble having a simple conversation?

Oh right. That was like asking why the pyromaniac was fiddling with a match. He couldn't get comfortable around her because his body was wanting things and his mind was picturing things and none of those things involved talking.

Clearing his throat, V settled his forearms onto the table and pretended to look at the menu. Say something, you censored... Something not revolving around sex.

"The only time I tasted blood was when my brother smacked me upside the head and made me bite my tongue." Well, okay, so that happened a few times, and not just with that runt censored of a brother, but it was par for the course being a warrior and he didn't really want to dwell on the times he hadn't come out on top. Not when he was trying to impress her.

Wait, no. He wasn't trying to impress anyone. He was impressive. He was a censored god to these people, he didn't need to impress anyone!

Shifting in his seat, V twisted his upper body towards her, resting his elbow on the back of the seat behind her head and his other hand on the table in front of her. He wasn't consciously creeping into her space and he wasn't deliberately trying to start anything, it was just a comfortable position... but it did give him a glorious view down her top.

Racking his brain to remember what he'd been saying, V continued. "It doesn't taste so bad but I wouldn't want to drink it."

Aethereality † Piper's Boutique

[Nymphadora]

Chuckling softly at his comment about his brother, it really put into perspective that Xanth wasn't alone. She looked to her as a goddess, and even more so a friend, but she was one of many. Or at least, thats what it seemed. But just as it put Xanth into perspective, it also shined a light onto Vicious. He was, in every sense of the word, a God. He had powers, abilities. He carried the markings of Xanth, as well as her wings. Although their colors might be different, there was no denying what he was. And the fact that she was sitting her with him, so close and personal, it wasn't like it was with Xanth. Xanth would always be prayed to, and thought about as a higher being. Although she was Nymphadora's friend, and even surrogate mother, she'd never quite be on the same level of the other Elysian races.

But Vicious... good lord how she could think of him. He was... she shouldn't have the thoughts she had. In all means, he should be untouchable. He was untouchable. Although for different reasons that this. Looking up from her napkin as he shifted, his body moving closer to hers, her heart skipped slightly. No matter how hard she tried, or what she thought about, her mind kept going back to the same things over and over. Both thought along the same lines, but neither would do anything about it. At least not for now.

Smiling, her white teeth flashing briefly, she spoke with a light air to her tone. "Of course. You're not a Vampire." Catching his gaze, his crimson eyes latched onto her body, she felt the clothing she wore melt into nothingness. Although it remained untouched, she could see in his eyes how easy it was to see through them. Although heated from the thought, embarrassment never came.

Moving her hand forward gently, Nymphadora softly let her fingertips trail the surface of his arm. "You keep your tattoos hidden." It was an observation she'd made frequently. Being a former tattoo artist, she could appreciate his body of art. More than any other Elysian possibly could.

Piper's Boutique & Nymphadora ¤ Dafont ¤ Aethereality ¤ Kate Beckinsale

[Evischoul]

The touch of her fingers on his arm danced through his body like a shiver and he had to fight to keep his eyes from closing. Part of him wanted to grab her and drag her onto his lap, teleporting them to her room and not come back out for a month.

"You keep your tattoos hidden."

It was a statement but there was a quizzical element to it, like she was trying to figure out why he hid them. V smiled faintly, flattered that she'd even be interested. And it was interest, not just in his body but him as a person. It was a novelty - he couldn't remember the last person who'd tried getting to know him off the battlefield, at least, not the way that counted. He wasn't friendless at all, not back home, but it was still... flattering.

Slowly letting his tattoos appear, glowing faintly under his skin, he watched her reaction. He wasn't really ashamed of his heritage but he wasn't proud of it either. Besides, Tanakheimein script wasn't known here and he doubted anyone had seem symbols like this on anyone but Xanth. Even she seemed to keep her tats hidden most of the time. He'd just gotten into the habit of making them disappear.

The black scripture made his skin seem darker than ever, each symbol interweaving with the next to display his family history. "They're my family," he told Dora simply. Part of him swelled with an odd pride at the thought. His family wasn't nearly as extensive as some but a few members were some kind of war hero or held a position of trust or pride. Of course, serving Abdiriz was nothing to be proud of but their achievements added up.

The darkest symbols were hidden under his vest and he got a thrill from thinking that one day she'd see those too. Just... not today. He was too needy and he wanted to get his head figured out. Whatever was happening here with her... it wasn't straight-up attraction and that scared him.

"This one - " He rubbed his thumb over the intricate, vaguely M-shaped symbol on his left biceps. "- is Nessami. She was born the day after I left Tanakheim." He'd never met her and probably wouldn't even if he'd stayed home because she was a cousin several times removed but he still felt insanely close to her. The fact that she had been born the day after he left Tanakheim, when he'd been drunk out of his head and seriously contemplating suicide because he held little hope he'd ever return, had made him feel oddly connected to the newborn. He'd probably hate her if he ever did meet her but her symbol still glowed much more darkly than the rest of his distant cousins because of the emotional attachment he had to her. "I imagine she's a delicate little thing like you, probably drives her parents insane."

Aethereality † Piper's Boutique

[Nymphadora]

I wasn't so much about tattoo's in general. She knew all about them, and enjoyed them as art someone thought deserved to be on their body. Every tattoo was special in its own way, every one unique, even if the design wasn't. But there was something more personal about Vicious' tattoos. She'd seen what happened when Xanth had brought him into her alliance. She'd seen the mark it had put on him. His tattoos meant so much more, and yet she knew nothing about them. Even Xanth carried the same markings, although different assuredly.

Watching in awe as his tattoos slowly faded into existence, Nymphadora's eyes passed over each marking, each line. She couldn't understand what it meant, but it was clear writing. Words. Or... at least meanings. Reaching out gently, her index finger tracing along one of the symbols, her eyes reached toward Vicious' as he spoke. Feeling the same warmth from his tone as he felt from the tattoos meaning, Nymphadora smiled softly, looking back down to his life's work etched into his skin. Most humans, mot Elysians, they got tattoos of... small things. Even foolish things. Although each had meaning, and she understood, as she too had a tattoo upon her body, this was... there were no words to describe it. Feeling the emotion deep within her chest, the longing to be part of something greater than herself, her hand rest upon his flesh as she looked up into his eyes. "I'd give anything to have something so special, my families entire history, written on my skin like this." She said softly.

Smiling warmly at his soft, kind words for Nessami, Nymphadora reached out her hand and touched the marking. The love he had for his family... this was the kindest she'd ever seen Vicious. Looking into his eyes, her heart beating softly, she gently pulled her hand back, resting it in her lap as she lowered her gaze. It was hard not to think of her relationship with her family, and how strained it was. She should love her sister, but she didn't. And here.. one of the most, brutal of men, all he had was kind loving feelings toward this family.

Fighting the urge to break down, she let a smile touch her lips as she looked back to Vicious. "You should keep them visible Vicious. They are amazing." She said quietly, letting her eyes travel from his face down his arms. Looking to his chest, she felt her face flush wondering just how far down then went.

Piper's Boutique & Nymphadora ¤ Dafont ¤ Aethereality ¤ Kate Beckinsale

[Evischoul]

If she kept staring at his chest with that lustful gaze, he was going to do something stupid.

He'd never really opened himself up to anyone the way he had with her just now. He'd never told anyone about Nessami. The losest he'd gotten to sharing his family was with his buddies in the infantry and then it was usually silly, inconsequential stuff. He'd definitely never gotten emotionally intimate with someone he wanted to bed and he was discovering that it brought a whole new level to a relationship that scared the pants off him.

He was so tempted to run. No explanation, no apology, just the censored he was getting out of a sticky situation. But he wasn't a coward and there was another part of him that wanted to know where this was headed.

His cheeks reddened a little at her praise. He didn't deserve it and he'd certainly not done anything to deserve it. Tanakheimein script appeared automatically at the birth of a direct relative, it wasn't something he chose to do. Although he figured he probably would have tats regardless, he felt like she was praising him for something that... she really shouldn't. And okay, so she was saying the tattoos were amazing, but he couldn't help taking it as personal praise.

"You... ah." Looking away nervously, he caught the attention of a woman wearing black and white and holding a notepad. Seeing her quizzical expression as she stepped forward hesitantly, he assumed she was a serving wench and nodded, easing away from Dora to lean against the seat back. He had no idea what he was going to order but he was even more stumped on how to respond to Dora.

"What'll you have?" the serving wench asked chirpily, already censored him off with the high-pitched tone of her voice. Glancing sideways at Dora, V wondered if she'd mind him flattening the woman.

"Whatever's good. And, er, what was that...? Milkshake. Yeah. And um, Xanth's paying."

Aethereality † Piper's Boutique

[Nymphadora]

Tilting her head at his words slightly, Nymphadora watched as Vicious inched away from her, looking for what seemed to be a distraction. Smiling softly to herself, she looked back down into her lap, her fingers mindlessly fidgeting with the napkin yet again. He seemed nervous, like her, but more uncomfortable now than before... He'd opened up about his family... she'd only said how amazing she thought the symbols were. Perhaps she'd hit a little too close to home. Eying her mutilated napkin, a habit quite noticeable, she blushed softly, putting it on the table in a small heap of shredded paper.

Looking up to the waitress, wondering where Daoine had been as of late, Nymphadora listened to Vicious order, smiling softly at the waitress. Glancing toward Vicious, she could feel his annoyance, just by the way he seemed to be holding himself back. Grinning to herself, she wondered if he was holding back because of her. Hearing his last words, Nymphadora looked up at him, then toward the waitress. Speaking very subtly, trying not to capture V's attention, she projected her voice into the girls mind. "Don't mind him hun. If you bring two burgers, everything on them, medium, a chocolate and strawberry milkshake, and two waters, we should be ok. Oh, and I'll pay you when we leave."

Averting her gaze from Vicious, she smiled softly to herself as the girl nodded then walked off. She wanted V to... feel like a man she supposed. It wasn't her place to step in on his ordering, but he had no idea what to eat. Biting her lower lip, her heart fluttering in her chest, she swallowed her nerved and scooted closer to Vicious. Finding herself right by his side, her thigh pressed up against his, she fought her shallow breathing. Her actions... were unlike her, but, she wanted to be closer to him. It was the reason they were here, wasn't it? Leaning into his body, her small frame pathetic next to his, she moved her hand to rest on his leg, her head on his chest. Smiling to herself, she gazed at the menus that the waitress had forgotten to take. "What do you think she'll bring us?" She said softly.

Piper's Boutique & Nymphadora ¤ Dafont ¤ Aethereality ¤ Kate Beckinsale

[Evischoul]

V's back slammed against the back of the seat and he stared straight ahead, his eyes wide and his heart pounding in his chest. Dora's hand on his thigh was nothing he'd not felt before and if that was all she'd done he would have maybe cupped a hand around her nape and kissed her. But it wasn't. She wasn't just flirting with him, or touching him, she was... she was... she was cuddling with him.

Oh, censored me.

He daren't move. He just froze with her hair draped over his arm and shoulder, the scent of jasmine in his nose and curling around his mind. He didn't think this was that damned Nymph allure she kept playing on him; this was all pure Dora. She was driving him nuts.

"Yoargh." His attempt to answer came out like a strangled squawk, making him feel like he was an inept little runt all over again. It wasn't even her closeness - though that was damned nice - it was the way she was treating him like she saw past the surface, like she knew he was lonely as censored and deep down wanted more than anything to just... find someone to talk to.

He'd censored Dora up one side and down the other in a heartbeat if his feelings weren't scaring the censored out of him, but it was the first time he'd ever had a woman rest her head on his shoulder like... like...

"censored me." It wasn't an invitation, it was an exclamation of pure shock. That she'd done it in the first place but mostly that he liked having her draped all over him. "I don't care what they bring us," he told her, his head twisting to watch the way her hair cascaded down her back onto the bench. If she weren't leaning on it, his arm would have probably curved around her waist too but that would have started all heaps of trouble he really didn't think was good for either of them right now.

Sometimes he hated being a noble censored.

Wait, no. No, he wasn't a noble censored, so what the censored was he doing?

"Errr, so." censored, he sounded like an idiot. "I showed you mine; gonna show me yours, darlin'?" She could take it literally and show him any tattoos she might have, or she could take it metaphorically and tell him something about her family just as he'd shared Nessami with her. While the lust in him demanded tattoos, he was really more interested in her.

Aethereality † Piper's Boutique

[Nymphadora]

Vicious was stiff against her, but she didn't care. His body was comforting, even without him pulling her closer. She might have moved away from him, embarrassed that she'd acted on something he didn't want. But... he did want it. Not by his actions, or his words, not even thoughts that she wouldn't and probably couldn't read. But by the simple pounding of his heart. Her head was rested against his chest, allowing her full access to his beating heart, the one part of his body that couldn't lie. Smiling softly to herself, knowing that she might be doing the wrong thing, or be taking a path neither were sure of, but she wanted to walk it.

Smiling to herself yet again when he opened his mouth, but no understandable words came out. Tucking herself a little closer, her eyes wandering to the others in the cafe, she looked blankly at the faces, her mind completely on the man sitting beside her instead. There was more to Vicious than met the eye. She'd not expected a reaction quite like this from him. Maybe a growl, or some colorful words. Even perhaps his hand guiding hers toward another part of his body, but nothing like that ever came. He, was nervous, and anxious. At least from what she could tell from his body language. Nymphadora was tempted to peer into his mind, pluck out what made him so, not like him.

Hearing his words, Nymphadora sucked in a breath, her eyes glassing over slightly as she gazed absentmindedly at the table before her. Before she could read anything more into it, he followed up with a comment about the food, causing her cheeks to flush as she smiled. On one hand, she'd taken his words out of context, while on the other, he just cared about being there with her, rather than the food. While still, even more so, she'd wanted his words to mean what she had thought they meant. But now, she wasn't so sure.

Widening her eyes as he spoke yet again, Nymphadora flushed fully before the relization set in on what exactly he meant. Even then, her blush continued to linger as she subconsciously pulled closer to Vicious, almost hiding from herself. Looking down into her lap, she paused, her heart thudding within her chest. No one had ever seen her tattoo. She wasn't even sure Chenoan had. At least, he'd never said anything. Looking up to Vicious, leaning so she could see his eyes, her face dangerously close to his, she spoke softly. "They... mean little compared to yours Vicious. But, one can only be seen if Xanth calls." She said softly, gently bringing her free hand to touch her right cheek, just under her eye. "And the other..." Blushing yet again, she looked away from Vicious, leaning into his body once again. Remaining quiet, her heart nearly leaping into her throat, she gently spoke. "It's on my back... hard to see... unless..." Letting her words trail off, her voice giving out, she felt her stomach flop over saying such things to him.

Piper's Boutique & Nymphadora ¤ Dafont ¤ Aethereality ¤ Kate Beckinsale

[Evischoul]

V gazed into Nymphadora's eyes like some lovesick juvenile as she told him about her tattoos. He wasn't at all surprised that Xanth marked her slav... Aides but he had to admit he was intrigued to know what Dora's would be. Was Xanth like her father, branding his 'toys' with his own name so no one could mistake who they belonged to? censored, he hoped not. He'd hate to see such a pretty face marred by such an ugly name.

Her blush was intriguing and made her look more delicate than ever, making him wonder what she had to blush about. He knew what she was going to say before she said it from the way she ducked away from his gaze. At least, he suspected she was going to tell him her other tattoos were in private places no one but a lover should see. He was almost disappointed when she said her back but it still put plenty of images in his head.

"Back, hmm? You'll have to show me... sometime..." And just like that their conversation and the air around them was heated, if it had ever cooled down to begin with.

"Here you go." Jerking his head around at the interruption, he shifted in his seat. Perky was back with that saccharine smile and carrying a tray with four glasses. V gritted his teeth and inspected the contents of each glass as she set them down, wondering what they contained. Two were plain waters which made him raise an eyebrow. If he wanted to drink water he'd use the damn fountain in the square. People paid for this censored? But the others looked interesting, milky and frothy and... Oh, they smelled delicious.

He'd reached for the brown one before he realised where he was and who he was with, yanking his hand back and clearing his throat. Gesturing for Dora to take first pick, he glanced up at the serving wench to find her still at their table, her gaze flicking between him and Dora. censored, she was going to say something.

"Aww, don't you two look so adorable. How long have you been together?"

He didn't give a censored if it was rude. He tossed back half the brown liquid before the taste even registered, slamming the glass on the table as if it were a tankard full of ale and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Just to avoid answering her question, and all the while glowering at the wench as if he could make her burst into flame just by staring.

Aethereality † Piper's Boutique

[Nymphadora]

Feeling her cheeks redden with Vicious' response, Nymphadora averted his gaze. Her body felt like it was on fire, something that she both liked, and wanted to feel more of. If he asked her, and they were in a private place, she'd have shown him her tattoo. Though it would require her stripping off her shirt, and lowering her skirt quite a bit. The tattoo... it was who she was. And it was big. Covered most of her back, extending into her wings. The art was actually amazing. Dracos had done a god job.

Lifting her eyes as the waitress came back with their drinks, she smiled softly, watching as she set the glasses down. Their burgers would take longer, but she was actually curious to see Vicious' reaction to the flavor of the iced drink. Smiling as she watched Vicious make a grab for the chocolate shake, her eyes reflected her smile. She figured he'd go for that one, and found it pleasing since she liked strawberry. As he pulled away though, her heart fluttered slightly at his chivalry, loving how aware he was that he wasn't alone. Every moment, she was finding out more about V, and every time, it was something pleasing. He was... trying to be civil, and actually enjoy just... living. Something that, she'd never thought he could. It brought about more than just the need for pleasure. The fact alone scared her. If... if this wasn't just about lust... maybe she'd been wrong about herself the entire time.

Reaching for a water, she softly brought it to her lips, the cool feeling traveling down her throat and cooling her off slightly. Setting the glass back down, thankfully having swallowed her drink, the waitress spoke. Widening her eyes, her heart leaping not at just her words, but at V's reaction, Nymphadora lifted a hand to Vicious' arm, her touch meant to be calming. Turning her gaze from the girl, she looked into V's eyes to see him glowering at their waitress. Not really knowing how to fix it, knowing just how annoyed he could get, and take things too personally, she shifted slightly by his side, moving her hand to gently cup his cheek, attempting to turn his gaze toward her. Looking into his crimson eyes, her breathing shallowing slightly, she leaned forward, pressing her lips to his softly, kissing him with more than just lust behind her actions.

As the waitress took the hint and scuttled away, Nymphadora gently pulled back, opening her previously closed eyes. Unable to say anything... she remained close to him, waiting for him to react. Hopefully, she'd not just pushed him away.

Piper's Boutique & Nymphadora ¤ Dafont ¤ Aethereality ¤ Kate Beckinsale

[Evischoul]

Ho... lee... censored.

Dora's kiss was sweeter than he'd ever tasted and for the first time in his life, V's eyes remained closed long after her lips left his. He felt like he'd just had a mountain land on him, the sheer gravity of the kiss's meaning wiping all thought from his mind.

He slowly opened his eyes, his lips parted, to find Dora gazing up at him uncertainly. The waitress forgotten, his upper body twisted towards the girl beside him, V slowly lifted his hand to curve around her nape, the fingers of his free hand thrusting into her hair. He didn't move, his gaze caught in hers, just staring at her. This felt like such a crucial moment. It wasn't the kiss itself, because it hadn't been their first, but there was something different about it. It hadn't been about lust or passion. He didn't realise she'd used it to distract him from his non-verbal abuse of the serving wench but even if he had known her reason for kissing him, he wouldn't have cared. Regardless of the why, it had been... emotional.

It was more about two people liking each other in a non-physical way.

This was what had scared him about her, this emotional attachment developing between them. He was no Seer, he didn't have that ability. Actually, not many of his race could foresee the future despite all their combined power. But he'd known, the moment he saw this girl, that there was something about her that threatened him on a soul-deep level. censored, she was more dangerous to him than that censored Abdiriz was.

In the long silence as he stared into those dark blue eyes, the fear was almost a tangible thing on his face. His wings flickered into view behind him, his eyes glowing uncontrollably. His hands tightened briefly around Nymphadora's neck.

"Thank you for the companionship," he said formally, his voice far steadier than he felt. He released her, his fingers dragging away tendrils of her hair and making him feel even more like she was clutching at him subconsciously. He had intended to try to explain why he needed to leave but instead he faded from view, his gaze still on hers as he teleported away to think.

OOC: GM with permission?

Aethereality † Piper's Boutique

[Nymphadora]

This kiss wasn't like the same as before. Not nearly the same. She'd kissed him, with tenderness... love even. There was so much more behind it than she'd set out, and in all honesty, she'd not tried to take that path. Her mind was on getting him focused on her, and that was it. Nothing more. But the moment her lips touched his, the moment her hand curled around his soft skin, she'd lost herself within that moment. What was scary, was that it didn't end, even when she pulled away. The only time she'd felt this, was with Chenoan. And to be feeling it again, so quickly, so strongly, it left her breathless.

Sitting still so close to Vicious, her hand still touching V's arm, she gazed into his closed eyes, watching with baited breath as he opened them to stare into her own. Sucking in a breath as he turned his body toward hers, Nymphadora's eyes fluttered closed as his hand grasped at her neck. Sliding her hand up his arm, resting near his wrist, she opened her eyes softly, her lips parted just as his, waiting for the embrace that was sure to come.

Furrowing her brow ever so slightly as his face lit with emotion, particularly fear, Nymphadora closed her slightly parted lips, swallowing uncertainly. His wings slowly came into view, as did his eyes glow. Something was wrong, but she wasn't sure what. Had she upset him? Was this not affection, but anger that clutched at her neck? Tilting her head slightly, giving him total control should he want to snap her neck, or preferably pull her into his arms, she closed her eyes tightly as his grip tightened around her neck. She should not have been so bold as to kiss him. It was a mistake, and one she'd not soon forget.

Opening her eyes at his words, flinching slightly from the formal tone, she gazed into his eyes as he pulled away his hand. Watching him disapear from sight, her heart sank, and her eyes lowered to her lap. She'd done something wrong. She shouldn't have kissed him. She had no right to do it. She shouldn't have cuddled up to him. She wasn't his girlfriend, and she wasn't even sure she wanted to be. Not to mention that he obviously didn't want anything to do with it.

Hearing plates being set down, Nymphadora looked up to see the waitress. Shaking her head, she reached into her satchel and pulled out money for the food, as well as her service. "Thank you, but we won't be eating. I'm sorry for the hassle we've caused." Smiling kindly, Nymphadora waited for the waitress to walk away with the burgers before teleporting from the booth to her bed in her room. She was going to sleep, for a very very long time.

Piper's Boutique & Nymphadora ¤ Dafont ¤ Aethereality ¤ Kate Beckinsale