Daniel
The smell of fear was one Lysanthir had grown accustomed to, but the scent coming off of Caleesi was so much more visceral. It was genuine terror. Not like those he'd feed on back in Lazaroth, the countless prisoners knowing their death would come eventually. The vampire fed on those destined for the pyre or noose. It was not the fear of death within Caleesi's heart, but something Lysanthir didn't recognize. It intrigued him greatly, and with a gentle inhale her scent invaded his senses once more. The faint sound of nails against stone reached his ears, only solidifying her feelings of his presence even more. Lysanthir took note the way Caleesi never once looked at him. Perhaps she knew him and he didn't realize it, or perhaps it was knowing the man was a vampire, and she feared looking at him would seal her fate. Was she really so naive to believe he'd pull something so heinous here of all places?

Lysanthir could sense the weakness in her bones and muscles, the closer he came the weaker she grew. The woman's sudden snappy words didn't seem to form a reaction out of Lysanthir. No, he was a stone cold and monotonous as they came. His furrowed brow never seemed to shift, a smile or smirk or something to indicate he was enjoying himself never formed. Lysanthir was simply watching, viewing the woman unravel in a way he'd never seen before. It was an innate curiosity. Though, Caleesi's jab at his motives did seem to cause a faint tenseness in his jaw. Respect was something Lysanthir held above mostly all else, but for Caleesi to question his motives and movements was to be expected. Even the Master of Laws knew not what he was doing or why. It almost seemed as though his body were gravitating towards the elven woman by itself, like an invisible black hole nothing could escape from.

_ _
*Clack, clack, clack* Resonated from his cane as he came closer and closer behind Caleesi. Those blood red eyes seemingly devouring each faint movement her body made. Calculating and cold, Lysanthir could practically see the blood pumping through the woman's veins. Each muscle along her crystal clear and pale skin with each tense move she made. One might even think Lysanthir was admiring her body for what it was, rather than the blood within that would satiate his terrible hunger. At least the hunger most others couldn't control. Lysanthir however knew how to control those urges to devour each person he came across. Long ago, he indulged them to no end, but after careful reflection he knew it was no life to lead, especially since his would last time eternal.

"Are you afraid of me, Lady Scarleth?"

_ _
Perhaps the question was redundant. Lysanthir could smell and feel the fear that was unsteadily growing within Caleesi. Before too long, the sound of his cane gently hitting the balcony floor stopped, and now the vampire only stood a mere foot behind the woman before him. While before his voice sounded like a shadow crawling into Caleesi's ears, now he was genuinely close enough to feel his breath along the back of her neck. Now, so close Lysanthir took the opportunity to read any thoughts swimming within the high elf's pretty blonde head, but what he saw seemed to surprise him, though only inwardly. Never flinching as Caleesi's thoughts collided with his own, the vampire seemed to frown even more. The feeling of wishing to end it all had overcome her, but why? Surely it wasn't only because Lysanthir was present, right?

The memories of Lysanthir's own struggle with such terrible thoughts soon came to his mind. Long, long ago when he had nothing to live for the man had attempted too, over and over again with anything he could possibly think of. Stripping himself of his limbs, tearing organs from his body, throwing himself into flame or even the seas like Caleesi dreamed of in these very moments... All for naught. It seemed only the fire from dragons had harmed him all those years ago, but in some cruel twist of fate even that didn't kill him, only scarred him. It even left him with a limp. Perhaps the gods wished to play even more tricks on the vampire yet to come.
Kenya
**Thumpthump-Thumpthump- Thumpthump-**

By now, Caleesi's heart was bursting from her chest. Those ragged pants heaving from her throat fell completely silent as the air within her lungs cut off completely- Leaving her entire body to tighten in response. Her mouth falling open in an attempt to cling onto the bitter oxygen outside. As she stood there, trembling like a fish fresh out of water, Lady Scarleth's shoulders collapsed the minute she felt Lysanthir inches from her. There was nothing more terrifying than knowing a stranger lurked behind you, yet you would never know. Not knowing what they would be capable of should they reach their claws out and snatch you whole. In Caleesi's mind, she felt better off dead than to risk turning around. Her wide eyes shaking in trepidation of what her fate could have been should she do so. 

Feeling the hot, and breathless kiss of Lysanthirs words on her neck, it felt as though he were trying her out. *Testing her.* Each word falling from his tight lips acting as a command, rather than a question. "__No.__" Caleesi persisted, lying just as she had before. However, it was easy to see the truth. Her head had dipped down exponentially- cowering between pillared shoulders to hide her face from the man. All of her sweat had now frozen over from the chill of the night mixed with the panic that grew inside of her, making nothing but a ghost out of the high elf's face. "You did not answer my question, Lord Olagwyen. **Why are you here.**" Trying to shift the questions around, Cali dug herself deeper into the stone railing. Her soft, bouncy locks of golden hair draped from her neck only to fall over the sides of her face, exposing the goosebumps that trailed along the back of her skin. She looked frigid, cold. *Terrified.* 

*Had this man no humanity? Seeing a woman shaken this way?* 
_ _

Whether or not the Lawman answered her question, Caleesi felt as though she would have no choice but to kick into her fight or flight mode- the sound of his hollow cane piercing her ears once more. When it stopped however, and Cali could feel the brushing sensation of the councilman's robes touching her dress, Scarleth's voice trembled a final time. Only this time, she pleaded. "*Don't..*" Breathed the high elf, her tone shattering with a cry that lumped its way into her throat. She begged him not to come closer, though something was telling in that plea of hers... A fear that she was scared of even herself in those moments. Not just him. Caleesi could only stay backed up into a corner for so long before her senses would inevitably kick in. Everything around her seemed to freeze over. The air was growing stale, the waves had gone to sleep- even the chatter from within the castle had subsided until nothing else but the heavy presence of Lysan was enveloping her from behind. His shallow breathing covered every inch of her ears. 

It was then when he felt too far too close for comfort that Caleesi shook the needles from her spine, and turned sharply on her heels without warning. Her right hand was open, but sturdy in an attempt to strike the vampire as she swung her body around to power the impact. Scarleth's movements were quick and hardly visible to the eye... Making her sporadic attempts deadly should they hit. Although, Cali knew little of Lysanthir. Nor how seasoned the vampire was. All she knew is that she wanted to create space between them- to get out before something happened. Of course, if anyone were to see a High Lady strike a High Lord, it would have been the end for both of them. But Caleesi refused to sit idly by while being made small by a stranger... Not again.
||
Daniel
Lysanthir never leaned in, nor made a move to touch or caress Caleesi in any way, for his intentions were not as impure as a drunken fool the woman may have believed him to be. No, his intentions were something even he himself did not fully understand. Not yet, at least. The voice filled with anger snaked its way from Caleesi's throat into Lysanthir's ears, the simple *No* Speaking volumes. There was a long silence before she spoke once more, her question only causing the man's brow to furrow more deeply. "I could ask the same of you, my dear." Lowering his voice and the inflection in his tone, it almost sounded as though he were trying to cause her to slip up, perhaps say something or even do something she'd regret. While there was a sense that he did in fact wish to know if she was all right, there was also that feeling that Lysanthir was simply nothing more than a predator toying with its meal.

*But all games came to an end at one point or another.*

For anyone catching a glimpse of the two, blinking would surely cause them to miss what happened. As Caleesi spun around to strike the Master of Laws, his movements were exponentially faster. The moment he realized her body was about to spin, the growing tenseness in her muscles he raised his own hand to catch the woman's wrist. He held it in place, though the moment Lysanthir could finally see Caleesi's face, his heavy expression completely melted away.

_ _
Memories of decades, centuries, a *Millennium* Ago... His Calitherien. Here she was, standing before him like she had over 1,500 years ago. Lysanthir's breath caught in his throat, and a look of pure grief and mourning became plastered across the poor man's face. His grip on Caleesi's wrist was gentle and calm, as if he were holding the most delicate piece of glass, one that could shatter at any moment. Time almost seemed to slow as if Lysanthir was home once more, back in his home shared a life time ago with his wife Calitherien. Singing her songs he spent countless hours writing for only her, sharing a meal she cooked for them in front of their fireplace, dreaming of the many children they'd one day share with one another... There she stood.

Lysanthir's blood red eyes slowly faded back to the calm, crystal blue they usually were. Tears began to form in the bottom of his eyes, though none fell just yet. Slowly, Lysanthir let go of Caleesi's wrist and reached forward, almost in slow motion. Running his freezing cold hands down the woman's cheek, all he could mutter was a simple name; *"Cali...?"* His voice was nearly a whisper, filled with longing. The man almost seemed to tremble as his heart lurched in pain and disbelief, before her scent dragged him back into reality. Caleesi's hair slowly faded back from black to gold, that warm smile his wife always wore shifting into a frown and expression filled with fear. Once again, Lysanthir felt his heart shatter. *'What a fool you are, Lysan. Now breathe.'* The voice in his head finally grounded him, and in a ragged inhale the man stepped backward. Confusion and fear filled his eyes, as finally a single tear trickled down his cheek.

With nothing more than a glance, the vampire disappeared, leaving nothing but that faint scent of cologne behind.

*He was gone.*