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**Peeker** · June 10th, 2007, 11:29 PM

Aleksandr smiled. "For one thing, you're far more fun than Gabrielle was. She was shy... I felt like a doctor, not a teacher, around her - there was so much pain to heal... I love her, Alice, yes, but... Mistakes are part of growing up, dear. You never got a chance to finish that - you are still young... and to tell you the truth... even when you get older, you'll be making mistakes. Many, many mistakes...." His smiling eyes gleamed down at her, an anchor for her stormy mind.

"Look at Mikeal. He isn't even my fledgling - that boy was over my knee this week! He isn't even a fledgling at all, Alice... mistakes.. they happen. ...and the guilt you may be feeling now.... I know the truth... I know you feel it because you love me - and that's what makes what I do worthwhile. ...I will be a very sad old man when you leave, Alice, for it may be a long time before I am gifted with a fledgling again, now that I've enraged Razziel... agreement or not... ...and I will always love you, no matter what you may do to me... or have done to me... ...and I know that you know that..."

There was a pause.

"...is that all you're thinking? Because if not... you must have a very cluttered mind."

**Kira_Wolf_Cub** · June 10th, 2007, 11:36 PM

She shook her head. There were still things running bout her head, but none she wanted to voice... yet. She stepped a little away from him, giving a small smile of thanks to him before hanging her head again. Comfort time was over, she had decided that. Now she needed to face the music of her poor choice of repeating, not one, but two crimes she had already payed for once not too long ago.

"Thanks Aleks." she whispered, her hand finding a stray strand of hair to gently wrap around itself. "For the rose and ... well... everything."

**Peeker** · June 10th, 2007, 11:42 PM

"You're very welcome, Alice. I'm sorry if I ruined that poor rose earlier. I was rather upset." Aleksandr kissed her softly on the forehead. He didn't really want to ask her to take the spanking they both knew she was going to get. Instead, he gently released the girl from his hold, and slowly began to walk away, leaving the dining room door open.

"I'm going to the ballroom, alright, Alice?" He paused. "I'd like you to come with me."

**Kira_Wolf_Cub** · June 11th, 2007, 12:02 AM

Taking a deep breath Alice turned and nodded her head.

"Sure,"

She tried to appear normal and calm as if he was asking for a music lesson for the sake of keeping face in front of the imps. She followed him for a few steps before suddenly grasping his hand in a light hold. She still wanted the closeness, even if it was just his hand.

"ummm... Aleks?" she looked put at him with nervous curious eyes. She wasn't sure if she really wanted to ask him her question or if she would like the answer. "What exactly is inside the chest in the ballroom?"

**Peeker** · June 11th, 2007, 12:05 AM

Aleksandr squeezed her hand firmly as the walked.

"Ah... that...." Alek frowned. "I don't really think you'll need to see what's in there, dear... its... Its a collection of things my sire gave to me, over the years... I... was going to show you some of them... I'll admit, it was a low blow, but... well... There's no need for that, right? If you'd like, I'll open that chest up for you later, okay?"

The ballroom was quiet, except for the pleasant sound of rain. Aleksandr exhaled deeply, relieved, as they entered it.

He felt better, already.

**Kira_Wolf_Cub** · June 11th, 2007, 02:03 AM

Alice looked worried at Aleks when he said there was no need for her to know what was inside the chest. She gave a tiny whimpered and squeezed his hand back.

"Wha... what do you mean... low blow?" She wanted to know.

**Peeker** · June 11th, 2007, 02:09 AM

"It would have been cruel to put you through such a guilt trip just because I was upset...." Aleksandr replied. "I was trying....I did not want to be so cruel, Alice. That would simply have been unfair. I was really angry before."

He shrugged, and the two started walking back towards the piano, slowly.

**Kira_Wolf_Cub** · June 11th, 2007, 02:39 AM

Alice gently sat down on the bench, letting out a saddened sigh as Aleks joined her. Although she knew she would regret it, she wanted to know.

'Better wait until after this...' She looked at Aleks much like a puppy would it's trained orders. "Wha... what happens now?"

It had been ages since she had asked him that. The words almost sent a feel of deja vu down her spine.

**Peeker** · June 11th, 2007, 02:41 AM

"What do you want to happen?" He asked, simply. He didn't want to force this upon her - it was important, and they were both rather emotional right now. The buttons that had to be pressed were few in number, and the more of them Alice pressed herself, the better.

**Kira_Wolf_Cub** · June 11th, 2007, 02:47 AM

Alice groaned to herself as she reconized what he was doing. He was forcing her to make the choise of paying for her crimes and living with her guilt over the betrayal. She sat silent for a moment only looking up when an imps would talk to eachother outside the door.

"I..." She took a deep breath knowing she would want to kick hersel fin a few minutes. "... should be punished for lying to you...."

She gently rubbed her hands and chewed lightly on her lower lips.

"... and for abusing you generosity again."

There she had said it. It was off her chest and out of her hands. She would leave it up to Aleks on just how high the price was going to be.