Halcyon Halls

Who: Alice and Vallis
When: Dusk
Where: Music room
What: Alice gets to meet her new friend's maker?

Ever since her last night out with Lily and her encounter with Vivian, Alice had been nose deep in the books again. While the work load wasn’t as much as last week’s, she had the added stress of her parents wanting to visit her weighing on her shoulders. How exactly was she going to explain to them that it was impossible for them to visit her at the school? Things would be so much easier if they knew the truth and she knew she’d have to tell them sooner or later. She couldn’t keep putting off like she had been doing.

Just like in the past, she was letting that stress get to her and it showed since she was having a hard time controlling her powers again. Alice did her best to keep her focus when in class and had made a huge improvement with her control since her arrival at Halcyon. While she was in the privacy of her room though, it was another story. Instead of trying to control her abilities and deal with those horrendous headaches that followed, Alice would let the stupid thing go off whenever it decided to. Her room was starting to look like a mess too.

Sighing softly, Alice pushed her books aside and rose from her seat. She needed to take a break from studying and from the mess of her room. After pulling on something appropriate, she made her way to the music room. Hopefully it’d be empty unlike the past few times she tried to stop in there. The music that she heard flowing from the room those times was absolutely beautiful and not wanting to interrupt, she sat outside, enjoying it.

As she slowly walked towards the room, a slight smile crossed her face. No music came from the room today and she was glad that she’d have the room to herself. She always enjoyed playing the piano and it usually helped her cope with whatever was bugging her. She carefully took a seat on the bench and pushed the cover that protected the keys below. Alice preferred the feel of the wooden keys compared to the plastic ones like on her keyboard and she let her fingers gently press a few chords before pushing away the hair that hung around her face. She then took a deep breath and as she exhaled she started to play the beginnings of Moonlight Sonata.

Who: Henry, and Vallis
When: Thursday late night
Where: The Halls of Halcyon
What: Vallis has been hiding for too long.


Having one childe within close range was one thing. Having two however, well, that could present a greater problem. To each, he was a different man, to each, he was the same man. Never once had he kept company with more than one at a time. He never planned to sway from that. However, here he was, in such a mix, and with no real way to extract himself from it. Of course, Henry was not aware of his presence, he could so easily just keep his distance, and maintain the appearance of being a stranger. Yet, Vallis was curious. Curious to see what sort of man his son had become. Unlike Lily, whose mind was so easily tapped into, Henry shielded his, with impressive talent at that. Vallis could not learn about the man from his memories, or thoughts. Nor could he trust what he knew of him some three centuries before. A vampire changed greatly in an extended period of time, he had. They became new people... chameleons. The changed when it was needed, and adapted. Each evolution did have some effect on the core of their personality.

Not even his curiosity had him pushing eagerly for a reunion. Not once had he even glimpsed the man, in his time at Halcyon. Sensed him, yes, but not witnessed him. Even now as his fingers danced across the keys of the music room piano, he felt the slightest draw to the north of him. The playing slowed, his head turning ever so slightly away from the music, and the young woman he was entertaining with the piece by Beethoven. Which was difficult to do, considering she was straddling his lap, and sucking at the skin of his neck rather enthusiastically. He wasn't even sure if she was a student, or not. A young fae, he knew that much, and the need to no more was not present. "You know, mon cher... that talent, would be of better use, below my belt." Yet when the woman slid down towards the floor, he used a foot to brush her aside. "Not now. You will know for next time. As for now, you will leave." His attention was now else where, and she wasn't fetching enough to sway his attention.

Vallis' eyes remained fixed on the black, and white keys, while the woman rose from the floor, and moved to the door, and exited. It wasn't until her footsteps finally faded out of range down the hallway, that he allowed his hands to fall from the graceful intrument. The sensation was growing, nearing... he would have to face him, or completely give into the truth that he was a coward. Which he was, but he would never admit to it. He lowered the key cover, and rose from the varnished black bench. Upon reaching the doorway, he leaned back against it, watching as the figure of a tall man approached. Why was he expecting him to look different? Aside from the lack of a beard, he hadn't changed. He was a man of this age. A chameleon vampire. Just what he should be.

"You are the grounds keeper, no?" Vallis called out, enticing the man into conversation before he had the chance to pass him without a word passed between them. He was curious to see if the thick English accent remained. His own, at the time of their first meeting had been painfully thick, not to mention his English had not been supurb. Now, it was perfect, and only a hint of his home country remained, lining each word. "Henry... Tanner, I believe they said. It would seem that you are as trusted in this place, as I am. Funny... we have the same young woman to thank for that." He smiled, tucking his hands into the pockets of his trousers. "Tanner... when did you stop going by Lytton?"

Who: Verushka, and Vallis
When: Tuesday evening
Where: A restaurant in the village
What: Blackmail


At times, you had to make sacrifices to ensure that your peace, wasn't too badly disturbed. Tonight was such a sacrifice. Vallis would never willingly spend his evening with a creature he readily hated. One who hated him equally in turn, unless there was good reason for it. Yet, when such a creature knew one of your darker secrets, you had to take certain measures, to keep them silent. The old saying... keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. Never was it more realivent, than at this very moment. He wouldn't be able to charm Veru, he knew that before waking that evening. She also wouldn't tolerate him man handling her, nor would he be able to tamper with her thoughts so easily. If he really wanted to, he could his age would allow him to do so, but it would take far more effort than he was willing to spare on this shrew. No, he would simply have to convince her that he was a changed man. That alone would be difficult, especially since he had already lost his temper with the woman in previous conversations. He intened to try his best.

After she agreed to join him, sometime before, he hadn't wasted any time in making plans. Vallis had reserved the whole back room of the little French restaurant, and had ordered a bottle of Château Margaux. Something he was amazed they were able to find in such a short span of time. It had all cost him a pretty penny. Not that he cared. Ever the spoiled, rich, little brat. Vallis had more money than he would likely be able to spend in a dozen life times. He knew this, which was why he spent money, as if it was nothing. Showered expensive gifts upon those close to him. Why not use your money to impress, when the impression would more often than not, get you exactly what you wanted? The question was, was all this in the hopes of impressing Veru? No, not at all. He expected the evening to be completely horrendous, and these little luxurious were intended to bring himself some comfort.

His mood was already that of irritation, when he awoke at sunset. Sunset... the sun... that was one thing he could praise Halcyon for. Allowing an old vampire like him, the chance to witness the sun once more, without it being an act of suicide. At times, he found himself starring out the windows during class, when he assigned a bit of reading. His mind would drift back to when he was a young man. Newly married, and with an infant son in his arms. They would walk the small property he had once owned, Charles laughing as his father imitated various animals that lived on the farm. It was such a strange picture now, Vallis almost felt as if he were remembering the life of a stranger. Perhaps he was. He hadn't been that man for very long after all.

After a quick shower, he dressed, and left the comfortable surroundings of his room, once the sky became littered with stars. It wasn't long before he found himself seated in the the restaurant. A glass of red wine clutched in one hand. His body language read of the sheer boredom he felt, drifting to the side, brow raised, while his eyes rested upon the man butchering Sonata in A major, on the piano. The woman had better arrive soon, or he was going to tear open the mans throat, for not only enjoyment, but to also halt the insult, that was his playing.

Who: Vallis, and Vivian
Where: The Music room
When: Early, early Sunday morning
What: A performance interrupted


Some evenings after returning home from work, when the sun was too close to risk spending much longer outside, she found herself wandering the castle halls. It gave her time to think in an environments that wasn't nearly as constricting as her dorm room. The previous night had been no different. Friday had been extremely busy, and tiring. So when her shift ended, in the early hours of Saturday morning, she returned promptly to the castle. If it hadn't been for her catching sight of the grounds keeper tending to a few matters not far from the school entrance on her way in, she likely would have retired. For a moment she had considered walking over, and speaking to him, or just doing something that might have drawn his eye to her. He probably knew she was there regardless. The truth was, she had no idea what she might say to him. For once, she knew that she was in the wrong. She almost felt as if she should apologize to him, but her pride wouldn't allow her to do so. So, when she walked up the lawn that morning, it was no surprise that her eyes had searched the area, for even the smallest sign that she wasn't alone. She found nothing.

Even with that small disappointment, she did not head for the Terrene common room. No, her feet carried her own, without much guidance, or directly. They moved on their own, while her mind danced between the beautiful little muse she knew would be sleeping at that moment, and the father she had abandoned. Her Jaida. The thought alone brought a soft smile to her lips. That was one thing that she did love, waking up next to the girl. Seeing her in those last few moments of sleep, when she was peaceful, and serene. No matter how much she adored that mouth, it was nice to see it at rest from time to time. Henry.... she couldn't even begin to imagine where he was at that moment. Nor what he might be doing, or thinking. Yes, he had been very angry with her the last time they spoke, but it was so hard to predict an outstanding reaction when it came to him. How long would the anger last? Or had it perhaps already left him, along with she from his mind.
( ... )