death incarnate & night triumphant

Andras doesn't respond to her words, though he can feel a distinct warmth flaring through him as she states that she wish she could call Somnia her home. His own words held back as he very nearly offers to move her here, to spend the rest of her days here and yet, he can't do it. The Fae could hardly keep Lani from her human family and friends, where she had a real job and dreams that she wanted to achieve. It would be nothing short of selfish if Andras asked her to stay, though he desperately wanted to damn the consequences. Those thoughts are still rolling through his mind until he's momentarily distracted by her package, Andras's eyes glinting with curiosity as he so attempts to bribe the young woman. A dark chuckle falls from his lips as he smiles at her, her response nothing short of teasing. The monarch merely shrugs at her, clearly bribing would not work on Lani. It is then that Lani asks if he dances and Andras is delighted, tugging her into the crowd of people and slipping that present into his pocket, giving her a wink.

"I do like surprises," he laughs as they begin to dance ferociously in a circle around the square. It was such undiluted joy that so coats Andras's features, that wide smile so adorning his lips as he keeps his wings tucked in as tightly to his back as possible. Truly, the fellow dancers seem to hardly mind avoiding his wings, it was clear the natives of Somnia were used to such things as other faeries sported wings of all colors and sizes. Yet, Andras could never be too careful, he didn't particularly like his wings being touched, nor would he allow it, though, he might let Lani if she were bold enough to attempt it. As the song closes, Andras suggests they get a drink, pulling her out of the crowd and to a nearby stand, that wide smile still dancing upon his lips as his chest rises and falls in excitement. Lani's words has Andras turning to her, another chuckle rolling off his tongue, this was the free spirited Andras, the one who didn't need to hide behind a mask. "That's because you've never danced with faeries before," he grins at her, "I'm pleased you enjoyed it, perhaps we can return in a little while," he suggests before retrieving those two drinks.

After they both down their drinks, hazel eyes dart to the woman as he gives her two options, "One of these days I will have to rectify your issue... take you ice skating," he explains, "Somnia has the best conditions for such activities," he purrs down at her before continuing, "As for your gift, it's not custom to exchange gifts during Winter Solstice, however, it was so close to your human holiday that I thought you might enjoy. I would have given it to you either way, it just so happened to be good timing," he casts her a wink, that sly grin tugging at the corner of his lips. Her next set of words has Andras raising his brows in surprise, alone time, perhaps, was not the best choice considering last night, yet, he couldn't stop himself as he takes a step closer to Lani, "Very well, tour wish is my command," Andras bows teasingly, his wicked grin etching into his features as a dangerous twinkle begins to dance in his eye, "Now, remember, I did give you the option of ice skating," he purrs as he reaches out to pluck the empty glass out of her hand and quickly discarding it.

Grinning devilishly, he moves fast as he sweeps Lani off her feet, cradling her to his chest, his wings snapping out and launching himself into the sky, carefully tucking Lani's head under his chin. It takes two booming flaps to get them airborne and two more before they are wheeling through the sky over the city. "Open your eyes, Lani," he laughs darkly in her ear, "I won't drop you, I promise," he states, his hazel eyes searching her features. "You know, I carried you like this once before, though, I hardly think you remember it," he says, the wind ruffling his hair, giving it a wind blown effect. "This is my favorite thing to do," he states suddenly, "When I was a child, I used to spend all night flying under the stars, oh, my mother would scold me fiercely but she enjoyed flying as much as I did," Andras draws on those distant memories, a faint smile toying on his lips. "She used to wake up my sister when she caught me and the three of us would wheel around the court, it was such a peaceful time back then," he laughs then before returning his gaze to the ground, their flight taking them to an isolated cabin.

As he begins to descend, he flashes Lani a wicked look before simply folding his wings into his back and free falling to the ground. Dark laughter roars from his lips before he snaps his wings out at the last second, slowing their descent. Andras carefully touches the ground in front of the cabin, his wings settling behind him as he gently puts Lani down, steadying her with a hand lest she fall over. "Are you okay?" He asks in amusement, though Andras hardly looks sorry that he might have scared the poor girl, instead he takes her hand and leads her up the path to the door, knocking the snow from his boots. Reaching out to grasp the handle, he pushes the door open only to be met with warm air and the fireplace so roaring to life. Glancing down at Lani, he grins at her, "This is for you," he sweeps his hand out in front of him, gesturing to the cabin. "Whenever you come to Somnia and you feel like some alone time, or just want to get away from myself or Ida, you can come here. There's a path right outside that leads right to the lodge, it's only a ten minute walk," Andras says before pulling that carefully wrapped present from his pocket and handing it back to Lani. "I told you I wouldn't look," he teases her, his eyes softening as he takes in Lani's rosy cheeks.

Andras Steinhello darling