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[center][sub]Dates: September 21st - October 7th[/sub][/center]

[hider=9/22: Lilie and Ben]
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[indent]As the last of the workers gave their completed report, Ben thanked them once again before dismissing them. Their hard work had not gone unnoticed, and they had everything set up with time to spare. Part of his plan had been to switch the two rooms to give Lilie the bigger bathroom, as he genuinely felt he had no need for it, and offered to switch the rooms and personalize it with a new bedspread. The disastrous first impression had left lingering doubts everywhere and it simply wouldn't do; if Miss Dionne was to be one of his mages, he needed a positive, beneficial relationship. Of course, he had hoped his little surprise would be that way. After laying down some rules, she had expressly pointed out that she didn’t have a wardrobe to his specifications, and so he took the liberty of replacing it. Everything she had owned was respectfully packed and sent away, her closet filled with the proper luxuries a young lady deserved. He had no doubt in his mind it was the least he could do, enlisting a few trusted servants for a little help, but overall, he had to admit he was proud of himself.

That said, there had been the tiniest bump in the road after he had stumbled upon a notebook in her nightstand’s drawer. Journals and diaries were things he had only heard of, and he would be lying if he said he wasn't at least a little curious about it. He understood it was personal, a line that shouldn't be crossed, but he had caved in a moment of weakness. Fortunately for him, his mage was ever the organizer, neatly printing dates on each page; for him, there really was only one date he wanted to know. And perhaps he did read more in hopes of understanding her. He read what he wanted and immediately placed it where it belonged, as if it would cancel out the injustice. But what she didn’t know wouldn’t harm her.

The bedroom was set up with everything in its place. Now the room looked like someone was actually living there as opposed to a temporary stay. Ben smiled to himself as he patted down the bedspread, admiring the pattern. Performing a final check in the closet, he nodded to himself in approval of the much more modest wardrobe. He had complete confidence in Eleanore and only hoped that his gesture of goodwill would suffice to mend their relationship. Or at least it could take them a step in the right direction. His words to the princess would be meaningless if he couldn’t get his own mage to at least tolerate him. Was it too much to hope that this would end in a genuine friendship? 

The knock on their door had Ben genuinely excited, the vampire almost running to the door. He made sure to catch himself before he would open the door, but he couldn’t quite hide his eagerness.

Stepping into the dorm, Lilie couldn’t help but notice the over eager vampire. Well, at least he was in a good mood, even if that left her a little uneasy. Or he was planning something, because he wouldn’t stop [i]staring[/i] at her. He was like a little kid at a candy shop! 

Dropping her backpack onto the kitchen counter, she took in a breath as she eyed him. [color=00BFFF]“Uh...hi.”[/color] She greeted him. [color=00BFFF]“What’s up?”[/color]

Ben cleared his throat in an attempt to quell his excitement, but truly, he couldn’t help himself. Instead, he would gesture to her new room, motioning for her to follow as he quickly took the lead. He opened the door to the bedroom, stepping in after she did as he patted the bed.

[color=C0C0C0]“I took the liberty of setting it up,”[/color] He said as he stepped backwards towards the closet as he placed his hand on the handle. [color=C0C0C0]“After our previous conversation, I realized that you were right.”[/color]

Lilie’s eyebrows shot up as she looked from the bed to Ben. He was agreeing with her? What? Was this a trick? Her jaw dropped as she stared at him. [color=00BFFF]“You did?”[/color] She asked in disbelief.

[color=C0C0C0]“I do,”[/color] Ben repeated himself with a nod. [color=C0C0C0]“It is completely unfair to assume that you would comply with such little resources at hand. As my mage, it is within my duty to prepare you for the life of nobility; I realized your initial response was born of frustration and a lack of understanding, to which I sincerely apologize. You will find that I have taken extra steps in addition to an apology.”[/color]

He turned to the closet, brandishing the door open with a theatrical flourish that the Samael would have scoffed at. He proudly showed off the entirety of the closet, entering. [color=C0C0C0]“Everything in this closet was chosen to both comply with my rules and stick to a style for a blossoming young lady,”[/color] He seemed proud as he spoke. [color=C0C0C0]“I noticed your preference for heels and picked out admissible ones, though I did have a great deal of long distance assistance from one of my mages to ensure that everything chosen was both appropriate and fashionable.”[/color]

Lilie didn’t get a chance to ask why Ben was in her closet before he launched into a confusing sort of explanation. Yeah, okay, it was nice to see he listened to one of her points, but she was distracted by the sheer amount of clothes hanging. Before, she couldn’t even fill [i]half[/i], now it was completely full! The rack of shoes was surprising, too, and apparently even each drawer had something. 

She was staring at the shoes when she noticed that her sneakers weren’t there. Actually, neither were the heels she had used for the opening ceremony. Or...any of her old ones. Her head snapped up to the hanging shirts and dresses, and just by looking, she didn’t recognize any of them, either. Her eyes widened, and she started pulling out the drawers and checking them. Everything was brand new, a much better quality than anything she could have ever dreamed of owning, but none of it was hers--she didn't see anything that had previously belonged to her.

[color=00BFFF]“Where’s my stuff?”[/color] She asked as she kept checking, assuming that maybe her older things had been put at the bottom or maybe pushed behind everything.

The lack of reaction was concerning, but Ben stayed optimistic, simply watching Lilie. Her question was a little odd, but he decided that she was worried he had gotten rid of everything. [color=C0C0C0]“Your old belongings are in storage as I didn’t have your old address,”[/color] He kindly explained as he walked around her. [color=C0C0C0]“If you’ll check the bathroom, I made sure to replace everything with top-of-the-line products as well.”[/color]

Lilie froze--what did he just say? Storage? What storage? The dorms didn’t have any storage!  And what did he mean replace?! She got up so fast that she almost made herself dizzy, walking right into the bathroom. Sure enough, all her old skincare products were gone, her makeup was gone, and when she checked the shower, even her haircare stuff was gone! Everything was different and new and not anything like what she used to have. Walking back to the room, Lilie noticed that her weapon and its case was missing too--she usually kept it at the foot of her bed. [color=00BFFF]“Where’s Zantedeschia?”[/color] She asked, slightly panicking.

[color=C0C0C0]“I’ve sent it for some minor maintenance,”[/color] He kindly explained. [color=C0C0C0]“Nothing like a good polish to get it as good as new.”[/color]

She was speechless, trying hard to say something, anything. She looked at Ben briefly as she tried to grasp what had happened, her head a whirlwind of emotion as she tried to sort things out. [color=00BFFF]"This...this is not okay,”[/color] She managed to stutter that much out, shaking her head as she finally got herself together.

Just as he couldn’t hide his excitement, he couldn’t hide his disappointment (and confusion) at her reaction. She must have misunderstood him, he had no right over anything that wasn’t his and could not just throw out her belongings so carelessly. Ben shook his head as he decided to properly explain himself. 

[color=C0C0C0]“I didn’t get rid of anything,”[/color] He assured her. [color=C0C0C0]“Anything that was here previously that didn’t pertain to any of the rules was packed and sent to an Eve storage facility.”[/color] This wasn’t the reaction he had been hoping for at all. She also seemed to be missing the point, but he could see she was upset. [color=C0C0C0]“Your personal belongings are still in their places, I assure you. I didn’t mean to upset you.”[/color]

Lilie wasn’t happy, and she had every intention to make that crystal clear. [color=00BFFF]“I don’t understand why you did this...just because they weren’t good enough for you doesn’t mean you have the right,”[/color] She was probably harsher than she meant to be, but she didn’t have any patience for this guy anymore. [color=00BFFF]“I'm not comfortable with any of this.”[/color]

[color=C0C0C0]“What?”[/color] The response was blurted out with Ben entirely confused with everything Lilie said. [color=C0C0C0]“I was doing you a favor.”[/color]

[color=00BFFF]“You were doing me a favor?”[/color] Lilie slowly repeated his words in disbelief. How dare he be so condescending, who did he think he was?! [color=00BFFF]“[i]You[/i] were doing [i]me[/i] a favor?! Are you serious? I didn't ask for this! This is--This isn’t a favor!”[/color]

[color=C0C0C0]“Of course it’s a favor,”[/color] Goodness, he was never going to understand this child. [color=C0C0C0]“You said I was the one with the problem. I resolved the problem.”[/color]

[color=00BFFF]“That’s not the point!”[/color] Lilie tried to point out, frustrated. [color=00BFFF]“The point is that you don’t have any right coming into [i]my[/i] room and messing with [i]my[/i] things!”[/color]

She stomped towards the closet, her arms waving around wildly as she gestured to it. [color=00BFFF]“You didn’t just mess with them either, you went through [i]everything[/i] I had! That’s so wrong and gross and--so disrespectful!”[/color] She exclaimed. [color=00BFFF]“You can't just go around doing whatever you want!”[/color]

Ben pinched the bridge of his nose as he let Lilie yell, trying to think of the proper way to correct her. She was entirely in the wrong, but he felt that saying that would only worsen the situation. They seemed to disagree on the topic of disrespect, but obviously saying that would also further aggravate her. Honestly, at this point there was little he could do or say that wouldn’t cause her to continue to lash out at him. He would be lying if he said he wasn’t insulted, his hopes long shattered and whisked away by the wind.

Choosing to at least try to go the gentler route, he decided that a proper explanation was due, even if he was well aware of the consequences. [color=C0C0C0]“Actually, Miss Dionne, I do have the right if I feel that your choices or garb could endanger you in any way,”[/color] He stated slowly. [color=C0C0C0]“I understand you come from a background with few rules and many liberties, but that simply isn’t the case anymore. You are a mage of the noble house of Eve, and you serve me. Your wardrobe was inappropriate and I took measures to correct it, plain and simple.”[/color]

[color=C0C0C0]“That being said, I will reiterate that nothing of yours is gone. If you want everything back, I will send for it,”[/color] Ben was weary as he spoke, his disappointment paramount.

Lilie huffed, uncrossing her arms as she glared at Ben. ‘Endanger’ he says! He was so full of it! [color=00BFFF]“You’re not getting it,”[/color] She said. [color=00BFFF]“You can’t [i]do[/i] that! Why do you think you can just do what you want and then act surprised when I get mad? What happened to us being a ‘team’ and all that other stuff?”[/color]

[color=C0C0C0]“We are a team as vampire and mage, as master and servant,”[/color] Ben stated pointedly. [color=C0C0C0]“As much as it pains me to admit it, you and I are not equals, Miss Dionne. I [i]can[/i] do ‘that’ and ‘this’ as I please, though I would much rather not exercise it, that [i]is[/i] my right.”[/color] Her cluelessness was worse than he had imagined, he would have to focus on properly educating her sooner than later, lest she get eaten alive at his house. 

Narrowing her eyes, the one thing Lilie was glad for was that at least Ben showed her where they stood. She couldn’t even begin to describe the hypocrisy or how he had already went back on his word about them acting like a team. Raising her chin, Lilie almost went off again, but decided it wasn’t worth it. Instead, she spun on her heel and went straight to her nightstand. She grabbed her diary and backpack before he would send that away, too, slamming the door on her way out as hard as she could.

Ben was glad she was gone as it liberated his groan. Why, oh why had Her Highness paired him with such a clueless young girl? It must have been a test of patience. He was so sure this was going to be a step in the right direction. How wrong he was.

[hr]

Lilie had no idea she could get so steamed.
 
The absolute nerve of that jerk had riled her up to no end, and the more she thought about it, the madder she got. She didn’t acknowledge anyone as she stomped to the pagoda, making a beeline for the closest open table. Practically throwing herself in her seat, she dropped her backpack as she whipped out her phone. Despite feeling like she was going to explode, she needed to vent, and she knew just the person she wanted to hear her out.
 
Meanwhile, the dining hall had filled up with students for dinner, a low, welcoming buzz of conversation and clinking silverware filling the hall as students settled in with their friend groups and caught up; though the main topic on everyone’s lips was, of course, the suspicious events of the recent Revel. Opting to avoid the ever-churning rumour mill—and not having much other choice, given his reputation—Aaron chose a table to himself near the wall, as far as he could get from plain view. Varis’ temporary wardrobe adjustment surely wasn’t going to help his reputation, and of course there was no small amount of embarrassment attached as well; he felt cold and indecent sitting there in just an undershirt and slacks. Ironically, his best hope was that anyone looking his way would assume he simply hadn’t bothered changing after a workout session or something, rather than thinking he was some weirdo who got his kicks by going around campus half-dressed. He kept his eyes on his food and his journal as he ate, doing his best to ignore any weird looks thrown his way, and was in the middle of his meal when his phone and watch buzzed with Lilie’s pattern. 
 
[color=00BFFF]> Can you come to the picnic area in the woods? I really need to ask you something[/color]
 
Aaron peered quizzically at the message, re-reading it a few times and wondering what it was about. What was so important that she had to ask him in person rather than over text? He was used to Salem’s (justified) suspicion over leaving a digital trail, but Lilie had never seemed that way to him. It worried him a bit, and after tapping out a quick [color=f0d705]“Okay, be right there”[/color] and quickly finishing his meal, he was on his way across campus. 
 
He hadn’t been to this picnic area before, but a quick question to a passing guard pointed him in the right direction. Within a few minutes he was striding into the clearing, searching around the pleasantly lit pagoda tables until he found a head of white hair sitting at one, looking decidedly (and if he had to admit, kind of adorably) angry. 
 
Putting on his best comforting face and inwardly begging that she wouldn’t mention his weird outfit, Aaron crossed the clearing and sat down opposite Lilie at her table, giving her a concerned look. [color=f0d705]“Okay, I’m here. What’s wrong?”[/color]
 
Her hands had been wrestling with the hem of her shirt, occasionally running over her face. As she lowered her hands, she nearly let out a yell before catching herself. Fortunately, Aaron arrived before she could wind herself up more, and she deflated slightly as she realized she must have pulled him out of his workout. Right, okay, she could totally have some kind of composure. But just thinking about what happened was enough to rile her up again, her face scrunched up in anger in no time.
 
[color=00BFFF]“The Count decided to replace my whole closet without telling me!”[/color] Lilie blurted out, leaning forward as she tried to keep her voice down, even if she felt like screaming. [color=00BFFF]“He took everything without telling me and tried to act like it was some kind of good surprise!”[/color]
 
It was getting her angrier just thinking about it. [color=00BFFF]“He went through all my stuff--all of it, not just my closet, but my bathroom and even my diary--and then didn’t get why I was mad!”[/color] She huffed, crossing her arms. [color=00BFFF]“And when I told him it wasn’t okay, he was all ‘Miss Dionne, I have the right, you are my servant,’ and I just--just--”[/color] She cut herself off as she silently fumed, clearly worked up.
 
A sympathetic expression sank into Aaron’s face as Lilie told her story, the blond genuinely sad to see her so upset. Shamefully, the thought did cross the back of his mind that Lilie wasn’t the only one to have her things rifled through and taken away; still, it didn’t seem like the new Count to be so cruel. 
 
[color=f0d705]“Hey now, just take a deep breath okay?”[/color] Aaron led with that, hoping to bring Lilie’s anger down a touch so they could talk more calmly. 
 
After a moment, he continued. [color=f0d705]“Did he tell you why he replaced your things? What did he do with them?”[/color]
 
Taking in a deep breath at his suggestion, Lilie felt herself deflating at Aaron's question. She dropped her gaze to the table, staying quiet for a moment, though after a little bit of silence, she met his gaze again.
 
[color=00BFFF]"After you had left on the first night of Revel, we got to talking,"[/color] She explained quietly, looking a little ashamed. [color=00BFFF]"He had a lot of...things he didn't like. How I dress was one of them, and when he said something about it, I said it wasn't like I could just replace my whole wardrobe." [/color]
 
She let out a sigh as she uncrossed her arms, resting them on the table instead. [color=00BFFF]"My family doesn't really have a lot of money to spend like that. Not for something like clothes, anyway,"[/color] She admitted. [color=00BFFF]"I guess he took it to heart. He sent everything away to some storage, and he said he could get it back but...but he didn't have to do that. I don't see anything wrong with what I had before."[/color]
 
Aaron nodded along, although… well, the more Lilie explained, the more the Count’s choice started making sense. He kept his expression carefully neutral, but even before she finished he was formulating a plan for breaking the news to her gently. 
 
[color=f0d705]“Sometimes vampires don’t realize the sort of impact their actions can have,”[/color] he tried to reason, folding his arms on the table in front of him. [color=f0d705]“And Count Benjamin seems like he means well. I don’t think the Princess would have taken so well to him if he didn’t. He probably really did think that you’d appreciate the gesture.”[/color] He offered a weak smile, realizing there wasn’t much of a nicer way to put what he had to say next, and looked away. [color=f0d705]“And, well…” [/color]
 
Lilie watched Aaron as he talked, a little surprised that he justified Ben's actions. When he trailed off, she looked at him expectantly, leaning forward. [color=00BFFF]"Well, what?"[/color] She asked.
 
Aaron shifted uncomfortably in his seat, shrugging and spinning his ring. [color=f0d705]“Well… he also is… technically right.”[/color]
 
Her jaw dropped, his response being the complete opposite of what she was expecting. Here she thought she was going to get some validation, but apparently Aaron didn't think so. [color=00BFFF]"What do you mean, he's right?!"[/color] Instead of being angry again, she felt a little desperate, her voice high pitched as she felt betrayed by his admission.
 
Eyes flying wide, Aaron instinctively reached for Lilie’s hand, his usual default when his aunt Dora got emotional. She sounded like she was going to cry! [color=f0d705]“No no no, hey, I’m not saying you’re wrong,”[/color] he tried to save it, [color=f0d705]“I understand why you’re upset, it makes perfect sense, and the Count should have consulted you before replacing your things!”[/color] He wasn’t sure if he 100% believed that, but he wasn’t about to say otherwise.
 
[color=f0d705]“But the thing is,”[/color] he continued after a moment, more solemnly this time, [color=f0d705]“well, at the end of the night, you [i]are[/i] his mage, and he does have the authority to make these kinds of choices if he sees fit.”[/color] Aaron offered Lilie a sympathetic look. [color=f0d705]“I suppose we all hope that we and our masters can see eye-to-eye on these things, but unfortunately that isn’t always how it works.” [/color]
 
Feeling her eyes getting watery, she tore her gaze away from Aaron for a moment. She didn't really know how to feel about this, her chest feeling tight with dread. When she looked at Aaron again, she didn't know what to think, either. [color=00BFFF]"Do you agree with him?"[/color] She asked, already feeling her heart sinking with dread. [color=00BFFF]"About my clothes."[/color]
 
Aaron straightened up, a bit taken aback. Lilie kind of had him backed into a corner, and a lifetime of growing up around women told him there was probably no good answer to that question. 
 
[color=f0d705]“...Well, keep in mind that Count Benjamin is an Eve,”[/color] he tried to rationalize, [color=f0d705]“they’re traditionalists, for the most part. With that comes a certain… well, [i]traditional[/i] way of seeing things.”[/color] His answer was already a trainwreck, but there was no going back, and lying to the girl would only serve to hurt her more later. [color=f0d705]“So while I don’t think your clothes are bad, it’s true that a lot of your outfits would be… inappropriate for a mage in a traditionalist House.” [/color]
 
Lilie took her hand away from the table, surprised as she straightened up. Maybe she really did underestimate the differences between them. Of course he would be in agreement, he grew up around all this. Once again she was reminded that she was the outlier, the thought depressing her immensely as she looked down at the table. She never thought about this sort of thing before, her father always making what he thought was appropriate for her. She didn't even see what was so inappropriate about what she wore! 
 
Rubbing her arm, she looked down at the lace on her skirt, her free hand tracing the pattern. She honestly didn't know how to respond to that. 
 
Aaron deflated as he watched Lilie, feeling sorry for the poor girl. She really was in over her head, wasn’t she? Still figuring things out, and with yet another new master no less. He could sympathize with the yearning for stability she no doubt felt, the craving for normalcy, but even he couldn’t pretend to understand the complete uprooting she must have been feeling. Everything was new to her, everything was different and strange, and the truth of servitude would surely sound doubly harsh to someone who grew up ignorant of it. His own world had been turned upside-down when he came here, sure, but the changes Lilie faced were on a whole other level. 
 
[color=f0d705]“Well, what sorts of clothes did Count Benjamin give you?”[/color] he asked hopefully, thinking he might possibly cheer her up. [color=f0d705]“He seemed like a well-dressed guy, and clearly went to a lot of trouble if he was so excited to show you your new wardrobe. Surely they can’t be that bad, right?”[/color]
 
She shrugged slightly, still staring at her lap. [color=00BFFF]"Maybe. They were mostly long sleeves and long skirts. I didn't get a good look aside from the ones I threw at him,"[/color] She felt embarrassed admitting it, feeling extremely foolish for her reaction in hindsight. [color=00BFFF]"The ones I saw were all below-the-knee skirts, and I don't think I saw any shirts with sleeves below the elbow."[/color]
 
[color=f0d705]“Oh, well that doesn’t sound too bad,”[/color] Aaron replied, doing his best to sound reassuring. Admittedly, Lilie’s definition of “long” sleeves and skirts was a little funny in how wildly it conflicted with what he grew up with. [color=f0d705]“Count yourself lucky, you should see the dress code at Noila castle. Believe it or not, I’m the daring one in the family.”[/color] He offered her a chuckle. [color=f0d705]“Back at home, it’s all full-length sleeves, high necks and floor-length skirts, always formal. The queen even prefers women to cover their hair. Flashing so much as a wrist or an ankle is considered racy; even Count Benjamin’s choices would never fly there.”[/color]
 
She was sure he meant well, but everything he said made her feel so much worse. This was normal. This is what it was to be a mage. This was her life now, whether she wanted it to be or not. Aaron was absolutely right, she no longer had a say or choice in anything anymore. If the count wanted her dressed up head to toe in some stupid, impractical Victorian dress, she had to do what he said and that was that. There was no arguing, no negotiation--that was that.
 
Looking away from Aaron, Lilie bit back tears for a moment before she put a hand over her eyes. It was so hard to come to grips with it, and as stupid as the topic sounded, it felt like it was the straw that broke the camel's back.
 
[color=00BFFF]"I just thought--I just…"[/color] She couldn't stop herself, a small hiccup escaping her as she tried to control her crying. [color=00BFFF]"I...I can't handle this."[/color]
 
Aaron felt his heart crack when he saw Lilie finally lose her composure, a painful lump growing in his throat. Realistically, he knew that it wasn’t the clothes that were the problem, but he thought maybe comforting her about them might at least help take her mind off the real issue. What else could he say? He couldn’t promise her that things would get better, and he’d be lying if he said that things didn’t have to be this way. Honeyed words wouldn’t change things. All he could tell her was the truth, and it was the truth that was killing her. 
 
With no more words left to offer, Aaron simply stood and crossed over to Lilie’s side of the table, sliding onto the bench beside her. Silently, he simply wrapped an arm around her, and then the other, letting her lean into him and let out her anguish. Surely if he couldn’t make reality less painful, being a shoulder to cry on was the least he could do. [color=f0d705]“I’m so sorry.”[/color]
 
Despite knowing she was probably making a fool of herself, all she could do was cry like a little kid. It was so stupid! Why couldn't she just get over it and just fall in line like everyone else?! It felt impossible, and as much as she tried to bottle it up, it looked like she just couldn't take it anymore. How was she going to survive if she was breaking down less than a month into the semester?
 
Still, it did feel good to finally let it out, unintentionally gripping Aaron's shirt as she held him close. She felt safe with Aaron, a little embarrassed that he had to comfort her like this, but it was nice. There was a little guilt there, too; even with this he didn't seem to judge her too harshly, or at least was being nice about it. He probably thought she was silly or had more faith in her than she did.
 
After what felt like forever, Lilie tried to quiet her sniffling, lightly wiping her face as she took several deep breaths to calm herself. [color=00BFFF]"I'm sorry,"[/color] She apologized meekly.

[hr]

After Aaron finished gently explaining Benjamin’s point of view, she figured she might as well face the music sooner than later. She tried to walk slowly, hoping she’d buy some time for her puffy eyes to completely go away. The walk back to the dorm was harder than she thought it would be, her pride practically in shambles. As much as she wanted to whine, though, Aaron reminded her that this was normal, and she just needed to suck it up. 

Ugh.

Lilie opened the door, letting out a sigh of exasperation. At least he wasn’t hovering around waiting for her, so that was a plus. She walked to the first bedroom, forgetting that they had switched rooms, and dragged herself to ‘her’ room and dropped her backpack off. As she left and closed the door behind her, she spotted Ben sitting at the dining table. 

Taking in a deep breath, she cautiously approached him. [color=00BFFF]“Hi,”[/color] She said. [color=00BFFF]“Can we talk?”[/color]

Ben straightened up as he heard Lilie enter, hoping she would approach him. He held a box on his lap, waiting patiently as he listened to her footsteps. Luck was on his side as she appeared shortly afterwards, giving him a small greeting. She still looked upset, but at the very least she wasn’t angry anymore

[color=C0C0C0]“Hello,”[/color] He returned her greeting. [color=C0C0C0]“Of course we can. Please, sit.”[/color] He gestured for her to take the empty seat, waiting until she did and taking the box off of his lap and placing it on the table. He gently traced the Eve symbol engraved in the middle before folding his hands neatly on the table and turning his attention fully to Lilie.

Lilie sat down, fidgeting with her skirt for a few seconds before she finally looked at the vampire. [color=00BFFF]“I guess I should start by saying...I’m sorry,”[/color] She said, figuring that was as good a place to start as any. 

Ben appreciated the apology even if he felt he should have been the one to apologize first. While she was gone he had time to reflect on the entirety of the interaction and decided the delivery is where he had failed. Had he properly explained himself, perhaps the argument could have been avoided. He overestimated her understanding, forgetting that perhaps she had yet to adhere to the mage life. She had previously mentioned that she had little guidance from her previous partners and while his attempt at bridging the gap between was sincere it missed the mark. Above all, he needed her forgiveness so that they could move forward.

[color=C0C0C0]“Your apology is accepted, and I would return it with my own,”[/color] he started there, finding it a safe place as any. [color=C0C0C0]“I sincerely believed I was helping and had no intention of upsetting you. I should have tried to calm you down instead of further aggravating the situation, and my inexperience with emotional mages shouldn’t be an excuse. I wanted to amend our relationship and only made things worse. I am truly sorry.”[/color]

Oh. Lilie wasn’t expecting that at all. Not the apology, not his explanation, not his comment...she didn’t really know what to think of that. It’s not that he was wrong, or at least, maybe she did overreact, but did he really think she was emotional? Was she? He didn’t seem like he was saying it maliciously and she felt really bad hearing that, but maybe he was saying it for a reason. 

She looked down at her lap for a few seconds before looking at him again. [color=00BFFF]“It’s fine. Like I said, it was my fault,”[/color] She replied. [color=00BFFF]“You can do whatever you want. I won’t be so troublesome anymore. I promise.”[/color] She hoped he would see that she meant it, a little nervous that he wouldn’t.

The apology was accepted, much to his relief, but Ben was unsure how to respond to everything else. Troublesome wasn’t how he would describe a normally sweet girl; it was clear he had crossed a line and she had reacted accordingly. The next course of action was to lay out his solution.

[color=C0C0C0]“I was sincere when I told you I wanted us to be a team. I am not a man that goes back on his word so easily,”[/color] He decided to begin calmly. [color=C0C0C0]“You informed me that you were uneducated and I greatly overestimated to what degree. Instead of moving forward and assuming you would follow, I should be leading you. And I promise you that I will from now on.”[/color]

[color=C0C0C0]“We’ll set up at least an hour a day for some extracurricular studies: etiquette, a brief history on the Eve family, and of course, vampire-mage cultural norm. The last will be our main focus and bleed into proper etiquette, and the history will be for fun.”[/color]

Lilie slumped her shoulders slightly at the mention of [i]extra[/i] studies. Didn’t he know she had enough homework already? At first she wanted to protest, but she deflated as she remembered what Aaron said. If that was what the count wanted, then that was what was going to happen. Even if she did argue back, it wouldn’t accomplish anything. The best thing to do was to keep the peace.

[color=00BFFF]“Okay,”[/color] She nodded in agreement.

Must she look so disappointed? Ben felt like he was kicking a young puppy with the way her expression changed. Fortunately, he figured he had a little something that would hopefully level the playing field, so to speak. Or at least rid her of that dreadful expression; the guilt seemed to eat at him from the inside. He would need to learn how to handle that for the future so it wouldn’t be used against him. A cynical thought, but he didn’t need to be at the whims of his mage.

He picked up the box on his lap and turned it so it would open and face her. [color=C0C0C0]“I had planned to give you this before, but now is as good a time as ever,”[/color] Ben said. [color=C0C0C0]“I had a pair of cufflinks made as well in case I ended up with a male mage, but I think this fits a young lady.”[/color]

The box opened and revealed a white-silver pendant sitting on top of a dark velvet. The Eve insignia was carved into the metal, intricately detailed and adorned with a pair of rubies where the apples would be. The line of tiny diamonds glimmered in the light, the delicate chain resting neatly around it.

Ben carefully lifted the pendant from its resting place as he would stand from his seat. He motioned for the girl to move her ponytail and fastened the chain around her neck. [color=C0C0C0]“This symbol is one to wear with grace and beauty, as is thy right and noble duty,”[/color] He said.

Lilie couldn’t help but feel that she had heard that line from somewhere before, but she kept the comment to herself. As she looked down at the pendant, she couldn’t help but feel like it was a mark of some kind. [color=00BFFF]“A symbol of servitude?”[/color] She asked, watching him sit back down.

Ben hesitated for just a moment, but continued with, [color=C0C0C0]“A symbol of promise, of change, and of excellence,”[/color] He chose to correct her.

She didn’t really know how to respond to that. It looked so expensive she was afraid to touch it. What if she broke the chain? She got uncomfortable really quickly, but she felt like if she said anything, she’d come off as ungrateful. [color=00BFFF]“Thank you,”[/color] She replied quietly.

[color=C0C0C0]“You are welcome, Miss Dionne,”[/color] He replied, although he didn’t know what to say, either. The silence that fell between the pair was excruciatingly uncomfortable, and he felt that he needed to say something to break it. [color=C0C0C0]“I can’t help but feel as the gift has caused you discomfort,”[/color] He stated the obvious with a frown. 

[color=00BFFF]“No, it’s not that,”[/color] Lilie said a little too quickly--why the heck did she say that? She [i]was[/i] uncomfortable! But there was more to it, too, right? The count meant well, even if it kept hitting her the wrong way. He was trying, that had to count. Maybe. This whole thing was weird. But pushing him away would be just like having Mariette all over again. She didn’t want a repeat of her other partners, she actually wanted them to get along, too.

[color=00BFFF]“I get that we should get along, but I feel like--do you [i]want[/i] to be friends? I feel like you want us to get along, but ‘Miss Dionne’ is really distant. I get that you’re my superior, okay, but...I don’t know how to act around someone who won’t even use my name,”[/color] She started there, wanting to at least air her biggest gripe first. [color=00BFFF]“I don’t know how to act around vampires, let alone a [i]noble[/i]. I really don’t know what the princess was thinking, but I hoped that--I don’t know, someone would tell me something. Anything. Just a nudge in the right direction so I don’t embarrass anyone, or that I can at least pretend I know what I’m doing.”[/color]

It felt really good to let everything out, but she caught herself and felt embarrassed that she went on that whole rant. She dropped her gaze, feeling her face turn red. [color=00BFFF]“Just...at least call me Lilie. We can start there. Sir,”[/color] She finished meekly.

Ben listened carefully and gave her his full attention. This sort of response would never have been tolerated at home, but it was what he needed; he was not at the Eve manor, he was at the Noilan Academy. The princess entrusted a young lady who needed guidance. And for him, that was all he really needed. He sincerely came to regret his actions and previous thoughts, but no more. Going forward, he would treat her just as he did Noah, and would strive to make this a beneficial relationship. The small drop into timid was absolutely adorable, and he could not hold himself back from a short laugh. What a passionate girl.

[color=C0C0C0]“I will ask that you do the same, then,”[/color] He only spoke when he was sure that Lilie had no more to say. [color=C0C0C0]“When we are alone, I’d be pleased if you called me Ben.”[/color]

Lilie perked up immediately, surprised, but after the realization set in she nodded, clasping her hands together happily. [color=00BFFF]“I can do that.”[/color]
[/indent][/hider]

[hider=9/25: Solo][center][img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjU0LjQ2YzRmNi5TRzl0WlEsLC4wAAA,/velocity-demo.regular.png[/img][/center]
[indent]“[i]Last stop, Madison Ave, Glendale. Last stop, Madison Ave, Glendale…[/i]”

Her knuckles were white from gripping the handle of her luggage, her eyes not leaving the spot on the ground that she decided to stare at the whole ride. It was hard to believe she had actually been excited to come home considering all she wanted to do was throw up now. As soon as the train pulled into the station, she lowered her head. Ugh, she really was going to be sick. 

Eventually, she forced herself to get up, pulling her luggage along. Her chest felt tight as she kept her eyes forward, although her flowing dress did help distract her. She thought prettying herself up would help her confidence, but all it did was give her a lot of unwanted attention. All she wanted to do was crawl into a hole and hide from everyone, but her brother promised to pick her up, so all she had to do was find him and then she could hide in her house for the next two weeks. 

Lilie looked around for her older brother, having to get on her tiptoes to see if she could spot him. Maybe calling him to see where he was would be easier, even in heels she had a hard time trying to pick him out of a crowd. She decided to put herself close to the stairs as she pulled out her phone, hoping he would use his height to his advantage and be able to pick her out from the crowd.

[color=slateblue]“Lilie?”[/color]

She looked up at the sound of her name, coming face-to-face with a pair she honestly didn’t think she would ever have to see again. She’d recognize that shade of sandy blond anywhere, especially in a sea of dark haired people, but she really wished she had run into any other person in his family instead of Jason Powell. Of course, the only thing worse than that was running into the darker haired and cold-staring Helena Miller. Judging by the way she had herself wrapped around his arm, it was safe to assume that she had finally made her move on him. The thought made Lilie queasy, but at this point, it wasn’t any of her business.

[color=deepskyblue]“Hi,”[/color] Lilie finally spoke, slowly straightening up.

[color=slateblue]“What are you doing here?”[/color] Helena asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

There was a split second that she thought she was going to get nervous, but right now, she wasn’t doing anything wrong. [color=deepskyblue]“It’s the first break of the semester, so I’m visiting my family,”[/color] She explained calmly.

Jason nodded, but while Lilie thought they would either ask something else or go away, they did neither. The three of them stood there awkwardly, and suddenly Lilie wished that she was back at the academy; at least there she could say she had homework or something and leave.

As she thought of politely excusing herself, she noticed that they were examining her. She looked down at her dress, only realizing that they were probably shocked to see her in something so refined. Maybe the grey linen dress was a little formal, but she thought the petal sleeves made it more casual despite the length. 

They noticed that she definitely noticed their staring, and while Jason tried to laugh it off, Helena gave her a pointed look. He noticed her look, deciding to speak up first. [color=slateblue]“Mage life suits you, you look amazing,”[/color] Jason complimented Lilie, missing Helena rolling her eyes.

[color=deepskyblue]“Thank you,”[/color] Lilie replied quietly, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. 

[color=slateblue]“It’s a nice improvement. I’m sure your vampire wants you to look as good as possible, no matter how much it costs,”[/color] Helena decided to comment.

Oh, she forgot how not-fun it was to talk to Helena now that they weren’t friends anymore. Being on the receiving end of her commentary was definitely different, but it wasn’t like Lilie knew what to say or do in response. She could only keep her head down, unsure if she was annoyed or hurt, but she felt like talking back would probably make things worse.

Her phone buzzed in her purse, reminding her that her brother was somewhere around here waiting for her. [color=deepskyblue]“W-Well...I should, um, I should find my brother, he’s waiting for me,”[/color] She said, forcing a smile. [color=deepskyblue]“So...”[/color]

[color=slateblue]“Spooked after one interaction? Seriously, Lilie?”[/color] Helena released Jason as she stepped in front of her. [color=slateblue]“You can’t even [i]pretend[/i] to have some dignity?”[/color]

Lilie quickly shook her head. [color=deepskyblue]“That’s not--I don’t mean it like that,”[/color] She said, wishing she didn’t sound so meek and flustered. [color=deepskyblue]“I didn’t think I’d even see any of you.”[/color]

As soon as she said that, however, she could see more familiar faces, all in the same group. To her absolute horror, there were more of her classmates, more people she used to talk to. Once the realization hit her, she felt like someone was pushing down on her chest and squeezing the air out of her lungs. They were getting together! And they were all looking right at her!

Jason was talking, but Lilie could barely register it until he said, [color=slateblue]“We’re all going to go to Allendale, you should come with--”[/color]

[color=deepskyblue]“No!”[/color] It came out so quickly it took her a second to realize she blurted it out. She couldn’t think straight, she couldn’t breathe, she could feel herself shaking and any coherent thought she had was yelling at her to leave. Panic quickly set in, and she took a few steps away from the pair.  [color=deepskyblue]“I can’t--I--I have to go, I’m sorry!”[/color] Lilie turned around and immediately bolted from the area, only giving hurried apologizes as she bulldozed through the crowd. 

By the time she wrapped her head around what happened, Lilie had run out of the station and had made it into town. She eventually slowed down as her heels started to pinch her feet a little, taking a second to catch her breath. That was so [i]dumb[/i]! Why did she run away like that? She didn’t do anything wrong, she just made herself look like a scaredy cat! She brought her hand up to her face as she leaned against a building, exhaling slowly.

She jumped as her phone rang, fishing through her purse with shaky hands until she found it. [color=deepskyblue]“H-Hello?”[/color] She winced at her voice wavering, clearing her throat to try again. [color=deepskyblue]“Hello? Ren?”[/color]

[Color=1E90FF]“Where did you run off to?”[/color] Her older brother forgoed the greeting. [Color=1E90FF]“I saw you run out of the train station, are you alright?”[/color]

She held in the whimper of embarrassment, letting out a sigh instead. [color=deepskyblue]“Yeah, yeah, I’m okay. Sorry, I’m um…”[/color] She paused to look around, spotting a nearby clothing boutique she used to go to. [color=deepskyblue]“I’m across the street from Gia’s Closet.”[/color]

[Color=1E90FF]“You made it that far?!”[/color] Ren asked in disbelief. [Color=1E90FF]“Stay there, I’m coming now.”[/color]

Lilie hung up and dropped her phone back into her purse, letting her head hang for a moment. She didn’t even make it back to her house before making a fool of herself, how embarrassing! She was hoping to quietly arrive and quietly leave, but it looked like she was particularly unlucky today. It wasn’t too long before the familiar family car pulled up next to her. She quietly threw her luggage in the backseat before entering the front, surprised to see a box of pizza. 

His dark brown hair was a mess, likely from him messing with it as he usually did when he was stressed, blue eyes unamused with life. His scowl could give Max a run for his money, staying on his face even after he finally looked over at her, taking the box and carefully placing it behind them.

[Color=1E90FF]“Welcome home,”[/color] Ren said as he drove off. [Color=1E90FF]“I take it you saw someone you didn’t like or a ghost. You’re paler than usual.”[/color]

Lilie leaned back in her seat and openly groaned. [color=deepskyblue]“I ran into Jason and Helena. And they’re together-together, so that was...so uncomfortable,”[/color] She outright admitted.

As the car stopped at a red light, Ren gave her a wary look. [Color=1E90FF]“That sucks,”[/color] He said, doing a double take as he looked her up and down. [Color=1E90FF]“...you’re just coming home, not going to any fancy party.”[/color] He commented.

[color=deepskyblue]“You know, this is probably the least fanciest thing I own now,”[/color]Lilie said as she rubbed her temples. 

[Color=1E90FF]“Ah, to be swathed in luxury...or did your leech try to buy your loyalty?”[/color]

[color=deepskyblue]“Can you not?” [/color]

Ren shook his head, noticing the pendant. He reached over and picked it up, raising an eyebrow at her. [Color=1E90FF]“Even without the fancy clothes, you’re going to get plenty of attention from this thing alone,”[/color] He said as he dropped it, hands on the steering wheel as the light changed. [Color=1E90FF]“Might as well have tattooed ‘I’m a mage to a fancy vampire’ on your forehead, that would’ve been a little more subtle.”[/color]

Why was she surprised that her brother would immediately notice the pendant? [color=deepskyblue]“It’s the symbol of serving the Eve house,”[/color] She muttered what Ben had said, crossing her arms.

[Color=1E90FF]“Oh, so it’s your brand. Gotcha,”[/color] Ren said in understanding. Lilie gave him an entirely unamused look, holding it on him until the next time he stopped the car. He caught her look, shaking his head. [Color=1E90FF]“What? I’m not wrong.”[/color]


[color=deepskyblue]“You don’t have to be such a jerk about it,”[/color] Lilie said, feeling her mood souring.

Fortunately, the rest of the ride was relatively peaceful, with the exception of Ren consistently poking her side. Her annoyance fizzled out eventually, and she had to admit it was nice to catch up. He mostly complained about having to take so many classes unrelated to his major, but it was still nice to hear about it in person instead of getting it through voicemail or text. Seeing all the familiar houses in her neighborhood threw her homesickness into overdrive, but soon enough they pulled into the driveway, and her chest swelled with happiness the second she got to see their little home.

Ren offered to get her luggage and let Lilie go into the house alone with pizza in hand. Pushing the front door open, seeing the cluttered walls and feeling the warmth coming from the kitchen gave her a weird sense of relief, like the past two weeks were just temporary. The familiarity was comforting, at least until she saw a bassinet next to the couch. She was taken out of her headspaced until she realized what it meant, quietly hurrying to it. Inside was a sleeping infant swathed in a pink blanket snoozing away.

[color=deepskyblue]“Hello, Daisy!”[/color] Lilie squealed in a hushed voice, ecstatic to see her little cousin.

After a few seconds, she thought it was weird that no one was in the living room, catching the sound of two voices coming from the kitchen. When she got there, the smell of something burnt hit her, and she quickly realized her parents were quietly bickering. She put the box down on the dinner table and quietly tiptoed towards the kitchen.

Standing over a clearly-lost-cause dinner over a stove was a tall, dark haired man with an exasperated expression on his face, one hand stroking his beard. His other hand poked and prodded at the completely scorched bird--she couldn’t tell if it was chicken or turkey or what--a look of pity crossing his face. He wore comfortable, casual clothing, though there were specks of what looked like dough on his jeans.

[Color=1E90FF]“I just wish you would’ve told me, Fi,”[/color] Her dad, William, sighed. [Color=1E90FF]“Now what?”[/color]

The woman next to him looked like she had absolutely no shame, but she avoided looking at her mistake all the same. Her short, chestnut colored hair had been chopped to chin-length, her own clothes a mess of ingredients and the edge of her sleeves burned. She sported a majority of the same features Lilie did, mainly with her eyes, round face, and large cheeks, though she was anything but gentle with her expression, looking more annoyed than anything.

[Color=1E90FF]“Listen, the effort is what counts here,”[/color] Her mom, Felicia, told him, fanning the kitchen with a magazine. [Color=1E90FF]“And it’s fine, I had Ren go get a pizza before picking up Lilie.”[/color]

[Color=1E90FF]“The effort is what resulted in everything getting burnt,”[/color] He sighed, scratching the back of his head. [Color=1E90FF]“You could’ve been hurt.”[/color]

Lilie couldn’t hold in her giggle, alerting the two of them that she was there. Felicia threw her husband a look before making her escape, hugging her daughter tightly. [Color=1E90FF]“I tried to cook. And failed,”[/color] She sighed.

[color=deepskyblue]“Yeah, I figured when I saw the pizza in the backseat,”[/color] Lilie grinned. [color=deepskyblue]“At least you tried.”[/color]

[Color=1E90FF]“And that right there is why you’re my favorite,”[/color] She beamed. 

Lilie’s grin only grew, especially when her father came over and swept her into a tight hug. Once Ren came in, they all sat down, chatting away happily. She had to admit this was probably one of the things she missed most; eating with others always killed her loneliness. They asked her a lot of questions about school, about the friends she made, about the vampires she interacted with. Eventually, the topic landed on the Eve she served.

[color=deepskyblue]“I have a dress code now,”[/color] Lilie pouted.

[Color=1E90FF]“I imagine that can’t be too bad,”[/color] Will chuckled. [Color=1E90FF]“Dressing up in fancy clothes sounds like fun.”[/color]

[color=deepskyblue]“Yeah, I guess, but I didn’t really like him deciding that my whole closet wasn’t good enough,”[/color] She shook her head.

[Color=1E90FF]“The [i]least[/i] he can do is get you a new wardrobe,”[/color] Felicia argued. [Color=1E90FF]“He wants things his way? Okay. Then he needs to get you [i]everything[/i]--shirts, shoes, bags, accessories. And if you want something extra, then get it.”[/color]

[color=deepskyblue]“Mama…”[/color]

[Color=1E90FF]“Lilie Lyra, I’m not joking. And it’s not wrong because you’re complying.”[/color]

[Color=1E90FF]“Pretty sure that’s called ‘malicious compliance’,”[/color] Ren said.

[Color=1E90FF]“Compliance nonetheless. You should see if you can get those pumps that Rosaline Blackdale wore in that one movie with Eris Samael, I’ve always said they match your eyes.”[/color]

Lilie tried not to react too much to that, letting out a sigh. [color=deepskyblue]“I’ll think about it. But he already got me a new wardrobe. That’s why I had to bring everything back,”[/color] She shrugged. [color=deepskyblue]“Nothing I had met his standards. Well, except for grandma’s necklace and the dress you made me, he really liked them. But I can give them back if you want, Papa.”[/color]

William shook his head. [Color=1E90FF]“Nothing would make me happier than if you kept them with you,”[/color] He told her, waving away her concern. 

Lilie beamed, delighted that she had his blessing, especially since she had left them in the dorm feeling they were safer there. As she looked over at her brother, she noticed he seemed more unamused than usual. Before she could ask him what bugged him, she was interrupted by her own yawn. Her sleep schedule was all sorts of messed up and it would stay that way for a long time, unfortunately. 

[Color=1E90FF]“Bedtime already?”[/color] Felicia lightly teased.

[color=deepskyblue]“No, not yet,”[/color] She shook her head. [color=deepskyblue]“But, um...aside from that, I think I’m going to try to keep an open mind about Count Benjamin. It’s a little weird between us right now, but as long as we meet each other halfway, I think it’ll be okay.”[/color]

Ren scoffed, muttering something to himself. Before he knew it, the other three were looking at him expectantly. He kept eating, chewing slowly to avoid talking, but the quiet continued. [Color=1E90FF]“I just think you should be careful,”[/color] He shrugged. [Color=1E90FF]“Vampires in general are pretty scummy, associating with a noble is just asking for a bad time.”[/color]

[color=deepskyblue]“I don’t really have a choice,”[/color] Lilie laughed. [color=deepskyblue]“That’s what the princess wants, so there I am. Can’t really argue with that decision.”[/color]

[Color=1E90FF]“Until he decides to throw you away,”[/color] Ren commented.

Lilie wasn’t really sure how to respond to that. There had been this tiny hope that if she couldn’t do magic she could return home, but Professor Sinnenodel made it clear that that would not be the case. Besides, Ben wouldn’t do that. Hopefully.

Felicia threw a glare at Ren, reaching over and rubbing Lilie’s arm. [Color=1E90FF]“That’s not going to happen,”[/color] She assured her.

[color=deepskyblue]“I know,”[/color] Lilie said.

[Color=1E90FF]“Do you?”[/color]

[color=deepskyblue]“Yeah, I just said it.”[/color]

[Color=1E90FF]“I just don’t want you stewing and suddenly getting doubts.”[/color]

[color=deepskyblue]“I’m not stewing!”[/color]

[Color=1E90FF]“Not right now, but you have this really bad habit of getting too into your own head and spiraling at the worst times, I just don’t want you punishing yourself because of something someone said. Especially when that something is stupid and shouldn’t have been said,”[/color] Felicia’s glare on Ren hardened before she relented, looking at Lilie. [Color=1E90FF]“You’re fine. You’re a perfectly healthy, normal girl. You have a good head on your shoulders. You’re going to be great.”[/color]

Except for the fact that her vampire openly commented on her albinism. But Lilie wasn’t about to open that can of worms right now. A tiny wail brought the conversation to a screeching halt, with Lilie jumping out of her chair immediately. [color=deepskyblue]“I’ll get her!”[/color] She half-called, half-squealed as she went to the bassinet, gasping at the crying bundle. [color=deepskyblue]“Oh, don’t cry, it’s okay.”[/color] She picked her up as she tried to soothe her.

The rest of the table dispersed, with her parents telling her a few things that happened around town while her brother went to the backyard. Lilie put herself on the couch and was all too happy to watch over the baby. The adorable bundle of life in her arms had every ounce of her attention, the occasional movement and tiny yawns melting her heart over and over. Daisy was just about two months old now and no longer looked like a wrinkled potato. She had these giant, curious blue eyes that seemed fascinated with her, and her little fingers and hands grabbed at her hair and clothes. After taking a ton of pictures she settled on just lightly prodding the little one and talking, watching her reactions.

Eventually, she realized Ren never came back inside. He was probably moping, but she felt bad. She thought maybe the idea of her magehood was something he was used to, but then again, she’d be lying if she said she was completely used to the idea. 

Unwilling to part with Daisy just yet, Lilie decided to take her outside with her. Ren sat on the deck, staring out into the backyard. It was starting to get dark, and the fireflies were just beginning to light up. After carefully taking a seat next to him, she watched them fly around, the two sitting comfortably next to one another. At least, until Daisy started to fuss a little.

Ren sat up, looking at her. [Color=1E90FF]“Want a break?”[/color]

She shook her head. [color=deepskyblue]“No, I’m okay,”[/color] She said, sighing happily as she gently pulled back the blanket away from Daisy’s head. [color=deepskyblue]“I’m trying to savor it while I can.”[/color]

Ren paused for a second. [Color=1E90FF]“Well...even if you were going to college, you wouldn’t have been able to see her every day,”[/color] He pointed out as he shifted so he was partially facing her. [Color=1E90FF]“So...no need to get all resentful.”[/color]

Lilie looked up from Daisy at his comment. [color=deepskyblue]“Oh, no, I mean...you’re right, but she’s not gonna stay little for so long, that’s what I mean,”[/color] She quickly corrected herself as she smiled. [color=deepskyblue]“I actually really like the academy.”[/color]

[Color=1E90FF]“Really now?”[/color] He asked, surprised.

[color=deepskyblue]“Yeah! I’ve made some friends, and I got a vampire that isn’t too bad,”[/color] She told him. [color=deepskyblue]“He’s kinda stiff, but he’s okay. But the best part has to be all the magic.”[/color] She swelled with pride at the thought, wondering if maybe he wanted a demonstration.

Ren’s expression went blank, and he turned himself to look out into the backyard. [Color=1E90FF]“You like it?”[/color] He asked.

[color=deepskyblue]“I do,”[/color] Lilie frowned, wondering what was up with the sudden change. It got quiet, the only sound between them being the crickets and buzzing of whatever bugs were still out there. Did she say something wrong? He usually didn’t hesitate to tell her what was on his mind, but he wouldn’t look at her. Lilie carefully nudged him with her foot, getting his attention, but when he looked at her, he seemed to be thinking about something.

[color=deepskyblue]“Come on, spit it out already,”[/color] She told him as she nudged him again. [color=deepskyblue]“What is it?”[/color]

He took in a deep breath, shaking his head. [Color=1E90FF]“I never thought you’d [i]like[/i] it over there,”[/color] He said with a shrug, quietly cracking his knuckles.

[color=deepskyblue]“What, did you expect me to stay all mopey?”[/color] She joked. [color=deepskyblue]“I mean, it’s not all bad. I’m actually getting a hang with my affinity, too. Soon, I’ll have a lot more control, so…”[/color]

[Color=1E90FF]“It’s not that,”[/color] He interrupted, his tone a little harsh.

[color=deepskyblue]“Then what is it?”[/color] Lilie asked with a huff. [color=deepskyblue]“Come on, tell me already.”[/color]

He opened his mouth to respond, but closed it. After a solid ten seconds of struggling, he finally said, [Color=1E90FF]“I just don’t understand how you can like the thing that ruined your life.”[/color]

Lilie’s eyes widened considerably. [color=deepskyblue]“What?”[/color]

[Color=1E90FF]“You [i]like[/i] magic? You cried that you didn’t want to be a mage--”[/color]

[color=deepskyblue]“Yeah, but that’s--I was scared,”[/color] She said, a little flustered that this is what was apparently concerning him. [color=deepskyblue]“If it was my choice, I wouldn’t, but...I can’t change that. Embracing it is probably for the best, and maybe I’ll actually be good at it, too.”[/color]

Ren didn’t seem to like the idea, narrowing his eyes in clear disapproval. That riled her up a little. [color=deepskyblue]“What do you want me to do? Make no effort and just cry in my room all day?”[/color] Lilie huffed at him. 

[Color=1E90FF]“I didn’t say anything,”[/color] He muttered.

[color=deepskyblue]“It’s written all over your face!”[/color] She pointed out. 

[Color=1E90FF]“Alright, I’m sorry that I’m surprised,”[/color] He snapped. [Color=1E90FF]“I thought you’d take more time to warm up to the idea, I didn’t think you’d be singing its praises so soon.”[/color]

[color=deepskyblue]“I’m not--you are being ridiculous,”[/color] Lilie said, shaking her head. 

[Color=1E90FF]“Am I?”[/color]

[color=deepskyblue]“Yes! I thought you would be happy for me!”[/color]

[Color=1E90FF]“I’m not happy that you’re gone. I wanted you to be here. I wanted you to follow your dreams and meet someone nice and build your life here.”[/color]

[color=deepskyblue]“Well, that’s not an option anymore. This is my life now.”[/color]

Once again, silence fell between them, but this time, it was cut short by a quiet whine. It evolved into crying, and Lilie started rocking gently again to try to soothe the baby. She must have agitated the poor thing without noticing, but she would get up from the chair and go inside. She walked over to the crib set up in her former bedroom, setting Daisy there. Unraveling her from the blanket, it calmed her down, and she dozed off once again. 

Lilie sighed, leaning over the crib. She wished she could read her brother’s thoughts and saw why he was acting the way he was. She thought he was going to be proud of her for not being such a crybaby! But he was just mad, or annoyed, or frustrated, or just throwing a tantrum. She was actually annoyed, too, but after a few minutes, she realized she was sad. Maybe this was just happening because they were both sad. 

After making sure the baby monitor was on, Lilie returned back to the porch, this time kneeling down behind her brother. Without giving him a chance to question her, she gave him a very tight hug. [color=deepskyblue]“I’m sorry,”[/color] She said. [color=deepskyblue]“I miss you guys like crazy. And I’m pretty sure it’s going to get worse down the line. But don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. I can do it. Okay?”[/color]

Ren didn’t respond right away, not even after Lilie released him. She was worried that maybe she said the wrong thing, but just as she went to speak again, he turned and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. He didn’t say anything, but at this point he didn’t need to--she got it. 

The back door swung open, making the two jump, and when Lilie looked, she watched her mother throw herself onto the chair with a cigarette in hand. She paid little mind to the pair, focusing more on getting a light, and only after she took in that first drag did she finally eye her two children.

[Color=1E90FF]“What’re you guys getting all emotional for?”[/color] Felicia asked, leaning back fully in her seat.

Lilie bit her lip, shaking her head as Ren scowled at her. [color=deepskyblue]“Nothing!”[/color] She giggled. [/indent][/hider]

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[center][sub]Dates: October 8th - November 4th[/sub][/center]

[hider=10/8: Eris and Lilie][center][img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjYwLjU3ZDFmYS5UbUZwZG1VLC4wAAAA/velocity-demo.regular.png[/img][/center][indent]
[color=deepskyblue][i]> Sorry I kinda ditched you last night. But tonight I'm going to a concert, wanna come with?

> I'm going to hang out with some upperclassmen and would love if you came!

> Hope you have a good break! Cya when we get back!

> I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have left you. Are you okay? Can you call me?

> If you're mad at me, that's okay. I'm sorry. I just want to know you're okay.

> Are you back? I didn't see you in Affinity Mastery.

> I'm sorry.[/i][/color]

Lilie stared at her phone for a good minute before closing the conversation, putting her phone down and placing her head in her hands. She didn't have the slightest idea what had happened until the broadcast, and all she could do was spam text Cassandra's number. At first she thought that maybe she had been in recovery and couldn't get to her phone, but her guilt told her that obviously Cassandra didn't want anything to do with her. She hoped that she could catch her in class, but she was then told that she was getting a new partner. 

But Cassandra wasn't in class at all, and Lilie knew that her injuries must have been bad if she still hadn't returned to school. Her guilt had been gnawing at her the entire day--well, night--but between adjusting back to a nocturnal schedule and trying to practice stupid arcane magic, she had successfully avoided it until she was alone. She felt terrible that she had a nice night while her poor friend had been attacked, feeling like the entire thing could have been avoided if she had taken Salem's suggestion and stuck together as a group. 

Well, she would hear something [i]eventually[/i], right? 

A shrill bark snapped her out of her thoughts, though she had been thinking so hard that it scared her. She looked around, another bark catching her attention, and she saw Maxie sitting in front of her, happily wagging her tail.

[color=deepskyblue]"What are you doing here?"[/color] Lilie asked her, getting off the bench she was sitting on and kneeling down. 

The Pomeranian was all too happy to have her attention, nuzzling against her hand. It did make her smile, and she happily obliged as she pet her. What a needy girl! Maxie was all too happy to receive her affection, only looking away at the sound of a whistle. Lilie saw an exasperated Eris approaching the pair, leash in hand. He looked a little annoyed, but as he approached, his face smoothed out.

[color=ccff99]"She was doing well until she saw someone she recognized,"[/color] He muttered, kneeling down and pointing a finger at the dog. [color=ccff99]"Bad. No running off like that."[/color]

Lilie stood, frowning at Eris. She assumed he was trying to teach Maxie how to walk without the leash, though at least the pup did a good job not going anywhere, remaining seated and looking between the two. When Eris stood, he gave her a look over, making her a little uncomfortable. 

[color=ccff99]"Well then, looks like I wasn't the only one looking to improve on my mage's poor choice in clothing. You almost look like a real mage now, little one,"[/color] He said cheerfully, lightly tapping her chin with the leash. [color=ccff99]"What, old Benji burn your wardrobe? He did you a favor if you ask me."[/color]

[color=deepskyblue]"Who--no, and his name is Benjamin, not Benji,"[/color] Lilie shook her head, letting out a huff. [color=deepskyblue]"He just...wants me to look like a 'proper' mage."[/color]

Eris grimaced, reaching out with his free hand and gently pulling her ponytail into view. [color=ccff99]"He really missed out on a vital aspect of that,"[/color] He replied, letting her hair run through his fingers. [color=ccff99]"Frowning and moping around isn't ideal, either. A mage should keep any feelings or personal thoughts to themselves, you know."[/color]

Lilie hung her head in defeat, crossing her arms. [color=deepskyblue]"I was just thinking about what happened. With the mages that got hurt. My friend was one of them."[/color]

Eris wrinkled his nose, shaking his head. [color=ccff99]"That worry is pretty belated, don't you think?"[/color] He asked as he threw himself onto the bench, patting the seat next to him. Lilie thought he wanted her to sit next to him, but Maxie hopped up instead, curling up next to him. [color=ccff99]"With all the magic in the world, mages are fragile, aren't they?"[/color] He asked, scratching Maxie's chin.

She didn't know what to think about that, or at least, she didn't want to admit how worried she was. Taking a seat next to Maxie, she looked at Eris worriedly. [color=deepskyblue]"Did you get to see them?"[/color] She asked.

[color=ccff99]"See who?"[/color]

[color=deepskyblue]"The people that got hurt. The princess mentioned you and Count Victor, and…"[/color] Lilie paused, feeling anxious, but she needed to know. [color=deepskyblue]"I just...I haven't heard from my friend, and she was one of the victims, and…"[/color]

Eris' expression went neutral at her words, and once she stopped talking, he threw his head back. [color=ccff99]"It must be nice to live in such an ignorant bliss,"[/color] He said to himself, shaking his head. After a few seconds, he sat up straight and turned towards her, giving her an unimpressed look. Lilie deflated at Eris' look, looking down at her lap. [color=ccff99]"So, you don't hear from your friend, you see an announcement on what happened, and you're wondering why you haven't heard from them. Right?"[/color]

[color=deepskyblue]"Yeah…" [/color]

He pinched the bridge of his nose as she squeezed his eyes shut, but he then relaxed, giving her a smile. [color=ccff99]"[I]Mon chérie[/i], you really are one of a kind. I mean that in every sense of the word, truly,"[/color] He sighed, reaching out and tucking a hair behind her ear. [color=ccff99]"If it falls to me to be the bearer of bad news, well...I'm just not sure I have what it takes to break your heart."[/color]

[color=deepskyblue]"What do you mean?" [/color]

Eris picked up Maxie and shuffled closer, placing her on his lap. He leaned in close, looking directly at her. [color=ccff99]"The victims were [i]critically[/i] injured, chérie. If they haven't returned, then it's safe to assume that they did not recover,"[/color] He told her gently. [color=ccff99]"I think that's something you didn't consider, is it?"[/color]

[i]What?![/i] No, that couldn’t be right! But even as the thought crossed her mind, she felt this terrible dread pulling her stomach down. Why wouldn’t they tell anyone if that was the case? She looked at Eris, trying to formulate the words, but her throat just refused to make any noise.

Eris, on the other hand, understood that she seemed to get it. [color=ccff99]"I thought only children can be that naïve,"[/color] He chuckled to himself, pausing as he felt his phone buzz. [color=ccff99]"Watch her for a second, I need to take this."[/color] He instructed as he placed Maxie on Lilie's lap, standing up to answer the call.

She couldn't find any way to protest, staring down at the pup. How could this have happened? How did he know? Was this one of those things that everyone knew but just couldn't say? For a moment, Lilie wondered why she wasn't crying, but she didn't know what to think. Paralyzed by shock, she barely registered when Eris came back and took Maxie, though at least she did get up. Vaguely giving him a thank you, she walked back to the dorm, trying to rationalize how she could have missed it. Now that she really thought about it, it made more sense. Maybe she had just been in denial the whole time.

The sound of a door closing scared Lilie, and she realized she managed to get all the way to her room without realizing it. Her hand was clutching her phone so tightly that her knuckles hurt, and as she looked back down at the messages, a horrible thought hit her. Was this her fault? If she hadn’t left Cassandra alone, could her death have been avoided? As soon as the thought crossed her mind, however, she felt her knees give way and she slumped down against the wall.

It took her longer than it should have for her to realize she could hardly breathe, but she just sat there, heaving sobs as she held her head in her hands. How could she have been so stupid?! Of course something like this was going to happen, vampires didn’t care about mortal lives! The one night she let herself get comfortable and something horrible happened--why did she expect anything different? And now, poor Cassandra was just [i]gone[/i], and nothing could bring her back. All she could do was imagine how terrible it must have been. And how terrible she was for leaving her friend behind.[/indent][/hider]


[hider=Aaron and Lilie]
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[indent][color=f0d705][i]“Ausculto.”[/i][/color]

Three taps of a foot and a quick breath in, and Aaron was in his own little world again. This time it was plucking instead of bowing, but he lost himself in it nonetheless, running a couple different harmonies in his head and plucking in time. For a little while, he got to forget about everything, the only thing occupying his mind a steady beat. 

All too soon the part was over, and Aaron returned to the world, glancing down at the page on the table in front of him. Like the others scattered around, it was covered in notes that had written themselves while he was playing, and Aaron smiled. Without a doubt, he considered that “listen” spell to be the most useful one he’d learned so far. 

Putting his cello aside for the moment, Aaron leaned over the patio table, looking over the collection of sheets he had amassed with a critical eye and picking one up from time to time to compare it to another. After a few minutes he nodded to himself, taking up his cello and bow once more. Extending a hand, his eyes flashed for a moment and the notes on each sheet began to faintly glow. 

[color=f0d705][i]“Cano.”[/i][/color]

One by one, lines of music began to play; they were small parts individually, but together they wove a solid harmony, waiting for the melody line to come in. Just by playing to some enchanted paper, Aaron had made himself a little cello ensemble, all on his own. 

He tapped his foot gently to the music, poising his bow, and when the time came took a quick breath and started to play. Being that he was mostly improvising to the melody of an old lullaby, Aaron had no music to read, so instead his eyes fell to his hands, one dragging the bow smoothly across the strings and the other moving expertly over the fingerboard. Without realizing, he began to sway a little with the bowing, sinking into his own little symphony. The crisp night air, the slight breeze, the rustling of the trees... they all fell away. All there was in the world was him, his cello, and the music, free and uncaring no matter who might hear. 

Walking up the block in somewhat of a hurry, a very upset Lilie was fighting back tears of frustration. Why did she have to get assigned to a noble? She could barely keep up with her classes, now all of a sudden she needed to be ‘cultured’ and have some hobbies to hide that she was an uneducated hick from Nowheresville. She thought her ballet and fencing were enough, but considering she wasn't an expert on either and usually combined the two, Ben had decreed that they didn't count and she would need to ‘broaden her horizons’.

Except, she was never really good at anything else. Or rather, the only other thing she was actually talented at was not something impressive by vampire terms: and she couldn't argue considering that even the most beautifully made food was pointless to them. She loved music and could hold a tune, but she wasn't amazing at it nor did she play any instruments. She liked sports but didn't excel in anything in particular. She couldn't draw if her life depended on it, her crafts were just things she did for fun, her grades sucked, she sucked at school, and she was getting more frustrated the more she thought about it. Ben had given her a list of things to try, but none of it was anything she could have had a talent for. It was just hopeless. She was hopeless.

As she looked down at the paper filled with crossed out words, another flash of anger hit her, and she found herself crumpling it up, as if that would erase the words and failures. Approaching the cul de sac, Lilie took in a deep breath to calm herself. No doubt Ben would want to talk about what she decided on, so she figured she would take the free time to think. The closer she got to the dorms, however, the more she thought she heard music. Either she left her phone playing or was going crazy, but it turned out to be neither; she had been so wrapped up in her own thoughts that it wasn't until she was nearly back that she noticed the music.

Honestly, the sight was one to behold. She had often heard Aaron practicing more than once, but getting to see him play again was a real treat. It was soothing, a quiet moment where she held her breath just to make sure she didn't take him out of his element. He looked very much into it, swaying as he played, expert hands performing for an audience that wasn't there. She felt entranced, though she entered her own property before approaching the wall that separated theirs. Leaning on it, she simply watched, amazed that what sounded like something she would hear from a CD would be coming from Aaron.

Once the last note rang, Lilie snapped out of it, hastily wiping her eyes before applauding Aaron with much enthusiasm.

The applause pulled Aaron out of his head a little faster than normal, the blonde looking around for the source before he found Lilie, leaning on the stone wall that separated their properties. Apparently she had been listening, and Aaron’s eyes lit up when he saw her, despite the flash of embarrassment that burned at his ears. Smiling bashfully, he gave her a little wave, setting aside his cello and stacking his papers neatly before hopping off the patio and joining Lilie at the wall. 

[color=f0d705]“Hi!”[/color] he greeted cheerfully, placing a hand on the wall between them. [color=f0d705]“Were you listening the whole time?”[/color]

The girl found herself getting rather excited as Aaron smiled, waiting eagerly as he decided to come over. That smile of his alone managed to lift her mood in ways she didn't think was possible. Shoot, she hoped she looked normal, but there was no time to check as he approached her, greeting her happily.

[color=deepskyblue]“I wish,”[/color] Lilie was honest, frowning slightly as she realized she wasn't sure where in the song she had started paying attention. Perking up slightly, she hopped in place as she looked up at him. [color=deepskyblue]“But what I did hear was fantastic!”[/color] 

And she meant it. She wasn't an expert, but she recognized talent when she saw it. Getting to watch Aaron had been a real treat, nearly making her forget about everything that had happened.

[color=deepskyblue]“It's nice to actually see you play,”[/color] she found herself admitting. [color=deepskyblue]“Sometimes I hear it when I'm in my dorm, but you're usually done by the time I finish."[/color]

Aaron’s smile only widened as Lilie spoke, and he leaned on the wall as well to listen. His ears burned as she praised him, and he had to look away, feeling bashful. [color=f0d705]“I’m surprised you haven’t seen me more often, I always practice outside.”[/color] 

Fiddling slightly with the hem of her jacket, Lilie let out a short, somewhat anxious laugh. She wasn't about to admit that she sometimes watched him through the window; there was no way she would live that down if he ever found out.

[color=deepskyblue]“W-Well, sometimes I listen as I do my homework,”[/color] she decided to admit that much. [color=deepskyblue]“And it always helps me concentrate. But you usually finish before I do.”[/color]

[color=f0d705]“Aw,”[/color] Aaron couldn’t help but exclaim, though his ears got a little hotter when he realized it. [color=f0d705]“That’s really flattering, thank you.”[/color]

He tapped his fingers on his arm for a moment. He didn’t know what else to say, but he didn’t want Lilie to leave just yet. [color=f0d705]“Would you like to see what I’ve been working on?”[/color] He finally asked, looking hopefully to Lilie. 

Lilie didn't think she had ever agreed to something so quickly, nodding enthusiastically in response. [color=deepskyblue]“Yes!”[/color] It was a very welcome distraction, the girl unable to contain her excitement. Catching herself, she cleared her throat, blushing as she tucked a stray hair behind her ear. Wow, she really needed to calm down. [color=deepskyblue]“If...if you don't mind, I mean!”[/color] Her response was still excitable as she placed her hands behind her back.

Aaron lit right up again, standing back up to his full height excitedly. [color=f0d705]“Of course not! Hang on,”[/color] he smiled at her before jogging back to the patio, scooping up his music in his hands and returning to lay it out on top of the wall. 

[color=f0d705]“It’s not so much a project as it is me just messing around, but I found a way to use some magic to play multiple parts at once, watch.”[/color] He held a palm over the pages, and the notes began to faintly glow as before. [color=f0d705][i]“Cano.”[/i][/color]

Like they had before, each part began to play itself, a harmony waiting for a melody. [color=f0d705]“...And then I play the final part, once I’ve prepared the rest. It’s a really fun exercise, especially for otherwise simple pieces like this one.”[/color] He talked about it animatedly, but also casually, as if he’d been waiting for a chance to talk to someone about it. Probably because he had. He didn’t often get to go into detail on his interests. [color=f0d705]“Isn’t it cool?”[/color]

Absorbed in every word Aaron spoke, Lilie listened intently, making sure she paid careful attention. Clearly a lot of thought had been put into this, a wonderful combination of music and magic resulting in a rather beautiful result. Part of her had assumed he played along with his phone or something, but the truth was so much better! He must have been a genius or something, she probably wouldn't have been able to come up with this sort of thing.

[color=deepskyblue]“It is!”[/color] Lilie agreed, absolutely fascinated by his work as she watched the notes light up. She supposed she liked it more because it was night; his efforts wouldn't have looked as nice during the day. As she watched the notes, she noticed how what she heard didn't match what she read. Oh, right, he played the cello, that was an entirely different clef. [color=deepskyblue]“Mmm...you write it on your own and everything, right?”[/color] She asked, lifting her gaze from the pages to Aaron. [color=deepskyblue]“Like, you don't just play?”[/color]

Aaron chuckled a bit, looking down at his music and waving his hand to dismiss the spell. [color=f0d705]“Honestly, not really. I’m actually kind of garbage at composing,”[/color] he smiled down at his music as he collected it. [color=f0d705]“I don’t know what it is but I usually just don’t feel the need to write music, I guess. But lately I have nothing new to practice, so I’ve been playing around with pieces I already know, like this one. It’s actually just a lullaby.”[/color] 

He smiled again, eyes flicking up to Lilie’s. He got caught up in her eyes for a second, before he realized he was staring and came to his senses. [color=f0d705]“I’ll show you!”[/color] He suggested, gesturing for her to stay as he retrieved his cello, a chair and some more sheets of staff paper. Waving his hand over one of the new sheets, he muttered, [color=f0d705][i]“Ausculto,”[/i][/color] and the staff lines began to glow a little, pulsing slightly. 

Taking up his bow, Aaron played a quick little melody, just one verse of a common folk song. As he played, the notes wrote themselves on the paper. When he stopped, the glow faded. [color=f0d705]“How cool is that?”[/color] He asked Lilie excitedly, [color=f0d705]“[i]Way[/i] easier than playing, pausing, copying, all that nonsense.”[/color] 

It was hard to miss Aaron's staring, but she hadn't noticed she was staring back until he spoke. Lowering her face into her hands as he ran to get his instrument, she mentally berated herself. She needed to get a grip, Aaron was going to think she was weird if she kept staring at him! 

Lifting her face as she thought she heard him coming back, Lilie smiled politely as he demonstrated for her. He might not have thought it was much, but it was genuinely one of the most amazing things she had ever seen. It was hard not to stare, the joy and passion he had for his playing slightly infectious. But after a few seconds, she realized she had gotten absorbed in his eyes, completely missing what he had said.

[color=deepskyblue]“It's…”[/color] She screamed at herself, begging her mind to come up with something. What was wrong with her today? [color=deepskyblue]“I mean, I just...can't believe you thought of it yourself,”[/color] She said sincerely.

Aaron smiled bashfully again. All this praise was a rare thing in his life, and he was sure he could have melted. [color=f0d705]“Well, I didn’t [i]invent[/i] the spell or anything,”[/color] he explained, leaning back in his seat. [color=f0d705]“It’s a pretty simple spell, a lot of people use it to take notes. But I thought it might be useful for this.”[/color]

He chuckled, albeit slightly less animatedly than before. [color=f0d705]“I bet Lucan is jealous he can’t do it.”[/color] 

Looking up at Lilie, his expression grew more sincere. [color=f0d705]“Do you play an instrument?”[/color] He asked, surprised it had never come up before. 

Lilie shook her head, fingers drumming against the wall. It was a genuine question, but hearing it a second time had caught her off guard. [color=deepskyblue]“No,”[/color] her response was a little on the quieter side, feeling like she was talking to Ben all over again. And like before, she figured she may as well continue the same way. [color=deepskyblue]“I like music, but I don't really...I'm not good with my hands.”[/color]

Aaron quirked a brow, tilting his head a little and turning in his seat. He could still cradle his cello between his legs, but now he could hook an arm around the back of the chair. [color=f0d705]“So?”[/color] He asked, as if it were obvious, [color=f0d705]“You don’t need hands to play music. Do you like to sing?”[/color]

[color=deepskyblue]“Well, yeah, but…”[/color] Lilie scratched her cheek for a second, letting out a slight huff that blew her bangs off her face. She supposed that Aaron was just being curious, not judging her every move or seeing her as uneducated. Throwing that aside for the moment, she dropped her arms to her sides. [color=deepskyblue]“A little. Mostly in the shower and anytime my friends did karaoke.”[/color]

Aaron thought for a moment. He wasn’t sure exactly what karaoke was, but he was certainly intrigued. Lilie was so beautiful, he had no doubt in his mind she would sing like a siren. 

Maybe it was a little forward, but he [i]had[/i] to ask. [color=f0d705]“May I hear?”[/color]

Lilie was surprised by Aaron outright coming out with it. Shifting her weight from one foot to another, she opened her mouth to respond, but she was at a loss. [color=deepskyblue]“I...you want to?”[/color] She asked, a little disbelief in her voice. Feeling a little bashful, she let out a laugh. [color=deepskyblue]“I don’t know, I’m not incredibly talented or anything, you might regret asking.”[/color]

Aaron chuckled. [color=f0d705]“I sincerely doubt that,”[/color] he told her. And it was true; he was pretty sure he could listen to her read off a grocery list and be captivated from start to finish. 

[color=f0d705]“Tell you what,”[/color] he suggested, shifting in his seat and picking up his bow. [color=f0d705]“I can play harmony. So you’re not just singing to nothing, how about it?”[/color]

Torn between not wanting Aaron to hear her mediocre singing and very much wanting to hear Aaron play more, Lilie took a moment to consider it. Singing with her friends back home was one thing, but with an instrument and actually talented musician was another thing. But what really seemed to weigh in was not wanting to say ‘no’ to Aaron, not with the way he was looking at her right now.

[color=deepskyblue]“...um...okay,”[/color] she quietly agreed, giving him a small smile.

Aaron smiled wide, adjusting himself in his seat again and poising himself to start. But as he counted in his head, waiting for a moment to begin, he realized he’d forgotten something rather important. 

[color=f0d705]“...I don’t know what song to play,”[/color] he laughed, glancing down at his instrument before looking back up at Lilie. [color=f0d705]“Any ideas?”[/color]

That smile was going to be the death of her if her nerves didn’t strangle the air in her lungs first. Clearing her throat in an effort to compose herself, Aaron brought up a good point. Part of her wanted to use that as a means to escape, but he was so good-natured about it that she actually took a second to stop and think.

[color=deepskyblue]“...what was the song you played before?”[/color] Lilie decided to ask, having recognized some of it.

Aaron thought for a moment. [color=f0d705]“The lullaby? That song isn’t in English-- Oh, you meant this one,”[/color] he laughed a little at his own mistake, tapping the paper he’d used to demonstrate his spell. Something about this girl always threw him off. [color=f0d705]“That’s just a folk song, The Parting Glass. Do you know it?”[/color] Ever since starting at the Academy he had been learning that a lot of the things he grew up with weren’t exactly commonplace elsewhere, and part of him wondered if the song was too old for most people to know it. 

Lilie made a nod of understanding, nodding in response. [color=deepskyblue]“Yeah, my grandmother had the record playing the last time I went to see her,”[/color] she said, as she pulled out her phone. Granted, it wasn’t something she had expected Aaron to know, but he was just full of surprises. Her eyes lit up as she looked at the lyrics, giving him a rather excited smile. [color=deepskyblue]“We can make it a duet!”[/color]

Now it was Aaron’s turn to be shy. [color=f0d705]“You think?”[/color] He asked, smiling down at his cello. [color=f0d705]“Because I actually am a bad singer so you’ll have to be prepared for that.”[/color] 

Though he was outwardly hesitant, he was more than willing to sing with Lilie if it made her more comfortable. He was willing to do a lot of things to make her happy, he supposed. He lived for that smile of hers; sometimes it was all that got him through the night. 

[color=f0d705]“Alright…”[/color] he conceded, looking to her. [color=f0d705]“How should we split it? Take turns on the verses and do the chorus together?”[/color]

Unable to contain her grin, Lilie hopped in place as she agreed. [color=deepskyblue]“Sounds good to me!”[/color] She said, taking a step back before lifting herself onto the wall, cautiously pulling herself into a seated position as she smoothed out her skirt. It was an excellent trade off in her opinion, though it was mostly comforting that she wouldn’t be going at it alone.

[color=deepskyblue]“On your mark, maestro,”[/color] she bowed her head to him.

Aaron glanced down again. He could feel his ears burning, and once again he was glad for his moderately long hair. He couldn’t consciously put his finger on it, but there was something about being the one deferred to that made him feel important. 

[color=f0d705]“I’ll even do the first verse for you,”[/color] he offered, smiling. He wanted to do everything in his power to make her feel comfortable enough to sing. 

Straightening his back, Aaron took a playing posture, taking a moment to remember the tempo. Clearing his throat and tossing a stray lock of hair out of his eyes, he tapped his foot three times and inhaled, starting with a long tone to introduce. 

[color=f0d705][i]“Of all the money, that e’er I had, I spent it in good company...”[/i][/color] It was only after he started singing that he began to play more harmoniously, keeping it simple. He could hold a pitch with his voice, but that was about it; he couldn’t do the fancy riffs that the song was usually sung with, and he’d never been able to figure out vibrato with anything but his cello, but he was more than happy to do it if it meant Lilie would soon be joining him. 

[color=f0d705][i]“And all the harm, that e’er I’ve done, alas it was to none but me…” [/i][/color]

Lilie watched Aaron as he started off, once again mesmerized by the unity of both cello and his voice. He said he was a bad singer, but she found his voice rather pleasant, the baritone going well with the instrument as the song went on. As she listened, she had to consciously remind herself to pay attention, nearly losing track of where he was in the song.

Taking in a breath, she found herself getting somewhat nervous, fingers pulling at her dress, though it was far too late to back out now. [i][color=#00BBFF]“[/color][color=#03BBFB]A[/color][color=#07BBF8]n[/color][color=#0ABCF5]d[/color] [color=#12BDEE]a[/color][color=#15BDEB]l[/color][color=#19BDE7]l[/color] [color=#20BEE1]I[/color][color=#24BFDD]’[/color][color=#27BFDA]v[/color][color=#2BC0D7]e[/color] [color=#32C0D0]d[/color][color=#36C1CD]o[/color][color=#3AC1CA]n[/color][color=#3DC2C6]e[/color] [color=#45C3C0]f[/color][color=#48C3BC]o[/color][color=#4CC3B9]r[/color] [color=#53C4B3]w[/color][color=#57C5AF]a[/color][color=#5AC5AC]n[/color][color=#5EC6A9]t[/color] [color=#65C6A2]o[/color][color=#69C79F]f[/color] [color=#70C898]w[/color][color=#74C895]i[/color][color=#78C991]t[/color][color=#7BC98E],[/color] [color=#82CA88]t[/color][color=#86CA84]o[/color] [color=#8DCB7E]m[/color][color=#91CB7A]e[/color][color=#95CC77]m[/color][color=#98CC74]o[/color][color=#9CCD70]r[/color][color=#9FCD6D]y[/color] [color=#A7CE67]n[/color][color=#AACE63]o[/color][color=#AECF60]w[/color] [color=#B5D059]I[/color] [color=#BDD153]c[/color][color=#C0D14F]a[/color][color=#C4D14C]n[/color][color=#C7D249]’[/color][color=#CBD246]t[/color] [color=#D2D33F]r[/color][color=#D6D43C]e[/color][color=#DAD438]c[/color][color=#DDD435]a[/color][color=#E1D532]l[/color][color=#E5D52E]l[/color][color=#E8D62B]…[/color][color=#ECD628]”[/color][/i] It started a little quietly, her nerves winning out for a moment until she adjusted herself, their voices singing the melody together. [i][color=#00BBFF]“[/color][color=#03BBFB]S[/color][color=#06BBF8]o[/color] [color=#0DBCF2]f[/color][color=#11BDEF]i[/color][color=#14BDEC]l[/color][color=#18BDE8]l[/color] [color=#1FBEE2]m[/color][color=#22BFDF]e[/color] [color=#29BFD9]t[/color][color=#2DC0D5]o[/color] [color=#34C1CF]t[/color][color=#37C1CC]h[/color][color=#3BC1C9]e[/color] [color=#42C2C2]p[/color][color=#45C3BF]a[/color][color=#49C3BC]r[/color][color=#4CC3B9]t[/color][color=#50C4B6]i[/color][color=#53C4B3]n[/color][color=#56C5B0]g[/color] [color=#5DC5A9]g[/color][color=#61C6A6]l[/color][color=#64C6A3]a[/color][color=#68C7A0]s[/color][color=#6BC79D]s[/color][color=#6FC799]:[/color] [color=#76C893]g[/color][color=#79C990]o[/color][color=#7DC98D]o[/color][color=#80CA8A]d[/color][color=#84CA86]n[/color][color=#87CA83]i[/color][color=#8BCB80]g[/color][color=#8ECB7D]h[/color][color=#92CC7A]t[/color] [color=#99CC73]a[/color][color=#9CCD70]n[/color][color=#A0CD6D]d[/color] [color=#A6CE67]j[/color][color=#AACE64]o[/color][color=#ADCF61]y[/color] [color=#B4D05A]b[/color][color=#B8D057]e[/color] [color=#BFD151]w[/color][color=#C2D14E]i[/color][color=#C6D24A]t[/color][color=#C9D247]h[/color] [color=#D0D341]y[/color][color=#D4D33E]o[/color][color=#D7D43B]u[/color] [color=#DED434]a[/color][color=#E2D531]l[/color][color=#E5D52E]l[/color][color=#E9D62B]…[/color][color=#ECD628]”[/color][/i]

Realizing that his voice would be leaving hers on her own, she sat up slightly, unintentionally meeting his eyes and hoping she would steal some of his confidence. [color=deepskyblue][i]“Oh all the comrades that e’er I’ve had, are sorry for going away…”[/i][/color] Despite knowing that she probably should have lost it, something about watching Aaron made her feel warm, her heart racing in her chest but doing little to deter her. [color=deepskyblue][i]“And all the sweethearts that e’er I had, would wish me one more day to stay…”[/i][/color]

A smile played on Aaron’s lips when he heard Lilie join him, stealing the occasional glance up to her between watching his fingers and the pull of his bow. She outshone him by a lot in the singing department, and he was happy to let her take the lead, considering himself lucky to have been able to hear her. 

Their eyes met for a second when it was her time to come in, and Aaron had to look quickly back down so as not to stare. Instead he listened intently, pouring a little more heart into his playing as he began to sway in his seat, wanting to do her voice justice during her solo. When it came time for him to join her again, he instead sung harmony, letting her voice take the spotlight. 

[i][color=#00BBFF]“[/color][color=#01BBFD]B[/color][color=#03BBFB]u[/color][color=#05BBFA]t[/color] [color=#08BBF7]s[/color][color=#0ABCF5]i[/color][color=#0BBCF4]n[/color][color=#0DBCF2]c[/color][color=#0FBCF1]e[/color] [color=#12BDEE]i[/color][color=#14BDEC]t[/color] [color=#17BDE9]f[/color][color=#19BDE8]a[/color][color=#1ABEE6]l[/color][color=#1CBEE5]l[/color][color=#1EBEE3]s[/color] [color=#21BEE0]u[/color][color=#23BFDE]n[/color][color=#24BFDD]t[/color][color=#26BFDB]o[/color] [color=#29BFD8]m[/color][color=#2BC0D7]y[/color] [color=#2EC0D4]l[/color][color=#30C0D2]o[/color][color=#32C0D1]t[/color][color=#34C1CF],[/color] [color=#37C1CC]t[/color][color=#39C1CB]h[/color][color=#3AC1C9]a[/color][color=#3CC2C8]t[/color] [color=#3FC2C5]I[/color] [color=#43C2C2]s[/color][color=#44C3C0]h[/color][color=#46C3BE]o[/color][color=#48C3BD]u[/color][color=#49C3BB]l[/color][color=#4BC3BA]d[/color] [color=#4EC4B7]r[/color][color=#50C4B5]i[/color][color=#52C4B4]s[/color][color=#53C4B2]e[/color] [color=#57C5AF]a[/color][color=#58C5AE]n[/color][color=#5AC5AC]d[/color] [color=#5DC5A9]y[/color][color=#5FC6A8]o[/color][color=#61C6A6]u[/color] [color=#64C6A3]s[/color][color=#66C6A2]h[/color][color=#68C7A0]o[/color][color=#69C79E]u[/color][color=#6BC79D]l[/color][color=#6DC79B]d[/color] [color=#70C898]n[/color][color=#72C897]o[/color][color=#73C895]t[/color][color=#75C894];[/color][color=#78C991]I[/color][color=#7AC98F]’[/color][color=#7CC98E]l[/color][color=#7DC98C]l[/color] [color=#81CA89]g[/color][color=#82CA88]e[/color][color=#84CA86]n[/color][color=#86CA85]t[/color][color=#87CA83]l[/color][color=#89CB81]y[/color] [color=#8CCB7E]r[/color][color=#8ECB7D]i[/color][color=#90CB7B]s[/color][color=#92CC7A]e[/color] [color=#95CC77]a[/color][color=#97CC75]n[/color][color=#98CC74]d[/color] [color=#9CCD71]s[/color][color=#9DCD6F]o[/color][color=#9FCD6E]f[/color][color=#A1CD6C]t[/color][color=#A2CD6B]l[/color][color=#A4CE69]y[/color] [color=#A7CE66]c[/color][color=#A9CE65]a[/color][color=#ABCE63]l[/color][color=#ACCF61]l[/color][color=#AECF60]:[/color] [color=#B1CF5D]G[/color][color=#B3CF5B]o[/color][color=#B5D05A]o[/color][color=#B6D058]d[/color][color=#B8D057]n[/color][color=#BAD055]i[/color][color=#BBD054]g[/color][color=#BDD152]h[/color][color=#BFD151]t[/color][color=#C1D14F],[/color] [color=#C4D14C]a[/color][color=#C6D24B]n[/color][color=#C7D249]d[/color] [color=#CBD246]j[/color][color=#CCD245]o[/color][color=#CED343]y[/color] [color=#D1D340]b[/color][color=#D3D33E]e[/color] [color=#D6D43B]w[/color][color=#D8D43A]i[/color][color=#DAD438]t[/color][color=#DBD437]h[/color] [color=#DFD534]y[/color][color=#E0D532]o[/color][color=#E2D531]u[/color] [color=#E5D52E]a[/color][color=#E7D62C]l[/color][color=#E9D62B]l[/color][color=#EAD629]…[/color][color=#ECD628]”[/color][/i]

He couldn’t help but look back up at her at the end, struggling to stop the smile that tugged at his lips. [i][color=#00BBFF]“[/color][color=#06BBF8]G[/color][color=#0DBCF2]o[/color][color=#14BDEC]o[/color][color=#1ABEE6]d[/color][color=#21BEE0]n[/color][color=#28BFDA]i[/color][color=#2EC0D4]g[/color][color=#35C1CE]h[/color][color=#3BC1C8]t[/color] [color=#49C3BC]a[/color][color=#50C4B6]n[/color][color=#56C5B0]d[/color] [color=#64C6A4]j[/color][color=#6AC79E]o[/color][color=#71C898]y[/color] [color=#7EC98B]b[/color][color=#85CA85]e[/color] [color=#92CC79]w[/color][color=#99CC73]i[/color][color=#A0CD6D]t[/color][color=#A6CE67]h[/color] [color=#B3CF5B]y[/color][color=#BAD055]o[/color][color=#C1D14F]u[/color] [color=#CED343]a[/color][color=#D5D33D]l[/color][color=#DBD437]l[/color][color=#E2D531].[/color][color=#E9D62B]”[/color][/i]

Their eyes met once again, and it took Lilie a moment to realize that the song had ended. The quiet that fell between them made her realize just how loudly her heart was feverishly beating, something inside her that felt warm and comforting bursting forward as she unabashedly stared at Aaron. Her hands were to her chest, maybe an unconscious effort to calm herself, though after a few seconds, she finally dropped her gaze, letting out a chuckle.

[color=deepskyblue]“That was...you were amazing,”[/color] Lilie told him, shaking her head as she looked at him again, her eyes lit up with something resembling admiration.

Aaron held Lilie’s gaze once he stopped playing, an oddly comfortable silence stretching between them. It was as if they were both in their own little worlds, not realizing the other hadn’t said anything. He blinked a few times when she spoke, and shook his head.

[color=f0d705]“[i]Me?[/i] Are you kidding? You sing so beautifully!”[/color] He sang her praises shamelessly, leaning back once more in his seat. Maybe it sounded like he was just being nice, or maybe even patronizing, but he meant every word. [color=f0d705]“Does Count Benjamin know about your talent?”[/color]

Whatever high Lilie felt from Aaron praising her suddenly came crashing down as he asked if Ben knew. Her expression fell slightly, and while her smile didn’t go away, it lost a lot of its energy as her eyes darted to her left. Should she be honest? It wasn’t like she had any reason to lie, but it was a sharp reminder of her nights’ events.

After a few seconds, Lilie looked at Aaron again, trying to keep her smile up. [color=deepskyblue]“He does, but...He, um, didn’t share your opinion,”[/color] She told him quietly, lowering her hands onto her lap. [color=deepskyblue]“I got too nervous, so I just stumbled over myself. It was sad, if I’m being honest.”[/color]

Aaron’s face fell more pointedly than Lilie’s, and he worried that he’d accidentally struck a nerve. But he could understand completely if she had fumbled in front of her Count; he remembered the evening before the party where he’d played, when Varis had handed him a completely foreign piece and told him he’d be playing it for their guests in just a few short hours. The Count had made Aaron sight read it in front of him, and the sheer weight of his gaze had been enough to make Aaron trip over his own fingers. 

[color=f0d705]“I know the feeling,”[/color] he told her, hoping to comfort her. [color=f0d705]“But Count Benjamin seems understanding, maybe if you explained that you were nervous? I--” [/color]

Aaron cut himself off when an alert sounded in his pocket, Varis being his only contact that made a sound rather than just a vibration. Hurriedly he checked his phone, eyes widening. 

[color=f0d705]“--I’m sorry, I have to go,”[/color] he rushed out, hurrying to his feet and collecting his things. [color=f0d705]“But I’d love to do this again sometime, maybe?”[/color]

Lilie jumped when she heard the door slam, eyes wide as she spotted the vampire. Aaron’s suggestion made her heart skip a beat, returning some of her enthusiasm as she nodded. [color=deepskyblue]“Y-Yeah, of course!”[/color] She told him, giving him a genuine smile once again. [color=deepskyblue]“Anytime. Ah, anytime you can, I mean, I know you’re usually busy,”[/color] she corrected herself as she watched him gather his music.

Aaron smiled, nodding in turn, but turned again to look at Varis, who seemed to be waiting for him. [color=f0d705]“Great!”[/color] He replied simply, waving as he hurried back to the house, belongings in tow. 

Lilie returned his wave rather happily, and even though she knew she probably should head back to her own dorm, she stayed where she was for a moment, simply watching Aaron. She wished she had recorded their song; she was much too distracted by Aaron himself, wishing she could have heard his voice on a continuous loop. She wasn't sure what she liked more, his voice or his eyes. The more she thought about it, the more she came to realize that she really liked his eyes. Their color was so peculiar, something that she didn't catch the first time they had met but only when they became friends. They had this brightness to them, making him seem innocent and genuine. Which he was, of course, but she had seen it in his eyes before the rest of him could assure her of that fact. Even when they had been cold in the arena, they were still so full of life. It was hard not to stare, but fortunately he looked at her a lot, so she got a chance to commit the color of his cerulean eyes to memory.

[I]Beep![/i]

Lilie jumped, having been so absorbed in her thoughts that her own text tone had spooked her. As she looked at her phone, she let out a groan. Ben was asking what talent she had chosen so that she could take the appropriate steps to teach her. She didn't want to think about a hobby or talent. She wanted to think about Aaron--

Whoa, that was a first. 

Lilie surprised herself with that thought, letting it sit for a while. She wanted to think about Aaron. For some reason that made her feel giddy, or something along those lines as she felt her heart race in her chest. It certainly explained all the fluttering in her stomach as they sang together. But was it right? She felt like it was one sided. They spent a lot of time together, but it was mostly because she often asked for his help. He probably thought she was a burden, or was just too nice to say no. What a depressing thought. But if there was even the slightest chance, wouldn't that be something?

She found herself holding on to that chance a little tighter than she probably should have, even as she finally got down from the wall and returned to her room. Especially as she indulged herself in thinking about his cerulean eyes.

[hr]

When Aaron and Varis finally got back that morning, Aaron took some time after he was dismissed before bed to put his cello and music all properly in order, having had to stow it away in a rush before he left. But as he was organizing the sheet music he’d been working on, he came across the sheet he’d used to demonstrate his technique to Lilie. To his surprise, the page was full, instead of just having the short excerpt at the top of the page as he remembered. It took him a moment of staring for it to dawn on him: he’d forgotten to de-activate the spell! 

He read it over multiple times, just to confirm. Indeed, it did look like all those notes came from their duet, with a part for each of them and another underneath for his cello harmony. At first he was ecstatic, glad to have this accidental reminder of their song together. After all, all he could think about the whole night afterwards was her voice, and the way she looked at him as she sang, perched on their property wall like one of the delicate marble garden statues back home. But as he remembered, he realized that there might be a better use for it. 

[hr]

Humming to herself, Lilie had to admit that it was hard to get the song out of her head. This time, she left the music for her shower, finishing just as she turned off the water. Grabbing her towel, she mentally went over the night’s events, remembering the way Aaron played. He wanted to do it again, but honestly, if she just got the chance to watch him practice, she would have counted it as a blessing.

Exiting her bathroom, she nearly screamed as she spotted Ben sitting on her bed, completely concentrated on a letter with a curious expression. It wasn’t until her shock wore off that she heard music, and after a few seconds of listening, she realized it had been the duet between herself and Aaron.

Once the last note played out, Ben finally looked up, unphased by her shock and confusion. [color=c0c0c0]“This is leagues better than your initial performance,”[/color] He said, folding the letter back into the envelope with care. [color=c0c0c0]“I'll get in touch with a voice coach, it's safe to say that this will be the skill you'll be refining."[/color]

Lilie wasn’t entirely thrilled to find that their talk of privacy went nowhere, but being greeted after a shower to get complimented was a new one. At least he didn’t walk in on her again. Hugging her towel to her, it took longer than it should have for the pieces to connect, Lilie’s face flushed red. [color=deepskyblue]“I...okay?”[/color] 

Taking her words as acceptance, Ben would stand and walk to the door. [color=c0c0c0]“If you were nervous before, you should have said so,"[/color] He said. [color=c0c0c0]"I'm happy to get the chance to hear you at your best."[/color]

The white haired girl took a second to wrap her head around what happened, having to wait until he left as she smiled to herself. That Aaron was too much, she was going to have to tell him off for recording her like that. Still, she was unbelievably happy, jumping around the room until she found her phone, sending Aaron a quick text:

[color=deepskyblue][i]> Maestro, I’m going to have to pay you back for that! Thank you!!! :D[/i][/color][/indent]

[/hider]