The lady sat the chalice down with a soft clink. With eyes cast downwards and head slightly bowed, she seemed almost demure. "If only not for the anxious side glances and trembling hands.", mused the stranger.

The lady's head dipped once and she began to back away. Watching this, Lucian sighed.

"You are afraid of me." He stated in a gentle, soft voice. It wasn't just a mere observation. It was a fact. The lady's chocolate brown eyes flickered upwards for a moment, then down again.

"I do not, my lord." She whispered, voice shaky. The stranger's starlight eyes grew dark. He stood as one hand came down hard onto the intricately carved table with a resounding bang. His hand got nicked by one of the sharp grooves but he didn't seem to notice. His voice, deep and rich, echoed in the Dining Hall.

"You fear me. Why must you lie? I am the Angel of Salvation. I am the Demon of Chaos. I instill peace and I instill fear. I bring hope and I bring hate. I am the bringer of the End and the Beginning. I am the One. I am immortal. I cannot die. I am unlike you. Human. At least not entirely. So, you still deny that you fear me?" He softened at the sight of the trembling girl, frozen in place, head seemingly parallel to the marble floor. "You fear me," he continued softer and gentler, "that's why you slipped poison into my drink." The girl stiffened at the accusation and her arms became limp at her sides. It started with a soft chuckle, then, it evolved into a mad laugh. The girl's head jerked back to face him.

"Fear you?! I don't fear you! I hate you! I loathe you. I curse the day you were born! I want to kill you! I want you to die!" She let out a blood-curdling scream and lunged at him, stilletto materialising in her hand.The stranger stood still, unafraid of the Bringer of Certain Death. Before she could strike, several of the servants rushed forth to restrain her. She screamed and writhed and clawed at them. Her tame brown eyes were now flat black and wild. Her hair seemed to have a life on its own and lashed out at whoever came too close. Her hands were claws, digging into the flesh of her own people and her feet no longer obeyed her. Hatred had consumed her soul, transforming her into a Dark Creature.

"Do something! Silence this wench! Protect the guest!" The host, now standing, shouted wildly at the remaining servants who were glued to their spots. With his arms flailing, usually pale face red and flustered, squeeling like a pig, the stranger couldn't help but turn away and chuckle.

Deciding he should help, he lifted his hand and pointed a long, slender finger towards the writhing black mass. Everyone was silent and still, save for the struggling creature. The stranger closed his starlight eyes and sighed, preparing himself. Taking this chance, the creature broke free of the men and struggled to move towards it's prey. The creature was reaching out to him when his eyes snapped open, a dangerous blood-red rimmed with gold.

"Be still. Your life is no more. May your body rest in peace." His velvety voice filled the hall, thick with magic. The creature slowed to a halt and seemed to spasm. "Be still." He said and the air resonated with magic. The creature tensed and tried to rebel against the spell. Everyone held their breath as the creature's claw slowly inched forward towards the stranger's throat. Then it faltered and the whole creature fell to the floor as if the strings attached to the puppet was suddenly cut.

The host regained his senses and shouted an order for the creature to be taken away. He rushed to the stranger and started a stream of incoherent "sorry"s and "please forgive me"s. The stranger was amused and a little embarassed but was too tired. The spell had eaten into his precious reserves and sat back into the chair. he lifted a hand to stop the man's blubbering. "I was mistaken", he thought with a groan, distracting himself with the food on his plate. "If anyone is afraid of me, it would be this man. And his people. They are afraid of me." His face fell, much to the distress of his Host and speared a piece of meat. Popping the morsel into his mouth, he was reminded once again of who he was. An immortal lives forever, eternally alone. Melancholy filled his once again starlight eyes. He broke from his silent brooding at a slight shuffling of feet and looked up nonchalantly at his Host, still anxious and unnereved.

"I'm sorry you had to see something like that." The host said softly. Though it had disturbed him, the stranger wanted to quickly forget the night's event. He flashed a brilliant smile at the older man.

"That's okay." The starnger's voice was warm and kind. "I'm used to it." Fork still in hand, he speared another piece of meat and ate it, relishing the taste of venison. Seeing that his host had yet to calm down, the stranger decided to play out the nicities. "The food is delicious by the way. Send my compliments to the chef." He flashed another blinding smile, finishing up his plate. The host flushed at the compliment and finally smiled back.

"Thank you, sir. You are most generous." he said cordially, returning to the pace of a good host. The stranger was later shown to his room. After giving brief instructions not to be disturbed, he shut himself in and placed wards around the windows and door. After surveying the room and finding it safe, he lay down.

"I have a long journey ahead. I cannot afford to have another battle like that. I hate feeling like this. So weak and pitiful. Better rest up." The stranger absentmindedly caressed the nape of his neck in an attempt to calm himself down. He groaned and shifted into a comfortable position, letting sleep claim him. He will have no dreams tonight. Nothing to distract him from rest. So, he starts to restore his strength to himself. To prepare for what lies ahead.

::Written byEve at 5:32 AM::
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