Nightly Lessons Book I: The Book of Beginnings

[Peeker]

"Yes, my Lord."

Janus (Jake) Dornell (Bell) stepped forward from behind his Master. His dark brown hair was tied tightly at the neck. He, like Razziel, was dressed in the Victorian style, though not quite as finely - as was fitting a lesser vampire. His suit was of a fine linen, dyed a dusty brown. He wore a waistcoat of black silk, and had a shoestring tie around his neck. His hazel-golden eyes pierced the distance between himself and the pair of strangers in front of him. His powerful gaze cut over Alice as well as Aleksandr before he stepped forward and made a deep bow.

"My Lord Rastline. Lady Harker." Janus kept his body bowed, though he raised his head - that striking gaze still filling his face. "I am honored to be invited into your home. Your hospitality is heartily appreciated."

"...and freely given. You are welcomed, young Master Dornell."

Janus straightened, and took a step back. Aleksandr offered a slight bow to Razziel, and offered his hand in greeting.

"Both of you are. Your travel was without incident, I assume?"

[Kira_Wolf_Cub]

"Indeed but rest can wait," Razziel finally let go of Alice's hand. "I most say, she's a rather fine young woman Aleksander. I'm still sore that she was given to you rather then myself..."

'Thank God for that!' Alice thought to herself and turned to gave a nervous bow to Janus. "It's nice to meet you, Janus..."

"Perhasps we should get the most important matters out of the way..." Razziel returned his attention to Aleksander. "... and allow the children to get aquainted better. I'm sure Janus would like the company of such a pretty flower..."

'Aleks please don't leave me with him,' Alice thought as she kept her eyes fixed on Janus. 'He looks like he's going to eat my soul where I stand...'

[Peeker]

'Shush, Alice. You'll get along. Behave, now.'

"We are well met then, Lady Alice." Janus gave a court-smile, and another small bow.

Janus' eyebrow twitched. Chlidren. Bah. "My Lord? I thought we-" He stopped - his eyes touched upon Razziel, and he froze. Lowered his head. "My apologies, my lords... I would be delighted to escort Lady Alice."

Alek gave an understanding nod. "We have much to speak of, young man. I am sure we will not spend all of the night speaking of it now. We will return eventually. Come. I'll escort you as far as my study, and Alice can show you to the sitting room from there." Alek began walking them up the stairs, letting the young vampire take in Rastline Manor.

[Kira_Wolf_Cub]

Razziel gave a short nod of agreement before looking at Janus hard.

"I desgusted this with you before Janus before we left for Rastline Manor," His voice was cold and threaten. "You will keep Lady Harker company and you will mind what buisness that concerns only you, is that clear?"

He then followed Aleks towards the study. The moment they were out of sight Alice let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"Dear God, I thought he was going to kill me..." She breathed and then smiled more freely at Janus. "Soo... Janus was it? Come with me, I'll show you the sitting room, Aleks was talking about."

She walked calmly down the hallways looking at the quiet boy.

"So... Janus Dornell? It that you real name or is it a given?" She decided some neutral ground would be best.

[Peeker]

"Given. My..... Master - he takes away our names when he takes us in. My name isn't Dornell - its Bell. Jake Bell... I still have a family - its... I hate it, but, well, I don't have a choice. So my name's Janus. Dornell." Janus sighed, angrily. He glared at the door they were walking away from. "...I really wish I knew what they were doing in there."

The boy had made a total change from how he was in front of his master. He never felt as though he could be himself around the man, and, considering how angry he was, he was pushing more and more of what he considered 'himself' into 'how angry he was'. His eyes were no longer coldly sizing up Alice, but were more expressive now - still sharp, even piercing, but somehow, much easier to look at.

He gave Alice a little smile. "Do you... do you want to know what they're saying?" He gave her a mischievous look. "I can make it so we'll hear what they're saying, if you'd like... I found a spell in one of my Master's books..."

[Kira_Wolf_Cub]

"I know how you feel..." She answered a little sadden by her own thoughts. "My parents use to live around here but they moved away after... well you know..."

Alice then stopped and stared at the boy as if he was mad. She was amazed on how different he was now that Raz was away.

"Are you insane?" She glanced around to check that now on the imps were around. she was dying to know what they were talking about. "We were told to go to the sitting room and entertain ourselves..."

She quickly grabbed his hand and pulled him along and pulled him into a nearby room.

"The walls have ears around here..." she explained and looked at him hard. "This spell, are you sure you know it? i don't want to get in trouble around here. Aleks was strict enough before you and Raz showed up."

She had no idea that her own life was different from Janus' own.

[Peeker]

"Oh yeah, I know it." Janus shrugged. "Its not even your spell, its not like-" He stopped. Yeah right. Like she wouldn't get punished... probably harder than he would be - for him doing something. "No, never mind. I don't want you to get punished. Lets... lets go to that sitting room."

He started to walk, blushing a little. "I just hope that we don't get in trouble for the idea..."

[Kira_Wolf_Cub]

Alice let out a breath she was holding and lead him to the sitting room. Once there she was unsure of what to do she she started some small talk.

"Sooo..." she tapped her foot, her immaturaty kicking in. "Tell me about yourself. they could take a while before getting us..."

[Peeker]

Janus shrugged, and did what the sitting room suggested he do - he sat. "I'm... seventeen, I think? I was turned when I was fifteen... I've been under my Master for a year-and-a-half, I think."

"Um..." He sighed. "I.. no... I... I don't have a sister anymore... I, um..." Janus shrugged. "I guess, nothing else, really. I'm still a fledgling. Master says thats enough for now." Janus gave a sad smile. "I think he's right. He's taught me Latin, and how to fence, some vampire histories, violin, a little piano, some lesser magics, and, of course, court manners..."

Janus looked up at Alice, having had his eyes down in concentration. "My master says you've been here for two years. What kind of things has your Sire taught you?"

[Kira_Wolf_Cub]

Alice smiled feeling that she was on more even ground with him. Maybe he wasn't so bad, a little cold because of Raz but that was all.

"Aleks' been teaching me history as well. i'm terrible at it," She laughed lightly at the memories of him telling her about his fledglinghood. "He's been teaching me the piano and some magic although not a lot. My aim sucks worse the Paris Hilton's singing..." She laughed and leaned close. "Don't tell Aleks those. He doesn't want me swearing but I still don't think sucks should count..."

She then leaned back and smiled and thought for a moment.

"Other then that he's been pretty nice about everything. I usually get to wear what I want and during my free time I either study a bit or goof off in my room." She looked at him for a moment. "I did recently learn how to dance. Mikeal helped teach me. Do you know him?"