Nightly Lessons Book I: The Book of Beginnings

[Peeker]

Alek blanketed the girl in a bear hug. "Its hard to stop crying.... I... I love you, little Alice... and I never, ever want to hurt you... I... Oh please, Alice... please forgive me..." The man's strong hands went limp, he depended entirely on his trembling arms to keep her against him. "I... I can't apologize for trying to take care of you - but I'm sorry... I didn't mean to hurt you... what... whatever I can do... I promise... I..."

The man rocked her slightly, stroking her hair.

[Kira_Wolf_Cub]

Alice went limp in his arms herself, not having the strength anymore to stand. She was tired. Emotionally exhausted and spend. She didn't hear anything that Aleks said, just that he kept asking her for forgiveness.

'Can I?" she asked herself. Can I truely forgive?'

Do you really have to ask that? you know you do and can.He's only human... very close to it.

Alice frowned as she heard the second voice. It wasn't anyone whom she knew and it didn't feel like someone was in her mind.

'Who are you?'

Doesn't really matter, Alice. Forgive him. He's no different then your dad was. He wants to protect you, keep you safe.... what would you have done if you had gone along? Fright Mathew? You know it was better that you didn't go, so forgive Aleks before you let history repeat itself.

'Youre right,' she hugged Aleks close to her, her eyes drooping with exhausten. "I forgive you... I forgive you Aleks..."

'Who are you?' she asked in her mind again only to here several small childish giggles.

you still don't know? i'm you.

[Peeker]

"Thank you, Alice." The man rose, the girl still in his arms, and laid her down on her bed, hugging her tightly. "....thank you...." He kissed her forehead, and smiled down at her, rubbing the tears from his eyes. "You... you should get some rest. Come find me when you wake up, okay?"

...How can I make up what I did to her? She misses home... of course... we all miss home, really... but... What can I do to make this more like home?

Aleksandr thought about the spellbooks in his library. Maybe... Maybe he could do something else - he closed the door softly behind Alice, and let her sleep.

He didn't notice Klonoa run between his legs out the door as he did so.

"...sleep well, Dear Alice..."

[Kira_Wolf_Cub]

Alice curled up on her bed, Klonoa forcing his way under her arm as she watched Aleks leave. She gave him a soft smile, before her eyes drifted shut.

'Me huh? Since when did I think of myself as some kid...' She scuffed in her thoughts that began to muddle together.

###

Mikeal grinned at he knocked the rapier out of Janus' hands for the second time. the boy was good, he had studied the art well for having a year and a halfs training, but Mikeal had years of training above him and he wasn't going to let the boy beat him every time.

"Very good, Janus very good," He gave him a bow before feeling about the manor. the uneasy airs had cleared and returned soomewhat to normal. "I do believe we can rejoin them again."

He took the two rapiers and set them aside for later use and walked out the door, meeting Aleks in the hallways heading towards the studies.

"Is all well now Aleks?"

[Peeker]

"Much." Aleksandr, relieved, smiled at the two of them. "Mikeal... I'll say this in front of Janus to be frank with you... the council does not know about our arrangement, and I doubt Razziel will want to tell them. I do not want you to break my confidence... This is your fledgling - treat him well." He looked at Janus. "...and if you ever think to force me to act as I have with Alice, I'll kill Valentine and put you back in Razziel's hands. Is that understood, Janus?"

"M-m-m'lord!" Janus bowed his head obediently.

"Good. ...thank you both for your help today... I'm rather indebted for it." The man rubbed his temples. "Endless Nights above, what a trying week this has been... It is good to share it with friends."

[Kira_Wolf_Cub]

Even Mikeal felt himself bow like some student to a headmaster at Aleksandr's word. he pulled Janus quickly to his side before looking at Aleks and stating in a joking manner that held a whisper of seriousness under it.

"Over my dead body, he will." He ruffled Janus' hair and nodded at Aleks. "I guess that Alice is resting right now. Good, it may be best for her. Tell me Aleks, where are you head? Perhaps, Janus and I may join you, unless.." He looked at Janus fondly. "Janus, you wish to do something else, until Alice awakens... it's up to you. Think of this... as a new first night as a fledgling."

[Peeker]

Aleksandr nodded. "I have a thought... I need to do some research in my library..."

Janus perked up. "Library? I... haven't seen that, have I, Lord Aleksandr?"

"...no, Janus. I keep it off limits. Well.. off-limits to any who aren't under my supervision. Would you like to see it?"

"Yes, m'lord! I won't be in your way - promise."

"While we're in there, make sure you tell me before touching anything. It isn't a safe place, whether its mine or not, understand?"

"Yes, m'lord."

[Kira_Wolf_Cub]

"Research?" Mikeal rose an eyebrow as he followed Aleks to his private library. "On what? Maybe I can help you?"

He had only notice been in the private library and it had been the time Gabby and him had sneaked in without Aleksandr's knowledge. Not that that had lasted very long. They were spotted by one of the imps who happily snitched them out and they both had payed the price for it over Aleks' knee. Blushing at the memory, it reminded Mikeal to write Gabby as soon as he got him. If he recalld correctly, she was living in Spain at the moment. That or Rome.

"i remember this place. Gabby was very fond of it," He commented as he placed a whisper of a finger on the spin of one of the books. "Nearly crushed her when you revoked her permission to enter it again. If I recall recall correctly, it hurt you just as much."

Mikeal smiled at his elder, musing how despite the gap in their ages, they were very close friends. He patted Janus on the head.

"Remember to behave."

[Peeker]

The room was almost as large as the ballroom, in some respects - books covered all four walls, and there were four large bookshelves in the middle of the room - the majority of the space left over by this framing of rich lacquered shelving was dominated by a large desk, and several chairs - sconces on the walls and ceiling burned with bright witchfire.

"Yes, Mikeal." Janus said with a nod.

"We'll deal with Janus first, Mikeal - then I'll tell you what I'm looking for. ...so what would you like to browse, boy?"

"I don't really know, sir."

"Alright... None of the shelves on the left wall are there for you to even look at... nor are the ones behind my desk... anything on the right wall, ask before touching - and the stacks are available, no problem."


"Um... alright. Say, that spell you used, Mikeal? To create the rapier?"

Aleksandr smiled, and snapped his fingers. A thin green tome appeared in front of Janus. "Try that, Janus."

Janus nodded. "Thanks, Aleksandr!" ...and sat down to study.

Aleksandr turned to Mikeal with a smile. "...as for us..." He walked over to the forbidden shelves on the left wall. Two rows were dominated by brown-spined leather-bound books. "...I want to give Alice a chance to say goodbye. I don't know what I'm looking for - necromantic transfer - her spirit appearing to them... a dream-speech invocation... That's why I'm looking. The price doesn't really bother me - I just need to make sure it'll be safe for her."

[Kira_Wolf_Cub]

"Be careful with that book, Janus," Mikeal warned lightly. He knew how Aleks felt about his books. "They are very old and can rip easily. If you rip one out of carelessness, i won't be happy."

He knew he didn't really have to tell the boy that. Razziel had probably beaten that into him by the third day, but he felt the need to say so anyways, just to insure that Janus knew that he felt the smae way about book. he then turned to Aleks.

"That may take some time..." Mikeal glanced about, grabbing a book and flipping through the pages. "Necromantic spells are always pricey things, demanding life for their use. Never the less I'm sure we'll find something."

He glanced at Aleks and patted him on the shoulder laughing lightly under his breath.

"She truly is a typical girl, your Alice. She has you wrapped about her little fingers and doesn't even know it." He joked lightly. "I dare say with the Blood Moon festival comes about, she'll be the belle of the ball. For now however... that spell..."