An Effort To Comfort (Teressa)

[Teressa Lavalais]

Teressa found a nice outfit to wear, that looked comfortable. Or at least, more comfortable than the other extravagant gowns in her closet of Victorian and Rococo fashions. It was a light, muslin skirt and shirt combination that was more conservative than her usual attire choices. She clasped the last button before brushing her hair out of her face and going back to Destler. She'd decided to keep it long and untamed, as far as styling went. It wouldn't matter anyway, it was just a walk, right?

"Monsieur?" Teressa called down the stairs and out into the hall. "I'm ready to go, now. Are you?" She reached the bottom of the concealed staircase to her room and went out into the hall, closing the panel behind her. She and Destler were probably in for a nice night tonight. And she loved the stars so much...She always took a little time out of her schedule, when she could allow it, to look at the stars at night.

[destler]

Pacing and waiting for the charming young woman as she disappeared to slip into something... better? Drat! Would that mean more difficulty later?

Lifting his head as he heard her voice and moved to the hallway and saw she was making her way to him. He smiled and offered his arm once again. "Of course," still smiling at her. He would be as chivalrous as possible, laying the charm on thick but delicately. He could not mess this opportunity up at all!

Escorting her out of the house to assist her into a boat. Slowly, almost romantically rowed the boat across the black obsidian lake to the other side. Once they reached the other shoreline, he moored the boat and assisted her out of the boat and escorted her to the stairs up to the tunnels and then the vast corridors and hallways of the Manor, to make their way to the doors that led out to the Garden.
He opened the grand door for Teressa with a smile and motioned for her to proceed.

[Teressa Lavalais]

Teressa nodded to Destler, walking out into the fresh, cool air. A breeze played with her hair as she stepped outside. She looked up. The sky...it was beautiful today. She looked back around at Destler. He was being quite the gentleman. He'd always tried to behave so around her, or at least it seemed like it. But he was being quite charming...

She turned again, starting down the garden path. The roses looked lovely...She loved roses, but her favourite flowers were lilies. She loved lilies more than any other flower. They'd always been beautiful to her.

She stopped, stooping down and taking one of the rose blooms between her fingers. She lifted it, smelling it. It was a sweet smell, delicate and light. She closed her eyes, took one last inhale, then stood, looking back at Destler.

[destler]

He watched her walk out into the evening air then followed her, letting the door close ever so softly. Turning back to her and followed her for a moment, at a respectable distance. Giving her room to breathe and drain her thoughts of the horrible mishap that happened earlier. He will tread this carefully for messing up with Teressa meant she could return to Lenoir or go into the arms of another. And that was something he dared not to risk nor allow.

Watching her with the flowers mixed with glancing about the gardens, to the Manor, at the stars. He kept all of them in perspective and his ever watchful eye. Glancing over he notice the tail end of some vehicle it appeared. Narrowing his eyes and yet he thought nothing. There was a hint of curiosity but that will have to stay at bay for the time being while he focus his attentions upon Teressa. She was his priority. Nothing else.

Stopping finally as he saw her handle a rose so delicately. She was as fine and rare as a rose but he could never see her like one. She was not so universal in color, not unkind with thorns, nor was she awash with a fragrance that was of mere mortal women - or so he believed. The rose, to him, did not befit her. Roses were for women. Teressa was a Goddess and deserved a flower more to her level of intoxication and stature.
"You like the roses?" He inquired so warmly with that soothing growl, watching her with an equally warm but curious gaze.

[Teressa Lavalais]

Teressa smiled at Destler. "I do like roses, but lilies are my favourites...I remember, I used to keep a large vase of lilies on my bedside table when I still lived in France." She grinned even wider. "Oh, Philippe used to bring me lilies whenever I got upset at him for playing jokes on me. And there was someone I once knew who'd bring me lilies whenever he'd come to visit. Granted, he only visited three times, but he'd bring me a lily for every day that we were apart. Sometimes, there would be a whole cartful of lilies waiting in the back garden for me when we went for a stroll to talk."

Teressa realized that she was talking a bit too much. Putting a hand to her lips, she nodded once before blushing. "I'm sorry, I'm going off into tangents..." She stood up straight, waiting for Destler before turning to continue walking down the garden path.

[destler]

He smiled. Lilies! How perfect! Indeed she was like that sort of breed of flora. Big, bold, colorful, and exotic! Yes, he could see that as her favorite and it truly befit her.
Listening to every word, pondering who this Philippe was and the other. Either way, this was a little revelation for him to take to heart. Now he knew what he could do. How could he not shower this Goddess with her beloved lilies!?

"Not at all," he said so gently as possible with that soothing growl of his, still smiling carefully. Oh, yes. He was learning more about his alabaster beauty. Wouldn't that be how it should be? Alas, he feared what she may learn of him though.

Offering an arm for her with a gracious smile, so very eager to know her more. "Exotic suits you," he stated gently while watching her. "Where would you like to go from here?" No doubt she wished to wander through the garden but what direction? Anything to focus this time upon her, with her.

[Teressa Lavalais]

"Perhaps just once around the pond, then back in. It's a little chilly out here." Teressa smiled slightly at Destler, not wanting to discourage him from talking to her. She felt detached, like she was living outside her body. She felt cold, though, and wished that she'd brought a jacket to keep her warmer. Muslin was NOT the right choice for tonight.

Teressa started down the path with Destler, arm in arm, staring up at the sky. Her eyes flitted downward from time to time, so that she could watch where she was going. Other than that, she kept her thoughts to herself. Her eyes stung a little from the dryness of the air, but she ignored it as much as she could. She needed the fresh air. She needed this walk.

[destler]

With a charming smile and taking her hands, "As you wish, my Goddess," bringing each one up to his lips, a lingering kiss to each palm while he gazed upon Teressa's face with restrained desire.

Arm and arm, his attention was mostly upon her. He noticed she appeared chilled and decided to remove his frock and place it around her shoulders, his hands gently caressed her shoulders and arms that his coat now covered. Wishing so much that was him with his arms around her, holding her body to his, showering her with the never ending affection she so very much deserved in all it's glorious forms.

Guiding her casually around the pond as according to her wishes. Plotting and planning. Trying desperately to be patient with his conquest of this alabaster beauty.
"Why," he leaned closer to her, his nose and face brushing her golden hair. "Why do you wear that mask when in my presence? Why must you hide the precious gilding that frames your ruby eyes?" His lips now were hovering so close to her temple as his fingers started to very lightly brush over her shoulders and her neck then caress so very lightly her golden hair. He was intoxicated with her beauty, by the scent that was so exotic ... and erotic! Oh, how much longer must he be tormented?!?

[Teressa Lavalais]

Destler seemed to be quite the gentleman tonight...perhaps he knew about the nasty business between Teressa and Lenoir. That wouldn't surprise her, she HAD been shouting. She wouldn't be surprised if the whole Manor knew...When they'd rounded the pond, they came to a standstill, and Destler drew up in front of her.

"The mask is my face, Erik..." She shuddered a little. Teressa never knew how to feel about his touch. She never knew if she should run or not...He was only a friend, right? He certainly didn't want to be...He pushed his face into her hair, against her ear, and it sent little shockwaves through her nerves. She took a step back, knowing where this was bound to go. He was trying to move in because she and Lenoir had had a fight...She knew this game.

"I...I'm sorry, Erik, but I can't...I can't get involved, not this soon." She took another step back, pulling his coat a little more firmly around her shoulders.

[destler]

Drinking in her sweet scent as such close proximity to her. His fingers continued to linger caresses over her shoulders. Stunned with what he heard from her about the mask. Barely shaking his head as he kept her near, "No," he hissed in seductive warmth in her ear, "It hides and covers the face of a Goddess. Dimming your beauty and brilliance." A short heavy pant unable to see why she covered her face, why she considered the difference as a deformity.

His breathing increased when her words confirmed her hesitation. Closing his eyes in an effort to belay his rousing frustration. Swallowing as he lowered his head and nodded once to pull slowly away from her and take her hands into his. Gazing upon her with restrained disappointment.
"Very well," then led her unhurried back into the Manor. "I shall always be near. Always be at your side should you need me, my Goddess." Yet he did not want to let her go. He hid his pain so very well. She tortured him more than Christine ever had!

[Teressa Lavalais]

Teressa walked next to Destler, back to the Manor. Now she could go home, perhaps try to get some rest. She was tired of everything that had happened today. Tired of the lies, tired of the way men treated her...She wasn't an object! She wasn't something to be gained! She wasn't a prize...

She sighed, looking over at Destler with a small smile. "Thank you for walking with me, Erik." Once they got inside the Manor, she took his jacket off and handed it to him. "It was very sweet of you to worry so much about me."

The moonlight streamed through the windows and into the halls, making the interior almost as bright as though it were day. She looked at Destler, then at the floor. He wasn't shy at all with his feelings. He liked her, that much was obvious. He liked her in the way that Lenoir liked her...It might cause problems later...but...she was kind of flattered...

[destler]

Back in the moonlit glowing halls of the Manor, his eyes barely glanced around but mostly stayed upon Teressa. Enjoying her company and how close she was to him. There was nothing in this world that made him feel more than what he was than her. Desperately he tried to restrain it but soon enough decided against it, to let his fancy of her to show. His countenance taking on the light feeling and warmth when he was near her. How she made him feel now was so perfectly reflected and hoping she would see it. Hoping she will see how much they were perfect for one another.

Looking her over with a desire in his eyes and a slight warm smirk. Gazing back upon her as though if he turned his sights away from her, he'd perish!
Worry? About her? Oh, he worried about her constantly and wanted her badly. Taking her hands into his to bring each hand up to his lips, kissing the back of each of her hand, then flipping them over and slowly kissed the palm of each hand. Wanting so much to say something to her, more of an effort to comfort her in any way possible.

As he opened his mouth, her hands still close to his face, something from the corner of his eyes unfortunately caught his attention. Glancing sideways, he barely caught the figure of some brunette at the end of the hall who had entered the Manor and was looking as though she were lost or searching for something. Furrowing his brows with slight bewilderment but dashed it all away to turn his attention back to Teressa. She was the object of his affections and so the object of his attention. No one or nothing else mattered.

[Teressa Lavalais]

Teressa knew Destler was only trying to be a comfort, in his own way. He was rather sweet to her, when she thought about it. And when he wasn't throwing knives at her head. To think, that was how they'd met! She'd been so scared of him then...now, she thought him harmless to her. He kept vowing that he wouldn't hurt her. And he seemed so sincere that she was inclined to believe him every time he mentioned it. He looked at her as though he were about to say something, but something to the side of them distracted him. Teressa looked over, to see what it was.

That woman! She'd walked through the door, she was even wearing the same thing! How DARE that...that...UGH! How dare she come back! Teressa turned to Destler, taking his hands tightly.

"Take me away..." Teressa looked into his eyes, issuing her order with as much of a pleading tone that she could muster. "Take me anywhere but here. Please..."

[destler]

His attention upon Teressa, rather baffled but concerned. He glanced down the hall once again to see the brunette disappear. Narrowing his eyes with barely a fleeting thought of Christine, but Christine had slightly darker brown hair, not the chestnut brown that the figure beyond them sported.
Turning back to Teressa rather surprised she was upset and wondered how and why that person set her into such a vile mood. Perhaps it had to do with something earlier. He won't inquire but figured that was the case.

Stifling a grin of glee, he nodded, holding both of her hands and then led her away from where they stood. Anywhere but here, hmm? Him taking her anywhere. Back to her place? Oh... no. No. Still stifling a smile as he led her up the stairs, ascending instead of descending. Perhaps she will see this as like going to Heaven rather than returning to Hell, to that house in the caverns below.
Ahhh... Heaven. He will feel like he's there if perhaps all goes accordingly.

Guiding her praying the whole time she wouldn't hesitate, "I know the perfect place where know one can trouble you, my alabaster beauty. I shall shower you with calming warmth." Vaguely hinting to what he wished to do. What he hoped... to do.
Leading her up the stairs to the second floor, to his suite. Guiding her inside to a more contemporary setting that was neutral yet artistically striking. He removed his coat from her shoulders to hang it up.

[Teressa Lavalais]

Teressa followed Destler upstairs. She'd no idea what was up here, but at least it was away from that girl and Lenoir. They came to a suite, it seemed, very strange in appearance. Teressa had heard that there were such rooms in the Manor, but she'd never seen one...It appeared that Destler had moved into the suite, and made himself quite at home.

He took the coat from her shoulders and hung it up, and Teressa ran her hands along her arms a few times. She felt a little awkward, but at least she was away from everything. She watched Destler in this little hallway, moving around so she wouldn't be in his way. She didn't want to be in the way...

"Is this where you live, Erik?"