Tornedalians

Charlotte didn't speak to him, just sat watching the slowly dieing flames.

"You do," She giggled, "You're just like that rabbit you got scared of," she teased, before adding, "As soft as anything."   After a few moments she nodded in response to his question and motioned for him to lead the way."

---

He glanced to her.

With a shake of his head at her he turned to walk the cobble road that would take them to his home up on the hill. He wanted to complain about not being soft, about being a monster but he kept his mouth firmly shut on the topic.

(Should she know what he is since they're friends so long?)

Her eyes stayed on the flames.

(( I reckon he should keep it secret xD That she knows nothing about even the existence of vampires yet along that her best friend is one ))

Sence walked alongside him, shoving him playfully every now and then to try and make him smile.

---

"Something bothering you, m'lady?"

"No, but please don't call me m'lady, I have done nothing worthy of my title."

"I call every girl I see m'lady, regardless of class or their actual title. Was just how I was raised."

((That's what I was thinking too))

Thaddeus would chuckle lightly under his breath either gently pushing her back or bumping into her.

"If I fall over I might over react to get you in trouble," She joked lightly.

"Get me into trouble with my father and I'll just have to tell your father you were flirting with the horse boy" he teased right back at her then.

Sence burst out laughing at that and shook her head a little bit, "You wouldn't dare," she hummed.

"Oh, wouldn't I?" He questioned with a sweet cheeky grin lighting up his face as he continued up to the paths end and then turned up onto the paved road that would take them up the hillside to the stables at his home.

She sighed.

"What's bothering you? If it's a particular person I could make them back off." He offered quietly.

---

Sence laughed a bit and shook her head at him, asking, "How is your father anyway? There have been rumours that he's been of ill health. I haven't seen you since hearing them."

"It's nothing that I can't handle." She smiled trying to sound convincing.

Thaddeus' smile faltered and his eyes clouded over for the briefest of moments before he composed himself once more. "Not as well as I'd like to say Sen, I fear that the rumors are try. Father has been quite ill on and off for some time now".

Sence let out a soft sigh and was silent until they had returned his horse to the stable then. Sliding his arms around him in a gentle hug after a moment and whispering, "I know you say you never need it, but if you need someone to talk to. A shoulder to cry on. In concerns with your horse, your dad, this place… anything, really, I'm here okay? You don't have to be strong all of the time."

---

"Come on, m'lady, tell me?"

"It doesn't matter, you wouldn't believe me anyway."

"I may, you do not know me so you don't know what I believe and what I do not."

The feeling of her arms around him caused his eyes to close a moment and made him inhale sharply her scent overpowering his senses for several seconds where he couldn't answer her. Slowly he circled his arms around her and cleared his throat so he could talk. "I'm aware that you're there for me as I am for you but assure you that I can and do handle myself and my emotions accordingly when needed. Thank you though".

"Alright then, but first, answer me this: Do you believe in vampires?"

"You mean those demonic creatures they often warn of in the local parish? No. It's an absurd thought. Creatures like that can't exist, everyone would know if they did. It'd be common knowledge."

---

"I'm aware. It is just I am also aware that it's hard a lot of the time. Do you remember when my mother grew ill and passed everyone claimed I was handling it so well 'keeping composed like a young lady should, her mother would be proud', it was painful to be so composed in front of people."

She was about to say something, when Caleb ran to them. "Charlotte, you better come quickly."

"What's the matter?" She asked as she stood, not liking the sound of worry in his voice.

"It's your father." He offered her his hand which she took and he pulled her away from Dragomir before she could say anything to him and they headed towards her place.

"How could I forget I wasn't very far away when she did, promised her I'd keep an eye on you I did. Keeping my word like a good gentleman should" he grinned straightening up once more and nodding his head. "Look who's worrying about whom now, huh?"

Sence just offered him a small smile, whispering, "I am aloud to fret over you like you do with me, other wise it simply wouldn't be fair. Friendship is normally a thing that is given and received from both sides, not one person or the other."

---

Dragomir frowned deeply and watched them go.