For the Love of Literature -OPEN-

[Gunnar Helgison]

It was perhaps a good thing that Gunnar wasn't a human, and therefore lacked the bloodflow to make him blush - otherwise he would be scarlet at Castile's timely reminder that once again, he'd somehow managed to muck things up. Even still, the quiet sigh that was followed by a faint pursing of lips and a seemingly casual lowering of lashes was likely telling in and of itself. What had he been thinking anyway, daring to actually /talk/ with one of his clan members and thinking he wouldn't somehow end up making a fool of himself. 


Only just barely did he resist the urge to fidget as a sign of the sudden awkwardness that filled him, choosing to simply press his lips together in a thin displeased line and keep his gaze studiously averted so no other signs of his embarrassment would show. "Of course. My apologies." His words were succinct, not quite sharp or biting as really he was upset with no one else but himself for getting into this situation at all. By the time the words finished being said, though, any signs of displeasure that had been there were gone - the clan master's expression schooled back into a rather careful neutrality. 

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Word Count: 205 - Sorry so short.  

[Xavier Corinthos]

   He really hadn't wanted things aimed back at him again. What was it with these people anyway? Xavier knew a number of ways to deal with vampires in various situations.  This one wasn't really the sort of situation he was used to. The new awkward edge certainly didn't help make things better. 

   So, now here he was, quickly calculating his options.  He could meekly offer and answer, or keep quiet and let his 'betters' sort things out. He certainly could think of plenty of things he could say, but they didn't suite his character quite at this point.

    His gaze slipped towards the lycan briefly, pondering him, but only looking briefly, and keeping well away from directing his attention in a way that they might meet the other's gaze.  Then there was Gunnar himself to consider. He seemed put off, very put off, but not displeased. If he was in the habit of feeling sympathy for others, and if the other hadn't been a vampire, the predicament the other was in might have moved him.  As it was, neither of these were the case. Still, it was worth noting.   

   "The master only intended to redirect the conversation I'm sure", he offers in that same subdued tone, though he did make a point to seem hesitant, even nervous to have spoken up at all.  Certainly he wouldn't wish to contradict the lycan; it was, after all, not appropriate for a slave. Still, he had lived his whole life among vampires, by now he had learned that it wasn't uncommon for them to offer verbal escapes for another vampire to avoid being caught in a place where he or she might be forced to feel shamed, or pressured into responding defensively.  He had seen that it went unspoken between vampires, that when the escape was offered, if graciously taken, the compromising situation was considered to have never presented itself, officially at least. 

    As a slave, it wasn't for him to do such things, more the reason that he shouldn't sound confident.  Still, even if he seemed to only have offered assistance unwittingly, that didn't mean the vampire wasn't in his full right to utilize it. 

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Notes: N/A

[Anna-Lee Price]

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It surprised her that Master Gunnar addressed Mr. Beist's history in the house instead of Mr. Xavier's, but she didn't show it. He was a clan master and could very well do what he wished without being questioned. Though it seemed Castile didn't think so. Anna would have blushed for Gunnar, had she been able to. The master didn't seem angry, but embarrassed. Seeing the man who'd taken her in like that was a bit uncomfortable, for the both of them, she was sure. She averted her eyes as he did, not wanting to dish out any more discomfort than what he was already feeling. 

Thankfully, Xavier came to the rescue, assuring the lycan that Gunnar had only been trying to re-direct the conversation. She couldn't help but flinch a bit, for older vampires did not usually appreciate others making excuses for them. They preferred to do so themselves so as not to be stonewalled into an excuse that they didn't like or that would show them in a bad light. "Yes, I'm sure that's all he was doing... Right, Gunnar?" 

Her voice was soft as she took in a sharp breath, realizing that by speaking before he could, she might displease him. Oh gods, what have I done? Her attempt to fix it was feeble at best. "Not to say that that's what you were doing..." She couldn't believe it when the words came out... Possibly only doing more damage. "I mean, ummmm..." Anna froze, unable to fix her own stupid mistake. Gunnar would be angry with her, and there was nothing she could do about it. Nothing but sit silently with her mouth hanging open and her breath stilled... 

She sincerely hoped that they would ignore her entirely like everyone else seemed to. She was used to being ignored and actually enjoyed it in situations like this one. 

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Word Count: 310