Heirot

The girls made quick work of Vlad's things, because Vlad didn't own much. "No, Tara, that's the one," one of them gestured to something in the other girl's box. "Oh! Right," she giggled, hanging a dark crimson tunic and a pair of black trousers and a belt from her crate back into the wardrobe.

Tenele went to the wardrobe after the girl finished placing the outfit back inside and touched the garment. "Why aren't you taking this one?"

"The Lord said to leave his best shirt and...um....best fitting pants in the wardrobe, in case he has occasion to need them," the teenager giggled.

Tenele tilted her head at the girls and their giggling state. then her cheeks flushed a deep crimson and she lowered her gaze. "Oh," she breathed. "I see. Well, yes, I suppose that makes sense. Thank you for your help."

"We're at your service, Lady Tenele!" one of them piped. She hesitated as they started to leave. "Lady...are you and the Lord fighting?"

Tenele sighed. It would probably seem that way to a lot of people. Tenele walked to the door as the girl was walking out so she could close it behind her. "Not fighting," she replied. "But, we are taking a step back for a little while. I'm sure it won't last long. Hopefully."

"I hope it doesn't... I hope you make up," the girl said carefully. "Of all the courtisans in the palace, Lord Dracul is the kindest to us."

Tenele smiled brightly. "That is so good to hear. I am glad he is respectful of you. If he is kind to you, then it relaxes my spirit. Run along, and enjoy your day."

The girls beamed and excused themselves, taking Vlad's things with them. It was a special thing to them to make Lady Tenele smile.

Upstairs, Vlad checked himself briefly in the mirror. It was mostly out of habit. He knew how he looked; he was quite confident about it. Tonight, his body wasn't enough to impress her. He needed to make an impression with his heart and mind. Bipolar and violent. He couldn't really blame her for that impression of him. How had he wooed her the first time? Maybe he should throw her in a fountain? Pour flour over her head? He cringed at the thought. How had that ever worked the first time? Would her love be the same, when he was such a different person this time around? Which version of him had she liked best, and which had she only tolerated?

He found himself smiling madly as he slowly settled into Talon's room. A date. No idea what would happen, what he would show her about himself. He should have been terrified. He was hopelessly, wildly excited instead.

Tenele fidgetted with her red dress. Talon suggested red. He said it was Vlad's favorite color. The way it fit her seemed pleasing, maybe too pleasing? What if she was sending the wrong signals to fast?

This was her first date. Ever. In her mind at least. She was sure she had several before her loss of information. She surely wasn't innocent. She had a child. Apparently a husband and a lover. What sort of woman had she been?

Based off all the information she'd aquired from various sources she was either an angel, or a fallen one with a sultry side.

Tenele wasn't feeling very sultry.

"Don't be nervous. Don't be nervous. It's just a silly date. A date. A place where you get to know someone. Except he knows everything about me and I don't know him." Tenele sighed. She took one last look in the mirror and exhaled all her tension.

Vlad knocked firmly on Tenele's door and waited with pleasure. She'd asked for a date. She wanted to spend time with him. He rubbed his right hand into the fur at the back of Stalker's neck. The hound stood beside him, the height of a small bear.

Tenele opened the door, giving her date a pretty smile. But, a large dark shape caught her attention. Tenele glanced down. Her eyes widened and she gave a frightened yelp, stumbling back away from the door. "What... What kind of dog is that!"

She straightened, feeling suddenly emberassed by her reaction. The Queen's Maiden lifted her hand slowly. If it was standing next to Vlad, it had to be nice. She reached out slowly to let the beast sniff her hand.

Stalker didn't need her hand to sniff her. He leaped up on his back legs and rested his huge paws on her shoulders, sniffling around her face curiously with a head twice the size of hers. She smelled slightly different from usual, but she was certainly Tenele. His weight shifted sideways, and he dropped gracefully back to all fours, snuffling her waist as he paced around her.

Vlad smirked. "I thought you might like to take our puppy for a walk."

Tenele was absolutely petrified when the beast first lifted up. But, it seemed to be nothing but a giant lovable nut. "That is not a puppy! That's a bear!" She laughed.

Tenele ruffled the fur behind his ears. "What is his name?"

"Stalker," Vlad smiled. "He's quite protective of you." He took in her outfit, and a small thrill went through him. She'd dressed like this for him. "That fits you beautifully," he admired. He took a deep, excited breath. "This is extraordinary," he smiled. "Most men never get the luxury of having a first date with their wife."