death incarnate & night triumphant

He felt at peace... almost, for the first time since the changing of Lani. His conversation with Matteo hadn't particularly gone the way he had planned and yet, he was assured by the ancient faerie nonetheless. Futures changed constantly, yet, he had faith in the man, that he wasn't lying to him, simply because Matteo now knew his hidden ability to break into someone's mind, to listen to their most private thoughts. Not that Andras would do that willingly, the man reserving that affinity for... emergencies more or less, though he had utilized it greatly during the time of wars and interrogations. It was never pleasant to dive deep into a corrupted mind, how it could make you feel disgusting for weeks after. The lord had seen his fair share of cruel and morbid minds in his life to last an eternity. Even after prying into Matteo's mind in his outrage, Andras had refrained from digging deep, merely wanting to see where the man teleported next. Still, it was an intrusion of privacy, one he would never do again. Andras was also convinced he could go crazy being in mind as ancient and as cunning as Matteo's.

Releasing a sigh, the cold water seeps into his bones as he stares at the trees, his elongated ears submerged in the water to drown out the noise of the breeze rustling the dead branches. The sun hardly did anything as it dances across his naked flesh, though he felt more content than he had in weeks. Making up his mind, he would return to Somnia and at the very least inquire with Ida to see how Lani was doing. Though she still refused to speak with him, he could at least check in on her wellbeing, even if she didn't want him to. Decided, he's nearly ready to exit the freezing water until the breeze changes direction, an almost familiar scent settling within his nostrils as his entire body stiffens. Casually, he begins to shift his body, his ears coming out of the water as his dark hazel eyes travel the shore to catch a faerie silently exiting the clearing. Frowning, he silently propels himself through the water towards his clothes, his sense on high alert. He had, had suspicions someone had entered the townhouse only yesterday, perhaps the people that wanted to hurt Lani were a larger group than he had anticipated.

Readying himself mentally, he steps out of the water, droplets pouring off of him as he scans the trees where the woman had disappeared before glancing down at the pile of clothes. Instantly, he notes the emerald is gone, Andras releasing a sigh as his body relaxes. It wasn't someone out to murder his court, it was merely someone trying to steal from him. Yet, that still would not do. Quickly, he drags on his pants and shoes over his wet body, tucking his shirt into his back pocket while he holds his jacket in one hand. He did not like to be played as a fool... let alone approve of thievery. Silently, he spreads his wings and launches himself into the air, eyes narrowing as he searches for the woman. It hardly takes him long to find her as she scuttles away... emerald in hand. Moving across the sky like a predator, he tilts into a downward dive and finds himself landing in front of her, arms folded across his naked chest as he glowers at the woman, stopping her from moving any farther. Eyes widening slightly, recognition hits him square in the chest as his eyes rove the familiar face before him.

She was that rather shy faerie he had met in the park all those months ago, the woman practically running off after he had stood. Apparently he had terrified the woman. Frowning at her, his dark hazel eyes move towards the emerald clutched to her chest, "Stealing isn't very proper," he drawls out, his massive leathery wings folding in behind him, the cold air hardly noticeable in that moments. Though, water still streams from his hair, traveling down his chest, "That is mine," he pauses for a moment, debating on whether this woman would actually return the stolen item, "And I would appreciate it if you returned it," he demands in quiet words, stern though he wasn't intentionally trying to scare the woman. Perhaps it wasn't the best way to go yet, Andras was tired from the lack of sleep and perhaps a little irritated at the situation, but he manages to soften slightly, unfolding his arms to let them dangle at his side, "Where is your crow friend?"

Andras Steinhello darling