death incarnate & night triumphant

Lani's response draws a small chuckle from his lips as they move down the street, "Ah, so you think me tall, dark and handsome hmm? I would have to agree with you," he teases, enjoying the way she battles with him in the process. As their conversation shifts, he begins to explain about Elain and he can see the surprise clearly written on Lani's face. It was apparent they had yet to discuss that but he was surprised to see a bit of wariness lingering in her eyes. Guilt slammed into his stomach like a fist as he's transported back to that night of utter terror. Finding Lani covered in her own blood and not entirely sure if she was going to make it through the night. He had been stupid to chance crossing into Somnia without going to a portal that was tied to an object, they very well could have been lost within another world instead of in the confines of his lodge. It had been luck and nothing more that they were not jumping dimensions at this very moment.

Clamping back a sigh, he'a brought back to the present by Lani's lyrics, dark hazel eyes traveling towards her, a gentle smile toying on his lips for a change. No, he absolutely did not have to tell her twice about asking questions. So, they walk casually down the sidewalk, the cool air biting at their heels as they exchange playful words, entirely delighted that Lani was slowly coming out of her shell, how he enjoyed teasing the young woman! As much as he loved that blush that so constantly stained her cheeks, he absolutely adored the way she would tease him in return; it was fun and something he could get use to. "I'm happy to hear you are the forgiving type," he winks down at her, a wicked grin dancing across his lips. "Though, I distinctly remember you not forgiving me when we were in the lodge, you never did tell me what you wanted," his eyes darken, the predatory gaze lingering in the depths of those hazel eyes. Allowing his mind to travel back once more to that afternoon where he kneeled before her, grasping her thighs and settling himself between her legs; how very much he enjoyed his hands on her frame.

"If you still haven't considered it, why don't you take the day to think about it? You can tell me by the end of the night," he purrs darkly down at her, entirely aware of her warm hands on his arm. Finally, he breaks eye contact, his gaze traveling to the store fronts, searching for their destination his attention drawn back to her at the mention of parents. Blinking in surprise, he turns back to Lani, Andras had forgotten that she might have parents; might have a family. Taking her to the lodge had been a selfish thing to do, of course, he had wanted to save her but he could have as easily brought Ida to the townhome instead. Hiding the tumbling emotions behind the lazy smile that stretches across his face, "I would very much like to meet your parents sometime, I'm curious to see where you got that pesky curiosity from," he chuckles delighted, "Hmmm, what would your parents think of me?" He asks, amusement dancing in his hazel eyes. It doesn't take long before Andras has the wicked grin toying at his lips, holding her in place with that predatory gaze he so found he enjoyed to use around her. And hearing her heart quicken, that flush beginning to rise to her cheeks he can't help but scent her, his nostrils flaring slightly as he takes her in.

How he wanted to ask her just what she was thinking about. As she replies to him in a stammering mess, Andras's grin only widens as she continues to trip over herself in explanation, "Shame," he responds with a grin as they continue into the coffee shop, place their order and wait for their drinks to arrive. They chat about birthdays briefly and his eyes watch her a bit warily, he had dodged her question at the lodge at just how old he was, and he could feel that they were on the precipice of that question once more. "Some faeries will celebrate birthdays every year, some will celebrate once every century and some won't celebrate at all," he shrugs in explanation, though he doesn't tell her he hadn't celebrated a birthday since his family was slaughtered. "We have a few holidays we celebrate, winter and summer solstice being a couple of them, midsummer, high summer, honestly my race likes to celebrate anything they can. They end up turning into large festivals with music, dancing, wine and some of the best food you could only imagine," he smiles down at her, "Perhaps you can join me for our Winter Solstice Festival at the lodge, I think you would enjoy it quite a bit," he murmurs before gathering their drinks and handing them to her.

After he's asked her to return to the lodge, he blinks in surprise, "My, do you not have any obligations in the mortal world?" He laughs teasingly but gives her a nod, "Tomorrow will work, I have a few things to take care of in the morning but I can retrieve you around eleven, how does that sound?" He suggests knowing he could meet with Dorian and Troy in the morning quickly, he merely needed to give them directions to his townhome. Once they securely have their drinks in hand and begin to make their way to the door once more, he almost laughs at her next question. He truly had unleashed some sort of monster, he didn't expect her to ask so many questions, "Yes, we have heightened senses. Sounds, smells, strengths, etcetera... if you're wondering, Lani darling, yes, I can hear your heartbeat," he grins wickedly at her, a knowing smile dancing on his lips. He offers his arm again before they are back in the cold, finally entering that shopping district as he explains he would gift her answers instead, "Starting now, use them wisely," he winks down at her as he watches the contemplation cross her features.

As they enter the store and the attendant greets them, he enjoys the look of surprise that so crosses Lani's features as he suggests that she is his girlfriend. After the woman leaves, he wanders over to her smiling impishly at her, surprise widening his hazel eyes as she puts her hand on his chest and calls him sweetheart. Delighted, he reaches up and grasps her hand in his, tugging her forward and wrapping his other hand around her waist. Glancing down, he realizes in that moment just how much shorter than he is, grinning wildly, "Did you like that I called you my girlfriend?" He purrs at her quietly, as if talking to a lover. After a moment, he releases her, his eyes suggestively roaming her body as she begins to look threw the clothing racks. It takes an effort to draw his gaze away from her frame as he pretends to filter through the clothes but rather than looking in the men's section, he's wandering through the women's picturing Lani in some of this scandalous dresses. Her quiet voice has his attention returning to her, a lazy grin toying at the corner of his mouth as he waltzes over, glancing down over her shoulder.

"Perhaps you should try it on and I can tell you what I think," he murmurs quietly in her ear before reaching down and grabbing her hand, leading her to the back of the store and towards the changing area. Ignoring the attendant at the desk, he drags her to the hidden changing room, complete with two chairs, a three tiered mirror and a single changing room. Releasing her hand, he plops casually in that chair, crossing his ankle over his knee and slinging his arms over the back of the chair. "Well, go on Lani, I'll tell you if I like it."

Andras Steinhello darling