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There are certain things that you don't do to young baby Alex. His parents had learned them early on and as much as they disliked having a mere baby with such control, there wasn't much they could do about it. These were simple rules to follow once they'd become established and since the child couldn't verbally express these guidelines, they could only be learned through trial and error. The case was just the same in this moment except that the boy's parents were replaced with someone else. This familiar stranger had already broken several of these rules and he was learning, slowly, the error of his ways.

Rule 1: Do not, under any circumstances, remove Alex from Lafe's vicinity if he does not wish for it to happen.

The cardinal rule. The knowledge of this guideline extended beyond just Alex's parents to anyone who'd ever met him. This stranger, Haas, had broken this cardinal rule without a doubt and when Alex's sorrow of the forced parting had faded (a sorrow too deep to be natural in just an ordinary baby) it was replaced by rage. It became obvious when that rage surfaced that this was much more serious than anyone had suspected. It was an anger too hot just for one short lifetime and while the boy destroyed anything and everything in his vicinity, his captors suffered a mental backlash of this child's rage.

As only a baby, Alejandro's mental capacities were hardly debilitating but to vampires whose power were not of a telepathic nature, their untrained minds were severely inconvenienced. These newer fledglings were charged in the seemingly simple task of watching Alex's room and they quickly had to be removed in order for older, more mentally shielded vampires to take their place. Even so they realized that it was getting out of hand and that this baby was more than they bargained for.

Two full days, through sleep and wakefulness, the baby Alejandro had mourned.

The third morning came and when the sleep had faded his rage had come.

Now on the fifth morning he sat, in the ruins of furniture, toys, and the little he had accepted of food, and he stared at the door. The former wails of anger and hurt were replaced by a deafening silence. His violet eyes were more startling than ever, circled darkly from lack of sleep. His skin was paler than usual, almost waxy, and his features were surprisingly gaunt for a child. He'd only accepted enough nourishment in the past days to keep up his tantrums and as a result was not in the best of health, though his determination, unbending, kept him on. And so the babe sat in the shredded ruins of a bed and stared at the door of his makeshift prison giving off waves of anger strong enough to be felt outside the room, and he waited. The child waited as any "important guest" would. He waited and in his limited knowledge knew that soon he would speak with someone. He would speak with whoever was in charge.

Haas.

Haas was a man with reserves of patience. It had been taught to him by his predecessor and it was something that set him aside from his other 3 kin, the other Ancients.

Ancient.

That was what he was considered now. The One who came before him would be puzzled, probably, to know that his 4 children were now old enough to be considered 'ancient' and that their children were now referred to as Elders. Such a long time had passed, Hass mused, since anyone had seen or heard from The First. Most presumed him dead and there was a time centuries passed when The Four (as they were also referred) felt a tremor in their consciousness and feared that the rumor of death was not a farce. But recently something sparked within them all. He'd felt it on his own one day, the sense that a puzzle piece missing from his senses had returned and while the piece was not fit into place quite yet, it was only a matter of time. Haas had heard rumors, since he did not correspond with his kin, that they as well had felt it and that perhaps The First had returned.

He'd begun his search then. He'd followed the winds and listened for rumors. He'd searched the dimensions and dedicated countless hours and money to the cause. It was a cause to him that was worth it. Like most vampires he had the means and the rewards of finding the truth meant big things for not only himself and his clan but for all vampires. The ancient was surprised then, in the depths of his patience, that the legacy of The First led him to the unruly, angry and trying child that he now had held in the room before him. He thought perhaps that he shouldn't be surprised. His sire had done many things that Haas never heard about or experienced. They had occurred after he'd already left to find his own fortune. Could such a calm, wise and understanding individual end up being involved in anything that could evoke the rage held in the small child only one door away from him?

The First was always very silent, shy almost. It was something that drew Haas to him initially. He thought of it as a gentle grace. But Haas sensed a depth of loneliness there, even when in the company of others, something that made his sire out of place. Haas knew there was a level of darkness that was kept hidden from everyone. It was something he could tell was repressed and that was, in a way, reviled by the other. Has his sire embraced this darkness following the end of their time together? Had Haas inadvertently allowed one who always loved him to fall under negative influence? By this babe's reaction to a simple fae child, could the legends held by the races possibly hold some truth?

Haas watched the baby through a slot in the door as he had been for the last few minutes while gathering his thoughts. The violet eyes had found his own of their own accord and while feeling the wistful familiarity in them he felt a chilling and startling challenge there. The Ancient felt the eyes beckon and finally let himself into the room to meet them.

[ Message temporarily off-line ]

"You know what to do?"

The night air was warm and steamy, as it always was in this coastal city. This was always the place Alejandro was brought. It was a bustling hub of bars and clubs and restaurants. Expensive shops lined the streets and by day it was a business center. People in suits rushed to go about their business for the day, making their way from high rise to sky scraper, past buildings dating back to the turn of the century which were now adapted into ritzy law firms and offices for everything and everyone. As soon as the sun dropped, the gaslit lamps (kept as a throwback to more simple time.. and as a tourist attraction) lit the sidewalks and the nightlife erupted between the businesses, now closed.

Here women walked in the ever present heat, baring necks and chests while their husbands and boyfriends kept a protective eye and looked tough in their button up shirts and shiny shoes. The moved in and out of clubs, sometimes in pairs and sometimes in groups and rarely alone.

A crisp sea breeze cut the air and gave a pleasant relief from the humidity. Alex's black hair, a managable short length, blew across his forehead. It always somehow stayed spiked without much effort and the stalks swayed in the wind along with his bangs. He was here now. He was ready for this.

He'd learned all his lessons and he'd felt that it was time.. he'd told Haas that it was time. He'd felt inside of himself that it was time. The boy glanced up at the pale man next to him, it was Haas. Alex liked him, he did. He tried not to at first and he still tried not to show it, but he did. He felt as if he was supposed to. He didn't know why and the emptiness inside of him betrayed this feeling, but Haas was good. Alejandro had been with him for months now and he'd met many vampires. He'd realized that many took advantage of their nature. They had been human once and they became vampires for their own means. The remember a mortal life and mortal times and chose to turn for selfishness.

Alex felt that it was wrong. He'd never been given a choice but he felt as if his nature was a gift to be appreciated. The blood was good and giving. Haas seemed to realize this too. Haas was good. Alex looked up at him, before he took this final step. He felt his heart beating in his chest quickly in anxiety. This would be it.

"There is no going back."

Haas's eyes were pale blue grey, they were calm. They matched his grey jacket almost perfectly. He was a being of the air and he looked the part in the light colors he wore.

He was a being of the air and Alex was a being of the mind.

They were both beings of the night.

"I am ready." Alejandro looked away finally. He found Haas pretty in a way, as much as a child could. But somehow he felt as if those feelings were not for him to feel yet and they were reserved for someone else, later.

"You know what to do child. i will be watching you Alex." Haas smiled and ruffled Alex's hair. They boy scrunched his face and shook the hand off and by the time he turned to look, Haas was gone.

I know what to do.

He was dressed in his favorite black coat, khakis and a white shirt the only other clothing he sported. The child wandered out of the dark alley he'd been staying in. He wandered, setting his face, between the night crowds. He was loooking for his victim. Alex set his face.



A poor lost and wandering child. He was the son of some wealthy restaurant goers. It was still the family hour. He was distraught and his violet eyes softened, got larger with wonder, and began to well up. Lost! He was so lost!

"Sir.. please?" he tugged on the leg of a well dressed man, the picture of misery.

"I don't have any change for you, you urchin.." Alex was bumped off and he sniffled and moved on.

He weaved group to group, couple to couple. He set his story, got in his role. He was more comfortable with it as each second ticked by.

"Ma'am..?" She was pretty. With large dark eyes and long dark hair. She was thin and tall and reminded him of someone that he couldn't place. But that was a distraction. She was alone and looked down at him in suprise. He could tell in her mind that she was single, out looking for a potential husband. She wanted a family and children and this boy with his eyes full of tears just pulled on her heartstrings.

"Hello there.." She crouched and touched his shoulder. The strap on her red dress slipped and she didn't even notice, too worried about this pretty little boy. It was all Alex could do not to stare at her neck. he could hear the blood in her veins.

"I.. I.. My mom and dad..." He rubbed his and worked her mind, subtley. he had to be gentle or she would notice. "Can you help me?"

"Where did they go? I'm sure they are looking for you too. What's your name?" She was young and bright and full of companion. even as a boy he could see she was beautiful in her own way. She was full of promise for the future.

"We went to dinner and then.. there was a crowd and I got lost. Do you know where Main Street is? I.. I.. I'm not supposed to tell my name to strangers.." He looked bashful, looking away. A stray alligator tear slipped down his cheek.

"Oh hunny.." she wiped it away. "Do you live there.. I can take you. I won't make you tell me your name if you don't want to. I'll get you home." Such a pretty little boy was surely missed. Her heart broke for how she imagined his parents felt. If he were her own child....

She rose and took his hand, "Aw baby you are so cold.." His tiny hand was chill. Not as cold as death but as if he'd been wandering for a while. She felt his nervous heartbeat through the skin.

The pair began to walk. Alex swivelled his head on a search for his "parents". He had to wait until the moment was right. They walked for blocks, only a few, before Alex pulled his hand away.

"Mom?!" he took off down a darkened street. he knew she'd follow. She'd come to make sure he didn't get hurt in such an unsafe place. She'd follow to make sure he found his mother. She'd follow just to make sure that the woman who birthed this child was aware how precious a baby like this was...

"Little Boy?" The street was dark and he'd disappeared. She looked side to side, deeper in. She heard a sniffle from the shadows beside a streetlight. "Little Boy..?" This young brilliant woman, this bleeding heart, moved to him again. She lowered herself to his level.

"She's not here.." he whispered it, his voice quavering. "I..I.." he trailed off and left the statement unfinished.

"I can't hear you.. Maybe you can give me your address?"

A mumble in the dark. A sniffle.

This pretty little boy.

"Don't cry, little one." She offered her arms to him and he buried himself against her collar bone in tears. He could smell her blood through the skin. He could smell it under her shampoo and perfume and even the soft scent of the fabric softener on her red evening gown.

"It'll be alright.." He knew it would. And she barely realized when his teeth had broken through to soft top layer of her flesh. The smell of blood became overpowering and extended beyond just smell. He could taste it and feel her pulse under his lips. It was beyond anything he could have experienced from the small game, the cats and dogs and rabbits he'd preyed on in the past. Alex heard her sigh, a whimper escape.

She was thinking it was nice. She was thinking that this little boy so so beautiful but was obviously not lost. She was thinking that she would never get to have her own little boy. Her heart broke in a small way then, even while her pulse was fading. It wasn't that she would die. It was that she would not find her knight in shining armor and make that family.

Alex didn't care.

He'd found what he'd wanted. He felt her pulse fade and die. He pulled his lips away, wiped them on his sleeve and looked up towards the sky where he saw Haas hovering with a watchful and proud eye. The striking little boy grinned upwards. He'd done it. He felt the blood in his veins, the blood of another mortal.

He caught Haas's grey eyes and felt as if this was not over. Haas didn't look as proud as he should be.

Alejandro's lips formed an 'O' of curiosity as the blood began to burn. it burned under his skin and travelled through his body until it centered in his chest. It was exploding, he felt as if he were suffocating!

The child fell to his knees, clutching his heart as if it were leaping out of his chest. he gasped for air that wouldn't help him. The fresh blood dropped onto his perfectly white collar as that sea breeze seemed to blow him over just as easily.

The pain was just too much, and as everything went black... he felt his own heart stop.

Alejandro had never seen someone look as this man looked. It made him tickle in his belly and he didn't know why. It was uncomfortable. The man was pretty. Pretty in a different way than Haas was. Haas was serene and collected (though he seemed rather flustered at the moment). This stranger (though familiar?) was striking. He had flash. He had a look of chaos and danger about him.

He was tall, very tall. He was much taller than Haas and a positive giant to Alex. He seemed to be all legs which were clad in tight black leather. He was very slim and trim and wearing a black embroidered shirt that was unbuttoned down the chest. His skin was as tanned as a vampire could get and he wore what looked like a fang on a cord around his neck. All of it was set off by a pair of striking golden eyes and the brightest flash of scarlet hair that Alejandro has ever seen. It looked as if he was used to having it very long but was only in a choppy cut to his shoulder.

The man was grinning.

Alejandro.. I am Ryu. It's about time we met.

Alex blinked. He wasn't used to anyone being in his head.

..Hello..

His heart was beating faster. Alex wasn't sure if it was excitement or fear or what.

"Ryu.. I told you not to come here." Haas was on his feet and approaching the other vampire. Alex feared for a minute, by the look in his eyes, that he might strike the other but after a tense moment the pair embraced and exchanged a familial kiss.

"I wanted to see him Haas. He may be your discovery but he is important to us all." Ryu smiled and Alex felt tingly again. It made him uncomfortable. The Ancient moved towards the young boy in the chair and stood above him.

"Now what was all that anger I felt in here? Is something wrong?"

Alex suddenly felt somewhat foolish. yes he'd been mad. he was still confused too.. but this man made him feel dwarfed and weak in his mental capacities. "I.."

"He just learned that he is not passed on, Ryu. He made his first kill. He took a life. But his body is not.."

"He's not equipped for the kill yet. He is still growing." Ryu nodded knowingly and offered his hand for Alex. "Let's take a walk.. if Haas will allow it?"

Alex looked toward the flyer and he reluctantly nodded. "You explain to him. In his way, he's been eager to meet you. I suppose this is as good a time as any."

The little boy got a rush of excitement. This was Ryu! He was like Alex! he had mind powers! The boy gripped onto Ryu's hand and got down from his chair. The two moved from the room and Alex missed the eye contact that the older vampires exchanged. It was a warning from Haas to Ryu. Don't screw this up. Don't take him. He is not ready.

Ryu chuckled as they found their way into an outdoor garden. They were high in the mountains, to support the flying culture, and this garden was filled with night blooming mountain flowers. Alejandro loved it here. He loved pretty things and calm things and silence even though inside he felt like he was bubbling over.

"Ryu..." Alex let go of the tall vampire and moved to the edge of a manmade pond full of fish. he remembered being smaller, on a few months ago, when he'd first arrived and he was so angry. He'd killed on of these fish and eaten it. He was warned and punished and taught about beauty since then.

"Why am I different?"

Ryu smiled, "You are different and special, Alejandro." he could tell the boy was tired of hearing that. "Vampires are not born, they are made. Does that make sense?" He watched the wheels spin in Alex's young mind. "Vampires are made when they are old enough to make a choice. You never turn a young child or a baby. It is against our principles. Those who are found to have done that are punished."

Alex had a feeling that punishment was a little more serious than a spanking.

"Vampires were initially made by the first. He was created through birth, through a demon and human union. And you.. you were a vampire baby.. But there is no record that you were born. do you understand?"

"No..." Alex was confused. He was a baby vampire but he was not born? Than how did he exist?

"We don't either. You exist yet you were not born. You exist but there is no mark of you being turned. Even so.. you are here. You are a child vampire. You will grow until your body deems you an adult. And then..."

Alex looked at his hands. Then what?

You will die, young one. You will grow until you die. And then you will truly be undead.

It hurt his head but the pieces filled in. He had a fae companion. His best friend. he was taken. He had a family who loved him no matter what he was. He was not all the lonliness that this place gave him!

Alex's anger flooded him again. The events were finally clicking. He didn't even notice that Ryu was leaving. Maybe that was what he had aimed to do. This was what Haas didn't want Ryu to do!

He remember the events, even though he was a child. He remembered being awakened in the night by cold hands that he could not escaped. He'd tried to hold onto Lafe.

Lafe.

He'd tried but he wasn't strong enough. Why wasn't he strong enough? he heard Lafe screaming and hissing and he was yelling and biting but it didn't help. Someone hit Lafe! And he was sick and weak!

He was taken into a horrible grip. The Mother and Father came in. And they were ready to fly. But he was rising in the air. He remembered rising in the air! He was in the air!

"'Ayfe!!!!!

Alex was pissed. His lavendar eyes flamed brightly and he clasped the fang on a cord in his small hand. He stormed back inside and saw weaker vampires wilting around him with his unintentional mental backlash. He slammed into Haas's office and the Ancient didn't even expect him.

"Alex..?"

"You stole me! You took me away from my family! You wanted to make me a monster like you!"

"That's not it at all... " He had risen from his seat.

"I had parents who loved me no matter what I was! They were willing to work with me and what I was. I HAD LAFE!"

Haas's eyes bugged and his pale skin got even whiter. "A..Alex.."

"I AM GOING HOME. WITH OR WITHOUT YOUR HELP. YOU TAKE ME THERE!"

It was only after catching that fear that Alex realized that his body was floating several feet off of the ground.


He was flying.

==reserved--reunion==