Welcome to Gaia! ::

Romeo hand been in town long, once word of his Uncle’s return had reached him the young Machiavelli had hurried home to the family estate. After catching up he had reclaimed his own apartments on the grounds and now he was enjoying a nice night time walk about town. A small leather bound book in his hands, reading while he walked. He didn’t have to worry about running into people as the streets were nearly empty.

That was the perk of being a creature restricted to the night time hours. Less people to bother him.

He passed by many little shops. Some still open, others had closed hours earlier. Typically the ones still open this late we’re run by vampires. He was surprised that the Masquerade hadn’t been broken on accident yet. Mortals were so stupid. They couldn’t see what was plainly in front of their eyes. Not that he wished for Vampires to be found out. It was merely his opinion about how observant the mortals were.

His path took him past a hair and nail salon they was, from what he figured, was another vampire run shop. Quite possibly a front for something. He came upon a nearby bench and settled himself on it to take a little break from his walk. Not that he was tired, being a vampire you rarely got tired. The world around him didn’t exist, so engrossed in his silent reading that he would probably barely notice anyone approach and try to talk to him.

Not unless they were pretty loud and could snap him out of his disassociation with the world.

For the most part his time on the bench was uneventful. A few others had wandered past but no one had approached.

Until her.

He outfit was colorful to say the least. She would have definitely stood out in a crowd. If her outfit said nothing about her the volumn in which she spoke told him all he needed to know. This one was loud and had a big personality. Eyes the color of storm clouds swept over her form over the edge of his book as she approached. Her hips wiggled as the sound of her heels clicking against the stone ground. Normally someone like her would be a bit off putting but for some reason he didn’t mind with her. Strange.

But as a Machiavelli he had manners, a smile coming to his lips, friendly yet a coldness lay beneath it. Romeo was a good looking man, there was no denying that. He always looked impeccable and pristine. Rarely did he ever look disheveled or slobbish. Settling his book on his knee as he slipped his thumb between the pages to save his place. Romeo slashed her a charming smile before it faded into stoicism. “Good evening, my lady. Is there something I may assist you wish?” Perhaps she just needed help with something.

If Eloisa wanted the best well, Romeo was cream of the crop. The Machiavelli family was highly respected and quite the favorite of Augustus. Romeo closed his eyes for a moment as he fought back the urge to sigh. Oh, he could see now. She saw him and thought he was just another pretty face. But he was far more than that. Romeo was refinement. From a young age it had been driven into his brain the proper way that a Machiavelli should behave. He was studious but also care free when he was helping his uncle train Faesteeds in his Sapir time. If she wanted a knight in shining armor riding a faesteed than look no further.

She had a pretty smile at least and that warmed him a littleZ “Machiavelli. Romeo Machiavelli. And you are?” He glanced at the book in his hand before he closed it completly. “The complete works of Faegar Allen Poe.” One of his favorite poets. They spoke to him and he could relate to them so much he had gotten his hands on everything the poet ever wrote.

He could only guess what family she was from. So many had been popping up again if could be any. Romeo had to admit though she had a lovely face. Of course, he kept his eye from wandering to other parts of her. To wander to inappropriate places was unacceptable. He barely knew her and even then his eye would probably still not wander. The male had too much respect for women to associate them with just being pretty things to look at.

Puttanesca. That made sense. The Puttanesca had a particular reputation, much of course as all the houses did. But they always seemed like they were more on the temperamental side. Wasted energy if you asked him. But for some reason he didn’t quite suspect that Eloisa followed that rumor to a T. She seemed more loud and energetic than anything.

“Anabel Lee actually:” The one’s she named off were good but deep down past his broody nature Romeo was a romantic at heart. He wore his heart on his sleeve. He could enjoy the beauty of the world around him with a different perspective. And if he had to admit Eloisa was quite beautiful indeed. His gaze swept over her form as she mentioned that red was her favorite color. Romeo could definitely tell.

He settled the book on the bench next to him freeing up his hands. Romeo glanced at the shop she indicated. So he was right, it was a front. Not a surprise. Especially when a Puttanesca owned ane ran it: “so you’re a business owner then. Impressive.” The compliment was genuine. Romeo hid a lot beneath the surface of his exterior but there was one thing he was and that was a genuine man.

Romeo must have surprised her with his response. Sure, anyone could take a look at him and maybe assume that romance was of no interest to him at that time. But they didn’t know him well enough to make they assumption usually. Machiavelli had the reputation of being rather romantic, charming and down right alluring. All these things Romeo had.

He was interested in what she had to say though. Anything otherwise would have been rude and he just couldn’t abide by that kind of behavior. It was rude and uncouth. Romeo flashed her another tangy smile as she went on about her business. She seemed really energized and excited about it. And while he appreciated her offer he probably wouldn’t use their services. His hood looks just far natural.

Leaning but just a litttle he glanced up at he sky. Feeling a bit nostalgic about the city that slept around them. “It’s changed a lot since the last time I was here.” He pointed to a store across the street from where they sat. “Many years ago thst used to be the nicest little French bakery. Their croissants were perfection. Now it’s a music store. The city has its charms though.” He glanced back at her then pointed at another store. “That used to be a butcher but now it’s a flower shop. Just like nature beautiful things can blossom out of things not quite so desirable to some.”

“Forse lo farò.” He smiled. “But change is good, it keeps things from getting stagnant. I look forward to seeing what other changes have come to the city since I was last here.” It had been some time since he had left the estate. Once Edon had left he followed suit not long after. If his Uncle wasn’t there there was no point in him being there as well.

If his station and family reputation made people feel inferior than that was their own problem. Edon had worked hard to give their family what they had, all that Romeo had seen and done would have never been possible is they did not have the money and respect of the other familia.

A chuckle came and he raised an eyebrow at her. “Wise words, bella signora.”

Romeo nodded. “Yes, very much so. When my uncle left I too left to travel the world. Now that he has returned so have I. But I did see a great number of places while I was away. Ancient ruins that spoke of civilizations long since gone, castles of old kings that lay empty and gutted for centuries.” He glanced up at the night sky, whistful recognition in his stormy gaze. “I do admit walking the halls of a castle you visited centuries earlier only to see its solendor ransacked and rotting outside many things in perspective.” Romeo leaned over with a smile. “I still have the armor of you are wondering.”

Romeo enjoyed traveling. Seeing the world, experiencing new cultures. Even as a boy he had traveled with his parents and experienced much. They wanted him to not only be book smart but worldly as well. There was no point in a Machiavelli having his nose in books all day when there was much he could learn from the world as well. He was indeed older than her, the Machiavelli knew few he knew personally that were his age. They were usually much older or much younger. But he didn’t mind. It gave him a different perspective of the world.

Her laugh was melodious and he couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at the corner of his lips. Noting her lovely blue eyes and how they sparkles when she laughed. He could write porms about eyes like those. “Would it help complete the image if I told you that I also train and ride Faesteeds?” His Uncle, Edon, was a great Faesteed trainer and the Machiavelli Faesteeds were the best around. Romeo had started learning under his Uncle at an early age as most children of their house did.

He looked thoughtful for a moment as memories of days long since last came to mind. “Much like any era there are good things and bad things about them. I don’t miss the bad things but I do enjoy reminiscing about the good things.” In all fairness he enjoyed what each new era he lived through brought. Sure there were things he could much do without but overall he was satisfied with what he had experienced.

“When you’ve lived as long as o have you tend to be a bit more mysterious, yes.” Romeo laughed. For some reason it felt easy to laugh with her. Normally he wouldn’t be acting quite like this around anyone but with her. What was it? She had charm in her own way and didn’t seem to be afraid to speak what was on her mind.

“They are beautiful creatures. My Uncle owns many I just have the one at the moment.” One was probably about as much as he could have handled at the moment. “Sometimes they are good for when you go to places with more difficult terrain. They are very sure footed.” Romeo may have just had the one himself but he did help his Uncle out with training from time to time of his own so he had experience with all sorts of Faesteed personalities and temperaments.

Tilting his head slightly as her question he shook his head. “No, my Aunt and younger brother will be returning shortly as well. I look forward to their arrival. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen either of them. And I’m sure more family will pop up again once word finishes spreading of Edon’s return.” He admired his Uncle a lot. He too a worldly gentleman though there was something always cold beneath that smile. Romeo aspired to be just like Edon. He was a vampire worthy of looking up to.

Her offer to listen to his stories did intrigue him. It was rare that people did want to listen to his stories. Youth could be limiting of any type of conversation sometimes. But who could it really hurt? And if she really did want to listen he had plenty he could tell. “Alright then. But if they start to bore you I would stop.” He agreed. It would be nice to have someone outside the family to talk to.