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with a small pout, Valthier noticed that the party hadn't quite started yet. at least all the decorating seemed finished.

He wandered around the room, examining as the staff made their subtle last-minute touch-ups. knowing Scarlet, she probably had them trained to work tirelessly until moments before the guests arrived. timing seemed to be her thing.

the thought reminded him how lonely he was, and his gaze fell down to the ring on his finger. he stared at it long and hard, before finally sighing and then grunting into a stern disposition.

the elf clicked his heels and spun on one, marching all th eay up to Samuel's suite and rapping on the door insistently.

the muffled responce spared no irritation it's tone. "WHAT!"

"open up, Sam, I'm bored!" Val called back.

the sound of ruffling clothes and angry muttering preceded a roughly flung open door, sending Valthier's silver hair flying in the vacuum whiel he stood motionless and determined. Sam's angry face faltered when he saw his friend's expression.

"Val, what is it?" he asked.

"as I said, I'm bored." he replied.

Sam sighed, but played along. "come along then, let's do our thing, you old fool." he said, smiling as he put his arm around Val's shoulders and walked him back to the ballroom.

Scarlet came from behind her ornate Japanese screen dressed in a flowing blue-black gown dusted with tiny crystals. She smiled coyly behind a fluttering silk fan. "Darling, I could eat you up right here."

She hooked a lace-gloved hand into the crook of his elbow. Together they descended into the ballroom. Just before they entered, a butler came up and murmured in Scarlet's ear, "My lady, Lord Markius and Lady Brittiana have abruptly left."

"Aww," Scarlet crooned. "I suppose I'll just have to build my empire on their ashes." With that, she confidently swept into the ballroom.

"Val, Precious," Scarlet smiled. She held out her free hand. "Yes, no sense in letting poor sports ruin all our fun! We still have an empire to build."

Scarlet thought for a moment. "We should leave shortly after midnight," She decided. "Until then, we dance!"

Scarlet whirled around the ballroom in Val's arms, enjoying the experience. She sighed and leaned into him so that they could spin faster and faster. Vampiric instincts rose to the surface of her mind as the world slowed and her focus narrowing to the familial swarthy face of her good friend. Her limbs followed their own rhythm, guided by Val, and the rest of the world just dropped away.

Scarlet's eyes fluttered in the dream the dance produced. She curled one leg around his hip as she stretched her long, lithe body in his arms and leaned her head back, exposing her vulnerability to one of the few males of any species that she trusted. She was tempted to let go entirely and hope he would catch her, but held herself in check. He was a dear friend, but she had lived too long to make that mistake again.

Scarlet moaned in euphoria as her life fluid flowed out of her, nourishing and giving pleasure to her friend. She cradled his head close as he drank. With a caress on his cheek, she disengaged him. She kissed away a drop of blood from the corner of his mouth and retreated, slightly lightheaded.

"You beast," she growled with a wicked smile.

Scarlet's eyes twinkled. "That I do. I do hope our little display hasn't caused a scandal," she giggled. "After all, I don't let just anyone have a nibble."

She returned to the arms of Ciro, her fingertips gently rubbing the hickey-like mark Val had left. It would heal before they left; vampires recovered quickly.