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Aaron grinned at Maddie’s comments on extra classes, knowing that was straight where his major was sending him next semester, but didn’t comment. Her information about “pranks” on vampires was far more interesting. The idea sat like a stone in his stomach, and he could only hope whatever idiots were behind them had the good sense to stay far away from Varis. He looked over his shoulder enough after that lecture from Malek; he didn’t need any extra garbage to worry about. 

[color=f0d705]“And what exactly do they hope to accomplish?”[/color] Aaron scoffed. [color=f0d705]“Whatever wrongs they think they’re righting, I assure you they’re only liable to make things worse. Her Highness would do well to put an end to that foolishness.”[/color] He shook his head. He could have groaned at the thought; if the vampires these righteous prank vigilantes were targeting were anything like Varis, then anything done to them would only ricochet fourfold onto their mages. Hopefully Salem didn’t get enamoured to such a ridiculous scheme, but Aaron wouldn’t hold his breath. Making things worse in the name of ‘justice’ seemed right up his alley. 

At least Salem didn’t seem to be paying attention to the story for the moment, so that was a good start - not that it didn’t take some Herculean effort on Aaron’s part not to roll his eyes at his suggestion. If Malek was going to get angry about the clock - which Aaron wasn’t even entirely sure if he would, since his task had [i]technically[/i] been carried out - there was no way a replacement would satisfy him. It wouldn’t be about the [i]clock[/i], it would be about Aaron’s despicable failure to secure his Master’s property, or something similarly demeaning. [i]“No sense in worrying about it now”[/i] he said. He’d think differently if he had Malek breathing down his neck. 

Lilie’s concern pulled Aaron out of his stewing, thankfully. [color=f0d705]“Oh, don’t worry, I’m sure Mr. Abadi will understand,”[/color] he assured her, brushing the last few broken pieces onto his tray and standing. [color=f0d705]“I’m sure he knows you can’t just spawn a foreign object into the middle of a room full of guests and not expect a reaction.”[/color] He offered her a lighthearted smile and a shrug for good measure, then left for the kitchen, storing the clock pieces out of sight and making ready for the next round of serving. 
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