The Prince [Xarath; Closed/Private]

[Joachim Armster]

That ever-present, odious, and eternally intrusive light.... street lights, everywhere, all along the simple city lane. It was midnight. There was barely anyone walking amidst the old buildings of the tired inner city, so why anyone bothered wasting so much luminance at such hours was beyond the comprehension of Joachim. Were humans really so blind, that they had to bathe every corner in light?

He would have been content to remain in the statuesque building he left behind him, surrounded by cluttered alleyways and newer structures. It used to be an old manor, and was built here in Kyushu by a European almost two centuries ago. A spiked black fence of Victorian design surrounded it, mounted atop an aged but elegant base of thin, smoothly honed white bricks, draped lightly by the vines of lively green foliage. Overgrown rose bushes filled the yard, pouring around the tall dark trees who's leafs had been shed to death or cold, here in eastern Romania. Wallachia was a great and tremendous city, one of the jewels of it's land, but it was no different from any other big city. It decayed all the same. And even the fine manor lay in ruins.

Plants, vines, and thistles, many thorned and some flowered, enroached upon much of the mansion. Leafs and flowers occluded some of the windows which appeared to be welcome, as from behind those same windows the color of wood was visible; it had been boarded shut from the inside. And whoever had done it was very thorough, for the only holes or cracks visible were from either termites or claws, perhaps the desperate scratching of captive fingers trapped inside. There were stories about this place, and it was not somewhere you went to at night. It simply wasn't; for even the normal, everyday people of Wallachia, this was a place that was feared. Young people disappeared here, and days later were found outside those old black gates, often drained of blood and always dead, leaving no trace of who or what had done the wretched deed. Vampires were rumored to live inside, but such suspicions became tales and folklore, and no amount of fear or family stories had saved the brooding mansion from the suffocating blanket of obscurity the modern age had pulled over it...

Within, the doors opened... it was a great, white, plantation style villa, and the ancient wooden entrance creaked as it slowly opened. Some dust floated about, clearly upset by the opening; it had been a long time. And from within, a single black boot adorned in sterling silver stepped outwards into the night-clad world, as He exited. He was the one who took those young people here, feeding on them all and ending the lives of most, while those who embraced him remained, all girls... all were entranced by the new flavor of blood, and doomed to the life of night, for the sun would burn them to ashen remains until naught remained of their now pale bodies.

Joachim shut the door, slowly stepping down the cobblestones that lead up to the door, his long embroidered coat drifting with the breeze. He was fully dressed. Lifting a large, marble-white hand, he clutched those gates and effortlessly soared over them, silently landing against the sidewalk... he had used just one hand for this endeavor, for in the other, he held a strange weapon. It was a sword, but not of the usual european style. It was of old forging, and malefic design. The blade was cruelly sharp... but he held it in his bare hand by the very base of the blade, and was uncut, by some miracle or the work of an unnatural force. The hilt spread into vicious bat-like wing shapes, showing veins and the bulges of dark greyish muscle beneath a veneer of leathery skin, and yet they were merely craftsmanship, carved into the dark metal of the hilt. It was Joachim's Doll, and it felt improper of him to go anywhere without it. It was a symbol of some kind... but whether it was a monstrous thing, or a thing of status and nobility, was indeterminable much like Joachim himself.

He wandered off into the park.... it was not well maintained, and the grass was too high, but it was still very large and the trees here had been growing for many, many years. It was a fine place for it's natural beauty, where man had neglected to enforce his dominance upon it, and lush overgrowth was widespread beyond the curving sidewalks and old, creaky benches of decorative black-painted steel and wood. Joachim spotted a lovely young woman on one such bench, chatting on a cell phone. It fell to the ground with a loud crack, as her entire expression drew blank. He approached, and she failed to escape the trance of those chilling grey eyes.

His hair fell over her loose neck, the long white-silver strands falling low, just beyond his shoulders; trails of beautiful sanguine ran down her neck, in two faint streams, slowed by the loss of blood that left little to spare for the surface of her cold white skin. She looked almost like a doll now, made of snow, her face half-conscious and dim with euphoria. It was pleasure; and it was death. He dropped her into the grass, wiping the remainder of her sweet taste from his lips, before crouching and gently stroking her cheek. Then, he rose, leaving her as the last of her consciousness was surrendered to the blackness...

[Der König]

Off days... were just something he did not do. Where should he go? Who should he spend time with? What should he do? Usually such days ended with him either on his bed or under his bed doing... nothing. Maybe reading from time to time, but...

Xarath sighed heavily while he pulled the rim of his rough leather handbag further up his left shoulder.

His distaste for off days did not change the fact that he actually had one. Hell, he had two. He clicked his tongue before his lips pursed in annoyance. Still he had done what they wanted and did not only take the day off, no, he actually went out of his room and god forbid - he had went to the human world.

Not that he disliked that place, he was actually quite fond of it. People, no matter if alive or dead, were not really something he wanted to spend time with, but damn... all those beautiful things they created.

"And those fine clothes." he thought, his spirits suddenly lifted slightly while he held onto the handle of his bag a little tighter. He had spent the day shopping, because well... why not? It was one of the few things that filled him with pride - being able to afford his own things, even though he would not mind if people would just stop... starring.

The Fukutaichou clicked his tongue twice, making sure to walk in the shadows and not the bright, orange light cast by the street lamps.
He loathed to be seen.

Maybe he should just make his way back to Seireitei. After all it was late already... and chilling. He shuddered slightly as goosebumps spread over his smooth, pale skin.

He was not done yet though...

Late afternoon he had decided, after passing one of the old libraries - the mesmerizing building rendering him speechless for a moment, that he would see which estates this city had to offer.

After all, he might just be able to see a prince.

He had checked out three so far, though there was certainly nothing special about those. Two were not in use and one belonged to a filthy rich politician. The way the man had eaten his hot dog as he had passed him... Xarath shuddered at the memory... disgusting. Absolutely disgusting.

Though strangely enough it did not really surprise him that he too, was considered a noble.

Xarath sighed heavily before turning around another corner - the white sleeve of his right arm brushing along the black fence. For once he did not pay this any mind though... as the action made him realize that well... he was actually already there...

Awestruck he kept his dark green eyes fixed on the old building, while his steps fastened slightly - making his way quickly to the entrance gate. Once reached he stepped close to it, his long fingers wrapping around the cold metal as he continued to just look.

The panels of the windows, much to his disappointed, had been shut tightly with wood. Still... the building did not look unused. The grass around it was well kept and... and there was just something about it. A chill ran down Xarath's spine as he clicked his tongue. No, something was certainly off here.

It wasn't any of his business though.

With a slight feeling of disappointment Xarath unwrapped his fingers and took three steps backwards. He gave the estate one last, almost longing, look before he brushed down the edges of his skirt and turned around. He could just leave to Seireitei here, but... no matter if it was midnight or not - it was too dangerous to do it in the open.

The Fukutaichou glanced around, before spotting the park. Or well, noting its bad state.
Not many would be in there now, especially at this time.

He clicked his tongue again, pulled up his handbag once more and took quick steps over to the park.

Carefully he stepped along the path, making sure that he did not step too often on the overgrown grass that spread along it.
It would be a pain to dry those sho...

What the hell was going on there?

His elegant eyebrows knitted together in confusion as he watched a woman and... was that a man? Immediately a slight blush dusted his cheeks, watching the beauty in front of him. He looked... far too ethereal.

Though... what the hell were they... The Fukutaichou continued to watch the two, forgetting his place, noting how the woman was laid down with the beautiful man atop of her.
Were they going to have... sex?

Immediately the heat in his cheeks spread out - his sharp face covered by bright redness.

Though before he could hide his eyes away, or hell, turn around and run the man already stood up once more, walking down the path - seemingly uncaring of the woman.

Again Xarath could not help himself and feel confused about the happenings before he slowly made his way over to the woman. It was not his business, certainly not, but he could not help and follow his curiosity.
At least for once.

The woman though... seemed to be doing perfectly alright. Out cold yes, but with that look of pleasure on her face and those dazed eyes... again he could not help himself but blush brightly as he looked over his shoulder towards the direction the beautiful man had disappeared to.

He needed to follow him.
Oh he knew perfectly well that Oukami-taichou would not want him to be so ridiculous but damn...
He needed to follow him.

Xarath swept some free bangs of his long, black hair behind his right ear, clicked his tongue twice and then followed the man with fast steps - making sure to not start running though.

So far, this off day had not been so bad.
So far.

[Joachim Armster]

Blood always left such a sweet taste in Joachim's mouth. He'd taken a huge sum of it from the woman; only a little had been wasted, and even then, by that time Joachim had drank plenty enough. He walked for some time, deeper into the heart of the park, passing brick squares full of flowers and old gardens and flower beds kept by the local community. They all worked together here to preserve the place as best they could. Joachim added his own touch to it every now and again, leaving his victims to die in the hidden depths of the gardens and tall grasses, much like the woman... although, she might've survived.

But he ceased walking eventually, coming to a complete stop for some time. The path split into two ways. He seemed as if to be looking for something, and in truth, he was. He'd satisfied his thirst for blood, but now there was the need for something else; there was a familiar itch in him, that craving for a soft, pale rose pair of lips to kiss, or long, silky black hair with the faint scent of perfume and feminine fragrance.If he allowed himself to lose focus he would imagine his fingers running across smooth, milky white skin... the woman would not need to be well endowed, or too curvy, or even dressed particularly well. She just needed to be special, to have a certain crisp wholeness to her, and a mysterious allure which Joachim himself did not understand. But so rare was it to find such a person. He could not remember ever really finding anyone that met those expectations.

He sighed. Why go down either path? One way led to the old rose garden, the other, through several loops into a path leading away from the deep reaches of the park and back to safety. It seemed like an oddly intentional choice, as if made to test him. Would he give up and return to the villa, or perhaps ponder his thoughts elsewhere...? He stopped hesitating, and turned to the path on the right; the rose garden. But he took just a few steps before turning then, very abruptly, to see something which startled him. Long black hair, pale rose lips, vivid deep green eyes, milky white skin... and an utterly beautiful face. He looked for a few seconds longer than he should have. He could tell he was being followed. The sounds of the footsteps, their direction, the apparent intention... so he smirked, assuming it was some young girl at first. But then he looked a moment longer. This was no girl. He was rather feminine, and certainly dressed as such. Pretty enough to pass at Joachim's first glance. The image of fingers across smooth white skin came into his mind again.

Joachim smiled to him handsomely, and half-raised his free hand to the raven-haired male, motioning his fingers for the young man to come closer. He didn't say anything. But there was a rather pleased look in his otherwise chilling eyes. He was just curious, with his interest piqued; that neck of his looked so soft and inviting. Slender, soft, and vulnerable. He wanted to see up close.

[Der König]

As stealthy as possible Xarath continued to follow the beautiful man, though he still could not pinpoint out why. It was unlike him to put his nose into other people's business and even if he made an expedition now... why did he not try to get help for the woman?

Strangely enough he felt a sudden hatred towards the female.
Jealousy?

Well, it would not be unlike him.

"I have always been so very self-centered." he thought, clicking his tongue, though did not bother to slow down and turn around.
What happened, happened and... that man.

He had to see him again.
Again he could not help but wonder why though. Usually he hid away from such stunning figures, but that man seemed like a bright light.
And he was the moth.

Yes, that animal actually suited him.
Two more tongue clicks before Xarath stopped in his tracks.

Two paths.
Fuck.

Xarath lifted his arms to wrap them around his mid-section, trying to protect himself from the light night chill - though in vain.
Maybe he should just turn around.

The sudden image of his bed's underside did not seem too promising. He clicked his tongue again, noting how a slight feeling of heaviness started to spread in his belly - his shoulders slumming even more.

Though where...
Xarath sighed and closed his eyes softly - his long, black lashes brushing his high-boned cheeks.
That was - when he felt it - the urge to follow the right one.

Immediately Xarath's eyes flew open, the light gold around his pupils lighting up as the moon just hid them at the right angle, before he turned to follow down his chosen path.

Again he tried to be as stealthy as possible, though like usually he did not even notice his tongue clicking.

What did it matter though? In the moment his eyes finally fell on the broad back, which was almost completely covered by shining hair, did he notice how those shoulders seemed to tense slightly.
The man... he already knew he was being followed.

Xarath swallowed heavily and also stopped in his tracks - his eyes settled firmly on the male in front of him.

He was tall with an imposing figure. His hair was the color of the brightest moon and his skin... he had never seen such perfect skin before...
Meeting such a man in the middle of the park, surrounded by wilderness, almost seemed too surreal to handle.

And then the man smiled.
Held out his hand for him.

Xarath could not fight down the blush, which once more dusted his cheeks a light red color as he immediately lowered his eyes - glancing at the man's chest. Something like him, had absolutely no right to look at somebody so stunning... somebody so perfect.

Too perfect.

Immediately a nervous flutter spread and he could not help himself but to click his tongue three times.
He should not make the same mistake again.

Slowly, almost forcing himself, Xarath lifted his head once more - his green orbs finally settling on the other man's. They were steel - just as cold and hard. Maybe a hint of curiosity, but enough of a chill to make Xarath take a step backwards.

This was no ordinary human, by far not.
While he had a feeling that the man was surreal before he had the proof now.
He should not have followed, but damn he can't leave now.

Instead Xarath's own eyes hardened as his head titled slightly, ignoring the night chill which slightly shook his body again.

"Sir." he murmured softly, walking closer to the stunning male though. "I think your girlfriend is hurt."

He could not care less about her, but damn, he could not just leave.
Not when he didn't have any answers.

[Joachim Armster]

A mutual curiosity, perhaps, was what had kept the raven-haired male from the edge of that conspicuous weapon resting in Joachim's palm. So, the boy knew of what Joachim had done; perhaps he even knew where Joachim lived. That was not the sort of thing Joachim could simply allow a witness to waltz away from. Joachim hated abandoning his lairs when too many knew of them, and rather preferred the death of unfortunate witnesses to the destruction of his domain. But he did not want to kill this boy, not exactly. He recognized some interest... or, it looked like interest, at least. Surely he hadn't been followed just to have been told that. It all seemed very nervous to Joachim, for lack of a better word. "Is she? I did not notice." He replied, with no small hint of apathy.

Seeing that the boy would not come to him, Joachim came to the boy; gentle step after gentle step, his ebony soles making dull heavy clicks against the concrete. His head was tilted slightly forward, as cool grey eyes settled accross the boy's effeminately clothed body. "It'll be alright. Was that all?" Joachim asked, still approaching... he wanted to come closer, as close as he could. The less distance there was the easier it would be to catch him if he fled. But rather than stand coldly, Joachim slipped very easily into Xarath's space, a hand curving around his thin waist to settle at his rear... the wicked smile on his face promised something, not death or pain, but something ravishing and hot. Very much like what Joachim intended to do, if his charm yielded forth it's bounty...

[Der König]

Carefully Xarath's green orbs swept over the beautiful male in front of him. So rigid, so otherworldly... and those eyes. The male was not simply looking at him - he was trying to look into him. He had never before seen that expression on a normal human.
Though... it wasn't even a normal human, was it? That spiritual energy and... that knowledge and mystery that seemed to hang like a curtain around the other male. He had to be by far older than he actually looked.

"Is she? I did not notice."

He would call it a lie, but judging by the tune his voice carried... it was not a lie for this man. He had not noticed, more likely because there was no reason for him to notice such things.

Xarath clicked his tongue three times, feeling like he had somehow stumbled into a lions den, before he slowly lifted his right hand and moved it towards his handbag.
Those steps, 'click' 'click' 'click' sent tremors up his spine, the imposing body, warning him about the male's hidden strength and those eyes. Those eyes told him just far too well that this situation had become more than just delicate. There was no simple fighting or, as embarrassing as it sounded, running away.
And god forbid, he did not even want to run away.

Why?

"It'll be alright. Was that all?"

A sentence meant to calm, but it certainly sounded wrong in Xarath's ears. Once more he clicked his tongue while his eyes were still fixed on the figure in front of him.

It'll be alright. Will be?
Was that all? Why bother coming closer?

And suddenly the male was standing far too close to him. Xarath flinched slightly while his right hand opened the clasp of his handbag.

Before he could reach inside though an arm already sneaked around his waist, making him flinch once more before... Immediately his eyes opened wide, shock quite visible in the green orbs.

What... the hell...

The Fukutaichou could not help but stare at the other male's pale face, right into those eyes. They did not really fit the smile that graced those rosy lips, but right now nothing promised death.

Nothing but that sword.

Slowly Xarath's eyes slid close, and he took a calming breath before clicking his tongue again. Those grey orbs... they were doing something. He had no strength to fight back... and what was even worse - he could not think clearly. Fuzzy and warmth and a feeling of security that just was not there.

Still his hand was in his hand bag, his body rigid at the unwelcome touch.

No, here lay no sanctuary.

"What will be alright?" he murmured, his voice just above a whisper as his eyes opened once more - all but starring at the male so close.

[Joachim Armster]

The boy looked like a crane to Joachim, resembling the bird with his long, very slender limbs, and graceful structure. Joachim saw beauty in his form.... but there were ferocious ways one might appreciate beauty, and Joachim's mind was not like that of a human's. It was a cold, predatory state of being. Instinct was far more powerful, managed only by the tremendous willpower asserted by his kind over all things. It was an ambition, perhaps; but to do what with it? Was he really intending to do with the crane as he had done with the women?

Joachim asked himself these questions as he remained near, casting his allure over the boy. He recognized that timidness and the shutting of his eyes. The moment of weakness, to which Joachim would assert himself over, and seize like an object in his hand. But he wouldn't be seizing this one with his fingers. He would take this prey with his lips.

But not as one might expect.

Joachim tossed the blade down, and yet, it hit the ground silently; some force had quieted the impact. The now free hand quickly moved behind Xarath's head, moving to run through his silky hair, and clutch the back of his head as Joachim leaned in. His eye lids shut, and he moved closer, almost as if to offer a kiss... it was identical to the fluttering moments just before a lusty, romantic union of lips. Except that Joachim opened his handsome lips before the kiss could be made, and lowered them to the boy's neck instead.

He seemed at first to be nuzzling the boy, quietly taking in the scent of his pretty hair. Then his lips drew close to that white, smooth neck, to brush against their surface.... and then the lips parted wider, opening, until Joachim closed them around the neck, and moved quietly to bite into it almost just as he had done to the woman on the bench earlier.

[Der König]

Instead of answering the man's eyes bore into him, not helping in the slightest to to cut the heavy silence. The heavy aura, that seemed to surround them.

Xarath swallowed heavily unable to tear his eyes away from the man in front of him that seeme to draw him in so easily. Only a slight cringe ran through his body at the noise of the impact as the sword hit the ground. It was a dull sound, but still loud compared to the silence between them.

Suddenly a hand was against the back of his head - he had not even seen the movement which stunned him. Usually he had no problems keeping up with movements, though this... he was slowly but surely falling into a trap, but it seemed like his soul could not find a way back out.
Especially when this skillful hand ran through his hair.
So good.
So wrong.

Slowly the other male's head came near, those grey orbs seemingly making up Xarath's whole world as he could see nothing but them, but that movement... for a moment he could not help but see the woman in front of his invisible eye, before he could see them leaned over him.

He nervously started to click his tongue as soft lips brushed the pale skin of his neck.
No, no never again. He swore it.

Finally gaining a grip on himself once more Xarath's left hand moved upwards and fist itself in the white tresses before yanking the other's head backwards - away from his body. Angy green orbs fixed onto stony grey as Xarath clicked his tongue once more.

"I am not working anymore." he murmured though by now he was quite certain that the male had not intended to give him a hickey, or worse, claim him as his.
Just like he had done to the woman - he wanted to bite.

Of all the things, he had to run into a bount.
And such an alluring one on top if it.

[Joachim Armster]

He was so close. He almost had him - in just moments, he'd have the boy drained and weakened, and unable to resist him. He really did visualize him as a crane of some kind. But before he could sink his fangs into that graceful, delicate neck, a hand seized him by the hair... and then pulled. Joachim was startled entirely, and did not resist the motion; his back arched slightly with it, pushing his chest into the boy's. It took a few moments, but Joachim's features slowly became annoyed. He looked as if someone had said something very insulting to him. But Joachim did not respond, in fact, he did not speak at all. His eyes were scanning the boy as his head was held back at an awkward angle as if to search for a new opening. But this time, those green eyes held wrath, and it made Joachim rather remorseful. Joachim had been planning to bite him but... the anger seemed much more than what he might have deserved. It nearly startled him as much as the sudden tugging of his flowing white hair, as he could not see why the boy's eyes looked so upset.

He gave a long sigh, and seemed to relax. But Joachim still had a hold on the boy's rear, and the back of his head, and that was very dangerous.... an ethereal, arcane glow of purple warmth began to emanate from him, slowly growing into what appeared to be purple fire of some strange kind. It glowed unnaturally and was animated by a will that could be described only as occult and malign. It covered Joachim, and through the hands on the boy, it began to envelop him as well. But there was no burning, or pain, or even the slightest harm. It surrounded the boy, and threatened to encroach onto him in a ghostly mass, but did not; it merely encased him. And with that, Joachim began to act.

He allowed the boy to retain his hold on the hair, but somehow eased the tugging - Joachim was able to move his head comfortably now, and an unseen force was providing the motion. He began to levitate just slightly off the ground, and moved the mystic flames beneath the other to try and raise him up as well. It was like telekinesis, or the same unnatural motion with which a ghost might throw around objects, except that it was refined and gentle... and entrancing, in that lustrous purple glow. The motion then shot suddenly in coiling paths around the boy, all around his body, with the goal of tearing away his clothing and leaving him bare. At the same time, Joachim's eyes settled around that graceful neck... the neck he lusted for. Trying to bite again was too risky. A ring of that same ghostly essence encircled it, and slowly drew closer. If it touched, it would squeeze, and grow tighter until it forced him into unconsciousness.

[Der König]

Oh, he see could see the annoyance in the other male's orbs just too clearly and Xarath would feel sympathy - there was probably nothing worse than having your hair pulled on - if the man had not tried to do... that.

Never again... never like this again.

Though when the beautiful male's stance relaxed, Xarath could not help but stare at him in confusion while one elegant eyebrow lifted up and his right hand finally found what he had been looking for. His fingers immediately wrapped around the small ball, before his attention was taken away by the male again.

What... the hell? Never before had he heard of such a Bount power. His sword was at his... since when was he of all people so slow? Before the purple flames could cover him entirely Xarath removed his right hand from his handbag and popped the ball into his mouth, swallowing - starring at the male whose eyes he'd probably never forget.

The beautiful male was lifted off the ground, before the body joined him. Gracefully the clothes were torn off, leaving him in a state of undress. Wide eyed, green orbs were locked onto grey, though before the mouth could open to let a sound escape the breath was already stopped short. The eyes grew wider in shock, a single tear rolled down a pale left cheek, before lids were closed.

The body became limb.
Silence.

Tongue click.
"It's overly impolite to leave questions unanswered just because you feel like fucking an ugly meat suit." murmured Xarath, standing behind the stunning man - wearing his Shinigami uniform.
"Or are you that much after energy? I would have thought somebody as beautiful as you would have more self-control."

[Joachim Armster]

Joachim could feel victory throbbing in his chest, his heart pounding with excitement. Feeding of lust and thirst was imminent - that delicate, frail body slumped over, after having touched it's mouth. He'd not seen the pill, only the loss of apparent consciousness... he grabbed that body by the hips, and rushed forward to push his lips against those of the lifeless meat-doll, locking lips with it in a pale embrace. His eyes opened suddenly, and twitched.

It was dead.

He shuddered so hard he lost control over the telekinesis, falling to the ground on his rear. The body was flung off into the grass subconsciously by his shock, and he gazed at it with fearful eyes. What did he do? It had been a dull kiss with no life in it, no feeling, no emotion. The boy had to have been dead. He looked disturbed, or frustrated; it was difficult to tell due to the enigma inherent in the chilling beauty of Joachim's features.

A graceful, and soft, but mocking voice came upon him. It was from behind... and matched that of the boy. Joachim turned, looking upon him, and stood furiously. It had been a trick?! "Enough." Joachim demanded, his sword still several feet away from him. "I don't like where this is going. I didn't get that close to you for fighting, as I am sure you could tell." He continued, less annoyed in the face... but more intent in his eyes. "Now why don't we just... sit down? Talk with me a bit. I think we have a mutual interest in each other..." He offered, and rather generously. He silently waved his hand towards an old steel bench, offering it to the boy.

[Der König]

The moment Xarath felt the candy doing its work he wasted not a single moment to appear behind the other male, who was so focused on his gigai.

It was hard for him to stay silent while watching the gorgeous man with his... suit. Why would somebody so stunning - embracing strength with elegance, be so focused on something so ugly? He could not answer it. It made no sense. Was this Bount so driven by lust for energy? Though the undressing made little sense...

As made the kiss.

A light brush crawled into his cheeks, but like before he tried to be as silent as possible. One could gain a lot by just watching, though right now he was not too sure if he wanted to...

To say that the sudden change of behavior from the man shocked him was an understatement. The man had certainly not reacted like that after the incident with the woman. Why did he seem so... devastated?

He could not answer it and that frustrated him.
Slowly Xarath pulled his eyes away from the kneeling figure, feeling as if it was not allowed to watch somebody so ethereal show a moment of weakness, and settled them on his gigai, laying naked in the slightly damp grass.

Disgusting.

And the tongue click happened.
Immediately he turned his eyes back onto the kneeling figure, speaking to curtain his moment of self-loathing.

By now, there was no time left for that anyway. The man stood up, blazing eyes turned onto Xarath as he spoke up - his voice laced with power, with control.
Seemed like the man was unable to let it go.

"Enough."

Tongue click.
Green orbs stayed on the male, this time directed to his chest though. That order, it made him feel like a misbehaving dog.

"I don't like where this is going. I didn't get that close to you for fighting, as I am sure you could tell."

Xarath swallowed heavily as his hands balled into fists. Oh he loathed fighting too, simply because he was too aware of how weak he was, but going in that direction? He rather be punched into a bloody pile.

"Now why don't we just... sit down? Talk with me a bit. I think we have a mutual interest in each other..."

A tongue click passed his lips as he closed his eyes. His hands slowly relaxed as the man continued to speak. He could not see those stony grey eyes, though he could hear in the smooth voice just too clear that indeed - a fight would most likely not happen tonight.

It was so hard to say no. He felt like invisible hands pulled on his skin, making him follow the man's every word, every wish. He had a sudden longing to see him happy, to do everything for a praise from him. Why though? He was weak-willed, never like this though. Especially not when it was about strangers.

Just what kind of powers did this Bount have? Strangely enough he had to think of the human created 'vampire'. Those did not exist though, they were Bounts.
Or did the man share the powers of this creature?
Being. Something this beautiful could hardly be a creature.

Slowly Xarath lifted his head a little, his eyes still not meeting those grey orbs, before he gave a slight nod - followed by a tongue click.

"To talk, yes." he murmured smoothly, hoping that it really would not come to a fight.
And if... then he would have to run, as much as it would hurt to do.

[Joachim Armster]

Cold, stunning grey eyes awaited the other's green orbs, and yet, they never came. He sighed. The effeminate male blushed, he even looked nervous, but he just didn't give up. Joachim wasn't sure what to think. A strange clicking was reverberating nearby... he noticed it then, for the first time. It just hadn't caught his attention before. And it took several moments before Joachim realized it was coming from the frail milk-skinned boy, for a reason which Joachim did not know. It caused him to squint slightly, narrowing his brows as he peered at the boy's lips. He passed it off as nothing important.

But to the boy's answer, Joachim was overjoyed; so he would have another chance after all. Seeing that his apparent object of lust was avoiding eye contact, the regal-clad vampire spoke audibly. "Then come." Joachim offered, cold yet inviting. Slow, steady steps of ebony heels struck the concrete, as he made his way to the bench.. with a gentle twist, he rotated his heel, and sat gracefully upon the rusted seat. It was a basic, simple bench; there wasn't even any holes or paint on it. Just flat sheets of metal exposed to the elements. A seat of corruption, just like the corroded metal decaying upon it's frame. But it held well still, as it supported the weight of the tall, silver haired man rather easily.

He placed his arms on the back of the bench, reaching them outwards like a bird lazily stretching it's wings... twisting his wrist, he beckoned to the boy with his right hand, his fingers urging him to come closer.

[Der König]

The aura, after he had answered, seemed to change around the beautiful male. As if something had been lifted off his shoulders?
No, not entirely like that.

"Then come."

Xarath blinked his eyes, before he angrily cursed at himself. He should not lose focus like that - it could mean his death.

Still though, the male did not react and merely gracefully stepped over to the bench. How he wished he could be as shining as that male, but for something like him... yes, it felt like he was trying to reach for the stars.

Xarath clicked his tongue twice as he watched those elegant fingers beckoning him over. Again he felt like invisible strings pulled on his limbs - his feet moving before he even noticed he was walking towards the man. He stopped just a few inches in front of the other male, his loose uniform, which was moving slightly in the breeze, touched the male's knee.

The male's...

"May I know your name?" Xarath asked softly, surprised at himself. He never asked. He had always been curious, but stepping up and just... speaking. It was not his style.

He clicked his tongue three more times, finally noticing how the male's body was not giving off any warmth at all.

Vampire indeed.
And he'd make sure to run fast if the situation called for it.

[Joachim Armster]

He watched that frail creature through the long strands of pale-silver that hung over his face... long, almost silken hair, swaying deviously in the firm breeze. He seemed to recount every curve, every shape, every feature, all of which seemed so mildly yet undeniably feminine. It was obviously male. But so... so graceful. Gorgeous long black hair, smooth soft white skin, beautiful green eyes, and an utterly divine face - gentle and delicate. Joachim felt a tightness in his pants, but did not realize he was actually aroused. He enjoyed the thought of 'breaking' this one; not of mind, body, or soul, but of something else entirely, something he could seize only when his prey was entrapped in bedsheets and lusty moans. Joachim enjoyed that thought... his handsome lips formed a slight smirk, to which he rose as the other stood in front of him.

A name, was it? He was very close - their knees nearly touched, and Joachim felt the gentle kiss of thin fabric across his lower, boot-clad legs. Really, he just wanted to grab him and take apart those clothes, to taste the surface of those rose-pale nipples lying bare beneath that wretched black uniform... but the boy had been polite in his asking, so Joachim really had no choice but to oblige. "A name? The sharing of that has always complicated affairs beyond necessity..." He spoke, seeming to ponder it. "But very well, since your etiquette is so keen. I am Joachim of Armster." He replied, gently tapping the tip of his right boot against the concrete in unison with the boy's tongue clicks, deliberately but subtly. "And what might a pale beauty such as you be named, my rose?" He asked, referring to the boy as if he were a fruit ripe to be picked, and the grey eyes he settled upon him again told of how he would ravish it in his lips...

[Der König]

Xarath swallowed heavily feeling how trembles ran down his spine. He felt utterly nervous, almost afraid.
Why? Why was that man starring like that? As if the beautiful male was analyzing him. Oh god, three tongue clicks, what would such a gorgeous man think about something like him?

Suddenly the man stood in front of him - their bodies almost touching again. Another shiver ran down his spine as his muscles tensed - ready to run away if needed. To what conclusion had the man come?

"A name? The sharing of that has always complicated affairs beyond necessity..."

Xarath clicked his tongue three times, close to shaking his head. No, if it meant that much trouble... then he really did not want to hear it. Why had he even asked for it? He did not care about names - names were useless.
But somebody so majestic? The wavy, silver hair like a crown - a crown he deserved, the strong and firm body - as if made to rule, to own. And those eyes - so much behind those stoney orbs. So much knowledge, so much power... the man was seeing right through him.
And he hated it.

Again he clicked his tongue repeatedly.

"But very well, since your etiquette is so keen. I am Joachim of Armster."

Of? A... was he a noble? The way the ma... Master Armster? carried himself spoke of the truth. A lord? A prince? A... king? A slight blush appeared on Xarath's cheeks while his eyes were fixed on the other man's strong chest.
How could somebody so high up there even notice something like him?

He clicked his tongue again, though only noting the sound of the man's boot tapping softly against the hard ground. Was he missing something? Should he have sai... of course.
He should have bowed.
How could he have forgotten that? He never had before...

"And what might a pale beauty such as you be named, my rose?"

Xarath's head snapped up in surprised, shocked eyes meeting cold ones, before he noticed what he was doing.

Immediately he bowed his head low.

"Xarath, Sir."

The man was a Bount. The man had most likely killed the woman.
The man was dangerous.
God he needed to pay attention and not slip off.

He really should leave.

"I am no rose though. There is no need for somebody like you to pity me."

No, there was no reason for the man to draw him in with lies.

[Joachim Armster]

Joachim eyed the boy curiously. He so casually deflected his compliment... he assumed he thought poorly of himself. A notion which Joachim would have to work to overcome. He rose a hand in protest as the boy made a slight bowing gesture, surely out of respect. While it was appreciated Joachim did not want things to be too formal - an excess of it prevented intimacy, in his experience. "Please, I'm not pitying you. Just accept a little praise, won't you?" Joachim said, still just inches from the boy, their faces and lips not so far apart.... "This is a nice place, don't you think? Young people coming to make love, others coming to see the romance of the stars in the night sky... quite pretty. Almost as pretty as you." He spoke, gently reaching his hand for Xarath's silky hair, with the intention of softly stroking his head.

His cool grey eyes peered into Xarath's, no longer invading his soul, but rather... acknowledging him. Offering him acceptance. His approach now seemed sincere and wanting. "A pity I have none to romance in such a place." He continued, feigning a disappointed frown. "Unless, of course... you might allow me a kiss?" He spoke with a smirk, his other hand moving to place itself upon Xarath's hip affectionately.

[Der König]

Cautionary he watched the man lift his hand, for a moment expecting to be slapped, though as it turned out the man merely signed him not to bow. Well, by then he had already done it - and he would do it again if he felt the urge to do so.

"Please, I'm not pitying you. Just accept a little praise, won't you?"

Xarath clicked his tongue, though green orbs did not raise to meet stony grey. Accepting praise was... hard to do. He did not see the reason why he should. The only praise he ever received was brushed away once his job was done. Granted, he had already heard some of it on neutral grounds, but still... it was so hard to believe.

A shiver ran down his spine, as he suddenly felt a gentle breeze brush his lips as the man stepped even closer... too close.

"This is a nice place, don't you think? Young people coming to make love, others coming to see the romance of the stars in the night sky... quite pretty. Almost as pretty as you."

Make love, che, was the man as much a dreamer as he was? Something like make love did not exist and just thinking of that woman... he doubted the man really intended to love anybody like that. He'd claim and leave - like he'd done so before.

Before he could speak his thoughts though a silky smooth hand brushed through his jet-black tresses, causing him to close his eyes in silent extacy. Nothing, nothing on this world felt as good as stroking hair.

"A pity I have none to romance in such a place."

Slowly, almost drowsily, Xarath opened his eyes once more, swallowing heavily as he met the Master Armster's cold ones.

"Unless, of course... you might allow me a kiss?"

"Why would you want to do that?" he whispered, barely audible.

Another tongue click passed his rosy lips as his eyes glanced shortly at his naked gigai laying in the grass, moonlight reflecting off the pale skin - making it almost glow.
Disgusting.

Still though, with a heavy heart he set his eyes back onto the noble in front of him.

"I am really not working anymore."

[Joachim Armster]

"I am really not working anymore."

That sentence annoyed him so greatly. It made little sense, and greater frustration. He was about tired of playing and words; in fact, he was sick of it entirely. His hands, clean yet toughened by years of swordplay, stroked his locks avariciously... long, silky black hair. The boy was ever-so pretty. He was delicate, frail, and smooth. And as Joachim's hand lowered, clad in pale silver rings and his porcelain-white skin, he would soon find the boy was very soft as well... after giving his rear a gentle, firm squeeze. The fingers of his other hand spread across Xarath's temple, stroking the side of his face as they did, and Joachim arched his back as he softly held the boy's cheek in his hand. "I'm not sure what you mean by work. I think we've had a misunderstanding. Perhaps this will better explain." He responded, his lower hand feeling around pervasively, but gracefully across Xarath's gentle, feminine shape. His words were lined with deceptions, giving off one appearance desired to seduce a vulnerable mind into committing the response he craved... the only remaining question was whether or not it would succeed.

His head nodded close, his face inching closer with a cool radiance... and very smoothly placed his lips against Xarath's, moving to savor the almost womanly flavor of his pale-rose lips.

[Der König]

For a moment Xarath could feel frustration radiating off the beautiful male, though he could not explain why the man would feel this emotion. Was he annoying somebody once more? Should he keep his mouth shut?
Though why?
He was not working anymore and therefore had every right to point out that no, he did not want to go there, not anymore.
Never again.
Not when it was just about the act and not about... love.
God, love. As if that would ever happen. Why could he not just do what Miyuki always told him to do - stop that damn dreaming and just grow up.

Miyuki.
Before he could feel a slight ache in his chest at her name those skillful hands continued their peting. Once more Xarath's eyes closed in delight as he could not help, but purr slightly at the welcome touch.

Only as he felt long, strong fingers giving his butt a light squeeze did he jump slightly, a squeak of surprise passing his lips before he could stop the embarrassing sound from emerging.

It brought him back out of his daze though...

"I'm not sure what you mean by work. I think we've had a misunderstanding. Perhaps this will better explain."

Misunderstanding? There certainly was no misunderstanding. The man must confuse him with that woman from earlier, or did he really appear that cheap?

Though those blasted, godly fingers... the continued their teasing, their stroking, causing a flame to coil in his belly and he could not help himself but to rub slightly against the powerful body in front of him. How many years must the male have trained? How many fights had he fought? How could somebody become so strong in body and mind?

Before he could follow that train of thought soft though demanding lips found his own. The male certainly knew what he wanted... but what about him?

Immediately Xarath pushed his hands against wide shoulders, moving his head back and dislodging rosy from pale lips.

"No. Nononono. I am not that woman." he said, his voice almost sounding haunted, before he clicked his tongue. "And I am certainly no whore."

[Joachim Armster]

Every time Joachim touched the boy, with the gentle strokes of his fingers, he appeared to enjoy it... the ripe fruit of sex drew ever closer, with his hand so appreciatively running over the curve of Xarath's rear. But then his shoulders were seized, and the boy pushed himself away, refusing Joachim yet again. His reasons did not make sense to Joachim. "No, you are neither of those things; if you were the woman, I would have bitten you and been on my way. Were you the whore, I would have paid you, we would have had our time, and I would have been on my way." He replied, gently kneading the tension of Xarath's own dainty shoulders with a steady motion of his right hand, pressing his thumb into the muscles as he slowly moved a bit closer again. "But I have not yet been on my way, so you must be neither, I think." Spoke the gorgeous, chilling male. Cool fingers reached again for Xarath's soft scalp. His touch was like water. It flowed without restraint, yet moved with gentleness and grace, despite concealing enormous strength. Yes, he was very much like water... a great, silent wave of it, washing over Xarath and eager to drench him in it's thirsty lusts. "There's no point in lying now. I can see a gleam of intelligence in those brilliant eyes. You know what I did to that girl off the bench." He said, shedding only a layer of deception. He twisted the rest, aiming now for a different appeal. "You saw me do it, too. That would usually mean me having to kill you. But, listen closely..." He moved, his hands both clutching Xarath's hips, almost as if he were... like a woman. Like he wanted to fill those hips, even though they could not be filled in the same manner as a woman's. "I chose not to. Because I find you beautiful." He complimented, stroking Xarath's hips. "And as much as I desire you, I see a desire in your own eyes as well... maybe to be cherished, and kept well for the beautiful thing you are?" He continued. "Like a doll, or a princess." He worded, using royalty as an example. He said it because lust alone did not appeal to the boy. What more could he want besides emotion, then? And that thread was exactly the one which Joachim would pull...

[Der König]

"No, you are neither of those things; if you were the woman, I would have bitten you and been on my way. Were you the whore, I would have paid you, we would have had our time, and I would have been on my way."

Xarath could feel his body tense, the muscles in his legs flexing, ready to jump and run if danger arose.
Though still... the man was right, was he not? It was logical to handle... Xarath shook his head.
God what was going on here? What was he doing? Oukami-taichou would spit on him, ... they all would.

Still, he could not help himself but start to relax once more as the man continued with his gentle touch. Again he could not point out just why the man was doing all this work to have a ... was it the thrill? Did he get off by fucking strangers in the park?

Curiously green eyes peeked into stony grey ones, one elegant eyebrow arched in wonder. No, even though he could not find a logical reason, he doubted it was that.

"I have not yet been on my way, so you must be neither, I think."

His eyes widened in silent surprise at the honesty that shone brightly in those otherwise cold orbs, before he settled them back onto the strong chest in front of him, finally noting how Master Armster must have come closer once more.
He was so unfocused today, ... this night can only end in a disaster.

Blissfully eyes closed once more, long black lashes brushing over high boned cheeks as the man gently ran his hands through his long tresses. How could somebody so powerful be so gentle at the same time?
Control. The male must have an immense control over himself and everything he did.
Xarath could not help himself but feel a slight prang of envy woven together with a sudden lust he hadn't felt for ages, if ever. What would it be like, to be controlled by somebody, who knew just too well when to pull and when to give way on the leash he was holding?

What the hell was he thinking about anyway? Was he smitten that much over a stranger, who made his goals known beforehand?
Well, at least Master Armster was honest. Bluntly honest, while still silkily wrapping up his words to make them sound like the loveliest endearments.

"There's no point in lying now. I can see a gleam of intelligence in those brilliant eyes. You know what I did to that girl off the bench."

Xarath clicked his tongue and subtle nodded his head, his chin almost resting on the marble chest in front of him. Indeed, marble. A strong body covered by pale skin, not a deathly pale one - one that put you off, but as if the male had somehow managed to cover his body with pure starlight.
Otherworldly indeed.

"You saw me do it, too. That would usually mean me having to kill you. But, listen closely..."

This time his body did not seem to register the danger anymore, no tension of muscles this time, as his ears eagerly drank the alluring words, which wove him in so easily.

Still though, he flinched as a pair of long-fingered hands were placed on his hips, not so much at the touch though as at the need that seemed to be radiating off the male again.

"I chose not to. Because I find you beautiful."

His cheeks were dusted a light red once more, though this time he did not dare to ague with the male, who proved too easily that he had an answer to everything he mentioned.

And as much as I desire you, I see a desire in your own eyes as well... maybe to be cherished, and kept well for the beautiful thing you are?"

The blush immediately deepened as he lowered his head in shame, fixing his eyes on the clean polished boots of the male in front of him. How embarrassing to have it laid out in the open. To have such a strong minded person see his weak willed one.

"Like a doll, or a princess."

Xarath swallowed heavily, but otherwise stayed silent. What should he reply to all this? The man was right and they both knew it. He was too aware of what the man was, of how much in control he was. It was too obvious in what kind of trap he was falling but still...

When was the last time that he lived? Had he ever, to be honest?
He did not doubt that the man was merely playing with him, but... he was in the middle of nowhere, only solitude and greenery covering them from the outside world. A man, the prince, glowing in the pale moonlight - being so much more than mere person, shining so much brighter than any star - as if taken out of fairy tail.

Yes, his sisters would spit on him, Oukami-taichou surely will.
They will shake heads and look down on him.

The heaviness of that knowledge was slightly bringing tears to his eyes, though what did it change?

It was nothing but a story.
Gently he laid his forehead against the cool, strong chest of the male in front of him.
And if it meant his death - well then he would die as he lived, as a dreamer.

[Joachim Armster]

The boy leaned his head against him, giving in, it seemed.... Xarath was surrendering himself not to a cold and sudden death, however, but to the power and desire of that vampire. His sleek fingers stroked through Xarath's sleeker hair, savoring the silky texture of his straight, flowing tresses. He leaned in close, softly planting a kiss on the boy's graceful neck; Joachim clutched him with want, and pushed his lips to the soft skin of the delicate male's neck, kissing, yet not biting. His hands slid under Xarath's uniform, peeling away at the layers of fabric, lifting them and shedding them from the boy. He took away the coat first, to expose Xarath's pale flesh... then he stepped back, looking at him with those cool grey eyes, assessing his features. Reaching up to his own shoulder, he unclasped the intricate locks and buckles of his chest-plate, before slipping it away in two halves. It hit the bench with a leathery tap.

Joachim's arms swung around Xarath, clutching him greedily as his fingers smoothly came down the arch of his back, feeling every inch of his feminine flesh... Joachim put the other hand up his neck, running it through Xarath's beautiful black hair, before tilting his head gently and kissing him in a cold embrace.

[Der König]

For a moment Xarath dared not to breath, his blurry vision still settled on the ebony boots of the stunning male, before he felt gentle hands back in his hair. He felt a prang at the loss of hands at his hips, before the welcoming touch in his hair overruled everything else he felt. Subtle he tilted his head, leaning it against the hand, which was sending delightful shivers down his back.

The sudden kiss on his neck made him take a sharp intake of breath, before he closed his eyes, pressing his body even closer against the male who seemed to radiate strength from every pore of his body.
Who was clutching him so closely.
Xarath could not help himself, but purr lightly at the welcome touch - at the feeling that started to bubble up in his belly, before he already clutched his own hands into powerful shoulders, which - if he were to be asked right now - probably could carry the world.

Only when he felt icy hands on the bare skin of his chest did he jump slightly, his eyes opening immediately. He did not stop Master Armster from undressing his upper half, though also could not stop the nervous flutter which seemed to rule now over his emotions.
Undressing, in front of such a beautiful male.

Wide-eyed Xarath watched him take a step backwards, clicking his tongue twice as he wrapped his own arms around his midsection. He could not glace away from those intruding eyes, which seem to take in every little detail - maybe even every thought. Another tongue click as a dark blush covered his cheeks once more while he finally returned his eyes back onto the man's clean polished boots.

Before he even had the chance to jump at the noise of the chest plate hitting the bench, he felt strong arms wrap around him again. As soft fingers stroked over the arch of his back he could not help but moan slightly - a shiver running through his body as pleasure seemed to coil in his belly. The second hand skillfully made its path upwards before it was back in his hair. Before he even realized what he was doing Xarath wrapped his arms tightly around the pale neck of the noble and meet those lips with another delighted moan, while he could not help, but to rub his body against the other male. Against all that power and control.

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