He was seven when he first saw the Aes Sidhe.

He had been living with his grandparents ever since his parents’ “death”.

I say death in inverted commas because no-one stritcly knows what happened to them. The family had been driving by Lough Gur in County Limerick, whilst holidaying in Ireland, when disaster struck and fate elected to be exceptionally cruel.

The car, for reasons unbeknownst to the investigating police, careered off the road, ending up upside down in the freezing waters of the lake.

Marley alone survived.

When the police questioned him he spoke feverishly of things that sprang from the water and danced in the air. When further questioned, he described the “things” as “like Tinkerbell from Peter Pan!”

The investigation was closed shortly thereafter on account of the only witness having suffered greatly from shock.

In the two years since, Marley grew increasingly absent-minded, and forgot all about the things he saw swarm around his father’s car.

But they didn’t forget him.

------

His grandparents had quite the expansive garden. Perfect for a seven year old boy to run and play. Ideal for letting imaginations and emotions run wild.

At the bottom of the garden, hidden by a close thicket of brambles and gooseberries, stood an old gnarled willow tree.

The tree was tall for it’s species, and stood unusually straight. The branches hung as would be expected, but they intertwined with each other so much that they resembled clasped fingers. The enormous outstretched hand that seemed to beckon the young boy to climb. And climb he did.

His grandparents, Abigail and Gerrod were always warning him to be careful. But he was nine, and certainly his father’s son. So he ignored their warnings and would climb day after day, ever higher, ever daring himself to breach the knobbled, warty canopy.

------------

He was twelve when he first spoke to them.

The old willow sat as always, looking a little more withered and weak in the past three years. But still its rustling branches and creaking bark asked his feet to rest upon its solidity. And he so loved to oblige the old sentinel.

He had long since defeated the topmost branches and regularly sat there, looking out across his grandparents’ fence over the adjacent field. There he would sit, after school, just dreaming and wondering.

[i:cc9911b972]“You know Raven of the Quiet Meadow. Your head will float off if you dream too much.”[/i:cc9911b972]

He looked round. He looked down, half expecting his grandma to be looking up at him with her big brown eyes, squinting through her broken eyeglasses.

[i:cc9911b972]“No, not there. Here.”[/i:cc9911b972] The voice, now sounding more like a chirrup than any sound Grandma could make, rang out from his left.

His eyes quickly found the speaker. Though his mind refused to accept what he saw.

Perched on a thin, swaying branch-let was a fairy. A fairy that looked exactly like those found in books and child’s stories. With a petal for a cap, and bee fur for trousers. And it was talking to him.

[i:cc9911b972]“I am real, Raven of the Quiet Meadow....”

“Uhhh why do you keep calling me that? What are you? Did I fall already and do my brain some harm?”[/i:cc9911b972]

The fairy coughed before grinning beamishly.

[i:cc9911b972]“I am of the Tuatha De Danaan. The Sidhe to you and me,” The fairy giggled then.

“You can call me Mallyan Spout. And I be calling you that because, you big dumb human, it’s your name. Marley <----- Quiet Meadow, Brennan <----- Raven.”

“Well that answers that. I [b:cc9911b972]have[/b:cc9911b972] damaged my brain....”[/i:cc9911b972] Marley massaged his head.

Mallyan chortled.

[i:cc9911b972]“You call that lump of jelly brains? Seen more in a pig trough!”

“You don’t remember us do you? You saw us five years ago when your parents died. Hell you even flew with us while their car sank.”[/i:cc9911b972]

Marley wasn’t going to accept this any time soon.

[i:cc9911b972]“Flew? Yeah right! Your just my imagination running around my head stirring up old memories.”

“Yes flew! It’s easy once you know how. You just step out and take yourself lightly.”

“Go on! Be a sport! I’ll catch you....”[/i:cc9911b972]

Marley had had enough.

[i:cc9911b972]“Forget it! I’m going down, and then I’m going to have a lie down. You’re not even real so just buzz off!”[/i:cc9911b972]

At that he whipped his legs over the lower branch and started the descent. Two branches snapped, sending him plunging feet first. He caught another in his panic, breaking his arm in the process.

When he landed, the Sidhe had gone. He had a broken forearm, a broken ankle and two bruised ribs. And an even more bruised ego.

He looked back at the tree and snorted through clenched teeth, trying not to start bubbling from the pain....

[i:cc9911b972]“Should call you the Injury Tree.”[/i:cc9911b972]

-----------

The alarm clock rang out, waking Marley from a deep but disturbed sleep.

[i:cc9911b972]“The Injury Tree? What made me think of that?”[/i:cc9911b972]

His first lesson of the day was less than ten minutes away.

Cassandra Wade, by nature, was a creature of ritual habit as a mortal. Being a Tremere wasn't all that much different and, she suspected, was likely one of the reasons she'd been Embraced by her absent Sire. Or maybe it was sheer bad luck. She hadn't decided yet and diligently refused to even consider it. Which made avoiding Haven all that much more difficult. She was doing the opposite of her nature by leaving her rooms only to attend classes, late, and then leave as early as she could get away with. That worked, but barely.

She'd spent the last two days in a sort of self-imposed solitary confinement, answering neither phone nor door. The fear of meeting Lucien sent a frisson of dread up her spine, let alone the thought of running into [b:a68c8f9e52]that woman[/b:a68c8f9e52] accidentally. And then there was the all-too-perceptive Haven. To combat her spiraling depression of black thoughts, she dived into her own studies with an unheeding regard for her own well being.

It was one thing to bone up on the basics, peruse the manuals, compare the theories between one idea and another, and then to turn around and apply all that logic! And, unlike Marley and Haven, there was no one on the school's staff to teach her what she needed to learn and that certainly left Headmaster Darrant out of the picture. As far as she could see, he was primarily fire based. She had no idea what Mistress Mortisha was versed in but, surely, she would have been assigned to her by now!

From what she knew, most vampiric magic called for the use of blood in creation, manipulation and the amount of power one could use in a particular path. Obviously, [i:a68c8f9e52]she[/i:a68c8f9e52] had a natural affinity for elctrical properties and would likely require slightly less effort to call it up, which left only the amount of power she put into it and the control of it. Control being what the mind could handle and not really needing any expediture of precious life fluids.

Control was what she needed to attain first. No, that wasn't quite the right way to put it. It was more a matter [i:a68c8f9e52]holding[/i:a68c8f9e52] back the charges until she could direct them to her satisfaction. Assuming a meditative pose on the carpet of her livingroom, she turned her mental sight inward to see if she could sense anything and was surprised to feel a distant tingle that started at the soles of her feet, upward through the spine and then seemed to dissipate through her scalp. She could almost feel the shower of sparks that leapt from each hair, as if attracted back downward again. Rather like Nyoko's fountain from the gardens.

It gave her a bit of a creepy feeling and she rubbed her hands against the fibrous material of her skirt, as if the palms were itching. And was literally [i:a68c8f9e52]"shocked"[/i:a68c8f9e52] to experience a massive increase in the sensation of power flowing up her arms and into the back of her neck, where it connected with the already established path in her backbone. The glitter from her hair intensified. Cassie grinned. [b:a68c8f9e52]THAT[/b:a68c8f9e52] was interesting!

Now, how to dam it up? Hmmm...dam. She went back to examining the phenomenon on a purely mind level and then tried imagining a dam blocking the flow. This produced a feeling of bloating, exactly like that of having eaten too much at the dinner table, but it only slowed the outpouring. She even tried the analogy of filling a jug with a stopper to it, only to get the same results. The container filled, but the plug refused it's cradle, no matter how much she [i:a68c8f9e52]pushed[/i:a68c8f9e52] on it.

With an exasperated movement, she sprang up from the floor, gathering up the entire mass of hair as she strode into her bedroom, twisted it into a bundle atop her head, then reached for a pair of "chopstick" place holders lying on her nightstand beside the bed. And froze in place as the trickle, she'd just become aware of, [b:a68c8f9e52]stopped[/b:a68c8f9e52]. Slowly, ever so slowly, she began to experience a buildup that was like water filling up a balloon and expanding it. It reached it's capactiy and then, once again, began spilling out through her scalp, in a nearly imperceptable display of dancing motes.

Oddly enough, though it was an uncomfortable feeling, it wasn't painful. But now that she was conscious of it, she couldn't understand why it had never been obvious when she'd put her hair up before! She shrugged. Oh, well, she was aware of it now!! Cass settled down to some serious work of arranging and re-arranging her hair, as well as further studies of flow paths. The time sped by, broken only with quick dashes to lessons, blood bag breaks and some unavoidable down time in Kindred fashion. With proper protections in place.

The next rising brought more frustration as the young woman came to the conclusion that she needed something that would cap her entire head, just to keep the power from seeping out and, quite frankly, anything she envisioned using left her with the shuddering thought of what Lucien would think. Shower caps, or their equivalent, were [b:719e94dd4f]not[/b:719e94dd4f] haute couture! What she needed was something that would sheath each and every strand, something like a tar coating, something.....................

Bounding into the bathroom, she frantically pawed through a cabinet for one of the two bottles she'd managed to successfully shoplift from a drug store, back when she had first been brought to the chantry. Not that she'd ever done it before and she'd been terrified of getting caught, but her new found powers had gotten her through the ordeal successfully. The irony was, she'd chosen to use the other bottle but hadn't quite gotten around to throwing this one out. She was grateful because now she needed it!

A short time later, Cass was no longer a silvery blond. She was now an auburn-haired, blue eyed siren in a cloud of satin waves and her spirits had taken a leap off the mountain top of Self Esteem, directly into the valley below, fantasizingly called, Lucien's Pursuit. No one was going to recognize the old Cassandra Wade in this new person that she now viewed in her mirrors.

And a quick, cautious test had proven that her idea had more than merit to it, [b:719e94dd4f]IT WORKED[/b:719e94dd4f]!!! It dammed up the whole stream, created a reservoir of power and, best of all, there wasn't a smidge of a spark!! Of course, she was going to have to get a steady supply of hair dye from now on. Maybe by the case load. She sighed and added up the money she currently had. It was enough, but barely. She was going to have to really economize from now on. No more splurges.

Another glance in her looking glass had the clock in her bedroom catching her eye and she gasped at the time. She was going to be [b:719e94dd4f]very[/b:719e94dd4f] late for her new class, Kindred-Kine Interactions, and this was a brand new instructor!! It wouldn't do to be really late, although she'd skate in there just a few minutes over so as to avoid having to talk with Haven. She grimaced. She and he shared too many classes, for her current peace of mind. Even if he was a mortal.

Cassie gulped down a quick meal and then tore down the emptied hallways at a dead run. As she ran, she became aware of the friction of air against her skin and could feel the tingle of electricity as if she were flowing against a stream of liquid. Funny how she'd never even be aware of that either!! The reservoir from earlier remained but now it began to top itself off in a slow and leisurely manner. By the time she rounded the corner of the hallway that hosted the classroom she was heading for, her little [i:719e94dd4f]"battery pack"[/i:719e94dd4f] was completely full.

Ten feet away from her goal, the door swung open and there, framed in the doorway, his head swinging around in her direction, was an older, more mature (and definitely taller!) version of Haven. Eyes wider than she would have believed she could have gotten them, the young lady came to a staggering halt and her jaw dropped open with a squeek of confusion.

Several things happened simultaneously. It dawned on Cassandra that this was the ancestor, larger then unlife, that Haven had boasted of. Wren. Wren, the Brujah. Wren, the guardian of Haven. Wren the......Oh_my_god! Haven's Wren!! At which point, the fledgling magus became aware that her blood, in all the emotional turmoil she'd been experiencing, had become another conduit of even [b:719e94dd4f]more[/b:719e94dd4f] electrical activity and that her reservoir wasn't going to be able to hold it all. As a matter of fact, the back of her head felt like it was going to explode! Any minute now!!

Which is exactly what it did.

When the flash and crackle settled down, Haven's thoroughly astonished guardian beheld a modestly dressed young woman who's hair was now a mottled, brown and silver that stood out from her head like a bottle brush. An expression of mixed dismay and embarassment was plastered there, much to Wren's private amusement. Given what he'd seen and heard, so far, he wondered if this place could get any weirder than this. He smiled at his pupil, which seemed to make the young woman nervous.

[i:719e94dd4f]"Welcome to my class, Miss Wade. It [b:719e94dd4f]is[/b:719e94dd4f] Miss Wade, isn't it?"[/i:719e94dd4f] he drawled the question out. At Cass's barely given nod, he stepped back from the door to give her room to enter, and continued, [i:719e94dd4f]"Well, in that case, you'd best come and find a seat. You're late."[/i:719e94dd4f] The young lady swallowed hard, brushed her now uniquely colored hair down to a semblance of order and then stepped reluctantly into his new domain.

Wren waited patiently while Cassie took her seat, pausing a moment. All eyes were on him as he passed out books, silently expending some of what was in his stomach to make good and sure that all eyes, and all attention remained with him.

He might not be the most powerful user of the discipline of presence, but in terms of timing, few had the talent that Wren had for it.

Long moments of silence seemed to pass before he spoke, [i:45a03e1dea]"Good evening, I am Wren Ashley. To you vampires, I will be your teacher in the fine art of NOT eating your mortal associates. To you mortals, I will be your teacher in the fine art of NOT being eaten."[/i:45a03e1dea]

Wren paced, trying to think of where to begin. In spite of very good memories of who he was, and had been, it was always difficult trying to remember that a young vampire did not think in the same terms as he did.

[i:45a03e1dea]Keep it simple stupid.[/i:45a03e1dea]

He almost smiled, but kept his face virtually expressionless, as that would have literally destroyed the effect that his stern tone and forceful personality were putting on.

[i:45a03e1dea]"The dillemma of being a kindred, is that kindred are very much instinctual beings, and thus, the mortals we associate with, even those who know who we are, even those we value, must fear us. However, there are things that both a Kindred and a Kine may do to lessen the inherent risks,"[/i:45a03e1dea] He said, watching with very minor satisfaction as people began scribbling notes.

"[i:45a03e1dea]First and foremost is the vampire's responsibility. Unless you intend to kill the mortal that you are going to be associating with, do not come into any manner of contact with the mortal while hungry, that is common sense. The second point however, lay in the hands of the kine," [/i:45a03e1dea]He said, looking directly at Haven, [i:45a03e1dea]"That being, to watch your tongue. It can be said that Brujah have a bad temper, and not without justification. However, that temperament is merely relative, for all kindred have potentially destructive temperaments."[/i:45a03e1dea]

Wren finally stopped pacing, [i:45a03e1dea]"That being said, there are certain things that may not be immediately obvious. The first of these things, is how to remain well fed, yet refrain from killing your mortal associates in the process. The most obvious, is the practice known as banking, to get one's supply of vitae from bloodbanks. Although chilled blood loses much of its flavor, it will still sustain you as well as though it were fresh from the vein. There are however, other, sometimes better ways," [/i:45a03e1dea]He said, and, at long last, seemed to relax a little, [i:45a03e1dea]"Firstly, there are the morgues. I have known more than a few coroners who were a touch long in the tooth, and not only did they not run the risk of such blood diseases as HIV, as they were quite able to test, they often were able to get the blood in a remarkably fresh, often still warm state."[/i:45a03e1dea]

One of the students, he wasn't sure which one, as he did not recognize the kindred, raised a hand, and he nodded to listen to the question, [i:45a03e1dea]"Sir, not all of us can be coroners,"[/i:45a03e1dea] The vampire said, and Wren sighed, rubbing his eyebrows.

[i:45a03e1dea]Were all young vampires this simple in their thought patterns?[/i:45a03e1dea]

[i:45a03e1dea]"Yes, but almost anyone can work for a coroner as an assistant, and almost anyone, unless they have a mind roughly equivalent to that of a common domesticated animal, can run a blood test on the machines they often have there. Humans delight in making things idiot proof," [/i:45a03e1dea]He said, trying, and failing, to prevent himself from sounding irritated. [i:45a03e1dea]"This method however gruesome, is effective. Pragmatism at its best. Another method, is to feed from animals, however, while animal blood does sustain us, it also has a repulsive taste, and leaves one with something of an ache inside, thus doing nothing to alleviate the risk of feeding off a mortal... UNLESS you chase the animal blood with some actual human blood, such as from a blood packet... this not only prevents the unpleasantness of animal vitae, but it also tends to save on your supply of kine blood."[/i:45a03e1dea]

[i:45a03e1dea]"Then of course, there is yet another method of obtaining vitae, but it is becoming more and more uncommon, as many countries now do away entirely with the death penalty. The method is to work on death row, specifically in the movements of the corpses after they are either electrocuted or gassed... you NEVER want to feed off a corpse that has been killed by lethal injection, because however peaceful lethal injection may seem to the bystander, I assure you, it is not. The toxins used in a lethal injection cause the peaceful look by causing the muscles in the body to seize up, then complete paralysis of the lungs. It is an excruciating way to die, and a kindred who feeds on such a corpse can expect many hours rediscovering the feeling of pain," [/i:45a03e1dea]He said, watching the expressions on faces, vampiric and mortal alike, all were aghast, while Haven seemed to be dumbstruck at just how much Wren seemed to know. This was a side of Wren that he wasn't used to seeing, and by the look on his face, Wren suspected that it was one that Haven did not particularly enjoy seeing.

[i:45a03e1dea]"And now for some finer points to those who still have a pulse. Rule one, is if you smoke, quit. Fire is anathema to vampires, even a small fire can set a vampire off... as some of you were supposed to know prior to this, though as I understand it, you seem to have elected to not listen, much to my displeasure," [/i:45a03e1dea]He said, looking squarely at Haven, who was by now squirming in his seat... this was definitely a remark aimed at him.

[i:45a03e1dea]"The next rule of thumb, is never underestimate the value of an apology, especially a heartfelt, sincere one, even if sincerity is generated only by abject terror, an apology can, at times, turn aside a frenzy. Also, never enter a vampire's home unbidden, this can set off territorial instincts and survival instincts as well, and no amount of apologizing can prevent a vampire from tearing your head off at that point. Should you find yourself in said situation, you, as maguses, will first try your spells. If those fail, the second thing you must do, is place your head firmly between your knees, and kiss your bum goodbye," [/i:45a03e1dea]He said, then added, [i:45a03e1dea]"Of course, if a Vampire considers you a very close ally or even friend, you may find them far more hospitable.... note the word 'may' as in maybe... and [b:45a03e1dea]maybe[/b:45a03e1dea] the vampire will suddenly turn mortal, without knowing why, too. The chances are roughly the same."[/i:45a03e1dea]

This last, was said with more than a small hint of sarcasm, bringing more than one chuckle, albeit a nervous one, before he went on, [i:45a03e1dea]"And children, you are young, yet you have a heavy burden placed on your shoulders. You are guardians of knowledge and power once lost, and that could get you killed,"[/i:45a03e1dea] He said before slamming the flat of his hand into the desk as he said [i:45a03e1dea]"CONSTANT VIGILANCE. It will be up to you to learn, and recognize the signs of a starved vampire, of a vampire near frenzy, and of a hunting vampire. Mortals, read pages 120-130, I will wish to see a report, not less than one page long, on my desk the day after tomorrow. Vampires, read pages 230-235, and read the excerpts on pages 30, 116, and 132. I will expect a similar report on my desk, the day after tomorrow... Cassie, Haven, I would speak with you. The rest of you may go,"[/i:45a03e1dea] He said, and began scratching with a metal pen on a piece of parchment.

Elzbet sat back in the luxurious limo, sipping her vitae. The flight had been relatively quick. It was the getting off the ground that had been hard. Shaundra became despondant when she was told that she would be staying behind to watch over the mansion. That was, until Elzbet pointed out that pediatricians didn't recommend taking newborns on airplane rides if it wasn't necessary. There was no job too important that she was willing to risk her daughter.

Elzbet sighed and made a note on the open laptop next to her on the seat, to ask Julius for an assistant for the duration of her "tenure". All the signs she was getting were saying that trouble was ahead for the new Schoolmaster. Of course, these were jumbled and very confusing. She'd seen a tall man with almost white-blonde hair and seperately, something to do with electricity, but they weren't the same problem. Or were they?

The driver had said that it would be a few hours until they reached Touraine, Elzbet settled further into the plush interior and pulled the computer into her lap. Although it was midnight in France, the NYSE would still be open, and there were a number of stocks that were worth a second glance.


*********************************

The black stretch pulled up to the front entrance of the rather demure-looked office building. Interesting, Elzbet thought, hide it in plain sight. The chauffer came around and opened the door for her. She exited the car and swept up to the secured entry. A strong voice issued from the intercom next to it. [i:ed0bf99793]"Please state your name and reason for your visit?"[/i:ed0bf99793]

[i:ed0bf99793]"Lady Elzbet, here to see Mister Darrant."[/i:ed0bf99793]

There was a buzzing sound and the door swung open. [i:ed0bf99793]"You will be met in the lobby."[/i:ed0bf99793]

Elzbet pulled out a hundred dollar bill and gave it to the waiting driver, then grabbed her two bags and laptop case and entered the school.

There was an older gentleman awaiting her in the large foyer. [i:ed0bf99793]"Madam, I regret to inform you that Master Darrant had some important matters away from the school. He is due to return any moment. In the meantime, he gave instructions to see to your comfort until his arrival."[/i:ed0bf99793]

[i:ed0bf99793]"That won't be a problem. I would like to freshen up before I see the rest of the school."[/i:ed0bf99793] she said, following him down the halls. There were quite a few students up and about at this time of night, coincidentally, mostly Kindred. Go figure! They reached her room and the staff member waved her in.

[i:ed0bf99793]"Someone will be along to show you around. The Headmaster has given you an office in the teacher's wing and a secretary to assist with paperwork. Further, he has left a list of students he thinks you should begin with."[/i:ed0bf99793] With that, he left, closing the door and as Elzbet began unpacking, she sighed once again. Sometimes, it was easier to deal with stocks than people. At least their ups and downs were predictable.

Wren nodded as each of the students left, then sat a moment, regarding Cassie and Haven, before turning his head to Haven and saying, [i:8b2aca1aa2]"Haven, please wait outside for a few moments, I would speak to Miss Wade." [/i:8b2aca1aa2]Haven, with a guilty look of having to abandon his new friend to his ancestor's mercies, stepped quietly out the door, leaving Wren's attention focused on a very nervous Cassie.

Wren drummed his fingers for a few moments before speaking, [i:8b2aca1aa2]"You can stop looking as though I am about to eat you, Cassandra," [/i:8b2aca1aa2]He said before continuing, [i:8b2aca1aa2]"I have many questions, so I will get directly to the point. Haven likes you, and even, from what I've been told, seems to trust you."[/i:8b2aca1aa2] A brief silence fell while Cass nodded, then Wren continued.

[i:8b2aca1aa2]"While I am inclined to have faith in my descendant's judgement, I must be cautious, as he is a fourteen year old boy, and you [b:8b2aca1aa2]are[/b:8b2aca1aa2] a pretty young lady." [/i:8b2aca1aa2]Haven's avatus raked the young woman from head to toe with an appreciative stare, then completely dumbfounded her with a highly unothodox question. [i:8b2aca1aa2]"I would know your intentions regarding him." [/i:8b2aca1aa2]

Cassie blinked at the sudden question, her face taking on an expression that was at once a confused frown and an embarrassed flush. [i:8b2aca1aa2]"M..my intentions!!??" [/i:8b2aca1aa2]

Wren waved his hand, and his dry tone seemed to rocked her, [i:8b2aca1aa2]"It is not uncommon for a vampiress to beguile a lad to her advantage. Haven is in such position that he would be a very big advantage to anyone that managed to befriend him. As you may have noted, he is more than generous with what he has."[/i:8b2aca1aa2]

At this, Cassie's expression turned from confusion to anger, the blood rush draining from her skin, her eyes flashing, as her hair rose to a crackling nimbus around her face. [i:8b2aca1aa2]"I have [b:8b2aca1aa2]never[/b:8b2aca1aa2] taken advantage of anyone!"[/i:8b2aca1aa2] She bit off the words in a controlled yell, with not even a hint of hesitation, before realizing the position she was in and plastering both hands to her lips.

Wren smiled inwardly at the instantaneous denial, it told him more than she would have voluntarily given out. [i:8b2aca1aa2]"Miss Wade, I am very glad to hear that. I suspected that Haven's judgement was not in error, as he is rather perceptive, but I could not be sure. A fourteen year old boy's intuition tends to be very different from normal when a pretty young girl is involved,"[/i:8b2aca1aa2] He said, pausing a moment before moving on, [i:8b2aca1aa2]"And what are your feelings towards Haven?" [/i:8b2aca1aa2]

[i:8b2aca1aa2]"I like him.... but only as a friend," [/i:8b2aca1aa2]she said, and looked down, [i:8b2aca1aa2]"I think he wants more than that... and I.."[/i:8b2aca1aa2] Cassandra stammered further but was cut off by a wave of Wren's hand. With a shrewd look, the perceptive Brujah shot a direct query at her, [i:8b2aca1aa2]"You haven't really talked with him about your own feelings, have you?"[/i:8b2aca1aa2] The young woman's start, then conscience-stricken look gave him the answer he needed.

[i:8b2aca1aa2]"Cassandra, Haven is kind, and I doubt he would press the issue, though you should tell him how you see what lays between you two. If you find you start to feel differently later, you can always change it. That is what is good about such solutions... none of them is permanent." [/i:8b2aca1aa2]Cassie's new instructor watched bemusedly as the corona of hair settled gently onto too thin shoulders that had seen more burdens then one her age should have.

The young girl turned frightened and saddened eyes on him when she glanced up, "[i:8b2aca1aa2]I like him as a friend. Just a friend. But he....he seems to want more, and I can't give him that!" [/i:8b2aca1aa2]There was a hint of desperation in that tone, if he wasn't mistaken.

[i:8b2aca1aa2]"Whoa!! I am glad to see then, that he has found a friend, though I would suspect, from what you're not saying, that he confuses you. On top of that, I infer there are many things bothering you, other than my descendent, who, I think you should know, would not ask more than you are willing to impart nor press the issue." [/i:8b2aca1aa2]He smiled warmly and was delighted to see the tension flow out of her frame.

Cassandra heaved a big, almost-relieved sigh and gave a nod. [i:8b2aca1aa2]"Yes, you're right. I do have......issues.....that I've not told anyone about. I can't. I have to work them out for myself."[/i:8b2aca1aa2] She looked away, then turned back, [i:8b2aca1aa2]"I'm not even sure why I'm here, as a friend of mine insisted I should be, but sometimes, I'm glad I am." [/i:8b2aca1aa2]The strain eased from the eyes with her own tentative grin and then took on a wondering and shy look. [i:8b2aca1aa2]"You're not as...scary as I thought you'd be." [/i:8b2aca1aa2]

Wren turned a mock growl on her and then chuckled at the giggle that escaped from her. [i:8b2aca1aa2]"And I'd imagine you were thinking I'd be a bit taller too... I get that a lot. All of us have problems, but they should be shared, especially with friends. Friends lessen the pain by spreading it out and they increase the joy by the same token. As to why you're here..." [/i:8b2aca1aa2]he cocked his head at her while his eyes took on the glaze of the past.

He came back with a start and continued, "[i:8b2aca1aa2]When I was first embraced, I was horrified at what I was. I was terrified that I would bring harm to Anaya, my mortal lover, I was revolted at what I had to do to survive, and were it not for the child that was growing in Anaya's belly, I most likely would have embraced the sun."[/i:8b2aca1aa2] Cassie's countenance took on the misty look of a young girl in the throes of a tragic story and she finally relaxed enough to spill more of herself into his ears.

[i:8b2aca1aa2]"There are times I can't even think about what........" [/i:8b2aca1aa2]the neonate choked on her words, while the body went rigid and the face blanked. Then the struggles chased across her expressive face as she fought with, and won, the demons from her own, short, past. A hard swallow followed and she looked back with widened orbs and hair literally standing on end, sparks showering wildly.

Her whisper was barely heard, [i:8b2aca1aa2]"I have to admit, there are times when I wish I could just........die."[/i:8b2aca1aa2] Then the tone changed to something profoundly joyless, [i:8b2aca1aa2]"But I'm too much a coward to put myself in the daylight's arms and just let go." [/i:8b2aca1aa2]Another sigh. [i:8b2aca1aa2]"I find a lot of comfort in my mage studies."[/i:8b2aca1aa2] Her gentle smile was watery.

[i:8b2aca1aa2]"Um....Mr. Ashley?" [/i:8b2aca1aa2]the question was a delicate touch for someone expecting a rebuff, so he bided his time with a short reply rather than snapping that he still had much to do, [i:8b2aca1aa2]"Yes?" [/i:8b2aca1aa2]Embarrassment caused that human bloom in her cheeks, again. [i:8b2aca1aa2]"Would you," [/i:8b2aca1aa2]she cleared her throat nervously,[i:8b2aca1aa2] "would you mind if...if I were to come and talk with you? I mean, if things get to be......hard to handle sometimes? You are awfully easy to talk to. For me that is." [/i:8b2aca1aa2]She stared at him bewilderedly, [i:8b2aca1aa2]"I wonder why?" [/i:8b2aca1aa2]The Brujah detected a tough of awe there and winced, hoping there'd be no heroworship there.

He switched subjects rapidly, [i:8b2aca1aa2]"Tell me, for I am curious, who is your sire?"[/i:8b2aca1aa2] Then watched as she hung her head, her shoulders slumped as if awaiting abuse of some kind. [i:8b2aca1aa2]"I don't know. They tell me he was more than likely Sabbat."[/i:8b2aca1aa2] The soft voice trembled.

[i:8b2aca1aa2]"SO, Lucien is not your sire? I was mistaken then, on what I thought I'd heard. How did you two meet?" [/i:8b2aca1aa2]The question was couched in neutral tones and she replied in a stiff monotone. [i:8b2aca1aa2]"Um, no. Lucien is just a..a friend."[/i:8b2aca1aa2] Wren heard the lie for what is was. [i:8b2aca1aa2]"He's Julius's...I mean, Headmaster Darrant's childe. He's quite brilliant. And he saved my life when my..Sire...left me to fend for myself. Brought me to the chantry so that I wouldn't starve and could learn."[/i:8b2aca1aa2] Her voice fell silent.

"Ah, I see." Another neutral answer and he let the rest of it go. He was going to have to speak with Julius about this but he didn't want to probe this wound of hers any wider at this time.

A larger sigh interrupted his inner thoughts, "[i:8b2aca1aa2]I suppose I'd best go. I imagine Haven's going to want to have a talk with me too. I can't avoid it now."[/i:8b2aca1aa2] She looked tired and deflated, like a worn out balloon, circles of darkness appearing even through her magically sustained looks.

Wren reached out and took Cassie's hand, startling her. [i:8b2aca1aa2]"You've been avoiding him? I must say.... I feel for him. He has been lonely for quite some time, and to have a [b:8b2aca1aa2]friend[/b:8b2aca1aa2] outright avoid him, well... you can probably imagine how he must be feeling right now."[/i:8b2aca1aa2] he chided softly.

The grin was a touch quirky on that sweet young face, [i:8b2aca1aa2]"Yeah, I guess I can. But, how can Haven be feeling lonely? He's always so full of..life...and so cheerful. Always doing something!"[/i:8b2aca1aa2] Puzzlement grew as the Brujah remained quiet and introspective. He spoke up again.

[i:8b2aca1aa2]"Cheerful and busy? Yes, that does describe Haven's personality rather well. He is also very intelligent. He is a college graduate, much to Mr. Darrant's displeasure at finding out the hard way. Imagine being an eight year old in the same class as eighteen year olds. Or perhaps, a ten year old in the same class as people who are twenty one!" [/i:8b2aca1aa2]He watched a quiver of compassionate understanding run down her spine, [i:8b2aca1aa2]"Yeah, I can see how that would make him feel left out." [/i:8b2aca1aa2]she whispered and there was a quick look at the closed door, outside of which, Haven waited.

Wren sighed as the wisdom of his age prompted him to try giving her a hard learned piece of advice, [i:8b2aca1aa2]"Cassie, Vampires live a very long time. I have watched friends and lovers taken from me by time. A moment of hesitation for you, may be a decade. A century. A moment of hesitation for you, and Haven can grow old and die... so find happiness where you can, and when you can."[/i:8b2aca1aa2] He smiled again, warmly, and she nodded absently, a thoughtful expression in her eyes.

[i:8b2aca1aa2]"May I go now, Mr. Ashley? I think I need to do something....with my hair."[/i:8b2aca1aa2] She ruefully pulled a striated strand around to the front and looked at it woefully. Wren grinned inwardly and decided enough had been said, time would take care of the rest. He nodded dismal at her then retained her with a quick hand to her shoulder.

[i:8b2aca1aa2]"Fair enough, and err.... here," [/i:8b2aca1aa2]he pulled out his wallet and took some bills out of it [i:8b2aca1aa2]"this should help to defray the costs of a[/i:8b2aca1aa2] (he chuckled) [i:8b2aca1aa2]makeover,"[/i:8b2aca1aa2] But the vehement shake of hair, with an extra shower of sparks, had him retracting the cash. Haven had been right about her all along. [i:8b2aca1aa2]"No, thank you, you and Haven have done enough for me. Besides, my chantry gives me plenty to live on." [/i:8b2aca1aa2]Her somewhat shabby appearance gave proof to the almost-lie her pride forced her to use.

Again he stopped her swing towards the exit. [i:8b2aca1aa2]"Cassie, when you go, be sure you take someone with you when do. If it happens to be Haven, I'll be tagging along somewhere behind to ensure that he stays out of the kind of trouble that the headmaster wouldn't like." [/i:8b2aca1aa2]Cass's blue eye's twinkled, [i:8b2aca1aa2]"Haven's been confined to the school by the Headmaster for now but I would like to get some shopping done when the ban is lifted." [/i:8b2aca1aa2]

Cassandra got an odd look on her countenance, [i:8b2aca1aa2]"You mean you'd be, like, well,[/i:8b2aca1aa2] "chaperoning" [i:8b2aca1aa2]us??" [/i:8b2aca1aa2]At Wren's wary nod, and his reply of [i:8b2aca1aa2]"In effect, yes," [/i:8b2aca1aa2]her whole aspect lit up like a christmas tree and a huge grin spread across her lips. [b:8b2aca1aa2][i:8b2aca1aa2]"KEWL!"[/i:8b2aca1aa2][/b:8b2aca1aa2] Wren shook his head in confusion. There were times like this when he wasn't so sure he understood kids as much as he thought he did.

All of a sudden, Cassandra swooped him up in a hard hug and then turned a pleading look on him. [i:8b2aca1aa2]"Please don't yell at Haven too hard. A lot of what he's done, since he's been here, has been on my behalf." [/i:8b2aca1aa2]The Brujah ancestor stared at her sternly and replied, [i:8b2aca1aa2]"I will take that into consideration when handing out his punishment."[/i:8b2aca1aa2] Then he spoiled it by winking at her.

With a polite little nod and a murmur of [i:8b2aca1aa2]"Thank you,"[/i:8b2aca1aa2]she hugged him again and then bolted for the door. On the threshhold, she stopped and looked back over her shoulder before giving him a bright smile, then exited. There was a short conversation in the hall and then Haven poked his head around the doors edges.

Julius had found Carlie an apartment in Touraine, at least for the moment. Her initial joy at him having rescued her had faded rapidly. Not only was he sworn to Eveshka, but apparently had become a millenia old antediluvian. She needed time, she had said, to decide what to do. It made little difference to Julius. He had better things to do with his life than cater to one skittish Tremere.

The school seemed somehow larger, upon his return. The students were much the same, but the staff had expanded. Wren and Elzbet had arrived, falling much into their places without him. Julius himself had a number of tutorials and lectures to catch up on, but Mortisha and Lucien had covered him fairly well during his short absence.

It had been nearly a year since he had first opened the doors of the school, which still held only a smattering of students, mixture of both kindred and kine. Even so, with the small numbers, there seemed a lack of unity of purpose. The idea of this endeavour was to bring magic back into the world at large, yet already, the cult of the individual seemed to flourish. This was not unexpected. The kind of persons who become Magi are the kinds of persons who seek knowledge for it's own sake, or for the power they think they can wield. It was nothing serious at the school, yet he could envisage, in a century or so, another Windgraven[1], full of ancient magi jealously guarding knowledge until it died with them. Not again. This time it would be different. Activities were required which would include the whole school.

Julius would start with something simple. The ritual of the Aegis of the Hearth was a standard classic. A magical protection invented in the middle ages to protect a covenant from invasion, could just as well be used to protect the school. Traditionally the ritual included all the mages of the covenant, but Julius would vary it to include not only all the students, but equally the non-magic using staff members. Everyone here would unite in the casting of a single spell.

Julius smiled slightly and headed to his study to prepare.


---

[1] Windgraven - A "Winter Covenant" near Mistridge during "Mythic Europe" times.

[b:6b0421f465]Wren sighed as Haven came into the room, drumming his fingers on the desk before he began to speak, the normally energetic and outgoing fourteen year old looking as though he were a kicked puppy.

Unfortunately for Haven, the kicked puppy look meant absolutely nothing to Wren at the moment. [i:6b0421f465]"You know, I sometimes wonder about you. You seem to have quite the penchant for placing yourself in life threatening situations. For example, I would imagine that venturing into the quarters of a vampire, just because someone was crying inside, would mean nothing to you,"[/i:6b0421f465] Wren said, looking directly at Haven, though he was maintaining remarkable composure.

[i:6b0421f465]"Nor for that matter, I imagine, would lying to a very powerful Tremere vampire, who is teaching you the fundamentals of magic, and I would even venture to say that you would go out on a night time stroll with a young vampiress, and then use fire directly in front of her, even though you know how badly vampires can react to fire," [/i:6b0421f465]he said, his gaze becoming more intense as the drumming on the desk stopped, [i:6b0421f465]"Over nine centuries, I have watched over and protected my family. In all that time, I have never, not even once, had one of mine so blatantly disregard my counsel as you have."[/i:6b0421f465]

[i:6b0421f465]"So, here I am, placed in a situation where I must rectify your self imposed ignorance, in spite of all that I attempted, and apparently failed to teach you," [/i:6b0421f465]he said, and stood abruptly, then began to pace, [i:6b0421f465]"I see that I must have in some way been remiss, and will take steps to see that this does not happen again. I shall, in spite of having business elsewhere that must now be put on hold, teach here, instructing you and your classmates on the raw basics of survival."[/i:6b0421f465]

Haven winced, he wanted to flee, but stood his ground, [i:6b0421f465]"Umm, Wren may I say something?" [/i:6b0421f465]he asked, every muscle in his body tensing with the conflict of insti