[G-Modding Approved by other player. Full Immunity has been claimed]. [The color is only used because of the combined effort of three different characters. Blue for Andrei, Golden rod for Elizabeth, and the White for Dimitri led to this obnoxious hue. Do try to enjoy without the pang of a headache and the eventual loss of eyesight due to the neon-lit dark you're going to read this in... To this, I also claim full immunity. Beware the swift changing of colors. Seizures and epileptic shock may ensue. Thus ends my disclaimer].
Dimitri hid a scowl behind his well-placed mask of polite indifference when Tsubarov, their butler, led the woman through to the vestibule of the house. It was no secret that Dimitri held a soft spot in his heart for beauty -- he surrounded himself with it. His mother, his paintings, the music he plays and the very piano he composes with. However, as beautiful as Elizabeth was, despite the running of bad blood between the two families, something seemed to not settle easily with him. In most cases, he could maintain cordiality and maintain his distance while keeping his distaste out of the atmosphere. However, he was hard-pressed to keep such a little expression of disapproval from his features. He even felt his opinion translated into his mother's tense shoulder.
Elizabeth, his instincts told him, was one who could go either way. She held a regal air -- expected of a woman of her position -- with a feminine grace that was clearly unmatched. The aura around her reeked of neutrality but there was an undertone of something lethal lying in wait though her expression spoke of openness and friendliness.
So thought Adam of Eve, he thought dryly.
"Good morning, Elizabeth," Dimitri's mother's golden lilt broke the apprehensive silence. "Such a pleasure to have you here."
Elizabeth moved a booted foot behind the other and bent her knees in a graceful curtsy. "Mrs. Von Drak," she greeted politely. She shifted blue gray eyes to the tall and silent man. "And a pleasant good morning to you, Dimitri."
"Good morning, Miss Elizabeth," he greeted with a small smile and a respectful nod of his head. The small action garnered a bewildered look from Elizabeth and a sideways glance from his mother. It was a habit he'd picked up from Andrei when it came to politely addressing someone he wasn't entirely inclined to entertain -- not something his mother approved of, but it was a handy little thing.
After a short moment of silence, Mrs. Von Drak clasped her hands together and brightened up with a delicate smile. "Now, I'm off to do some things," she declared. The mistress turned and placed a satin-gloved hand on her son's cheek and gave him a slightly reproachful look -- a small warning to be on his best behavior. She was a mother and mothers knew their children inside out. He wasn't inclined to marry and he made it clear, even if he was doing it for the sake of his parents and the household. Mrs. Von Drak turned a smile to Elizabeth and breezed by. "Enjoy yourselves."
Elizabeth barely stopped herself from sniffing and frowning disdainfully at such a common-man's gesture from Dimitri. While she'd never had the opportunity to interact with him properly, this was something that lowered her expectations even though the upper-class girls wove very interesting tales about him. There was a small silence after the rather large doors of the estate closed behind Lady Von Drak.
Dimitri, however, was able to fill the silence with ease. "Have you eaten breakfast already?"
"I have," Elizabeth answered, a bit more at ease. Perhaps he was still the man his legacy claimed.
"Then maybe you won't be so adverse to tea while I have mine." Dimitri turned to leave, looking back at her expectantly.
"Delighted." She didn't miss her cue, and tread behind him, her heels clicking on the tiles behind him.
Expecting nothing less from a rival family of Pure Blood, the estate was garnished quite lavishly without being ostentatious. It showed of their wealth without flaunting -- quite admirable considering the power the family head exuded whenever he was present.
They had arrived at a large dining room with a long table set for two. On one end was a covered plate of something, while the other was adorned with a lovely tea set. As they entered, a woman rushed to Dimitri's side. He whispered something in her ear and she nodded in response before darting out of the room. When the pattering footsteps faded away, the chair to the right end of the table moved backward on its own as if pushed by some invisible force. Elizabeth glanced over at Dimitri who motioned to the chair with a flourish.
"Please have a seat," he said, standing near his. "Your tea should be here shortly. I trust that lemon and honey would be to your liking."
Elizabeth took her seat, and only when she adjusted herself, did Dimitri take his own seat and uncovered his meal. She tilted her head at him curiously.
"It's not unusual," she spoke, her voice carrying though the room effortlessly. "But why would you take the time to eat when there's little to no need?"
"It's something I do with my mother," he answered, taking a sip of tea. "And it would be quite rude to put to waste the hard work of the cook."
It was then that the maid had come back with a steaming kettle and mixed the tea for Elizabeth. The woman finished quickly and left.
"Sentimental?" Elizabeth questioned.
"Considerate," was the short reply. As eloquent as many described him to be, he surely didn't want to speak much. It was odd, to say the least. His aura was always one of calm fortitude. Today it was a tad rough around the edges.
The two spent the rest of the time in silence, Dimitri finishing his meal quickly and swallowed the remainder of his tea. His thoughts were quite far from the situation at hand, save for the methods in which he could escape this dreaded meeting and spend some time in much more favorable company. The idea of spending time with his friend perked him up some.
He looked up at Elizabeth. "Would you like to spend the morning outdoors?"
"It would be lovely," she replied, smiling a bit.
"Tsubarov," he called out.
"Yes," the butler's voice rang out from the doorway, making it from wherever he had been before to his current location with the speed only a vampire could achieve.
"Tell Andrei to get Nightingale and Dorian ready. We'll be out at the field shortly."
"Yes, Master Dimitri."
Just as quickly as the butler appeared, he was gone.