<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="background-color:#050505; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><div style="background-color:#101010; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;">She posed some interesting questions, that was for certain. The innocent expression she wore didn't quite match with the words she spoke of slaughter and secrets, but for an instant, he thought he saw a flicker in her eyes of uncertainty and a burning need to understand.<br/><br/>What would he do were he in her stead? Victor remained quiet for some time, sitting unnaturally still, as he had a tendency to do when he was deep in thought.<br/><br/>"I know this must be disappointing to hear, but I cannot say," he finally replied, breaking both the silence and his trance-like state. "They are all interesting questions, but very alien to me." His eyes shone as he sat up straight again and stretched. "But, if you are willing to come with me, I think I know someone you might have better luck asking about the Summers family. Whether or not it is yours." He hesitated a bit before continuing. "However, I think they would have more trouble than me understanding how there can still be survivors from a crime like the Summers massacre. I hate to ask this of you, but we must invent a sort of story for you, or at least a name."<br/><br/><ul>Arya didn't seem the least bit surprised or disappointed by his answer, regardless of whether or not it was. She quirked a brow slightly, intrigued, when he said that he might know someone she might have better luck asking. She was a bit hesitant, however, she nodded "Very well." She replied, pausing. "Someone knows I'm alive, but given that it seems that it isn't common knowledge, which explains why I've had no luck finding answers, I'm happy to try something different." she replied, smiling lightly before speaking again. "I wouldn't have it any other way. After all, I may have given you my name, but that was a calculated risk, which may yet pay off. I don't make a habit of giving my name out of strangers." <span style="font-style: italic">Especially not vampires.</span> "My name, for our purposes, will be Adrianna Grey." She picked a name figuring that he wouldn't be terribly particular about what name she used.</ul><br/>"Adrianna Grey," he repeated slowly. "Suitably common while not making you sound like a harlot. It'll do." He got to his feet, put his hat back on, and extended his hand for her to take. "I will be taking you to meet my parents. They have been around for a while and like to keep a very close eye on things. If they know anything about your family, I'm sure it will be of interest to you. It's a short walk. Are you ready?"<br/><br/><ul>Arya smiled lightly when he agreed to the name before she took his hand and stood when he did. "Taking me to meet your parents already? Well, this is moving rather quickly." She was teasing and that much was obvious based on the smile and the mischievous glint in her eyes. "Yes, I am ready." She replied, somewhere between slightly nervous--at the possibility of answers rather than meeting more vampires--and excited, although this was mostly masked by her teasing and her nonchalance.</ul><br/><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #dedede">~¨.*~:".´-*+~:".-*~¨.*-".-:´~.:`+`-*¨:~</span></div><br/><span style="color: #FFFFBF">"Victor, dear, where have you been all evening? And who is this lovely acquaintance of yours?"</span> The woman speaking was sitting in a beautiful brocade sofa. She had dark brown hair, which she wore in a loose ringlets that spilt to her neck. She was reading a heavy book and had only briefly glanced up when the pair had entered Victor's home.<br/><br/>Victor chuckled lightly in response. "She is exactly that, a lovely acquaintance. May I introduce Adrianna Grey?"<br/><br/>The dark haired woman lifted her gaze from the book and smiled amiably at the pair as Victor led Arya into the parlour and offered her a chair to sit in. <span style="color: #FFFFBF">"You may. I'm Mary, the rascal's mother. Oh, don't give me that look,"</span> she teased Victor, who had rolled his eyes at her comment. <span style="color: #FFFFBF">"You know it's true. I can smell it on you, you know. What does a charming girl like this occupy herself with?"</span><br/><br/>"Adrianna studies history and genealogy at the university," Victor lied effortlessly. Mary nodded in approval. <span style="color: #FFFFBF">"That's very good to hear, miss Grey. I have always felt strongly on the topic of women's education. It just seems such a waste to not let us have our share of the knowledge offered to the privileged of this world, don't you agree?"</span> She looked expectantly at Arya.</div><div style="background-color:#202020; border:1px solid black; margin:10px 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px;"><span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">Notes:</span> Act 1, scene 2: The Stearkenfinn Residence. Indented parts by <a href="//www.creativefreedomrpg.com/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&amp;u=110765">@Amara</a>.</span></div></div></div>