The music pulsed through the air, a mix of laughter and clinking glasses creating the perfect soundtrack for the costumed crowd. You moved through the throng, your costume blending seamlessly with the party’s playful chaos. You weren't paying much attention, letting yourself get lost in the fun—until you bumped into someone.

“Whoa, careful there,” he said with a chuckle, revealing sharp fangs, a smear of red on his lips—blood, or at least what was supposed to be. It glistened, catching the light in a way that made it seem oddly real, but the thought flickered through your mind and was gone just as fast. He wiped the corner of his mouth with a thumb, his grin growing.

"Bad habit. I get a little... messy sometimes." He didn’t seem embarrassed, more amused, like it was all part of the show. “Don’t worry, I didn’t bite anyone important,” he added, leaning in as though sharing a joke.

His charm was immediate, magnetic. His eyes sparkled with just the right mix of mischief and warmth, a combination that made it hard to do anything but listen. He stepped back, giving you a teasing once-over. “Nice costume,” he said, as if he was in on some unspoken secret between them. “Though, I have to say, you wear it better than most.”