a-past-without-me:

♕| _{Vincent hates social affairs—they make him nauseous. They’re little more than a (to him) disgusting amalgamation of a noble’s definition of “enjoyable": ladies in flowing gowns chattering away like bothersome squirrels, men in brocade waistcoats sauntering about in such a self-assured manner that it brings to mind a peacock shaking out its tail-feathers in a mating display, sickly-sweet wine that’s a far cry from the ambrosia of the gods, and the heavy scents of perfume and musk mingling and creeping throughout the ballroom like a putrid fog come morning.}

_{It’s no wonder, then, with his narrowed eyes and scowl, that he sticks out like a sore thumb—but the social distancing does, at least, allow him to easily espy Ada from where he stands, and glide silently over to her, approaching from behind.}

_{“Miss Ada.“ He smiles, and it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’re here.”}

_{There was no mistaking his voice, like dripping honey tinged with something a bit more sour. But that was part of Vincent Nightray’s charm: pleasant, attentive, affectionate; basically everything a young noblewoman would ask for in a man, suitor or otherwise. Vincent’s sudden interest in Ada still didn’t cease to make her blush even the slightest bit whenever his entrancing gaze was focused solely on her. Sure, their slowly growing relationship was going to be frowned upon, with him being a Nightray and her being a Vessalius, but somehow that detail always slipped the blonde’s mind when she was with him. All coherent thoughts seemed to go by the wayside when he was next to her.} 

_{Smiling gently at him, Ada directed her gaze up to the red and golden eyes looking down at her. Handsome as ever, his jawline was even more defined when his hair was pulled away from his face, and an easy way to distract the young woman from her train of thought before she snapped herself back to attention.}

_{Yes, I am. I’m glad you made it too Vincent. You’re enjoying yourself alright?}