To be truthful I had never felt love of the sort that was not familial. I had dated as was typical of any girl my age and I had felt a giddiness in doing so yet everything had fallen short. Life was not a delicate thing and often intervened in matters of emotion. My life was considerable short in comparison to the many years that Dareios had no doubt lived to have cultivated such fine tastes in life as well as character. I was not a fool to think that a newborn vampire was as upscale and controlled as he was; every species took a transition period if not born into it. I was still young and had not thought on the possibility of extending my life cycle. I frowned upon the idea of such a thing for most spells of such a magnitude dipped into the darker arts. With skill I could brew potions that would extend the longevity of my own cells but that was food for though of a another day.

The longer the days stretched between my return to Sacrosanct and now, the easier I slipped back into my old self. The bitterness still edged the back of my mind and enhanced my powers. I suppose it was a parting gift of my parents to have awakened such gifts and yet I would gladly return it for their life. The blow to my heart had been immense and sometimes I wondered what the purpose of immortality was for such creatures like vampires - why when loved ones perished so quickly. To have suffered such innumerable hurts... it was disconcerting. And also no wonder many of his species turned to callousness.

Better to have loved and lost, they say, but I suppose that doesn't apply when you have eternity stretching before you.

Yet in these moments as I follow him into his house I feel a closeness to Dareios. He is opening himself up to me slowly and I recognize the true depth of such a thing. For me it was easy, just as many things were, but unless he had a heart of stone, I doubted it was without mental fortitude that he did so. Besides, in these moments I see the edge of mortality on him in the way he grips his blazer, the nervous habit of one who is unfamiliar with such territory. I had no doubt Dareios could chose whomever he wished but I had an inkling it was not without reservations that he did so now.

My grin is bright and boastful as he rolls his eyes, chuckling. "Ah, the just want to make sure you are protected. I've heard old age brings weakness and all that." I wink just as playfully back at him in jest. Dareios was anything but weak - I remember the fear that had zipped through me upon first meeting him. The darkness that had swam in his eyes. He was a noble man, I think, but with a devil inside. Surprisingly that didn't scare me.

I beam at his compliment, pushing my wild hair back from my shoulders while following him into the sitting room. Everything was just as nice as before and I absently ran my fingers across the back of a leather chair, enjoying the coolness to my finger tips while I watched him. My body language was open and friendly because I was rather excited to uncover the layers of Dareios. What made him tick despite what he had told me. A vampires life no doubt had many tales to tell. "Oh, you can cook?" There is genuine excitement in my voice as I smile at him. "I am awful in the kitchen myself," I admit with a somewhat chagrined expression that quickly transforms into amusement. It wasn't like I would have to cook for a vampire anyways, right? See, there was always good in this. "I am partial to home cooked meals though and if you are willing, how could I pass such a thing up?" My eyes twinkle as I step forward and hook an arm around his elbow.

"Lead the way and let's see what masterpiece we can create!" Ah, to new adventures! "I heard this joke once," I say blithely, "about a witch and a vampire in a kitchen. Not sure how it ends though."