In The Dead of Knight

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

Vaughn had no idea where he was. All he knew was that in the dead of night, he had come across a rather large estate. He knew he was in Camelot, but that was about all. It was not the curiosity that intrigued him to sneak onto this nobleman's property. It was more the promise that the residence held within it. As in, money. Gold. Riches. A nomad needed to eat after all. Besides, it was not as if they would miss a few coins. These thoughts that remained in Vaughn's head nearly made him laugh. It almost sounded like he was justifying himself, when he had never done such a thing. He was not stealing coin because he needed it per say. He was stealing from them, because it was far less boring than roaming around the vacant road.

The nomad rarely planned anything out. This was no exception. He briefly looked at the layout of the place, trying to figure out the best point of entry. His darkly clad attire helped blend into the shadows of the night. Making him inconspicuous enough to sneak past anyone who may wandering about. Such as the guards, or servants. He managed to successfully make it through the entrance, keeping his back against the wall. Every time he heard footsteps near approaching, he slowly raised his hand, touching one of the two hilts of his swords strapped to his back. But there had been no need to pull them out. His presence remained undiscovered.

Taking his steps cautiously, he began to climb the wall, entering the first opening he saw. If Vaughn truly believed in luck, he would have thought himself lucky. The room he entered was void of any persons. Which enabled him to leisurely walk through it. He stopped to poke his nose in a few things, but it appeared to be a guest chamber. And guest chambers usually did not possess much of interest. He could do far better than this. So not wasting too much time, he slowly creaked the door open, and peeked outside. No one was coming down the hall. And taking advantage of his lacking patrol, he crept into the room a bit away from this one.

Entering the chamber, there was a single torch would gave him all the light he needed. The room was not overly large. A rather small, modest size in fact. It was no guest chamber nor chamber belonging to those residing here. It seemed to be some sort of storage area. Or study perhaps. There was a small desk, no windows, and a pile of papers, books, and other miscellaneous objects about. Enough of a variety to keep Vaughn here for a bit of time. He also noticed there was a key in the keyhole, inside the room. Whoever came in here, must come for privacy if the door was usually locked from the inside. But Vaughn did not think to grant himself this same privacy. Instead, he began to rummage through the shelves, pocketing random ornaments that he felt could give him some coin. Completely unaware that he'd left the door a crack open.

[[ Tag Caitrin ]]

[/color][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Caitrin de Archer]

It had been another dull day for Caitrin. Well, by dull she merely meant that nothing out of the ordinary had happened. There were still no invitations to any feasts in Camelot and society seemed to be taking a break from its endless feasts and balls. She was disappointed because that meant that most noblemen had retreated to their homes and her Uncle received few visitors. As a result of that, Caitrin’s only company was her aunt and Uncle and that was hardly stimulating company.

It was now the dead of night and Caitrin was still struggling to sleep. If she had been that bothered about it she could have gone to create a sleeping draught for herself. Even though it would only induce an artificial sleep it was surely better than nothing. She turned over in her covers again. Her thin chemise wasn’t doing an amazing job of keeping out the cold that the night brought. She pulled another blanket from her bedside table over her covers in the hope that a warmer bed would induce sleep. After a few minutes she realised she was wrong and began to get irritated and curled up into a small ball trying to get warm. This really wasn’t working.

She sat up in her bed and decided that the sleeping draught was really the only way to get to sleep. All her herbs were in her store downstairs next to the kitchen. Of course she’d have to be quiet on the way down and drink the draught in her room because she didn’t make her draught’s weak and she would be asleep within moments. Caitrin got up out of bed and pulled a shawl around her shoulders. It wasn’t amazingly warm but it would do until she got back to bed. She put on some shoes and whispered ‘Ignius’ and lit the candle by her bedside.

Candle in hand Caitrin opened the door to her chambers slowly and stepped out of them. She looked up and down the corridor, there were no servants bustling about and Caitrin was glad of it, they would only report to her Uncle she was having problems sleeping again. He had wanted to get her a proper physician last time, but Caitrin would rather he didn’t fuss over her, she knew her draught’s worked even if he didn’t trust in them.

She stepped slowly and quietly down the dark corridor, careful not to let the flame die out. She couldn’t light it magically when she was out of her room for fear of any of her servants discovering her secret. She wished that her magic was stronger, then other times she figured it wouldn’t matter because she couldn’t use her powers in Camelot anyway.

Caitrin stopped quickly as she heard a noise and held her breathe. It sounded like shuffling papers, or something similar. Surely her Uncle wasn’t working at this late hour? She stepped towards the door, and looked through a small crack which had been left open. The light was blocking her sight into the room and she blew it out quietly, setting it down on the floor. As her eyes adjusted to the light she could see a man in the room. He had his back to her and her eyes widened, was she being robbed? It wasn’t a servant and it wasn’t her Uncle so it was a theif. Her heart thudded in her ears, but Caitrin had never been one for running away and letting everyone else deal with her problems. Blinded by anger, and disregarding every sensible bone in her body she stepped into the room quickly and said quickly, “Who the hell are you and what are you doing in my house?”

[/blockquote]

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

Vaughn had truly been distracted. He had not even heard any approaching footsteps. Only a young woman's voice that suddenly demanded a purpose for his presence here. He paused and spun around to see who it was. Yes. If Vaughn truly believed in luck, he would have thought himself even luckier. A young noblewoman, dressed in nothing but a nightgown. How this presented so much opportunity for Vaughn to do what he did best: terrorize others. He knew however that he could not be slow in his movement, for even if he did answer the question, she could easily cause guards to enter by a simple yell. The hall ways were abandoned for now, but who was to say her voice would not echo down the corridor. So Vaughn, responded not only with words. "Greetings," he stated, his voice holding such a strong and exaggerated polite tone, that contradicted his expression. He was trying to be menacing.

He began to take a few steps towards her, so that should she decide to do something rash, she would not be too far out of his reach. But he had to be careful. One small mistake, he would end up in the dungeon rather than a room alone with her. Which, seemed to be what his objective was right now. As he moved slightly closer with each calculated step, his eyes began to look her over. Starting from having met her eyes, slowly trailing over her body. His gaze lingered, meant to make a woman feel uncomfortable. What a positively ravishing little thing. "Should you not be asleep at this late hour," he questioned, acting as if she was currently the one at fault. "Or do you often wander from your bed seeking what, pleasures you can in the middle of the night." Yes. His words were meant to sound more of a perverse nature. Vaughn had no shame nor bothered showing respect to a woman by speaking appropriately.

[Caitrin de Archer]

To say that Caitrin was in a rather vulnerable position, she didn’t feel that vulnerable. Of course in the morning she would probably realise what a stupid idea this had been, she should have probably just gone and got her Uncle’s guards. It wasn’t too late, she could still call out if she wanted to. She then realised she didn’t have a weapon about her, well she did, but she couldn’t use her magic here, unless she was actually worried her life was in danger. She was worried at the moment but not so much that she was going to start attacking this man. He greeted her and Caitrin cocked her head to the side and raised one eye brow at him. “Good evening.” Caitrin was always one for etiquette, and she wasn’t about to provoke him, she wasn’t sure what he was capable of. She carefully brushed some of her hair over her shoulders and kept her eyes on the man. It was too dark to see if the man was armed or not. Therefore she decided that keeping on the mans good side was probably a good idea, the odds weren't really in her favour. She was now however wishing she'd put another robe on over her chemise, her cheeks prickled slightly with embarrassment with being in such revealing robes in front of a man, even if he was breaking into her house.

It seemed to take him a life time to step towards her and Caitrin kept her stance stiff and strong. He wasn’t going to scare her. She felt his eyes looking over her thin chemise but she didn’t blush. Even as his eyes ran down her body she merely brushed some of the hair off her shoulders and looked back up to him, now amused at the whole situation. “I don’t think its any of your business why I’m out of bed.” She challenged and looked him up and down, he had dark hair and was slightly taller and wider built than Caitrin was. Out of the corner of her eye she saw how close the door was and was sure she could run quickly and alert the guards if needs be. He didn’t seem like a conventional kind of criminal and raised her eye brows at him again, “You still haven’t answered my question, who are you, and what the hell are you doing in my house?” Her anger was apparent, she was now annoyed that he had slipped past all her Uncle's guards, she'd personally see them all retrained or fired. Caitrin wasn't usually so mercenary but this man could be anyone, and she had no idea what kind of documents her Uncle kept, or how much money he left lying around.

[/blockquote]

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

Interesting. She was not flinching in the slightest. And if she was blushing, Vaughn could not see it. Instead of feeling discouraged, he decided he would see how much it took to cause such a delicate little noblewoman to blush. She countered his comments with repetition of her own questions. Fair enough. It was a valid question. But when did Vaughn ever do the sensible thing. As it was to be expected, her anger was also rising. With that, often came raised voices and he did not want to take the risk. Yet, for some reason, he was also enjoying this. Seeing how far he could push her before she yelled for help. Would it be when she saw the two swords strapped on his back? Or would it be when he threatened her, either physically or verbally. It was an intrigue to find out.

"Is it your house?" He questioned, with a mockingly surprised voice. "Well, how ill mannered of me. I should have come to your chamber directly to see you and asked permission." Once again, there were inappropriate implications to his words. Wondering if anything he said would phase her. Or if she would continue to keep up this supposedly strong and sure front. "Don't worry though. I will keep that in mind for next time." Yes. Next time. Logically, he knew there was little chance for a next time. Though entertaining the idea brought a sinister smile to his lips. He was still getting closer, inching his way forward. Waiting for the opportune moment to close the door without fear of her running out and getting the guards. Just, a few, more, steps.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin knew that she wasn’t a conventional noblewoman. She didn’t act as noblewomen should, she didn’t blush at compliments, and she wasn’t afraid of rash and suggestive conversations. Her excuse was always that she had been brought up in Merica, and was therefore hardened against most of the world, but she knew it was innate, she had never been one for acting the part of a dutiful woman. Even now she refused to scream straight away, most women would have yelped and run for the guards at the first sign of an intruder. Caitrin was sure she would have fazed the man in some sense, but no, he kept his stance, quite as if he was speaking to a man. The moonlight was seeping through the shutters of the small study and the mans features were more lit as her eyes became more adjusted with the darkness. He wasn’t an altogether bad looking man, but that was of no consequence.

She faltered slightly at his words, it wasn’t her house, she was forced to live there through her wardship. Still, this was her home and he was intruding and she would be a damned fool to let him away with anything less than what he deserved. She was protective of her new home, and her family, and now was her time to prove it. “I live here yes.” She answered hotly. He was trying to throw her off again by using crude topics of conversation, and she inched slightly backwards as he mentioned her chambers. “Why, do you assume I’d give my permission in my bedchambers?” She asked, raising an eye brow, of course she was trying to play him at his own game, it was her way and he probably wouldn’t be expecting it.

She was sure she caught a glint of metal at his back in the moonlight. Breathing out slowly she stepped back as he advanced towards her, she hadn’t noticed it at first but he was now nearly upon her persons, and she wasn’t going to make it easy for him. Silently, she turned on her heels and bolted towards the door, the door was still ajar so she was sure she could reach it before he did. Once out she could shout the house down, in here, no one would hear her cries.

[/blockquote]

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

What an excellent question. One that held so many possibilities to respond with. "I have very convincing methods of persuasion." He said with a small wink. Whether she could see or not, even an innocent mind would understand what he was insinuating. But he may as well deal with the facts. The first one being , they were not actually in her room. The second being, he needed to stop her before she bolted. The third, even if he did stop her, he needed to find a way out of here. Then again, maybe not. He could just sit here and see what happens. How his future unfolds. It was far more interesting that way. The moment to act was fast approaching. It was building. Becoming more obvious with the way she stepped back and how he advanced forward. Until finally, she made a run for it. Vaughn was not directly in front of her, so had to lunge forward to grab her before she got out.

He quickly lurched forward, first grabbing her wrist to turn her around so that she was facing him once again. He then placed his hand on her mouth, so that his palm was covering her lips, as he pushed her back. As he was pushing her, he released her wrist and used his hand to push the door shut. It was done just in the nick of time for her back was now pressed against the closed door. He used his free hand to turn the lock and pull out the key, as he continued to press his hand on her mouth. While he knew the area surrounding the room was fairly vacant, he did not want to take any chances. He leaned forward, so that their faces were merely inches apart, as he waved the key in front of her eyes. "Are you going to behave?" He asked, in a far too pleased way.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin still refused to let herself be embarrassed by this man and gave a small, suggestive smile and nodded at his words, “I’m sure you do.” Caitrin was no innocent, never would she profess to being one. She was inexperienced yes but she was not a stranger to the art of seduction, she had been a target of it too many times to let herself become emotionally involved in it. Things like that were for the innocent ladies at court. Caitrin fondly liked to imagine that her ability to engage in mens crude conversing was just one of the ways she differed herself from the other ladies at court.

Caitrin would have yelped as the man yanked her back into the centre of the room but his rough hand was already at her mouth, to prevent her calling out for help she assumed, and the next thing she knew her back was against the now locked door. She swore in her head and her pulse increased as the threat of danger swept over her. She wasn’t armed, and she was sure that he was. Even if she had been wrong about the glint of a sword on his back, what kind of thief entered a house without any arms on his person? She was now also cursing her Uncle, as it was his study and he always insisted on locking it from the inside so he couldn’t be disturbed. If she lived to tell the tale he would get such an earful. Then again, he’d probably just use it as an excuse to lock himself back up in the study and ignore her.

Although everything in Caitrin’s body was yelling at her to be sensible she raised her eye brows at the man. She wasn’t going to play along with this stupid game, if he was going to kill her he was going to do it regardless of whether she ‘behaved’ or not. She would have folded her arms but she needed them free in case he lurched at her again, one hand was still covering her mouth so she couldn’t verbally answer him so she continued to give him a sharp look which suggested ‘What do you think?’ In answer to his question. One of Caitrin’s many faults was her stubbornness, and unfortunately, even in this event, was unwavering.

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

An amused gleam was in his eyes when she gave him that expression. It was not one that showed compliance. Nor one that showed submission. It was more defiant than that. And it was what was making her far more interesting that the average, meek noblewoman. Tonight, would be an interesting night indeed. He kept his hand on her mouth, for now, as he dangled the key in front of her. He needed to get rid of it. Fully aware that there were no windows around, nor any cracks in the ground large enough to wedge it in. Vaughn went with the alternative. He popped it in his mouth and swallowed it. There. Now she could not have any hope of getting it out. Unless she knew of another way out of this room, she was stuck with him for the duration of the night.

Someone would miss her before they missed him. But at this hour, she was probably assumed to be asleep. So, that left the night open to them. "If you happen to have a dagger hidden in that, skimpy gown of yours," Vaughn began. As he was standing closer to her, his eyes trailed downwards, really only resting on one area that no gentleman's gaze should linger on. It rested there for a few moments before resting on her eyes again. "Feel free to gut out the key." Meaning, to stab him and cut it out of his intestines. Though, he doubted she would do such a thing. Not only because she may not be armed but because surely, as unique as this woman was, she did not have the ability to commit such a heinous act. Then again, she was full of surprises.

Satisfied with the fact that she was now trapped here, he finally moved his hand from her lips, taking a small step back. He did not need to keep her pinned against the door for the time being. The room was not all that big. He could grab her again if need be, but currently, there was no need. Besides, as he previously recognized, they had the whole night ahead of them.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin couldn’t quite believe what the man had done, even after he had done it. In her head she had imagined managing to get the key and get out of the room before she could put herself in more danger. Well obviously that was now well out of the question. She could in theory burn the door down but that would lead to some awkward explanations in the morning. No, what she needed to do was think for a few moments. The man had locked them both in the room, and there was no other way out, the only moonlight was getting through the cracks in the wood and they were two floors up, she thought for a moment that the man hadn’t thought about this very well either, how was he going to get out either? Then again he was probably used to this sort of thing she supposed, Caitrin was glad to say this was new territory for her.

He was too close for her liking, she could feel his husky breath on her cheeks and she didn’t let her breathing increase as he continued in his close proximity, she knew he probably wanted to make her feel insignificant, or worry her, but she wasn’t about to let him. Her gown was low cut around her chest and this time she did slightly blush as his eyes lingered there for a while. It was more a blush from annoyance than embarrassment but it was still there. She put up a hand defensively to her chest and pushed his back with two of her fingers to increase the distance. He would no doubt make a comment but she didn’t really care, every moment she could keep that distance was a moment not wasted.

At his words, about the key she raised her eye brows. She wasn’t sure she could gut anything, but she might be prepared to try to get herself out of the room. Her stomach turned, no, she wouldn’t do anything like that; she didn’t even have a dagger at her disposal anyway. He finally removed his hand and she sucked against her lip, “I would gut out the key but it would make a terrible mess.” She said hotly and then looked about the room in slight urgency. She was locked in one of the smallest rooms in the house with an armed thief, her life could honestly not get any better. Caitrin knew better than to scream, if she did she would probably be dead before anyone even got up the stairs to come to her aid.

The man was still quite close to her and she considered him for a moment, but then decided that falling back on her jests and suchlike was probably the only way to get through this evening. She wanted to light a candle, as the man had already pointed out she wasn’t wearing a great deal and the room was cold. She didn’t want to risk using magic so she supposed she would have to deal with it. “How long exactly do you plan to stay here?” She asked coldly, perhaps if he broke down the door to leave then she could just go back to bed, or get her cloak at least and warm herself up.

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

And there it was. The slight color to her cheeks. Yet, it was not quite what he had been aiming for. But it was a start. He had hours to keep provoking her, and trying to determine what her reactions would be. So far, he was being pleasantly surprised. People were often so predictable. But not this young woman here. She kept a brave face and sure tone when she spoke to him. Would she eventually break? Or would this be the nature of their interactions for the whole night? Only one way to find out, and yes; Vaughn was rather anxious to find this out indeed. He watched her cover herself with her hand, knowing it was useless unless she planned on keeping it there the whole night. When she pushed him back he allowed her, this time not having kept his feet firmly grounded. He chuckled though, the reality of this whole situation becoming more and more humorous. "Your arm will tire if you intend to stand like that for the whole night." It was more of a way to urge her to lower it, so that he could once again, let his gaze linger. But oh well. Again, plenty of time for that.

Speaking of her unpredictability, when she explained her reason for not cutting out the key, he laughed once more. He took a few more steps back, keeping an eye on her as his deep laughter filled the small room. He stopped pacing backwards when he reached the table. "That's alright," he began to answer, holding up a few sheets of paper. He did not care if they were important, of if it was too intrusive of him to look through them. He had broken in with the intent to steal. What did he care about privacy. "You have plenty of paper to clean up the blood." Though he still did not think this was a likely scenario. While Vaughn did not fear death, he was certainly not going to die in this way.

He tossed the handful of papers carelessly to the side, preparing to answer her next question. Leaning against the table, he spoke. "As long as you do," he said with a smirk. When she was let out, he would be forced out to. Probably to the dungeon. Especially after the others heard of his reason for being here. And then of course, locking her in a room with him. Yes. Such crimes would warrant an arrest. Or worse. But Vaughn was not concerned. He was not planning anything. When the time came, and the opportunity presented itself, he would find a way out. He always did. "So now since neither of us are going anywhere anytime soon...whatever will we do to pass the long hours of the night." He asked in such a tone, in such a manner, with such an expression, that all led to but one conclusion. And it was not the most decent one.

[/font][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin was sure she wasn’t helping herself by being so uncooperative. Her arm was still covering her modesty and for a few moments, as he stared down at her she realised her vulnerability. It was just a waver in her confidence but it was still there and she didn’t like it. Breathing out slowly she fiddled nervously with the top hem of her gown, to be honest when she had made the gown she hadn’t considered anyone but servants would see her in it so she hadn’t cared much for the design. Despite the winter months it was one of her thinner chemises. She didn’t like the man’s laugh, it chilled her bones but she didn’t let it show. Although her eyes were well adjusted to the dark she could still only make out some of his features, enough to know that she had not encountered the man before. She pulled a face at his comment and breathed out heavily, making a point of not dropping her arm straight away, “And I’m sure you would enjoy it if I did not hold my arm up for the entire evening.” She narrowed her eyes at him, she knew how men’s thoughts roamed, even the highest of men could not resist getting hot under the belt.

Caitrin watched him walk away from her, but noted the fact his eyes still remained focussed on her. Where on earth was he expecting her to run to? There was only one key she knew of and he had bloody well eaten it. She stepped away from the wall so she was a few paces in front of the door but still further than an arms reach away from the man. He was rifling though the papers; he uncles papers. She could feel herself becoming agitated but then she reminded herself that this was a thief, he didn’t care about her possessions, or her Uncles, but it didn’t stop her being any less angry. She decided to keep playing his game and now dropped her arm from her chest and folded it across her body, “Well in that case all I’ll need is a dagger.” She raised her eye brow at him, and then smoothed the body of her chemise, “As I don’t usually walk around in the middle of the night fully armed.”

More papers were thrown to the side; honestly her Uncle was going to murder her if this man didn’t beat him to it. She pressed her lips together to keep her anger in check and then wondered at his words. She had no idea when she would be able to get out of here. The servants usually didn’t come in this part of the house until later on in the day, it would be her Uncle who would probably discover them first and he wouldn’t just let this thief run away. For a moment she considered her situation and if she wasn’t living and breathing it she was certain she wouldn’t believe that it was happening. Why did she find herself in these insane situations? Was it too much to ask for a week to go past normally? “Well I’m sure a well travelled man such as yourself can come up with one or two pastimes.” She said half irritably and half confidently. One of her arms was still hugging her tummy, mainly to keep the heat in, but she was starting to feel a bit useless in the middle of the room so she moved to one of the walls and leant up against it. “Do you have any suggestions?”

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

Would he enjoy such a thing? He was a man after all. "Depends," he said casually, slightly cocking his head to the side, continuing to leer at her. "The less that is visible, the more is left up to the imagination." And really, no one should want to get inside Vaughn's head. Especially in the presence of a young beautiful woman. "And that can be more, intriguing." Increase the temptation. Make things more interesting. He did not miss the fact that she had not lowered her arm from that position. Was she purposely ding that because he had suggested otherwise. Or was it because it actually made her feel more comfortable. Maybe a bit of both. But Vaughn did not ask. Surely, ones arm would tire. Eventually.

And it seemed to come sooner than predicted. "Certainly not armed with a metal weapon," he said, his eyes scanning over her once more as he just smirked to himself. Women had their own forms of weapons. Strong enough to bring a man to his knees. Pathetic. Yet, somehow they managed to do it. "Well if all you need is a dagger," he began. He reached to his side where he had a dagger tucked in a holder, pulling it out. "I have one to offer," he said, slowly waving it in the air back and forth. He did not yet extend it to her, but just kept his distance. "Tell my My Lady, have you ever killed a man before?" He asked, his voice a bit taunting.

Her next words, and question, brought back a strongly amused laughter. Did he have any suggestions? Oh what a question. There were so many ways he could answer this. "I have a couple," he said, taking a step towards her. "And it looks like the work is already half done for me." Referring to her state of dress, or undress.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin watched him carefully, and noted his eye line as he spoke to her. She was becoming increasingly aware of the danger she had managed to put herself in, however this was the wrong moment to be worrying about herself, if he was going to kill her then that was that. Caitrin cocked her head at him and bit her bottom lip nervously before answering him, “Then I hope imagination is enough for you.” She said quickly and gave him a quick smug grin before she did lower her arm.

Caitrin was almost inclined to laugh as he pointed out she wasn’t armed with a metal weapon. This man didn’t know what she was capable of. If she’d really wanted to she could have set him within a circle of fire, or even set his cloak alight, either one would have badly injured him. She knew that wasn’t what he was getting at, but his ignorance at her true powers amused her somewhat and kept her feeling safe, she knew she had her magic to fall back on if things did get too much. She wouldn’t kill him, she wasn’t that kind of woman, which made his next words more chilling. The fact he had produced a blade so quickly worried her more than his actual words initially until she realised that he probably wasn’t going to attack her. She shook her head at his words, she wasn’t going to lie, she wasn’t that kind of woman. How could she kill anyone? Her eyes widened as she watched the dagger as he dangled it in front of her eyes, “I’ve never killed anyone.” She said shortly, “But let’s call it self defence just for tonight.”

As he stepped towards her Caitrin had half a mind to step backwards against the door again but wouldn’t that make her more vulnerable than she already was? At least in the middle of the room she could duck out of the way. Although she tried to keep her confidence his words concerned her and she put a hand back up to her neck and covered her modesty with it, “You wouldn’t dare.” She was nearly hissing, and as soon as she had said it she realised it was probably the wrong thing to do.

[/blockquote]

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

Was imagination enough for him? "Unfortunately for you, I have a very poor imagination." He knew he was contradicting his previous words about imagination being enough. Or at least more intriguing. But he enjoyed going back and forth. If he made up his mind about one thing, it made him too predictable. And that would make him lose some edge. Keeping people guessing, sometimes increased their fear. Who knew what this woman was thinking or feeling. But Vaughn was going to see how far he could push this little game. Until it got too boring. When she confirmed that she had never killed anyone, Vaughn was slightly surprised by her honesty. People did not like about not killing anyone. Unless it was denial. But nothing in her tone, expression or body language implied thus. No. She really had not taken a life.

Vaughn tossed the dagger a bit in the air, just so it reversed and he now held the blade, extending the handle. "Well then defend yourself," he offered. He wanted to see if she would come close enough to him to take the weapon. Or if she valued the distance she placed between them. "But tell me, if you did kill me, how would you last in a room with a corpse for the whole entire night. Knowing, that you had been the cause." While Vaughn could take a life with ease, some could not. Some were traumatized by it. Scarred for life. "The smell alone might drive you to madness." Now he was just exaggerating and, as always, mocking.

Her next comment brought him back to laughter. He wouldn't dare? Oh she was so delightful indeed. "Wouldn't I?" He questioned playfully. "You don't know what I would dare to do." That was the benefit of being a complete stranger: no one knew what the other was capable of. And in this case, it went both ways. She did not know what he was capable of, just as he did not know what she was capable of. "And right now, you look far too...desirable for me to dare not do anything." He was taunting her, playing with a subject that made most women, and some men, highly uncomfortable.

[/font][/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Caitrin de Archer]

She guessed he would say something like that, and she confidently stood her ground and defiantly answered, “Well I am sure with the night ahead you could improve your imagination.” She gave him a quick smirk but she wasn’t just going to let him walk all over her, they had the whole evening to kill and she was sure he wouldn’t be in a hurry to do anything, and she was going to let that assumption rule her actions for the time being.

As he offered her the knife she did go forwards to receive it from him. She wasn’t going to kill him, she doubted she could ever set out with the intent to kill anyone, however it was a way of defending herself and it was better than nothing. At his latter words Caitrin stopped her advance, she was closer to the man but she didn’t reach out for the dagger and shuddered as she listened to him. Caitrin wasn’t sure how she would react if she did ever kill anyone, badly presumably. She tried to not listen to him, she didn’t really want to listen to him, he was trying to get to her, she knew that, but it was hard not to let him. She didn’t look at him for a few moments and bit her bottom lip, “Like I said, we’ll just call it self defence.” It was a weak reply but how could she honestly answer him? She would only use a blade in self defence as her only other form of defence would be her magic and she couldn’t go down that route.

Caitrin rocked on her heels for a moment but she dropped her hand from her chest, not because she was making it easy for him, but more so she would have two hands to defend herself with rather than one if he did make an advance towards her. Rocking on her heels again she put one foot back, as if trying to widen the distance but it didn’t really make a difference, the room was too small to put a large amount of distance between them. She had no idea really what this man was capable of, he wasn’t fazed by the fact he was trapped in a room with her told her he was probably capable of quite a lot. Caitrin decided there and then she wasn’t going to beg for anything from this man, he would just do as he wanted anyway and Caitrin wasn’t prepared to lose her dignity, she was stubborn and proud and those things weren’t mixing particularly well with this situation. She was confident in her ability to fend him off at least and retrain her dignity, after all she was Caitrin de Archer, and she submitted to no one. “I don’t believe you.” She said simply and hugged the bottom half of her body with her arm. “You don’t know what I am capable of either.” She quickly challenged him, it was true, he had no idea what power she possessed and what she could do to him if she really wanted.

[/blockquote]

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

Improve his imagination. He would rather not. He'd rather just let his eyes feast on what he saw before him. But, as he previously acknowledged, they had the entire night ahead of him. If he said everything now, where would the fun be in the rest of the hours of the night? When she moved closer to him, attempting to take the knife, he continued to hold it out. Just until her hand was a few inches apart, where he moved the dagger, holding it up. "Not so fast," he said teasingly. While he was not afraid of her holding the weapon in her hand. He couldn't very well give something for nothing. "And what would I get in return for helping you, defend yourself?" He asked expectantly. Suggestively. Even if she called it self defense, it seemed that she would find great difficulty in it. Who knows what would happen. But he would just wait to find out. Provoking the situation as best he could.

When she said she did not believe him, he just smiled devilishly. "That sounds like a challenge," he stated. And Vaughn, loved a good challenge. "I came here a thief," he began. But of course, she already knew that. "So perhaps I will steal your virtue," he added, his eyes holding a sinister gleam in the words he was suggesting. "Unless of course, someone has already beaten me to it." Did she have a husband residing with her in this estate? Oh wouldn't that be wonderful. If her husband arose and found his wife missing from his side. Only to find her having had spent the night with a strange man in a small room. That would just be all the more humorous. His laughter re-emerged when she pointed out that she did not know what he was capable of. "Well then why don't you tell me. Or better yet, show me." It was an invitation. If she had no weapon, then what could she do? He was inviting her though, to do what she pleased. To see what it was that gave her confidence and courage in her words and the way she acted.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Slender fingers moved from Caitrin’s side to move towards the blade, it was about security and defence more than anything. Caitrin wouldn’t kill the man, no she didn’t possess the stomach for anything as gruesome as that. She pulled a face as he pulled the dagger away from her and she put her weight onto one side, her mouth twitching. What would she give him? Her lips caressed a knowing, confident smile and she shrugged, “What would you expect me to give you once you have equipped me with a weapon?” It was a small challenge, but it was easier not to answer him outright, it didn’t give him the satisfaction of bettering her then. However, she was giving him the chance to gain more confidence in their exchanges and she now breathed out slowly and her fingers once again went for the dagger.

She could hear the strands of suggestiveness in his words and as they became more frequent in their exchanges Caitrin felt herself becoming more worried. Caitrin did not possess an innocent mind, and perhaps that was worse because she knew exactly what this man would want, what he would try to take. She shuddered slightly but composed herself; it was going to be a long night.

Her cheeks kept their steady colour and didn’t waver as he mentioned her virtue. She knew she was still the same as when she left her mother’s womb. Some men at court sometimes gossiped that she was not but she didn’t care much for their opinions. If this man thought he was going to take it from her he really had another thing coming. She was sure that she would save herself for marriage, or at least try to. “I still have my virtue.” Her voice was confident and steady, even if she didn’t feel like that, “And I will still have it by the morning.” Strong words, but it needed to be said. The man was entering territory which scared Caitrin. He was a lot bigger than she was, and he was armed so she was the weaker one in this conversation even if she refused to act like it.

Her heart thudded in her ears as he told her to either show him what she was capable of or tell him. Regret flushed over her and she was uncharacteristically flustered before she regained her ground. He was laughing at her but she didn’t care. She could use her sorcery against him if she’d really wanted, she was sure he would eat his words then. Pressing her lips together she thought quickly on her feet. She couldn’t use her magic, even if the man was a thief any mans word was good in Uther’s court. “Perhaps we’ll find out together as the night progresses.” She was careful as her words were suggestive, but short of lighting the entire room she could not think of what else to do.

[Vaughn Adeney]

::vaughn::

The open ended question caused his lips to continue to twist into a smile. "Payment first," he said casually. Saying that he would want her to 'pay' for the weapon of defense before he granted it to her. Also aware that it would defeat the purpose of having the weapon after the fact. "But really My Lady. For such a perceptive young woman as yourself, I am sure you know what I would be expecting in order to give you the weapon," he teased. Enjoying toying with the idea such as this. She was taking it with boldness though. Something he gave her credit for. Some woman in her situation would have crumbled to their feet, in tears. An equally amusing scenario but at least this gave a bit of edge of unexpectedness.

She still had her virtue? This was by the far the comment of most hilarity he had heard all night. Perhaps all day. "Really?!" He exclaimed, booming into laughter. Usually he did not express words of such surprise, but this was all too funny. This called for quite a bit of surprise indeed. And it only grew more hilarious when she confirmed that she would have it by the end of the night. They were for sure strong words. Ones that Vaughn could not just let pass by with mocking it a little. Without entertaining the alternative. "Are you certain about that?" He asked.

"Because if you feel the need to say those words aloud to ease your own peace of mind, then I am not quite sure you believe it yourself." Maybe she did, for they were spoken with sureness. But still. "Besides, sometimes one does not have control over such things." Very sadistic and crude indeed. But, he felt the need to say it after she had expressed her, innocence. "Perhaps we will. And I will look forward to it greatly. Though, maybe you should give me a glimpse of what you are capable of. And then I shall return the favor." Or not. But he was trying to find out what made her so bold, or if it was all a farce.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Payment first? Her hand fell uselessly back to her side as she considered the man in front of her. He hadn’t specified what payment was, perhaps it was a way of getting her to show her true colours. She could take the words in their suggestive sense or the monetary one. She guessed that his words were meant suggestively rather than her actually paying him. She didn’t step back, in fact she stayed perfectly still. “Perhaps it is not that I do not know how to get the weapon, but it is that I find your price too high.” She raised an eye brow, whatever he wanted her to do in his suggestive little mind she wasn’t going to comply.

Caitrin had no idea what he found so funny about her still having her virtue. Perhaps it was just surprising, given her nature, that she had still not given it to a lover or somewhat. Caitrin had more respect for herself than that. Her cheeks prickled with pink as he laughed; her still having her virtue was nothing to be embarrassed about, she knew that, but his laughter was annoying her. “Is it so hard to believe?” She asked him quickly, unhappy with how he had perceived her. Through all Caitrin’s teases and suggestive behaviour she still had a lot to learn and a lot to experience. However, she didn’t intent to do anything like that with this man. At his latter words she stood her ground and boldly replied, “I am.” Even though she really wasn’t sure, if this man wanted something she was sure that he would take it no matter what the risk, including her virtue. As he continued speaking, suggesting that she knew she wasn’t going to be in control of the events which unfolded in this room, Caitrin began to get slightly nervous. “And who would you have in control of my virtue? You?”

Caitrin shuffled her feet slightly. She wanted to use her magic, it was like an ache she couldn’t get rid of. It burned through her and reached her finger tips along with her anger. Caitrin was luckily blessed with the ability to control her magic as she had learned it rather than inheriting it. She breathed out slowly, trying to get rid of the sensation. She looked back up to him and shook her head, “It’d be no fun to spoil the surprise.” She said carefully. Although Caitrin could control her magic she couldn’t control her impulsiveness. She had often uttered her spells in public accidently and sometimes even in private, she feared if this man tried to harm her physically that she would be unable to stop herself, then he would know what she was capable of. “But if you showed me what you were capable of, perhaps I would as well.”

[/blockquote]