sanguinedevotion

[sanguinedevotion]

"Right...I think I spotted some odd looking people earlier. ..Ah, I don't meant to judge though. This is just all so strange." Silas scratched at his cheek for a moment, looking at Eiden with a smile. Then his expression changed to one of excitement.

"...Bao? Huh..! I'm not sure I've ever heard of that. ...Is it a food typical of this realm? ...If so, I'd like to try it!"

"...Do you mind showing me the way?"

" You don't...? "

" You should be careful then!! I barely have any myself though... There are lots of strong people here ok? "

If he managed to cheer the guy up then it's good. Will he be okay though? He's kind of cute, Eiden thinks, deciding to keep that to himself. Someone without powers in this place would definitely be at danger - Eiden himself would know that firsthand...

" Oh there's this bao place nearby, maybe that'd be good? "

[sanguinedevotion]

As they push against one another, Silas allows Cecil's force to win. The vampire gives in to the friction; allowing the other's body to press against him fully. "Ahh.." He kept hold of Cecil's hair as their lips parted.

Silas wasn't as out of breath as him, so he was fully able to enjoy the expressions Cecil was making. "...Too much? I haven't even gotten started."

❛ Hm? ❜

Cecil tracks Silas' movements, eyes flickering down towards his neck as he feels the twinge of bruises there from the too-gentle touch. Again he marvels at the chilly feel of those fingers, which are extra sensitive on the skin inside his collar.

He wonders why the other's suddenly fallen silent and if he's not interested after all. That would be a shame with such a pretty face. Cecil really wanted to—ugh, his hair?

❛ You're—mnfgh. ❜ Rougher than you look, the marquis thinks as he melts into an ice-like kiss.

No, was melt really the right word? It was so harsh, and so cold—he thinks his lips will bruise like this, if the bunny kept eating him alive. His scalp stings where fingers tug at his hair, but the digits themselves are frigid against his skin.

It's strange and even a little uncomfortable yet...he likes it.

Hands hold onto Silas where he can, curling into the fabric of his shirt as he returns the gesture with equal enthusiasm. They started the exchange with the vampire pushing forward, but now Cecil pushes back. Breaths quicken as the kiss saps at his oxygen, before his lips finally part to gasp between their exchange.

❛ Hah, h-hahh... ❜

[sanguinedevotion]

"I remember...brushing your hair." This was something Silas had done many times, so it didn't really narrow down the timeframe, but it was better than nothing. "...As long as I remember you, then that's all I need." He looked over at his demon lord with a smile on his face.

"It's frustrating to have these gaps of memory, but it won't inhibit my work. I promise you."

Morpheus' ear twitched and while he did not look, he knew he had just been looked at. He turns into a tighter curl to embrace more of the moon onto sleek black fur.

As Silas continues, Sebastian is only left confused. His eyebrows knit together at this new information given to him. He remembered when he was taken from his realm, but Silas did not. "Tell me, what is the most recent you remember?" If there were gaps in his memories, perhaps they could figure something out.

[sanguinedevotion]

The warmth radiating off of Cecil’s body drew Silas in even more. Although he had meant this to end in threats and violence, even possibly murder, the vampire wondered if they might have some fun first. Normally he’d only let Sebastian touch him in a sensual manner, but... this Cecil had proven to be interesting enough to deserve a bit more than most saw from Silas.

The vampire let go of the others hand and place it upon Cecil’s neck, tracing the bruises and marks on the skin. His fingers then traced upwards until they reach the back of Cecil’s head. This fellow had been busy, but thankfully for Cecil, Silas didn’t recognize the bite mark as familiar. This might turn out much differently if he had.

Silas leaned forward with his mouth partly open, fangs nearly showing. He gripped Cecil's hair tightly and then pushed forward slamming their lips together.

The force around his fingers is painful but hardly fatal; Cecil bites back the urge to laugh as he takes in Silas’ brief expression of exertion. He doesn’t think the man was teasing before, so…he simply couldn’t, at the moment?

❛ Ah! ❜ the assassin exclaims in exaggerated surprise as their bodies clash. He welcomes the proximity, however, and tilts his head back to see Silas better, inadvertently exposing more of his neck and a hint of collarbone beneath his clothes.

There is an assortment of hickies scattered within, faded to different degrees…as well as the edge of one prominent bite mark. Indifferent to these, Cecil just smiles.

❛ My, I’m flattered. ❜

❛ What kind of surprise did mon lapin prepare for us? Hm? ❜

[sanguinedevotion]

Even without his full strength, somehow Silas manages to keep a grip of Cecil’s hand. However, what he doesn’t expect is Cecil to go along with the threat…no, he seemed to be challenging it. Welcoming it? Although, Cecil seemed momentarily shocked, that was quickly removed by what Silas could only perceive as excitement.

The vampire gritted his teeth, squeezing as hard as he could. Although, it was certainly going to be uncomfortable, Silas heard no popping or cracking. No easy break. He was … weak. This revelation only frustrates him, and he harshly pushed himself forward, against Cecil’s body. Not one to back down, he was stubborn.

“You are lucky. Not many get to see me like this.” There was still the option of using his teeth… and Cecil’s sensitive throat..

It feels almost too easy.

His pretty prey might not like him much at present, but Cecil adores him more by the minute. He thinks the best place for them is somewhere hidden and public at the same time: in this massive library, privacy comes and goes in unpredictable spurts.

Silas' words and blush are just about flawless. Too perfect, even; he wants to rub those cheeks so the flush comes through more, red and ravishing. But he's taken by surprise the next moment, hand suddenly caught in a grip so strong that he can't break free even after a few subtle tries.

❛ Oh...? ❜ Shock paints the lavender-pink eyes. His cute and helpless bunny is gone, replaced by something with more bite. The threat from Silas hangs in the air between them before a chuckle rises from the depths of Cecil's throat: soft at first, then more persistent until his shoulders start to shake.

❛ Break my hand? Mon lapin... ❜ My bunny.

❛ I would love to see you do it. ❜

His free hand finds Silas' other one, forcibly entwining their fingers together as he steps even closer. ❛ Come then. One at a time or both at once? I can hardly wait. ❜

[sanguinedevotion]

"Powers...? Oh. I don't have anything like that." Silas tilted his head slightly, and then he smiled at Eiden. "Aha...I suppose you're right. It's not all bad. Especially if I keep running into people like you in this realm." Even if Silas was acting, Eiden's cheerful demeanor was a bit contagious.

"I'm actually feeling quite famished just now..." He scratched the side of his cheek. "Sorry to be a bother but...you wouldn't happen to know where I could get a bit of food...?"

" I mean I'm not really a religious type but they might as well be? The way they wield power over us... "

Eiden does seem bitter for a moment there. As much as there are things and people he loves here he can't deny the way they're being toyed.

" You'll get your powers back, if you have any - your sparrow too, probably.

The mood'll get sour if he continues like that though!

" Don't worry about me! Despite how I might seem I'm pretty tough - mentally speaking at least! I've gone through all sorts of weird stuff before so this is def not any different! "

" It's not all bad y'know! "

[sanguinedevotion]

"Ah...yes I remember that, of course." Silas glanced down at Morpheus for a moment, smiling as he did so. He wished they had gotten to meet in the garden, even if they had met many times before that. It was never enough for Silas. "...However...I do not recall that being the time of my departure." He shook his head.

"...I do not recall....when I departed either. I seem to have forgotten many things. Not.. everything of course, but there are gaps in my memory."

Interesting. He was still there when Silas was brought here. Did that mean he was a copy? Or perhaps the one back in their realm was. Hmm, he doesn't like that thought and it is rather infuriating that he can't get an answer.

Silas' question earns a click of his tongue and he moves. Hellhound, Morpheus is then summoned and the dog sits right beside Silas.

"Morpheus and I were in hell at the time. it was the night that you and I were to meet at the garden." That night they had plans, after all. Such a shame that it fell through because of what happened.

"I believe that night was a full moon."

[sanguinedevotion]

“H-hey!” Silas played the reluctant, shy , inexperienced young man fairly well. Perhaps too well it seemed. He allowed Cecil to drag him along further in the library. “You can’t just take me wherever you want..!” While he was curious about how far this was going to go, he also knew that if they were hidden in a more secluded spot it would be easier to make a kill.

Silas glanced around at where they’d ended up with a disgruntled expression on his face. Then he looked back over at Cecil. “I’m not sure if you’re forward… or just very strange.” Then he shook his head.

“You just led me here so you could…” There was another blush that tinted his face. Somehow he could execute that on demand.

However, before Cecil could make another move, Silas grabbed his hand and lifted it up and squeezed. Any expression he wore on his face before was gone. “You’ve made a mistake.” Even his tone had changed; it was like he was a completely different person. "I'm going to break your hand."

Once again, Silas rejects him, but Cecil doesn't mind. Sharing their names was already the first step—sharing everything else could come later. Actually, ruffling the man's feathers was just as endearing.

❛ Of course, absolutely. ❜

❛ But I'm serious about— ❜ he suddenly pauses to look around. There aren't many people at the entrance of the library this time of day, but it's still a public place. Considering how shy the other was already, he wouldn't get far here.

❛ Come, I'll take you to a place. ❜

Cecil takes the other by the wrist to pull him after him. When there's no real resistance, he smiles and leads Silas on a merry romp all throughout the aisles, until they finally find a secluded corner between bookshelves divided by a tiny, moss-covered waterfall trickling out as a stream beneath their feet.

❛ Here, ❜ Cecil says breathlessly. ❛ Now we can chat. Yes? ❜

[sanguinedevotion]

Silas wondered if Cecil was playing a game, or if this was just how the man always was. The vampire was certainly playing his own game, but he didn't know how long it would remain entertaining. Nor how long he had the patience to keep up with someone this forward.

"Frank...or--" He glanced back over at Cecil when his chin was grabbed. "-- f-forward..?" Silas stuttered on his words. "You....you have to be joking." He grabbed Cecil's wrist and forced his hand away.

"There's more to people than just looks you know. I don't even know you...this is strange."

Privately, Cecil thinks Silas is beautiful no matter what lighting he stands under. He wonders how lovelier the other man might look with different expressions—though his current one was very good already.

❛ I’ve been told I’m refreshingly frank, ❜ Cecil admits easily. Where Silas looks away, he chases after him with his gaze, releasing the man’s hand just to grasp at his chin.

❛ Are you unused to it? But it’s true that I think you’re very lovely. ❜

[sanguinedevotion]

Silas stood back up and glanced over at Eiden, seemingly less cheerful than before. "The Stars you say..." Those were the beings that displaced him here, and created this entire realm? "Are they gods, or something?" He shook his head, expressive turning pensive and concerned.

"It's frightening, isn't it? I hardly know what to do with myself. They've taken everything from me. Even my little sparrow. How do you... manage?"

" Isn't he? " Eiden proudly responds, " found him from my shop, didn't mean to keep him but ... "

Eiden shrugs with a laugh, giving a gentle poke at the birds neck. Hearing of this man's missing friend Eiden's expressions changes to sympathetic.

" You might be able to get him back in time - from the Stars. "

[sanguinedevotion]

Silas's chin was lifted up, and as his head moved his expression changed into a gentle joy. There was a smile on his face and a sparkle in his eyes. Even as Sebastian pierced his skin so easily, it mattered not. The blood dribbled from his chin and dripped to the ground as he stood up.

The vampire didn't miss a beat as he followed along with his lord; slightly behind, on the side of him but never ahead. "No, my lord. All as it was when you left. ...As I recall, you were still there when I was displaced here." It was strange but, Silas also had some gaps in his memory. Possibly from the displacement.

He knew who he was and who Sebastian was of course...but he couldn't pinpoint the exact time of his own departure. "If I may ask, can you recall something specific, right before the time you were taken here? ...A date, or ...an event perhaps..?"

The eclipse started and Sebastian watched until it vanished. He hadn't come across an eclipse in such a long time, but with the eclipse and as it disappeared, he sensed the most familiarity in the air.

HIS pet had arrived.

The stars had such powerful magic to be bringing in people and while Sebastian still couldn't understand it, he looked to find answers. Not right now though. Right now, he'd wait for his pet to find him.

When the sun set and the moon rose, Sebastian waited patiently. He sat, enjoyed his red wine (not blood), and then when he was done, he made his way elsewhere.

He purposefully kept on the move.

And finally, after some time he can feel Silas' presence coming in closer. Took him long enough. At least the vampire didn't forget to properly greet him. Sebastian approaches, closer and kneels down in front of Silas. It's hard to tell if the demon lord is happy to see his pet, but regardless, a clawed finger taps at Silas' chin and forces his head to be lifted,

"You are correct. You have no excuse as to why you are late." He clicks his tongue, golden hues studying red ones, his clawed nail cuts a small line beneath Silas' chin and when his finger touches a small droplet of blood, Sebastian gives his finger a lick and releases a thoughtful hum. "but you are forgiven," he eventually says with a gentle breath.

"Rise."

Sebastian is already standing at his full height and begins walking in another direction.

"Have I missed anything from our realm?"

[sanguinedevotion]

"Yes it's--" Silas paused as his hand was further claimed by Cecil. His expression showed confusion and bewilderment at the boldness of the gesture. While he stepped backwards into the library, his gaze didn't leave his acquaintance. "...Hah, I can't help but think...you're flirting with me?" He looked a little concerned.

"...It's quite bold....! I'm not use to such gestures..." For a moment he looked away from Cecil, feigning shyness. "Could you...let go of my hand, please?"

Obviously, titles meant nothing to this man. They didn't count for him either, but where else was he supposed to say his name if not in the introduction?

❛ Well, that's less of a mouthful to remember. ❜ the assassin remarks as their fingers touch. ❛ Then you can call me Cecil to save yourself the hassle. ❜

Silas' fingers are icier than he expects. Cecil adds a second hand to his first, sandwiching the man before raising the chilly knuckles to his lips for a warm kiss.

❛ You're so cold. ❜

❛ ...it's not a good time to step out right now. Get back inside. ❜

Regardless of what Silas wants, Cecil happily steps forward and urges the other man back into the cozy depths of the Great Library of Xalphina, still holding his hand.

[sanguinedevotion]

Silas nodded his head, smiling as he did so. "Yes, just like that!" Then he copied Cecil's movements, letting out another charming laugh.

"Well, I suppose you're right. It probably does one well to get out and...socialize. To know the people of their country...or something to that effect.." Silas glances at Cecil's hand, then back up at his face.

Simple social pleasantries was it? Fine.

He extended his hand as well, reaching for Cecil's own. "It's good to meet someone as friendly as you during my first days here, Cecil! You may call me Silas." Just Silas.

❛ They flip? ❜ he echoed incredulously. ❛ Do you mean they clap? ❜ Copying Silas' motions of opening and closing his hands, Cecil only finds himself at a loss.

What in the Chorus' name is he talking about.

❛ But why would I look up information there and deprive myself of company? ❜

❛ I am no hermit. ❜

He supposed it was one of the Stars' many tools to promote isolation in their strange cityscape.

❛ Rather, I would prefer to meet new faces and make friends. Yes? ❜ He extends a hand. ❛ Lord Évariste Cecil Aubert IV, mage and Marquis de Chaumont. A pleasure. ❜

[sanguinedevotion]

The vampire goes with the flow of the conversation; ignoring the fact that Cecil was blocking his way out.

"Ah, well....where I'm from, we do have phones ...in a similar manner. They are about the same size but...less flat!" Silas held up a finger as he made his point, but he looked a little awkward doing it. Then he placed that same hand back down. "...I mean....they flip." He made a motion with his hands.

"Well, anyway...these phones contain a vast amount of information! You can research whatever you'd like, and they keep all of your currency inside them as well. ...You can even watch various films!"

❛ What a coincidence. ❜

❛ I've only been here for a week myself. ❜

Undeterred by the rejection, Cecil remains cheerfully blocking Silas' way, eyes only glancing at the phone before sliding back to the man's more interesting points: silk, ruffles, lace, face. It's a man with rare dress sense, so of course he'd stay close.

❛ I haven't bothered using my phone at all, ❜ the marquis admits. Who would he even call? Destroying it the first time to find its mysterious "Dust" had also been sadly ineffective.

❛ What did you learn about it? ❜

[sanguinedevotion]

@astrallithid

"Whoooaah...you can levitate?!" Silas let out a gasp and looked upon the stranger in awe. "..I hope it's not rude to ask...but you wouldn't happen to be some sort of magician would you?" He scratched his cheek, expression changing to one of sheepishness.

"It's just...I've never seen real magic before."

[sanguinedevotion]

@wshingwells

Silas was laughing and having a most joyous time as he found himself surrounded by various wild birds. They were easily won over by treats, but they also seemed to be used to people. Either way this was a welcomed reprieve for Silas.

"I've never seen so many birds in one place before. And certainly none as friendly as these!"

[sanguinedevotion]

@kleinstar

"So you keep this rooster as your pet? ...How charming!" Silas knelt down to give the bird a bit of attention. "I have a bird of my own, but ...he didn't arrive with me. I'm a quite upset about it." Oh, Peter. That little sparrow. Where was he now?