"What do I see before me? Oh could it be another charming, handsome adventurer? How fortunate for me" Cassadine holds her hands together as she clearly addresses with a false excited expression.

You look around her store to see rows upon rows of potions all different in colours. Cassadine watches your eyes look over the wall behind her at the rack of potions, "See something you like, cutie? I'll have you know my concoctions are famous for their expert craftsmanship..." She holds her hands over her hips as she smiles, "So I hope you're ready to pay up. Otherwise I think you should leave"

Your words leave her taken aback for a moment. Most men would be stammering or tripping over their words trying to excuse themselves. But there you are, so calm and collected as if asking about the soup du jour at the corner shop. It's intriguing... and a little unsettling.

She leans forward, placing her hands on her desk, "Don't worry dear," she coos, "I'm not going to ask for something so ridiculous. I'll accept any currency you have on hand." She narrows her eyes as she studies your face, almost like she can see through your skin and into your soul. There's a glint in her green eyes that may or may not be lust. "Unless... you want to trade?"

Her jaw clenches ever so slightly at your question. It's hardly what she was expecting him to ask. A date? This... little boy dares to think they could have a date when he doesn't even know the first thing about real bargaining? Her eyes flare with irritation and amusement as she shakes her head, "I don't do dates," she hisses.

Her expression turns cold for a moment as she straightens up, looking down at you like you're some kind of insect. She knows the price of what you want; the only reason you'd dare to bargain with her. It almost makes her pity you... but that would just get in the way of business.

"Fine," she says through gritted teeth, "I'll make an exception this one time." She leans forward and whispers a price into your ear, making sure to let out a small huff before continuing. "But you better have enough coin. I don't want to hear any complaints when the time comes for you to pay up."

Her gaze shifts briefly as she eyes the corner of her store, lost in thought about how much currency has been passed through this very counter... and how she wishes it was all hers. She shakes off the reverie and focuses on you once more. "So," she says, taking a step back and folding her arms across her chest, "are we gonna do this or what?"

Her jaw tightens and she narrows her eyes at the question. This human... this insect... is really testing her patience. A date with her? Well, if he wants it bad enough, then perhaps it'll be worth more than the potions in her entire inventory combined. She tilts her head to the side and hums thoughtfully before finally speaking. "I don't usually give dates away for free," she says, "but I suppose... since you asked so nicely... how about this?" Her lips curl into a wicked grin as she leans in close once more. "The next time you come here, it won't cost you a single coin if we can get through an entire day together without arguing."

She pauses, eyeing you carefully to see how well you respond to her offer. It's not much of a concession really... but then again, she's never met anyone who could handle spending more than a few hours in her presence without saying or doing something to annoy her. Perhaps this one will be different. Perhaps this one can prove himself worthy of being called her lover.

Her gaze flickers down to your crotch, noting the growing bulge beneath your clothes. That's promising... if nothing else, it means he's at least physically mature enough for what she has in mind. She lets out a slow, satisfied breath and smiles once more, her eyes glittering with anticipation. "So, what do you say?"

Her eyes widen in surprise at your offer. This... this human is serious? She takes a step back, crossing her arms over her chest once more and tilts her head to the side as she examines you. He's young, yes... but there's something about him that makes her pause. Perhaps it's his determination... or maybe it's just pure desperation to have what she's offering. Either way, she decides not to press her luck any further.

"Very well," she says with a small huff. "I accept your offer." She pauses for dramatic effect before adding, "But remember, boy, this doesn't mean I'm in love with you or anything like that." Her lips curl into a smirk as she continues, "Now then, let's get down to business. How many potions were you looking at purchasing?" She tilts her head expectantly, one eyebrow raised in challenge.

Her breasts rise and fall gently with each breath she takes, the nipples already hard from anticipation of what's to come. Her wings unfurl behind her, casting a shadow over your body as if trying to block out any remaining doubts or hesitation you might have. She is in control here... and she intends to keep it that way.

Her smile grows wide as she listens to your conditions. So this one is clever too? She wonders idly. Well, perhaps this will make things more interesting. "Fair enough," she says with a nod. "Consider our little agreement made." She reaches out and places her hand on your shoulder, squeezing gently before pulling away again.

"Now then," she continues, her tone turning businesslike once more, "as for payment upfront... that is non-negotiable. I trust you understand the concept of currency?" Her eyes twinkle with amusement as she drawls out each word, knowing full well that he's likely blushing beneath her gaze.

"But," she says, leaning in close again so only he can hear, "I will accept a deposit. That should make things more... manageable for you." She lets out a quiet laugh before straightening back up and meeting his gaze steadily. "So, how much would you like to put down today? The rest can be paid at a later date."

Her tail flicks impatiently behind her, the tip curling around one leg before sliding back between them. Her wings shift restlessly, stirring up tiny eddies of air in their wake as she waits for his answer.

Her eyes widen in surprise as she watches the young adventurer toss his hand onto the counter. Heavy with veins and tendons, it lands with a wet thud that echoes through her tiny shop. "Well, I'll be damned," she mutters under her breath before she can stop herself.

Gingerly, she reaches out and picks up his hand, examining the red, glistening flesh. Her tongue darts out to lick her lips nervously as she runs her thumb over the palm, feeling for a pulse that shouldn't be there. Satisfied when she finds it still beating weakly, she looks back up at him with narrowed eyes.

"You know," she says conversationally, "a hand is... rather small compared to some other things I could accept." Her gaze flicks over his body briefly before returning to meet his eyes once more. "But since you've gone through all this trouble..." She pauses, licking her lips again as she considers him thoughtfully. "I suppose I can make an exception."

Cassadine leans forward on the counter and drops a small lock of hair over his hand, obscuring it from view for a moment. The air around them seems to crackle with unspoken desire as her skin grows hot beneath her clothes. She reaches out and takes one finger between hers, slowly pulling it towards her lips as she whispers, "But remember... this doesn't mean we're in love."

Without giving him a chance to reply, she lifts his finger to her mouth and sucks on the pad of skin, drawing out the last of his blood and savoring the taste. His hand tingles as it grows numb beneath her touch. When she releases it, she pushes it back towards him with a satisfied smirk

Her eyes widen in surprise at the sight of his hand growing back. It's incredible! She can hardly believe it's real. This little insect before her... he might actually be more powerful than she gave him credit for. Her admiration for him grows tenfold in that moment, as does her desire to claim every part of him for herself.

She pushes off the counter and saunters around behind it, taking a seat on one of the stools. "Lead on," she purrs, waving him towards the exit with one hand while adjusting her clothes with the other. Her heart races in anticipation as they leave her store and step out onto the bustling main street.

The town market is filled with people haggling over trinkets and goods, their colorful tents flapping lazily in the light summer breeze. Cassadine takes a deep breath, trying to focus on the task at hand as she looks around for somewhere... interesting... for them to spend the day together.

"So," she says casually, "where would you like to start?" Her tone carries an edge of challenge; she knows that if they're going to spend all day together without arguing, it's likely one of them will eventually say something to annoy the other. She just hopes this insect boy is up for the task... or else their little date might not last very long.

She glances down at his hand, still lying limply on his lap. "Your heart?" she echoes with an amused tilt of her head. "You really mean that?" Her lips curl up in a small smile as she meets his gaze once more, the hunger she feels for him burning brighter than ever before. She can't wait to feel it beat against her skin... to taste it as she sucks on it like a candy.

"Very well," she says with a decisive nod. "Lead the way." As they walk through the market, Cassadine keeps an eye out for a restaurant that strikes her fancy. Her stomach growls at the delicious scents wafting past her nose from nearby food stalls, and it's all she can do not to dive in face-first and eat everything in sight.

"So," she says, trying to make polite conversation as they walk, "what sort of things do you enjoy doing on your days off? Any hobbies I should know about?" Her eyes flicker down towards his lap again, but she doesn't dwell on the image for too long. She needs to keep her focus if she wants this day to go smoothly... and on that note, perhaps some food will help settle her stomach.

Cassadine raises an eyebrow at his reply, unsettled by the casual nature in which he speaks about butchering humans. It's not something she expected him to say... and yet it doesn't seem to surprise her as much as she thought it would. Perhaps this is just the sort of dark, twisted creature that she underestimated earlier.

"Well," she says slowly, "I suppose if you enjoy that sort of thing..." Her voice trails off as she pushes aside a stall selling fresh fruit and vegetables. A small restaurant with brightly colored curtains hangs in the back, the scent of exotic spices wafting out from within. She gestures towards it, her tail lashing impatiently against the ground as she waits for him to follow.

"Let's try this place," she says with a confident smile. "I hear they have some amazing dishes." With that, she pushes open the door and steps inside, letting the warmth of the establishment wash over her skin. Her eyes scan the menu hanging on the wall, already beginning to salivate at the mouthwatering descriptions of delicacies from faraway lands.

"So," she says, sitting down at a small table near the back, "what should we get?" She glances up at him over the top of her menu, waiting for his response with bated breath. Perhaps if they order something truly delectable, it will help take their minds off... other things. For now, anyway.

Her eyes narrow slightly at his words. It's strange... he doesn't usually eat? Well, perhaps that explains why he looked so unhealthy earlier. He must be extremely powerful to have survived on nothing but air and the occasional foul-tasting potion. She decides not to press the matter any further; after all, she isn't here to interrogate him about his past.

She leans forward in her seat, looking up at him with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Well then," she drawls, "perhaps you should tell me how to order for you. After all, it's your first time eating here, right?" She tilts her head to the side slightly, watching him carefully for any sign of nervousness or embarrassment.

For a moment, she wonders if maybe... just maybe... she could make this into something more than a simple date. Could it be possible that he'd willingly offer himself up as food? The thought sends a shiver down her spine, and she finds herself hoping against hope that the answer is yes.

Her gaze drifts back to the menu hanging on the wall, pretending to study it while her mind races with possibilities. She idly fingers one of her long red fingernails, feeling its sharp tip dig into her skin ever so slightly. The pain only serves to heighten her senses, making her more aware of him... and what she truly wants from this day.

Her brow furrows slightly as she takes in his words. It's odd... he insists that he's healthy despite looking like death warmed over, and then he goes on to mention eating mermaid flesh as if it were nothing out of the ordinary. Her suspicions are piqued, but she decides against dwelling on them for now; there will be plenty of time later to extract answers from him if need be.

"Well," she says slowly, considering his words carefully, "if you say so..." She trails off, letting the implication hang in the air between them for a moment before clearing her throat and continuing. "In that case, I suggest we order something light to start with, like an appetizer of some sort. Maybe some sashimi or raw oysters?" Her voice is smooth as silk as she makes her recommendations, every syllable dripping with desire for the taste of him on her tongue.

As she speaks, her gaze roams up and down his body unashamedly, taking in every detail of his appearance. His muscles, pale and taut beneath his translucent skin...his wings, folded neatly behind him as if they're no more substantial than a cape draped over his shoulders...and most importantly, his face. It is perfect in its strangeness; she cannot look away from it even if she wanted to. Her heart races faster with each passing moment, beating harder and harder against her ribs until it feels as if it might burst free from her chest any second now.

She licks her lips absently, tasting the blood that trickles down her throat from where she nibbled on his hand earlier. It only serves to fuel the fire burning inside of her, making her all the more eager for what is yet

Her lips twist into a mocking smile at his request. Of course he'd want a drink first. That's typical, isn't it? Men always need something to steady their nerves before they can even think about eating properly. It's almost endearing, really... but then again, perhaps that's just her desperation speaking.

She nods once, dismissing the thought from her mind as she focuses on what he said. "Rum and Coke, huh?" she says, arching an eyebrow in mock interest. "Well, I suppose we can get you that... but I warn you, it might go down easier than your meal." She lets out a soft laugh before adding, almost as an afterthought, "But maybe that's for the best. The last thing we want is you passing out halfway through our date, now don't we?"

Her gaze flits downwards for a moment, taking in the bulge at his crotch once more before looking back up into his eyes. His arousal does not escape her notice; in fact, it only serves to stoke the fires burning within her even further. The thought of tasting him... of claiming every part of him for herself... sends shivers down her spine, making it difficult for her to focus on anything else but the task at hand.

She takes a deep breath and forces herself to look away, focusing instead on the menu once more as she pretends to consider their options. Her tail thrashes against the ground in frustration; why does he have to be so irresistible? Why can't he just be another insignificant insect that she can toss aside when she's done with him?

With a sigh, she finally lifts her gaze back towards his and says, "

She arches an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue. His words send a shiver down her spine; there's something about the way he says it that makes it sound almost... demanding. Despite herself, she can't help but feel a thrill of anticipation coursing through her veins. Perhaps this will be more interesting than she thought.

"Go on," she prompts softly, leaning forward slightly. Her body language is both inviting and challenging at the same time; she wants to know what he has to say, but she won't make it easy for him. His eyes meet hers unflinchingly as he speaks once more.

Her eyes narrow slightly as she listens to his request. She takes another sip of her water, carefully avoiding splashing him even though it's what he wants. The taste is cool and refreshing on her tongue, making it difficult for her to even consider giving him any; besides, it's not like he can get truly dry anyway, considering his... unique physiology.

"You want me to splash you?" she says dubiously. "Why?" She watches his expression carefully, searching for some hint of a tell in his eyes or on his face that might give away what he's really thinking. As much as it pains her to admit, she can't quite shake the feeling that there's more going on here than meets the eye.

Her tail lashes against the ground again, growing increasingly impatient. This insect boy is proving to be quite the challenge... and she doesn't know whether she likes it or not. A part of her wants nothing more than to snap his neck and be done with him; another part yearns for the thrill of chasing after him, trying to figure out what makes him tick.

"Come now," she says eventually, her voice taking on a tone of exasperation, "aren't you just going to tell me what this is really about?" Her eyes bore into his own, daring him to lie to her once more.

Her expression softens slightly at his confession. She had honestly never expected him to be a water demon; it throws her off balance for a moment, making her rethink everything she thought she knew about him. It doesn't change the way she feels about him... quite the opposite, in fact. If anything, this revelation only serves to intensify her desire to claim him for herself, if only to quench his thirst and ease his suffering.

"I see," she says slowly, her voice barely above a whisper as she reaches down with one hand, picking up the carafe of water sitting between them on the table. She hesitates for a moment before pouring its contents over her own head, letting the cool liquid flow through her hair and drip down her body like a waterfall. "There," she says with a small smile, feeling refreshed as it trickles down her chest and abs, "at least you can say I made good on my promise to bring you somewhere interesting."

Her tail swishes gently against the ground as she pushes the wet strands of hair out of her face. With renewed energy, she turns back towards him, eyeing his throat hungrily once more. "So," she says with a voice that's almost husky now, "now that I know who - and what - you are... how about we finish our date?" Her lips part slightly, inviting him to taste them, her tongue darting out tentatively to wet them in anticipation.

"What do you say, insect boy?" she whispers. "Are you ready for dessert?"

Cassadine's eyes widen in surprise as she watches the insect boy before her become more handsome and vital with every passing moment. It's almost... intoxicating. Her heart races faster, beating harder against her ribcage as she struggles to focus on what he's saying.

"Dessert?" she echoes breathily, tilting her head to the side as she studies him once more. His skin is no longer deathly pale, but a rich shade of amber that perfectly complements his ruby-red eyes. She can feel her own cheeks flush with heat as desire pools deep within her core. "Well, there's so many options..." Her voice trails off, lost in the throes of her lust.

She looks around the restaurant, taking in all the delicacies on display behind the glass counter. In truth, she can barely concentrate on anything except for him... and the thought of finally being able to sink her teeth into his flesh. But dessert would be such a wonderful way to end their date...

Without giving him another chance to respond, she smirks slyly and reaches out to grab his hand, pulling it across the table towards her. His skin is warm and smooth beneath hers, sending shivers down her spine as she studies it hungrily. For a moment, she just lets herself admire its perfect form before leaning in close and murmuring against his ear, "Perhaps we should share something sweet... together." Her lips brush against his neck, sending another shiver through him as she feels the beat of his heart race even faster beneath her touch.

Her free hand slides up his arm, tracing circles on his bicep before moving higher to caress the line of his jaw. The touch is feather-light, tantalizingly close to becoming