death incarnate & night triumphant

His hand hurt. I guess that was what he got for punching a hole through his wall in the townhouse. Sighing, he brings it up to inspect the cuts and bruises along his knuckles, the light filtering through the half dead trees above him as he prods the barely healed wounds from the night before. Andras still hadn't cleaned the disastrous mess from Matteo's visit and only proceeded to get drunk after the fight had left him. Truly, it was rather disgraceful on how he handled himself, the faerie lord losing his temper and throwing the largest magical tantrum anyone had seen. Andras had only seen red but after his mind had cleared, he realized why Matteo had done it, he knew Andras needed a release or he would have taken it out on the next court member that looked at him the wrong way. He was ashamed of himself and yet, he knew Matteo would keep it to himself, wouldn't go shout to the world that the High Lord of the Shadow Court threw a magical fit.

Dropping his hand, he rubs the back of his neck, tilting his head back to stare at the tree branches with a sigh. It was a warmer day, the sun finally making an appearance in Sacrosanct. It had already been a long winter, the winter made longer by the absence of Lani, how long his mate would keep from speaking to him was beyond him, but he hoped he could make things right, all he knew was that she was safe and it was a price he would pay to know she was alive and well if she despised him for the rest of his existence. Still, it wasn't something he thought might be so... difficult. Returning his attention to the trail before him, it isn't long before he reaches his destination; the small lake in the middle of the forest.

Stopping at the shore, he glances around noting the ice that had formed several days ago was long gone. Perhaps not the wisest decision for his health but it was a sure way to clear his head as he begins to undress, his jacket falling to the ground, followed by shirt and shoes. He even goes as far as to remove his pants but leaves his boxers on as he finally slips the necklace from himself and lays it on the top of the clothing pile. Not giving himself a moment to hesitate, he allows his wings to erupt from his back, flaring them and giving one solid push from the ground to send him diving into the center of the lake. By the gods it was cold! It took his breath away but he doesn't stop as he uses his wings to propel him deeper into the lake, letting the frigidness seep into his very bones. It was only moments before he achieved a bit of clarity and it sent a wave of relief through him as he finally changes direction and breaks the surface of the water.

Taking a couple of deep breaths, he uses his wings as almost flotation devices as he floats on his back, goosebumps begin to pimple his skin as his pointed ears slip beneath the water. It was far too cold to do this in Somnia and really, it was too cold to do it here but he needed it, Andras allowing the silence of the forest to take over. It was relaxing, a good way for him to unwind from the pressures of his life, a good way to tether himself before he returned to Somnia. He knew Ida had asked for his return several times over the last week but he wasn't quite... ready to come home. This would help and he made a decision then and there he would return home after this, but for now... he would float here and enjoy his time in the freezing water, unaware of the lurking individual in the forest.

Andras Steinhello darling