Vendetta nodded in acknowledgement. Perhaps, she thought as she eyed her companion, she had to re-think her stance. "If you ever deduce it, please inform me. I've taken the same stance, and I wonder now- what was I thinking? Then again... Maybe it just took the right one to come along."
As she spoke, Vendetta's hand settled on Jervis'. Her eyes regarded him, a gentle fanged smile on her face. Eventually, they came to a stop, and she heard the engine die. "Seems we've arrived. I won't be too long- just need to do a few little things." Vendetta saw the door open, and took the hand proffered to her, elegantly getting out. Once more, the shadows flickered and danced, but it seemed to extend as far as the eye could see, in every direction…
This distraction quickly shifted away, as Jervis' eyes landed upon what
he guessed was her home. Upon first glance, all he could see- silhouette against diamond-argent moonlight. Soon, features came into
play. Opulent, elegant and breathtaking, the home spoke of
Victorian-Gothic architecture, fused with modern upgrades. Glittering
walls shone, high luminescence. It came off as a miniature castle, made of...
obsidian, perhaps? Or one of those strange things, from the Shadowfell she spoke about?
The ride itself was virtually painless and with her sweet words, he couldn't help but smile. For a small moment, Jervis had to admit he liked being the passenger for once in a vehicle rather then the driver, especially in such a sleek ride. Stretching out in the vast leather interior, he tipped his head back and smiled, smirking even "-I had not known completely you were accustomed to such wealth, my home must have looked like a dump to you" he joked, slate blue eyes closing gently, masked slightly beneath the brim of his top hat, Devil-may-care attitude visible on his handsome face.
"Not at all. I really enjoy your place, and your company, Jervis. Iceflame Manor is a legacy, centuries of careful cultivation and creation. Despite its decadence, it's not always the place to be. And it's open, to the right people."
Looking around, pale winter blossoms rustled gently in the breeze, the single road cutting a path down the mountaintop. Vendetta already walked up the pair of steps, opening the door. Oddly enough, Jervis could not see any security features- which one would expect, given the nature of her home. Perhaps- likely, even- they were well-hidden.
The place he saw was beyond words, never had he imagined he might see anything like this- even travels abroad in Europe did he ever see establishments of this magnitude. It certainly befit the woman before him, and now... He felt the word 'Quaint' in regards to his place would have been insulting had it come from her lips. Very suddenly, he wasn't sure if he wanted her to have to face his place again. He would have been so lost in his thoughts, and the eerie beauty. He had not noticed her advance, nothing until- 'Are you going to admire all night, or would you like to come inside?'
"-Oh..." His attention was suddenly drawn towards her "-Clever..." He joked, smile sweetly savage as he slipped in through the open door...
Vendetta turned to her guest, a smile on her face. "Welcome to Iceflame Manor. Next time we're here, I'll give you a tour. While you wait, feel free to look anywhere you like... well... except for behind the silver doors downstairs."
The Lady turned... sadistic? Just for a heart beat. She regarded him once more, explaining. "Externally there's as much to see as the interior. Perhaps in the future, you and Cheshire would like to visit for a spell- I know I'd like that."
Offers of visitation were lost on the madman. All around his head and eyes swivelled, as they struggled to take in every bit of color and furniture dancing into his vision. A complete mind-fuck is what he would call it; visual orgasm, stimulation at its finest. He was assured by now he had steam shooting from his ears, with the way his mind was probably working. Still, it was all very pleasant, minimalist and elegant, completely befitting Lady Vendetta. In fact, it wasn't until she spoke that his attentions would have once again been lifted from her home, instead back to its owner.
So the doors are color coded... He couldn't help but smile. "-Well at least I know I'll never get lost" Polite humour, but with a place this decadent, he imagined one had to- especially if guests frequented. While she continued, he would explore this and that nosily, never venturing beyond the foyer. A rat in a maze for the first time... Though mention of the 'silver doors' spoken like they were forbidden, made Jervis raise a brow, blue eyes glittering inquisitively from beneath the brim of his hat.
She would press on, allowing him to push past for now. "-Christ, seems like you have everything, and here I thought having my house on top of my shop was innovative" mostly joking, he'd smile and nod.
"Not everything. Just most- Iceflame Manor is designed with possible long-term living in mind. If you wish, I can show you around, or just cut right to what I need to do. I never take long... and I'm sure you wish to return."
"-Up to you?" he added with a shrug, hands thrust into his coat pockets, "-But I can assure you, I can't offer anything quite like this in the city... I only know of one place." And for all I know, you might already have something like it around here...
"-We could leave soon enough, but I wouldn't mind spending more time at your home..." he stated "-I wouldn't mind exploring it all; well.." he drolled with a small devious smile, "-What you'll show me."
Was it Jervis' imagination, or did Vendetta blush? With her, one could never tell. He did explore around the main floor- parlour, kitchen, library, foyer, dining room, before stepping onto the rosewood balcony outside the dining room.
The back looked just as impressive. Emerald silken grass peeked out beneath diamond dust snow. To the left, flora stretched, intricate and breathtaking garden. Beneath the moonlight to the right, he could see bloody red water- a fountain. Farther, a lake spread out- Vendetta's mansion sat on a plateau. Crystal, ink-dark but clear, the water shimmered white as the moon above. Beyond both, trees swaying, an orchard growing fruit in all stages. Jervis could also see the pride in her eyes. This was her legacy. One he wouldn’t mind sharing…
Vendetta turned, gaze fixed above. She knew Jervis had left Cheshire behind, wishing to re-unite them soon as possible. Almost in pure silence, the Lady floated up the stairwell- and stopped before an unusual door. Lacquered rosewood, more elaborate than the rest. That had to be her room, he mused, as she looked down. "Would you like to come see? I'll be a couple minutes... Or would you rather wait below for me?"
"-I suppose for now, I'll just wait for you here." Not wishing to impede on her privacy while she was doing whatever that needed doing before she'd be ready to go.
It was evident Vendetta was proud of her manor. He was just as proud to show off his shop, his collection, and his favourite place of all- a place he wanted her to see. They worked hard to earn their keep, she even more so than he. As his was really only a 'Card' away from completion always, just as long as people didn't interfere. As much as he wanted to live in this shadowy dream, being apart from Cheshire tipped him into a decision.
She found it unusual, yet acceptable, that he may hesitate. Jervis was a gentleman, after all. Her radiant smile returned- she laughed, melodic and crystal clear in the empty halls. "Next time, then- I promise to be nice~" Her smirk was one that spoke of a few things, things Jervis may or may not wish to know. Vendetta opened the door, and left it open. The scent of black roses, breezes of icy air spiralled down. It definitely held an allure...
Moving quickly, Vendetta spoke with someone seeing to her place in her absence- leaving instructions for the next while. Once alone again, she gathered a bag- into it, everything she needed for an extended trip away, and a few things she might need- just in case. Quickly she cleaned up, changed clothes, freshening her makeup. The actions took her a couple minutes, but she closed the door when complete.
While he waited, Jervis took in everything again- cacophony of colours striking chords of chaos- yet also fitting well, pieces of a brilliant puzzle all neatly in place. Scent of sweet decay caught his nose- Jervis turned, frozen in place.
Amid a thousand finer details, the grandest and most decadent piece of all eluded him. Standing before hin, the grand stairwell that connected the main floor to the upper gently fanned out. Narrower than what he expected, this was more than made up for in its construction. Glossy and smooth, the stairwell held a minimalist elegance to it. Daring to touch it, Jervis startled at the silk-smooth, slightly cold stone. Black marble? No, far too pure in colour for that. What could it be, I wonder... Another mystery, for another day.
Near the top of the stairs was when she came into view once more. All the black and violet, with touches of silver, made Vendetta look like she stepped out of this Shadowfell place she spoke of. Easily Vendetta glided down the stairs once more, something similar to Jervis- but much more feminine, tailored for her form. Striding, taking him in hand as a lover, she locked up and went back to their ride, where the driver opened the door. "I'm sure you'd love to get back to Cheshire as soon as you can... I've cared for all that I needed to here."
He smiled, moving down the steps with her to the bottom, out of the home. Curious, how easily she took his hand- Jervis couldn't recall a time any woman had. Her bag already in the back before he could even offer to carry it. After declaring she was ready, he'd glance one last time at the eerily serene surroundings, before climbing in after her.
"-Yes, I'd like to go back home to check on Chesh, is there anywhere else you'd like to go?" If she wanted, he could show her the prize of his collection "-I may have a place we could venture, a little later tonight..." The closest to home he'd really ever be...
Chapter XIII- Welcome To Wonderland