``I SIGNED UP FOR THIS GAME ; VAUGHN

[Alegra Silvertongue]

"Hmm," she murmured profoundly. "Well, I'll certainly have to call you something in mean-time, then." What on earth would fit such a man? She could not help but wonder. John? No, there were far too many of those in the world already, and it was simply too... normal. Fredrick, perhaps? She would get a giggle out of that one, but no, absolutely not. Cornelius? It occurred to her that she was subconsciously attempting to come up with the absolute most unbefitting of names, and she pondered the fact for several moments before abruptly announcing, "Vladimir. That's going to be your name. Vlad." Why? Because she was crazy; that was probably the closest to a good reason anyone would come up with.

He wanted to know where she'd learned "such traits"? Well, it was simple, shockingly so. "Easy. I was raised in a world surrounded by men and my mother. I love her, but I don't want to end up like her; death first. And it seemed there was only one way to avoid that." If everything her mother was pressing into her was what "a standard noblewoman" would do, and Mother considered herself such, the best thing to do was to simply, well not do it - any of it. It helped that her father had, in good fun, begun to teach her swordplay at a young age and she had found she had great skill in it, and that she found peculiar pleasure, amusement even, in actions that were normally suited for a male.

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

Vladimir? Where on earth did she get that name from? "Vladimir," he repeated, smirking at the strange nickname. "Where on earth, or I should be asking in your imagination rather, did you recover such a name." Ironically his name did begin with a V, but there were 26 letters in the alphabet. No need to emphasize the one his name actually began with. "I should be in fact questioning your nickname more than the name itself." Vlad. What was horribly awkward word. Still, if that was what she came up with, then she could call him what she pleased. He would at least give her that liberty. "Is that truly the best you can do?"

She was not the first ambitious woman he had encountered, but she was the only one who had taken it so far to dress in the attire of a knight. "If only there were some way for you to clear your confusion as to which gender you would prefer to be, by completely transforming yourself into a man. It would be a shame to waste such beauty, but you seem to possess more personality traits of a man, than a woman."

[[Wow! Page 6!]]

[Alegra Silvertongue]

(ooc: I know! We rockkkk.)

"From deep in the back of it," she assured him. Still, she not watching where they were going. Either she hadn't noticed, didn't care, or was confident that she had sight from the back of her head, surely buried under all that hair somewhere. Too reckless for her own good, really. "And I can't just say Vladimir all the time, it's too long, such a mouthful. Vlad is much more convenient." Alegra looked him over, reconsidering briefly, then shook her head again. "No, it's perfect. Suits you very well, Vlad." Her grin this time was nearly childish, and she spoke with the simplicity of an eight year old.

"That would be far more convenient," she ventured in a mutter. "Though I think I'd miss my more feminine attributes." Unbelievably, she did like being a woman; she just hated everything that came along with it. "It would be more convenient, but probably less likely, for the rest of the world to just accept that I could kick most of their asses."

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

"You should have kept it there," he said plainly. Such an awkward word indeed, but it really did not bother him. Names were trivial, as were titles; both could change. Or at least, Vaughn believed they could. Part of the reason he would never give his full name was because one could find a way to trace him back to his estate and what happened in the past, he would forever leave in the past. He wanted to completely separate himself from his previous family and anything that was related to the Adeney name. "Surely your creativity can come up with something less, disappointing." While the name did not matter, he wondered what else she had the potential to come up with.

Kick most of their asses. "You really should learn to speak with more eloquence. Such harsh words do not suit such a soft face." He had begun to notice that she was distracting herself far too much from the road ahead of them. He may not know the way to the estate, but he was not oblivious to the fact that one actually had to be steering in order to get to their destination. "Unless we are going to a more secluded area where you and I can spend more quality time together." Yes, he said that in a very suggestive way. "I suggest you keep an eye on the road and ensure we are going in the intended direction." Vaughn was not opposed to taking a detour. Hew was not the one in a rush to get back; she was. Or, she supposedly was.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

"Rude," she muttered, her bubble fairly burst. "Well, I like it. You'll just have to make do. It's that or Abraham, or perhaps an acronym..." While the latter was tempting - oh, how many acute adjectives she could label him with if it were an acronym! - she still considered her original choice to be far better suited. "No," she decided. "It's Vlad you are and Vlad you'll stay, unless you care to correct me with your actual name."

More eloquence? She could certainly provide that; in fact, she was the master at providing it, at least on the outside. "My apologies," she said serenely, her face clearing itself of any and all traces of emotion. "Let me amend. I do so wish that the upper levels of society would embrace my humble ability to bruise the flesh of the majority of their rear-ends without terribly much effort, as I am of the opinion that it would benefit my modest lifestyle greatly." She took his suggestion at face value and faced forward again, though they were still on track, of course; the horse knew nearly as well as she did, by now, how to get back o the estate.

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

Vaughn was not sure when and if he would ever tell her his name, but it was not as if he planned things in the future. What would happen, would happen. He certainly was not going to tell her now. "I pity your future children. Those you will name and who will receive rather unfortunate nicknames." He smirked at the thought. Vlad. Abraham, perhaps Abe for short. Such a strange way to shorten a name.

Vaughn was barley listening to her when she went into a long description, enhancing her language to make it sound more noble-like. "That sounds a bit better," he said, having turned her out after her third word. Still. He could get the gist of what she was saying, he just did not care enough to play close attention to her words. When she looked ahead he too followed suit. He could see right over her head since she was a great deal shorter than him. He would have to familiarize himself with this area, so that he knew how to get there, if he ever needed to again.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

"You certainly enjoy grousing," Alegra announced, speculating. "I think Vladimir fits you quite perfectly, in fact, and there aren't any other nicknames for it." She briefly considered his comment on her children's names and wrinkled her nose. "Hopefully I'll have a bit longer to think of names for them." If she even ever had children. Considering her track record with men - intentional track record, mind, and one she didn't plan on altering in the near future - it would be relatively difficult to become a mother... Or at least, a mother whose children received any respect from the rest of the world. Not to mention that she didn't want to be a single caretaker, nor did she think herself capable of it. Knowing her, she'd be far too spontaneous with the poor thing and either end up killing it or making it miserable.

Alegra noted almost immediately that he hadn't been paying attention and rolled her eyes. "All that work for nothing," she muttered. It wasn't like there was really a point in fancying up her language for him, anyway. Unless he was some covert knight who was simply testing nobility by pretending (quite well) that he was a pompous cad, he certainly didn't care about the way she spoke or her actions.

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

"And you feel the necessity to create a nickname out of it? If it is too long to say, why not think of a shorter name." Would she try to shorten Vaughn if he revealed his name to her? Surely not. It was basically one syllable and therefore, would be completely unnecessary to make any shorter. As for the subject of children, he chuckled at her answer. "I doubt the daughter of a noble family will be able to pass the opportunity for very long." Daughters of nobles were expected to marry young so that they could start a family young. Of course, based on what he noticed about her rebellious attitudes, and from the way she spoke, this may just be another authority to challenge.

Now, he was paying full attention to her, because once again, she amused him. As if she had ever stopped. "Was that strenuous for you. I assumed a woman who has trained as vigorously as you would not find it strenuous to speak in a proper way. But apparently, that is an irregularity for you if it was that much work." Vaughn himself may not act like a noble knight, but he spoke like one. His accent and way of speech was what led people to assume that he had been brought up as a nobleman, and that he had not just merely killed someone and stolen his uniform.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

"Because Vladimir fits better than any other," she reasoned. "Besides, since it fits so well, it might be your actual name, in which case a lot of people probably call you by it. But judging by your reaction, I'm the only one to call you Vlad." Alegra grinned. "In case you haven't noticed, I have a need to stand out. I can't simply call you what everyone else calls you. Wasn't that the point of not telling me your name in the first place?"

Strenuous? "Terribly so," she boasted with an air of sarcasm, though her words were not as much. "For a rebellious little hoodlum like myself who has rejected society's standards, it really takes a toll on the mind. After all, we females are rather ignorant, you know." She squinted her eyes as if it would help her see through the darkness, certain she could see the estate up ahead though they were still very far off, and was correct. Even from such a distance, the building was obviously massive, with a pasture off to the side that was used for the horses. Its walls were made of a mostly gray and pinkish sort of stone, towering upwards flawlessly, and it nearly resembled a smaller version of a castle.

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

"Ah yes, you do seem to have your pride in going against the norm." Why would the issue of his name be any different. Though it seemed rather simplistic to have such a grand conversation about. Who knew Vaughn would find so much entertainment in withholding such a simple fact as his name. Though, it was perhaps the only piece of personal information pertaining to him that he would reveal, and even then it was to a limited group of people. "There was no purpose in me not telling you my name. Other than curiosity to see what name you did come up with. Vladimir is not bad." Vlad sounded strange, unsophisticated, and yet, Vaughn did not care.

"I can imagine," he said smirking as she spoke about society's standards and the ignorance of women. Was Vaughn sexist? Not at all. He believed men and women to be equally ignorant and even if Alegra was being sarcastic in this moment, he would still agree with her about that fact. As the castle came into view, Vaughn grinned, his eyes soaking in the very large and very elaborate castle. "I was definitely not wrong in deciding to carry on with my plan." His blackmailing plan of course. "For it proved to be a very intelligent move. Considering how much wealth must be inside those vast walls."

[Alegra Silvertongue]

"Not bad?" She clicked her tongue and shook her head. "It's perfect," she insisted, "you would just rather not admit it." Alegra was quite proud of herself - as if it wasn't obvious - for having thought of such a name. She wasn't even certain where she'd picked it up from, as she knew she wasn't acquainted with any Vladimirs. Still, she was happy she had. It fit.

She chose to ignore his agreement with his sarcasm on the grounds that he probably had different thoughts than what she had intended about it, and she was rather unwilling to battle through the matter. Knowing him (though she didn't, really), he'd pick her words apart until he found something to make a mockery of. Alegra had to give him credit, even if unwillingly; the man had a knack for it. Therefore, she moved on to his next statement, and lifted a brow. "Obviously," she said dryly. "Even if the estate were much smaller, you'd still be getting money out of it." At his mention of the wealth within, she simply shrugged a shoulder, not so much in arrogance as the fact that she didn't much care. A home was a home. "We're well off," she conceded with an "I guess" sort of tone.

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

"Since when have I ever been shy," he said in reference to her remark about not wanting to admit it. "I would have easily complimented your ability to create the perfect name. It is not as if I have refrained from paying you other compliments in the recent past," he said in a suggestive tone. He had, and he was not shy to give another, even though it did not flatter her nor irritate her. It was merely Vaughn vocalizing what he believed to be true, and why refrain from doing that?

"I would not have received as much money as I plan to take from you if you did not appear to be this wealthy." As he had previously decided, his intention was not to clean her dry of wealth and make her family financially suffer. He did not decide that out of compassion for her and her family, but rather, he just saw it as useless. There was no drawn out fun in that. If he were to hypothetically take all the money, enough for them to be in a poorer state, then the moment of control would be over. Besides, what would Vaughn do with all that money. As he was living his life as a nomad, it would not be easy to carry all that money with him.

"Well off," he repeated chuckling. "Why have you chosen now to be modest, when previously, you have shown no attempt to do so. Quite the opposite in fact." The showing off, the arrogant remarks. Of course, it could just be her over compensating for deep rooted insecurities, but Vaughn doubted it. She was a confident woman; confident in skills that most noble women did not possess or chose to boast about.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

"Yes, compliments centered entirely around my physical appearance, which is mostly out of my control." To Alegra, those were not considered compliments at all; far from it, in fact. "You have yet to compliment me on anything regarding my mind or capabilities yet. Perhaps it's because you had no reason to, or perhaps because frustrating me is amusing, or perhaps even because you do not believe me to possess any such qualities were complimenting - but regardless, it's very different."

She slowed the horse to a walk and considered what he said, slightly dumbfounded. The amount would be less if her wealth was less? Surely that wasn't compassion that he was showing? Alegra refused to believe it. Obviously there was an ulterior motive - that or he saw no point in demanding more than her family could remain comfortable with. Either way, she decided not to spend time mulling over it. The money itself was no bother to her whatsoever, though she briefly wondered if she ought to have led him to a friend's estate instead, one that was smaller. She dismissed the idea within seconds of thinking it, of course. Alegra was no coward, and she certainly could never put someone else in danger like that simply to save money that she would never even miss. After all, should he decide to steal from the estate, it would be horrid of her to put a companion in the position to be stolen from instead. No, she would face the consequences of her actions on her own; no one else need be brought in on it.

"I'm not being modest," she argued simply. It wasn't that she had a problem with being viewed as modest; she wasn't so petty in her demands of what people viewed her as. However, it was incorrect. "I was stating the truth; we are well off. Not bragging about it does not mean I'm being modest." She shrugged. "If it's what you want to hear, then yes, we're rich senseless and we haven't a clue what to do with most of it. It's really more about appearance than anything, anyway."

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

"I have found nothing else worth complimenting." As Vaughn would not compliment for the purpose of raising ones self esteem, or flattering them, he would not hesitate in saying if there was nothing else worth kind words. What was he to say about her personality anyway? "Take the more shallow route," he told her. "Accept whatever compliment is given to you. You are very dismissive of them, not having said a thank you for a single one." Vaughn chuckled, as he said it as more of a joke than anything else. He cared nothing for manners. He also knew that under the circumstances that they met, his comments were more than likely unwanted. Still. He enjoyed teasing her. "You take them for granted quite a bit."

As he got a better picture of the estate, he began memorizing the architecture. Studying, the different entrances that he saw at their distance, seeing where the guards were positioned; he was studying everything he could possibly see from the outside. Soon enough, he would be able to do the same thing when he got inside. Able to analyze and talk at the same time, he managed to continue their conversation, listening to her argument. Defensive, yet again. "You act as if modesty is a bad trait. Some would consider it a good one. But once again, you prove yourself to possess more negative qualities than positive ones."

Vaughn himself did not care; they were all the same. He however knew others perspectives. Selfishness, greed, unsympathetic, these were all regarded as negative qualities by others, when really, they were just necessary ones for some to survive. He did not feel the need to justify the way he was though. He chuckled once again. "And you expect compliments regarding your personality when once they are given, you defensively disprove them."

[Alegra Silvertongue]

Alegra managed to avoid being irked by his simple admission, as she had been expecting it. In a way - or rather, as much as one possibly could in such a situation - she was growing to anticipate his reactions to different things she said, and it was more interesting than offensive. As such, she completely ignored his first compliment, and shrugged at his second. "I've yet to thank you for them because I'm not thankful for them. As I said before, it makes no difference to me." After all, she did enjoy getting compliments, as would any other human - but she didn't want them, exactly. They were nice if she got them, but she wouldn't be any worse for wear if she was promptly informed that her nose was too large and her eyes would far apart. It simply didn't matter.

"Besides," she continued, talking to herself as much as to him, "if you think about it, I only look good for the benefit of others." She lifted a shoulder. "I would rather hide my face under a helmet than not, and even when I don't, I'm hardly looking to attract a husband. The people who enjoy the way I look gain much more than I ever do." Alegra fell silent and listened to his thoughts on modesty, wrinkling her nose in disagreement. "Modesty? A positive trait? I think not. What exactly is so saintly about denying something good about yourself even when you know it's true? Seems like fishing for further compliments to me." She grinned cheekily. "Many more negative than positive," she assured him. "Have you just figured that out?" It was rhetorical, though she half expected him to answer anyway.

"I don't expect them," she argued, more for the sake of debating than anything else; it seemed to amuse them both, "I just prefer them over compliments to my appearance. At least compliments to my personality mean more than 'you'd make a pretty face to look at during intimacy.' And modesty is hardly a positive compliment, anyway. As for disproving them, I don't want to be known for anything I'm not, positive or otherwise, if I can help it."

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

Once again, Vaughn was only half listening. Just because he did not react to everything she said however, did not mean that somewhere inside his head, the words were processing. "You will have to attract a husband one day. What kind of man would want a wife who does not put effort into her appearance. Of course, you will also be expected to give up these late night ventures of yours." He was really only saying this, because he knew her reaction. Either defensive, or sarcastic, or nothing. Never the less, Vaughn grew amused by the thought of her being married. He may not know her well, but he knew her well enough to feel sorry for the man who ended up with her. Well, not really but that was what he was going to say. "I pity the man who must constantly deal with you," he remarked, chuckling. It was a comment, meant in a teasing way of course. He cared nothing for whoever that man was. Compassion and sympathy were two traits that he lacked.

"Modesty is supposed to humble a person, is it not. It is perceived as a positive personality trait and you must be the only one who thinks otherwise." And him of course. He did not see the use in categorizing what were positive and negative qualities in a person. Qualities were qualities; no matter whether they were good or bad, they still made up a person. "As a noble woman however, I suppose you do not know the meaning of the word." These kinds of rich people were vain, practically swimming in their own vanity really. Vaughn's family had been no exception. It was the way of nobility. If you had it, embrace it to the fullest.

"You would indeed make a pretty face during intimacy," he said in a suggestive way, throwing out another sexual innuendo. It was far too tempting not to. "I could always prove that to you," he added, still smirking at the thought. She was growing more talkative. He was learning more and more from her every word she said, and would soon enough be able to anticipate her actions. This would be extremely important as they neared the castle. Would she admit that she had no choice in this matter of blackmail, or would she fight him on it and try something more drastic against him. The question was an amusing thought, and Vaughn favored either outcome.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

"I know very well what I'll be expected to do," she said with a grin. "Doesn't mean I will, though. And I agree; I pity the poor man, too." Alegra was more than just aware of how incredibly difficult she was to deal with; she almost embraced it. It wasn't so much that she was proud of it as that she was accepting of it - though, in a way, there was also pride there. Pride about the fact that every other noblewoman in the world, at least that she knew of, had submitted to a man and allowed herself to be tamed, something that Alegra would never allow. When and if she found a man worthy of marrying her, she would surely make him miserable, but he would be too embarrassed to leave her. However, she was not so cold that she would simply allow it; she'd make it clear to him far ahead of time that that was the case. If he didn't listen, his mistake.

"I'm the only one who thinks a lot of things," she muttered under her breath. And of course she knew the meaning of it (though she was certain he hadn't meant it literally), she simply saw no point in it. Why paint a rose gray when it would be so much prettier, so much easier to enjoy, if it was vibrant, blood-colored, and demanding attention? If you've got it, flaunt it. There was little point in anything else, especially since it wasn't like it would affect the lives of others if you agreed with their compliments. If they were annoyed, it meant that they hadn't expected the person to agree; meaning either that their compliment had been a lie, or that they did not truly want the person to enjoy it to its full potentional.

Regarding his advances again, she shrugged and said serenely, "Indeed, you could... But I'm afraid I'll have to hold off on that offer, at least for now." She winked at him, the whole thing completely over-dramatic on purpose as they got incredibly close to the estate. Alegra, of course, had no intention of taking his offer at any point in his life, but where was the fun in saying so? She knew she wasn't teasing him; he wasn't the type of guy that she could send into a tizzy with such suggestive responses. But it was more fun for her and probably more interesting for him if she did not outrightly refuse or grow defensive, and considering how utterly disastrous the situation had turned out for her, she considered that a good aim.

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

He chuckled at her polite refusal. It was not rejection to Vaughn. He knew that she would not accept, yet. He had shown her no kindness, no respect, nothing that would attract her to him. This did not matter. Had he wanted to give that impression, he would have. But life was boring when everyone was too kind. If they acted as they truly were, then things would be far more interesting. And that was all Vaughn was doing; keeping things interesting. "You seem like a woman willing to try new things. You should try to, experience knew kinds of people as well. Move outside your comfort zone." He was not trying to convince her, he was just trying to see how she would react to his clearly suggestive, less than innocent remarks. If it happened, it happened. If it did not, Vaughn would still walk away a richer man.

"So what of your family. Will you be introducing me to them?" No matter whether she did or did not. He was curious to see what they were like, and how she would introduce him to them. This grand family who lived such a rich lifestyle and who raised such a daughter. Yes. Vaughn reckoned that he would meet them at some point in life. Maybe not today, but at some point.

[Alegra Silvertongue]

"I do enjoy new things, but I think I'll save that one for when the time comes for it," she said with another shrug. In all honesty, she didn't care if that "time" occurred before the next sunset or five years away; she simply wanted to enjoy it to the best of her ability. She knew, of course, that it was a woman's duty to simply take it and that they were not supposed to gain even an ounce of pleasure from it, but she also knew that there must be a reason some women enjoyed it so much, as well as the fact that she rarely if ever fit the stereotypical concept of what a woman should or should not enjoy. Besides, she'd been intimate in other ways with other men, and if that all felt quite nice, why shouldn't the rest of it? "It's not my comfort zone so much as what I feel like doing. I don't feel like doing it." It was simple, flat truth.

His inquiry as to her family drew a sigh from her. "My brother isn't even home, and my mother is most likely asleep by this hour," she informed him, then realized he probably would not care. Did she want to introduce him? No, not in the slightest; she didn't want him anywhere near her poor family. But she had a feeling he was going to insist if he thought it would be more amusing for him; and knowing him, he would think that. "I'll introduce you if I'm forced. Do you plan on forcing me?"

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

When the time comes, or if the time comes. This made Vaughn smirk. "The time may come sooner than you think. We will be visiting your chambers after all, will we not?" He was obviously not going to force anything. If nothing else, this was all just flirting and taking it to a whole new level. Vaughn was not shy to admit that yes, he was a womanizer. Though it was more fun when he was trying to convince the woman, especially someone as stubborn and opinionated as Alegra. She seemed to show no apparent discomfort with his vocal advances and that motivated him.

Was he going to force her. Oh there were so many ways to answer that question. On the hand hand, as he previously concluded, he was curious to meet her family. On the other, if her brother was not here and her mother would not be awake for some time, no. That was not an excuse. Surely he would find a way to entertain himself until she awoke. But the question was, did he really want to? "No. I will not force you." This was not him being nice. It was him having an ulterior motive. "I will just return one day, perhaps when you are fulfilling your knightly duties, and introduce myself to what I am sure is your lovely family." That would be great fun indeed.