Cassandra Pendragon
It might have sounded like searching for a single vampire amidst the chaos was akin to looking for a needle in a haystack, but my power didn't only allow me to see much more clearly, my gaze also had a tendency to simply land on whatever I was trying to find. This time wasn't any different. Inadvertently I swerved and focused on one of the larger branches far above the actual trunk. Aside from those Greta deemed worthy or those who were blessed with enough strength to challenge the dryad, nobody could get up there, which meant the living, growing roads and the likewise verdant caves all throughout her canopy were almost empty. Not even twenty sentient creatures roamed through the upper parts of the tree and without Reia and her group not a single soul would have been wandering underneath Greta's bark. Consequentially I was pretty surprised when I saw Alassara's aura surrounded by not only one, but three others. I thought I recognised them, but the memory wasn't clear and I couldn't place it at the moment. They had retreated into one of the tree caves and judging from their movements it seemed like they were cooking, even though I couldn't quite imagine the elegant, dark vampire queen in an apron, flipping pancakes.
With a single wing beat I covered the distance and touched down lightly on a winding street of brown and green. The adjacent branches formed a closed roof above my head and everywhere I looked birds were diving towards the myriad of blossoms, leaving glittering trails of flower dust in their wake. The sweet taste of cherries was as rich as it had been in Shassa's lair and just as comforting. Soft, greenish light filtered through the ocean of leaves and danced over a sturdy door that even had the vampire's name carved into it. With a defeated sigh I stepped closer, knocked and turned the handle. Honestly, Ahri and I hadn't even managed to get a proper table, never mind a door. Life simply wasn't fair.
As I crossed the threshold I froze and so did the four scantily clad, if not naked women. My eyes darted from one to the other and I inhaled deeply on reflex. If I hadn't been sure before, my last doubts went screaming out the window when a musky tang, laced with sweat and pheromones hit me like a proverbial brick wall. Apparently Alassara hadn't wasted the hours without her daughter around and judging from the flushed faces of the two human and one wolf kin girls, her efforts hadn't gone to waste either.
"Hi there," I mumbled shyly while a magnificent blush crept across my face. Honestly, I couldn't even begin to fathom why I would be embarrassed, but apparently my body had different ideas. "Bad timing? I can return later, if you…"
"Nonsense, come on in." Shimmering blue eyes glided into my field of vision, followed by an enviable bust that was anything but covered by a skimpy silk robe. "We haven't seen you in a while. Do sit down. Would you like something to eat?" Liz, Madame Sinis' daughter, hadn't changed as far as I could tell, even though I was decently sure this wasn't a payed arrangement. Her two comrades in arms were the two slaves who had killed their master, Asra. Faelan and Ana, if memory served. No way in hell would they ever climb into anyone's bed for money. Not after what they had been forced to endure for years on end.
Still nervous I smiled clumsily and waddled towards the closest chair. I didn't quite know where to look, anywhere I turned the amount of naked skin was just a touch too much for me, so I examined the cozy cave more closely. Hypocritical when one considers my own exhibitionistic tendencies, I know, but there was nothing to be done. I still had been raised a princess and showing about an inch above the ankle was as much as I was truly comfortable with when it didn't concern my family or those I considered blood. Which, ironically, meant that I had the least problems staring at Alassara, even though she was the one who hadn't even bothered putting on undergarments. Not that any of them had to hide. I wasn't getting turned on, mind you, but I could still appreciate the sight, even though I had my fair share of troubles when it came to looking.
Unfortunately there wasn't much to keep my attention. A hardened, wooden stove with two pans on top, one filled with bacon, the other with what looked like French toasts, a disheveled, crumbled bed surrounded by carelessly discarded garments and a cupboard in one corner that looked suspiciously like a coffin. I frowned when I remembered the vampire's insistence that she didn't have to sleep in a coffin, but I didn't comment. It was none of my business after all and honestly, I had just learned much more about her sleeping habits than I had ever wanted to. There was also a handful of books, neatly stacked in a corner and a small, open suitcase that contained a few things in Alassara's size and some which were definitely much too small for her, but would probably fit Layla like a glove. Lastly I saw a towering mirror leaning against the back wall, but whichever way I turned, I just couldn't spot a single reflection in its silvery depths.
With a forced smile I turned to the vampire while Liz busied herself at the stove and the other two tried to get dressed surreptitiously. They looked about as comfortable as I felt, while neither Liz nor Alassara's seemed to care one bit. I gesticulated vaguely and tried my best to sound utterly unperturbed: "glad to see you haven't missed a beat." I paused, wrestling with whether or not I should ignore the steamy elephant in the room. On one hand I wouldn't have wanted to elaborate on my sex life in any way shape or form, but then again I was probably a tad more prude. Also, I did have to know if Layla knew and if I was allowed to tell. Better to get it over with. "Does your daughter know," I finished lamely.
"There wasn't much to know until last night," she replied nonchalantly with sparkling eyes. "You know how it goes. One second you're talking business, the next it's all about who's on top." I didn't know whether to wince or laugh so I opted for a frown.
"I really don't. It surely does look like you're much less antisocial than you've made yourself out to be. You haven't answered my question, though. Just in case I run across your kid. She's with Reia at the moment."
"I know. It's not a secret, but I'd prefer to tell her myself. You don't have to lie, though. I…," She was interrupted when Liz returned to the table with five already filled plates. In her wake the two other girls followed timidly, properly dressed by now. The cook herself was still almost wearing that touch of silky nothingness she had greeted me in. With a bright smile she set down her load and reached for the cutlery. Which wasn't silver table wear by any stretch of the imagination, but rather looked like they had been carved out of one of the walls.
"Cheers," she chirped merrily, "I'm not that good in the kitchen, but it should at least be edible." With widening eyes she stared at the vampire and me: "do you even eat?"
"Hypocritical question after last night," the wolf kin commented and sniffed her plate. Liz laughed and I was tempted to bury my face in my hands, but with a little effort I prevailed and even managed a choked chuckle.
"I don't have to, but I enjoy it all the same," I mumbled and mimicked Faelan. From what I could smell the girl was simply being modest. Bacon, toast, even the orange juice I now spotted in an earthen bottle, everything smelled delicious.
"Same for me,"Alassara replied through a smile as she reached for the last plate. "Thanks, darling, but you didn't have to cook. Breakfast was included in my invitation."
"I don't mind," Liz shrugged and raised a crunchy, golden brown slice of bread, fried with eggs and tons of butter, to her mouth. "Besides, how many people can claim that they've fed the Lady of the Night and an angel, all on the same morning." She took a hesitant bite, but soon chewed with genuine enthusiasm. "Not bad," she commented and pointed her fork at me. "You probably didn't come here for us mere mortals. Should we leave you two alone? After breakfast, of course."
"I'm the one intruding," I replied through a smirk. "Shouldn't I be asking that question? Anyways, I'm not here because the world is burning," I paused and then I sighed, "well, in a way it is, I guess, but that's not the reason why I've come. I simply wanted to…"
"Catch up," the vampire offered.
"In a way." Another sigh. "I had a run in with something bad and I'm not all that thrilled with what Mephisto's been up to since he woke up, either. I just thought I'd have a quick look around our home instead of pouting all by my lonesome. I've already visited the spider, but…"
"What spider," Liz asked and her rosy cheeks paled considerably. "I haven't seen…" Right. Not that many had met Shassa, yet. Which probably was in the many's best interest.
"Never mind. An old acquaintance. You won't meet her unless you climb to the very top of the tree. Which would probably take you about two days. One way. Don't worry about her. She's… tame isn't the right word, but she's on a leash."
"Oh my," Alassara laughed throatily. "Vampires, spiders, dragons… one might come to believe that you're obsessed with predators, Cassandra." I stared at her, my eyes wide in playful astonishment.
"Are you telling me you aren't a cuddly bunny? The deception, the audacity, the sheer horror…" with a teasing smile I added: "pets without fangs are lame, anyways."
"Careful what you insinuate," the vampire chuckled. "My keep might be more than you're bargaining for. I'm pretty insatiable. In more ways than one... just ask those three." My blush, which had vanished entirely, returned full force.
"You had to go there, didn't you?" She shrugged.
"Among my race there's a saying: make war when the sun sets, make love when it rises. Not my fault that you're only comfortable with half of what life is about." Gradually I was getting annoyed.
"You'd be surprised. Why does everybody assume I'm a nun? I'm engaged, for god's sake! Only because I don't flaunt my proclivities, it doesn't necessarily follow it's a platonic relationship."
"I didn't believe that for a minute, but you're easy to rile up and quite the joy to look at when your embarrassed. Less angelic… more human. It suits you. Almost makes me want to take a bite, despite the risk." Someone was in a good mood. Not that I blamed her. Her night must have been lively… lovely, I mean.
"It's always the same," I lamented and brushed a nonexistent tear from the corner of my eye. "First people are afraid of me, then they try to bed me and in the end I'm just some kind of wind up toy to get a rise out of whenever they feel like. And here I was, thinking you'd be different."
"Oh, but I am. I also have an undeniable urge to taste your blood, but I still think I'll pass."
"Not a complete idiot," I snorted and finally probed the fried toast on my plate with my fork. "That makes one of us, at least." I took a bite and immediately realised that Liz had a heavy sweet tooth. I had expected something savoury, but she had doused the toasts in honey, which went surprisingly well with the crispy strips of bacon. To top it off, the recipe was probably within bounds of my own, very limited culinary skills. Maybe I could add a pod of chilli for Ahri.
"What did you do this time," Liz asked as she munched her way through her own portion, her cheeks bulging like a hamster's. "Or is a a secret? In which case, please, do tell."
"Not really. I'm just afraid I have to bite off more than I can chew," I added with a smirk as I watched her jaws move incessantly. "Nothing you can relate to, I'm sure."
"Very funny. I'll have you know, I can comport myself with the utmost dignity, if the need arises. I just don't fancy pretending while I'm with friends."
"Clearly more than just friends," I commented with a sideway glance at her most recent conquests. The girl only shrugged.
"We'll have to see. Last night was fun, but I'm not entirely sold on the whole vampire thing." Right, that was a conversation I definitely wanted no part of, so I quickly changed the topic:
"Speaking of which, Alassara, have you already met my sister, Lilith?"
"The loquacious lightbulb?"
"Well, that's just temporary, the lightbulb part, at least, but yes."
"I have and I think I know why you've asked. She has crafted the original curse, hasn't she?"
"As far I'm aware. I have to look for her anyways. Another one of my siblings has asked… truth be told ordered me to talk to her. Apparently she knows a bit about what we're going to have to face in the future. I just haven't managed to build up the patience to deal with her, yet. Wanna come along?"
"Today? No, thanks. I think I'll return to bed as soon as you're gone. Provided I have some company." Her red eyes darted to her visitors and when she had received nods, ranging from shy to boastful, she leaned back with a satisfied grin that reminded me of a cat ogling an entire ocean of cream.
"Yeah, it surely looks casual to me," I mumbled into my toast. Slowly I was starting to feel curious, but I still couldn't get myself to ask any explicit questions. Maybe in a week or two. Provided this strange arrangement was even going to last that long. I poured five glasses of juice and leaned back on my chair while I searched for Liz's gaze. "I'm probably not going to get a straight answer out of her," I indicated Alassara with a jerk of my head, "not while she's preening, but what actually happened? I remember the Madame talking about becoming a vampire, but that can't be the reason why you three ended up in her arms, can it?"
"There isn't much to tell," she replied with a casual shrug. "It actually did start when we sat down to talk things over. Those two have been there as well, but if you want to know why you got to ask them yourself. It became later and later. Must have been well past midnight when we were done. The Madame's girls are still staying with her and we three have… had no place to stay. Sure, we wouldn't have ended up on the street, Greta has already offered to grow us a place of our own, but I didn't want to be alone and I guess it's the same for the others. A bottle of wine, another hour and the rest… well, I'm sure you can guess what happened. Now, since you're obviously too shy to ask I'll just tell you. I do like the vamp, but I'm not yet sure how much. Same for the other two. Satisfied?"
"I… I didn't," I stammered, "are you sure that's the best way to… to communicate something like that?" Another shrug.
"It's not a secret. It was just sex. You're the only one who's making a big deal out of it. Just thought I'd try to set you straight. We're not all immaculate princesses after all."
"Again with the… you know, one of these days I'm just going to share some of my memories with the next idiot who's trying to rile me up." "That a promise," the girl asked through a cheeky smile.
"You don't want that," the older and apparently wiser vampire quickly intervened. "Some things aren't meant for mortal eyes. I guess you wouldn't be able to enjoy anyone else's company afterwards. Hardly worth it, is it, when there's still so much left to… explore."'