Perspiration dotted her brows while she felt a drop of sweat trickle down the column of her spine. Meanwhile, the red turban and her red half-mask on her head and face did not help her sweaty condition at all.

Now, Davina Claire regretted not checking today's temperature before wandering outside the Church. However, three months ago, after Davina had established her current status as the known "Scarlet Artist" in Jackson Square. She knew that she had to keep her scheduled appearance or many would wonder what happened to her if she didn't show up that day.

The locals and even tourists who usually frequent Jackson Square alike already knew her by appearance alone. With her red turban to hide her hair and her red mask that covered half her face - except for her mouth and jaw - Davina was dubbed as the 'Scarlet Artist' of Jackson Square that moment she started doing free sketches for people. Other than her mask and turban, Davina had also decided to complete her attire with an ensemble of red clothes, which she had asked for Marcel to purchase.

Of course, Davina was doing this solely because she enjoyed doing charcoal drawing immensely. She also wanted to practice more often, but she most especially just needed to get out from that godforsaken attic and enjoy the heat of the sun beating down on her.

However, today was just sweltering hot and really busy. With so many people roaming the streets, Davina felt nearly suffocated. A lot of tourists had already asked Davina to sketch for them and she had lost count since she started. Davina could already feel her hands started to cramp from the countless times she was asked to sketch.

Thankfully, Davina was almost done with her sketch right before she could take a lunch break. She was getting hungry and the two bodyguards that Marcel had asked to watch out for her while she was doing her scheduled 'artistic therapy'.

"Art is the lie that reveals the truth." A voice suddenly said from behind her to which she instinctively replied without a thought.

"That's a quote by Picasso," she stated without turning as she finally finished her sketch.

"I'm impressed that you know the artist who spoke those very words," the voice said with an accent that sounded British.

There was a hint of challenge in that voice that she couldn't help but voice out a challenge of her own.

"'Color is the keyboard, the eyes are the harmonies, the soul is the piano with many strings. The artist is the hand that plays, touching one key or another, to cause vibrations in the soul'," she quoted just as the couple who was posing for the charcoal sketch approach her.

"Thank you for this!" the girl said to her as she accepted the sketch Davina handed to her.

"You are very welcome. Enjoy your time in New Orleans!" She said to the couple.

"We will!" the girl said brightly before she and her boyfriend said their goodbyes.

"A quote by Wassily Kandinsky," a voice said from behind her yet again and Davina slowly turned around to finally see the man who had spoken.

Once she did, she was a bit surprised to see a tall, handsome stranger. The man who was probably around his early thirties. British obviously. With blonde hair, blue eyes and slim build.

The man was staring at her intensely and it was making her feel so self-conscious.

"I am impressed you knew the answer to that actually," Davina said to the man as she adjusted the half-mask on her face. "Are you an Art Professor by any chance?"

"No, I'm not…but I am a rather well-rounded individual when it came to Art. I started such a hobby when I was a small child."

"I see…"

She was so focused with the man that Davina had forgotten about Marcel's men. By now, they would have already taken her away considering it was already lunch time and time for her to go back to her cage at St. Anne's attic.

However, to her immense surprise, Marcel's vampire hadn't made their presence known yet.

"May I take you to lunch?"

Surprised at the man's question, Davina couldn't help but gape at him. Perhaps because she was only sixteen while this man was obviously older than her and showing interest too. It was probably because she was still wearing her disguise that made the man assume that she must be older than her real age.

No one had asked her out before and as Davina continued to stare at the man, she was also curious about him.

There was something otherworldly about the stranger that made her decide to accept his offer.

Hence, she didn't think much about it when she finally gave him an answer.

"Yes, you may take me to lunch…"