Isabeau bid her current dance partner good by and walked tha manor where she had sensed Alexander had walked to stand beside him, she looked at the paintings, ever sinse her time with Joseph, she learned to apriciate art. "Good, are they not?" she asked. Alexander was different from the others, but she hoped to find a common intrest, to talk about, to learn more about the ex-preist.

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)

If asked, Antoine could not possibly explain the way his stomach twisted with what he assumed was envy as Scarlet approached this woman, and saw his hands ghost across her flesh. He tried to ignore the jealous burning deep in the pit of his stomach, and moderately succeeded in doing so. He bit his lip as Scarlet leaned forward, and whispered something rather harshly into her ear. His own ears weren't sharp enough to pick up what it was, but it certainly drew a reaction from her.

She shoved away from his escort, calling him a coward before approaching Antoine himself. He raised his chin, attempting not to look intimidated while facing such beauty. She had the appearance of an angel, but an air about her that claimed she was anything but.

"Lily," he repeated, bowing his head in respect. "As Scarlet has said, my name for the night is Skye." Just as with Scarlet, Antoine could catch her sent in the breeze she created when she moved, but he could not feel her heat. It was strange... Perhaps they were all just cold natured people, but something inside him told him that there was something else at work here. And whatever it was, it was not God's work.

Why did that make it morbidly fascinating, and so extremely alluring?

_________________

Jenya stared at the White Mansion from the shadows that she was hiding in. As she did, she felt a kaleidoscope of emotions: curiosity, excitement, anxiety. She hadn't been to a ball for God knows how long. She always loved going to them. Ever since she turned of an age where she could be presented before Vlad's courts, she had been the target of attentions and looks. Now, she was a monster. A beautiful monster, but a monster nevertheless. Every blood she drank caused a piece of her soul to fall off. If she had one to start out with.

She hesitated for a minute and then walked forward with an air of confidence. Standing in front of the gate to the mansion was a porter. Well, she handled porters before..

"You, madam," he said hesitantly as she approached the gate. "You..can't..come in. You need an invitation."
"Oh," she said, feigning innocence and desperation. "You wouldn't deny me from entering, would you?" She gestured at the dress she was wearing. "I must have spend a fortune on this and I was so excited to go here and I lost my invitation. So could you please let me in? Please?" She said the last word with a hint of sadness like everything in her life would fall apart if he refused her.

The porter looked at her with a sense of confusion, unable to allow her inside due to his duty yet at the same time, unable to refuse her because he simply had to help her. Finally, swallowing forcefully, he opened the gate and said, "You can come in.."

She flashed him a smile as she walked in, donning on her mask as she did.

_________________

I was cured all right.

The sudden appearance of Isabeau did not startle Alexander as he had become used to other vampires sneaking near, silently, unnoticed yet none had ever managed to harm him all tough they hardly wanted it in the least. Alexander briefly glanced towards her, with a judging look shadowing his face, and made the obvious conclusion, that she was no human and they might have a chat just to kill time.

He glanced at the paintings before them and made an envious grin at the figures depicted within those works of art.

"The skill of the works is unquestionable, yes, but the subjects often tend to divert away from the things worthy of praise. All too often I see paintings of kings, lords, ladies... humans as, if they did not see themselves enough when gazing in the mirror or at each others.

I loathe the sense of egotistical boasting, that such portraits give about, no matter how well the Mona Lisa was painted by the hand of one of the greatest artists the world has ever known, she, the subject still remains human...."

He spoke with a certain tone, that reflected his disgust yet remarkable hint of pity as he spoke of humans. Certainly he did not expect a fellow vampire to understand, but he did know, that she would misread his true persona in this way. Humans were cattle, nothing more and dangerous when put together by a common cause.

_________________

Let him curse my name
On these blood stained pages of misery
Let him call me a tyrant so cruel
Let him curse my name, but remember the truth!

Cloud had to smile inwardly at the Swan's words of him hiding the sun from her. At the same time he was gratefull that she was such a good dancer at the turn of music. Now the song seemed a bit slower. Yet still he felt he had to keep all his movements in check.

"I'll give you three guesses," he replied, a hint of intrest in what her guesses would be in his voice.

~~~~~~~~~

Donovan nodded, deciding not to smile for the moment as there was a new song and the dance started. For a minute he just looked down at her, a thoughtfull expression in his dark eyes. He examined her face, wondering what the parts under the mask looked like. And most of all wondered what her life-juice tasted like.

"Rose? A peculiar name. I'm sure any poet would say their lives are like roses, having beauty and thorns. I'd say my rose is more thorn than flower," he said, a hint of regret and hatred stinging his voice. "I'd like to know why you chose Rose as your name. But a dance floor is no place to talk, now is it?"

Don hoped she would fall for his trap. There was a look in her eyes that said she didn't want to be there. And neither did he, with all these humans. But why should he stay in his corner while there was so much here that was free for the taking? He at least should have a snack, he diserved it...

_________________

(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

Katarina looked up at Don with genuine interest at last. Just by his speech there was something about him that intrigued her. It seemed almost as if he had suffered in his past like she. "No, the dance floor is no place to talk," she agreed. She turned away then and glanced at the other couples dancing gaily about them. Once again she felt none of their joy and felt a tinge of envy of them. She suddenly felt a sudden urge to leave the floor and against her better judgment she turned back to Don. "Where did you have in mind?" she asked, referring to them finding a place to talk.

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AWESOME set by the AMAZING Lembas!!!

Isabeau smiled and remembered something Jospeh had told her, after she was turned, after she learned of his true age. "I have paintings, done a vampire, in my room. Most are of me, I admit, before and after I was turned, but ther are alot of other subjects. Although I was the only person he ever painted.Would you like to see them."

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)

Don raised an eyebrow, though the gesture was covered by his mask. Getting this woman alone with him was going to be easier than he thought. With a charming smile, that was more a smile of victory, he led the Rose off of the dance floor.

"There are hundreds of unused rooms in this mansion. There are many to choose from. But why don't we go to my favorite one... the room that used to be the barracks?" he asked, his voice dark and all emotion hidden now. Almost monotone and low to keep from anyone from overhearing. Don didn't want anyone deciding to follow them now...

_________________

(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

"The barracks?" Katarina asked softly with a raised eyebrow, though it hidden behind her mask. "Sounds quite charming," she remarked wryly, though she did not offer any physical protest. She glanced around the mansion as Don led her from the dance floor and the gaiety of ball. Why am I following him? she wondered to herself. Is it because he seems different than the other men here? Her sensible side was telling her to flee while she still had the chance, yet for some reason she found that she could not heed her own warning.

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AWESOME set by the AMAZING Lembas!!!

The music slowed and yet, once again Evelyn could easily change her movements to match the tempo and rhythm. She could feel eyes upon them, but that only made her want dance more elegantly with her partner. "A challenge you have offered me, but I must tell you that I am not a very good guesser... may I request a hint my dearest Cloud?" She questioned, eyes glittering beneath the mask she wore.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Jocelyn could feel something radiating off of... Skye's body was it. Something akin to jealousy, she would have laughed if she didn't think it would scare Skye or increase Derrick's aggrivation towards her. Right now she wanted to be away from them both and mingling with the people on the dance floor, but Derrick saw fit to not let her leave this room just left. Skye should have no need to feel jealous of her... Derrick was nothing but a man who betrayed her and yet she could not get away from... nothing more.

"Skye, a befitting name I suppose..." She smirked and repeated Derrick's gesture from earlier. Her pale slender fingers pressed against the skin of his cheek which was incredibly warm, finely manicured nails passed over his jaw bone before falling back to her side and resting against the silk and velvet material of her dress. "I can see the raging emotions in your eyes... if It was my choice I would have called you Neptune or Poseiden... gods of the sea.... " With those simple words she passed Skye, her body brushing his as she left the room, ignoring Derrick's pull.

Derrick's eyes darkened at Jocelyn's statement, not believeing that she would question his decision to call the man what he will, he would have chased after her if Skye was not standing within the room. "Come, there is nothing more to see up here... would you like to join me for a dance?"

_________________

The waves that C R A S H E D upon
The R O C K S that you were trying to step along

And in my head I heard them play a S O N G

Antoine could not suppress the intense feeling of distrust that swirled in his heart, just from being near this beauty. He couldn't quite place why he couldn't bring himself to trust her, but there was something almost dangerous about her. Like a sleeping tiger. So beautiful, and yet so destructive, when awoken.

The young man managed to fight back a shiver as Lily's fingers all but caressed his face and jaw, leaving a fiery trail of.. something.. in their wake. He swallowed hard, watching her face steadily, so as not to appear intimidated.

He was a bit surprised when she commented on his eyes, and what name she would have bestowed upon him. Poseidon? Neptune? Those names were too grand, for someone like him...

Before he could comment, she had brushed past him, and Scarlet was asking him to dance.

Dumbly, Antoine nodded. "A dance would be lovely," he agreed.

_________________

Jocelyn made her way down the hall, her black heels clicking upon the polished floors as she reached the winding staircase. Curious deep brown eyes looked around from beneath her mask before taking the first steps down towards the thriving party in the ball room. With each step, her movements were lost into the sound of the music, she became nothing more than a whisper or a shadow, making her way through bodies without them acknowleding her existence. It was perfect...

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Derrick knew that Skye must have strange feelings going on within him. He knew Jocelyn's charm, knew she could wrap anyone around her little finger if she wanted to, and it angered him that she would try to do such a thing to his Skye just to spite him... She would hear from him later, but for now he was to dance with this man.

"Then let us go my Skye..." Holding out his arm, he bowed his head polietly to Skye a broad smile on his luscious lips.

_________________

The waves that C R A S H E D upon
The R O C K S that you were trying to step along

And in my head I heard them play a S O N G

Alexander threw an slightly bothered gaze towards her as she suddenly pointed out, that there were paintings in her posession, that he might be intrigued in. Whether he was paranoid or simply annoyed, he did not know as it all seemed a bit too convenient, but who knew. Luck had not favored him before, but it might as well do so now.

"Why not... please lead the way..."

He said with a faint voice, that almost amounted to a whisper as he gazed briefly around wondering whether there was anyone else around to hear any bits of their conversation. As they began to walk along the hallway, Alexander could not help processing everything her speech and appearance told him. The accent shone trough the well perfected English, but almost everything else about her seemed still be left open. He chose to pass the time by conversing with her along the way.

"I am sorry miss, but I could not help noticing your accent, you are French, no?"

He inquired in order to learn more of her yet hidden past, but he was eager to know more as the sudden, friendly offer seemed off, but then again paranoia was not at all good for one`s mind and he could have as well bypassed his suspicious by telling himself, that it was nothing.

His mind however did not allow him to leave anything at chance.

_________________

Let him curse my name
On these blood stained pages of misery
Let him call me a tyrant so cruel
Let him curse my name, but remember the truth!

Isabeau smiled. "Thats right, I was born in 1750. I was part of the royal court until I left because of the french revolution." They came to her chambers. She opened the doors and looked at Alexander. "The paindings I have are precious to me, which is why they are in my room. Joseph, the one that panited them, he was my only love, and my sire. The paintins are all I have of him."

_________________
Where do you go when your running away,
The cost of stopping is too great to pay.
~Amanda (saw this written in a washroom stall at a movie theater)

"I choose that room, because it's very quiet, and has a door to the garden. And on the walls, as decor of course, are swords they used in the prime of the castle," Don said, almost dreamily, but like in a dark dream. One that wasn't really a nightmare, but wasn't anything good, either. "It's not far. Just this way."

He let go of her with the exception of her hand, which he held lightly as he started to lead her away from the ball room. He led her silently down a hallway, and through a great wooden door with a coat of arms on it. The room they entered were just as Don had described. It was a very long room with many shelves on either side. On the shelves, and mounted on the walls were variouse weapons. In the middle of the room were great oak tables with daggers, sharpenings stones, and cleaning cloths, all with a thick layer of dust. The furthest wall was the only wall with a window that gave a view to the garden. By the window sat three chairs, recently used by the imprints on the cushioned seats. The air in the room seemed ancient, almost heavy, but comfortable. Yet there seemed to be a menice the way the light from the moon eerily lit up the room. It was almost like the walls, tables, and weapons were trying to tell stories of deeds long gone.

Don waited to see the Rose's reaction to the room...

~~~~~~

"Alright, I'll give you a clue. I look at something that cannot move, and make so that you can move it," Aaron replied, his hint sounding much like a riddle. His eyes danced with luaghter under his rose-painted mask...

_________________

(}--{)Imagination Inspires Ideas -Zandain(}--{)
Married Cloud Strife 9/17/08

Rose stared at the room in both a mixture of wonder and slight fear. The air was heavy, yet not heavy enough to be uncomfortable. As the moon cast an eerie silver light in the room, she gazed about at the weapons mounted in the room, feeling herself drawn to them. Reaching out with a gloved hand to touch one of them, she quickly withdrew her hand before she made contact, almost as if the place had a sacredness not meant to be touched by one as she. She could feel the history in this room, as if the place itself wanted to break forth with stories untold, of deeds lost in silence. "This place is filled with history," she finally breathed in a whisper. "It is as if I can feel a power here..." she muttered more to herself, not having the courage to glance at Don.

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AWESOME set by the AMAZING Lembas!!!