Bishop Santiago
Bishop glanced down at the human in his arms, not expecting to hear such a vehement denial of being in any sort of meaningful relationship with the so called Derek fellow. While it was pleasing to hear her deny having feelings for the human, the vampire lord wondered if she wasn't just trying to protect him. Her nervous combing of her ebony locks, coupled with the soft voice explaining how she treated her childhood friend, made Bishop frown. Why was she so fidgety around him? Sure, some anxiety was amusing, and seeing his maid flustered was entertaining, but he hated the thought that she might actually fear him. How many times did he have to assure her she was safe with him? It was more than just mildly frustrating.
Not to mention, obviously his little Anise cared enough about this Derek fellow to send correspondence and money. Not exactly the actions of someone who hated another. That, coupled with her warm, thoughtful smile earned an agitated twitch. Whatever this feeling was, he didn't care for it. Jealousy began to burn, but it would be a cold day in hell before he'd acknowledge the feeling for what it was. Instead, he scowled at her even as she sighed, her nostalgia far more irksome than he'd like to admit. She should be looking at HIM with that warm smile. "Childhood friends huh? Still a pathetic excuse of a man to not be concerned about his friend enough to at least try to find out what happened. Besides, he obviously liked you more than a friend." he retorted a little harsher than he had intended. Bishop clenched his jaw tightly, feeling her anxiety as well as hearing her heartbeat fluctuate accordingly to said anxiety. He glanced away from her with what could only be properly categorized as a pout. An angry one, but a pout none the less.
What brought him from his bitter and brooding thoughts was Anise's revelation that she had never been with a man, nor had she even shared a first kiss. That got his attention.
Eyes fixing upon the young woman once more, the redhead's initial look of surprise soon morphed into a pleased and slightly mischievous smirk. Her realization of what she had just confessed nearly elicited a chuckle, her flushed cheeks a rewarding sight to behold. Cute. "Is that so...?" he mused thoughtfully, about to continue probing into this most interesting confession, only to be interrupted by her silly concerns. Was she really that afraid of social constructs, or did she dislike the idea of dancing with him that much? The only logical point she made was the reaction of the vampires in attendance.
"None of them would be stupid enough to reveal what they are in a room full of people, and only the prick is foolish enough to drink from someone who is clearly the human of another. Besides, it's easy enough to remedy your wounds. Take a drink of my blood, or I can wash you up in a more traditional sense..." Bishop reasoned, the sound of clapping reaching his sensitive ears. Someone was the center of attention on the dance floor it would seem- most likely Demetri with his charms and skillful dancing if he were to guess. His twin always got at least one ovation during these types of parties.
Bishop found himself scowling once more at the thought of dancing with the simpering idiots inside his home. None of those women wanted him for him. They wanted what he was, what he could offer them. They were bred to be pretty, poised, pleasing, and all of them were as fragile as they were entitled. "Again, do I give a damn? There is no rule that says I must dance with them. The norm may be to socialize, but I have no interest in dealing with simpering idiots all night. Our reputation will survive me not dancing with them. Angelo would usually hide from these events, at least I bother to attend." Bishop paused, going silent in a moment of remembrance for his elder sibling. The quiet brother would always have to be dragged out, and he would often be the one to help Demetri entice the older vampire out into the public. Those were good times...
Shaking away his nostalgia, Bishop huffed at the idea of dancing with the noble ladies once more. "They don't care about me, why the hell should I care about them?" he muttered irritably, only to reach the entrance of the castle. Debating a moment, he finally relented and gently placed Anise on her feet, but he made no move to let her go. One arm was laced around her middle, keeping her at his side. With his free hand, Bishop reached out, tilting Anise's chin up with his thumb and forefinger so she had to meet his gaze. "Why does it bother you so? Are you really that opposed to a single dance with me? Do you find me repulsive?" he asked, eyes boring intently into hers for a few long seconds before pulling back ever so slightly- still keeping her close and her chin in his hand.
It took a few deep breaths to calm him down, the vampire lord replaying her most interesting confession in his mind. That's right, he never did address that little gold nugget of information, did he? The corner of his lips twitched in the beginnings of an amused smirk.
"Back to your most intriguing revelation...you have never been with a man? Truly? None has touched these lips of yours..." Bishop's voice lowered to a sultry tone, releasing her chin and slowly tracing her lips with the pad of his finger. Looking down at his human, Bishop felt an increasing desire to drink from that pretty neck of hers. What else could he do to make her cheeks flush such a fair pink once more? What else would make her cling to him and allow herself to not resist his hold?
The redhead licked his lips, leaning close to her neck and allowing his breath to caress her skin from a mere inch away. Feeling rather bold and mischievous, he flicked his tongue out to taste her fair skin, right where the blood pulsed in her neck. A bit of a mistake, as his fangs only ached all the more, but he resisted the urge. "Tell me, how would you feel if I decided I wanted to have a taste of your lips? If I wanted to be the one to steal your first kiss?" he purred, eager to see how she'd respond.
Tanzy McNeal
Tanzy dared to glance up as her master continued to lead her in the dance, the music pleasing to her ears and not unduly difficult to move with. For a moment, Reiji seemed calm and peaceful, neither his smirk nor his teasing grin evident upon his features. She almost found herself lost in her own little world, just looking up at the contented look upon her usually intimidating master, surrounded by beautiful music and actually dancing like a noble lady. The applause further added to the fantastical feeling, amazed people would actually be clapping for her. Well, Reiji deserved most of the credit for being a perfect lead, but it was reassuring to know she wasn't screwing up too bad- that she was passing as at the very least an adequate partner.
She allowed her gaze to remain on the vampire's face, relaxing slightly as she marveled at his - dare she say- happy expression? It was a nice look on him to be sure...
Soon enough, he was grinning at her again, and Tanzy's heart began to pound furiously in embarrassment. She knew her cheeks were beginning to heat up again, nearly stumbling and letting out another squeak- though she caught it just in time. She never got a chance to reply to his teasing before she felt his skin just grazing her neck along with his breath. Her voice caught in her throat, cheeks burning a cherry red. This time she had to bite her lip to hold back a mortified squeak, suddenly remembering her utterly embarrassing situation the day before. Why oh why was she thinking about his looks?! "I-I never meant that m'lord!" she managed to say, shaking her head to emphasize she wasn't suggesting he was not the ideal specimen. Even though she was fairly certain he was still just screwing with her, she didn't want him to misunderstand her.
Tanzy got little chance to try and explain herself or avoid further abashment, Reiji releasing his hold slightly and letting out a sigh. She immediately stiffened slightly, wondering if she had crossed a line or upset him. Instead of a warning or a calm scolding as she expected, he urged her to not dwell on her mistakes of the evening, and he would let it go without incident. His only warning was that she might risk his fangs by stirring him up. Before she could sink into darker thoughts and mull over her friend's bite, her partner flashed her a wink, prompting her to go back to enjoying the music. Already flustered and swimming in a whirlwind of emotions, she simply nodded mutely. The sudden dip was less of a shock the second time around, but it was no less effective at making her cheeks heat up at the closeness, and the feel of him cradling her body with his arm.
Soon enough, Reiji's amused gaze was back on her, and Tanzy felt her heart skip at the sudden tickle of his breath on her ear, a perplexed look crossing her features. So he wanted a kiss, not in public, but would seek to improve her family's stations in exchange would she be bold enough to kiss him out in the open? She flushed at his chuckle, trying to ponder his intentions. His tone further messed with her, his sultry voice eliciting a shiver as it tickled her sensitive ear. The maid could practically feel the heat in her cheeks as he pulled her close once more. Tanzy glanced up at Reiji, searching for his meaning. "But you said...I mean, you don't want me to be brazen, surely? That would be too scandalous." she asked tentatively, tilting her head slightly in a question.