insatiable.

He isn’t expecting to be touched, red eyes widening as a jolt runs up his spine. It keeps him in place, hands sliding out of his pockets, free. Free to act as he pleases. “I suppose it is inconsiderate to interfere without providing answers.”

Turning, he moves closer, as if there is someone else in the room. “Calling the police wouldn’t solve anything. As for why…” He pauses, a gleam of humor in his gaze. “You were exposing humans to something they weren’t ready to see and I thought it necessary to intervene.”

A simple explanation; in fact, he could leave it at and be satisfied. But it’s not the complete truth. Tsurya eases a step back, growing solemn.

“Furthermore, it was surreal seeing you, someone who is…not like other mortals, in your morbid truth. There are hundreds of us hiding in plain view and you walk through a public lobby like that.” A shake of his head. “I couldn’t let you die because of something you cannot yet control. I’ve seen it before, I know how it looks.”

There are hundreds of other reasons: negative press for a televised investigation, the potential drop in stocks, a tainted company image and reputation, not to mention traumatized guests and subsequent lawsuits for emotional distress. “I also own this hotel and while I sympathize with you, you’re not the only one who deserves protection here.”

With a thought, he retrieves his phone and re-schedules an upcoming meeting. “All that being said, it would be a shame if you were convicted for evidence elsewhere, so tell me…

         ——what are they going to find?”

「✿」 not  like  other  mortals.  the  realization  hit  varina  like  a  ton  of  bricks.  of  course,  he  could  see  right  through  her.  in  her  dismay  and  panic  she  hadn’t  even  taken  the  time  to  notice  that  the  man  before  her  wasn’t  even  human,  and  the  owner  of  the  whole  damn  hotel  at  that.  she  felt  a  pit  of  embarrassment  in  her  stomach.  some  vampire  she  was... 

she  was  hesitant  to  confess,  but  at  this  point  she  didn’t  have  much  else  to  lose.  he  was  already  in  her  hotel  room  and  if  he  wanted  to  hurt  her  he  would  have  done  so  by  now.  with  the  wariness  of  a  sinner  she  recalled  the  night’s  previous  events.

‘ they’re  going  to  find  a  body.  ’  she  made  solemn  eye  contact,  her  guilty  expression  that  of  a  child’s  who’d  inexplicably  done  something  they  knew  to  be  wrong.

‘  there  was  a  man,  in  the  alley...  i’d  left  the  hotel  alone  and  i  know  i  shouldn’t  have  i  was  just  so  bored --  ’  fanged  teeth  clenched,  urging  herself  to  stop  with  the  excuses  and  take  responsibility.  ‘  i-i  got  turned  around  and  i  found  him...  someone  had  robbed  him  and  left  him  for  dead  and  when  i  went  to  help  i  smelled  the  blood  and...  ’

her  voice  choked  up.  she  sank  in  on  herself  in  shame  and  disgrace  at  her  own  actions.

‘  i  tore  him  apart...  and  i  just  left  him  there  like  a  coward... ’  

Her reaction being more of amazement and sincerity quickly calmed his nerves and just nodded along. He certainly took what he decided were compliments to heart and was happy to indulge her while he could. There too was an air about her that seemed different than just a tourist gawking, and he was curious to put his finger on it. 

                “Alright, I’m sure there’s a way.” Hibiya answered nonchalantly, pretending to survey the area. A small entrance the employees used, and the gate he was planning on using before he saw her, wasn’t too far off. He didn’t try to hide it very well, mainly because he figured she was busy enough looking for her own strategy, taking his key and simply unlocking the gate. “Here, this ones open.” With a smile the prince held an arm out for her. “After you,” he welcomed, silently begging she’d stay close once on the grounds. 

「✿」  ‘  aha!  you’re  good.  ’  she  cooed,  practically  skipping  towards  the  gate.  she  could’ve  sworn  she’d  already  checked  that  gate  earlier,  but  it  was  no  matter.  she  was  probably  too  distracted  by  the  scenery.  

she  hesitated  for  a  moment  at  the  invitation.  as  excited  as  she  was,  she  knew  deep  down  that  it  was  a  terrible  idea  for  her  to  let  herself  into  this  place.  wandering  around  a  little  bit  was  one  thing  but...  the  what  ifs  swirled  around  her  mind.  though,  she  didn’t  feel  particularly  hungry  in  any  capacity,  so  a  few  minutes  inside  shouldn’t  hurt.  against  her  better  judgement  she  took  his  arm  and  followed  him  past  the  gate.

luckily  for  her  company,  varina  was  far  too  mindful  of  herself  despite  her  demeanor.  she  chose  to  cling  onto  him  tightly,  taking  in  the  sights.

‘  this  is  incredible!  i’ve  only  ever  read  about  royalty  in  books  before...  ’  truthfully  it  probably  wasn’t  much  different  from  how  varina  herself  lived.  waited  on  hand  and  foot  by  her  caretakers  it  was  hard  to  want  for  much,  but  she  couldn’t  help  but  have  her  own  childish  dreams  of  being  whisked  away  to  a  fairytale  castle  and  live  happily  ever  after.  unfortunately,  that  was  impossible  for  someone  like  her.  

‘  do  you  think  they  have  a  maze  like  at  leed’s  castle?  if  you  look  at  it  from  above  it’s  supposed  to  look  like  a  crown!  ’