Heirot

Talon stood with his back to the door, his arms out, his eyes closed. He fit quite nicely in Tenele's lavender dress she often wore to court. It made him a little sick to know that, while very much a man of muscle, he didn't look so bad wearing a dress.

Tenara jumped on her bed so she could be a little taller and finished lacing up the front of Talon's near attire, over his old. "You look beautiful, Esmeralda."

Talon opened his mouth the protest the name, but clamped it shut just as fast.

"I agree," Vlad smirked as he strolled in. "Esmerelda. Putting on a little weight in the middle, there?"

Talon whirled on his master. "No actually," he fumed. "And don't call me that."

"But, Talon is a boy's name," Tenara argued.

"I am a boy," Talon replied.

"Nuh-uh," she shook her head. "You are Esmerelda."

Talon's lips twisted with a dark smirk. He took in a breath and gave a heavy sigh. "So, it seems." He shook it off and turned his gaze on Vlad. "You look nice and charming. Its a nice warm night, the two of you will have a lot of fun. Just remember what I said about that Tiger wine. It accounts for a majority of the festivals indecent exposure charges."

Vlad smiled. "Then if we keep it out of your hands, the city should be safe tonight," he winked at his elegantly clad protege. He scanned the room and caught a familiar hearbeat. "Is Tenele still getting ready?"

Talon shook his head. "She's finished. I think she stepped off to the balcony for fresh air," he pointed out.

The balcony door clicked open and shut as Tenele walked back into their bedroom. She took one more look in the mirror to make sure the wind hadn't tossed her hair too much.

"Alright, you kids have fun," Talon smirked.

Vlad smiled as he caught sight of his wife. "You are lovely," he admired, taking her hand and kissing her on the wrist. His red eyes were glittering. "Would you like to head straight to the city, or walk the old fashioned way?"

Tenele smiled, curling her fingers around his hand. "Let's walk the old fashioned way," she mused. "One second."

Tenele rushed off to bid fair well to Tenara. She gave the child kisses and a deep hug. "Be good for Uncle Talon."

Tenara nodded vigorously.

Tenele turned to her brother and cupped his face in her hands. "Be cooperative to Tenara."

Talon did not nod so vigorously.

Tenele returned to her husband, looping her arm in his and took the lead for the door. "I am very excited I get you all to myself this evening."

Vlad smiled, enjoying the feel of her hand on his arm. "We'll see you later, Tenara, Esmerelda," he said as he followed her out.

In the quiet of the hall, he had the chance to admire her a little more. She'd more than just dressed well. She looked like a fae queen. "It's been a while," he noted while they made their way out of the castle gates. "I am a lucky man."

Tenele blushed, leaning in against his arm with a gentle smile. "Oh, I would say that I am lucky too. You look very handsome," she mused. "It is a beautiful night. Look at those stars!" She pointed to the sky.

When they reached the festival Tenele dragged Vlad from booth to booth, admiring all the things the pedlars had to offer. It was packed, a bit more crowded than Tenele enjoyed, but Vlad seemed to have a presence about him that cleared a path easily.

Vlad let himself absorb into the festivity around him as they walked from booth to booth. Tenele's enthusiasm was good medicine for his mood. After they'd stopped at several carts for different treats and games, Vlad led Tenele into a tented shop full of handmade jewelry. An older man was sitting inside and greeted them as they entered. Vlad recognized him immediately.

"Nice to see you again, Lord," the old man winked.

Vlad nodded to him, shrugging it off. Instead, he watched Tenele to see where her eyes led her.

Tenele ran her hands over all the shiny things until she found a gold pendant with a delicate gold chain. The pendant had a small opal inlay that Tenele found fascinating. Tenele didn't pay any mind to the man, mostly because she assumed that this is where Vlad bought her engagement ring.

Tenele pushed back from the table. They had plenty of money, there was no doubt about that. They'd never have to worry about buying anything, and yet Tenele didn't want to press the issue of jewelry.

She always followed the strategy of not buying anything beautiful, because she often had no where to wear it. They were always on missions in places that jewelry was not required, but then again... They were retired now.

Tenele sighed, looping her arm around Vlad's. "Let's come back here on our way out. Right now I'm feeling a little thirsty. You have to try this ale. They only sell it during the festival. It is dangerous, but delicious."

Vlad laughed. That was probably the stuff Talon had warned him about. Losing some inhibitions didn't sound like the worst idea in the world at the moment. "Let's see if it earns its reputation," he smirked. As he led her out, he cast a meaningful glance at the jeweler. The man stood promptly and removed Tenele's necklace from the display.

A few minutes later, they were working their way up a long line to a booth where they were selling the famous brew. The crowd was rowdier here, full of festive excitement and wild laughter. It took a good ten minutes to fight their way to the bar counter, made easier by Vlad's effect on many of the other patrons. "Two," Vlad tapped the counter twice with his knuckles.

"Size," the tender barked, doing four or five things at once.

"Biggest."

A few seconds later, they were strolling away with some serious liquor in huge wood steins. Others noticed them and gave them wary looks, half impressed and half warning.

Tenele held hers with both hands. It was a large mug for her small grip. She laughed as she took a sip. "Ahh," she sighed. She took several more sips and glanced to her husband. A mischievous look fluttered into her gaze, even before she had a chance to drink much of the infamous beverage.

"Come on," she urged. "I know a great place we can drink these."

Tenele motioned for him to follow her. She led him through the crowded streets towards the side gate to the city. It was a decent walk, but once they got there it was well worth it. She skipped off the path and across a field of grass that stood waist-high. The moon hovered over the ocean, its glow so bright that Tenele didn't need to rely on her husband's night-vision to see. The sound of the waves crashing against the cliff resounded like music, an alluring sound that dragged her towards the crest. Tenele went to the edge, teetering there fearlessly before she wandered to a safer patch of earth and flopped down amongst the tall grass. She took a big swig of her drink.

Vlad admired the location she'd selected, away from the crowds. The drums and cheers of the festival could still be heard, but the torches were dim in the distance, and they were alone with the stars. "Not bad at all," he murmured, dropping gracefully to lie beside Tenele. He'd taken down about half of his ale, and could feel it light a very faint warmth around his stomach. It took a significant amount of liquor to get him to really feel it, and he doubted one stein would do the trick, but it was still pleasant.

"Alone in the dark with a vampire," he teased his wife, rolling to perch over her. "Whatever will people say." He leaned in and kissed her not-so-innocently.

Tenele smiled, letting her drink rest a safe distance away. She did not drink as fast as her husband, but even still the contents of that one large mug were enough to do her in for the night. So, she took it very easy. However, even with the small amount she'd taken in, she felt its buzzy warmth flooding her system. She curled an arm around his neck and pressed into his kiss. She giggled softly at his mischief. "I don't know," she whispered, kissing him again. "What will people say? The grass is quite high, I doubt they'll even know we're here."