death incarnate & night triumphant

The conversation is shifted towards job hunting, Andras unable to help himself as he extends that figurative hand, wanting to desperately help the woman. And yet, when she agrees, it takes him the briefest of moments to gather his thoughts. In every scenario he had thought up, never once did he think that Lani would accept it, perhaps a noncommittal agreement, not just simply agreeing with him immediately. The exhaustion that pours off of the Fae woman is almost pliable, it was such a bone deep weary that the male wanted to take her into his arms, to ward off those feelings, keep her safe. He suspected those days were over. A saddening thought that he pushes away, Lani's voice drawing him back to the present. Brows creasing slightly, "Ah, the photo you took of me while I was sleeping?" He pauses, eyes alight with amusement, playfulness, "Stalker," he winks. How desperately he wants to rid that sorrowful smile, he just wanted her to play with him again. Find that fire he knew was buried within her, it would take some finessing, but he knew that quiet confidence still lingered somewhere.

Her next words have his lips curling into a grin, the pause only making her innocence show that much more, "I'm sure I can come up with something," he says slowly, that grin taking on a hint of wickedness, "You know Lani, there is a photography studio, albeit a magical one, that specializes in nude photography, perhaps that would get your... juices flowing again," he purrs darkly at her. Dangerous territory. He was dancing on a line that had always been blurred between them. Especially now. He didn't know where he stood with her, those teasing words could easily send her for the hills but he was throwing an olive branch out there, so to speak, to see what she would do. His hazel eyes are locked on her, only until she grabs for the bottle again, topping off her glass. Surely, this not would end terribly if she continued to drink and yet, he wasn't going to tell her what to do. She was her own person and could make choices as she pleased, though... he knew exactly how reckless the woman could become with a few glasses of alcohol in her.

So their conversation continues, the man all but offering her a key to the townhouse. She does a surprisingly good job at keeping her astonishment under control and yet, he can still feel it - another emotion felt down that invisible bond. A curious thing, that feeling. When she all but agrees, he can't help but feel slightly disappointed that she doesn't battle him on it. One step at a time he supposed. It's only then that chaos erupts around them, Lani's delighted laughter pouring out of her, laughter that was music to his ears. Ah, there she was. She was still in there, broken into tiny pieces but those pieces he intended to help put back together, even if it was just as a... friend. He would take what he could get. Gaze locked on her's, eyes softening for the briefest of moments, it's as if the ice is broken - their conversation becoming more natural. Like it used to. "And I'm happy to hear that you think that," he says, leaning forward in his chair, closing the distance between them, elbows resting on the table.

His hazel eyes can't help but dart to the smile on her lips, a genuine smile, still lined with sadness and yet, he was happy to see more emotion out of her. The warmth blooming in her features. "If I cared what other people thought of me, I hardly think I would be in the position I am today," he muses, referring to his title. The food arrives at that moment, Andras forced to lean back as the waiter deposits the food before them. He's quick to offer the woman a bite of his food, a bit of satisfaction curling in his gut as he watches her lean over the table, to stab at the meat dish. The widening of her eyes has a chuckle rolling off his tongue, his hand reaching up to push the plate to the center of the table. "Please, have some more," he gestures at the food, his own fingers grasping a fork as he stabs a piece and brings it to his mouth. Delicious. Satisfied he had picked this option and apparently Lani was as well. "My home is on a different playing field in terms of food," he says, "Although, it's only because of our trade routes, we get access to whole slew of spices that Sacrosanct doesn't. Portals do come in handy when you're trading across the world," he winks at her before taking another bite.

Her sudden question takes the man off guard, dark eyes flicking up to meet her gaze, "Yes," he responds. That very scarf was tossed over the chair in his bedroom in the townhouse, and though Lani's scent had long since disappeared, he still treasured it, still wore it on those cold days. How very delighted he had been to receive such a gift! So thoughtful, the woman having been worried about him flying in the cold. "And do you still have that little black dress?" He purrs, leaning forward once more, food forgotten as his elbows find the table. What a day that had been, the woman having gone along with his tactics, only for her to find the confidence that had been hiding in the little shop downtown. It's then that the lights flicker to life around them, the two having spent more time together then realized at this small table. Part of him notes the rapidly falling darkness, though he isn't bothered by it, eyes entirely locked on Lani before him. "If you do... I would very much like to see you in it again," his voice dropping an octave. Perhaps not the smartest of things to say on their reunion and yet, he had never really had control of those words that would slip from his lips from time to time when it came to Lani.

Andras Steinhello darling