Welcome to Gaia! ::

Alex woke to a crack of thunder. The sky lit, the ground shook and the young vampire jumped to his feet in confusion. It took a moment before he realized where he was and remembered what had happened to get him here. The vampire relaxed and wiped his eyes on a wet and muddied sleeve. He must have fallen asleep in the darkness of the tree’s shade. It was night now, and he was annoyed to have lost track of precious time. He was soaked to the bone and a sharp pang in his stomach informed him that he was also cold and hungry. It was so much harder to find food in the rain!!

Alejandro closed his eyes and reached out with his senses as he was taught to do. He could hear all the rustles beneath the splatters of rain. The rainy smell and water washed away almost all the scent. He opened his eyes and turned his lavender gaze to the deeper woods, where the trees grew thicker and the branches overhead were so tangled that the water only reached the ground in small patches. His movements were silent and he kept his senses sharp.

The young vampire knew where they were. All the little creatures in the brush couldn’t escape his awareness. Most were too small and would never sustain him for very long. He had long since graduated from rabbits and small birds. He needed something bigger and he tried to tune his senses for anything familiar. Unfortunately there seemed to be nothing within Alex’s preferred size range. This of course meant he would have to go bigger.

His unique sense for the hunt kicked in and all that was the curious and driven child that his family knew was gone. Alex’s teeth were bared in a twisted snarl; his violet eyes glowed like an animal in the darkness. He sniffed the air, drier here, and picked up the scent and sound of a large heartbeat nearby. His silent stalk led him to the base of an unbelievable large tree. The gnarled curving roots dug deeply into the earth and spread out above the ground in every direction. Some of the roots were so large that Alex could have laid on them like a bed. He couldn’t appreciate the sight, unfortunately, as he was too entirely focused on the deep burrow that had been dug out amongst some of the larger and more gnarled of the roots. He could hear its heart pounding in his ears. Alejandro crept quietly closer, but his prey was not so clueless. The glowing eyes of the beast stared out of the hole and a vicious growl reached his ears. It was all the warning he got before Alex, now suddenly predator and prey, was attacked by a young adult badger.

It was unclear which of them snarled louder. Alex felt it’s claws tear at his body but his own hands were busy. With his speed he’d caught the animal’s jaws just before they reached his face. Alex leapt, pushing the badger backwards against the tree’s trunk, and after the initial crunch they both hit the ground. The boy’s legs wrapped around the badger’s waist and he squeezed it as tight as he could as he wrestled with the creature’s powerful jaws. Their battle was fierce, if not short, and Alex was wounded and clawed at by the angry animal. The vampire was more powerful and when the fight ended, it was quickly. With a sharp snap, Alex yanked the animal’s head to the side and sunk his teeth into the pounding throat of the beast.

He drank deeply, his body sighing as one would with water and a devastating thirst. His senses buzzed, his wounds sealed himself, and just as he had his fill he heard the snapping of twigs behind him. Still not entirely in control, Alejandro spun and leapt at the intruder with his bloodstained mouth curling into a vicious snarl. Just as quickly, the boy found himself flattened. It was like a ton of bricks hit him square in the top of the head. His vision whirled and the blood rage dissolved away leaving only the rush of fresh blood and a quiver of pain that ran down his spine. For the second time that day, Alejandro woke up in a puddle, slightly confused as to how he got there.

As his vision swam, a weathered old face entered his view. The man had more wrinkles than he had ever seen, he was completely bald, and a pair of beady black eyes stared at him sternly from under the bushiest set of grey eyebrows on all of Gaia.

"That is no way to treat your elder, young man."

If there was anything that Alejandro couldn't deny, it was that he did indeed need help. He was a boy, far from home, with only an inkling of an idea of where to go. When Bernard inquired, finally, Alex couldn't seem to stop himself from pouring forth his story. He told him all about his family and his brother's. He told him about Lafe and Bernard seemed very interested. Alex's retelling filled in his own memory even more, he remembered more of his childhood and how easily he had forgotten it when he was kidnapped by Haas. He told Bernard about the Ancients he had met, his own realization, and how he had gotten where he was right now. The old man just smiled at Alex and didn't ask anymore questions. He told the boy to rest, their camping spot well shaded, and as the silence and darkness stretched on and the night waned towards morning, Alejandro fell asleep feeling more whole than he had in a very long time.

He woke at dusk while the sky was still pink, the light fighting for survival and losing. Bernard wasn't there, though his belongings were. Alejandro took the opportunity to find himself a meal. Even though he found a family of foxes, his memories of Lafe made him pass them by. He stayed cautious and safe with this day's meal, a foraging groundhog. When he returned to camp it was finally dark and Bernard was there once more. His fire was only embers but he didn't seem like he was intent on rekindling the blaze.

"I thought we would travel tonight, Alejandro." Bernard spoke without looking at him, "I believe I can lead you in the right direction. Or at least somewhere that you can receive a little more guidance."

Alejandro picked his coat and cloak from where they hung, now dry. He felt a bond with Bernard even though he had only know him one night. He felt as if there were things the elder could teach him. At the same time the old man confused him. He had knowledge, age and a mysterious strength.

"Are you magic or something?" Alex just blurted it out while collecting his things. He couldn't help it!

Bernard let out that high pitched giggle of his. "Magic is only knowledge young one. Knowledge, I have plenty of!"

Alex wrinkled his brow at the evasive answer. The old man was always doing that. Why did everyone avoid his questions? Haas had done it. Bernard does it. Ryu didn't even give him the whole truth. He hated that his age was a reason or that he would 'learn in time' or that 'one day he would understand'. When was that day?

Bernard had packed his few belongings and, leaning on his stick, had struck out into the forest. Alex quickly caught up and walked by the old man's side. He thought maybe, despite his strength, Bernard might trip or need Alex's assistance in some way.

"So you can fly eh? And read minds?" Bernard's voice cracked softly in the darkness. They had no light to travel by but the old man did well and Alex had no problem with the darkness. "It is very odd you know, for a vampire to have more than one ability."

"I know. They told me. The Ancients, I mean. Haas and Ryu told me I had something to do with The First." Alex still knew almost nothing about the Grand Sire of all vampires. Maybe Bernard knew more?

"The First is dead." Bernard's face was serious. "I don't know what your connection may be, but do not make it your quest to find him Alex. He is dead. The other Ancients will never admit it. He was their sire and when he perished they felt him die."

Alejandro felt something in his stomach sink. He hadn't really thought about meeting The First but he believed there would be a chance. There was always a chance. "Why didn't they just tell me, if they knew, about the First dying?" The boy looked at the mysterious old man in the dark. The forest was getting thicker and because of the previous night's rain, the air was sticky and hot.

Bernard paused, pulling off his t-shirt and stuffing it into his bag. Alejandro noticed the man had tattoos over his brown shoulders. It looked like strange writing, but the boy couldn't place why it appeared familiar to him. "They have hope, Alejandro, just as you have hope to find your home and unlock all the secrets of your self. They loved their Sire and that connection will never go away. Just as you love your family. Just as you love your brother. Those connections will never break."

Alex didn't really understand completely but he understood love for his family and through that understanding, could see how the Ancients felt. Bernard continued.

"Everything is connected Alex. Every piece of grass to every animal to every person. Bugs eat grass, then birds eat bugs, then beasts eat the birds and the humans eat the beasts. It's all a circle. Even the vampires and the faeries exist in this circle. It is important to remember this."

The forest was black now and even Alex's keen eyes couldn't penetrate the shadows around them. He heard sounds in the darkness that he couldn't place. Definitely wildlife, but the smells confused him. "Is this place safe?"

"As safe as anywhere else. Are we ever really safe?" Bernard chuckled. "Even in our own homes, are we safe? You were kidnapped from your bedroom while you slept. Who can say that this forest leaves us more or less vulnerable?"

That was something Alex did understand and he stood a little straighter, ever vigilant, but less worried. "Where are we going?"

"We are going to another camp. Well, we will make another camp. We're getting there."

"We are hiking just to make another camp!?" The boy's exclamation came out more like a whine. He was having an 'are-we-there-yet' moment.

It wasn't very long before the thick forest undergrowth parted. The clearing they came upon seemed to be a well used camping spot for weary travelers. Along the outer rim of the circle many smaller paths seemed to connect here. The clearing itself was flat, a bare rock pit in the center was obviously for fires. The canopy of trees still blocked out most of the sky, though a small open spot in the middle revealed deep midnight blue sky dotted with stars. Alex wasn't tired in the least bit and wondered why they were stopping so soon. Perhaps Bernard wasn't as strong as he thought? Alex couldn't even guess how old he was. He wasn't sure he'd ever even seen someone that old before.

Bernard moved some brush aside revealing a hidden pile of kindling and logs. Surely they would be expected to replenish this stock when they left. Alex was by his side in a moment, stopping the man from doing any work. He picked up the logs and kindling and stood by the side of the fire pit. The old man smiled and carefully instructed Alex how to set the logs and kindling and what he would need to do to start a blaze. It wasn't long before Alex had lit his first campfire.

------

The odd pair was much more comfortable around each other this evening than they had been the night before. Alejandro did a lot of listening while Bernard told him strange stories of his adventures. There wasn't much action in his stories but the places sounded interesting and he knew a ton about almost anything Alex could think to ask him. It seemed to Alex that Bernard had led an interesting and full life and he only hoped that by the time he was that age (if he ever did reach that age) he would be able to tell stories just as intriguing.. if not more action packed!

"..and as I lay there, face down at her feet, I could only think how beautiful her ankles were! HAHA!" Bernard sometimes laughed so hard that his spindly form rocked precariously on the log he was using as a seat. Alex thought one day the man might laugh so hard he would just fall apart. The young vampire didn't get all of the old man's punchlines but it was good to laugh again and he couldn't help it when Bernard was so into his own stories.

The night seemed to be going fast and Alex now fell into silence after the last story. He knew dawn would come but he had no idea where Bernard was leading him and for what purpose. All he had seen was deeper forest and picked up stranger sounds and smells. He opened his mouth to inquire when something flew through the air towards him from Bernard's direction. Without his enhanced reflexes it would have clocked him the skull. Alejandro looked at the small orb no bigger than an egg. It was lime green in color, very shiny, and the color inside seemed to swirl. He looked quizzically towards the old man, "What is it?"

"Oh I don't know." Bernard smiled his crooked smile, "It just seemed like a good gift. And I certainly don't need to hold onto something that is clearly meant to be passed on." The old man rubbed his shiny bald head and looked back to the flames while the boy slipped it into his pocket after admiring it for a moment. "Nearby you will find help, Alejandro. We aren't far and I am sure you will soon find your way home. I want you, no matter what, to stay focused on your goal and your hopes. No matter what happens to you or who you meet, remember your ultimate task. You have an old soul. People will recognize this in you and will try to take advantage of you. You may not realize it, but those Ancients already did it. They used you as a tool, levying you against one another. Whether you are tied to the First or not, they believe it. You can use that, if you have it in you. Remember all of this."

Alex continued to be puzzled by this old man. He was aware that he had only known him for two nights, but Bernard had been kind to him and seemed to offer him help and guidance with no question. He'd given him so much advice already, a lot of which didn't make total sense. Alex got the feeling that Bernard was preparing him for some sort of loss, perhaps even danger. Was the old man leaving?

"Ok Bernard." Alex didn't question him. He would take a page from old man's book and let what was coming happen. Everything was connected right? The temporary serenity that Bernard offered him was something he wouldn't debate for now. "Thank you."

The brown traveler simply laughed again. He threw a bundle of herbs from his bag onto the fire, "No thanks necessary. You get some sleep. We both will have a tough day tomorrow."

The herbs gave off a thick, fragrant purple smoke. It almost immediately made the boy yawn and rub his eyes. "'Kaayooooown.." Another yawn interrupted his affirmation. He lay on his side and pulled his cloak around him, looking forward to the following evening when he was told that he would get some answers.

--------

Alex felt overwhelmed by the purple smoke. He choked on it and stumbled through it. Those strange sounds and smells were louder and vicious faces and eyes swooped in all around him. Suddenly something cut through the fog and Alex felt he could breathe.

His heart hurt and he held his chest, gasping for the now clear air. Through the clearing smoke he saw a figure. It was Lafe! He couldn't see the details and he seemed taller, but it was Lafe.

"'Ayfe!" Alex found his voice seemed to be that of him as a baby. "'Ayfe!!"

He reached out and ran towards him. As got closer the smoke seemed to pursue him. Animal jaws snapped at him from behind and he was too afraid to see if it was real animals or just the, now pursuing, purple haze. As he got closer, Lafe turned. The glowing blue eyes were not familiar. What he though was a fox tail was a long, flowing black ponytail.

The man was tall, handsome and young. He was also covered head to foot in symbols. They were etched over his eyes, his cheeks, and down his entire brown body. He held a glowing orb.. Alex couldn't be sure what color it was and even though he could see the man clearly, he wasn't any closer.

"Think, Alejandro. Fly. Fight. Burn."

"What?!" Alex stopped running, forgetting the smoke. He felt the jaws of a animal close on his leg. With a scream he looked to find a massive bear trying to pull him backwards into the smokey darkness.

"HELP!"

The man's pale blue eyes flashed and his orb shot towards Alex. It his him in the chest and his heart burned and stopped.

As the smokey bear and the purple haze cleared, Alex choked and clutched his still chest. The man was then above him, smiling a blinding and beautiful smile. Alejandro couldn't help but think of Lafe.

Soft horns grew from the man's inky hair and curled around his ears. His voice was soft, caring, and the man's gaze held the unconditional love of a parent.

"Die."

The fox boy's name was David. As his fanged grin revealed, he was also a vampire. He belonged to the Kinder Clan, all shape shifters. David settled himself at the base of the rocky outcropping and prepared to give Alex some sort of explanation. He thought he deserved it.

"She, the bear, is dangerous. She's a shifter like me but.." David wrinkled his nose as he selected the right words, "you have to meet her in the right circumstances. If not.." David dragged his finger over this throat and made a disgusting noise.

Alejandro puffed himself up slightly, "I think I could take her." His words only succeeded in making David burst out laughing again. The other vampire looked older than him by a few years but Alex still felt maybe that was too young to be a vampire. David had an easy nature about him. He joked and laughed with an honesty that Alex hadn't encountered in a long time.

"Come on. We don't want to sit too long. Wildcats like to hunt among these rocks. Now that they know her patrol is over, they will be back for their share." Alex noticed the sounds of the forest begin to filter back in now that the bear had passed. David was already moving. He was light on his feet and had a wildness that Alejandro lacked. The shifter's clothes were threadbare and plain. His dirty blonde hair was tousled and knotted. Alex wondered how much time David spent as a fox.

"Where are we going? And wait a sec, how did you find me?" Alex had to jog a moment to catch up and was forced to hurry to keep pace with David's longer strides.

"I'm taking you to the others. I know you are on a trip. I..." David's face once again twisted and as he selected his words. "..I sort of came across you sleeping. You totally reak of vampire. So I just kind of hid and watched you a while. When that old man left in the morning I figured you would need help. Not that you aren't capable or whatever.." David rubbed his face and hoped he wasn't digging himself a hole. "The others can help you, I think. And it's pretty dangerous in these woods. We have rules here and you don't seem to know them. If anyone else knew you just strolled right in...."

Alex waved his hands and interrupted, "Hey it's ok!" It was his turn to laugh at the flustered teen in front of him. David obviously had good intentions. Alex wondered if Bernard had done something to him to so easily trust strangers.

"Aww good." David shrugged in relief and playfully clapped Alex on the shoulder. "I'm so not a stalker. We just don't get uninvited guests that often. Visitors here usually know the right protocol." The walk continued and Alex wondered what sort of place this was that there needed to be an invitation. What happened to hikers who wandered through the woods? What would happen to Bernard if they found him?

David had chattered continually while Alex was deep in thought and when he finally absorbed his surroundings his realized they were on a well worn path that wound through the gigantic twisted trees. "David? You said something about that old man I was with. Do you know him? Will he be okay in the woods?"

"Never seen him before." The shifter shrugged, "If he no one finds him he should be fine. He seemed to know his way around though. Funny old guy, huh?"

Alex noted the trees thinning out considerably and in front of them was the sheer rock wall that Alex had seen earlier while hiding from the bear. David continued to chatter on but Alex was too distracted by the surroundings to pay much attention.

"We're almost there. Okay, rules," David stopped Alex and stood in his path. "Don't talk unless someone talks to you first. You are a visitor and even though you are a vampire, you aren't a shifter. That's important. We are pretty reclusive and tend to stick together." David didn't seem too reclusive, "If anyone seems aggressive the best thing to do is just bow your head and back up. I know how tough you are and everything," Was that sarcasm? "but you will not want to fight anyone."

Alex stood quietly. David had a lot to say and since they'd met there was a lot of information fed to the younger vampire.

"Also be one hundred percent honest! This is so important 'cause they can smell your lies."

Smell his lies? Alex just gulped, "Wait a sec. This is a bit of a rush. I just met you! Now you are taking me home? What's with the rules? Who are all of you people exactly? Why are you even doing this?" He was sure every stray hiker didn't get this treatment. His questions rushed out of him as soon as David gave him a moment to speak.

During the shape shifter's moment of silence his face twisted up with guilt. David thought maybe he could bowl Alex over, rush him into the situation and then see what happened once he got the ball rolling! Apparently Alex wasn't the 'bowl over' type.

"Ok so.." His voice dropped as if there were spies all around, "I know about you. I mean, I know Haas had you and why. When he got a hold of you the rumors were flying, pardon the pun." Alex hadn't realized it was that big of a deal. "I didn't know it was you in the woods. I just thought you were some dumb Haas fledgling that hadn't earned his wings yet and crash landed. I just thought I'd help you get out of the forest, blah blah blah."

"What changed your mind?" Alex had to ask.

"Well hello!! You can read minds. And fly! That's just not heard of. I figured out the rumors were about you! You were the one they said was tied to The First!" David's eyes held a reverence unlike anything Alex had ever seen. It was like David thought The First was a god or "..a super hero! Every vampire ability? Going out in the sun? Live forever? Mysterious disappearance? It's toooooo awesome!"

That response was not what Alex had expected at all!

"Listen, Alex. Some of us want to help you. We think you are important and living forever is only good if you keep yourself in one direction and don't get complacent. So our goal is to help you. Whatever you need. So if you follow the rules, everything will go smooth and we can try and help you out. Yeah?" David's eyes pleaded as much as his words.

"David I just want to go home. I don't know a lot about the first and I don't know why I am the way I am or what it means. A lot of grown ups are trying to use me to get things that they want." Alex noticed David's expression falling, "Can you just get me home?"

The fox boy lit up. Alex would get any help he needed. "Definitely!"

"Okay then. You get me home and I will make sure I follow all the rules. If for some reason I am not getting help or I think I am being used at all, you better just point me in the direction and I will leave on my own. Deal?" Alex, for the first time since he left Haas', was taking control of his own future.

"DEAL!" They gripped hands in a rough shake that would break a normal man's bones.

"Well then lead the way, boss."

What was supposed to be a day stretched into three. Then those three days became a week and soon Alex had lost track of time. He was impatient, wanting to leave, but the strict rules of Clan Kinder kept him in their care. He would not be permitted to leave until their Elders had made a decision. He stayed and discovered their caves, stretching on like a labyrinth, and could at least admit that he was never bored. There new wonders around every corner. Every tunnel ended in a beautiful cavern. He swam in the clear deep pools and made friends with many of the shifters who encountered him.

But Alex could only take so much of it. Once he realized that he'd lost track of time, he started to get angry. It was all familiar and he'd been played just as before with Clan Haas. He was taken in and kept, as if some sort of trophy or tool, forgetting time and his ultimate goal. One evening he awoke with his mind set. Alex would take no more of this.

David brought him his evening meal (he wasn't allowed to hunt in the Clan's forests) and Alex accepted it silently, calmly. The fox shifter babbled on about the things they would do tonight, the caves he would show him. When his meal was drained Alex glared in silence. David was a chatterbox, but not an idiot, and he quickly froze under Alejandro's glare.

"You okay Alex?" David knew this time had been coming.

"No, David, I'm not." His lavender eyes were as narrow as they could be. "I've been here.. how long? I don't even know." his voice had dropped to a dangerous tone that the other had never heard before. "Everyday I hear that the Elders will make their decision tomorrow. David, that tomorrow has never come. I'm starting to think you are trying to keep me here.."

David verbally stumbled and stuttered for a few moments. He'd been instructed to keep Alex busy, but had also been assured that they would make their decision. He wasn't sure if he should share the truth with Alex, or lie for his Clan.

Alex sensed his trepidation and relaxed his expression. The anger still welled within him, but he suppressed it in his face. "David.. I'm about to just go to Kinder herself. I don't care if she tears me limb from limb. Either let me go or kill me."

"Whoah!" The fox-man waved his hands. "That's a little over dramatic. Listen... you can't just GO to Kinder. It doesn't work like that!" The burning eyes of Alex wouldn't release their hold on him. "It's her.. okay? Kinder is the one keeping you from leaving!"

Alex had figured as much but he didn't think it would be so easy to get information out of David. It seemed the shifter really did enjoy his company and really did want to help him.

"Alex, listen. You know all the stories. Everyone believes you are tied to the First. They don't know how or why, but they do believe it. Every Clan wants to have you. They want to say they are blessed by the First, having someone like you with them. But Kinder doesn't."

Alex relaxed and listened. Every time the First was mentioned he couldn't help but concentrate on that. The First's name followed him everywhere, his memory causing Alex so much hardship in his short life. He wanted to know all he could.

"Kinder doesn't believe you are connected to the First." David continued, looking at his hands. He truly felt he was betraying his clan. "She doesn't want the other clans to have you either. She believes you are something like a false prophet to them. She would rather hold you here, not allow them to pursue you, than fuel their... I think she called it 'fanaticism.'"

"So she's looking out for me?" If it was true, it still wouldn't keep Alex here.

"Oh no." David snorted. "She doesn't care what happens to you really. She just doesn't approve of how your existence has riled up the vampire community. So.. see.. you can't really just GO to her. She's not nice and she doesn't like you!"

Alex stood, determination in his eyes. David jumped up to stop him, "No! Alex.. you can't! She didn't even get along with the First at the end!"

That was new to the young vampire. He was under the impression that the First was this all powerful being, loved by all. Kinder was his fledgling.. and she didn't get a long with him?

Once again a look of defeat went across the older vampire's features. "I'm not supposed to tell you, but I believe in you, so I think you should know. Kinder was the First's fledgling. She was turned by him and wooed by him and taken in by his beauty and kindness. I think they may have even... had a physical relationship, if you know what I mean." Alex sort of did, but it caught him by surprise. He didn't realize that vampires had those needs or urges. "So, eventually he became distant and so she took her space too. She left the safety of his protection once she had gained enough control over herself. It's natural that fledglings leave their masters eventually.. especially since shifters are much more attuned with nature. We need to be free."

Alex stayed silent, the quiet pushing David's story on. He needed to hear the truth about why Kinder disliked him.

"Well she went to connect with herself, be free and be on her own. She didn't hear from him, the First that is, and it began to worry her. From what I hear he was very melancholy, constantly unhappy with the state of his life, forever seeking companionship and understanding. Finally she went to seek him out and discovered that he had taken another fledgling. It upset her greatly, especially since their relationship had been so complicated. He never gave her the decency of telling her. So they fought, as beasts, and she lost and fled. She made her own fledglings out of anger, something she'd never done before, and so the beginnings of Clan Kinder were angry and violent. In time her firstborn were killed for their violent ways." David hung his head. "She blames the First for all of it. So in a way... she blames you."

There was silence as both vampires turned the facts over in their head. Alex opened his mouth to speak but David held up his hand, "I'm sorry Alejandro. Now that I say it all aloud and now that I have you in front of me.." he shook his shaggy head and lifted his eyes to meet Alex's. "I truly believe that you should go and talk to her. I don't think you can change her, but you may be able to make it clear to her that you aren't what she thinks you are."

Alex smiled, just a little, and patted him on the shoulder. "I really can't thank you enough for all of this, David. If I live through seeing her," he smiled more, "I'll make sure to put a good word in for you."

David looked terrified for a moment, "Oh please don't mention my name!" He didn't want to end up on her s**t-list! "C'mon.. I'll tell you where her chambers are."



Alex stood, alone, in front of a curtain draped cave mouth. The smell of thick incense drifted from behind it. Kinder kept no security or guards. She didn't need it. So he just stood there, his former fervor now given way to uncontrollable butterflies in his stomach. The story of her past and her relationship with the First just made him more nervous. What if she took out centuries of pent up anger on him? What if she refused to let him leave? What if she exiled him with no help at all? That seemed like the best of his options.

"I can smell you young one. You are right to fear me, but you'd better come inside." Kinder's raspy voice was muffled behind the curtains and her beckon came just at the second he was thinking about turning around and leaving. He had no choice but to enter.

Alex pushed the curtain aside and stepped into the cavern. It was smaller than he'd imagined it to be. She seemed to keep modest accommodations for someone who basically ruled this whole place. The woman herself sat against a pile of pillows. She lounged, looking carefree with her wild hair and flowing robes. Alex was pretty sure that she hadn't debated a single thing since he'd arrived and the realization made his anger spring back ahead of his jitters.

She laughed, loud and barking, and her teeth were whiter and sharper than any he'd ever seen. "I smell your anger. It is deserved." She seemed to be smoking from a large pipe. What he'd thought was incense was really just the smell of her tobacco.

"I know why you've kept me here. I know you haven't debated a single thing." Alex's expression was grave. "I would like to leave please. Preferably with your help. But I would be just as happy for you to dump me on the outskirts of this forest with no direction whatsoever." He clenched his hands into fists. "I have to go home. I have to see my family. They will be looking for me." Especially Lafe.

Kinder puffed her pipe. Her nonchalance only served to fill Alex with more anger. Her lips were curled around the mouthpiece in a cruel smirk and he was pretty sure she was enjoying his aggravation.

"You, little vampire, are somewhat of an inconvenience to me. I would be happy to let you go. But you see, everyone wants you. Oh they need you, even." She blew a large plume of smoke in his direction. It tickled his nose and reminded him of the herbs Bernard burned. "They think you are something special. You have more than one ability, and I'll tell you a secret.." She leaned forward and whispered. "You look remarkably like him." Alex sensed pain from her well guarded mind, just for a second. He remembered Haas telling him how most vampires minds were not made to shield against psychic probing. "Having you here puts me in a very good position. Every clan envies me. Every clan has been sending emissaries and messengers. Even Haas wants you back, if only that I don't have you." She laughed again and nursed her pipe.

Alex couldn't look at her face. Her beauty was cut with cruelty and he'd never seen an expression quite like it. He was a gentle soul, deep down, and even his anger could not stand against such a blatantly manipulative person. He looked at his feet instead. Out of nervousness he grabbed the fang around his neck. It was the necklace that Ryu had given him and somehow just touching it made him feel better.

As if a switch was flipped, Kinder's mood turned. She sat up and put her pipe away. Her dark eyes pinned him and Alex felt them and looked up.

"Come here child.." Her voice was much softer all of a sudden. Alex didn't want to come to her, but he was compelled to. He shuffled closer, still rubbing the fang, fighting her bidding with all he could muster. She was much more powerful than him and in just a moment he was right in front of the Ancient. Alejandro couldn't look away from her eyes.

"Show me your necklace."

Alex fought her, mentally, and shook his head. "No.." He gripped the fang tightly. "Why?"

"I just want to see it." She released him from her gaze, a gesture to show she wouldn't hurt him. Kinder extended a hand to him.

"Ryu gave it to me.." He was unsure, fiddling with it nervously. After a moment he reached back and untied it, setting it into her palm.

She flinched at Ryu's name, a sneer twisting her mouth, but she did nothing more than stare at the fang in silence.

Alejandro wasn't sure how long she stared at the necklace. To him it was just a symbol, a gift. It was something that soothed him when he worried and made him think that there were better places to be, and that he would get to those places eventually. The thick smoke in the air was clouding his senses and sending him off into thought, instead of grounding him to the current predicament. He rubbed his eyes, tried to clear his head, and watched Kinder's examination.

"I will make a deal with you." Her voice had softened to the point where Alex wasn't sure if he was in even more trouble than before. "If you give me this," she clutched the fang, "I will let you go. I will send out my clan to find you a path. We will find your home for you. But once you leave, I don't ever want to see you again." She let the fang fall until it swung like a pendulum from her fingertip. "This is the deal I offer, Alejandro. What do you say?"

"YES!" He almost yelled. Despite his attachment to the necklace, there was no debate in his mind and his heart only pointed him in the direction of home. Alex would do whatever was necessary to get home to Lafe.

Kinder leaned back onto her pillows once more. She lifted her pipe to her lips and clutched the necklace tightly. "Tomorrow then, Alejandro. And this time, I mean it."

Alejandro was not getting used to being home. He thought that once he was home he could transition back into his life fairly smoothly but it turned out that his childhood had a few more enjoyments that his current day to day activites lacked. He found himself in the house as little as possible and even though he'd gotten a real bed (and not a crib) he disliked being in his empty room. So he went out. Every night he had been out of the house. Sometimes he would just hunt and hang out in the woods. Other times he went to enjoy the events of Gaia, very common now that it was summertime. Tonight he strolled the streets of Durem. After visiting the art festival a week before, Alex thought he would look for the Japanese Tea House. His walk had already taken him past some street artisans and he was nearing some of the established shops that he was familiar with. He watched laughing teens and contented lovers, even a teenage girl or two had given him the eye, but Alejandro found them all just missing something. Or maybe it wasn't them. Maybe it was him.

It was towards the end of the street and it looked out of place and not at the same time. It was a small building, though wagon might've been more accurate. Gypsy's were inclined to use such thing and one of those giggling teenage girls step out with a bright red blush on her cheeks. "I AM sorry," came the soft voice of a man behind her. Stepping into the night, was a man who was not terribly tall, but his hair was dark and his features unremarkable. There was something about him that his clients could never figure out. "You asked, m'lady, and I told you ..." There was no comforting touch made towards the girl, if anything, he held back when it became clear she wanted comfort from whatever it was he had told her. Shaking her head, she stalked down the stairs and away from the man.

Alex watched the girl with only vague interest. He'd never yet in his life been in any situation with a crying or upset female. The worst he had to deal with was Gallium, and she just screamed alot about PMS she never got. The upset girl gave him a look and he only looked away. He just wasn't interested. His darting eyes did catch sight of the wagon though, as well as the man. He didn't look special but there was something about his soft voice that compelled Alex to look a little longer. His eyes scanned for a sign but by the look of the place it could only be a few things. Alex had only been wandering, and he hadn't yet found the tea house he was looking for, so he decided to approach the stairs. "Um.. excuse me? Sir?"

The sudden flood of disinterest washed over the man - the emotion not entirely unfamiliar. He was use to it from most. His ability to keep his empathy in check was one thing he had to thank Carmine for. Not that he had seen the man in a while. Likely up to no good. He was about to turn back into his fortune telling shop, but stopped when he heard the voice. It was familiar and a sudden ache filled his chest. His fingers clutched the doorway and he looked over his shoulder with wide eyes. "... yes?"

"I was just wondering what you do here.. " He assumed it was something like fortune telling, as gypsy wagons were pretty stereotypical. He wasn't being observant enough to catch the tightening in the figure before him. Alex found no threat on Gaia's streets for him to be extra careful. He was definitely older and taller than the last time Lafe would have seen him, but there was no mistaking his striking lavender eyes and the ever-soft spiked black hair. Duh.. and the fangs.

"I give insight into what people want to know. Tell fortunes ..." His other hand fell to the pouch his tarot cards were in. In the bottom was still the earth that had been in it years ago ... There was no mistaking the youth in front of him. It was Alejandro. It was amazing that he was keeping his voice from wavering, but he was stretching his empathy out. Trying to sense more than just the disinterest from the other ... He pulled back further into the wagon, out of the moonlight. For one moment, the glamour failed. Where there were suppose to be dull brown eyes, the silver-blues of a fox were visible.

Alex blinked for a moment. Maybe it was him being at a gypsy fortune teller, but he swore the man's eyes changed. They were so like Lafe's.... Lafe. His own emotions washed towards the other, though he didn't know it, all the emptiness and the searching he had done in the great amount of time since they'd last been together. "I.. thought maybe you could help me then. Or I might end up like that girl.." He smirked a little, not wanting to look pained in front of a (weirdly familiar) stranger. "I lost a friend. I need to find him." Not want.. NEED.

The bittersweet ache of looking for him ... Alex had been looking for him, just as he had been looking for him - in the time that he was not keeping himself hidden from the Courts. "... you ..." He paused, biting down on his bottom lip. "Come in and shut the door behind you. I will help ..." He went the rest of the way into the small wagon, though much like the Concord house it seemed larger on the inside.

Alex noticed the man's expression and it started to make him think. Perhaps he was especially sensitive? Like Lafe was.. "Thank you.." He stepped in and shut the door, the wheels of his mind spinning. Perhaps it was because he wanted it so badly, but this man was reminding him strongly of Lafe. "Is it cards.. or crystal balls, maybe? I've never done this before." Not that he could remember, but he was sure one of his uncles probably did something like this for him when he was a baby.

"Some of us are born with natural talent. The ability to See things." There was an odd smile on his face as he turned to face Alex. "I specialize in tarot cards, but I See things as well." The glamour was fading again, the browns shifting to silver-blues once more. "Funnily enough ... how did I not See you when I'm been looking?" The glamour shifted and fell piece by piece. The eyes first, then his ears, and his tail ( which twitched from side to side shyly ) - and finally it fell all together, leaving Lafe standing there.

Alex's eyes got wide, wider than they had ever been in his life, and his mouth just sort of dropped open. He'd never imagined that he would just stumble over Lae in the street. His over emotional brain imagined some mighty quest.. maybe even involving some evil being or a ransom note from another crazy kidnapping vampire. "Maybe you should look into your own future more!" His lips spread into the hugest grin he could muster and Alex basically threw himself on Lafe. You could call it a glomp.

"I don't actively TRY. I'm not Wren's shadow ..." He was referencing Hawk's Eye, but Lafe fell back against the soft cushions that lined the floor as Alex tackled him. He relished the feelings of the other as they washed over his own elation. "... I didn't know you were here ... " His arms tightened around Alex in return, burying his face against him. How he had missed the other ... It had been too long.

Alex held onto him tight. He buried his face against the other's hair right in the crook of one of his ears. "I escaped.. well I guess Haas let me go. Then I got lost in the woods.." He had stories, alot of stories. "I didn't even know you were gone until I came home. Mother left too." His chest tightened again and he wanted to cry. He'd been so alone, even at home, for so long. Lafe was finally with him. "But.. I'm sure you have a story to tell.." His voice cracked with emotion.

"I was sure you'd come back, you know ..." Lafe smiled, despite himself, "but ... only saw bits and flashes of you ... Never close ..." His tail flicked back and forth, emotion overwhelming when it was not just his own that was flooding him. "I left a while ago, not too long after Wren did. The courts," he paused, "the faerie courts are controlling ..." WHich is why he was hidden under the glamour in a gypsy wagon that was shielded with magic. He squirmed to sit up, pulling Alex with him into a sitting position. There were tears at the corner of his silver-blues, though he did not realise it.

Alex finally released his tight grip when he sat up. He leaned back against his one arm and his other just sort of petted Lafe's tail. Two adolescent boys acting this way would appear strange to most people, but to them it was natural. It had always been. "Controlling you?" He frowned. Lafe probably would notice that Alex was definitely paler since he grew, closer to his predestined death. "Mom is looking for him. She was so... empty without him. The whole household feels empty, Lafe. Grandpa Algie watches us now."

"... no one watches me, besides Pierce when he notices me ..." It was NOT weird to Lafe - this is how they were. Even after the absence, the necessity of Alejandro in his life was something Lafe could NOT mistake. "... but I suppose I could head home every now and then, though not as myself." He paused, ears going flat against his head and his tail twitching slightly, despite the comforting touch. He wondered if Alejandro knew how close to death he looked ... That it seemed closer, all most. He could smell it on him, but it was comforting. As if he was closer to who ... He shook his head. "They are stuck int their ways and want me involved. I want no part of it ..." His fingers rubbed against his side, the scar still there. It was why he knew he was better off without dealing with the fae courts somehow.

Alex just kept petting Lafe, knowing he needed the comfort. "I.. feel like I missed a lot and I am sorry. I am so sorry that I couldn't get here sooner." He was ashamed of such a long time where he lived among the Flying Clan and had forgotten who he was. "People are still looking for me too. But now I can fight them. I can fly!" His eyes lit up with that, his hand scritching around Lafe's ears playfully. "I can take you flying! We can go wherever we want!"

[[ There was more RP but the computer crashed. But you get to read this much! ]]