Welcome to Gaia! ::

‘9pm Friday…’ The date had rolled around in his mind since he had left Eloisa. He had fought with himself over wether or not he should go. He barely knew her to be honest. But there was something interesting about her and it had his curiosity peaked. Eloisa was different from the women he knew. A loud goice, big hair, flashy clothes. Everyone else seemed to pale in comparison.

The hour of the day drew near and he had finally settled on the fact that he was going to go. Spending several hours getting ready, immaculately dressed as always. Not a wrinkle or out of place hair in sight. But of course, Romeo never went anywhere looking disheveled.

Today though he decided not to walk. The salon was quite a bit of a walk to get to and he didn’t want to be late. So heading out to the stables he got Echo fitted into his tack and slipped a few items into the saddle bags that he placed upon the Faesteed’s back. Mounting he wheeled the black stallion out of the stables and off into the night. It didn’t take long before he guided Echo down the street that the salon was on. Stormy gray eyes scanning the bench that was nearby to see if she had actually been waiting there or if he, in fact l, had been the one to be stood up.

Echo’s hooves clipped against the pavement, the sound echoing off the nearby buildings. As he reached the bench Romeo brought the stallion to a gentle halt. That stormy gaze glancing down at Eloisa. “Buonasera, signora Puttanesca.” He looked her over from head to toe, obviously she had gone to great lengths to look nice for this….whatever it was.

The stallion reached out its muzzle and gave Eloisa a snuffled huff against her face. Curious about this new lovely person.

“I hope you don’t mind I thought…..maybe we could go for a little ride.” He rubbed at the back of his neck lightly. This was probably stupid and he’d hate the idea of riding around. But if he was going to be on a date he might as well make the best of it. Wait. Was this a date? It’s not like they said it would be, but was it?

Romeo had been so thrown off by her forewardness the other day he hasn’t been able to ask any questions about it. But if she had other plans for the evening he could easily leave Echo on a nice patch of grass.

The stallion snuffed the offered hand, lipping at her fingers. His long tail flicking back and forth curiously as his ears swiveled in multiple directions as if he were listening to them talk.


“He’ll be fine.” Romeo pat the stallion’s neck. “You didn’t know I was bringing him so you wouldn’t of know to get any.” His grey eyes swept across her form, taking in her outfit once again. So eccentric. The Machiavelli had never met anyone like her. Definitely not as loud volume wise or as the thick wise. And he kind of admired her for being her own person. Finding her own way to stand out among the crowd.

He held out his hand for her to take so that he could help her up into the saddle in front of him. “Not to worry. You can sit side saddle. It will keep your skirt from riding up and exposing any…..things you don’t want exposed I guess.” He grinned slightly as he waited for her to join him on the Faesteed’s back. They could get a better view od the city from up on the beast’s back and most people left you alone when you were on a Faesteed. They certainly got out of the way quick enough.

A puzzled look came over his face, an eyebrow lifting as his features softened just a touch. She was worried he wouldn’t show up. Certainly he had never vocally agreed to be here, but Romeo rarely turned down an invite. He was rather punctual too. “Well of course I would be here. You asked me to be didn’t you?”

“We you’ll have him wrapped around your little finger in no time.” Romeo smiled down at her. An appreciative look in those eyes as his gaze swept over her form one again. His eyes never lingered on any spot that may seem lecherus. “You here that boy you are to be spoiled by the bella Puttanesca. We’ll have to make sure we say thank you:” His eyes softened as he gazed at her.

“When a bella signora asks a favor of you you never turn her down. You make sure you fulfill every wish she so desires.” How anyone could ignore Eloisa was beyond the Ajxillae’s scope of comprehension. She may have been loud in all ways but she was her own person and proud of who and what she was. He had to admire that. She was like a breath of fresh air, refreshing.

As she climbed up into the saddle in front of him he could tell she was nervousZ everyone was nervous their first time on such a creature. Romeo wrapped his arms about her as he flicked Exho’s reigns and the afaesteed began at a slow walk. “It will be fine I won’t let you fall.” With one hand he pulled her in a little closer against him. It was better if she stayed close, if she did start to slip he would have an easier time catching her before she fell too far.

He steered Echo down a few side streets before they hit one of the main roads, riding along the sidewalk. The few kats who were out giving them odd looks for being on a steed more than likely. Faesteed riding was a dieing art, most people had never even seen one when they used to be so prevalent in day to day life. “Are you ok?” He asked after a while, wanting to make sure that she wasn’t getting sore or scared from the ride.

Romeo chuckled, amusement lightening his stormy gray eyes. “I would presume in quite a bit of trouble no doubt.” The Machiavelli Ancilla had little dealings with the Puttanesca, Edon had always steered him away from that particular family. Fancy a Milliner girl or a Della Passaglia, they were good for business anyhow. Riccardo Puttanesca and his family were bad for business unless you needed something dirty done and Romeo preferred to keep things on the cleaner, more honorable side. But here he was, running head long into something with one of the Puttanesca Head’s daughters no less.

Edon would be more than just a little displeased. How and when to tell his Uncle about Eloisa well….thankfully his Uncle had been busy most of the time Romeo had been in town so he hadn’t quite gotten the chance. Soon, he’d do it soon.

But Edon was the last thing on his mind right now. The beauty leaning against him was all the Machiavelli could or wanted to think of in that moment. He smiled warmly as her concern for the horse. “Echo is strong he won’t tired that easily.” As if on response to his words Echo snorted. As if him tiring out was just obsurd.

He led them off the main street onto a little path that had trees that arched over it. The sound of water nearby trickled through the air. “Ah, see now where have you taken us, Echo. Some days I swear this horse has a mind of his own.” Romeo couldn’t help the handsome smile that crept across his face. Excitement alight in his eyes as they rounded a small bend and out into open air once more. Pulling the Faesteed to a stop Romeo gestures towards a large red blanket settled on a grassy hill with a large basket sitting nearby. “Oh, well it seems…” He glanced around as if expecting someone to pop out. “Someone has left their blanket and basket behind. What a shame it’s a lovely spot. Would you…like to take a bit of a pause in our ride?”

There were three things the Machiavelli were known for. Their loyalty, ther cruelty and being complete and hopeless romantics. Most women, to his understanding, loved a romantic and Romeo had that in spades to spare. It wasn’t hard to do grand gestures if one put one’s mind to it. But figuring out the right ones was also key. He had had enough time to figure out which one’s worked and which ones most certainly didn’t. But then every woman was different and what might work for one didn’t necessarily work for another.

You tested the waters before you jumped in so you speak. There had been several times where he had jumped in too fast and nearly drowned. Being a Machiavelli came with status and more than a few women had only looked to elevate themselves. When Romeo loved he loved harder but when his heart was broken those stormy grey eyes became dark and foreboding. Suffice it to say it did not work out very well for a few.

He only hoped he was not repeating past mistakes.

“Perfect.” Leaning forward a bit he swung a leg over Echo’s back before he dismounted. Moving to the Faesteed’s side where he reached up for her. The horse bending a bit to bring her down where he could slip an arm around her and beneath her legs so the male could pluck her from his back. Once she was in his arms he began to make his way towards the set up. Which he had done himself of course. There were servants for such things but it would mean more if he did it himself. “I wouldn’t want you to get one of your pretty heels stuck in the grass.” He reasoned.

Kneeling down once they had reached the blanket Romeo gently set her upon in before he settled himself next to her. “If you know where to look there are all sorts of places around the city that go unnoticed. This place is the best spot in all of Hemlock to watch the stars. And if the reports are correct I believe there is a meteor shower starting soon.” Reaching into the basket he produced two glasses, handing her one, and a dark red bottle of wine. Something from his family’s private cellar. “I think you will enjoy this.” He eyed the label before popping the cork on the bottle and pouring a little into her glass and some for himself.

He was perfectly fine carrying her. Beneath the layers of his outfit was a strong, muscular body. Romeo was definitely not any sort of scrawny weakling. Of course, being a vampire he did have his unnatural strength to rely on if he needed but that was not so in this case. Eloisa wasn’t heavy at all. In fact she was almost light as a feather.

Getting them settled was his main priority. “Oh yes very lucky indeed that this just happened to be here. What a wonderful coincidence.” He chuckled. Still trying to feign ignorance of even knowing it had been there. But he was glad that she seemed to be enjoying herself so far. She deserved to be spoiled, lavished upon with the nicest things he could possibly get for her.

“To a lovely view, beautiful company and what may come.” They clinked their glasses and Romeo took a generous sip of the wine. It was a favorite of his. Chuckling he poured a little more into her glass. Good, she found it acceptable. Everything was going to plan. “Yes be careful it can get on top of you rather quickly.”

A curious look came to his face as she mentioned having a gift for him. It was rare that Romeo received gifts especially from a lovely woman. Settling his glass down he smiled warmly. “A gift? For me?” He tilted his head curiously. Just what could it be? “You did not have to get me anything, Bella. Your company is a gift in itself. But if you insist.”

“Yes hopefully if they do return they won’t be too upset. I can surely smooth it over with them though I am sure.” He chuckled into his wine. Taking another sip before he set his glass down. Topping off his own glass and her’s again. It really was very good wine. Romeo did not consider himself a lush in the slightest but this wine in particular was good for all occasions. Dates, meetings, business deals or just to drink when the thirst for it hit you. He had sampled just about every wine in the cellar and while some were rather nice, and rather expensive, this one had always been his choosen favorite.

He laughed at her heat. Smiling at her own laughter. While loud it was jovial and infectious. “I suppose you’d rather it buy you dinner first?” If she got a little tipsy that was fine. He could easily whisk her back to wherever she wanted to go, perhaps back to her own hime. Of if that was too far perhaps back to his own family’s estate. Just for a lie down of course.

Setting up straight he watched curiously as she dig through her small purse. An eyebrow raised at her words. What on earth could it be? He was ever the more curious. When she produced the bookmarks he smiled. A warm, charming smile. “Oh, what a lovely and thoughtful gift. Thank you Eloisa. I will cherish them always.” Taking the bookmarks he ran his thumb over the fabric. They certainly were lovely and how nice of her to think of him in such a way that she would give him something to use during his favorite past time. These ones would get a lot of use. While what he had was indeed elegant these ones held a great meaning and affection for him and seeing them would remind him of the beautiful woman who game them to him.

Romeo placed them inside the basket so that they would not get lost. When his hand came back out he held a tray of chocolate covered strawberries and settled them down on the blanket. “I was not sure you would like these so I hope they are to your satisfaction, Bella. If not there are I believe some meats and cheeses with crackers in here as well. Though I do have a rather large sweet tooth sometimes.”