On master's command..

[Mikaela Antony]

A lithe, olive-skinned blonde-haired woman walked silently in the open darkness of the night, heading for the north entrance of the Chinese House in Sanssouci. The nigh-howling wind whipped high in the trees, the ground level whispering things the woman could not hear. Her tall black heels made no sound, unusual against the walkways in the German park. She moved in long, measured strides, about a fast walk.

A small red-and-black lace fan wafted air to the somewhat nervous blonde's strong, but delicately feminine, face and moved her earrings with the effort. She wore an antique gold ring with onyx set in the middle of a Spanish lace design on her left hand, the one she was fanning herself with. Thought it was autumn and very chilly in Berlin at night, the woman felt oddly warm. Was it the pressing danger that lurked just beneath the surface of the man she had hired? It very well could be...

Mikaela tried to calm herself and remember she was on a scouting mission. Her deep red lips pressed together in a thin line; of course Cloud would send her to do it. She grumbled and ran a lithe hand through her chunky blond waves, praying this man, if he could be called that, wasn't near enough to smell her nerves yet, or at least wouldn't pick up on it. The fact that he was advertising himself meant two things: One, he was old enough to have some control around humans, and two, he was young enough to be foolish enough to advertise his 'services'.

A wry smile passed over her face and into her amber-coloured eyes but quickly disappeared. She could see the meeting place in the distance. She stopped then behind a hedge to check her right thigh holster that held her silver-plated, and newly sharpened, knives. Silver didn't kill a vampire, but it damn well made healing a lot harder. She slipped a blade out and checked her makeup with it briefly, wanting to make sure she looked her part. Wine lip color, seductive rouge, smoky eyeshadow. She flipped the blade and slid it back into the holster, disgusted at the image. But, she was doing this on Cloud's insistence. She couldn't tell her master no, now, could she?

Mikaela stood back up and adjusted her dress a little. It was long in the back, short in the front (mid-thigh), v-cut front and backless, and had a touch of Spanish ruffle to it. The only alteration she'd had made to the red and black dress was an addition of Spanish-style cap sleeves that flared at the edge. The shortest point in the skirt was, of course, front middle, and it might look vaguely obscene if she had to reach for her knives at any point later on. She would have to remember to thank Cloud for this one.

Mikaela wiped the scowl from her face and lowered her eyelids; the best seductive look she could pull off. And really, if she had seen it, she would have been surprised at herself. Or disgusted. Either way.

The sliver of a moon played through the leaves, creating sharp shadows on the grounds as she started back down the walkway to the designated building, clutching her fan in her right hand. She hadn't worn gloves, though it would have really set off the dress according to someone else (who paid attention to stuff like that?), because she wanted to make sure she had the best grip possible if she did have to grab her knives.

Mikaela rounded a bend and came upon a little stream and a tiny hedge-lined path leading to the front steps of the magnificent structure. The rococo-era designing was obvious with the over-the-top gold-on-aqua coloring, dimmed by the night but no less gorgeous. Mikaela took in a small breath upon seeing it, and almost went into another world as she stood there. She was a bit tired from all the traveling and wanted nothing more than to go home, but she had to stay away for this. Hopefully, it would be worth it. The Spanish-and-Puertoriquena woman stopped near a pillar to wait.

Now, would he show...?

[Leo Frenzik]

Over the countless number of years, Berlin had been the home to many a person - each torn and withered away with the passing of time. This young vampire, however, had watched the world go by since the beginning of of the Baroque - untouched and unfazed by each days start and end.

New kings and queens had arisen - each failing to follow into the life of eternal royalty. Leo presumed, simply,t hat they would all be rotten by now - not angelic, nor demonic and certainly no long breathing the same sweet, yet bitterly stale, air that he did now.

Sighing moodily as he leant over one of the bathroom sinks of his adopted home within the walls of Charlottenburg, the exiled 'prince' allowed his thoughts to trail and wander as he tended to a small open wound crossing over the back of his right hand. Tiny, crimson droplets sparkled as they lay scattered around the creamy, porcelain basin - staining the drainage tub with the warm bodily fluid. Crystal, almost translucent, irises watched as the blood swirled; holding an air of admiration in their frozen stare.

With reluctancy, the male pulled his gaze back up to the foggy mirror before him. As expected, the glass seemed to ignore his presence within the room - instead capturing the wooded doorframe behind him, and the beginnings of the bedroom through the ajar gap. He didn't need a mirror to know exactly how he looked. It was always the same; mop-haired, ebony strands and dangerous eyes cast off by his deathly pale skin. Any attire he would choose would capture his adorement of the military and his gothic heritage. even tonight, when he had donned a simple shirt and a tight-fitting black jacket, his shirt was crisp and snow-coloured while his jacket lay emblazoned with various studs, badges and buttons.

Nothing hid how he felt anymore.

*****

Stood, hidden by the night's shadows as he rested against the statue upon the structure's roofing, Leonardo glanced down at a small slip in his hand. He really did hate the job, but it payed well, and he really wasn't one to turn away a payment of any sort. But tonight, this slip was all he had; a name and a brief description of the woman he was suposed to meet. As little as he cared about clients, he wouldn't turn back on someone who insisted his company.

Shoving the paper deep into his pocket, the 'young' escort produced a small scarlet neckerchief which he tied loosely in place as he scanned the vacant grounds. With a small smirk, finely-tuned hearing picked up the small, seeming silent, footfall just below him. A split second later and Leo was leant silently against the pillar - a two-toned rose of red-and-black twirling non-chalantly between his nimble fingers.

"It's a little late for a pretty lady, such as yourself, to be out," he spoke softly, only the slightest hint of his Germanic accent audiable through his perfectly spoken words. Hey, he had had a lot of time to practice and brush up on his English. "Don't you think?" he finished with a smile, flashing pearly teeth for a moment as he stepped forwards to offer her the flower.

He wasn't an idiot, he knew how to act when he was working. No matter how much it contrasted with day-to-day life.

[Mikaela Antony]

Mikaela's eyes flickered, for the briefest instant, to where the 'escort' appeared; she could catch the smallest of movements. He was, most definitely, a vampire from the way he flitted about, as Cloud had insisted. He had shown. That mean Mikaela did not have enough of a name out yet to be recognized, which was a good thing in this instance. She waited for him to move or speak before acknowledging his presence.

Mikaela started, forcefully, when the 'escort' spoke, clutching her fan tighter as though she was startled. He had a German accent. Interesting... Was he part of the large coven here? Or was he a loner? Many questions to be answered.. But he was definitely from here. He would know at least some things about the local covens... She could twist that out of him later, though..

Merely a second had passed since the escort had spoken his first sentence, and he spoke again as Mikaela paid attention. She waited until he moved forward, obviously slow for him, and held out a rose. Had he not been a vampire, he could possibly be deemed as "smooth", but ah, he was a vampire, though it remained unseen as he flashed his pearly whites. They couldn't have been pearly too long ago... He would have had to have fed before being around a client, unless he fed off of them. That was a scary thought indeed, and Mikaela pushed it back into the dark recesses of her mind and flashed him a smile, her amber eyes set twinkling.

She slipped her fingers softly around the rose, letting her fingers just brush his before fully retrieving it. She lifted the rose just below her small nose, pretending to sniff as she twirled the velvety texture over her lips.

"I would agree," Mikaela began, loathing having to act like this as she twirled, then lowered, the rose. "Which is why I requested company. Wise choice, wouldn't you think..?" She lowered her eyelids, trying to look like a normal client, as her velvety voice slipped between her plush lips into the chill night air. "You know this city better than I, I presume. Which way, then..?" Hook, baited, line, taught, only thing left was the sinker and the catch..Hopefully...

[Leo Frenzik]

Semi-clear irises flickered with small amusement as the women started and clutched her laced fan all the more tightly. "I'm sorry," he offered apologetically, taking her lithe hand between his own and kissing it gently. In the dim light, his eyelids were half closed as a small spark of scarlet bloodlust crossed his crystalic gaze.

She smelt so delicious. The hint of perfume was nothing compared to the deep warmth he could sense within her capillaries and veins. Each violently pulsing beat of her heart, oh, it was driving him incompetantly insane with its torment. The desire to let his raw fangs sink almost sinfully into her delicate flesh, raced unraptured in his mind. So much so that he felt his breath shake under the psychological pressure as he let her hand fall away from his own.

But he could wait. He was sustained enough to keep his actions solely focused on the matter at hand. At least for now, anyway. As long as he was distracted, this young mortal wouldn't be in any danger. Though, he suposed, there was nothing really holding him back - except that a clients disappearance would put him in an extremely vunerable position.

Not that the hunters or scouts would be able to do anything about it if they did. As far as they knew, he was perfectly human - and they would only figure otherwise once the his teeth had sank into their soft throats.

Sharp eyes looked her over as she smiled, a small, seductive smirk so obviously painted against his pale features as her fingers lingered - brushing ever-so-lightly against his own as she took the rose. He ushured a soft purr from under his breath at her gaze, his head cocked slightly to one side with a coy air about him.

"A perfect choice," he responded in a downy tone, gazing around at the gardens with a feathery sigh. Grinning polietly, he moved to stand besides her, offering her his arm, "That depends. What happens tonight is completely your own decision. If you feel like walking, we'll walk. If you feel like eating, I'll take you to the most romantic resturant in town. Anything else... well, I'll happily oblige."

[Mikaela Antony]

That brief flicker in his eyes... He had fed....hadn't he? Dammit, she thought to herself as his lips lingered a fraction of a second longer than they should, even if trying to seduce someone. His skin was slightly colder than normal, even in the chilled air, and she could feel no pulse in his veins; she wasn't keen on the idea of waiting long enough to feel the inevitable sporadic beat of it either. She forced an embarrassed-looking blush to mix with a sheepish grin.

"I'm sorry, I apparently startle easily..." Her velvet tone drifted off. She took his arm softly when he offered, curling up against him closer than she felt like to portray she was cold. She would never willingly be this close to a vampire otherwise. I am going to strangle Cloud when I get back.. The vicious thought crossed her mind for a brief second, but she didn't let it show. Instead, she clung a little more tightly to this escort's arm, now effectively moving him to be in front as she held his arm much closer to her chest than ever was comfortable to her. Yes, I'm going to enjoy strangling that little idiot..I'm sure father won't interrupt... She hid her face against his arm, acting like she was cold and/or blushing, effectively hiding the evil-looking grin that started to make its way onto her face.

Mikaela smoothed her features, calmed her amber eyes, and lowered her lids to glance at the vampire. Walking sounded good, better than eating. Then he said something that confused her for only a moment. anything else.... Anything else? Oh, he couldn't be offering that, could he? Vampires weren't well-known for control in such situations. And did he really sell himself out for that? The disgust did not cross a single fine feature on her face as she thought about this, and she instead hid her face again in his jacket; she lowered her eyelids and muttered a quiet, but (her best) seductive "Mmm.." and pretended to sniff at his jacket, taking in whatever cologne he'd cared to put on for the show. In fact, he smelled pretty bad to her, his vampiric smell overpowering the cologne, since she'd been trained to hunt and destroy the owners of such a scent.

Mikaela lifted her right hand and let her fingers trail along his side, staying just behind him all the while, his offered arm curled in her left arm and brushing softly across her chest. She parted her lips slowly, really hating to have to act this way more every second (she would practically kill Cloud when she got back, she resolved). Her pale tongue darted out and touched the right side of her top lip and back into her mouth, and she muttered a breathy response. "A walk then.." She made it sound choked, distracted, and shifted her weight as if she'd rather be doing something else entirely (which wasn't exactly a lie, she'd rather be home strangling someone right now), and let the words and actions hang in the air.

[Leo Frenzik]

"Don't worry yourself, I'll keep you safe," his silvery tone faultered a little as the vampire tried to keep his smile from melting into a cold, expectant smirk. The german glanced down at the maiden besides him as she took his arm and nestled closer against him, his body fairly relaxed from years of experiance in the matter.

Right now, he was focused solely on acting as humanely as he possibly could. If he could keep his mind away from who and what he really was, then he pressumed he could hold out for a few more hours. After then, as careful as he was, he would either send her home or take his victim then and there... depending on whether or not he was in a pleasant mood.

Chuckling quietly with false embarrassment at her blush, he offered her a coruscating smile - the fingers of his free hand dancing precariously at the scarf around his neck. "You look so delightfully bewitching tonight, Miss Antony," Leonardo cooed as she sniffed his jacket, his words rich and feathery. The young vampire did still hold the same adoration for playing with his prey as he had for year upon year. Where was the fun in acting quickly?

Feeling her nimble fingers trail over his body, a spark of malevolent transgression caught almost photographically in his expression. He was far more accoustomned to the client having the upper hand, and yet, the touch still awakened a mischievious animal within the night-soldier. "Perhaps... later then," Leo smirked slightly, guesturing a generally direction for them to begin walking in.

"So, tell me... why was it me who was granted with the honor of your companionship tonight?"

[Mikaela Antony]

"Mmm.." Mikaela forced a blush and slipped one hand down to link her fingers with his. Had his tone faltered or was that her imagination? Perhaps this would be over sooner if she could provoke him and... Ugh, no, I have to keep him moving...dammit Cloud, you're so dead when I come home.. He was obviously experienced with this, and it made her wonder exactly how many victims had fallen prey to him because of this.

He seemed like he was trying very, very hard to focus, and Mikaela wondered just how hard she would have to push his button to make him break. He certainly had enough control, or sense, to have clients. But then, maybe he just enjoyed toying with his prey first. That certainly wouldn't surprise her, and she noticed his hand twitch toward his neck handkerchief. Was he already feeling the burn? Mikaela held back a chuckle at her choice of words; of course his throat had to be burning, but not moreso than over the scent of any other human. She had heard that there were times when one human would smell particularly enticing, more than the rest. She shivered from the thought, hoping it came off as though from the cold, and moved forward with the vampire.

Mikaela quickly flattened her lids and looked up at the vampire through her long lashes; this royally sucked. "Thank you.." Blush. "You look rather handsome yourself..." Flutter eyelashes. Cloud was going to die. For the briefest instant, she could swear she saw a sneer on his face, or a growl ready to erupt. She pretended as though her sparkling amber eyes did not notice; no normal human would.

"Mm," Mikaela shifted her eyes to his, giving her best wide-eyed innocent look. She batted her lashes slightly as she spoke. "Later...for...?" She noticed his smirk, eugh, and tried to act coy. First, she took in an embarrassed and shocked gasp of cold air. The smirk wasn't as hard to create as the intrigued, almost mischievous, nature. She swayed her hips as they moved and blushed hard, letting her gaze flutter down to their feet. She let the bashful smirk tug at the corners of her mouth and spread slowly as the blush grew across her cheeks. "That.." Her velvet voice was laced with faux longing and she gave a small sigh, hugging his arm closer. Perhaps she could test his strength, his reserve, like a rubber band for a while. Stretch him to his limit of a few hours, as she was sure that was all he could keep up by his minute actions. He didn't seem as controlled as older vampires. They would have more control than this...

Mikaela moved her hand linked in his and ran it through her hair slowly, tousling it ever so slightly, throwing her scent into the air. As if she needed to do that. She slid her hand back down to his but didn't link fingers. Instead, she toyed softly with the palm-side of his fingers; gentle, feathery touches. "Mm, well.." Mikaela flattened her eyes again, as though not really there. She took a slow breath and exhaled. "An old friend recommended you..." At least that part was true, and she didn't finish the sentence, but started a new one. "Said you were very knowledgeable of the city... and very...handsome"

Mikaela looked up then, her eyes being as seductive as possible, for her. I am SO not talking to him when I get back. Forget killing him nicely, too.. She glanced several times from his eyes to his lips and back, trying to seem as enamored as she was sure his usual clients were. She let her breathing catch in her throat and raised her heart rate just slightly. Hopefully, that was enough to raise his animal needs just a little bit too. She turned her eyes away suddenly, acting embarrassed as she continued walking. She didn't see the Chinese House anymore, so they had to have moved some distance away.

"So..." her velvet voice came out timid, shy. "How long..have you been in Germany...?" She let her hand toy with his again, and then lifted the backs of her fingers into a small clasp with the palm-side of his. How far could she push? She had to measure his reactions to each of her actions to see what she could, and could not, do to stretch that rubber band resolve of his...

[Leo Frenzik]

Glancing down for a second as she linked fingers with him, the vampire smiled lightly - brushing his fingertips over the backs of her lithe digits in an almost possessive manner. No... I can't let this one go... Not when she's so... he finished his thoughts with a deep purr, shooting her a small wishful gaze.

Feeling his cheeks flush with a slight tint of false embarrassment, Leo let his translucent gaze lock with hers for a moment. "We don't have to wait..." he responded in a loftly manner, shrugging in a casual manner he directed a playful wink in her direction - really beginning to loathe the occupation all the more.

It did get him a free dinner though...

Surpressing a low strength of longing as she tousled with her hair, the vampire gently bit the bottom of his lip - frantically attmepting to ignore the downy touch of her hand against hers whilst he kept a smile playing on his expression.

Maybe it would be easier just to divert the conversation away, or at least to get them somewhere where he would be able to let her drain in silence. An old friend... The male's mind raced, trying to remember the few numbers and faces of clients who had managed to escape his clasp. Maybe they'd caught him on a good day.

Still, as he glanced down with a coy smirk, he let his lips part slightly as the night-hosted creature within him pined and whimpered away. He matched her steps with ease, intreigued by the intenseness he felt in her actions. Oh, she was indeed a torment to his damaged soul. Instead, he took both her soft palms in his own; holding her firmly in place.

"Far too long," he sighed in a feathery yet almost dangeous tone, letting his gaze linger on her for a moment in desire before he turned it away, "Most of my life... but I've been gone for sometime."

[Mikaela Antony]

Mikaela felt the shift in his touch, and it intrigued her. Perhaps just a little more stretching... He purred, and it startled her just slightly, but she gracefully hid her features behind her hair so he couldn't see. Was it working? She chanced looking at him, her eyes soft. He had forced a blush. Ah, so he either had fed, or was using the last of his meal to put on a human front.

Soft, melting amber eyes caressed over Leo's features as she checked his expression for any signs of betrayal. He winked, but she could tell he didn't care much for flirting like this. Well, good, neither did she. Maybe she could end this sooner... But no, she had to keep going. Dammit, he's really going to pay for this one.. She caught him biting his lip, a tiny movement, and a small feeling of small victory started building. She kept it in, though, and re-focused on the matter at hand.

Leo smiled, she remembered the name she'd been given for assignment now, and Mikaela gave a small smile back. He seemed preoccupied for a moment - was he thinking about ending the game yet? - and returned attention to her with a very seductive look. He moved next to her without any problem - of course not, he was a vampire - and abruptly stopped her. He took both of her hands in his and stared at her with such intensity that it shocked her for a brief moment.

Good, a normal human reaction.

"Far too long..." Leo sighed. The sound was of downy against more downy, but there was an edge of violence to it that Mikaela couldn't place at first. She softened her eyes as best she could, lowering the lids and trying to widen them if possible. A shiver ran down her back. Was he about to strike? So early in the evening...out in the open...? He couldn't possibly clean up any blood out here. Grass and cement stained far too easily... Mikeala shook herself from her thoughts; he wouldn't lay a hand on her.

There was a longing in his eyes. Desire? Bloodlust? Had she won out and stretched him to his limit..? Most of his life..But how long was that life? He said he'd been gone for a while, too. Mikaela's eyes lingered on his lips while she thought, so she didn't look like she was just staring into space. A vampire that has been around Germany for a while, from how it sounded, but had left..Why? She wasn't familiar with lesser vamps, but she knew a story of the older ones, the court. One of theirs had left, had been thrown out according to the court. This couldn't be the same..

If Leo was the same as the shunned vampire, perhaps she could use him a little. Hell, she already was really. Should she push it..? Could she...?


Yes.

Mikaela pushed the boundaries and leaned in very close to Leo. She placed her left hand gently on his cold, hard chest and toyed softly with his shirt. She turned on her best seductive mode, which was good but not anywhere near vampire strength in the least, and parted her pink lips slightly. She was just barely shorter than him, but enough that her lips were below his. They wouldn't kiss in this stance, only if she tilted her head up. Her right hand trailed lightly at his waistband. If she had to reach for her knife, she could do it. He wouldn't be able to get to her neck fast enough; he'd get only hair if he was even that lucky.

Mikaela decided to push more. What was life without a little danger, right? She leaned forward and let the left side of her face brush gently against his left side, but didn't get close enough to him that she couldn't see his entire front. He wouldn't even feel the flutter of her eyelashes as she looked up at him. She rested her right hand just lightly on his hip, her left just hovering over his lower abs. She whispered, her warm breath brushing just against his cool skin. This should work..

"What made you leave..?" She trailed her left hand along the front of his shirt where buttons would normally be. She indicated that she agreed with the idea of not waiting with a small, sexual sigh of her own. She pressed her body lightly against his, just an esper of a touch, but enough that he'd feel the ghost of her form mold and move against him. Did he loath the act as much as she did? She lowered her gaze and smirked slowly, more at her thought than trying to seduce, though it worked for both.