Daybreak

[Lucianus Adair]

[Between this thread and that thread...]​

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LOCATION​

Adair Estate​

Annaj​

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He had not planned on this, though it brought him some mote of pleasure to have found some sort of kindred spirit in what was merely supposed to be a matter of observation and murder. He had not been expecting at all to find a student so quickly that had the potential to mesh well with his methods and proclivities; to accept his very nature with little question. The sit-in on the cult had brought many surprises in one dark-haired, attractive woman by the name of [member="Chrysothemis"] - and that woman was fast asleep in one of a handful of bedrooms at the other end of the house. It was just before daybreak, and Adair was wide awake, and had been so for the entirety of the night... though he could feel that the few hours of sleep his body required would need to be taken at the end of this day, well into the night, as he sat in a chair in living room, a glass of cool water on the side table, and a datapad in hand, pouring over Fringe-centric news, and articles of note from outside his domain.

His domain. Not that he was lord of it all, but... the protectiveness and possessiveness central to his nature had claimed the territory of the Lords of the Fringe for its own, and there was little he would not do in the name of this confederacy, for the sake of his allies, and the worlds that depended on their protection. His protection. And now there was one more that, with work, would be added to that defense, after she woke, after they ate. Until such a time, the house was quiet, and Lord Adair kept to himself.

 

[Chrysa Vanagor]

There were moments, she mused, that were worth remembering, and those that needed to be forgotten for sanity's sake.

This day...this past twenty four hours, rather...was one of the former. A series of moments that would be forever etched into the forefront of her mind. Long, tanned limbs stretched beneath the silken sheets as she shifted in the warmth of the bed, savoring the warmth and comfort therein. It elicited a sigh of pure pleasure, followed by a slow smile that warmed her features. Ebon eyes opened in the heavy darkness of the room, shades drawn tight and lights turned off in the fashion she preferred.

Chrysothemis allowed her eyes to adjust to the darkness, letting her senses wake slowly as languor still suffused her limbs. There was so much to think upon and absorb, that she felt the need to prod her memories before rising to face what the day would bring. To face...him.

A shudder danced along the length of her frame, drawing her to curl onto her side as the flesh of her back protested at last. Though her wounds had been well tended and were healing neatly as they were always wont to do, the pain was enough to draw a soft gasp past her lips. Eyes fluttered half closed at the memory of the lash biting into her skin, and the way his voice poured across her senses. She reveled in it for a moment, before her mind moved on to ponder the mystery the man presented.

Lord [member="Lucianus Adair"].

Tormentor. Savior. Master.

To what she owed his appearance in the place of the wicked priest, Chrysa did not know. She would have tendered her thanks in the most effusive manner possible if she did. Finding someone so attuned to her...darker proclivities...was something she never thought she'd discover in her lifetime. Most shied away from and fled from the depths of her darkness, but he seemed to celebrate in his own way.

She would give him, willingly, the respect his station and especially his acceptance deserved. The young woman finally rose, sliding out of her silken nest while slender fingertips brought the lights up slowly. A few moments saw the bedding smoothed neatly once more, before she padded barefoot into the bathroom. Curls were brushed then pinned up neatly, and a careful pull saw the bandages come free from her back. As always, the wounds were angry, raw, and red, but healing well. Better, in fact, than they ought to be.

It was a gift. Or a curse, depending upon one's perspective.

Regardless, Chrysothemis dressed with infinite care, choosing a simple crimson gown that would leave her wounded flesh bare but otherwise clad her in a proper and dignified manner. A manner that suited her new surroundings and her new place within her Master's home. She was determined to give him no cause for displeasure if at all possible. Her feet slipped into a pair of delicate shoes while fingers secured a pair of crystal earrings in place, then smoothed out the silk of her dress.

A few moments were spent orienting herself as needed in the spacious estate, steps carrying her quietly through the broad hallways. She remembered little of it from the previous evening when they'd arrived, and as such, it took her a few minutes to find the living room and the man himself. A soft clearing of her throat announced her presence, before she moved to stand a polite distance in front of his chair. "Good morning, Lord Adair." she breathed softly, a graceful curtsy accompanying the greeting.

 

[Lucianus Adair]

[member="Chrysothemis"]

The perusal of the daily newsfeeds continued right up until the very moment that she was near and had dispensed with her greeting of him for the morning, the remainder of a report scanned as she spoke, delaying his response for another handful of moments. Here in the forests of Annaj existed a quiet that was much preferred to the rising bustle of the capital awakening for the day, allowing a different pace to be set.

"Good morning, Miss Atreides," he returned, quietly and finally, the datapad lowered from the best readable distance and set aside on the same small end-table as the tall glass of water, "are you well-rested? Do you hunger?"

He had not yet so much as looked at her, rising from his seat and straightening the casual, loose trousers, long-sleeved top, and snugly cinched housecoat he wore over the night that had just passed. That done, he went for the curtains, pulling them back to permit the brunt of the morning light to stream in through the large panel windows while awaiting her answer.

 

[Chrysa Vanagor]

- [member="Lucianus Adair"] -​

Ebon eyes followed his movement as he rose and strode across the room, simply observing the way he carried himself now that she had the leisure to do so. She remained where she was, eyes falling half closed as the drapes were pulled back, flooding the room with welcome light and warmth. Perhaps, she mused, a shawl of some sort would not be amiss.

Once adjusted to the light, Chrysothemis turned slightly towards him to offer a response. "I am indeed well-rested, thank you, Master. The room was wonderfully comfortable." A smile and a polite inclination of her head, and then a deep, lingering breath was drawn in as pain lanced across her senses with the shift of her shoulders.

Her voice had paused for a brief, but noticeable moment, and when it resumed the tone was a touch warmer and richer. "I do find myself rather hungry...if you would but point me towards the kitchen, I could remedy that. Might I get you something as well?"