A Stroll Through The Park

[Vladimir Steel]

It had been a few hours since breakfast and the morning air was crisp while Vladimir walked the cobblestone pathways of the quiet park wrapped in a fine leather duster and a bright red scarf. He sighed and took a moment to sit down on one of the benches. He was stalling, for he knew the second he walked through the doors of his home, his butler would remind him that he had the last bit of paperwork to finish. Now most would not complain, because when Vladimir was finished with his paper work, he would be done for the day aside a few appointments. But everyone had their weaknesses and Vladimir's had always been and always would be, dreaded paperwork. And to avoid that weakness Vladimir sat a while longer in comfortable silence, watching the world go by as the rest of the Nobles continued to sleep in their homes or run about doing their own errands. 

[Odette]

Odette had made it a mission of hers to take as many walks within the day as she could without it getting tedious or repetitive. Even though she had only moved to the city a few days ago, make that the entire world for the matter, she had begun to become familiar with the streets and their occupants rather swiftly. Just yesterday she had come upon a beautiful little park that shimmered in the winter glow and reminded her of home. The early morning light glared up from the snow and the flakes fell into her soft daffodil coloured hair, her cheeks going rosy against her porcelain pallor and she looked like a china doll.

Odette made her way pass the barren trees and her boots made a crackle against the ground as the snow was crushed underfoot. She was a pretty little thing, with a slender frame and large doe eyes, their blue grey like the dawn after a storm. As she went deeper within the park, following the stone paths she headed for her new favourite bench but paused a few feet away as spotted someone occupying it. He certainly was a handsome fellow, and he was dressed sharply! He must be of nobility...she mused to herself, and a lick of fear pecked at her- she had been warned not to step on royals toes for she did not yet know their ways or what offended them or whichever but still, Odette had a curiosity in her and wasn't a stupid girl-she knew what would be unwelcome or not..or at least she hoped this. With a shake of her little head, her golden locks bouncing about, she continued on her path and stopped before the man. Odette bowed her head and gave a little curtsey-that seemed respectful enough no?-to him and looked up through her long black eyelashes. A breathtaking smile occupied her pink supple lips.

"Glorious morning to you sir." She said, her voice like little bells and her accent gave way to her Fated origin.

[Vladimir Steel]

Vladimir had been lost in aimless daydreams, staring out into space, a rare sight for those who knew the lively individual. He was so lost in thought he hadn't realized that someone had stepped up to him until she had made herself known. Coming out of his daze, he turned his hazel eyes to the girl. She looked like a freshly painted doll, and to Vladimir just as innocent too. He gave a slight inclination of his head in reply to the blonde's curtsy. Although it was apparent she had an accent, Vladimir did not immediately guess that she fated, it would be rude and offending to assume so if she happened not to be. Maybe she was a foreigner, certainly not from his homeland Palico, but maybe somewhere else? Either way, personally, he did not care. From what he could tell, this doll like girl seemed kind and innocent enough, and she was after all a lady. He would treat her accordingly.

Vladimir's lips split into a bright and friendly smile. "To you as well Miss. You may join me if you like, I won't mind, I was looking for the perfect distraction anyhow. You see, I am avoiding paperwork." He chuckled while gesturing to the space beside him on the bench with his hand, signalling that it was alright for her to sit with him if she chose to do so. "How are you fairing this fine morning? My name is Vladimir, what might yours be?" He asked kindly, not bothering with his full title, it was just the two of them for the moment, and it was too early in the day, in his opinion, to be so formal.

[Odette]

Odette's smile curled back into a small amused one as she watched the man shake out of whatever thoughts he was enveloped in, and she matched his hazel gaze with her blue-grey one. His clean face and friendly disposition vaguely reminded her of Henrie-her fiance back home-and it was enough to make her feel more at peace; obviously this was not the man she had intended on spending her life with but the less disciplined portion of her head seemed to be grasping for any and all things familiar to find solace within. When invited to take a seat she inclined her head and gave a playful laugh in return to his own.

" Then what an opportune moment, distractions are all I have nowadays so I've been getting quite well at them!" She ran her slim fingers through the fur of her wolf coat, smoothing it down, as she sat beside him. Playfully she lowered her voice for her next words " For the paperwork business I dare say I can't see a scrap of parchment in sight, and fear not, I shan't tip them off-your escape from it is safe with me."

As he introduced himself it was highly refreshing to have such a gentleman in her midst, he was incredibly polite and that elicited another big grin from her velveteen mouth." A pleasure to make your acquaintance Vladimir, and I am faring far better now." Her tone was sincere and friendly, she really was feeling better now that she had some company. The only people she knew-whom she didn't really know-had both run off to do errands and other such things, and had left her to her own devices. Not that Odette minded being on her own, but she was a social creature and disliked remaining estranged to things for long.

" And yourself on this day?" She asked in return. " And you may call me Odette, if it would please you."

[Vladimir Steel]

As Odette sat beside Vladimir and reassured him that she would tattle on him for not doing his duties, he could not help but to burst into laughter, "Why thank you my lady, it's always good to know that there is someone out there who will enable me." He wasn't sure where this girl came from, but he could tell she was fairly well mannered although she was not of nobility. The Count did not mind this however, for she was a nice change to the people he was accustomed to being around. There was no worry of having to act a certain way, Vladimir could just be himself.

He listened as she introduced herself and asked him how his day was going, the small friendly smile never leaving his face, "The pleasure is all mine Miss. Odette, and I myself am doing rather well this morning. You see my strolls through the park every morning are what keep me sane. No matter who the person is, everyone needs at least half an hour to themselves each day to relax and not to think about their worries. That's the key to living along life. Or something like that, it was a saying of my mother's you see."

Vladimir then turned to her while he readjusted his glasses with his forefinger, becoming curious as to who this girl was. "Pardon me for being rude though Madame, but, I pride myself in knowing just about all the Nobles in Nova, if I don't know their name I certainly know their face or vice versa. But with you I'm completely drawing a blank. I don't recognize you, and I've never heard your name whispered in the daily gossip." He stopped and chuckled, "Though I guess if I haven't heard your name in the gossips you can't be all bad can you?"

[Odette]

His laughter was pleasing to Odette, a joyous and unrestricted thing, and a small giggle fell from her mouth -upswept in the early morning merriment.

"Well a raven cannot always fly , it must stop to wet its beak here and there, no? " Despite her response holding a serious note to it her tone and expression remained entirely playful. "Find your stream my good sir and never be afeared to take a large gulp! But I suppose you've unearthed that already. "

Odette's words were only confirmed by his next ones-he did indeed have his moment of respite in the form of daybreak strolls and a little knowing smile befell her porcelain features. Although she agreed with what he had said she couldn't entirely relate for her work never pushed her to such extremes-sure her body ached something fierce after weeks of performing within her dancing troupe, but it was a thing of great love and passion for Odette and thus a daily need to escape from it never pulled at her. Even still, she enjoyed listening to him talk but felt a pang of loneliness at the mention of his mother.

Her mama had too imparted many words of advice to Odette, although they weren't generally as self fullfilling- mostly it was about using your gifts to get you a man so you may live your life in comfort-however she still longed to her even just one more time...

Odette shook herself out of her inner pity party-smile remaining intact throughout that little spell- and she nodded along to his words and then spoke; " I would inquire as to what you do that makes you so weighed down but no! As you, or your mama would say this is no time to focus on the stress. "

Odette's eyelids fluttered shut and she inhaled the crisp air deeply."Ahh, this is a peaceful place, I can see why you roam it to escape. I do hope I haven't ruined your serenity though " A little pout formed on her lips-she was really liking this fellow and truly didn't want to disrupt his routine ritual with her presence, even though he did invite her to sit he may have just said as much to be courteous, he seemed the type of man do such things despite his true feelings .

As he adjusted his frames Odette found it endearing and as he continued on the pout faded and was replaced by a nervous grin and a blossoming blush that burned upon her face like a rose in a snowbank. She hesitated, wondering if she should lie about where she had come from but thought better of it-she may be on hell of a liar but she knew she couldn't hide this fact and besides, something within him made her want to speak honestly.

"Oh I severely doubt you've ever been rude to another..." She took a deep breath and with full pride she lifted her chin and looked him in the eyes, a flicker of worry danced within her gaze.
" I suppose the reasoning for that would be because...well I'm.. " She paused for a moment as she searched for the word Serenity had called her earlier " I'm Fated." Her tone was still friendly but sheepish and Odette awaited his response with hidden fear-she had been warned many times much of the natives disliked the Fated and the nobility were more likely to express these opinions or more if she stepped on the wrong toes. She wanted to laugh at his last remark and dispute its honesty but held her tongue, too worried of what would transpire next

[Vladimir Steel]

Vladimir continued to smile as Odette spoke animatedly; it was becoming more and more clear to him that this girl was a free spirit. Not tied down by social ladders and reputations. A spark of envy almost ignited within him before he remembered that he never acted accordingly. Yes he would be serious when he had to be, but more often than not, he was himself. Much to his colleagues disapproval and distaste.

When the girl spoke of his job, he chuckled once more, "It's alright, I do not mind. After all as long as I'm talking to you I can postpone it a bit longer. You see I am ordinarily from Palico, my family has owned most of it's blacksmith's and iron forges for generations, which, as of this moment I am the last remaining heir; so I run the family business. And I am a Count. So that also means Nobility. Put that all together you get stacks of paper work. Order forms, trade agreements, date approvals. Thank You letters. Apology Letters. Worker forms. Business reports. Really the list goes on. And even though by the time the said paper work has been read through several times before it gets to me so I can sign and seal it, I must read over all of it, just to check for the 10th time that everything is in order. It's not necessarily hard work, just tedious, and boring, with absolutely no one to talk to besides my butler who is very strict with me, because he was my father's butler and he knows what my father would have expected of me. So conversations with him are usually no fun at all." He let out a long breath and burst into laughter once more.

"I must apologize my lady. I did not mean for all of that to spill out of my mouth." He cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed. "And please do not fret my lady, you have not ruined my, what was you called it? Serenity? You have made it better. My morning walks are usually taken alone in silence, and I tend to be more of sociable creature, this simply gives me a suitable excuse to get out of the house each morning."

His expression changed to slight concern as the lively girl turned more sheepish and worried. He was not expecting her to tell him that she was Fated. He stayed silent for a moment, peering at her through his spectacles. "Well Miss. Odette, I'm sure you will be happy to hear that I hold no ill will for you or your kind. I know there have been some, ah, 'mishaps' concerning the Fated, but there have been plenty of people who have wreaked havoc upon these lands who were born and raised here. So unless you have some evil scheme to take over this world and cause harm, which I'm going to assume that you do not, I don't see why we can't be friends."

His mouth split into yet another friendly grin, "Now that that's out of the way. Since I decided to tell you all about me. Tell me about yourself. Do you like Nova? What do you do to pass the time?" he asked facing her, with his elbow rested on the back of the bench so he could in turn use it to support his hand that was currently holding up the side of his head.

[Odette]

Odette's face scrunched up slightly as Vladimir spoke of all this work; it really did sound quite boring but he obviously liked to be in control of what he did and in that she respected him. It seemed to her that an assistant could do the same and just ask for signatures but if he wished to read every speck of words then that was his choice. Her face smoothed out as he went on and she placed a dainty hand upon her mouth as she attempted to hide a bursting grin. She failed however, and laughed along with him loudly. She waved off his apology

" Oh my, that does sound relentless indeed! I feel like you would benefit from a trustworthy assistant though,one who knows how you operate and gives a summary of all...that " she waved her hands in the air " It would ease your mind i believe." she smiled kindly upon him and it only grew to a soft and pleased thing as he reassured her that her presence only added to his pleasure.

She could see he was slightly embarrassed but she found it entirely adorable.
" Excellent then! I too crave the company of other's and it has been so lonely since arriving... " depsite the melancholy disposition of her words her face remained light and cheerful, loneliness was a fickle thing at times and he cured this ailment much like she did his.

As she awaited his reaction to her reveal, Odette nervously fingered the edge of her dress, glancing up from time to time as he peered at her. A breath of supreme relief escaped her plush lips and she shook her head, her hair bouncing about just below her shoulders.

" Oh that is a true relief! I mean...i have only been here under a week and have not experienced any malcontent...just reminded to be cautious but i do agree; harm can come from any side but i only wish to enrich this world and let it add to mine own substance. I find the mashing of cultures entirely exciting. " she smiled wistfully and it expanded to a full on grin
"No, nothing evil, just a willingness to absorb and extend what i can to add to this place. And i would very much like to be your friend. "

She placed a slim finger against her lip, tapping as she thought for a moment.
"Well I have seen very little of...Nova, I was only Fated a few days ago. I am liking what i have encountered though, your stories are rich and I participated in a dance routine the other day telling of such a story. It was very relaxing and made me feel at home. From my time i am a ballerina...which is a dancer of a very disclipned and rigorous form. It is tiresome upon the body but entirely rewarding and almost...surreal in grace. I've passed my time by exploring some of the districts but really have seen nothing, just this park and the town square. "

Odette held his gaze and grinned
" And yourself good sir? Aside from early strolls what do you do for fun? "

[Vladimir Steel]

He smiled softly at her as she laughed with him, glad to see that he wasn't boring her. At the notion of getting an assistant he chuckled, taking his spectacles off while pulling a handkerchief out of his pocket to clean them, "Well the funny thing is, is that I do have an assistant, but my father had his traditions that he stuck to religiously, and I'm just trying to follow in his footsteps." He finished putting his glasses back on.

He began to notice, while Odette was speaking that there would be moments when her body language would change ever so slightly, or something to that effect. His eyes narrowed slightly in concern, but chose not to say anything, not wanting to offend her, or make her sad.

As the conversation continued on about her being fated, he nodded, listening intently as she spoke. "Well I am glad that you have not had any problems. But I will warn you, as you said you already have. There have been certain, situations, lately concerning those who are Fated. And where some have kept an open mind. Other's have not, and I wouldn't say that anything dangerous would happen, but humans have the tendency to be cruel. I would not wish that to befall you, you seem like a sweet girl. It would be a shame if someone were to tarnish that." He finished, his smile returning.

"On a more cheerful note I am glad that you are so open to learning and experiencing new things. I can only imagine what it would be like to be from somewhere different. I bet the food isn't even the same." He paused wondering if that had been something strange to say before continuing, "Bal-la-rina? That's an interesting term for a dancer. I'm not very graceful myself. It's something I would like to see."

He returned her gaze, while smiling humorously, "As for me I like to throw parties of all sorts. Whether they be large and lavish balls, or just small and quaint tea parties. Maybe next time I have one, you can come and show everyone what a Bal-la-rina is."

[Odette]

"Ahh," She began knowingly "A man of honour and dignity I see. Well I do applaud your efforts, I doubt very much I could hold my own against such paper storms. I do hope you're not lost under your father however...but that's not for me to comment upon I should think." She doubled backed on herself aloud but still held a friendly grin. Odette had only just met the man and knew nothing of his home life aside from the impression she got but even still he seemed like quite the lovely lad and it would be a true shame to see his days squandered in a mess of ink and parchment.

To his words about her being a sweet girl, inwardly she sighed in a "you have not a clue" fashion but outwardly her faced beamed. "Thank you Vladimir, I will take your cautiousness to heart. If only I had a guide to all this, or some form of defence. I'm afraid all I have about me for protection is I'm pretty hard to catch." To some this could be taken with a double meaning but she shrugged it off regardless and giggled. She took amusement in how carefully he seemed to plan his every word and how he worried over each string of it-like with the wrong phrasing or sentiment the world would overthrow hi into a hole of social disbarment. But perhaps living in this world and maneuvering through the noble graces such over thinking was not only warranted but necessary if you wanted to keep your reputation. These were all just inner musings however.

"I am always up for the absorption of culture! Being somewhere strange with yes, different tasting food is actually something I am quite accustomed to. Back on my planet part of my job as a ballerina would be to travel all over the world to show off these performances and I believe nothing is more beautiful than watching people run their lives with the same desires and needs as I but through an entirely different method-one I can learn from or at the least experience. Our way of life is not the only one you know." Playfully she gingerly laid a hand upon his forearm for an instance in a friendly gesture as he mulled over the word of her profession.

"Oh you, I'm sure you're more surefooted than you give yourself credit for. But yes, it is a wonder to behold. Full of leaps, bounds and twists, and immensely fancy footwork, not to mention how flexible you must be... I will indulge you in that some other time if it would suit you. Icy stones are not the best stage to perform upon unfortunately." She spoke referring to the ground before them. Odette was always eager to show off her talent and if an audience was around she would gladly concede to them, but she held no desire to snap an ankle on uneven ground.

She matched his amusing grin but then her eyes lit up like two shimmering moons with his next statement.
"Ohh! I do love parties, I can't even imagine the opulence of ones you would throw here though...my with such tastes though Vladimir I think we're going to get along famously!" Her grin was sincere and large in its making and a thrill wiggled inside her small frame as she thought of the endless possibilities. "and it would be my pleasure to, just don't forget me next you send out the mountains of invitations I'm sure you'll have." She winked at him while the cold caused her pale cheeks to grow even more rosy.