((Collaboration between Lucius Cypher and Luna))

Months Lucilia had spent at this dead end part of the world, but her work here was done. The villagers shut themselves inside their homes as Lucilia's carriage rode through the street. On the top held down by ropes was a large, majestic coffin. Whispers in the shadows spoke of what was inside of the coffin. But in truth, that was a mere distraction. Inside the carriage Lucilia had a guest. "Are you feeling thirsty, miss...?"

Colette Filitrault stared at Lucilia confused. "Why do you want to help me all I have done is kill people to survive." she said calmly her maroon color eyes showing hardly any emotion as her arms crossed over her chest.

Lucilia rested her head against her hand as she placed it on the arm rest next to her. "Because... Everyone makes mistakes." Lucilia reached into one of her bags and took out a small notebook. Inside of it was names, some with an small picture. "I remember a time where I was much like you... Scared, alone, and living off of nothing but time and instincts. By all rights, I should have died, just like you. However..." Lucilia opened her book and flipped to one page. On it was a faded image of Colette, but when she was still a little girl. "Life as a way of giving us second chances. A long time ago I used to kill many people much for the same reason you did. And when I was finally captured, it would have made sense to kill me. But instead I was helped. The people who captured me were able to slate my thirst, and they taught me how to control myself." Lucilia placed the booklet next to the other vampire, as on her page was nothing more than her image. "They taught me what I am, and how to deal with it. What happened to you all those years ago... It's not your fault. And you shouldn't be punished for it. What happened all those years after was a tragedy indeed. But killing you wouldn't solve anything. It wouldn't bring those people back, and it wouldn't change what you became. Redemption takes more effort than just one or two actions."

Lucilia cleared her voice and handed a pen over to the vampire. "You have to live for redemption if you have any hopes of getting it. Just like I did. So to answer your question more directly, the reason why I want to help you is because I know that you have potential. Potential to help others, to earn redemption, and so much more. All you needed was someone to help you. And I wanted to help you." Lucilia took out another object from her bag, a brooch. On it was a detailed rose emblem. "My name is Lucilia Riovas. I too am a Vampire. But more importantly, I am a professor at the Twilight College. I help other vampires like yourself find a place in the world, and make sure that everyone is given a chance. And I would like to extend this offer to you, miss...?"

"My name is Colette.....Colette Filatrault...former heir to the Filatrault fortune" she said softly as she pondered the words that she had heard and her lips curled into a small smirk as she looked at the image and her eyes dulled looking at it. "I....how can I ever get redemption for what I did...all because I promised a simple maid of our family...." she trailed off into silence as she once again thought about things, all her life up to this point had become so dark and twisted no one could bring light or untangle the webs that had been woven into her head, or so she thought. She looked at the vampire who called herself Lucilia. "Why have such high hope for me.....my parents in their dark twisted minds always said that I had no hope...that I was a blood sucking vampire but still their only daughter....that I was always going to be part of the darkness for the rest of my eternal life..." she trailed off questions forming in her head again and again with not enough answers.

As Colette began to trail off into a depressive state, Lucilia went and sat next to her, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "That, Colette, is one of the hardest question anyone looking for forgiveness has tried to answer. No one really knows what it takes to find redemption. But you can't stop because you're scared that you won't find it." Lucilia reached into one of the compartments of the carriage and took out a bottle of juice and a bottle of water for the two of them to drink. As Lucilia poured the two some cups, she continued to speak. "Hope isn't something that is found naturally. Hope doesn't exist on it's own. It's something that we make. Hope is something that everyone, even vampires like us, can create, no matter what our past is or what others say we are. Do not think that others can control your hope anymore than they could control yourself. All they can do is influence it, but in the end your hope is your own. I know you have lived countless years in the dark. The idea that any hope could come now is a scary thought. I know it all too well..." Lucilia slid a drink in front of Colette as Lucilia sipped from her own cup.

"But just as there is darkness, there is light. The two are always side by side, and because of it we all have a chance to atone. What happened in the past will stay there; if you want forgiveness, you cannot achieve it by dwelling on it. You would have to go and find it, work for it, and sometimes you may loose sight of it. But to stop? That would be worse than the very things you've done." Lucilia put down her cup and turned her body towards Colette. "It has been hard on you, hasn't it? All those years without anyone to care for you, knowing that so long as you stayed there you would be alone. But that's why I came for you. It doesn't have to be that way. There is another option, thousands more, and I want to show you that you have a choice. That's what I'm here for. That's what we're all here for. Even if there are those who would pull you into the darkness, there are also those who would save you from it. Do not think that the world is so simple that there can only be one. And while I know it will take some time for you to adjust, I want you to know this at least: Just as there is darkness in you, there is light. There is a goodness in you that you can use, and it can help you fight the darkness, but is can also help balance it as well. There is light inside of you, a capacity to do good, and all you need to do is act on it. Will you be willing to do that?"

She looked at the cup that had been placed with her pale hands before looking out the window of the carriage at the nearly full moon. "Maybe....I am willing to try.....just once....." she said slowly as if unsure on if she should really do this since she had no one for centuries and everyone always tried to kill her, sure her parents cared for her but in their own sick and twisted ways, she knew that was not real caring. She then thought of her promise to the maid and closed her eyes trying to block other painful memories from returning to her, returning to her to the night she made that promise and then took the life of the one who she had promised to. Her eyes opened again and she looked at the other vampire. "I am going to try maybe find hope and find light inside myself." she said with a stronger voice than before as she took a slow drink out of her cup.

Lucilia smiled as she finished her own drink. It would be some time before the two of them would reach the college, but hopefully it would be before the day of opening ceremony. As the two vampires rode in the carriage, Lucilia took the time to explain some things about the college, as well as how Colette would live there, since she was a Vampire and all. "Since the last generation of students have already cleared out, there are many rooms for you to chose from. If you require any specific accommodations, you need not but ask. Also, if you require to state your blood thirst, I'd asked that you see me."

Eventually, after a a few days of travel, they managed to get to the College of Twilight. They arrived just in time for the opening of the college, entering to a rear entrance. Everyone was still bustling and busy trying to prepare for the opening ceremony behind the scenes, with people of all races doing their part. Humans, Elves, Eysires, Vampires, and even demons. Lucilia stepped out the carriage and opened up her large rose-themed parasol to block the sunlight off of her and Colette. "If you will follow me, I'll show you around the college and introduce you to some of our staff members. I'll show you your choices of rooms, and other important features. You have the luxury of having first pick, so don't be shy!"

She nodded looking around at all the races of people she was seeing, it kinda overwhelmed her to the pointed she covered her nose to block out some of the scents drifting into her nose. She walked forward her hair swaying in her ponytails the clicks of her heels could be heard a little under her black ruffled dressed. "So are there any rooms with no windows inside them for me" she asked taking a small gaze upward towards the sun that was shining on the large parasol that was covering her.

The two vampires took a walk around the College. Lucilia pointed out all the teachers and staff members she could find, as well as showed Colette around to areas of importance. The Dinning Hall, Medical Room, Archives, The Archmage's Quarters, Guard Barracks, Armory, Market, all the essentials. She also showed Colette some rooms she may like, such as one Belltower room voided of windows, but also had one of the better views of the sun set and rise (though it was a bit spooky due to the lack of windows making it dark without candles or such). There was also the other inner building dorm rooms that would allow Colette to be near her fellow students and faculties, though it was smaller than the Belltower room and she would be expected to share it with another. Lastly was one that Lucilia was more hesitant to show. It was a room that was connected but a complex underground tunnel system. The room itself was actually once Lucillia's before she took her own teacher's space, but she was hesitant to show it to Colette because, while it was voided of direct sunlight but also had illumination, Colette would have to learn how to navigate the maze that was the college underground, and that the entrance to the Ravine of Demons was just down the hall. Still, it was an option for Colette to chose from.

After the tour Lucilia was bombarded with requests from her fellow staff members to help with the preparation of the opening ceremony. Seeing that she'd be too busy to take care of Colette, their last stop was at the teacher's lounge. "Alright than. I hope you enjoyed the tour. Take your time to explore the college yourself, but please try not to bother the workers. Oh yes, and I'd like you to have these. They will make your stay here much easier." Lucilia put onto the table a brooch, a parasol, and a few vials. "This Brooch lets everyone know that you are a guest of mines. This should make sure that none of the guards bother you, and should you need help, just show this to them and they will do whatever they can for you. As for the parasol, well, I'm sure that you're uncomfortable under the sun too, yes? And lastly..." Lucilia picked up one of the vials. Inside the misty white glass was a deep red liquid. "This is Marrow Draught. It essentially acts as a replacement for drinking blood for vampires. It's not perfect, as it doesn't work on Pure Bloods, but for now if you feel that you need to drink, drink one of these instead. It will be able to state your hunger long enough for you to find me so we can arrange for you to get a proper feeding. Now, before I leave, is there anything else you want to know?"

"Hmmm not really thank you so much." Colette carefully took the broach and put the misty white glass away before turning her back. "I will let you know when I have settled down." She said slowly walking away holding the parasol up as she went into the light of the sun before stopping and sniffed the air before turning towards the dooms and was soon out of Lucilia's sight. She entered the tower Lucilia showed her and chose a fair size room that had a large bed. Before her was a wardrobe sitting near a open door closet and a small desk. She put the broach down on the desk before going to the bed, looking down at it before sitting down to think.

Outside the college's bell rang, signalling the opening ceremony.