What Lies Behind The Mask? (o/o) (Closed)

Aliana sat down, tucking her dress around her slightly quivering legs. She nodded at his words and glanced up when silver plates were set down in front of her. She had never seen so much food. She was sort of afraid to eat some of it, but she nervously stuck her hand out to pick up a fork and take some mashed potato for her own. She had had so many questions for him, but now she couldn't seem to find her tongue as she chewed on her food slowly. The emerald pendant around her neck was heavy and cold, but in a soothing sort of way. Whenever he spoke of it, she became highly aware of how nice it was. She had found herself in a great situation. She had previously thought herself dead when she stumbled into the beautiful garden.

He tilted his head. "You're very quiet. Based on what my sister said you were very energetic. Tell me… Do I intimidate you?" He asks curiously. His head tilted in wonder at this small human. He wasn't sure what to expect from her but he was willing to learn. He wasn't sure what had captivated him about her. But he shrugged and lifted his food to his lips. His current mask only revealed his lips so he could eat, but his face was still hidden.

Aliana blushed at his question, glancing up into his golden eyes. "I-I think you mystify me more than intimidate. I know you are a very kind man, and I thank you greatly for your services," She hastily changed the subject, bowing her head a couple times. She had so many questions that were popping up again at his appearance, but the largest one of them all was the fateful, What lies behind that mask?. But something told her she shouldn't ask. Perhaps it was the fierce vampire next to her king. Perhaps it was common sense, which she admittedly lacked.

He chuckles. "Interesting. That's very curious of you to say. But I'm curious of why you were wondering the Nightshade woods in the dead of night during the freezing winter. You must be very brave, or very stupid my dear." He says as he takes another bite of food. He seemed to be at ease. "Did you know where you were going? Or were you just running?" He asks curiously. Sumika ate her food quickly and gave a relaxed sigh as she watched her brother talk with the human. She wasn't sure what to think to think of this human. But she was certainly intrigued.

"I did not know. My masters were trying to catch and kill me, like they do with the rest of their livestock. I didn't even know I was in the… the Nightshade woods. I was trying to run away." It was certainly stupid of her, when she looked back at it. She poked at her food and took small bites, still full from her lunch. But she didn't want to be disrespectful, so she made herself eat the rest of her potatoes and about half of her steak.

He raised his brow. "I did not know of this. There was a rule to keep healthy livestock alive. My dear. If I may ask… what section of the kingdom was this?" He asks curiously, eating a bit more of his steak. "And what were your masters names?" He asks as he leans forward, curiosity obvious in his eyes as he gazed upon this human girl. It made him wonder what this girl had gone through. He wasn't completely heartless.

"There was?" She asked softly, glancing up at her king with her eyebrows raised a little. "Well– masters Ciliqi do not seem to care. We lived near a stream a long ways through the forest and they used to make my family live in a barnhouse. It wasn't that bad… it just got really cold and hot. They never gave us food or anything. This is really as much food as I've seen in my life and…" She bit her lip. She had said a lot. Her masters would be quite upset.

He smiled a little bit. "I am glad to hear. I'll be having a talk with Vladius." He mutters before looking at the female. "You will not be returning to your masters. As for your family, I will have them be brought here until proper living can be acquired." He looked rather relaxed as he spoke. "Knowing my ministers are allowing such behavior is unforgivable. Our job as vampires is to keep humans alive, not treat them as animals." He sighed and shook his head. "Sumika. I will leave you in charge of taking care of Vladius… you know the drill." He says sternly. She nods. "Of course, brother."

Aliana perked up a little at the promise, blinking her widening eyes. It had become much better, definitely. "O-oh, thank you, sir, I really appreciate it. But there are other vampires holding my friends to worst. I heard one vampire made one of his boy-Humans freeze himself to death, only to eat him. Well, I heard. I don't know if it's true," She mumbled, not even sure. "But there are a lot of vampires in that area who do that type of stuff. They say it's a waste of space to keep them well. I don't think they know of your rule, sir."

His eyes narrow. "I see." He looks over to Sumika. "You know what you have to do sister." He says sharply. She nods and stands, bowing politely. "I will leave now, brother." She says quickly before exiting the room swiftly. He watches her leave before turning his attention to the female in front of him. "I had no idea my kingdom wad getting so out of hand." He growls. "And to think I just had my nobles here just a few hours ago. How unfortunate." He finishes his meat before standing. "If you are finished, my lady. Would you care to take a walk with me?" He bows slightly before gazing up at her.

Aliana watched the exchange nervously, turning her gaze onto her king when he spoke directly to her again. "Oh, yes, I am finished, sir. I'm sorry I didn't eat it all," She apologized softly before standing up slowly.
"Um… sir? Will my family be okay? You said you will bring them here, right?" She turned her gaze up at him. She looked and acted young, but really she wasn't. She was adult-age.

He looked at her plate. "You ate what you could. The wolves, or Blizzard enjoys the leftovers." His lips twitched, but no sign of a smile. He nods. "I am a man of my word." He says simply. He began to walk, his eyes forward as he does so. Blizzard walked towards them, nuzzling into Aliana's side as she walked, before walking beside her. His tail flicked back and forth in a relaxed manner.

Aliana nodded and moved after him, staying behind him carefully as to not upset him. She ran her fingers through Blizzard’s fur, letting the tiger calm her down. She smiled down at the pretty beast, bending down as she walked to press a small kiss to his big head. She was so thankful for him. She was really very thankful for everything that had happened. She was expecting to wake up and find out she had overslept or something, and that it was just a pleasurable dream.

Blizzard gave a happy little purr as he nudges her legs gently, his ice blue eyes glancing up at her happily before looking forward again. Cian was walking slowly, the moon casting a gentle shadow behind him, giving him a softer look. They came upon two big glass doors that lead into a garden full of plants no human had ever seen.

Aliana looked up at her king as the moon illuminated their figures. She was more interested in how his hair shone like the finest of silks as he stepped into the cold night. The wash of cold air made her shiver and immediately bring her arms around her in a hug to preserve her heat. But she looked around slowly at the blooming flowers, gasping softly.

He hummed and slipped off his cloak and placed it over her shoulders when he saw her shiver. He walked towards the bushes full of what seemed to be crystal roses, he checked on each one carefully, making sure each one was in the light. In fact, most of the flowers seemed to be in a crystalline state, each of them a different but dazzling color. In the center of the garden, a fountain that seemed frozen in time. His golden eyes glittered in the moonlight.

Aliana smiled shyly up at him and followed him slowly across the gardens, looking around with her wide eyes. She seemed to catch onto every strange little flower, and with each one a small gasp left her throat.
"Sir… sir these are beautiful," She breathed up at him when they paused near the roses, wanting desperately to reach forward and touch them.

Cian looked around and smirked faintly, "It is alright." He mutters and guides her hand forward to touch the flowers. "Here you are." He mutters gently. His eyes are gentle and he withdraws his hand and walks to the fountain and sighed a little before gently touching the flowers himself. He withdrew his hands.

Aliana jumped a little when he took her hand, but allowed him to lead it to the flowers. She stroked the petals between her small fingers, her eyes wide and amazed. She looked up to watch him walk to the fountain, then back down at the roses.
"Um… what is this place? How did it get like this?" She asked finally into the crystal silence.

"The garden of life…" He mutters softly. "But it… It is not… truly life…" He mutters. "They are the souls of my lost family." He whispers. "When Vampires were forced underground, my family, the Nightshade family… fought against it. My sister and I were the only ones to survive…" He places the flower down. "I managed to save their souls… But my sister and I were the only one to live…" He whispers.

"O-oh…" She slowly moved her hand off of the rose, gazing sadly at them. "I'm sorry, sir." She slowly walked closer and set her small hand on his elbow, blinking up at him. "It's nice you were able to preserve their souls, though," She tried to assure gently, moving her hand off of his elbow as soon as she placed it on, shifting in her place and looking down at her feet.

He starts at the contact. Not even his sister would touch him. Rarely would he do that. He glances at the other and shook his head. "The reason we vampires rose again was to avenge the lives of my family." He looked around and sighed, "We are the last of the royals. I am glad I could save them as well…" He walked towards the fountain and waves his hand. The waters part and two roses were revealed. "My father and mother." He mutters quietly.

Aliana moved after him, gazing at the roses as they sprouted out of the fountain. She didn't say anything, just sadly gazed at them. She wanted to ask about his intention with his human subjects. Clearly he wanted revenge, and he just said he did. Yet he was saving her life and the lives of other human livestock. She clearly looked puzzled, but also sympathetic.

He chuckled. "Humans think of us as monsters. Yes, we require human blood to survive. But my intentions were never to harm the humans… even though they destroyed my family, they have knowledge even I cannot process." He mutters. "Humans and vampires… two completely different worlds… and yet human nature always intrigues me." He readjusted his mask and sighed. He gently touched one of the flowers, before looking at Aliana. "You must tell no one of this place. Only my sister and I know of this garden." He says strictly. "Why I am showing you this is to show not all vampires are heartless monsters." He says before leaving her side. "You may visit here as you wish."

Aliana nodded slowly, looking up at him when she saw him move, her eyes a little wide from his words. "I-I don't think they are heartless," She called softly after him. "I have seen how they treat their families. With such kindness and care." She moved after him with Blizzard at her side, just shuffling a little.
"Um… will I be able to see you again? And can I know your name?" She spoke at a raised tone of voice, trying to get it to carry to him.

He hesitated before looking towards the female. "You are certainly a curious human." He mutters before walking towards her, "I am Cian Nightshade." He says as he gazes at her. "And I will see you, just call my name, and I shall appear." He replies before fading into the shadows.

Aliana curled her fingers together, smiling up at him. "I like your name. It's pretty." She nodded at his words, looking down at Blizzard and running his fingers through Blizzard'd fur.
"Should we go to the book-room? Sumika showed me one."

Blizzard looked up at her and purred before walking beside her.

Cian appeared on the perch of his tower, gazing at her. His eyes were filled wit curiosity and wonder about this human he had let into the castle of the Nightshades. With a huff, he disappeared into his room once again.

Aliana moved around the castle slowly, looking this way and that. One hand was secure on her necklace, the other in Blizzard's soft fur. She soon found the small library she was introduced to and pushed open the door, walking in. She wasn't really the best at reading, but she quite enjoyed looking at the pretty covers and words on the pages.

Blizzard purred as he walked, keeping by her side protectively. He looked over at her and licked her hand gently as they entered the library. He looked rather relaxed as he settled on the floor by a crackling fireplace and huffs softly.