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 Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2012 5:58 am
{ Ｊａｍｉｅ Ｋａｔｈｅｒｉｎｅ }Ｔｈｅ Ｓｅｅｋｅｒ Her eyes sparkled in the light of the fire, first at the book and then at Pierre. She wanted to giggle with excitement as she flipped over the cover. The lettering was adorned with ornate swirls and sharp turns, but she could easily make out every word. Her heart raced with enthusiasm, it felt to her as if she was about to take flight any moment. The first few chapters were an introduction to spell craft. That included charms and potions. Jamie smiled, she's always been curious about the practical side of sorcery and wondered if she could execute the crafts herself. If she could, it would be a great advantage towards her cause. The introduction beholds the basic origins of sorcery and some folklore that she recognized from Earthen books. Finally, the enormous chapter on charms awaited her. Pale fingers flipped through the pages, her mind absorbing every ounce of knowledge.
Her thoughts drifted to the vampire lady. The rage in her eyes was pathetic, but true. If she was going to try something, Jamie might as well be prepared. She flipped the book to its index and scanned through the names and titles. Her finger lingered at a small line. Protection Charms. Quickly, she fumbled with the pages and got to page 1003, the one she was looking for. There were wards against evil spirits, diseases, misfortune, rain...
"Sun," she whispered to herself. It was a simple chant that sang itself to her as she read it. The tunes were haunting, but not difficult to mimic. She tried it in a whisper, concentrating on an object as the book instructed. The item she picked was a pen - a golden quill resting near its ink pot. A soft light shone from the quill, turning the gold into pure light. Jamie glanced at Pierre for reassurance that it didn't wake him. He remained motionless. Taking the quill, she tiptoed her way past him toward the curtains. She gently pulled away a piece where the rays that shot through from behind it wouldn't hurt her sleeping master. Holding the quill delicately in her left hand, she stepped into the sunlight and took off her gloves so she could feel it's warmth. The quill didn't glow to indicate that it was working, but she couldn't feel the heat. She inspected her skin. There was a faint golden bubble around her, sticking to her like a second skin. She gave a soundless squeal of triumph and rushed to Pierre's side, after ensuring the heavy curtains were properly in place once again.
He seemed so peaceful - as peaceful as the immaculate dead. Jamie knelt at the side of his bed and stared at him. His features were calming and his face was expressionless. It was as if his troubles had vanished; as if he wasn't a monster at all. A pale hand hovered within millimeters above his cheek, but retracted suddenly when its owner realized what she was doing. After shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she gently rested her hand on his wrist.
"Pierre?" she whispered, examining his face for any reactions.
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 2:52 am
Pierre felt a light pressure on his wrist, calling him back. He snapped his eyes open suddenly and Jamie took a startled half step back. He blinked his eyes, trying to make sense of what was going on; he always woke a little disoriented. She opened her mouth to say something but he put his hand over her mouth. They remained that way for several minutes before he stood, stretched, and circled around to the other side of a partition. He quickly stripped off his clothes and sank into a hot bath, submerging himself completely for a brief moment. He resurfaced and opened a nearby bottle, pouring it into his palm and carefully working it into his hair.
A rich scent filled the room, one that was unique to Jean-Pierre and very alluring. He heard Jamie sit on the edge of his bed, waiting patiently. For some reason, he felt a bit guilty for keeping her waiting and hurried a little.
Once he was finished, he stepped out of the ivory basin and onto the black marble floor, drying himself thoroughly. He combed his hair and let it fall into its usual neat curls, not bothering to tie it back. Lastly, he pulled on fresh clothes similar to the ones he had been wearing; he appeared around the partition once more and took his seat next to Jamie. He sat closer to her than usual, his scent obviously making her mind wander. He backed away; instantly, she seemed less distracted.
"What is it, Jamie," he asked quietly and politely, his voice rumbling in his chest, resembling a bit of a purr. He cursed inwardly, chalking it up to being disoriented from his sleep.
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 3:32 am
{ Ｊａｍｉｅ Ｋａｔｈｅｒｉｎｅ }Ｔｈｅ Ｓｅｅｋｅｒ Jamie's eyes stretched wide in surprise as he undressed as if she wasn't even there. She buried her face in the bedding, not only trying to give him some privacy and respect, but also as an attempt to hide her blush. The room filled with him and as he sat a bit too close, a hot flash made the hairs on her neck rise.
"I... uh..." she stuttered, then cleared her throat and tried again. "I have something for you, master."
She held out the quill to him, allowing her hand to retreat safely by her side after he took it. Instantly she felt exhausted. It was as if the quill held the energy of the chant she preformed and then gave it to the carrier. She looked up from the quill and met Pierre's eyes.
"I need you to trust me," she said, her voice had a slight sturdy quality about it that surprised even her. She took one of the thick curtains in one hand and pointed at the quill with the other, telling him not to let it go. Then, she slowly withdrew the curtain so the sunlight could reach Pierre. She watched the rays as they slowly, but surely, crept onto Pierre's lap and over his face. Her heart was beating in her throat. If he was going to burn she would offer her wrist for him again. Or perhaps her neck since it was her doing. She winced as the golden light fell softly over his face, illuminating what she already knew was perfect. It didn't burn him, but by the look on his face, she could tell it was stinging a bit. Dropping the curtain to its rightful place, Jamie's eyes rested on the now green figure. Seeing that he was fine and not on fire, she closed her eyes so they could adjust to the darker interior and smiled with pride. Her experiment worked, but it needed some practice on her behalf. Perhaps if Pierre was to chant it with her. The melody was still stuck in her mind and she could imagine him singing it with her. If they could pick another object, something he always wore that was not already enchanted, it would be much easier for him to carry around the charm without it being noticed as the quill would have been.
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 6:20 am
Pierre stared down at the quill, his face unreadable. He took a minute to sort out the flood of contradicting emotions - anger, fear, shock, hope, disgust, self-loathing... He threw the quill from him and stared at Jamie with cold eyes. He couldn't find the words to speak; he simply sat there, shaking with silent anger.
At last, the words found him. "Do you have any idea what you have done? Do you? I will not be seen in the light! There is a reason for everything, Jamie! You cannot change the laws of nature! There could have been serious consequences to your actions!" He stood and began pacing. After a while, he stopped and turned to face her once more. "Perhaps this is my fault. I overestimated you," he said, watching the insult weigh heavily on her shoulders. "You first need to know the history of the very first vampire, as well as the laws of magic. There are certain things you can and cannot do without causing chaos in the world... as kind as your intentions may be," he added softly, placing his hand under her chin and tilting her face upward to peer into his.
"That was very kind of you, but one simply cannot change what we are..." He withdrew his hand gently and returned to his bed, calling over his shoulder, "Help yourself to anything in this room, including my private collection of books. But no more experiments. I don't need to change colors or have the room explode," he joked.
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 7:26 am
{ Ｊａｍｉｅ Ｋａｔｈｅｒｉｎｅ }Ｔｈｅ Ｓｅｅｋｅｒ No, you don't have to change colour," Jamie joked back, smiling at him. He had a weird way of lifting her spirits after battering them down, but she was getting accustomed to it.
"Unless you need to blend in with the night," she added, glancing teasingly at him. Picking up the quill, she inspected the damage. There was none.
Well, it would be there if he needed it. Not that one could predict when one would be thrown into the sun. She placed the quill on his desk and started to investigate the books and parchments he had in his room. She found an empty book in one of the drawers and showed it to Pierre.
"May I use this?" He nodded, presuming his sleeping position. Jamie crawled onto the bed and sat next to him.
"Master?" Her voice wavered in hesitation. She was unsure whether she should ask him about her or not. Taking a deep breath and gathering her scrambled courage, she met Pierre's awaiting eyes.
"The lady in the study. Who is she? And what does she want with you?"
She came down to the point immediately. She had to bite on her tongue to refrain from asking: And why does she hate me so much? She figured it would be best if he didn't know. She doubted he would feed her knowledge if she was prone to use it against another vampire. Jamie needed to know more about her opponent before she could make her move. She wanted the lady to make the first move, but she had to be prepared nevertheless. The dame wanted Pierre for unknown reasons. It could be because of his power, his rank, or his exterior. Or perhaps, Jamie dreaded the idea, she knew him and wanted him for his inner being. If that was the case then she was, in fact, helixly wrapped around an axis.
She fiddled with the silver thread around her wrist. It glinted a white gold in the flickering candle light. From the moment she first met him he was fierce and brutal. A complete monster to whom she was nothing but a slave. A pet as the lady liked to call her. Despite his cruelty and brutality (her thoughts jumped to the incident in the basement and to her bruised arm) he was considerate in his own way. He saved her from being abused, even though he liked to do so subtly himself, and he didn't kill her off yet. That meant a great deal to her. This was her destiny. She glanced up at Pierre, staring him straight in the eye and secretly sniggering at the lady's comment on how she was unworthy to do so. If she was to die by her hands, she would die protecting him. She compared it to the hunting lesson he gave her. If you kill the fawn, the adult will still be able to take care of the other fawn (James). No, Jamie was no pet. She was a companion who has pledged her undying loyalty to an immortal cause.
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 8:14 am
Pierre smiled inwardly at Jamie's questions. "Now why the concern? She's a beautiful woman who was once Alan's mate, but now belongs to me. You, of course, remember Alan." He stretched out on the bed, yawning as he did so. "I assume she wants to be my mate," he said in airy tones, closing his eyes to relax, "She is in love with me, after all. Or so she confesses to me every other day." He chuckled and settled down to drift off to sleep once more, feeling an odd emotion eminating from Jamie. "I can feel you'll ask me at some point, so I'll save you the trouble," he said, slightly annoyed for a reason unknown to him, "If I am to take her as my mate, she will be your master as well. Now... go play," he told her, for lack of a better word. Almost immediately, he fell into a deep, vivid dream.
Rem was swiming in a clear lake. She beckoned him closer, treading water. He came to the water's edge. "The chalice, my love. Take the chalice." He noticed a golden chalice at the water's edge. He picked it up. "Drink. The water satisfies. No more blood... no more humans. No more Jamie." He dipped the chalice into the lake and lifted it to his lips. "That's it..."
He sat straight up, trying to shake the feeling of hands pulling at his clothing as if to tug him away. All traces of earlier annoyance had vanished. The memory of his conversation with Jamie seemed strange to him, as if it was another controlling his actions. His head was reeling. What the hell was that all about? He looked wildly around the room, calming only when he saw Jamie sitting at a table, her back to him. It was afternoon already, he noted from the angle of the sun streaming through the curtains across the room. He sighed and slumped back into his pillows. I need to get some sleep. I am fatigued. Speaking of... "Are you hungry," he called out across the room.
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Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:10 am
{ Ｊａｍｉｅ Ｋａｔｈｅｒｉｎｅ }Ｔｈｅ Ｓｅｅｋｅｒ Jamie dotted down curses and charms in a flurry of mixed emotions. She wouldn't serve Alan's widow. She'd rather die. There was something else tugging at her heart, though she refused to inspect it. She refused to indulge in self hatred and even think about him or Rem. No, thinking about Rem was soothing.
I am going to kill her.
She flipped another page, scanned it's contents and scribbled it down, drawing charts of rituals and briefly accounting for what she'll need for them. As for the lumps of energy it would take, she would have to test them out herself.
"She's a beautiful woman..." Jamie shuddered unwillingly. She wanted to hit something. Anything.
"Are you hungry?" His voice made her froze, alert in her drowsy state. It made her claw at her stomach. She hasn't eaten anything all night, but she wasn't hungry.
"No," she snapped. Realizing she said it rather rudely, she rephrased. "No thank you, my lord." She peeked, for a fleeting moment, at him and noticed how he was slightly confused and troubled. Or perhaps that was her emotions; or his, flowing over to her like the nausea did the night before. She hoped he couldn't feel what she was trying to suppress.
"Perhaps..." She needed to eat, whether she wanted to or not. She felt like running - not towards anything, but away from everything. She even wanted to run away from James and forget everything he had told her. Burying her forehead in the book she tried to recollect her thoughts.
"Are you hungry?" She didn't dare face him. Jamie braced herself for his turn to speak. She wished he would slap her, perhaps even rip her arm off as he reminded her that the thread could do so, so many times before. She wished he didn't save her. If she died at Alan's hand, Rem wouldn't be taunting him. Then Jamie wouldn't know about the poor James and she would still have many a reason to hate Pierre.
In a haze, she followed Pierre to the diner. The piano still stood there, engulfed in the shadows that danced in the room due to the tightly shut shutters and curtains. A tired waiter approached Pierre, attempting to persuade him to purchase the midday special. Jamie left his side in a dazed wander. She didn't know where her feet was taking her, but she didn't oppose either. Her boots tapped onto marble as she reached an enormous hall. She has never seen anything like it, but it failed in exciting her. The ballroom was beautifully decorated, even when unused and abandoned during day time. A single ray of sunshine filtered in by one of the top curtains. It caught a glass object in the corner, glinting and she was drawn towards it mindlessly. She picked it up, gently cradling it in her arms. It was a violin - an acoustic violin made from glass with some sort of golden dust trapped within it. Its bow wasn't far off. She wiped the rosin off the strings with a piece of her dress and pressed it to her chin. Her fingers found their places as she lifted the bow with her right hand. Applying light pressure she started in piano, drawing on a melody from her memory, Nocturne. Her left hand moved expertly from one position-set to another while her right arm dragged the bow across the strings in passion and grace. Tears streaked down her cheeks, leaving snail-trails behind as she got rid of her excess confusing emotions. All the while, the golden particles swirled in beauteous patterns, telling a story of a lost hare in a forest lit only by the moon as she manipulated the instrument to serve its purpose.
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Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 7:30 am
Pierre silently followed her into the ballroom and tensed as she picked up the violin. In that moment she seemed so fragile, so human. From the doorway, he heard a drop of water fall to the marble floor. With a stab of pity, he realized Jamie was crying. He crossed the room and put his hand upon hers, halting the bow. Gently, he applied pressure until she lowered both violin and bow to her sides. Pierre felt as though he was watching someone else's hand as he stretched his fingers out toward her face and wiped away her tears. "It belongs to you now," he said softly, indicating the violin.
He placed Jamie's arm in his as he led her back to the dining hall. He steered her into a chair. "Eat," he commanded, pointing to the table piled high with various dishes. He sat across from her and a vampire approached him. The man knealt down beside Pierre's chair. Pierre looked down. "François," he acknowledged. "Sire, he found his dagger missing and... well, there was a piece of cloth caught on a hook. It had your human's scent."
"She's been with me." François nodded vigorously. "Don't I know it, sir? And I told him so. But he is adamant." Pierre sighed. "Rem?" François nodded again. "I believe so, sir."
"Very well. Tell him I vouch for my Jamie and convey my deepest sympathy."
"Yes sir. But something must be done."
"I vehmently agree."
"For her the stakes can be no higher and - "
"And for me they can insult no more! There's nothing for it - "
"So you will?"
"I will and I must."
They looked up, Pierre meeting Jamie's eyes and staring deep into them. "Jamie," he said gravely, "Consider carefully. If I were to turn you into one of us, would you remain here in Ravenheart? Or would you flee?" His teeth flashed in the light of the room. "Think, girl," François urged, "Think hard."
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Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 8:31 am
{ Ｊａｍｉｅ Ｋａｔｈｅｒｉｎｅ }Ｔｈｅ Ｓｅｅｋｅｒ Why was he being kind to her? Jamie frowned in confusion, but didn't protest. She held onto the violin, hugging it gently against her chest and feeling warm as her affection grew for it. Once they reached the table, she gasped at the food. There seemed to be something of everything. Her stomach gave a soft whimper as she took her seat and started loading small proportions into her plate. She decided to start with vegetables - pumpkin, spinach, broccoli, mushrooms, carrots and gem-squash. Next was a piece of lamb about the size of her fist, topped with a few splashes of lemon juice, along with white basmati rice that has been cooked into splendor. She forgot how good rice tasted and how fond of it she used to be. She added another huge spoon of it to her plate, sipping white wine in between. Even though she was starving, she did not discard her knowledge of etiquette. She wiped the corners of her mouth with a serviette, every time she thought her lips might have been tainted with the sauce of one of the dishes, which she then folded onto her lap once again.
At first, she didn't hear the gentleman that added a number to their company until Pierre lifted her eyes as if by some otherworldly will and held her gaze. He gave her the opportunity to become a vampire. She lowered her eyes towards her now empty plate. It was what she always wanted - the power, the freedom (or at least partially). It would give her a fair advantage when it came to Rem. Jamie knew well she wouldn't be of her rank, but she could try to reach that. Or perhaps go even higher. She would read all the books the Vampiric library had to offer. She would devote her time to her studies and experiment with different things. She'd attend classes - she was sure there had to be some somewhere in Ravenheart. She could enchant her personal items if she ever obtained any. She wouldn't have to fear the sun as the rest of them did, but, as Pierre mentioned, she wouldn't walk about in the light idly. She would have a life time to perfect her mannerisms; her flaws and fulfill her ambitions. She found it hard to hide her enthusiasm, but managed into keeping her face neutral.
Then again, all the human pleasures. The hot flash on her neck that ran down her back was something she had never felt before. If she agreed, she would never be able to explore what was human.
I never had been human, not truly anyway. My life ended before it could begin. My parents, disappeared. The orphans counted on me for protection and consolation. There is no room for flaws and humanity in the Vampiric society. There's no childhood, even though I never had it - I'd never be given the chance to be one if he was to turn me. Would I fit in? Would I even be able to see James once I'm turned?
She stopped herself, throwing her hesitation out the door.
Of course I'd be able to see him. I'd still be sired by Pierre.
"Why would I flee?" she asked, meeting her master's eyes again. If he turned her, she wouldn't even leave him. She would hold onto the thread that marked her as his. "...my Jamie..." She covered her hand over her wrist, making sure the razor thread was still there, and then folded her hands onto her lap, sitting up straight and secretly scolding herself for her emotions - prior and current.
There is only power; only ambition, she tried to convince herself.
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Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 12:30 pm
François smiled. "I'll go inform his majesty." With a bow, the young vampire sprinted away through the main doors. Pierre regareded Jamie carefully. Perhaps she was just trying to make me look good in front of François. She may actually be terrified, he reminded himself. The emotion of fear felt so foreign to him; even as a human he had only experienced it twice. He stood and circled around the table to stand behind Jamie, commanding both humans and vampires alike to leave the room. He gripped the back of her chair and looked down at her as she looked up at him. "Jamie," he said gravely, "being one of us is a difficult life. If you choose this life, you will first learn how we live. You'll pick a profession, should you choose to have your own life and live outside of these grounds; you'll have to learn how we handle our transactions - our forms of currency; you'll need to learn a great number of things, including our legal system, all before you can be turned. Then you will be tested; the Ordeal is not to be taken lightly. Many have died in the chamber."
He reached out to stroke her cheek, but caught himself and returned his hand to the thick material of the chair. "I cannot help you, nor can I tell you what awaits. The Ordeal will be for you to face - you and you alone must conquer what awaits. And," he hesitated, "that will not be all that awaits you..."
He knealt at Jamie's side and placed a hand lightly upon hers. "You will be courted by many men; one day, you will have to choose a suitor." Pierre felt an odd flicker of some unknown emotion flare up within him. He struggled to keep his face blank; Jamie's eyes found his, as they always did, and he knew they betrayed his emotion. He couldn't stop himself from inching his face closer to hers. "Is this what you want," he asked softly, his words taking on the weight of more than one meaning. A knot formed in his stomach.
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Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 1:33 pm
{ Ｊａｍｉｅ Ｋａｔｈｅｒｉｎｅ }Ｔｈｅ Ｓｅｅｋｅｒ Jamie thought about it for a moment. It was completely above her and she was scared, but she had to. For her sake and Pierre's. If she was going to protect him from Rem, she had to become stronger. At least then she would stand a fair chance to defeat her. She would also need time. A lot of time. Was Pierre going to be all right alone, without her to ward Rem off him? Was she going to survive without him? She never thought about that. She knew, somehow, he'd be okay, but she never thought of herself as being alone in the vampire world. That was one of the main reasons she didn't want to leave Ravenheart.
And what if the power consumes me? What if I become addicted to the hunt and forget who I am?
She shuddered at the thought. If she was ever going to forget about her days at Earth, or even her human days in Ravenheart - if she forgot anything that happened to her while she was here - she wanted Pierre to kill her.
Why would I ever forget? She contemplated. I have not even forgotten my memories of my parents. Disgust crept into her mind's voice as she thought of them. Even though she was quite small, she could recall their voices as if they were fighting right in front of her up until the moment they were killed in front of her eyes.
An ordeal... She shivered, a cold chill running down her spine and into her boots. That meant torture. It was going to be tough, but she would be ready for it when it came about her path. She just needed to sit in there and endure everything they threw her way - it couldn't be too hard...
"Does that mean I have to take accounting all over again?" She joked about the currency and transactions part, trying to lighten his mood, but fell silent when he knelt beside her. She met his gaze and became lost in his golden eyes.
He saved her. It was the least she could do for him.
He's been sticking his head out for you all this time, Jamie. You can't let him down... Not ever.
Jamie felt an odd warmth in her chest. She didn't quite understand it, but wasn't planning on letting it go too soon. She leaned closer, gently touching his nose with hers, and closed her eyes. This was something she'd like to remember. She felt safe. For the first time in her life, she felt safe.
"I doubt anyone will court me," she started in a whisper too soft for any human ear to make out, yet she knew he could hear her. "Besides, servants don't go marry off anyone." She tried to make it sound as casual as she could. She didn't want to say anything, she just wanted to stay like this with him forever.
"Yes," she said, a little clearer than her previous whisper, but it remained subtle and humble.
"I have to..." She took his hand and opened her eyes. He's so close. Her heart began to gallop. Staring him straight in the eyes with renewed confidence, she added: "I have to do it... For you," the last part she only mouthed, glancing down toward their hands.
"Just, please, promise me one thing," her voice held a type of last-request sound to it. "Whatever Rem tells you, please, do not trust her. I don't care if she loves you. Or if you love her back," she suppressed a gulp, "just think twice before you submit to her. Please?"
She wanted to ask more of him, but she was afraid he was going to oblige. She wished for nothing more but to remain in his company. She wanted to visit him as often as she could, and she didn't want him to go looking for another servant. But more than anything, she didn't want to let go. She lifted his hand and put his fingers to her lips, willing the tears to go back from whence they came.
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 3:52 am
"Submit to her," he asked with a faint laugh. He closed his eyes and leaned further in, brushing her lips gently with his. She leaned back into the chair; he pursued her, once more touching his lips to hers. He kissed her deeply for a moment and pulled away. She was silent, eyes widened in surprise. He chuckled and stroked her hair. "Get some rest," Pierre told her.
He crossed the room and made his way up the landing to his chambers. He was exhausted and it was only an hour until sunset. If I am lucky, I'll fall asleep right away, he thought. Once in his room, he closed the door and climbed into the bed. As he wished, he fell immediately into another vivid dream.
Rem sat on the surface in the middle of a lake, her skirt spread out around her in a delicate swirl. The moon was full and fog rolled thickly all around them. He looked down into the water, but could see nothing past his own reflection - the water was still and smooth. She looked him up and down. "You insist on breaking my heart," she said calmly, in a small and innocent voice. "What is she compared to me? A silly human child filled with fantastical notions of the world around her. I suit you. She could never favor you as highly as I do." Pierre drifted closer, "I have not made up my mind, nor has she. She will, undoubtedly, want a life of her own. She will take a suitor."
Rem nodded, satisfied, reaching up to put her soft pale hand into his. "And when she does, I will be waiting..."
The dream dissolved and Pierre awoke to the sound of the ringing gates.
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:39 am
{ Ｊａｍｉｅ Ｋａｔｈｅｒｉｎｅ }Ｔｈｅ Ｓｅｅｋｅｒ She entered her room and locked the door behind her, leaning against it as she sank to the floor. Her fingers gently touched her lips where his had been only a few moments earlier. She was confused. Something inside her mind told her not to trust him, yet another giggled uncontrollably. As for Jamie herself, being wedged between these emotions, she felt overwhelmed. She thought back to the things he had said, but her thoughts kept returning to that kiss. She wished it could have lingered just a little bit longer. Biting her lip, she stood and crashed onto her bed with a pillow nestled in her arms.
She was human, and she knew that. Though, over time, she wouldn't be anymore. She realized that, with her becoming a vampire, she would live a life of her own. That she wouldn't be obliged to follow Pierre around like a pet.
Do masters kiss their pets? She shook her head vigorously in order to clear her thoughts, as it has become an habit of hers. How strange she found life to be. One focused on the little things when gigantic obstacles faced one in all their wrath and fury. Yet, the scene kept playing over and over in her mind, despite her attempts at rebellion. That late afternoon she fell into a dreamless, yet peaceful sleep with a little smile and a glowing heart.
A loud clanging woke her, abruptly, and she sat upright. Dizziness hit her like a punch, knocking her onto the bedding again. It was cold. She had slept without any blankets with only her waking clothes (since one cannot really call them day clothes) to keep her body temperature normal. As if clubbed by lethargy, she staggered her way to the bath, opening the taps and searching for some lotions and new scents to try out. There was quite a variety in her bathroom cabinet that caused her to feel pampered. She loved it - the freedom of choice.
"Let's see," she mused with a voice of a girl that didn't have larger burdens to worry herself about. There was lemon and rosemary, vanilla, and then a cream range - strawberry and cream, lemon and cream, peach and cream, and finally cocoa butter. She decided on two of them after sniffing from each bottle. Soaking into the hot water, she sighed. The knots in her shoulders relaxed as she massaged them. She left the vanilla conditioner in her hair and let her head fall back, staring up at the ceiling.
The only thing I am afraid of is that Ordeal. And losing Pierre, but she didn't include it in her prep speech.
I'll have to do research on it. Perhaps ask others what it was like... She trailed off.
I don't want Rem to know about me becoming a vampire. I want her to believe that I'm with Pierre at all times and that it would be impossible for her to make a move. When I finished the exams and the Ordeal, I will attend to her. I won't kill her. I can't. It would be a stupid thing to do. If she wants to sell her soul on chasing Pierre, then that's her problem...
Yet, why do I feel so opposed to the idea?
She thought about the kiss and her eyes lit up in hope.
Perhaps I have as a fair chance to win his heart as she does. The kiss was real, wasn't it? Either way, I'll have to study hard and be a quick learner as not to waste time.
She lowered her head into the water and remained that way until she had to come up for air. After her bath, she indulged in cocoa and vanilla body butter, and brushed her teeth with a substance that resembled toothpaste, but left your breath even fresher. She tied her hair in a loose bun and slipped on a pastel corset dress. Standing in front of the mirror, she applied a bit of lip gloss she found in her bloodied jeans and slapped her cheeks a bit for a natural blush. One of the older children in the orphanage taught her that and tonight she was feeling a little extra perky than usual.
She made her way to the study where she browsed the books she were allowed to read, wondering what kind of books awaited her.
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 12:43 pm
Pierre heard a knock at his door. He sighed angrily. "What is it?" The door creaked open. It was François. "Sire, you'd better come quickly to the council. And... just hurry. I'll bring Jamie." Pierre nodded as François shut the door.
Within half an hour, Pierre stood in front of the council. Jamie was not allowed inside, he knew; he wondered if she had arrived yet. "Young Prince," a voice brought him back from his thoughts. "You wish to make your slave, Jamie Katherine Knight, your apprentice vampire?"
"I do."
"On what grounds?"
"She has served me well and will make a fine addition to our numbers."
The man peered down at Pierre over the rims of his small, rectangular glasses. "Do you wish to take her as your mate?" Pierre kept his face calm. "Not at this present time, though I may do so in the future." The man sat back, satisfied. "The council recognizes this action and gives you our blessing. You may go."
Pierre quickly strode out of the chamber and came face to face with another vampire - Alfred. Pierre knew Alfred to be a kind, gentle, lazy sort of vampire who never seemed to be without a smile. He usually loved a chat with the blonde youth, but he was impatient to return to Jamie; he could see her just beyond sitting quietly with François. "I'll give you thirty vials for her. She's a beauty," Alfred said.
"Not for sale."
"Why not? I won't keep her as a slave. I'll turn her and court her myself."
"Sorry, Alfred."
"What does it really matter to you? You have no taste for females, especially human ones. Unless..." He positively beamed, "Has a young lass finally won your heart?"
Pierre turned his eyes on Alfred. "Perhaps," he said coldly, "Even a blind man can see her beauty and grace. And as it is, she is mine. I will fight for her." Alfred, sensing the danger, backed off. "Just a thought. Well, when she turns, I'll court her. Consider me competition, friend," he chuckled, winking.
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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2012 2:02 pm
{ Ｊａｍｉｅ Ｋａｔｈｅｒｉｎｅ }Ｔｈｅ Ｓｅｅｋｅｒ Jamie stood with the vampire that was called François and awaited Pierre who was no more than a few feet away. She watched François bow before him and did the same out of courtesy. Pierre seemed serene, as usual, and displayed little emotion nor a hint on what he was thinking or what just happened. She was dying of curiosity, but held her tongue until they exited the court grounds.
It was a beautiful night. For the first time since she arrived at the floating city, she glanced up at the heavens. They were black, but not entirely - stars dotted the void like sequences, or dust that has been sprinkled over the horizon and then got stuck by some invisible, gluey layer. The moon was almost full and, being closer than normal, illuminated most of what they needed to see. It served it's purpose just as well as the sun would have. Her gaze lowered towards the buildings around her that were lavishly decorated with silver creaks edged into the black marble. It was a dream-like city - something that she has not yet noticed before. She felt as if she was slowly becoming a part of it. She was not only becoming one of them, but one with the city itself. Jamie smiled and clasped her hands behind her back. Her hair-bun bobbed slightly as she adjusted her stride.
"Sorry, sire. I'm afraid I have other business to attend to." François bowed apologetically and started at his own direction. Once he was out of sight, Jamie dared to speak.
"Why did they call us in?"
She didn't want to admit that she was stressed out, but she needed to know, more or less, what was going to happen next. Were they talking about her in the courtroom? Did they turn down her request to be turned? Was she in trouble? These were all questions repeating in her mind.
They reached the forest - the exact same entrance that she took when she wanted to hunt for him, but failed. Her muscles (the little she had) tensed, but relaxed as she realized Pierre was with her the entire time. She lifted the front of her dress ever so slightly as to not let it drag across the murky soil. He lead her out to a clearing. Jamie sighed with relief as she noticed the distinct differences between this valley and the dirt clearing where Alan was killed. She shivered at the thought of him and lowered her head, instantly thinking of Rem. She couldn't help but feel guilty - she was responsible for Pierre's current troubles.
I'll pay for it through the Ordeal, she reassured herself of justice and halted at Pierre's side. She examined her surroundings. The vegetation were lush and wild, and everything smelled of pine needles and oak bark. It was lovely. She took a deep breath, savoring nature in it's purest form.
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