Magdalena had no idea what compelled her to spend the afternoon within the confines of her hovel, leaving only to gather water from the nearby river and weed her pitifully small vegetable patch.
With those chores completed Magdalena found herself with little to do except tend to the herbs on her drying rack, and keep up with the narrative the vampire LaCroix insisted continuing on. Magdalena felt she could do nothing else not being used to being in the prolonged company of someone other than a relative or fellow soothsayer.
"I hope I am not boring you too greatly, Mademoiselle."
"I'd rather you called me Magdalena than Mademoiselle. I have little use for formalities. Besides it is rather refreshing to hear a story that does not involve old crones comparing one horrific birth to the next." Magdalena remarked with a smile.
A small smirk graced his pale face and for one brief moment Magdalena imagined seeing a brief sparkle in his bright blue eyes.
"Then I shall continue."
Magdalena went back to her herbs as LaCroix resumed his story. As she worked Magdalena fought to keep her gaze from lingering on the vampire before her. Despite his rather imposing appearance and rude first impression Lucien LaCroix possessed a charismatic air that was able to put even Magdalena at ease and before she knew it the young soothsayer was actually dreading the approach of nightfall.
Sensing the descent of the sun LaCroix rose to his feet futilely trying to brush his clothes free of dirt from the earth floor.
Magdalena kept her expression neutral as she rose to her feet as well.
"I trust you will be leaving now."
LaCroix nodded and delicately kissed Magdalena's hand his fangs tingled as he felt the pulsing vein but the master vampire kept his control.
"Once again I thank you for your hospitality, ma cherie. I regret that we could not have met under better circumstances."
Magdalena shrugged as she walked to the doorway and smirked, "Call it a friendly warning to think before you eat. Now if you will excuse me I have to gather more wood for the fire."
"By yourself?"
Magdalena laughed, "I think we both have established that I am fully capable of looking after myself. Good night, Monsieur LaCroix." she said stiffly as she threw on her cloak and hurried off into the woods.
LaCroix smirked and followed her with his eyes for a few moments more before taking flight.