death incarnate & night triumphant

Dorian's response to Andras has the Fae nodding his head in agreement, there were not many people out there that liked to have their mind trifled with. He respected other's privacy as much as he could, though there were times when he could simply not allow someone that luxury, especially when dealing with his home. "When I officially meet him I will explain," he states to Dorian with a gentle smile, hardly wanting to cause the man any additional stress. The monarch's next question has Andras blinking at him in delighted surprise, the Fae rather enjoying how much interest Dorian so took in Somnia. Shaking his head, "If it does, it's very slight, it's hardly ever affected me," Andras explains, "Somnia is in tune with the seasons of the modern world, though the weather here can be a bit more extreme," Andras says, knowing full well how bad the winter storms could be here. He was suddenly relieved he had picked a day where the sky was crisp and clear, no clouds in sight, he suspected of Dorian had to deal with a blizzard on his first trip to this world, he wouldn't be terribly happy. As he suggests they move towards the lodge, everyone falls into step behind him and it hardly takes long before they arrive.

Knocking the snow from his boots, he's moving into that lodge, the fireplace roaring to life before Ida appears. After introductions are made, Ida is cackling, like old ladies do, as Troy kisses her hand in greeting, "My, aren't you the charmer! You rival some of the older men at court!" she laughs in delight before she's bustling off and retrieving drinks for the guests. As Andras opens the floor for questions after stating Ida would show them to their rooms, he hardly misses that concerned look that so crosses Dorian's features. Dark hazel eyes settle on the fellow monarch, "Don't fret, Dorian, I will return you home this evening," he states, hoping to soothe those fears within the man, "I merely wanted to show you where you would be staying should any of you life to come and visit, I will explain where the portals are and how to use them later," he casually explains before shifting his attention back to Troy as he suggests sharing a bit about themselves. As Troy pauses for a moment, Andras realizes he's waiting for permission, waving his hand to continue, he gives the man a dip of his head in encouragement.

As Troy begins his story, sympathy fills Andras's eyes, he could understand perfectly the loss of a loved one, of someone so close to you it was like losing a limb. How very difficult it was. Andras listens intently, his gaze hardly straying from the man as he finishes his tale, ending with that woman's name again. How odd for a faerie queen to up and vanish, leaving her court behind to fend for itself. A small frown so etched into his features at the thought but he pushes it away as Dorian offers to help track down Troy's brother. Nodding his head in Dorian's direction, Andras returns his gaze to Troy, "If you so desire to seek out your brother, any resources here are at your disposal," he offers, truly wishing to help the man in locating his brother, if Andras has any family left he would most certainly look for them... perhaps demand answers as to why they left. Turning to Navi then, he notes the way the woman had fallen quiet, the girl hardly ever silent in any sense. He had a sneaking suspicion that she had truly not forgiven him yet, sighing inwardly, he would discuss things with her later, hardly wanting to cause the woman any more distress.

Truly, he's surprised when Dorian speaks up, he hardly thought the man would share more as he had already shared so much and yet, he's thankful all the same as Dorian starts out with his wedding date. This manages to draw a faint smile from Andras, the man entirely happy for the man. The comment Dorian makes on meeting him has Andras transported into the past all those centuries ago. How young Dorian had been, a curious child, though, the Fae hardly had time to sit and chat with the boy. Yet, the time in Andras's life had been a turning point, when word had gotten to him there had been an attack on his court, his entire world had been turned upside down. It was hardly a pleasant time of his life and yet it made him who he was today. The rest of the story Andras knew, the two men having discussed their past when Andras had first arrived in Sacrosanct, surprised to see a familiar face. Dorian was the first he had asked within the city to join, the Lord entirely pleased he had accepted his offer.

"You were quite the scrawny thing when I first met you," Andras teases playfully, hardly insulting in any sense, he merely enjoyed giving the monarch are a hard time. "Thank you for sharing your stories," he states then, leaning forward in his own chair, "I suppose it's only fair to share mine with you all as well, should you chose to leave after hearing my tale I swear on my court I will allow it, I merely ask you don't spread word of this city," he says, his voice taking on a more serious note. He had shared most of the story with Dorian when they had first met and still the man decided to join him, he only hoped it would be the same with the other two. Clearing his throat, he decides where he wants to start, "I was born well over fifteen hundred years ago," he starts, never having told anyone his exact age, you tend to lose count when you reach a certain point, "I was born into the Shadow Court as the only son and a few decades after I was born so was my younger sister. Court life back then was... different to say the least, it took after its menacing name and there were many dark faeries that roamed freely under the control of my father, my father being one himself. My mother was fierce and wild and our people adored her, they looked to her for guidance when needed. I have never seen two people more opposite for each other and yet, they loved each other in their own way," he sighs, his eyes taking on that faraway look.

"I suppose that's what happens when you find your true mate," he murmurs thinking on Lani briefly before returning his attention to the faeries before him, "Several centuries later, my father finally handed down the throne to me, too tired to deal with the court any longer and so began my reign. I was young for a High Lord, hardly wanting to oversee such things but I grew into the role after a time. My first task was to make allies within the human realm, wanting to strengthen the bonds between humans and faeries," Andras pauses glancing at Dorian, "That's when I met Dorian for the first time and Ferdinand. I had only been gone a couple of days when word was sent that the court had been attacked, I left in a rush never getting a chance to ally ourselves with Italy. When I returned home I found my family slaughter before me, more than half the court dead and the few survivors where wounded. It threw me into such a frenzy I lost control and accidentally portaled myself to this world," he pauses with a sweep of his hand, "That was the first time I ever used this power. It took me weeks to figure what I had done and when I finally returned home, the court was abandoned. I spent the next fifty years searching for my lost court, finally finding them deep in the Alps. Over that half a century I had been practicing with my magic, transporting myself from world to world until I was confident I could travel with someone. When I suggested this idea to the court... they were wary, having thought I had abandoned them.

It took a along while for them to trust me again but once they did, I started the long process of transporting everyone here, where we began to build a new life. Ever since then, I've been scouring the modern world for the culprits and taking in as many faeries as possible," he gives a small shrug, reaching up to rub a kink out of his neck, "I found out recently that the attack had been from within the court, whether the culprits are still inside I know not, all I know is that there hasn't been an attack since then," he sighs, eyes traveling to Dorian once more. He had never told the man what Matteo had said, but he knew the Fae was smart enough to realize he had gained that information from his father. "My story is long and would take days to finish, but there is an inkling of who I am, who you have sworn yourselves too," he nods, looking at each and everyone in the room. "If there are any questions I would be happy to answer them at another time, I have some business to take care of first," he says, pushing himself to a standing position just as Ida returned with drinks, handing them out. "Ida will show you where you'll be staying should you find yourself here and from there she will show you how to use the portals. They are simple and can be accessed by anyone when they are tied to an inanimate object, hence why I ask you to swear yourselves to secrecy," he dips his head. "Thank you again for allowing me the day to show you Somnia," Andras smiles, hope blooming within his chest.

Andras Steinhello darling