Sebastian Ellington-Aragona

His Royal Highness, Prince of Italy

The Englishman was well aware of the apprehension that flowed through the veins of the young girl at the very mention of the dance club and the state he had found her in. Her heart seemed to flutter with an anxiety that called to his inner predator, even if the vampire failed to rise to the occasion. Rather, he remained poised upon the supple black leather of the SUV's seats, that elegant self-assuredness a glimpse of the royal Prince rather than the role of the Incubus he so often played within Carolina's presence. The crystalline hue of his irises remained stationary upon her as the young woman as she forced herself to relax within the darkness of the vehicle, her fingers running through her blonde locks. He watched as her turquoise irises turned to face him, a small sad simper creeping across her sweetheart lips in the process. His head bobbed ever so slightly in understanding and yet, Sebastian remained silent, allowing her that space to filter through her thoughts with near infinite patience. After all, it was strikingly clear that this tale was hardly one that was easy to speak of.

He watched as she shifted within the vehicle, placing herself in such a way to better face him before her lips parted to begin that tale. Although, admittedly, Sebastian had little idea of Carolina's choice of employment, he understood well the premise of that altogether simple con. Although his own plethora of one night stands were without such swindling, he had spent enough time in beds that did not belong to him performing tasks deemed 'unsavory' by various members of society to remain blissfully free of any such judgement. After all, she had yet to make such an effort with Sebastian himself, such a choice decidedly...perceptive, on her part. He kept such thoughts to himself, however, as Carolina continued with the mention of her trip to Chicago and the man she'd met within an equally seedy bar. A weak simper crossed the Prince's features at the very notion of her apparent...type - one that Sebastian knew well he fit in with decided accuracy. It was, however, the name of this....man that remained Sebastian's focus. Alaric.

Sebastian was hardly oblivious to the effect the very utterance of those syllables had on her, that subtle hint of fear almost potent to his vampiric instincts. This man had scared Carolina. His Carolina. That possessiveness was near keen to rise within him, though it was distinct rare that Sebastian might take so strongly to those fleeting fancies. She, it seemed, was a large exception. He watched as she wrapped her arms around herself, her fingers dancing against her own flesh as she spoke of that usual progression to her con, Sebastian himself likely saved from her antics if only due to failing to return with her to any far more...intimate place, at least, at first. A frown, however, quickly fluttered across his features at the notion of a 'cage' and already, Sebastian began to understand the dark path this tale led. She had been captured, kidnaped, and enslaved....like an animal. It was, admittedly...rare when that anger touched the usually calm and collected vampire, his gaze narrowing ever so slightly as Carolina spoke of the things she had suffered at this Alaric's hands. He could hear the shakiness to her breath, just as he was aware of that sniffle and her feverish wiping of wetness that had gathered at the corner of her eyes.

Slowly, Sebastian leaned to the side, placing his cup of tea within the cupholder at the door. It was only once that drink was out of his way that he reached for Carolina herself, gingerly pulling her across the leather seats and against his chest. His arms wrapped securely around her, the vampire making every effort to comfort the girl in that moment of vulnerability. "Do you know where he is now?" Sebastian inquired softly after a moment, that emotion that struck him so distinctly unlike the Royal and yet...if there was any one benefit to that status, power, and money he held...it was surely the ease with which he could do away with one simple fae.