Dorian speaks more, filling in little details and offhanded thoughts of things he forgot to mention before. James makes a good listener, despite his normal state of excitement and what seems to be the natural need to be up and active, he never moves from his place at the elder vampire's side, listening calmly to everything he has to say. 'Tis strange. It is almost as if somehow he is entranced by my speech. I wonder if he is not feeling well. From the short time I have known him, I do not believe I have seen him sit still this long, least he be sleeping. Perhaps he is lost in his own thoughts, my voice being only back chatter at this point. Ah well, it does not matter. All of these things will be rehashed at some time in the future, some of them many a time I am sure'

As the moon at last rises, the last bit of sunlight vanishing from the sky save for the moonlight itself, Dorian and the boy at last rise from their place on the cave floor and get ready to leave. Grabbing him before he can run off the elder vampire beats off some of the dirt from James's clothing before dusting off his own, returning his hair into the sleek pony he normally wears after finding his ribbon. He looks to James, lamenting the fact that the boy seems to have a distinct distaste for being even the least bit clean, however he resigns himself for now, simply stoking a faint hope that one day he may come to enjoy the feeling of clean clothes and body.

'I am not insisting on always being clean. I myself enjoy a good rough and tumble every now and then, however if he insists on being constantly filthy, I have no idea what I am to do with him. . .' He lets out a sigh, shrugging with a smile on his lips as he watches James staring at the Wahru. Horace nickers softly and Dorian pats his neck, getting the beast ready for travel. Horace has grown fairly use to the Wahru by now and doesn't even flinch when one of them yips nearby after getting shoved by another one. “That a boy Horace. You know they will not harm you now, do you not?” He murmurs softly to the beast soothingly, talking about nothing in particular while he works.

When at last he is ready Dorian swings into the saddle and calls for James to join him. The young vampire scrambles up into the saddle behind him and Dorian chuckles as arms wrap tightly around his waist. Patting those arms softly the elder gives Horace a light nudge with his knees and they start out on their evening ride. All around the Wahru take up the cry, some falling into pace around them, while others move off further from the group to help keep track of things. As per the norm the leader travels near enough to Dorian, just off to the right of the horse, to hear any instructions he may have for the beast and his pack. However the elder vampire has no need at this time and simply urges Horace to move faster.

Glancing over his shoulder Dorian smiles lightly at the boy before looking back to the road before them. When at last they are back on the actual road the Wahru lift their heads to check for humans. Finding none, they continue traveling close to the elder and his ward. “It will take most of the day to get there now. Horace's wound is healing well enough, however I do not wish to push him.” There is no accusation in his vice, feeling the boy has already done his penance, though non was really performed. 'Some would say that I am perhaps too soft on my children, however one can not always expect the same needs for each child as far as discipline goes' They cross another bridge around midnight, and a few hours after the lights of the town ahead come into view as they top a rise.

With the wave of a hand he send the Wahru off, they already knowing the drill for their master entering a populated area. Only Toplin may enter the town, and then only if he can get his hands on some clothing, and only in emergency. As it is now, he darts off into the forest along with the rest of his pack. This town is much larger than the one they lift the night before, the building looking more tall and grand even if they are mostly dim in this early morning mist running across the moors and through the streets. Glancing once more over his shoulder Dorian decides to run through the plan real quick so the boy has time to prepare himself mentally.

“Once we are in town, since we have no reservations, we will seek out a decent establishment with a stable for Horace first, and if we can achieve that goal quickly enough we will go out to eat. If not, we will try and find someone in the inn itself, and if there is no one suitable there, I am afraid we shall have to wait until tomorrow night to feed.” He pats James's arms gently. “In either case, we will not begin our investigation until tomorrow, however, should you sense anything this evening that catches your interest, be sure to let me know.” Once he is sure James understands Dorian once more nudges Horace forward and they begin heading once more for the town in the distance.

The ride was uneventful. The young vampire clung to his Sire taking in the scenery and watching the wolves. He contemplated the conversation he had had with Dorian in the cave. He supposed that he could live with Dorian's rules about being clean and tidy. So long as the older vampire could stand the times he was not perfect.

Arriving at the outskirts of this new town he adjusted himself behind the older vampire and looked over his shoulder at the lights. Dorian explained to him the rules. "Alright," he agreed. There was no point protesting or causing trouble. Dorian knew what he was doing and James had to trust his judgment. He was not completely pig headed.

James continues to hold on as they approached the town. They entered the sleepy little place, James could hear voices coming from the two local inns as they rode through. He licked his lips smelling the blood, and also smelling something else, something strange. But his attention was quickly caught by the scent of blood again.

Horace slows as they enter town and Dorian lets his gaze rove openly over every sight they pass. He can tell the youth behind him is hungry, and he himself is in need of a good feeding after providing for the young one the day before. Settling into an slow even pace the elder vampire uses all of his senses on the town, feeling out for anything out of the ordinary. While his natural senses leave him ill at ease, he is unable to pull out anything specific to worry about. 'Ah well, any step forward is a step worth taking. We can not always be lucky to find a clue with each of those steps, however that does not lessen it's value'

Smiling softly as he sees someone skirting past what appears to be an apothecary as if the place is cursed, Dorian makes it easily as the hub and keeps it in mind for later. 'However now, the first priority is accommodations' It does not take too long to find a place that, at least on the outside, looks to be suitable to their needs. The groom rushes out to take care of Horace as soon as Dorian dismounts, but he holds up a hand so that the middle aged man knows to wait a moment. Reaching up he helps James down, pulling him in a little tight to his side to signal that he should stay close. With a smile he gives the groom instructions to Horace's care ant takes a few satchels from his saddle bags before letting the man take him.

As soon as the man and horse disappear from view Dorian leads the way into the Inn. It is a bit rowdy in the front room, a small pub taking up most of the front room. The tone of the room is happy rather than violent and the elder vampire does his best not to roll his eyes at all the foolish behavior of intoxicated humans. 'There are only a handful in here, however from the noise one would assume at least a dozen' He orders their room quickly from and overworked man rushing around behind the counter and with a polite nod Dorian leads the way. He makes sure James stays in close, the nearby food more than enough to make even the elder ache for it, but his years of control keel him from gazing around hungrily.

The room is on the first floor, near the stable and a back door, of which Dorian approves of, and at the least does not stink of filth as many such lower class inn rooms tend to. It is not nearly as nice as the last room they had, having no stove, nor even a fireplace, however the stack of blankets at the foot of the bed seem to be provided for keeping warm instead. With a faint nod he sets the bags down near the bed, moving over the window to look out into the yard behind the inn. A few children can be seen catching fire bugs in the dark, the watchful eye of their mother from a lit doorway completing the scene.

James takes note of little as they move through the town, his thoughts and cares are with the scent of food. They arrive at a small inn and while Dorian helps him down from the back of the horse he eyes off the groomsman who smells particularly nice. But of course Dorian won't have any of it and holds the young man tightly to his side before leading him away to the inn. The strict self control that Dorian shows seems strange to James. They are stronger and faster than any human, they could massacre the place before the humans truly comprehended what was occurring around them. Instead Dorian insisted that they blend in and not draw attention to themselves when all James wanted to do was feed.

Dorian's arm kept James by his side as they moved through the inn but he could not prevent him from gazing around in hunger searching for his next meal. Even once they were away from the crowds and in their own room James could still hear them and smell them. "When can we feed?" He asked pressing against Dorian's side and looking out of the window at the children. "What about one of them?" He suggested. "Just a light snack to keep me going." He nipped eagerly at Dorian's collar bone, clearly the boy was restless been surrounded by so many meals when he himself was hungry and not used to abstaining. James would not even understand how Dorian had so much self control so as not to just feed on whatever human came close to him.

Dorian sighs, smiling fondly out at the children, their happy faces and playful nature calming him in a way most other vampires can not understand. When James slips in, holding tight and speaking of them as a snack, Dorian has to fight back the urge to snap. Instead his runs a hands gently through the newborn vampire's hair and hums softly. “Little One, once we are back on my estate and I judge you able to hunt on your own, you may feed on whoever you wish, and I will not fault you for your choices. I will stand by this, and you can trust me not to reprimand you should you choose to feed on even a newborn babe. However, while with me, while in my presence, I will not allow harm to come to the children.” He looks down at the boy fondly. “I have a care for all children that no other vampire I have ever met has understood, and as such I do not expect you to understand it either. I do however expect you to respect my wishes in this while we hunt together.”

Kissing the excitable boy's forehead he tugs at his waist before heading towards the door to the room. Dorian would much rather have had a moment's rest, however the needs of his charge are more important, as it has always been for all of his children. Holding the door open he decides to not so strictly restrain James' movements and smiles as he gestures that the boy should go first. Once outside the room he locks to door, then leans in close to whisper into the young man's ear, “Remember, not to be seen, away from others, and keep an eye out for anything suspicious.” Pressing another kiss to his temple Dorian settles in to walk just behind and a little to the side of the newborn, keeping a sharp eye on his movements, but giving his free reign to go where he pleases.

James pressed against Dorian's side gazing up at him even as he was strictly told not to feed on the children despite their appetizing appearance. Mewling softly as he was petted he pouted at the restriction on his feeding. Unlike young children who refused to eat anything new or different young vampires always wanted to taste the new flavour. It was not until they got older that they chose one that they liked. Of course James was still very young and had barely begun to wet his pallet so everything was new and exciting and needed to be tasted. He blinked as Dorian kissed him and realised that he had faded out for the second half of Dorian speaking. Obediently he walked with Dorian and exited the room.

The older vampire releases James allowing him to choose their path for the night. They pass a few other patrons on their way out but James had enough brains to know that killing and feeding where they intended to sleep come day light was not a good idea. Resisting the urge to go after the children who he could still hear laughing and playing around the corner James moved into a different direction. Like a blood hound he was on the trail of an appealing scent in no time. Despite his usually youthful clumsiness James on the hunt was an efficient predator. He stopped when he found what had drawn him to the scent. Two men were robbing a house, inside the owner was tied up and bleeding. The scent of his blood was strong and appealing to James who now kept to the shadows.

Almost immediately the little vampire begins to prowl and Dorian smiles softly at the sight. He keeps his own footsteps silent and stalks behind the youth like a shadow. 'Looks like he has caught that scent. That free flowing blood would seem like a wounded deer to a pack of wolves to this Little One. He is quite the hunter. The way he seeks his prey is still quite animalistic, however I can not fault him. He is making progress' They move through town rather quickly, moving in on the scent of human blood floating on the wind from the residential quarter. At the sound of people rummaging roughly through a home up ahead Dorian slows and is pleased to see James doing much the same.

Once within sight of the home, Dorian reaches out and halts the youth, slipping an arm around the boy's shoulders and over his collarbone to wait until the coast is clear. The two men are rather efficient despite their less than sober state, the smell of the mead on their breath easily smellable from the two vampires' position. When they've gone Dorian releases James and waits to see what he'll do next, hoping the young vampire has learned not to kill.

James watched the two thieves, he turned towards Dorian as he was released from the older vampire's grasp. He ignored the home owner and instead began to stalk the thieves as they stumbled away from their crime. James was silent and kept to the shadows following the thieves past several houses before picking the one he wanted. Quickening his pace he grabbed the slower of the two covering his mouth as he dragged him into the shadows. Muffling the man's voice he sank his fangs in and began to feed. James knew that Dorian would not be far from him, he may have perhaps even been feasting on the other thief.

[Sorry about the length]

Dorian raises an eyebrow when the youth does not go for the easy meal inside the home and instead begins stalking the bumbling drunkards. 'It is almost as if the prey inside is too easy a catch. He wants to have some challenge in capturing his meal' Silent as could be he follows behind James and takes his cues from both the young vampire, and the men up ahead. Every once in a long while Dorian has stalked like this, seeking out his meals through stealth rather than his patented charm. 'It is fun, and a bit thrilling, when the quarry is good. However these. . .'

He does not imagine they will taste all that pleasant, all that mead tainting their blood, however ha has known vampires that prefer their prey to be sotted. I prefer fresh and around James' visual age. When I can get it' he muses, preparing to strike. When at last the youth lashes out, grabbing and dragging the man off like a leopard with a kill he makes his own move swiftly before the other can raise the alarm. Sinking his fangs in he injects something to keep him quiet before following James into the shadows.

Before he can start eating however he warns the newborn one last time. “Do not kill him.” Then with a sigh he sinks his own fangs into his less than stellar prize and drinks only as much as he needs, not a drop more, before propping him up against a dirty barrel and turning to watch the little one carefully. His tongue comes out in distaste, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. 'Well, I am fed, so I shall not complain. I will have to ask him when he is finished about his taste in humans. . .'

James looked up at Dorian as he approached with the other man. His carnal instincts were in play now and he growled at Dorian as a warning to stay away from him and his meal. He dragged his meal back a little further away from the older vampire as if not completely trusting him not to take his food from him. After spending his first months of life alone in that forest fending for himself James was still wild in many aspects.

At least he did not drink the man until he was dead. Once he was satisfied he carelessly tossed the thief aside and began to pace the alley way turning to Dorian. He could still smell the blood of the victim of the thieves and the goods they had stolen were scattered along the road. "Should we go before anyone comes and sees the stolen goods?" James doubted Dorian wanted to deal with the authorities should they come and see them near two bodies and a stack of stolen items. Personally James would not mind a massacre. His young blood was hot and he was still very much wild, even if he was bonding to his surrogate Sire, it seemed etiquette and control could not so easily be passed on.

James' more animalistic tenancies do not go unnoticed by the elder vampire and despite the need to break him of them Dorian keeps his distance as he waits for the young one to finish feeding. He winces internally as he drops the human into a heap and lets out a faint sigh. 'I know they are just food, but if we are not careful then they will die, and we will once more fall on to the list of threats in this world. Humans are just now beginning to think of us as no more than myths, but a slue of murders is more than enough to convince even the more forward thinking individual' He shakes his head slightly before turning his attention to the newborn's words.

Almost as if it was his own Dorian can feel the passion racing through the youth and a part of him can not stop the smile that creeps to his lips. 'So much fire, it is quite beautiful actually. Very refreshing. Now is only we could direct it to a more constructive avenue' He nods gently, reaching out and snaking an arm across the little one's shoulders and directing him deeper into the alley. “Very good on not draining him Little One.” he murmurs softly, walking along slowly. The night is not exactly young, but they still have time before they must return to the inn to sleep for the day. Running his fingers gently through James' hair ha asks softly, “Would you care to head out of town for a bit. Perhaps for a run to work out some of that stirring passion I feel rolling around in there?”

James purred as Dorian wrapped an arm around his shoulder. In response he wrapped his own arm around the older vampire's torso. He soaked up the praise for not killing his meal. They walked together away from the two robbers who would not wake for several hours. At the offer to go out to the forest where James would be able to be free and run around for a bit he grinned. "Yes," he agreed his eyes sparking with excitement.

As they moved towards the edges of town the young Vampire pulled away from his adoptive Sire and began to run he ran to the edge of the forest and then ran back towards Dorian with a grin. "I prefer it out here. I hate being in town even if the meals are plentiful." He took Dorian's hand.. "Run with me. Stop being so proper and lordly. Come and run with me." He tugged the older Vampire pulling him towards the forest.