Out and About--A Day In The Life

[feels_no_love]

Who: Vladislaus Dracula and anyone
What: Vampire-sitting, gardening, deep thoughts and scheming
When: All day
Where: All over the Barge.
Warnings: possible violence, vampire bro-fisting, nibbly vampire on the make

Comments

Breakfast--Dining Hall

[feels_no_love]

Dracula was waiting in the breakfast line for his blood when someone tried to cut in front of him. His response was a warning growl and an expression that split the lower half of his face into a mawful of needle teeth. The newcomer backed off immediately; eyeing them, he settled back down, content to leave it go as long as they did.

Re: Breakfast--Dining Hall

[damesuccubus]

Petronilla was feeling a little ill that morning, but she liked to parade around the dining hall looking pathetic to earn herself a little extra sympathy. She also enjoy scoping out the seating in the dining hall, as she wondered if there was any spot in particular that could be called "the best".

Sitting with a cup of hot water and nothing else, she saw her dear Count in line and watched as he ...snapped at that other person. Petronilla smiled and rose to her feet, stepping beside him and placing a calming hand on his arm.

"My dear Count, good morning."

Breakfast--Dining Hall

[feels_no_love]

He was still rumbling softly, but it changed in tone when he smelled her scent, turning for a moment into almost a purr before fading away entirely. "Ahhh. Lady Petronilla, what a pleasant surprise in the midst of...this."

Her effort did not go in vain; he relaxed slightly under her hand as he turned to her, and a faint smile curved his lips. But then he blinked slightly. "Are you well?"

Breakfast--Dining Hall

[damesuccubus]

He was a monster, she had seen it for herself just then - those teeth! But Petronilla found it all so very fascinating, not threatening at all. She continued to keep a gentle hold on his arm, smiling and nodding her head coolly to acknowledge whatever it was that had bothered him so.

Her hand touched her stomach, and that calm smile became somewhat "brave" in appearance. "I am a little ill this morning. An upset stomach."

Breakfast--Dining Hall

[feels_no_love]

"Some people do not understand the concept of a queue, apparently," he said offhand, shrugging. The silver had left his eyes. He stood quietly under her hand, moving only when the line moved, turning his face to her, smile blooming a little as he relaxed.

"That is unfortunate. Is anyone seeing to your needs?" His eyelids lowered. He was perfectly fine with leaving off his own concerns for a while in his mind; in fact a distraction was more than welcome.

[damesuccubus]

Petronilla remained with him as the line of people waiting for their morning meal slowly moved along. She was sorry to see that ferocious look leave him - it rather intrigued her. She wanted to ask to see those teeth again, but maybe in a more private setting instead.

"I see to my own needs," she replied, raising her head proudly. "I asked for some hot water to soothe my belly, and will ask other later for herbs if I have not succeeded in driving away the illness."

[feels_no_love]

"Good, good. I should hope that if things became difficult you would call on me, or another of your friends." He moved a touch closer to her and spoke almost conspiratorially. "Provided that it is not one of the herbs locked in the greenhouse I could get them for you fresh. Actually I know all the garden-tenders, so I could probably get to the restricted ones as well." It was a small gesture for him; he tended the plants daily and was learning them as he went.

[damesuccubus]

"Oh, I shall. I would ask my warden for assistance, but she is a cruel thing and I do not trust her," she replied quite casually, as suddenly she had become very intrigued about the garden and her thoughts turned from sheer maliciousness alone. She hadn't been aware that there were special plants growing in the greenhouse. There could be poisons and all sorts of other lovely things just locked away there! She grinned a little to herself, then shook her head.

"No, I would ask for nothing that would cause you trouble, my dear Count. I just need herbs to soothe my stomach. Mint would be the best thing for it, I think."

[feels_no_love]

"One of the things I have discovered about this place is that there is actually not that much of a wider "Warden agenda". It is as if each one is laboring largely on their own, or in little groups largely bounded around friendship and mutual interest. And not all those friendships or mutual interests are found with their fellow Wardens. In short...if she's too much of a miser with you, there are others we can ask. I myself know four on that side of the wire who are less than miserly."

He blinked at her innocently. "Oh, mint? Easily done. They have a chocolate peppermint that smelt most extraordinary. Once I have my vessel I shall either fetch it for you, or we can sit beneath the rose arbor while it brews."

[damesuccubus]

Petronilla smiled sweetly, both as she knew that there was no real warden agenda - most people were far too self-centred for that sort of thing - and for the lovely image provided by the count. "Oh, I think that would be just splendid. The rose arbour, I mean. Roses used to grow on one of the walls of Brokesford Manor, and the smell would drift up to my chamber..."

She sighed, almost wistfully, then quickly edged her head closer to his. "By the way, did I not tell you that Edward Sexby was a scoundrel?"

[feels_no_love]

"Then let us get you some roses for your current chamber, while we are at it. They should help you sleep." He watched her face. One of the things he liked about Petronilla was that he was certain she would let him know, if subtly, if he was off track.

He nodded, and his expression hardened for a split second. "Yes, I believed you then and I believe you doubly now. Truly a shame. I think I will visit the Marquis at some point and see if I cannot shore him up. He is certain to be an influential--oh pardon me, an interesting conversational companion." Brief wink. Actually the interesting part was the more important one to him, because boredom was still a huge hazard in his existence. But he hated looking like he might be going soft.

"Sexby has proven himself a brute and I am very glad you got away from him. Hopefully now that the public eye is on him you feel a bit safer."

[damesuccubus]

"The Marquis is certainly an interesting man, isn't he?" She laughed, tapping his arm lightly in her mirth. "Such a shame that Edward Sexby decided that he should be the next victim of his quick temper and that iron fist of his, but he won't get away with it again. Now everyone else will see him as a cur and not a gentleman, as is right."

Of course, Petronilla had guessed that Sexby had a temper, but she could have never dreamed he would have acted in such a way and proven her little rumours correct. She was so pleased, so very self-satisfied. The man that had rejected her was finally getting his comeuppance.

"Let us talk more about the roses, dear Count, and finally get you your morning meal. Will you sit with me, or will you keep to yourself in your chamber?"

[feels_no_love]

"He's brilliant. His mind is more free than any I have seen in mortal men before." A quick nod at her assessment. "And yes, Sexby has truly shown his cards. Good, good. Sometimes it is easier to let an enemy ruin themselves than have to work against them."

He smiled down at her and his eyes glittered. "If my appetite does not distress you I will sit with you gladly. I am no longer concealing myself in my chamber save while studying or entertaining company. There is too much of interest, too much to do and see."

Finally reaching the front of the line, he took his portion of blood and asked for a fresh mug of hot water as well. "I actually enjoy the garden a great deal. There are bush-roses and the arbor, and a little bench in the shade for you."

[damesuccubus]

Even as he received the blood, his sustenance, Petronilla seemed as collected as one might be if someone was collecting a plate of eggs in front of her. She smiled at his thoughtful gesture, picking up the mug of hot water and offering the staff a 'thank you'. She knew manners would get her places here, unlike at the Manor with her husband's family. "Your appetite does not distress me...and I will avert my eyes if I begin to feel sick. Do not worry."

Turning, Petronilla bade the Count follow her back to the table she had been sitting at earlier. "I have seen the garden, but I did not know if it was closed off to anyone not working in it."

[feels_no_love]

"Very well, then." He trailed her back to her table, a little thoughtful. When he had first come to the Barge he had drunk his blood turned away, first ashamed of having to drink it from a vessel without a pulse, then concerned about the reactions of others. Then he had gone through a phase of being blatant about it, like a spiteful child. Thinking about that made him roll his eyes at himself quietly. "You are as refreshing in this matter as always."

He settled into a chair across from her. "Most sections are open to all, within reason. This is a good time to go wandering in the area, as much of the fruit and herbs are ready." He chuckled. "I cannot enjoy them directly, but I appreciate the scent."

[damesuccubus]

Petronilla lifted a tattered corner of her kirtle and tried to sit with as much dignity as humanly possibly as one could wearing a tea-and-coffee-stained gown. She pushed her forgotten cup of now-cooled water aside, rubbing her stomach gently as she sipped the plain hot water.

"I don't go for walks much. I haven't been feeling very well lately, and I still don't like the thought of leaving my cabin unaccompanied. It's not...proper." This idea frustrated Petronilla, for at the same time she did enjoy the feeling of freedom she had been given on the Barge. She liked coming and going as she pleased, but hadn't quite gotten the knack of it yet. "I think I shall visit the garden soon though. I would like that."