{chapter nine: 4} alysa & vlad
Alysa: *That was strange. It looked like an owl..but owls would go to Lord Damocles, not her in the library. Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear her gaze darting over Vlad's shoulder where they sat playing a card game (she'd tell you the rules but they only made sense to her and Vlad, and frequently not even to them). Drawing the corner of her lip in and biting down hard, she checked again and then went still. She had not been mistaken: that was an owl, one she recognized.* ..Liam? *It wasn't like her to exclaim, but with everything going on, if her little brother was sending a message...* Hold on. *she flicked an apologetic look at her friend and hopped up, going to the window and ignoring her cards as she let the little bird in. Thanking it with all the grace of her mother, she fluffed it's head down speaking to Vlad quickly* You don't have a treat do you? This little guy looks like he had a hell of a flight...*she slips the hastily written letter free as she spoke; her head shook in exasperation. In his haste, Liam (and it appeared Rosie had made A fair few comments as well) had not even sealed it properly* Vladimir: *laying down two cards, one face up and the other face down, he picked up one from the discard pile* Ha! Triple Inquisition! *nodding and then he looked up as Alysa spoke her brother's name outloud. Puzzled, he looked around, half-expecting to see Liam, maybe even Rosie and Helena in tow (as they were never too far away) though instead he only saw an owl. Standing up as well, but not before sneaking a peek at Alysa's cards, he walked over to the window, a small smile on his face as he saw the way Lysa petted the owl- she was always good with animals, whereas Vlad was kicked out of Care of Magical Creatures and told to pick another elective* I...might have something, yeah- *he patted his pockets, searching and then took out a biscuit he had been saving for later, breaking off a piece and handing it to the owl* Hey! Ow- *he muttered something about bloody birds as he shook the finger the owl had pecked, in a not at all kind manner, before turning to look at Alysa* What happened with Liam? Alysa: *her eyes jumped up as he exclaimed, nose wrinkly in amused sympathy at his motion. She waited a moment before saying pointedly instead* They agree--it's only a double inquisition. *Nonsense: there was no such thing in their game, but she was adding it now. However as she looked back down her genial smile disappeared. Clapping a hand to her mouth, incredulity creasing her eyebrows above wide eyes, she exhaled her brothers name and reread the hasty remarks twice before lowering it* ...some bloody--actually I bet I know who, I bet it was that Estbury whose been bothering them--they..Liam heard him call my mother a...*Her voice died off. Then she just handed the parchment to him, saying primly* My father would not me repeating that. *She waits a second for him to read it.* Liam assaulted him. *bites bottom lip*...looks like Nicholas held Helena and Rosie back too. ...as a first offense they're just...detention...but they're writing to my parents... Vladimir: Double inquisitio- *he looks back at his cards to check before he realizes a moment later* Hang on-- you just made that up! *his lips twitch in amusement before his lips pursed together, his brows furrowing and then looking at Alysa in concern. He took the letter from her, but he could already gather the type of insult that would be written there. Vlad was surprised the quill hadnt poked a hole through the parchment with how hastily and furiously the word had been written. He shook his head* Tosser. *he handed the letter back to Alysa* I hope Liam got him good then. *nods* ...well, your parents won't punish him will they? Detention is bad enough. Alysa: *had simply grinned at his initial accusation, as if to both acknowledge and say "who me?" at the same time, lowering the parchment as he spoke. Her mind was racing: agreement with his insult followed by mutual approval and distaste for violence. At the last remark she simply shrugged a shoulder very slowly* I don't...*legitimately bites her tongue and purses her lips* I don't think they would actually punish but they...don't actually need to. *tiny shudder* Papa's disappointment is worse. *nose wrinkles again as she internally cringes in sympathy* Followed by them pointing out hitting people isn't going to change anyone's mind...oh Liam...*rubs her forehead* I don't understand why they all...hate her. Vladimir: *licks his lips and then nods sympathetically, shuffling his feet as he sighs* No, but it lets people know you're not to be trifled with. *nods once but his face softens in sympathy, his lips pressing together, wondering what he could say to make her feel better* It's just what they were taught. To blindly believe, absent reason...*adds his tone firm and sure* It'll change. Alysa: *Her head tilts as she considers that with a small smile. Absent her mind, she knew her heart had soared in agreement; she ignored logic a moment to say fervently* Feels damn good too. *A light flush on her cheeks, she leans against the window. Averting her eyes and gently smoothing the ruffled feathers on the disgruntled owl she waited a moment before responding without looking up* How? Any action I take to force reason however benign into their heads makes them resentful, appeasement makes them ask for more, violence vindicates them, abstinence outright engenders...atrocities. *looks back up* Or more plainly: I lose before I begin to fight it. I'm screwed. *head shakes and says a bit stronger* I just look at what they say sometimes and it's like...what planet are you living on? Arguing with you is like arguing with a pattern on a chair. Frustrating, ignorant, and pointless. Vladimir: *grins a little, tilting his head before he nods* That too. *some people just needed to get hit, in his very honest opinion. But, as his parents frequently reminded, patient was key. Vlad had little of it, but he made due. Pursing his lips together, he hated to admit that everything she said was right, that it was like fighting a losing battle. Shrugging once, he stood taller and then said simply, stubbornly* Somehow. I don't know how yet, but somehow. It'll get better, cuz that's what were fighting for and we're not gonna stop fighting, are we? If we can't argue with the pattern, then we'll just have to unravel it thread by thread and make a pattern of our own. *nods again* Alysa: *Lifting her head at his words she found herself nodding and heartened, a grin spreading across her lips slowly* I like that. *Skin pinker, her words were still stronger in contrast* Unraveling the pattern. That really is what's...going on, unraveling the fabric of society. *chuckling once brighter* If we're going to be poetic. Thanks. *clearing her throat* Didn't mean to get so...weighted. *ruffling her hair* It's too easy to do right now. Vladimir: *his grin turns sheepish for a bit, he shrugs again, undeniably proud that Alysa agrees before he sighs* Right, well, unfortunately I don't know how to sow, so might have to get someone else to direct the operation. *lips twitch a moment and then he smiles easily* It's alright. What are friends for, if you can't talk to them, right? *shrugs* Everything seems rather weighted now anyways. Alysa: *chuckling, she held both hands up instantly* Oh don't ask me to sew. I mean I can of course, but good Lord is it monotonous. I envy your combat training. *lips flicking up* And Leah's ability with a sword. I can barely lift one. *exhales and then a little pleased and smug*... I am a fair shot though. *winks at him and then simply nods, coloring a bit more* Right, well, ....friends -*clearthroat*-also can take your mind off it, yeah? Vladimir: *chuckles as well, immediately shaking his head* Oh no, wouldn't dream of it. I've learned my lesson- asking most of the women and girls I know to sow has always had me walking away with a bruise on my ego or my shoulder *lips twitch and then he grins* I know. Shoot a target from...what was it, a hundred paces? *his lips twitch, tilting his head in slight curiosity, unable to help his mind from wandering at the mention of a distraction. Grinning cheekily, he teased* Oh? Mind off it, is it? I do know a couple of distractions, though Lysa, I never took you for the type *wiggles his eyebrows* Alysa: *It was true; most at court were revolting in some way and if the divides between muggleborn supporters and pureblood..."loyalists" were the most prevalent and violent there was no lack of smaller quiet rebellions either. There was tension to do with the roles of woman, between the Church and new technology, the old traditional generation and the new rising young adults. Even healing; Church and medicine. Her mother's determination to distribute contraceptives came to mind. Clearing her throat again she spoke lighter,* Well you know, Leah would probably love to sew if it meant re-embroidering the entire culture. *at his last remark she colored visibly but leaned over to whack him anyways* Oh you jus--*she shakes her head, fixing her hair again* Go on, try me then. Vladimir: *Vlad snorted once, shaking his head before he laughed, simply imagining his cousin, the newly anointed and first female knight, sewing anything* The only reason Leah would pick up sewing needles would be to sharpen them and aim them at somebody's head. *He wouldn't say that too loudly though, wouldn't want anyone to get ideas. The last thing they needed was to find unsuspecting victims with eyes that had been skewered by a well thrown needle. Grinning in delight as she whacked him, he laughed once, pursing his lips together and then shakes his head, grinning again* Oh you wouldn't fall for my tricks...*lips twitch* You've got a feather in your hair, Lys. Alysa: *She laughs once at the suggestion, even knowing it wasn't really a joke. Leah would not hesitate. Lips twitching a moment, she asked politely* Yeah...and how has training been with her on the field? I have only heard rumors. *Tilting her head and lifting her self to rest against the book shelf, she paused brows furrowing in confusion* ...your tri--*her eyes roll to the ceiling. And usually she did such a good job simply not thinking about this. Of course it was harder when he was in...front of her bringing it up. Her eyes snapped back to his.* A fea--*her hand half raised and then lowered once more* ...that a trick? Vladimir: *lips twitched as he recalled training and then he grinned* Well, she was eager to prove herself, and I don't think Emmett will ever be the same again. *grins* Deserved it though, he needed to be brought down from his false pedestal *nodding seriously before he grinned again as she raised a hand to her hair for a moment and then chuckled, shaking his head he waited a moment before taking a couple of steps closer to her, raising his own hand to her hair, passing his fingers through the long locks and then nonverbally summoning a feather, smiling lightly as he brushes it off her hair and brings it down with his fingers, showing her the feather* No, it wasn't. *his lips twitch* Alysa: Oh Leah. *her head shook from side to side; in truth she was a bit intimidated by her, but she admired her all the same.* I have no doubt Emmett did, yeah. Wish I'd seen. *All thoughts of training however, disappeared as he stepped closer. Breathing suddenly heavy, she forced a tense chuckle through thick lips half parted. Unaware if it was eons or a moment before he held the feather, she pushed his shoulder anyway without any real effort and shook her head laughing again* You just summoned that! Vlad. I would have felt that. My hair isn't that thick. Vladimir: *he laughed and nodded in agreement. His cousin could be particular ruthless. He of course meant it as a compliment. He licked his lips, a small smirk now on them as he saw Lysa tense up under his touch, laughing once incredulously as she pushed him away, stepping back* I would never! Wordlessly and wandlessly summon a feather? *chuckles and then adds easily* Thank you for thinking me that smooth, though. Alysa: *rubbing her cheeks, the words come out through squished lips and a face resembling a disgruntled child* Wasn't a compliment. *rubs her lips and then drops her hands, eyes narrowed at him in playful petulance still* You absolutely would and you have no shame and you're terrible. *pokes his shoulder, still not moving away* And you're right. *decidedly nodding* I would never fall for those tricks. Vladimir: Of course it wasn't *lips twitching before he grins wide, laughing as she begins to reprimand him, that being familiar at least- not that he was objecting to the blush upon her cheek of course. Laughing again, he wiggles his eyebrows before he sighs* you're right, I'm a wicked person. *he takes her hands in his, looking at her eyes and asking softly* Can you find it in your heart to forgive me? Alysa: *Her gaze darts down to his hands holding hers. Going perfectly still she said nothing for a few moments before glancing up, hastily quelling a surge of something akin to alarm and delight at once. A brow arched with her response,* Certainly, if it felt less as though you were trying seduction techniques on me first as a test. *Her lips twitched, only squeezing his hands, and lifting herself a little closer to him* Should I flutter and sigh now, Lord Faye? Vladimir: *his lips twitch despite his attempt to remain unamused- he couldn't help it, it was amusing, not only that but also...well, he didn't know how to describe it, but he enjoyed it-- being able to affect her this way. For some reason, he hadn't ever considered he could...probably for the same reason he hadn't noticed until very recently how attractive she was. Subconsciously, he licked his lips as she steps closer, lips twitching again* Only if it pleases you, m'lady. Alysa: *Gaze darting to his lips as he licks them she blinks, then blinks again, then blinks a third time. She felt suddenly very young: yes, she was only sixteen, but it was often joked she was born middle-aged (apparently in good company with her father there) and she wasn't sure what suddenly was making her feel so girlish and young. This was just Vlad. Being..Vlad. Tilting her head as her gaze darted back up she suppressed a giggle at his words, finding ...something, highly amusing in them* But you want me to, don't you? Why? *curious, not noticing her fingers lacing with his* What is so attractive about an overwhelmed damsel? Vladimir: *he tilted his head, a small grin on his face, unable to deny the truth of her words. Yes, he wanted her to. Superficially, he could say that it was simply because he was...well, Vladimir Faye, he wanted all women to swoon at the mere sight of him. But that wasn't particularly true, not at that moment, he'd never cared about eliciting a reaction from Alysa, she was his best friend. A best friend he was imagining snogging now. Dear lord. Shrugging, licking his lips again before he tried to explain as casually as he could* Normally strong women, weak at the knees over the slightest touch, blushing over a simple whisper...lips parted, breath heavy, pupils dilated...*he licked his lips yet again, squeezing her hands and taking a small step towards her* It's one of the most alluring sights I've ever seen. Alysa: *Her fault for asking the question. His words were prophetic, as she realized her breath was heavy, her lips still parted, her cheeks still the color of dusky rose (but her knees were not weak, they were not, and her pupils could she see them were not going to dilate and whatever was tap dancing in her chest cavity just had to cease and desist). They were prophetic, aggravatingly so, and she couldn't figure out what was so...so...to use his word then as her brain decided to take a holiday, -alluring- over hearing it described aloud. Not noticing he'd even moved in, she suppressed another chuckle though still nothing was funny and mused aloud* So really, it isn't the lady's reaction at all, it's your ability to elicit it...*her head tilting, eyes still locked on his* ...so it's your prowess that's so alluring. *her head straightens, delighted, teasing as she was calmed by her own logic, despite the fact it didn't ring quite true even to her* You're attracted to yourself. Vladimir: *He didn't know why he expected anything less than a directly opposing comment. Maybe for a moment he had forgotten everything except for the fact that they were standing close to each other, chests nearly touching, lips parted, hers in particular but maybe he just noticed it more because they were so full. But it wasn't only a pair of attractive lips in front of him, it was Alysa, his Lys, and she always had to tease and make things difficult on him. He chuckled, his breath hitting her lips as he shook his head slowly* No. It's a bit of an ego boost, yes, but it's the woman...entirely. *his eyes trailed over her face, her features, before looking back in her eyes* Besides, isn't it an ego boost to a woman, that she could so reduce a man to his primal instincts? Alysa: *She should move she thought, or half thought--since when did her mind forget to exist based on Vlad's proximity? She should, this game (it was a game, right?) was affecting her too much, she was overwhelmed exactly as he described and just as she thought she had enough willpower to brave his insults for backing out first he spoke. And his breath, hot, struck her lips. Entirely distracted, they part further, as if to suck in his gift of air to replace her own suddenly lackluster efforts.* You would think. *Right, air had to be behind words for him to hear them. She repeated it louder, wondering how close he was--their noses were near touching now she thought, she'd lost track of their joined hands...* But it depends on the primal instinct and in particular ho--how forward they are at revealing it because the way some men look at you it's disgusting much more than an ego boost and...a-and yeah. *Her tongue suddenly felt very heavy and slow, and she heard herself ask from as if very far away, her breath against his lips too now* Vlad...what are you doing? Vladimir: *he nodded absently, not too sure what he was agreeing with anymore- something about disgusting males, a category he hoped she wasn't including him in. Actually, now he was curious* And what about me? *he bit his lip for a moment and then paused at her question, finding it both sobering and...decidedly not. Sobering because he realized what he was doing, not because he didn't pull away* I'm trying to kiss you. *he whispered very honestly against her lips* May I? Alysa: *His first question had a curious paralyzing effect; on the one hand she'd never thought about him that way and on the other of -course- she'd thought about him that way--and it was all so very jumbled up in her head she couldn't think what to say. She only barely realized she'd shaken her head; no he wasn't one of them, never, of course not, he was...he was Vlad, that was all. A sudden fire told her their joined hands had drifted to her waist finger tips brushing against her skirts, and she squeezed his hand again, not sure if she wanted to plant his hand on her or make him stop. Paralysis could be summed up in the simple choice: run away from the flames like a smart coward, or throw yourself in the inferno as a...* Vlad...*His name sounded odd suddenly; it was tender and wary leaving her lips. She thought she should ask why--should just pull away really, but yet again heard herself answer before she'd thought it through logically* I suppose.... *She breathed out, eyes shutting* I mean. *And he was so bloody smooth at this too wasn't he?* Yes, I'd like you to kiss me. Vladimir: *the possibility of rejection was never one that Vlad considered too frequently. Whether by confidence, or habit, or both, he simply assumed that most girls would want to kiss him. That was until now, until he saw the hesitance in her eyes. That made Vlad a little nervous, not knowing the answer, wondering briefly when he had grown to be the type that got nervous. Why should he care so much for a simple kiss? It was just a kiss...wasn't it?* You suppose. *he repeated quietly, half amused and half unsure of whether or not she meant that. Searching her gaze, he untangled a hand from hers, bringing it to cup her face, stroking the line of her jaw with his fingers. Licking his lips one more time, he leaned in, closing the distance between them as he captures her lips with his in a soft kiss* Alysa: *She seemed not to breathe until his lips touched hers--which was odd, incongruent, because technically now she couldn't breathe as obviously there was a very physical literal obstruction. It didn't make sense. This didn't make sense. Vlad was..how many girls had he kissed? And done more than that with--she prided herself on her intelligence, she wasn't naive about these things; while sure ninety percent of the rumors were just that and she hoped she knew her friend better than that but...not all of them were tales. The reputation came from somewhere. And he hadn't ever looked at her like this and why should he, she was just Lys to him, the little girl he'd known from childhood and she didn't even want him to--right? She thought? Bu---It seemed to strike her very suddenly that sometime during her internal monologue she'd lifted a hand to his neck, tilted her head into his palm, tentatively started moving her lips under his (how did she even know what to do?) in a gentle, soft motion before pulling back and let her eyes flutter open. She just Looked at him a moment, a small and very honest smile crossing her lips. She felt suddenly weightless, breathless, speechless--but all the "less" was incongruent too. She felt more. Far more something unnameable, confusing, but something wonderful too. A breathless giggle escaped her still parted lips before she spoke softly* ...well. Now I get what all the fuss is about. *with a light tease* I suppose. Vladimir: *He didn't want to pressure her, or her scare her, and suddenly, for a split moment, felt as if he were an inexperienced 11 year old again with the way his heart seemed to want to hammer out of his chest. He didn't expect to enjoy kissing her that much, the same way he hadn't expected her to kiss back so promptly- he enjoyed it. His lips guided hers, moving against hers, paying particular attention to her bottom lip. Pulling back when she did, he found a small smile of his own matched hers, chuckling at her tease, a bit relieved by it as he half expected her to run out. But who was he kidding? This was Lys, and he'd never known her to run out on...anything, really. He liked that about her.* Kissing in general or kissing me? *he teased back, his hands still at her waist and cheek, loathing to move* Alysa: *Her heart seemed not to want to be in her body any more. It was as though it thought it knew another person it would be more comfortable with. And Alysa had the strangest feeling it didn't have to go very far to find it's home. The thought made her warm. But she didn't understand the rules of this game any more than others would get their card game, and she felt suddenly very fluttery and nervous and scared if she misstepped she would lose something a lot more more precious to her than a card game. The hammering in her chest shot a jolt through her; the ghost of some feeling tying around her tongue and she teased back breathlessly, reflexive* Well as I've never kissed anyone else, how do I know? Vladimir: *Huh. That was an odd...and not fully pleasant feeling. The mere thought, the mere suggestion, of Alysa kissing someone else had dropped what felt like a two ton weight into the pit of his stomach. He had a sudden urge to hit a stone wall. Was this jealousy? He had never been jealous before, he always got what he wanted, it was always the best...this was immensely odd* Well...if it was better than you expected *he teased lightly, though he was still not moving away* then it probably has something to do with me, naturally. *lips twitch before he clears his throat, unsure of what to do next* Should probably...go find your parents- Liam's letter *he nodded again* Alysa: *Her laughter itself was nervous she realized: she was giggling genuinely but also at a lack of knowing what to do. His tease made her feel a little better: this was Vlad, still just Vlad, nothing had changed (what was wrong with her?). She nodded absently, saying lightly* Sounds logical. *Actually none of this was logical, her brain still was working through molasses, but she knew instinctively something had happened. Something special, and something unique to them, to him. Clearing her throat at his suggestion even as it felt like a weight settled in her heart she nodded, feeling oddly dismissed. That made even less sense. Vlad was right: she had to find her parents. Except she had urge to find Malcolm. Or Kitty, actually, as she didn't fancy protective-older-brother instincts if she told him. (Or maybe she did? Maybe that was why she felt she needed her brother?)* Right. The letter. *Her lips were dry, saying cautiously but hoping it was offhand* I think my father's with yours though...I probably should...wait til that's over... Vladimir: Logical...*he grinned a bit, tilting his head before he teased* "And not full of myself" Vlad logic? *that was what she claimed he possessed most of the time, which he had to admit was right most of the time too. Clearing his throat, he nodded, having forgotten they were in a council meeting* Oh. Right. *pauses a moment and then grins again, licking his lips and then teasing again, or half teasing actually* Fancy a bit more snogging to pass the time then? Alysa: Oh no, it's definitely Vlad logic. *nodding, relaxed by the tease and lets out a soft chuckle; despite a sudden swell of something she thought she could only describe as "yes-please" she straightens up instantly, saying reflexively again* As is that. *biting her lip subtly though she doesn't move away either. Cautiously, she can't help but ask nervously if teasingly* Isn't that what all the other girls say yes to though and then you come complain to me about how boring they are? Vladimir: *grins and shrugs his shoulders* Well, nothing wrong with that though. *his lips twitch but then he frowns a moment, realizing why she was asking and then actually feeling rather awkward. A tad ashamed, which was preposterous cuz he didn't have anything to be ashamed of, not really. Licking his lips, he smiled instead and then shook his head, admitting quietly* You could never be boring. Alysa: *His hand was still on her cheek, the other her waist: she couldn't help but be distracted by it as for some reason it felt like he was leaving little fingerprints, pressed into her very skin with flames. At his quiet remark though she stills, her smile relaxing and she nods once, words still light* Oh? Now that's new--you pull me away from things all the time saying how boring it is. *her lips twitch and her eyes cast down, demure and looking at his hold on her waist, still not moving away but just gazing--as if she's trying to make sense of it* Vladimir: *he chuckles and then shakes his head slowly, pursing his lips together as he wondered to himself how Lysa ever think herself boring. Maybe she didn't see herself like he did, he heard that was common among most, yet Vlad never had that problem. It was as easy as looking into a mirror for him. Which he might be guilty of, every now and again. Not frequently though, not in the slightest.* Well, some of the things you *do* can be a bit boring to me...but you're not a boring girl. You're great. *she was, and though it might not have been his best of compliments by far, he felt like he had just revealed something of great import to him.* Besides *he added after a quick moment in a lighter tone* I do that when I feel you neglecting me. Alysa: *Another breathless, nervous laugh leaving her lips she shakes her head a moment.* Well, that's something. And to be fair, I suppose a few things you do bore me. *Actually at that moment, she could not think of a thing he did that bored her but she couldn't think of anything else to say that wasn't a reflexive tease, opposition on principle.* I don't neglect you.*she chuckles lightly* I wouldn't dare. *Her gaze was still on his hand. It wasn't just warmth, she realized. She felt safe in his grasp. Safe and excited.* Vladimir: Sure. *his lips twitched, not entirely believing her-- nothing that he did was boring. Well, except lessons. Those were really boring and curse his mother for urging him, (threatening him and thereby leaving him no choice) to continue his N.E.W.T's at court. Liking her next response a lot more though, he grinned, brushing strands of hair away from her face* Oh but you do. You neglect me Lys. Do you know what neglect does to a Faye? *he shakes his head, teasing still* Unpleasant things. Alysa: *Her eyes snap back up to his as he teasingly brushes her hair; her breath quickening again even as she purses her lips in amusement at his words. Her head tilted in his hand, still pressing against his palm* Unpleasant things? You mean, like you begin to understand unpleasantly you're not the center of everyone's universe? *she licks her dry bottom lip in a quick flick* Though of course I must apologize then, m'lord, and ask how I may atone.