Snippet #2380204

He smiled at her, what seemed to him, mockery of his introduction, but took no offense at it. At least she was willing to try this without him having to coax her or force her. And, if she felt comfortable enough to act playfully, then this wouldn't be an absolutely miserable experience. Her ability to simply accept the situation and choose the best possible course of action impressed him too, when he was her age he wouldn't have been capable of such a thing. But these were different times, with a society that had been far more open minded than his generation.

She confirmed his thoughts about being hungry, then massed her dirty golden hair atop her head and tried to fasten it all there, which helped to reveal her face all the more. He drank in her appearance, studying her face for the moment before she moved to his side. Already, some of her untamed hair had fought it's way free of her ribbon and now flailed around her face as the wind screamed past. His eyes dropped slightly, to her now clearly unveiled neck, just as they had while she was sleeping. How he wanted to taste her! But he refrained again, focusing once more on her face.

The night's natural lights made her skin shine in his eyes, despite the grime that had accumulated on top of it. "I haven't had the chance to look in any of the places around here. I have no means of lighting the way, and god only knows what is hiding out in there," she was saying, but Esmond had once again let his thirst dictate his gaze. He could hear her heart beating in the thick arteries of her neck.

He was silent for a little longer than he should have been, before bringing himself back to his senses. He looked to the buildings she'd indicated. He didn't hear or smell anything threatening nearby. If there had been anything so close to her, he didn't see how it hadn't found her before he had. Nonetheless, he had finally found his ray of hope in this abyss, it was no time for complacency. He wasn't going to be letting her out of his sight just now, so she would, of course, come with him in search of human food.

He had been chewing his lip, as had always been a bad habit of his, but now smiled and hoped she hadn't noticed his eyes on her vital arteries. He didn't want to frighten her or make her think that he wasn't in control. "Please, just Esmond. Mr. Linwood sounds so formal, and so old. It is truly a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Abigail. What a lovely name." He offered his hand, preparing to lead her into the night, "Now, shall we?"