Marius de Romanus

Win in private, love in private, be happy in private, because people can't ruin what they don't know.

Armand looked at Marius’ profile sharply, recognizing the throat clearing as a sign of his maker regaining control. “Oh now that’s a question. I feel it depends on the season. Lavender is always pleasing for the eyes and nose. Carnations, Asters. What are yours?” Patting his makers arm as he asked.

Marius thought about it, looking over the flowers around them as they walked. “I’m fond of honey suckle. Chrysanthemums, orchids...There’s another that I believe is Hyacinth. It’s lovely but definitely one that can be overpowering.” He gave a light chuckle, recalling the ones in his garden. After they’d gotten past the lights and sounds of mortals he felt a ping as if someone were watching. “I think our hunt has come to us.” He whispered lightly, casually glancing around.

Marius couldn’t help the image of Armand in a bubble bath that flitted through his mind, the candles and ambiance giving the whole idea an amber glow that was more than a little sensual. He cleared his throat, consciously trying to bring his mind back to the clean side of things. “What is you favorite flower?” He asked curiously, blue eyes turning to Armand. It was small talk, at least. Some progress as they’d remained pleasant, something he hoped would last through the evening and into their future endeavors.

“So you want something then. My time and patience.” He replied stonily. Daniel was out hunting with Lestat, leaving himself and Marius alone together. Cracks weren’t yet appearing between them. Yet… “A good thing out of this chaos, crisis - I finally met another of your fledglings, Pandora. How many more are there by the way?” What he really wished to know what what number he was on the list.

Marius frowned at that. He sighed, realizing this was going to be rocky. “You were my Second fledgling. ” He replied, crossing his arms and leaning back. “Pandora was the first, then you, then…” He fell silent. He hadn’t told Armand about Bianca and he’d be damned if he would in the middle of a fight.

The reminiscent sigh. Somethings couldn’t be salved by kisses and ardent looks unfortunately. Longing for the days it had been that simple. Marius uncomfortable - a series of body language portraits. “Quite the gap between,” He found that was comforting he hadn’t been a casual choice. The silence not so much. “Then…Someone, something that will disquiet you and myself to mention now. Right.” Secrets always secrets. He could always ask Pandora, but no truly if it didn’t easily trip off Marius’ lips perhaps he didn’t want to know really. “Brilliant!” Holding his own arms, leaning on the balcony.

At the sudden sarcasm he looked to Armand. He frowned, feeling the rift begin. He sighed, closing his eyes. “I have a total of three fledglings.” He whispered. “The third helped me after the fire, burned and weak as I was.” He couldn’t look at Armand, his gaze set on the cars below. His jaw clenched then, letting silence linger between them.

Only three in two thousand years. That shows someone whose not frivolous or someone who did not settle in one home for long. He sighed rubbing his brow looking away from Marius who pointedly wasn’t looking at him. It was the burned and weak part that slipped through his armour and into the cracks in his heart. Armand remembered seeing Marius burn, could hear the precise crackle and still smell that distinct odour… “I shouldn’t have been so flippant,” he said outloud. “I remember that night still…” Voice wavering a tad. Eyeing the drop, he’d often dive into the sea from here. Steps and ladders back up to the Villa.

He could sense the shared wound, the blood of it still fresh to them both even if it had been centuries. Still, he knew all too well how his actions after would likely end their ‘conversation’. No, he could hear the voices raise, the anger and heat and hurt simmering in his mind even before anything harsh could be said. He thanked whatever Gods were present that Armand couldn’t dip into his psyche at this moment. He inhaled, pulling in the scent of the ocean before slowly releasing it. “We both do...” He whispered. “So many wounds we’ve yet to understand how to heal.” One hand carded through his hair before he turned to Armand. “Can I ask for your patience in this, young one? There are many things I wish could be said but the time is not quite right yet.”

“Where to start?” He mused. “There’s a sea of secrets locked behind those beautiful eyes. To ask where to begin is the hardest question of all…How about we start with if you’d enjoy my company tonight?”

“Well. If they weren’t a sea and known they wouldn’t be secrets.” He said wryly. Studying his maker. “That’s a succinct start. Yes. To spend it together how?”

Marius mused on that for a moment, tilting his head ever so slightly as he watched Armand. A slight smile played on his face as he leaned forward. “If I say however you like?” He asked, letting the question trail off.

Armand returned the smile, so much for playing hard to get. Marius didn’t smile frivolously, or on a whim so it was only polite to grace one back. “Hmmm so hunting perhaps, you haven’t eaten yet have you?”

Marius shook his head. He could feel the hunger swell in him as he stood. “Where would you like to hunt?” He offered.

Armand knew just the place. “Central park is quite full of evildoers this time of night.” He suggested. “I try to keep my neighbourhood crime rate down. I’ll just put something less presentable on.” Zooming upstairs and returning wearing tight but well worn jeans and a black soft roll neck jumper. “Ready shall we.”

The sight of Armand in ripped jeans caused a smile to grace his face. Now he was certainly overdressed compared to his companion. A light chuckle as he offered his arm . “Lead the way.” He purred.

Armand took a modicum of pleasure at Marius’ smile followed closely by a laugh. Who knew just putting on well worn jeans would provoke one. Taking his makers arm as they left Trinity Gate and headed to the park.

The walk itself was quite enjoyable, the breeze carrying the sweet fragrance of flora over the smells of the city, easy enough for a vampire of his age to tune out. The presence of Armand at his side had him at odds with himself, wanting to fall back into a comfortable and amicable companionship but also not wanting to have it come off as aloof or callous. He wasn’t quite sure where the balance would ride now, so he decided on easing into conversation. “We’ve nice weather for tonight. It feels like spring is in full bloom..”