Prancing in Piedmont

Sterling had just apparated further than he had ever before. It was easier to do if the sea didn't have to be crossed in the journey, so he'd sailed to Marseilles first. He arrived, spellbook in hand, and plopped down, enjoying the warm summer's day.

He gazed around the muggle area, realizing suddenly he didn't speak a word of Italian. He just wanted an Ice Cream to combat the heat he had grown so unaccustomed to in Finland... he didn't even know how to say 'hello'. He was exhausted from having apparated as far as he did, and he didn't want to splinch on his way back to London. He stuffed his hands in his pockets: a few British pounds, two galleons, thirty seven sickles and eighteen knuts. None of that was worth anything here... it looked like he was stuck without water for a few hours before he regained his strength to apparate back to Marseilles to retrieve his sailboat...

Nerezza practically floated through Italy on the tips of her toes, eager to stay here forevermore. But, she knew that she would have to go back to Britain, to remain faithful to the Death Eater responsibilities she had taken up. It made her terribly upset to have to leave her place of birth, but she knew it would be for the better of the world. She was determined to do what her Dark Lord had wanted: to rid the world of muggles and mudbloods alike. The traitors were always fun to kill as well. Who was she kidding? Everyone she had encountered since her parents' deaths had seemed quite fun to slaughter. That is why most of the people that she came across never saw the light of day again. But, considering the fact that she was in her favorite place in the entire world, there was a slim chance of pissing her off.

Smiling at the thought of someone achieving such an easy task, she made her way down a narrow backstreet, smiling beautifully at the couple that passed by. They greeted her in the typical Italian as she had and then continued on their way. Another flash of an indescribable emotion swept through her chest. Suddenly, she had the urge to find a man to keep her company forevermore. But, wouldn't she grow tired of one man? After all, what if her sanity slipped one day and she just killed him? Oh, that would just be lovely. Giggling to herself, she slid out of the alleyway, her emeralds moving across the many various people until they fell on a particular figure just across the street.

She stopped cold, the smile fading from her face. What the hell did he think he was doing here in her territory? Trying to stifle her anger, Nerezza pulled on the hem of her dark red dress, eager to rip something up. Desperately attempting to keep her composure, she made her way across the street, keeping her emeralds locked onto her target. As she pulled up behind him, she whispered in her velvety voice, "I hope you have enjoyed yourself, Sterling. It could be the last time you ever do so." Her smile rippled with poisonous venom as she waited for him to face her.

Sterling whirled around, shocked. He noticed first that somebody was speaking English, and very, very close by. He noticed a split second later it was the voice of none other than Nerezza Ferruccio [[OOC: I preferred Talbot, lol]]. As he turned, his shoulder brushed on her--bringing a flood of unsure emotions to him. He was taller than she was by two inches now... he had been about the same height last time they'd met.

He was smart enough to fear her, regardless.

However, the advantage of height gave him the courage to stand his ground (though he couldn't have brought himself to back away, regardless. His chest was in contact with hers, and his foot stood parallel to hers.) It was therefore extremely difficult for him to stand still. Part of him wanted to flee, and another wanted to step even that much closer. Torn between the two, he feigned bravery and stood stalk still--exactly where he was.

His breath touched her cheek gently when he spoke near a whisper. [color=cyan]"Sorry to invade your country," he said. He realized his voice was more seductive than calm, although that wasn't his original intention. His fingers itched to touch her cheek.... he kept himself in check, momentarily. He didn't know how much longer he could resist staying where he was... but he had to, seeing as he was still indecisive about whether or not he felt a stronger desire to run or kiss.

Nerezza glared heatedly when he turned around, hating him with every fiber of her being. It didn't help matters when he was so damn attractive. But, the Italian had always been full of lust. It was just one of her qualities. She had lost the ability to love and had seen it as foolish and irritating. What was the use of love except to drive a person mad and weak? It was stupid to do have such a thing. Besides, Nerezza wanted to kill and hurt other people. What good would some man hanging off of her every word be to her? It would simply be a nuisance. But, Sterling did know her mind. The surprised look on his face made her raise an eyebrow. Was her accent simply not traceable? Her name was pure Italian. How was it that everyone she encountered here so shocked that this was her native land?

When she felt his shoulder upon her chest, she glared again, her emeralds flashing black. How dare he touch her? She didn't mind that he was a tad bit taller than her. She had killed taller men. Smirking, she watched as his expression riddled with confusion. It simply made her giggle. Then, noticing the fear, she wanted to tell him that he was right to be frightened of her. Even if he thought he was superior to her, he was in her territory and she had killed many people. He had killed no one, that she knew of anyway. Besides, he didn't have the heart for murder. He was too pure, just like that damned Chase Moor. She absolutely hated people that thought they could change the world for good. She had seen what the good people had done. She had no use for such nonsense. She was going to slaughter every one of them, no matter what the consequence.

When she noticed that their chests were touching, she took the opportunity to move her body closer, eager to throw him off of his obvious conceited rampage. She could see it in his eyes that he thought himself to succeed if this ever got ugly, but he should have known better. Didn't he remember that Nerezza never fought fair? She fought to win and to kill. There was no fairness in the game of murder. Blinking rapidly when he spoke, Nerezza found herself caught off guard. Was he attempting to flirt with her? How simply . . . Yet he was so attractive. Grinning viciously, she put her hand to his collar and pulled his shirt down so that their faces were right next to each other. Then, kissing him on the lips quite frantically, she pulled away and said, "You better be, Silver. If I catch you here again without my permission, I will snap your neck. Understand?" She actually wanted to do much more than that, but she would keep it as threatening as possible for now.

Sterling's heart rate accelerated frantically as she stepped in closer. He knew it was only a scheme to catch him off balance--as if she needed it. She could easily rip him to shreds before he could so much as raise his wand in defense... but she used everything she could to her advantage, leaving nothing unexploited. Their lips met, and he willingly sucked the venom from her mouth, such that he ached with disappointment as she finally broke it off. As much as he hated Nerezza, he had never been more physically intimate with anybody else.

"Snap my neck? That seems a little soft for you... it would be over so quickly!" he said. He tried at any of her psychological weak spots. Was it anger? Was it forced friendliness? He was determined to find something, anything that could give him the upper hand. The time for wands wasn't yet, but he was relatively sure it would come. Her words seemed dismissive, as though an end to the conversation, but she knew he was snared there by bonds far stronger than magic could ever be. Unable to help himself, he put a hand on her perfectly shaped hips, moving it up to her waist as he leaned in closer, saying, "You usually prefer more... torture." he said. Somehow, he was in the mood for torture. Not nearly as much as another kiss, though.

Nerezza could read the anxiety in his eyes as she grew nearer to him in proximity. It made her smile widen, the pearly white teeth glinting with victory. She always had a way with the male creatures. Something about her seemed to throw them off for some reason, and she wasn't even trying that hard. She was simply flirting. Obviously, despite the warning signals that should have been going off in their brains, they wanted her closer. It seemed foolish of them, but they were men after all. The desire in his kiss surprised her. She was shocked at the longing she felt when their lips had met. But, seeing his disappointment made it all the better. She thought it simply amusing to tease him.

Smirking cruelly as he spoke, she moved around him, her emeralds watching his every expression closely. It was as if she were a feral animal, waiting for her prey to slip into the trap of her poisonous arms. Stopping behind him, she wrapped her arms around his waist slowly and then put her lips to his ear. Softly, she murmured, "How about I cut you open and rip out your heart so that I can devour it?" She giggled softly, her breath flying across the side of his face. Even if she made it look like he would win, Nerezza would fool him. She could appear submissive and then turn the cards in her favor in the blink of an eye. When his hands found her hips, her eyes widened ever so slightly, as if she were shocked that he would dare such a thing. But, his grip was so tender with a sense of strength. It was maddening, the desire filling her entire chest. Her eyes narrowed. She wanted to rip open his chest in that moment, tear out every organ she saw and then squeeze them until they were completely destroyed. Smiling wickedly, she murmured, "You have no idea, darling." Her voice turned into a vicious purr.

Sterling's heart began to flutter like the wingbeats of a hummingbird. He could feel the tingle of proximity in her lips on his ear... it was almost more than he could bear. The option of running was looking like less and less of a possibility, he couldn't bear to leave this. He imagined his heart being torn out and cringed, but only slightly. He could feel Nerezza's beating on his chest. It was almost as frantic as his. Probably less so because she wasn't at all afraid of him... which added the slight edge of adrenaline to Sterling's. "Can I trade you my heart for another kiss?" he asked, his lips by her cheek. He did not immediately noticing that 'heart' when used in the same sentence as 'kiss' connoted love, rather than vicious hatred and the vile organ itself. They were standing right at the doors of what appeared to be a restaurant. He tugged on her, pulling her through the door. The cool air conditioning washed over both of them as he pulled her inside. She still had emotional, tactical, and magical power over him... but he could finally best her in pure brute strength... which was something at least.

"You wouldn't hurt me in front of all these Muggles" he said playfully, noticing that they were getting plenty of stares out on the crowded streets. It was only customary for people who appeared to be perfect strangers to begin groping each other in southern Italy. It was much rarer in areas like Piedmont.

Nerezza could feel his heartbeat through the strong grip she held on him, the fluctuation of its rhythm soothing her. It was as if the speed of it made her feel powerful and in control. She had no idea why, for her heart was beating wildly to match his, but she knew him to be afraid of her. It was obvious, despite his desire for her. When he cringed, Nerezza sighed against him, loving the disgust that rippled off of his frame. Chuckling darkly at his words, Nerezza simply moved to breathe in his scent, filing the smell in the back of her brain if she was ever to need it again. Smirking, she murmured, "Only if you promise me a scream." Her lips turned up at the corners, the poison nearly tangible upon her caramel face. She smirked as his warm breath hit her cheek and she kissed him ferociously once more, unable to stifle the insanity riddling her brain with its disease.

Having been pulled away from his lips regretfully, Nerezza narrowed her eyes as she felt herself being dragged into a nearby restaurant. She shrugged at his statement, watching him carefully with her dazzling emeralds. She was in her birthplace, surrounded by the things she loved the most. She could hurt and kill him in that moment, but she knew that her face was familiar to the locals in Italy. She smiled beautifully at the ones that turned to see who had stepped in and she greeted the people that she knew in her fluent Italian. She moved to a table near the back, sat down and shoved Sterling into a seat. Examining her nails in a rather bored manner, she whispered, "Is there something you want, Sterling?" She really didn't have anything else to do, but was eager to see what he would say to her next. Her eyes flashed up to meet his, waiting.

[[JUST so we're clear, this thread takes place BEFORE Sterling meets Catalina lol]]

Sterling's heart began to pump rhythmically. It was no longer as fast, but it was expanding and contracting with such force that Sterling was positive it would be visible from the outside if he pulled up his shirt. Her lips drew near to his, and he finally gave in and leaned in the final millimeters for the kiss. It filled his body with painful, electric pleasure. It was all he could do to keep from screaming out in delight at that very moment, just when she pulled away. He allowed her to leave most reluctantly... he only then realized that their fingers were tangled together. He certainly hadn't noticed, in the intense heat of the moment, where on Earth his hands were roaming. Before he knew it, though, they were apart again. His soul screamed in agony.

This was Nerezza's brand of torture. Sterling knew it well.

Her words echoed through him. He noticed they had not yet said a word to each other that was directly unkind, not seriously, anyway. It was only playful... he preferred it this way. "Is there something you want, Sterling? she asked. He gripped her by the wrist and pulled her into a booth in the corner. He flicked his wand and the lamp by their table went out. He thought for a moment... the adrenaline had given him enough strength to apparate at least as far as Picardy, if he wanted... but he didn't. He loved it exactly where he was... which was quite unlike him. He usually hated being anywhere NEAR Nerezza. After reflecting on what he was truly after, he simply shrugged and said, with confidence: "You."

[[Bahaha. I know, silly. ]]

Nerezza felt oddly connected to this boy, only a year younger than her. She found it irritating that he would think of her in such a lustful way, but then again, what man in their right mind wouldn't think of her like that? She was beautiful, after all. His kisses sent her body into a spiraling zeal of desire, but she knew how to control herself. She laughed darkly at such a thought. She didn't know how to control herself! She couldn't even control her insanity when the time called for it. Hell, all she knew how to keep her mind about was men. She knew how to toy with them and play them with their emotions until she had them wrapped around her finger, desperate for even a look from her. Noticing that their hands were laced together, Nerezza raised a perfectly poised brow before her emeralds shot back up to meet his. She smiled when she read the longing in his eyes. It was a lovely sight to see, his desire for her.

It was her favorite kind of torture next to feeling someone else's blood, that is.

She wasn't in the mood for hurting anyone right now. To be honest, such a notion could change in a fragment of a second, but as of right now, she was a perfectly normal human being. She felt the urge to bite him, but not in a way that would hamper his movement or anything like that, but just to see what he tasted like. She narrowed her eyes in surprised when he shoved her into a booth, her wrists held captive in his grip. Her emeralds flickered to the darkness that began to surround them. She moved against him, taking her time, and pressed her body completely to his, hoping to torture him with such an action. A frown graced her elegant brow for a fragment of a second before her reply came forth in a silky voice, "Well, Sterling, what the hell are you waiting for? An invitation?" She simply smirked.