thus he was cursed;;

“Thank you.” Mulci called out to the handsome stranger, a grin on her face. Quickly she finished up her sketch, so she wouldn’t be wasting his time in case he had somewhere to be. She knew once the sun set, she wanted to go see if she could get in to the local bar, considering that she was almost one hundred and ninety-nine. At his question, she closed her sketchbook and motioned to the trees surrounding her house. “Safety actually. Although I guess you could say for comfort.” The woods were quite beautiful and definitely made a great addition to her sketches. Although she did miss the gnarled, bare trees of Halloween Town.

Dimitri waited patiently as she finished, taking the closing of the sketchbook as the cue for him to freely move. He slowly meandered up to the house, keeping a small distance between him and the girl. “Safety? Safety from what, may I ask? Living on your own in such a beautiful place -- you seem fully capable of taking care of yourself. And, despite your appearance, it’s obvious to me that you are not human,” he stated, easily sticking his hands into his pockets. Being alive for so long required that one be able to pick the special lot from the lumbering masses of humans. It was dangerous to wander into a territorial vampire’s space, so it was important to spot said vampires. Though, he took it the other was not of the same sort.

As Sorin was pressed harder into the door, he knew that he had struck a nerve, and mentally he smiled ever so slightly. He’d probably pay for it later, but at least he had the satisfaction of knowing that he’d been brave enough to say those words. That was something Dimitri could never take away from him. Or so he thought. “I call the fact that I have to drink blood to survive, and the fact that you drink from people becoming a monster.” He spat, trying to keep his eyes closed. At the mention of Alaska, Sorin wanted to shove a stake through the older vampire’s heart then and there. “I only turned her because I was forcibly turned immortal! I never asked for this, and maybe if you had asked me if I wanted to become a vampire instead of just turning me into one, I wouldn’t have started to hate you!” 

Dimitri scoffed, not taking to the other’s excuses. “You could have chosen to turn your Alaska or not. If what you say were truth, that you had to do it, then I have the same excuse with you. You have choice -- as do I. Now, stop blaming yourself and take responsibility for what is now your life. It happened, get over it,” he said, far too done with his son pinning every bad thing on him. He knew Sorin would have preferred choice in being changed or not, but that was over. Now he was trying to excuse everything he did to be his father’s fault.

“I definitely think you will, Dimitri.” She replied, brushing her hand against his.

“That’s all I could hope for, dear,” he said, taking the hand that had touched his. “Shall I escort you somewhere for more suitable for you?”

Since it was not yet nighttime, Mulci sat in the shade of her porch, thankful that her house was in the middle of the woods. Hood up and shades on, she sat sketching the area, as well as the person who had come into in it. When the person went to move from the spot, Mulci called out after them, “Wait! Can you stay there for a second? I’m almost done with my sketch.”

Dimitri had been perusing the town and its surrounding areas, wanting to know the new territory and make it his. He knew many vampires were populating the area, feeling their presence. He did not know how they worked, however, and wanted to ensure he had the best advantage in case something happened. He noticed the girl sitting, working intently on something. It was obvious she wasn’t human considering her attire. He chuckled as she spoke, staying still. “No problem, love. Do you live in isolation for fear or comfort?”

Just as he was about to go in, he felt a pair of hands on him and suddenly he was pushed against the still locked door. Knowing exactly who it was that was restraining him, he mentally cursed himself. ‘You idiot!’ he thought. ‘Fucking idiot.’ Not only had he led his father straight to his house, but now he’d have to deal with trying to fight him. Which was not going well so far, seeing as Dimitri was much older and stronger than he was.

Anger seared through Dimitri as his son’s words entered the air. Everyone would have a different perspective on everything -- that was life. But, it was difficult for the vampire to understand how Soric would come to such conclusions. He practically growled with frustration, only pressing the younger one harder against the door.

“A nice name for a nice looking guy.” She stated. “Aleksis Aikaterine Electra Kaligaris.”

“And, a very long and elegant name for an elegant and commanding woman. It’s a pleasure to know it. I hope I’ll be able to say it many times in the future?”

She hadn’t been paying much attention to whomever was looking at her, but as soon as she heard the voice of the culprit, it was all too familiar. She couldn’t help but smirk at his words as her eyes fluttered up to look at him, though remained a little narrowed. “Apart from my run in with Sorin..” she rolled her eyes with a slight sigh. “..You know, the same old thing where he claims the old me is still in there somewhere, and I was better before.. Blah, blah. I stop listening honestly.” she clenched her jaw a little. “It’s cute, that he thinks that why, and the slight glimmer of hope he holds onto, but it’s not going to happen.” she tilted her head with a nod. “Apart from that, everyones been quite welcoming, actually…How long have you been in this quaint little.. town?” 

“Ah, Sorin has been giving me a bit of trouble as well. But, at least he chooses to speak back to you -- he likes to pretend I’m not here. It’s very frustrating to say the least. But, I’m very glad everyone has been kind towards you. I believe I would have a problem if they were not. As for myself,” he started, a long sigh escaping him. “I have been managing, I suppose. There are those who avoid me and those who enjoy flirting back -- though the latter is few and far between.”

“Well, just because someone is a vampire, doesn’t mean they have to give in to being a monster– some people feel remorse about hurting others, and I think if Sorin didn’t have that, he wouldn’t be the one I love, he’d be a heartless being.” she shrugged, she had a point– she loved Sorin for being just the way he was, and the last time he turned rogue it was not good for their relationship, the fact she feared and couldn’t trust him for so long didn’t help. “Lucky me then..” she grinned, before pursing her lips in thought. “Not that long..Still getting a hang of a few things. I don’t really, use my powers or anything.” she added, she didn’t want to give a definite timeline of when she turned, incase he hadn’t already guessed, or Sorin hadn’t said or given anything away. 

Folding his arms across his chest, Dimitri let his scrutinizing gaze look over the girl. There was something off about this entire situation and he wouldn’t let it get past him. “We are not monsters, whether you give into your needs or not. Humans must eat just as we must feed. At least we do not necessarily have to kill what we eat and pain is temporary,” he countered. “Why not use your powers? They can be used without hurting others if that is what you’re so worried about. They are a gift and so is your extended life. Don’t force yourself to be trapped in such a stagnate state when so many opportunities now lay at your feet. You can do whatever you wish with little to no consequences.” 

Sorin groaned as he heard his father following him and started using his speed to get away. He really needed to get away. But he couldn’t go back to his house with his father following him. Not if he wanted to not be pestered. However…if he could make it back to his house before his father could, then he could slam the door and be safe. Dimitri wouldn’t be able to get in unless invited, and there was no way in hell Sorin was inviting the older man in.

Watching his son shoot off in the direction that no doubt was towards what Sorin would label as ‘safety’, Dimitri let out a frustrated sigh and followed him just as quickly. Dimitri had been alive for much longer than Sorin, he knew how to play cat and mouse far better. Just as Sorin stopped, Dimitri pushed his son against the door to stop him.

“I want a kiss so I can be a beautiful princess again” He said before smirking. “No–I want whatever you’ll give me”

“A precious god would wish for something so small as a kiss? I will provide it if it’s truly what you wish,” he agreed before taking the other’s face into his hands and leaning forward for a gentle kiss, lips moving slowly against the other pair.