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Description

Laurenz was left there sitting at the table alone, anxiously tapping his nails on the wooden surface and his eyes were still fixated on the girl. He still had conflicting thoughts, but admittedly since Farhad arrived he has experienced some more clarity in his mind.

“Maybe he’s right, after all he manages just fine, hell since he came here he’s had a wench hanging on his arm almost every evening and they’re all fine. If he can do it, I probably can too. I have self control, perhaps more than I give myself credit for, so what holds me back…” he thought to himself.

At the other side of the hall her table didn’t seem very active, she seemed almost bored, this made him even more anxious. Imagine a vampire who has all the time in the world, being anxious about time.

“Get a grip Laurenz, you’re fearless against beasts and other vampires and you get weak knees at the sight of a beautiful woman? I’m such a coward, if i aim to make a move i have to be quick about it, she grows tired of this event, it’s now or never.”
He placed his palms firmly on the table's surface and tried to take a deep breath, he could barely remember how it is to breathe but he had to pretend, after releasing a deep sigh he pushed himself up and with confident steps he walked up to Anja’s table.

In his mind he still had fears. “Can’t walk away now, time to take a dive…” he thought to himself as he approached her with a charming smile.
He extended his hand to her courteously with a small bow.
“Would you offer me a dance, Miss?”
She seemed taken aback for a moment, her cheeks flushed red as she looked up at him with a shy smile she couldn’t conceal. Almost instinctively she found her hand reaching his while trying to speak.
“Me, sir? Are you sure?” she uttered while trying to avert her eyes from his.

His thoughts were racing seeing her reaction, did he leave an imprint on her mind when he messed with her memories, that predisposed her towards him? What if that’s what this was, could it be? He didn’t know, but he had to reassure himself and her as well.

“Very sure, please just call me Laurenz, titles aren’t required tonight.”
She looked around her with hesitation, as if to see if anyone was looking, but people tend to mind their own, especially during a celebration.
“A dance, yes, of course, I’m Anja, the herbalist.”
Laurenz helped her up while giving her a knowing smile, he wouldn’t tell her how much he knew about her, probably more than what she would be comfortable sharing.

“Well, Anja, you haven’t had much fun tonight, so let’s amend that.”
He slowly led her towards the dancing area. Many people were dancing to the tunes of the minstrels, they were surrounded by happy faces and lively figures, most of them tipsy, some of them drunk and loud. Still his focus was only on her, like he was blind and deaf to the rest of the world. He couldn’t recall having this kind of concentration as a mortal, but everything around him was a spinning blur and in the center of it all it was her. He was able to notice every little detail on her, how the light passed through the loose strands of her hair, the dimples by her mouth when she smiled, every single freckle on her face and chest, the color of her eyes and of course the subtle and sweet smell of lavender.

Dance was a subtle way of courting in those times, it was the only appropriate time in which a subtle touch was allowed without judgment, but still this wasn’t enough, he felt the warmth of her hand in his while dancing, but he remembered the warmth of her body against his when he was carrying her home. Each time this feeling came to him he felt guilt for his sinful thoughts, same as he did when he was alive, some things never seem to change.

They danced together for a time, they both seemed to enjoy the dance and each other’s company, but it was getting late and Anja was growing wary of the fact. When they stopped to catch their breath it was apparent that it was way past the time she planned on staying out.
Laurenz could sense of course that she felt uneasy.
“You seem to be worried about something, Anja. What is the matter?”
“I, forgive me, I seem to have lost track of time, it’s quite late and I need to return home.” she replied.
“Of course, it’s past midnight, time flies when you celebrate.” he said with a chuckle, she smiled shyly in response.
“But it’s dangerous for a young woman to walk alone at night, please allow me to escort you home. I would see you safe to your door, it’s what honor demands.”
All the while he was thinking “I shouldn’t have done that, should I? What if I scare her away?”

His thoughts were interrupted by her reply.
“I wouldn’t want to impose upon you, but I admit that walking alone at night frightens me.”
“It is no trouble, it’s but a pleasure to enjoy your company for a few moments more.”
She started blushing again, that gave him some more confidence and he presented her with his arm so he could walk her. Again hesitantly she obliged while looking around to make sure people are not looking, after all it’s quite hard to escape rumors in such small communities.

Before they knew it they were out in the courtyard, it was empty, save for a couple of guards who were almost standing asleep.
“I really like the moonlight,” he said.
“I do too, if only I could enjoy it more often…come to think of it, I don't remember seeing you about the castle during the day.”
“My days are quite busy and occupied, I'm afraid. I feel I'm coping better when it’s dark.”
“I’m rarely out in the dark.” she replied. “Sometimes I need to gather nocturnal flowers, but having to look over my shoulder makes it a tedious activity.”

“Your master sends you alone at night to the fields?”
“Not very often, but I do have to learn. Someday I hope to be running the shop when he’s too old to do so.”
“Can I ask you something, Anja?”
“I hope I can answer to your satisfaction.”
“I…I noticed that your hair smells of lavender. I was wondering how you do it.”
She blushed yet again, to mortal eyes it would be imperceptible, much like the smell of her hair, but it was very clear in his eyes.

“I didn’t expect it to be noticeable…” she said shyly.
“I have a sensitive sense of smell, I suppose and this is very pleasant.”
“The water I use to wash my hair, I infuse it with oil from lavender. I enjoy working with plants and flowers. I like being an apprentice, I get to experiment and create new things, my master doesn’t always encourage it, so I do this in my own time.”

Laurenz gave out a small laugh. “The old man is a fool, the ladies of the court would much enjoy such infusions, it would make him a lot of coin. Then again, I have now associated this scent with you, I wouldn't want to smell it on everyone.”
He immediately realized that he was being too forward, he couldn’t allow himself to get carried away. But she did manage a small giggle.
“I did tell him that, but he’s set on his ways. No matter, I make use of the knowledge he imparts to me for new things and one day I will maybe be able to share them with others.”

What he began to realize as they spoke is that while at first he was attracted by her beauty and her vulnerability, he now found himself taken by her ambition. It was not something that you often saw in a woman in these times. Before he even knew it they were outside her door in the tunnel.
“This is my home, thank you for walking me, Laurenz and for the lovely evening.”
“It was my pleasure and I enjoyed our talk. If you need to go to the fields at night, it would be my honor to come with you, keep you safe, please don’t hesitate to take my offer next time.”
“I’m sure you have more important things.”
He returned a charming smile.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of the people, I must insist.”
She looked towards the ground trying to hide a smile, he knew how to charm people with just words, he just never used it for this purpose.
“If you insist, who am I to deny, it would be an honor to share your company.”
He took her hand and kept eye contact with her before leaning down and kissing her hand gently.
“Have a good night, Anja, thank you for the dance.”
She was a bit surprised by his gesture, it was obvious that she wasn’t used to this kind of advances, after all most men around the castle didn’t have the proper etiquette for courting, but he was born a noble and was taught from the cradle.

“Good night, Laurenz.” she gave him a very warm smile, before disappearing behind her door.

“I think I remember now, what it feels like to be alive…” he thought as he waited outside her door, he only left when he could no longer see the light under it.

Description

Laurenz was left there sitting at the table alone, anxiously tapping his nails on the wooden surface and his eyes were still fixated on the girl. He still had conflicting thoughts, but admittedly since Farhad arrived he has experienced some more clarity in his mind.

“Maybe he’s right, after all he manages just fine, hell since he came here he’s had a wench hanging on his arm almost every evening and they’re all fine. If he can do it, I probably can too. I have self control, perhaps more than I give myself credit for, so what holds me back…” he thought to himself.

At the other side of the hall her table didn’t seem very active, she seemed almost bored, this made him even more anxious. Imagine a vampire who has all the time in the world, being anxious about time.

“Get a grip Laurenz, you’re fearless against beasts and other vampires and you get weak knees at the sight of a beautiful woman? I’m such a coward, if i aim to make a move i have to be quick about it, she grows tired of this event, it’s now or never.”
He placed his palms firmly on the table's surface and tried to take a deep breath, he could barely remember how it is to breathe but he had to pretend, after releasing a deep sigh he pushed himself up and with confident steps he walked up to Anja’s table.

In his mind he still had fears. “Can’t walk away now, time to take a dive…” he thought to himself as he approached her with a charming smile.
He extended his hand to her courteously with a small bow.
“Would you offer me a dance, Miss?”
She seemed taken aback for a moment, her cheeks flushed red as she looked up at him with a shy smile she couldn’t conceal. Almost instinctively she found her hand reaching his while trying to speak.
“Me, sir? Are you sure?” she uttered while trying to avert her eyes from his.

His thoughts were racing seeing her reaction, did he leave an imprint on her mind when he messed with her memories, that predisposed her towards him? What if that’s what this was, could it be? He didn’t know, but he had to reassure himself and her as well.

“Very sure, please just call me Laurenz, titles aren’t required tonight.”
She looked around her with hesitation, as if to see if anyone was looking, but people tend to mind their own, especially during a celebration.
“A dance, yes, of course, I’m Anja, the herbalist.”
Laurenz helped her up while giving her a knowing smile, he wouldn’t tell her how much he knew about her, probably more than what she would be comfortable sharing.

“Well, Anja, you haven’t had much fun tonight, so let’s amend that.”
He slowly led her towards the dancing area. Many people were dancing to the tunes of the minstrels, they were surrounded by happy faces and lively figures, most of them tipsy, some of them drunk and loud. Still his focus was only on her, like he was blind and deaf to the rest of the world. He couldn’t recall having this kind of concentration as a mortal, but everything around him was a spinning blur and in the center of it all it was her. He was able to notice every little detail on her, how the light passed through the loose strands of her hair, the dimples by her mouth when she smiled, every single freckle on her face and chest, the color of her eyes and of course the subtle and sweet smell of lavender.

Dance was a subtle way of courting in those times, it was the only appropriate time in which a subtle touch was allowed without judgment, but still this wasn’t enough, he felt the warmth of her hand in his while dancing, but he remembered the warmth of her body against his when he was carrying her home. Each time this feeling came to him he felt guilt for his sinful thoughts, same as he did when he was alive, some things never seem to change.

They danced together for a time, they both seemed to enjoy the dance and each other’s company, but it was getting late and Anja was growing wary of the fact. When they stopped to catch their breath it was apparent that it was way past the time she planned on staying out.
Laurenz could sense of course that she felt uneasy.
“You seem to be worried about something, Anja. What is the matter?”
“I, forgive me, I seem to have lost track of time, it’s quite late and I need to return home.” she replied.
“Of course, it’s past midnight, time flies when you celebrate.” he said with a chuckle, she smiled shyly in response.
“But it’s dangerous for a young woman to walk alone at night, please allow me to escort you home. I would see you safe to your door, it’s what honor demands.”
All the while he was thinking “I shouldn’t have done that, should I? What if I scare her away?”

His thoughts were interrupted by her reply.
“I wouldn’t want to impose upon you, but I admit that walking alone at night frightens me.”
“It is no trouble, it’s but a pleasure to enjoy your company for a few moments more.”
She started blushing again, that gave him some more confidence and he presented her with his arm so he could walk her. Again hesitantly she obliged while looking around to make sure people are not looking, after all it’s quite hard to escape rumors in such small communities.

Before they knew it they were out in the courtyard, it was empty, save for a couple of guards who were almost standing asleep.
“I really like the moonlight,” he said.
“I do too, if only I could enjoy it more often…come to think of it, I don't remember seeing you about the castle during the day.”
“My days are quite busy and occupied, I'm afraid. I feel I'm coping better when it’s dark.”
“I’m rarely out in the dark.” she replied. “Sometimes I need to gather nocturnal flowers, but having to look over my shoulder makes it a tedious activity.”

“Your master sends you alone at night to the fields?”
“Not very often, but I do have to learn. Someday I hope to be running the shop when he’s too old to do so.”
“Can I ask you something, Anja?”
“I hope I can answer to your satisfaction.”
“I…I noticed that your hair smells of lavender. I was wondering how you do it.”
She blushed yet again, to mortal eyes it would be imperceptible, much like the smell of her hair, but it was very clear in his eyes.

“I didn’t expect it to be noticeable…” she said shyly.
“I have a sensitive sense of smell, I suppose and this is very pleasant.”
“The water I use to wash my hair, I infuse it with oil from lavender. I enjoy working with plants and flowers. I like being an apprentice, I get to experiment and create new things, my master doesn’t always encourage it, so I do this in my own time.”

Laurenz gave out a small laugh. “The old man is a fool, the ladies of the court would much enjoy such infusions, it would make him a lot of coin. Then again, I have now associated this scent with you, I wouldn't want to smell it on everyone.”
He immediately realized that he was being too forward, he couldn’t allow himself to get carried away. But she did manage a small giggle.
“I did tell him that, but he’s set on his ways. No matter, I make use of the knowledge he imparts to me for new things and one day I will maybe be able to share them with others.”

What he began to realize as they spoke is that while at first he was attracted by her beauty and her vulnerability, he now found himself taken by her ambition. It was not something that you often saw in a woman in these times. Before he even knew it they were outside her door in the tunnel.
“This is my home, thank you for walking me, Laurenz and for the lovely evening.”
“It was my pleasure and I enjoyed our talk. If you need to go to the fields at night, it would be my honor to come with you, keep you safe, please don’t hesitate to take my offer next time.”
“I’m sure you have more important things.”
He returned a charming smile.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of the people, I must insist.”
She looked towards the ground trying to hide a smile, he knew how to charm people with just words, he just never used it for this purpose.
“If you insist, who am I to deny, it would be an honor to share your company.”
He took her hand and kept eye contact with her before leaning down and kissing her hand gently.
“Have a good night, Anja, thank you for the dance.”
She was a bit surprised by his gesture, it was obvious that she wasn’t used to this kind of advances, after all most men around the castle didn’t have the proper etiquette for courting, but he was born a noble and was taught from the cradle.

“Good night, Laurenz.” she gave him a very warm smile, before disappearing behind her door.

“I think I remember now, what it feels like to be alive…” he thought as he waited outside her door, he only left when he could no longer see the light under it.