Nightime in the Library

[time_dancer]

The inherent problems of learning magic from a scientific point of view have finally proved too much for Val this evening and so she's reached for some light reading to get her mind a break. Light reading in this case being quantum geometry as a means to understand Black Holes. When she chose the seat in the secluded alcove of the library there had been a fair number of other visitors to the library and she had wanted privacy.

Now the hour is late and lost in theoretical mathematics, Val has not only lost track of time, she hasn't even noticed the lack of other people.

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[vojvode]

He watches her from the shadows for a long time, drawn by the quiet susurration of her thoughts. And she is beautiful, he thinks. A pale beauty, suited to ice and snow of the northern lands.

He lets his thoughts mingle with hers, until the shadows deepening around her seem comforting. Only then does he make himself know.

A gentleman appears, holding a book open in his palm, finger scanning the page. He is tall, his features regal and aquiline. His high brow belies the long dark hair spilling down his back. His garb is anachronistic, a black coat embroidered with silver and gold leaves, the collar buttoned high under his chin. He could have stepped out of the court of Peter the Great.

He looks up to meet Val's eyes and dips his chin in greeting.

[time_dancer]

His anachronisms and regal features remind her of home and so she smiles a warm invitation before saying, "Good evening." And then, as by instinct, she bows her head in respect.

She looks around, seeming to notice the shadows and a slight frown creases her brow. Had she been reading that long?

[vojvode]

"Good evening, my lady. My apologies, I did not mean to disturb you."

He closes his book, noticing the look.

"You are expecting someone to join you?"

[time_dancer]

"No disturbance I assure you," she replies, "and I am not expecting anyone but would welcome a friendly conversation if you wish. It would seem I've been reading here all day!"

[vojvode]

"This place makes it easy to loose track of time, does it not?"

He extends a hand in greeting, but not a handshake. If she takes it, he will brush a chaste kiss across her knuckles. His hand is surprisingly warm, and the warmth of his touch does not leave her fingertips, but somehow seems to migrate up her arm and into her chest, like standing next to a fire.

"Vlad Tepesh, at your service."

[time_dancer]

She takes it and the warmth near takes her breath away. The name tickles a memory that the warm chases away as well.

"I am the Baronette Valeria von Doom of Latveria," she replies with a bit of a gasp and not sure as to why she included her title.

"Tepesh?" she continues, pronouncing the name correctly. "Do you come from near the Carpathians?"

[vojvode]

"I am Voivode of Wallachia," he says, eyebrows rising a bit at the recognition.

Or rather he was, when Wallachia was a state standing in opposition to the Ottoman hordes. That was several lifetimes ago.

"I do not know the kingdom of Latveria."

[time_dancer]

A little part of her wakes in alarm at his words, memories begin to form and yet again the warmth cases them away.

"Perhaps we come from different worlds than," Val replies casually. "Latveria sits cradled by the Carpathians in my world..." She trails off with a barely disguised look of loss and sadness.

[vojvode]

"Perhaps."

Certainly her surface thoughts reveal a world vastly different from his own.

"The Carpathians are my home. So perhaps we are from the same land after all?"

[time_dancer]

Longings of kinship swell within Val at his words.

"I am sure it is so. The names of the nations may change but the Carpathians are the Carpathians yes?" She takes a deep breath then and continues, "I miss the edelweiss. In spring the scents fill the air and let you know winter has moved on. There are some growing here but they aren't the same."

Val stops then as if realizing she is rambling.

[vojvode]

He gleans the memory from her and knows what she's speaking of. They call it something different in his tongue, but yes, even in the night, the scent fills the valleys.

He gives her a gentle smile, moving to sit beside her in the alcove.

"How long has it been since you were last among your people?"

[time_dancer]

Val's brow wrinkles again as she thinks and for some reason it's hard for her to think past this moment.

"It's been a few years," she whispers as confusing images of people who both are and are not her family dance in her minds eye; a man who's face hides behind an iron mask leading a beleaguered band of Templars against a host of demons, that same man in slightly different armor and a softer, kinder voice, a man whose body runs like water and a woman who conjures invisible shapes of her will. Another man who seems to be living flame, another who is living rock and a little boy who smiles at her and holds her hand. And finally, the man in the armor again with a strong bold voice holding her in his arms.

Val doesn't even notice the tears as they fall.

[vojvode]

Confusing images, to be sure, but then, he's learned much in the brief time he's been here.

He wraps a gentle arm around her shoulders, and croons softly, stroking her hair. (And if perhaps he allows her to meld the image of that man and himself, it is only to benefit them both.)

"Shhh, my dearest. The past is a country we visit in our dreams."

[time_dancer]

Val curls into his embrace and silently cries. She loses herself to her tears, only occasionally wiping her face with her sleeve.

[vojvode]

He folds her close to his chest, offering her refuge and shelter from the storm. His hand gentle strokes her head and he murmurs a constant susurration of soothing words, low and gentle.

"You are too young and beautiful to be let such burdens weigh your soul. Let them go with your tears, my lady. Let them be washed away."

[time_dancer]

The Vojvode's words confuse Val for a moment, as they are not words her father would say. Before she can voice or even realize them, her suspicions are caressed away by his warmth.

"We can not choose our fate, only how we face it," she whispers. She rests her head against his shoulder and her tears slow. She still feels the sadness, the longing for her family, but the ache has lessened.

[vojvode]

"Wise words, indeed," he breathes against her hair. Sadness and longing are two emotions he is very well acquainted with.

Still, he is what he is.

His caress strays to her throat. Light as air, the murmur of his thoughts washing away any fear or hesitation. The shadows around them deepen, like sinking into a warm ocean of darkness.

[time_dancer]

Lost in the warmth and shadows, lost in the memory of being little in father's arms, Val murmurs contentedly.

[vojvode]

"My child, you should be more careful," he murmurs.

"I worry for your safety, here. Who knows what roams these rooms when the sun has gone down, hmm?"

[time_dancer]

"I can take care of myself," Val says drawing back. "I'm learning to fight and how to make magic."

[vojvode]

"Oh but there are monsters here, have you not heard?"

He sits back a bit, looking down into her face.

"Someone is feasting upon the blood of innocents."

[time_dancer]

"No I have not," she replies grimly. She thinks of Security but then they weren't able to help the little girl who was kidnapped a few months ago. Val doesn't activate her armor but in her mind she has and she's ready to defend the weak.

Too bad she doesn't realize she's the weak one at the moment.

[vojvode]

"You should take care, my dear. Even under these rooftops and belfries, winter moves."

He sets her apart from him a bit, waves a hand in front of her eyes to clear the cobwebs.

"Be careful who you give your trust to. One can never know the hearts of men."

[time_dancer]

Val nods.

"That's true enough," she begins to say before being interrupted by a huge yawn. "Excuse me!"

[vojvode]

"The hour -- grows late. You should get some rest."

He rises, one hand keeping hold of hers. He looks down into her face.

"We shall meet again, Baronette." He dips his chin, and then bends to place a chaste kiss on her brow.

[time_dancer]

Val smiles at the kiss. Standing, she offers a bow to one whom outranks her and stifles another yawn.

"I certainly hope so Your Highness," she replies straightening. She turns to leave but pauses, "With your leave?"

[vojvode]

He dips his chin again, closing his eyes and giving her a beneficent smile. He touches the brim of his hat again.





And stepping back, melts into the shadows.