death incarnate & night triumphant

It was her shyness and innocence that Andras so adored; how such a woman could be so bold and yet still hang onto those qualities was beyond him. He rather enjoyed it. How he loved bringing that tint of red to her cheeks, bring out that musical laughter in her and how he could die a happy man the way she smiled at him. Such things... he wasn't allowed to hope or even wish for such things and yet, here he was, hand in hand with her wanting more. As his dark hazel eyes travel down to her, a gentle smile so coating his lips, he notes the way she immediately averts her gaze, seemingly almost embarrassed that he had offered her such a compliment. The Fae man refused to take it back, it was true and he would continue to tell her she was beautiful until she believed it, even if he had to prove it to her.

Hearing her heart speed up at the compliment, he hardly gives her a suggestive look this time, remembering how he was barely keeping his hands off her at the moment. No, he smiles at her and listens patiently to her response. "Ah, then everyone else in the human world is blinded by your beauty, that's why no one has ever told you before," he grins at her happily, pausing for a moment as curiosity dances through his eyes, "You never had a boyfriend that complimented you? Worship you?" he asks casually, hardly intending to ask if her previous lovers had worshipped her but it was off his tongue before he could stop it. How he would love to worship this woman next to him, in body and soul; the very thought bringing memories to the forefront of his mind.

Glancing in front of them, Somnia was practically in sight before he asks her if she would be warm enough, Lani's giddy response only bringing a small chuckle from his lips. "No, I suppose I don't. I've never seen someone so excited before," he teases her gently, adjusting his grip on her hand before mentioning the closet. He's thankful she doesn't attempt to give the gift of clothing back, that he doesn't have to argue with her to keep it. Truly, Andras was pleased she liked it, and how he couldn't wait for her to dig through those drawers and rummage through those hangers to see exactly what he had purchased for her. "It was my pleasure, running a court tends to pay well and I like to purchase gifts for my friends," he shrugs casually before speaking once more, "Good taste you say? I merely picked out what I wanted to see you in," he raises his brows at her, a wicked smile so dancing along his dark lips.

When she finally asks him if he had slept well, he debates with himself on whether he wanted to be honest or not. Finally deciding that he would be truthful, he tells her he hardly slept at all before pulling her close, planting a kiss on her cheek. He might have stayed there forever, Lani wrapped in his arms, but he could hear the commotion of the city and they were already so close. Plus, he had told Lani he would spend the day with her at the festival, not tangled beneath the sheets. Though, he knew he would hardly feel terrible if he whisked her away to that lodge. Andras battles with himself for a moment before tugging her along, cresting that hill, only to pause to take in the sight. Not that Andras was looking at the city, he was more inclined to watch wonder fill the woman's eyes, the soft gasp of amazement the emits from her mouth has him tempted to reach out and toy with the strands of hair that had fallen in her face.

"I'm happy you approve," he murmurs before tugging her forward and into that city, greeting old acquaintances and chatting with the local store owners, even chasing off the faerie children that tugged at their hands. His entirely aware of the sadness that seems to engulf Lani briefly, his dark hazel eyes inspecting her rather intently, brows furrowed in concern, "Lani, are you okay?" he asks quietly, bending down to whisper in her ear. He hadn't meant to upset the young woman; the man truly had thought she would enjoy the city and all the festivity that came with it. Yet, her sadness seems to vanish in a split second, the moment he asks her just what she wanted to do. She doesn't seem to hesitate, claiming she wanted to start with food, Andras smiling gently at her before giving her a brief nod and throwing themselves into the crowd. "There's a few vendors down here that I think you would love," he says happily, his eyes snaking to the present in her hand that she so held onto.

He had barely noticed it merely because he had been so entirely wrapped up in her. For now, he leaves it alone as he pulls her before several vendors, pointing out the baked goods, meat skewered on bamboo sticks, rich flavors filling the air. "Here, try this," he grins, reaching out to retrieve a golden baked good, handing the vendor money before turning and giving it to Lani. Snagging a piece, he pops it in his mouth, grinning at her as he chews slowly, the sweetness coating every inch of his tongue. "I shouldn't get you used to faerie food, you'll never want to eat human food again," he teases her happily before moving onto the next stall, asking for one of those skewered meat kabobs, "These are my favorite, they only make it during the Winter Solstice," he mentions, grabbing the kabob and casually taking a bite of the tender meat. An exaggerated groan of delight drips from his lips, "I could eat these until I hurled my guts up," he laughs before handing her the stick to try.

Eyes traveling back down to that present she so carries, he can't help the curiosity that so blooms in his eyes, "Lani darling, what is that?" he asks casually, pretending not to care, though he did a terrible job at keeping the curiosity from his eyes.

Andras Steinhello darling