death incarnate & night triumphant

Andras was rather thankful the faerie woman simply believed him; trusted him that it was safe. Whether it was because she was terribly naive or not made no matter to him, he was simply grateful he didn't have to pursue the girl with his family heirloom. It happened to be a win-win situation for him, his protection being extended to another lone faerie within Sacrosanct and he didn't have to chase her in order to get back the necklace. His attention is drawn from the darkness of his mind as she moves closer to him, her admission that she did, in fact, believe him has a small smile coaxing to his lips. Her next comment has him flicking his brows up in surprise, eyes widening slightly as he releases a quiet chuckle before a genuine grin breaks across his face, that very smile seeming to light up his entire being. Giving her a nod, he allows the expression to remain for a moment longer as he explains about that mountain of treasure he had hidden away within the lodge in Somnia. Her excitement is almost contagious as she presses a hand to her gaping mouth, her eyes becoming saucers at the very mention of the treasury. She moves to her tiptoes, her squeak of excitement drawing another smile from the man, "It's been needing someone to take care of it," he gives a casual shrug, he was almost certain the woman would know exactly what was in there after spending her time exploring the room.

As she brings her hands to her chest, the emerald flashes in the weak sunlight, Andras's gaze briefly distracted by it as he glances at the necklace. Her hardly lets his dark hazel gaze linger long before traveling back to her excited face as he explains that Somnia was not within this world. He notes the confusion with a secret smile before calling on that magic and allowing the portal to simply appear behind him. It was straining not attaching the portal to an object, the man so rarely creating a portal out of nothing. The sweat that beads on his forehead from the exertion has Illiana frowning at him, Andras offering a simple shrug as she questions his well-being, "I'm fine, no need to worry," his voice is level, not portraying the magical toll the portal took on his body. He's nearly astonished, though, that the woman doesn't flee from the black, swirling vortex. Instead, she moves closer, gesturing at the portal with a delicate hand as she questions him. Andras gives her a brief nod, an encouraging smile toying at the corners of his lips, "It only seems frightening at first," as her words echo within his mind. A starless night. How very... perceptive. The portal itself was darkness, as if the very night wrapped around you, held you as you traveled between worlds.

He explains quickly that it was a bit like flying, the girl seeming to gaze at his wings for a moment, Andras almost becoming uncomfortable beneath that stare. He loved to fly, he loved his wings and yet, he kept them hidden away, simply hid that joy of his love for it. He never particularly cared to have his monstrous wings inspected for long... lest someone ask to touch them and they would instantly vanish. He's thankful her gaze doesn't linger long as she offers him that necklace and he pockets it quickly, a thankful nod dipped in her direction. She's quick to demand the bird be allow to come, Andras accepting though he wasn't too thrilled with having that damn crow harassing the residents of Somnia. He offers to look for him and yet, it's a pointless task as a caw echoes from a nearby tree, his eyes flicking up to the shadow of the bird perched on a branch. What he isn't expecting is the giggle that so erupted from Illiana's lips, his gaze snapping back to her in that of surprise. Whatever had conspired between the two of them... he hardly wanted to know as a piercing whistle escapes her mouth.

The bird takes flight, speeding right for Andras, the tall man ducking his head to avoid the claws, his wet hair disrupted by the wind created from the crow. The portal wavers slightly in the break in his concentration but he regains hold almost immediately as the bird swoops into the black void. Illy's shout has him turning to her just as she launches herself into the portal, "Illiana, wait!" He calls after her but she disappeared quickly, realizing he should have warned her the first trip through tended to cause motion sickness. Sighing, he steps into the blackness, wind tearing around him as he's wrapped in a cocoon of night before stepping into the bright sunshine of Somnia. Closing the portal, it takes him a moment for his eyes to adjust against the sun reflecting off the last traces of the snow on the ground. Hearing his voice, his gaze turns on the woman, a lazy smile stretching across his lips, "Welcome to Somnia," he gestures to the city below them. Smoke curls slowly from the chimney's, laughter from the local faerie children echoing up to them. Though it was hardly modern in any sense, the city more or less old fashioned... cobblestoned streets, houses built to withstand the harsh winters of this world, though there was magic everywhere. You could practically feel it crackling in the air since electricity was all but nonexistent in this realm, magic fueled the city and the houses. A feat he was rather proud of. Towering mountains surrounded them, the city nestled into a valley, the forests thick surrounding them, wild and untamed, as if the magic made them almost dangerous to the non supernatural.

"I can show you the city or I can get you settled into the lodge," he offers, his arm gesturing to behind them as a more modern building stands behind them. Floor to ceiling glass windows to allow natural light to filter in, a charming path leading up to the front door. "One of my other court members lives in the lodge, but she tends to keep to herself and my housekeeper, Ida also lives there. This is my home for accommodating the court and meetings, the more 'official' house of the Monarch, if you will," he nods towards the massive building. I have a more personal cabin that I use the give my court members space, if they wish to stay here," turning back to Illiana, he offers a smile, "The treasury is in there," he says simply.

Andras Steinhello darling