For there's no man in town half as manly

Tall, dark, and handsome strolled in an arrogant strut through a curtain of the last ripe grapes that dangled over a tree branch like a trellis. The Xanilov mask stood out in a brilliant blood-wine against the darkness of that face, but the creature who wore it was a considerably different animal than Ardent would have come to expect from those who'd come before. Those icy eyes full of ambition, disdain, and yes, narcissism. The arrogant tilt to those ears and tail, the way the toned body seemed to ooze sexuality. Oh yes, this was no kind-hearted Kassander Xanilov or knightly Alarik, nor even a wild Valeriya.

He paused dramatically as he reached a beam of sunlight that broke through the canopy of fruit trees, lifting his head to allow the light to hit him juuuuuuust right to show him off to his utmost. It wasn't that he thought anyone was watching. Just that someone MIGHT be watching, and that was just as important as showing off when you KNOW they're watching. Because it's a "candid" moment, see? It's TOTALLY unplanned and off the cuff and absolutely dazzles the watcher. Being the most gorgeous thing around was a lot of work you see.

He swept the clearing with a cool gaze with just the right hint of smolder to it, tossing his head and shrugging his shoulders to loosen the muscles and send his sleek pelt rippling magnificently. Oh yes. Gaze upon his masculinity and yearn, ladies. Demyan was back in town.