[Tenebrae16] No Light [Somewittyname]

[Somewittyname]

"Of course sir," he spoke softly as he looked back to Benard "And you need not worry. This will not be her land for long I fear." he said before walking into the growing sunlight. The trees giving him shadows to stay cool in as he walked back to the manor.
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It was the early evening hours the next night when Jean was awaken. He groaned softly and fall out of his coffin some how, he found a way, before he stood up slowly and was taken to bath. With soft groans and annoyed looks he sat for his meal and found himself being pulled from the servant by Rose, he needed help to control his new feeding. He almost killed the servant again. Third time this month alone.

The butler took away the servant to rest and recover from letting Jean feed off him. It wasn't a wonderful situation but Jean had to deal with it, as well as did Rose who seemed to grow weaker with every passing night. Such a horrible sight, her flesh now becoming less youthful. It was becoming very noticeable now, Jean and Amber could only watch as their "mother" was dying from her own blood. Of course this did not stop the woman from pushing on with Jean's lessons. She explained to Jean that night about what would happen if he did not at least pass the test to become a equal among the vampires that now lived on the land. He would be returned to the Javert, and Amber would be given to an "orphanage" where she would be sold to different men every night. Jean wouldn't let that happen. He couldn't.

The night went with training, allowing Amber and the butler to explore the woods as she usually did. She hated having to do her lessons and always took the chance to explore the woods when she was given the time. She found herself drawn to the scent of blood and slowly she followed it, through the butler quickly picked her up and carried her back to the manor. Saying something of not bothering someone when they feed. It was very rude.

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"Ugh! Damn it I just can't! ... I ... Ugh!" Jean growled as he threw the book across the room. Rose frowned and stood silent as she watch Jean pace the room. He was getting pressured now which was only causing him to be more stress. Along with the test and having to prepare to leave for the next month or so, Jean could only feel nothing but a pounding on his head. Nothing was working and slowly he was thinking about just going back to Javert. But the talk would pop back into his head and he would resist the urge to just return to his creator.

Later that evening Jean was given a break, he took the wood's path and went out for a stroll with Amber who seemed to be jumping around again. "Jean! Jean! When we get to America may we adopt a child? I want a little brother!" she smiled. Jean laughed softly, she was so wide eye and innocent. She would speak her mind without a second thought. "Papa ... I smelled blood and your friend tonight ... why is he here?"
"He ... he is just resting here. He needs it. Let him be little one." he said softly. Amber nod and stopped looking up "Don't you want to see him again? I thought you missed him terribly much."
"I do, but ... never mind. Let us see if we can not go find a doll maker's house?"

[Tenebrae16]

The words of that night kept on replaying in his head as he thought over what the Butler had said as he drank his meal down. For three days now, he had been here and there were still four more days for him to endure. So far the nights always seemed to be too short and the days seem to last too long that he even found himself waking up when the sun had yet to fully set. Perhaps he was much too focused on all that had happened and was going to happen. He always knew that Rose's blood had been poison, but he didnt think that it would actually affect her. That was rather troubling.

Once Rose was gone, if she was gone. His master would probably be estatic, ready to put all his plans into action now that Rose was out of the way and he had no obstacles infront of him except the easily manipulatable council. He could only hope that Jean would be far away from here by them, perhaps with Amber and...that Nathan. He pushed it out of his mind not wanting to think about it. What a way to ruin his appetite.
~~~

Sometimes, he would hear them walking along the path, the little girl and the butler. He could sense their shadows moving along the winding road and sometimes he would watch them in the shadows. Hidden carefully within the darkness, he would watch from the trees. Perhaps it made him seem a bit like a stalker, but he couldnt help but smile at that joyful little girl. So innocent. He hoped that that innocence would not be lost upon the harshness of the world. Though at times, there was something just odd and strange about the little girl. The type of strange glint in her eyes that could only be found in a child's eye. At times, he swore that he saw her looking up at him from the ground, staring up at him. He could swear that he saw her wave at least once or something at him and he did look down and his hand would twitch in a half way. It seemed that she knew more than she made out to. Such a sweet child.

Other than his little comfort of watching them and his own dreams, he was rather bored all alone within his cave. Four more long days like this before he returned to the mansion and to his master. He didnt really look forward to that all that much either. There was not much difference really between being at the mansion and living on his own in the wild. If anything, there was more freedom fending on his own and he was closer to Jean in some sense. He hadnst seen nor heard from Jean for these few days now ever since they had met in the cave. He didnt care, he was just fine without having to think about that.
~~

Another day gone by and he was by the path that led from Rose's mansion again, hoping that perhaps Amber and the Butler would be walking down the path again just so he could watch them happy. It was a little comforting to atleast see someone happy. He waited among the darkness of the trees, full from hunting and covering himself up by the darkness under his command. Waiting and wondering if he would hear the enthusiathic chatterings of a little girl soon.

He heard her jumping around and squealing excitedly and turned his gaze to the path, gripping tighter into the tree to avoid falling in surprise as he called the darkness further over him. He listened to their conversation, not really wanting to eavesdrop, but unable to help himself all the same. He couldnt help but smile at Amber's childish naive questions. He hid himself further within the shadows, deciding maybe it was best to withdraw and leave them both alone to their own world.

[Somewittyname]

Amber giggled, her wide eyes stared up the shadows and she could smell Benard again. She had bothered to learn his name, wanting to learn more of her papa's old friend. She stared into the shadows with a soft smile on her lips and a wave. Jean noticed it, thought that perhaps she had a new "friend" she had thought up. Not like he hadn't over heard his little one have tea parties in her bedroom with all her "friends". He found it adorable and now found it happening more often to the point where he no longer noticed it as much as he use to.

Picking her up on his shoulder Jean laughed softly as she stared up into the trees, waving good-bye to her friend and even blowing him a kiss as they walked further down the path till they were no longer in sight.
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That night passed just like the rest of them. Jean not saying a word about Benard, only thoughts, and Amber back to her room with all her friends who were only seen by her. Morning came and went, the moon rose once again and Amber left with the butler as Jean went back to his lessons of the evening. Amber had a basket this night, filled with sweets for her and drinks for Benard. The butler did not say a word since she, too, was her master. He would only do something when he thought it was needed, but he didn't see the harm in letting her trying to feed Benard. Besides, it wasn't like she hadn't tried to feed other before him.

As the came to the cave just as the moon was set, the young girl dressed in green smiled as she reached the cave. Her little red cap pulled off and hair of curls neatly tied into a lovely bun. She walked forward into the cave, the butler close by her side as she did. Even if she was still only a little girl, Amber wasn't easily frighten by much and would always try to get him to at least take the blood. She knew he needed it to live on.

"Benard?" she asked, her voice soft as bells as she took another step forward. Smiling she set the basket down "Do you want to have a picnic with me?"

[Tenebrae16]

The darkness swarmed around him, sensing his wish to be hidden, but still Amber's watchful eyes found him. He waved back, not sure if the girl could see the gesture from below as Jean picked up. He watched them walk away until a bend in the path hid them from his sight. Then he leaped down from the tree, landing gracefully on the path. He glanced at where they had been before taking off back to his cave.
~~~
On the fourth night, he stayed within his dark home, on the floor leaning against a wall as he stared at the almost tangible manifested dark butterfly in his hand. He enjoyed creating such creatures, silhouettes of the real thing. Almost sentient beings that he could see through if he didnt mind being blind for an hour or so. Their vision was always strangely warped and dark like any insect's eyes. He watched the butterfly flutter its wings feebly and scuttle around on his palm, before taking off and flying out of the cave. He was stunned for a moment, why would it just fly out like that? It may have been part of his subconscious but it wouldnt just fly off. He turned to the entrance just as he heard foot steps as light as rain drops outside. That's why.

The butterfly fluttered around Amber, leaving smoky trails of darkness around her before coming to rest on her shoulder just as Benard exited the cave. He held his palm out and the butterfly flew onto it before he covered it with his other hand and left nothing behind but darkness that blended in with the night. At Amber's question, he was silent, staring down at the basket she had. It smelled of blood and he was hungry. Looking at the child it would be rude to say no as well.

He smiled gently down at her and patted her gently on the head, "Why off course my dear. Who could say no to a princess?" he playfully bowed down to her. He didnt particuarly like children all that much, but neither did he dislike them. He was just not used to being around them and even now he knew Amber was much more than a mere child. Jean had gotten along well with her, he could too. Plus, his time here was coming to an end soon. He didnt really look all that forwar to returning to the mansion even with all its luxuries such as a coffin to sleep in, if he was lucky. He might as well make the most out of the time he ha left out here.

Pushing away his troubling thoughts, he smiled down at Amber, "And where do you have in mind for a picnic?"

[Somewittyname]

Amber stopped, suddenly seeing the lovely shadow flying to her. As it landed on her shoulder she smiled softly watching it, her small fingers reaching up to touch the shadow before it flew back to its owner. Giggling Amber nodded as her hand wrapped around a few of Benard's fingers as she began leading him away from the cave "Wonderful!" she giggled as the butler took the basket and followed the two. Holding Benard's hand she began walking "Yes, I was planning to have the picnic by the lake. I like it by there, and it is not too far from home or your cave." she explained.

The walk was quick from the cave and reaching the lake she watched as the butler set their blanket and meals. She sat down, patting beside her as she began on the chocolate pudding. Eating she stared out at the lake, watching the midnight swans swimming around the lake "Benard, you are very nice. Not many people would have taken papa's spot ... thank you very much." she smiled sweetly. Standing she hugged Benard tightly before sitting back down, her dress pooling around her small frame.

It seemed like hours being there at the lake. Amber, as a child, having nothing but energy. She made sure to have enough blood for Benard to feed on as well as extra to take well at the cave. The child spoke but knew when to be silent, as well as knowing what to ask and what not to ask. The butler all the while staying in the dark, watching her with Benard. She seemed so natural at talking, even when it came with difficult topics--like she had studied for this. Through she had, Amber didn't like being left out of anything (even if she didn't understand them half the time).

"Benard, do you miss my papa? I know he misses you very much." she spoke softly. Staring up at the star filled sky, she smiled reaching up "Do you think we'll ever reach the stars?" The butler, at this question, couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle. It got a death glare from Amber, which only made the mostly silent older gentlemen, chuckle again. Even if she was a werewolf and someone with power at such a young age, she still seemed nothing more than another child. She was but got upset with being told this.

[Tenebrae16]

He stooped down slighty to accomodate her height as felt her tiny hand in his, leading him, ironicalt, to where she wanted to go. Once did he glance up at the butler following close behind them like a protective shadow. Even more irony when he was meant to be the one who was a shadow. Ignoring the thought, he listened to Amber speak and chatter on delightfully about the place they were going and the small picnic they were going to have. It was refreshing to hear her sweet excited carefree voice and he listened intently as if he was listening for Claude who always sent him to such boring meetings to try to listen to dig up details about things that didnt really concern him before and still didnt now. "The lake sounds wonderful, perhaps we will see the fireflies tonight? They love to hang around the water sometimes, i think it reflects their glow." He said softly, following her down the path he was so familiar with already but didnt like to go down. The lake reminded him alot of...the ones in his dreams and he didnt even want to speak of what memories were associated with that.

He sat down cross legged next to her, sampling his blood quietly as he followed her gaze and stared out at the swans swimming around, gently gracing the water with barely a ripple. He glanced at her as she spoke ever so softly, silent even afterwards. Jean...he closed his eyes, opening them as he was surprised by the sudden hug. Hesitating, he patted her back gently, enjoying the tiny hug for a few moments before she pulled away. He smiled gently at her and they sat in silence for a few more moments. Then he would listen to her talk and chatter on about everything and nothing in particular just like how all young children would usually talk like. Sometimes, he would close his eyes and the darkness would form small animals and insects. Fluttering wispy butterflies and small grazing non existent fawn that would gently nudge against her. He didnt dare do anything over the lake incase he scared away the swans or warded off any glowing fireflies that might happen upon them. It was a truly peaceful and enjoyable night. The best he had in a long time.

Talking to Amber came surprisingly effortless and the conversation just flowed between them though Benard preffered to just listen to her instead of talking too much. It was perhaps a little bit unnerving to have the butler watch over them so silently, but he felt much safer sensing him within his darkness. Another good memory about the lake he would have to avoid. He chuckled grimly to himself, he was really pessimestic it seemed. Staring out at the silent lake, he was glad Amber and ven the butler was here with him.

He was silent at the question, staring up at the sky as Amber reached for them. He moved to sit closer beside her and chose to answer the second question, completeing ignoring and forgetting or at least trying to for the first. Amber didnt really know what he felt for Jean did she? No she couldnt have. He pointed up at one of the brightest stars, "They say that stars are meant to be the souls of those who passed on. It's what my mother used go tell me when I was young. So I guess one day when we're gone we do reach the stars, but my mother always used to tell me that...its possible to reach them sooner. When we have someone we really love and they are no longer with us, we're still connected with them by the stars." It was a silly little legend that Benard had put away years before he was changed even, but he wanted to at least share it with Amber if it was going to be with him forever.