Buna ziua~!

Indie APH Romania Blog ♠ Historical Interpretation ♠ Written by Wolf ♠️ Please read Rules and About ♠ est. 11/28/17 ♠️ Status: low activity

[coltii-romanesti]

[ *rises from the dead* Hello everyone! It's been a while, so a little life update ]

I believe I haven't posted since... what, November? Even then it was sparce... had a big life change, was going through the process of switching jobs (a really big headache, honestly...), then the holidays, then moving, a whirlwind of events that left me ragged.

On top of this, and on a good note! My writing here has been sparce (and nonexistent) lately as I've started writing a book! It's going pretty well so far, and might post chapters on my personal account (if you want to know it, let me know). I'm at a point where I know my characters well enough in that project I'm not afraid to go back and write other things now. That, and I miss Vlad terribly 😫 he was one of my first real developed characters I've written, and I miss the interactions and community here.

Due to my job, there will be times I can't respond, and I might miss things (like his birthday... God I feel so bad for that). But, I'll always try to come back. I love him and this place too much to leave completely.

Can't wait to write with you all soon!

~Wolf

[coltii-romanesti]

Vlad nodded along. "Wonderful." He wasn't cold, yet, but if he waited much longer he knew he was going to start feeling it. "Blankets are good at holding in warmth, but not necessarily producing it." Then a thought crossed his mind. He silently thanked God he didn't voice it. It didn't help that she still held his hand.

"I say we gather the candles in the fireplace. Maybe with them all grouped in there, some heat will radiate, and the light will be stronger as well?" He suggested, letting himself breathe as she let go of his hand and the candlewick caught light. "Maybe a couple posted around the room, but a concentration in the fireplace?"

Now that the one candle was lit, providing more light, Vlad began looking for others to light before his lighter ran out of fluid. He chuckled at the mention of the fire spirits. "I wouldn't mention them to often," he smirked as he turned back to her, another candle in his hands now lit. "You might summon them unintentionally." He saw the shiver, but didn't think it would be anything other than the cold.

"You mentioned you had a blanket collection? Might want to start breaking them out."

[suntusita]

Despite the faint light in the rooms, Mer couldn't help but look in Vlad's direction and give him a playful glance. Her mind went to a place that God was not invited too, but she held her thoughts in and just chuckled. "Uh-huh~" were the only words she could muster out amidst the laughter.

"Ah, I think that would help." Mer took his suggestions and begin to work. Her hands went for the pillars and adjusted them throughout the area. Little sighs escaped her as she rearranged, it couldn't be helped that she still felt silly for not ordering wood earlier. "At least the room looks cozy as we freeze." There was plus side to everything, right?

"You know, I had fire friends growing up," Mer shared as she recalled a tale from many moons ago. "They were salamandres. Guy always told me to stay away from them or else they would burn my hair~." She laughed, "I never listened, I always find them in firewood and wait for them to spew fire. It never happened, but I like to think they were friendly to me. I always feed them crickets I found in the field."

She was ready to mention more about her salamander journey, but her train of thought was broken by his question. "Ah, yes! I'll be right back." Before long, their was a bounce in her step as she navigated through the dark hallways.

The light sounds of thuds and curse words filled the silent space, but moments later, the petite woman came back with a brigade of blankets. "Back in the day, when it was this cold and dark, I would stay warm by..." She paused before realizing the door in her mind was slowly creaking open, "Laisse béton, nevermind." Mer stopped before laughing to herself. "Here are the blankets. I think I may have sweaters somewhere from when Guy stays around if you like to wear them."

[coltii-romanesti]

He could feel the cold nipping his ears and cheeks now, but not unbearably so. He wouldn't call it freezing just yet. "We won't freeze. Just... Hopefully the wax won't all melt away before it starts to warm up a little in here. If need be..." Vlad sighed. He hated the thought, but he doubted Mer would volunteer, not to mention the legality of it where they were. "Do you happen to have an ax? If not, we can make do, but if we want something substantial to burn... who am I kidding, it's probably not legal to just randomly cut branches off a random tree here."

As she spoke of her little fire friends, Vlad couldn't help but progressively furrow his brows. "Aren't they just... lizards? I don't think they breathe fire. But spirits and sprites, on the other hand, they can start fires. I don't think we need to worry about those, though." He paused for her to retrieve the blankets, and when she came back he started unfolding them, ready to wrap one in a blanket burrito.

"The blankets should do. I'm not terribly bothered yet, so you can have the first pick. I'm used to hoofing it in chill like this." Not that it was by choice. For a little under a century, relatively recently, he dealt with such discomfort. In part, because he didn't want to hog his privileges when his people were suffering, but also because the commies were hard pressed to make his life miserable. Vlad folded his hands under his arms. "I'll bundle up when it starts to bother me."

[coltii-romanesti]

Vlad could feel the cold beginning to nip at his skin. He wasn't bothered; the cold was something he got used to centuries ago. His country was warm, but the winters were more than capable of bitter cold. But the moment he felt her squeeze his hand, the cold was the last thing on his mind.

"Alright, fireplace is a good start." He cleared his throat, small puffs of white escaping his lips. "Spirits that start fires aren't the ones you want in a house. Do you have candles, maybe?" As he asked, he slipped his free hand into his pocket and pulled out a lighter, a tiny little flame crackling in his fingers.

"I can at least provide light, but something this small isn't going to be very warm."

[suntusita]

The small, flickering flame of the lighter reflected in her eyes as she looked at him. Mer couldn't help but smile at his pragmatism—it was charming, as always.

"I definitely have candles. Somewhere." she murmured, her voice sounding louder than usual in the blackout. "And thankfully. I'm a little bit of a collector when it comes to blankets. We will just have to bury ourselves in wool tonight."

Gently, she used her grip on his hand to guide him towards the living area, her steps cautious in the dark. "Then, let's be thankful I have no fire spirits here, and only boring wax and wick~" she sheepishly said. "If you can keep that lighter on for thirty more seconds, I think there is a stash of pillars on the mantle."

She reached out with her free hand, feeling the cool and gritty brick of the fireplace until her fingers brushed against the smoothness of the candle. "Ah-ha! Found one. Vite, vite, vite!" She grabbed the candles and watched as the wick caught and the flame grew, with shadows covering the corners of the room.

She didn't let go of his hand immediately, instead she turned to him in the faint light. "See? We're already halfway through a cozy evening with no fire spirits." She teased softly, though shiver ran through her and this time, it had nothing to do with the temperature.

[coltii-romanesti]

Vlad nodded along. "Wonderful." He wasn't cold, yet, but if he waited much longer he knew he was going to start feeling it. "Blankets are good at holding in warmth, but not necessarily producing it." Then a thought crossed his mind. He silently thanked God he didn't voice it. It didn't help that she still held his hand.

"I say we gather the candles in the fireplace. Maybe with them all grouped in there, some heat will radiate, and the light will be stronger as well?" He suggested, letting himself breathe as she let go of his hand and the candlewick caught light. "Maybe a couple posted around the room, but a concentration in the fireplace?"

Now that the one candle was lit, providing more light, Vlad began looking for others to light before his lighter ran out of fluid. He chuckled at the mention of the fire spirits. "I wouldn't mention them to often," he smirked as he turned back to her, another candle in his hands now lit. "You might summon them unintentionally." He saw the shiver, but didn't think it would be anything other than the cold.

"You mentioned you had a blanket collection? Might want to start breaking them out."

[coltii-romanesti]

It was as though life had finally given Vlad a chance to breathe. The combination of diplomatic paperwork and his own personal editorial work had left him drowning in loose paper and emails, along with the endless flights all over the continent. One last national meeting for the year, and then he could breathe without a couple dozen nations breathing down his neck.

Hearing his name in that familiar voice summoned a genuine smile as he turned to Mer approaching him. Vlad excused himself from his previous conversation and held a hand up to stop her right there, smile wavering. "Hold it. While I appreciate the respect, we're close enough for fullnames to sound wrong. It's just Vlad, remember?" He couldn't keep the serious look, cracking the smile almost immediately.

"As for a free minute—always. What's on your mind?"

[suntusita]

The tension in her shoulders soften the moment he teased her. A soft, self-depreciating laugh escaped her lips as she shook her head, her hand coming up to tuck a tuft of hair behind her ear.

"Right. Vlad," she corrected, her voice losing it's formality. "Bad habit. Sometimes I think the paperwork is slowly turning my brain into a filing cabinet."

The noise of the room seem to recede into a dull background blur. She took a half-step closer, grounding herself. Despite the burst of energy from earlier, she was much more relaxed, though a hint of nervousness played in the way she fidgeted with her sleeve.

"I realized that the last time we spoke was...awhile ago." She said, her eyes meeting his with warmth. Trying to avoid the words I miss you.

"And, maybe, if we're both, free...I mean, if you're free. I was wondering if you would like to grab coffee? Somewhere quiet, away from all this 'official' nonsense. Just the two of us?"

She paused, offering a playful, hopeful tilt of her head. "Unless, your schedule is already booked through next year. I know you are very, very popular~."

[coltii-romanesti]

Vlad nodded agreeingly, his brows raising. "I can relate to that. I need a break from the mundanity of all this."

As the room quieted, he couldn't but glance around, thinking someone important was about to enter or something profound was about to be announced. Not that he cared too much, but such a moment would be the perfect time to slip out. As his gaze darted round the room, he didn't notice Mer inch closer, nor did he sense it.

"It was," Vlad muttered. Now that he thought about it, it had been a while. She didn't have to speak any further after the mention of somewhere quiet. She had his full and undivided attention. Vlad looked down at her, a smile curling the edge of his lips.

"A man can only be popular if he puts himself out there. I, for one, have the most unfortunately fortunate habit of disappearing the moment someone wants me around. Call it a coward's instinct." He then realized that his statement sounded an awful lot like a 'no', and quickly added with a grin, "That being said, I'll take any opportunity to get away from this nonsense. The coffee and selective company being most welcome."

[suntusita]

@coltii-romanesti : reply to (x)

"Oh, so it's the 'spirits' now, is it? How convenient." Mer teased, as her voice drifted in the darkness. A subtle squeak as she felt the warmth of his hand, against her cool skin.

"I think the storm just heard you coming, Vlad. My house is sturdier than it looks, and wasn't prepared for your 'luck,'" Mer left out a long, sigh the ended with a small puff of white mist - the air turning in the room already.

"The fireplace? Yes. The wood? No." She paused, a sheepish frustration in her voice. Can one blame a woman, who, by the way, was used to warm weather year around, to request an earlier wood delivery? No, never. "I was suppose to get it delivered...tomorrow. Seems my luck is just as good as yours."

She already felt the cold seeping through the floors, her hand slightly tightening on his, subconsciously reaching for warmth.

"I hope you can bring your 'mischievous spirits' over to start a fire out of thin air, because," She managed a small, shaky smile to mask the sudden chill running down her arms. "We're down to blankets and whatever heat we can salvage. I think we should move to the den, it'll be easier to keep warm."

[coltii-romanesti]

Vlad could feel the cold beginning to nip at his skin. He wasn't bothered; the cold was something he got used to centuries ago. His country was warm, but the winters were more than capable of bitter cold. But the moment he felt her squeeze his hand, the cold was the last thing on his mind.

"Alright, fireplace is a good start." He cleared his throat, small puffs of white escaping his lips. "Spirits that start fires aren't the ones you want in a house. Do you have candles, maybe?" As he asked, he slipped his free hand into his pocket and pulled out a lighter, a tiny little flame crackling in his fingers.

"I can at least provide light, but something this small isn't going to be very warm."

[suntusita]

" I think we just power... " from the winter prompts 🙃 ( also hi im back from the dead for a bit )

winter prompt - accepting

The thought flicked through Mer's mind for a moment: Had she paid the electricity bill? She was sure she had. It seemed, their casual coffee and conversation was cut short as the darkness settled heavily between them. The culprit was more likely the winter storm outside, judging by the way the wind rattled the shutters.

"Oh," Mer murmured as she shifted in seat, searching for Vlad's silhouette. "Was this you, Vlad? How can you break my house already?" she teased, with a light chuckle to follow.

[coltii-romanesti]

"Hey, now." Vlad blinked. He was about to set his cup down, but he didn't want to risk missing the table. Instead, he opted to wait for his eyes to adjust. "I'm not always bad luck. At least, I don't think so..." His eyes wandered the darkness, trying to draw shapes of what was there. The wind outside sent a shiver down his spine.

"If we were in my lands, I could blame the poor wiring, or a mischievous spirit." Slowly, shapes started to form out of the darkness, and he could vaguely make out the woman in front of him. He gently placed his hand against hers to letter know where he was. "You don't happen to have a fireplace, do you? And some wood? Without power, and with a snowstorm outside, it's going to get cold."

[suntusita]

@coltii-romanesti

Life is always so busy for a nation. The bustling life of paperwork, communications, and traveling never seems to stop. She hadn't seen Vladimir in ages, only a few quick texts exchanged—nothing like a real conversation. She'd made a silent promise to herself: the next time their paths crossed, she would ask him for coffee.

And here she was in a room filled with a symphony of languages and a sea of faces. As she weaved through the room, she spotted Vladimir. Her steps fell a little heavier, as her heart began to race. Why did she feel so nervous to ask him for coffee?

Her hands waved energetically at him as she called his name, "Vladimir!" She said as approached, "Do you have a free minute? I wanted to ask you something-"

[coltii-romanesti]

It was as though life had finally given Vlad a chance to breathe. The combination of diplomatic paperwork and his own personal editorial work had left him drowning in loose paper and emails, along with the endless flights all over the continent. One last national meeting for the year, and then he could breathe without a couple dozen nations breathing down his neck.

Hearing his name in that familiar voice summoned a genuine smile as he turned to Mer approaching him. Vlad excused himself from his previous conversation and held a hand up to stop her right there, smile wavering. "Hold it. While I appreciate the respect, we're close enough for fullnames to sound wrong. It's just Vlad, remember?" He couldn't keep the serious look, cracking the smile almost immediately.

"As for a free minute—always. What's on your mind?"

[suntusita]

@coltii-romanesti special guest: zselyke

It were moments like these that Zselyke reminded to herself why she never left home. Her talkative nature gave way to observations and pure exhuastion. The dinner with her geographical peers sounded like a great idea at the time--to get back out there and eat something other than goulash.

Now, she regretted it. She remained seat, taking a sip of her wine and watching chatter fill the long table. How do people have so many words to say, she wondered, what is there to say? Her latest accomplishment was failing to complete a blood donation.

After a moment, she finally found the courage to stand up and find a new place to sit. A wine glass in hand, with ten-fleeting seconds of confidence, she quickly pointed in the direction of someone to talk to. It was as if the universe knew it had to be Vladimir. A sigh of defeat escaped her lips as she weaved her way towards him, standing in his direction.

She cleared her throat before, awkwardly saying, "Hello. I'm going to sit here now."

[coltii-romanesti]

Vlad was barely listening to the conversation as he sipped his own glass of wine. While he didn't mind gatherings like this—after all, they had their diplomatic benefits—there was a certain fatigue that always followed. There was far too much history in this room to ignore, and it was a struggle for fights not to break out over the smallest of things. For this reason, he chose the furthest seat away from a particular Russian.

No, he stayed by his usual companion of Daniel, who was still going on and on about something... was it flowers? Vlad had long forgotten as he spaced out. And how unfortunate it was to be brought back to earth by her. He paused mid sip of his wine to look up at Zselyke.

"Zse-Zse," a sly smirk curled behind his wine glass out of habit. "You sure you want to do that? I thought I made terrible company."

[invademyinbox]

Anonymously tell my muse something you'd never say to their face.

[rozovi-truni]

"You are permitted in time of great danger to walk with the devil until you have crossed the bridge."

◇ Ind. APH inspired Bulgaria personification

◇ Historically and culturally based, loosely canon

◇ Mun is 21+

◇ 12 years RP exp.

◇ 7 years tumblr exp.

[coltii-romanesti]

Vlad was standing near the wine table, watching to be sure his best Bulgarian friend didn't exceed his one bottle limit. He had taken Mer's suggestion and invited Daniel, though he was sure she might regret it. If Vlad didn't actively watch him and keep sober enough to do so, all her wine would be gone by midnight.

It took him all of two seconds to figure out who was beneath that pretty mask. The red hair, the French, the height, no doubt it was Mer. It seems she was already tipsy, not clocking him at all. He couldn’t help the grin under his mask. Oh, this will be fun.

"Bonjour," he mimicked her French, tipping his hat in greeting. It was about as much French as he knew, hopefully he wouldn't have to try to use more. "Are you not the hostess? I'm sure your company is excellent, but why escape your own party so soon?" He leaned back on the table, hands on it's surface. "If I leave now, my dear friend may drink your bottles dry." He nodded a several paces away to Daniel, who was wearing a similar though more modern suit with a forest green necktie, his one allowed bottle in his hand as he conversed. "You don't want him drunk so early in the night."

[suntusita]

The wine-haze was her undoing. It feels like anyone was able to convince to her of anything now. She carefully placed the bottles down with a definite pout emerging. "Zut, zut, zut," she murmured in defeated agreement, "I am the hostess aren't I? Bel Inconnu, I am a social moth, but even moth need to rest under the moonlight sometimes." Without a second thought, she pulled a chair besides him, propping her elbows on the table and resting her chin in her hands.

Her gaze flickered in his direction, then around the room, trying to spot where troublesome friend is among the others who fallen in the alcohol's spell. "I wouldn't worry about your friend so much..." she said, gesturing with her free hand towards a cluster of German-speakers. "The German nations found the beer and seem like they are having their own party at this point." She chuckled, "But why are you seated? You should be out there enjoying yourself! And, this is coming from the hostess." It just may take her awhile to learn who this person maybe.

[coltii-romanesti]

Damn it, there's beer. "As I said, you don't want him to be too drunk. He'll start challenging people to drink-offs. He's not a light weight by any means, but he'll get unruly if left unchecked." And if the German nations were here too... Vlad didn’t want to think about it. He only hoped a certain Russian or Serbian was far from sight, then things would get bad.

"Some rest is good, I agree, but a host or hostess shouldn’t leave the party unattended, even if only from the shadows. You never know who would hijack the festivities." Vlad adjusted his mask under his hat. He wasn't sure about the tophat, but it did help to hide his identity. That is the point of a masquerade, after all. But it felt awkward wearing it indoors. "I'm on the sidelines to keep an eye on him. At least until he calms down from the booze." He pointed to Daniel, still holding on to his wine bottle. Vlad silently prayed the Bulgarian didn’t discover the beer. "If he finds out there's more than just wine, I'll have my work cut out for me."

[coltii-romanesti]

@suntusita

Daniel would've really preferred it wasn't so last minute. Not that he didn't have the proper attire, or a means to get there, but for an occasion like this there are certain things one must know beforehand. Specifically to avoid classic slip-ups. At least Daniel wasn't matching Vlad—the poor Romanian would have a hard time arguing the "friend date" thing wasn't serious if he did—but he could have at least told him the color scheme. Now they look like Christmas, with Vlad sporting a deep burgundy necktie and Daniel in forest green.

As they walked in, Daniel immediately cracked a smile. "When you said it was a masquerade ball, I was expecting the traditional music."

Vlad quirked a brow. Mer definitely didn’t have classical music playing, at least to start with. "Would you have preferred traditional?"

He nodded immediately, his smile widening. "Oh no, this is much better." He was about to b-line directly to the drinks before Vlad grabbed his arm.

"You're limit is one."

"One?!" Daniel's jaw dropped. "It’s a party, Vlado, there's no way in hell I'm stopping at one drink—"

"One bottle," Vlad corrected. "If it were my party, slightly different story. But it isn't, so be courteous."

"You don't need to babysit me, I am courteous," Daniel sighed and rolled his eyes. "Fine, one bottle."

Vlad let him go and watched as he took a whole bottle of wine from the table. "He's definitely gonna sneak more if I don’t keep watch..." he muttered, making his way to the table after him. He set up his post, leaning against the wall by the table to stop him if he came back for another.

~*~

[Daniel interactions can continue on @rozovi-truni ]

[suntusita]

@coltii-romanesti

The night was still young, yet the energy of the room changed from polite hum into a riot of sound and motion. Mirèlha, a natural dancer, surrendered herself to the booming modern music and the vibrant streaks of colorful spotlights in sudden darkness. Honestly, the suffocating heat made her long to escape. What a better antidote than the cool midnight, crisp air, and one (two?) bottles of wine. Yes, that was a perfect plan.

She drifted towards a table filled of bottles, effortlessly tucking in two bottles before reaching for two more. Her gaze finally lifted, meeting a shadowy figure before her. He was tall...ish, his style notably old-fashioned, and there was something in his bearing that she recognized. Yet, her wine-induced haze and dimmed light conspire to keep his identity out of reach. "Bonjour, à vous~" She cooed as she was never one shy from a stranger. Mirèlha needed to unburden herself of the wine and it was a waste to drink alone.

"I'm off to the port," she announced with giggles bubbling forth. "I plan to drink wine and sing moonlight songs. Would you like to grab two more bottles and join me, bel inconnu? I promise I make entertaining company, you know one should never drink alone~"

[coltii-romanesti]

Vlad was standing near the wine table, watching to be sure his best Bulgarian friend didn't exceed his one bottle limit. He had taken Mer's suggestion and invited Daniel, though he was sure she might regret it. If Vlad didn't actively watch him and keep sober enough to do so, all her wine would be gone by midnight.

It took him all of two seconds to figure out who was beneath that pretty mask. The red hair, the French, the height, no doubt it was Mer. It seems she was already tipsy, not clocking him at all. He couldn’t help the grin under his mask. Oh, this will be fun.

"Bonjour," he mimicked her French, tipping his hat in greeting. It was about as much French as he knew, hopefully he wouldn't have to try to use more. "Are you not the hostess? I'm sure your company is excellent, but why escape your own party so soon?" He leaned back on the table, hands on it's surface. "If I leave now, my dear friend may drink your bottles dry." He nodded a several paces away to Daniel, who was wearing a similar though more modern suit with a forest green necktie, his one allowed bottle in his hand as he conversed. "You don't want him drunk so early in the night."

[coltii-romanesti]

moodboard: masquerade ball

Masquerade, paper faces on parade Masquerade, hide your face, so the world will never find you

[coltii-romanesti]

Vlad could feel his cheeks warm up. He laughed it off, or at least tried to. "You'd be surprised, I can still look awful. You weren't around during my time with the Ottomans... or with the Germans, the Soviets." He moved to fold his arms under his head. "Desperate times made me look horribly desperate. You'd agree that I looked absolutely dreadful and in need of some proper color."

Just at the thought, he sat up a bit, a spark of an idea popping into his head. He opened his mouth to voice it, but decided against it. He knew Mer well enough that if he let on any creative thought about what he would wear to this event, she would either hijack the whole shopping process or try to match it just to tease him. She probably will still find a way to, but he could at least try to avoid it.

As she broke the silence, Vlad stared at the pool and brought his knees up to his chest on the long reclined chair. "Nope. Remember the celebration I had when I became a kingdom? Back in the 1800s? Yeah, hosted it alone--Well, technically, my king hosted it, but still. While I can be a flirt when I want to be, that doesn't mean I go around with a date to every party I attend." He quirked a brow at her suggestion. "Daniel? I thought we were talking about dates, not drunkards." He couldn't help but laugh at the thought, though. Daniel would definitely and decidedly get drunk and drag Vlad down with him.

[suntusita]

There was so many things she wanted to say, but—well, she was going to say them. "While I won't disagree with you there," She acknowledged, her smile turning shyly, as if she hesitated for moment. "Every occasion that I've seen you, you only seem to grow much more colorful...and handsome." She tried to slyly add that in before shuffling her position to look away from him, trying to hide the rouge on her cheeks.

In the back of her mind, she argued about mentioning such a thought. Truly, she's been trying to contain all types of compliments she had for him. It seemed like lately, she just couldn't think before she speaks.

After that period of internal turmoil, her eyebrows perked at the sudden confession. "I would have never known, truly. I've heard of the flirting from others and...well...I honestly don't know what I think of you now." She admitted with a playful tone, using a free hand to twirl some pieces of hair out of her face. "Maybe, I don't have to—you being just a wonderful friend is enough." She cooed. "Why wouldn't you want him as a date? He seems like fun in his drunken state-a date doesn't have to be so serious, right?" She chuckled, recalling that fateful night many years ago of her first introduction of the Bulgarian man. "You're here to have fun after all, silly~"

[coltii-romanesti]

Vlad cleared his throat, trying not to let his face tint red. It was hard after each of her compliments. It's just how she is, he tried to remind himself. "Thank you, but those were probably my most prosperous, not to mention I kept getting older," a smirk crossed his face, "and taller. Remind me when I finally elapsed you in height?" Before she had a chance to retaliate, Vlad quickly pulled his shirt off and jumped into the pool. It was getting hot, anyway, plus he'd hardly had a chance to swim all summer. If she was reserving a hotel with a pool, why not take a little advantage?

Vlad resurfaced, his grin spread wide as he rested his chin on his arms at the pool's edge. "I suppose that's true. The flirting never did come out around you. Never quite the right times, I guess. Or, perhaps, it just wasn't the usual technique. Friendship came far easier, in those darker days." As Mer presented her case for Daniel to come, Vlad couldn't help but laugh. He pushed off the wall of the pool, floating on his back in the water. "Fun, yes, but also hard to reign in. Plus, he'd take it 100% the wrong way if I were to bring him as a date. And I'd never hear the end of it."

Cue his best impression of the said Bulgarian drunkard of a best friend: "Oh, Vlado, I never knew you had feelings like that. How long have you been holding out on me, eh?" He nearly lost his buoyancy as he laughed at his own impression. "All jokingly, of course, but still. He's not going to let me live it down. There was a whole century he was 100%, unironically sure I was into him because I didn't have any other friends that I hung out with. I had to make up a girlfriend to get him off my case."

[coltii-romanesti]

And that's where Vlad will never relate. The perpetual loner. Any time an event like this occurred, he was always alone. Well, maybe not always, he had his best Bulgarian friend there to get drunk with and cause trouble on most occasions. But, this time around, he wasn't sure if their usual dynamic duo was going to return for this masquerade.

"Clothes cost money. And most of what I have suites my needs, so why would I need more?" Thankfully, he anticipated she would suggest shopping. After all, the backups he brought were not going to cut it by a long shot. A simple suit and tie? Yeah, no, this is Mer. Any event she puts on is going to require more out of its guests—out of him.

Vlad glanced over as he opened his mouth to respond, but paused. He heard it, he shouldn’t be surprised she was sitting there. Or that she was in a swimsuit. She was just in the pool, what else did he think she was wearing. Immediately, he shifted his eyes back up at his umbrella. "Must be nice. Can't think of a party I actually took someone to. As a date, no less." He pulled at his shirt again, desperate to funnel some air in to cool himself down. "Does being one out of many guests count as going with others, or going alone?"

[suntusita]

"I think you would look more handsome in clothes that hasn't been eaten by moths yet," She witted before opening one eye to glance at him, "Luckily for you, you don't need much to look nice. I'm envious." She said before blowing a raspberry at him. Unluckily for him, she already has a list of suggestions for him to wear.

In the moment, her mind drew blank as she basked in the sunlight. She shut her eyes as she took in the warmth of the sun as her mind created a image of who she believed Vlad was. To her, she saw him as a heartbreaker-but it's becoming all clear now. She never really saw woman in Vlad's arms or heard stories of his romantic adventures, the only person she truly ever saw with him was Daniel in their drunken states...maybe, she is in fact, misunderstanding Vlad after all these years.

The silence lingered into an awkwardness as Mer was trying to find out how to maneuver in the topic. "Not even once? You had me fooled, thinking you had a date to ever single one. I really thought you were...hm...a bourreau des cœurs." She laid sideways on lounge chair to face him, hands cupping her cheek. "To answer your question, no. You should take that one friend of yours, the drunk one."

[coltii-romanesti]

Vlad could feel his cheeks warm up. He laughed it off, or at least tried to. "You'd be surprised, I can still look awful. You weren't around during my time with the Ottomans... or with the Germans, the Soviets." He moved to fold his arms under his head. "Desperate times made me look horribly desperate. You'd agree that I looked absolutely dreadful and in need of some proper color."

Just at the thought, he sat up a bit, a spark of an idea popping into his head. He opened his mouth to voice it, but decided against it. He knew Mer well enough that if he let on any creative thought about what he would wear to this event, she would either hijack the whole shopping process or try to match it just to tease him. She probably will still find a way to, but he could at least try to avoid it.

As she broke the silence, Vlad stared at the pool and brought his knees up to his chest on the long reclined chair. "Nope. Remember the celebration I had when I became a kingdom? Back in the 1800s? Yeah, hosted it alone--Well, technically, my king hosted it, but still. While I can be a flirt when I want to be, that doesn't mean I go around with a date to every party I attend." He quirked a brow at her suggestion. "Daniel? I thought we were talking about dates, not drunkards." He couldn't help but laugh at the thought, though. Daniel would definitely and decidedly get drunk and drag Vlad down with him.

[coltii-romanesti]

Vlad didn’t move. He barely opened an eye. The shade of his umbrella, paired with the angle of his lawn chair only encouraged his jetlag to knock him out completely. The sight of him didn't help the vampire accusations. At least it was a touch cooler here.

"Can't worry about that right now," he groaned, pulling at his shirt to ventilate some fresh air in. Damn, it was hot out. "Still need clothes that aren't riddled with holes and don't scream 1880." He lifted his head to give her a look before dropping it on the chair back. "You won't be. Plenty of people go solo, you'll be fine if that's what you choose."

[suntusita]

He doesn't get it. Mer found herself pouting as she heard his remarks. She was always the type to have someone go with her to events, she never was just alone. She groaned as her legs did a little kick in the water out of annoyance.

"Well, if you listened to me and bought clothes more often, you wouldn't be in this situation, would you?" she muttered under her breath, before pushing herself up from the pool to sit next to him. Adjusting her chair to take in the sun's ray. Mer was trying her best to not utter another word related to his fashion as she was aware that Vlad knew her stance in his clothing situation. "We'll just have to go shopping this afternoon." Emphasis on the we.

"I've never been dateless before, but my pool of potential dates are draining at this point." Her suitors are...well...she didn't want to think about that right now. "Are you planning on going alone?"

[coltii-romanesti]

And that's where Vlad will never relate. The perpetual loner. Any time an event like this occurred, he was always alone. Well, maybe not always, he had his best Bulgarian friend there to get drunk with and cause trouble on most occasions. But, this time around, he wasn't sure if their usual dynamic duo was going to return for this masquerade.

"Clothes cost money. And most of what I have suites my needs, so why would I need more?" Thankfully, he anticipated she would suggest shopping. After all, the backups he brought were not going to cut it by a long shot. A simple suit and tie? Yeah, no, this is Mer. Any event she puts on is going to require more out of its guests—out of him.

Vlad glanced over as he opened his mouth to respond, but paused. He heard it, he shouldn’t be surprised she was sitting there. Or that she was in a swimsuit. She was just in the pool, what else did he think she was wearing. Immediately, he shifted his eyes back up at his umbrella. "Must be nice. Can't think of a party I actually took someone to. As a date, no less." He pulled at his shirt again, desperate to funnel some air in to cool himself down. "Does being one out of many guests count as going with others, or going alone?"