Kael lay in bed, looking at the ceiling, cracked and pealing above him. He waited for dawn to rise full, casting long tinted shadows. He had been to excited to sleep, so looking forward to looking at his new place. Raising his hands out before him, he looked critically at the lines, cast by the poor light. Did they look any worse for ware? The cold often caused his hands to crack whilst at work, he could never bring himself to put gloves between him and the grainy soil. This new project had given him enough of a boost, so that he could afford a larger, better apartment. He felt a small joy at the idea of filling the white walls, adding life to the blank canvas it currently was.

He sat, feeling the cotton skim his flesh as he reached the clock, seconds before the alarm. He looked down at the bed, wondering how long since it had been more than just him in this bed, years. He would be glad to be away from it, start anew; in a new part of the City. He pushed off, padding in his boxers to the shower. He pushed the button, turning it on, while rubbing his bleary eyes. He pulled his boxers off, stepping into the tall cylinder of his shower. The door hissed shut behind him, steaming quickly, as to obscure him. The water trickled out of the nozzle unpleasantly, creating beads where the water moved. He leant back, letting the water pour over his head, splashing unevenly against his high cheekbones and along his strait nose. He washed slowly, taking his time, this would be his moment of true solitude, before the voices of work and friends began to pull him around. His favourite time of the day. He shaved with long even strokes, erasing his stubble right there in the shower.

He stepped out, flicking the switch again by reflex. Large wet drips fell from his long wavy hair, he caught it in a towel, bundling it up on his head. He walked out of the shower room, towel about his hips, padding on pale soft feet to his room. He picked through his wardrobe selecting a peasant shirt in a faded golden green, complimented his skin, making his blue eyes bright and large. Pulling one of his many pairs of black jeans to go with. He pulled on boxers and socks before pulling on the rest of his clothes. He had chosen them carefully, making him look tall soulful. He brushed his hair, thinking of how he could make his new apartment more plant friendly. He couldn't do without the thick greenery that so often surrounded him. Just as he pulled his brush through the hair once last time, the door knocked to itself.

He opened the door to the guide for his viewing, they had decided it would be better if they went from his. He smiled mournfully at the beautiful man.

"Good Morning Mr. North. I hope you slept well, I'm so glad you agreed to such an early appointment. I wouldn't have been able to fit you in otherwise." The older man chattered needlessly and consistently as the walked down to the car. His painful chatter was incessant even in the car, while he drove. Kael watched out the window as people began their days. Joggers running in small healthy packs, coffee shops opening. The buildings began to grow larger and more ornate the further they went. Finally the came to a stop at a modest row of apartments, modern in design. They looked awfully uniform, but he supposed that was the style, simplicity.

"Well, go ahead and look around, I'm sure you'll find it to you're liking. I have to inform the owner we're here." Her turned, talking into his mobile.

Kael stepped through the white door, he looked carefully about the hall, taking a mental note of all the fixtures, he continued through each room, finding the layout to be pleasing in the way you could move so easily around the house. It had many large open windows, letting in the streaming rays of the morning. He came at last to the master bedroom, it was too dark in there, all the windows were drawn tight against the light. Their was someone in his new bed. He paused, looking over his shoulder, surely this was a joke. It was to far for them to show someone round a house still occupied, someone was still sleeping! Curiosity did make him want to look though, but no, he shut the door. Letting the person rest peacefully and went out in search of the realtor.

Killian had awoken the moment he had heard someone enter the room... "Crap, so much for resting until the sun went down..." He mumbled to himself as he feigned sleep hoping the person would not alert anyone else to his presence. When the door closed again he sighed in relief and stood to go look out the window, he had to hold back a shout of pain as the light fell on him and his flesh began to redden and blister. He saw the sun was high as the morning dragged on and he grumbled. "Can't get a break can I?" He said as he went to the bathroom after shutting the curtain again. He turned the light on and saw his blistered face in the mirror's reflection.

He looked over the red skin and saw that the bits that hadn't been to badly burned were already healing. "Damn... Want to look pretty for the new owner... Can't have their first... albeit unwanted, house guest be looking like someone had thrown acid on his skin." He said again, seeminlgy enjoying talking to his reflection as he reaches into his coat pocket removing a vial filled with dark red liquid. "Ah, the good stuff." He grumbled as he downed the vial and groaned in pleasure as the blood raced through his system, the wounds healing quickly. By the time the feeling had subsided he looked at himself with a smile. "Good looking as always, Killian..." With that he waited in the bedroom, hoping that everyone would leave by sunset so he could make an easy escape. For all he knew at the moment the person buying this place could be another shadow looking for him... 'Great' he thought sarcastically as he listened to the quieting surroundings. "They gone already?" he questioned having not heard anything for a coupld of hours...

Kael made an offer on the small house, after making the guide promise he could see it at sun set. 'The best time of day' according to the little sheet of information, he once more held in his large hands. He was unkempt and soily after a hard days work, he attempted to smooth out his appearance, as he strolled down one of the many broad walkways. Dry earth came off him in clouds of dust, as he thought over the next few days of work content. He smiled gently at the passers-by, thinking this would be a lovely place to live, even if it was a bit on the clinical side. He looked down at the key in his hand, given so he could have a neutral look around the house, the large outer-walls gave it an almost foreign look, with wide open large dreamy windows. Really he had already decided to take it, but he would like to take measurements for his own fixtures anyway. Slipping the key in the lock once more he looked back over the low sun, how the shadows were sharp and elongated beautifully. Yes, other than the cement garden it was perfect for him to live, without to many of the distractions of his old flat. He looked into the dark hall, it did look ominous in this lighting, he would soon have it lit up splendidly. He looked forward to the idea of having the place filled with exotic plant life, it calmed him to fill such clinical places with life.

He walked in, watching his reflected self image as he flicked on the switch, it was a little creepy but he'd seen worse. He paused wondering why their were so many mirrors in this house, the last owner must have been very vain. He stood still, the evening breeze blowing his hair softly about his face, as he listened to the noises. Could he hear someone still here? He followed the sound, slipping his shoes off to walk on quiet feet. At least if he had an uninvited guest he would shock them, why were all the curtains closed? It made for a dark spooky house, soon he would have them open. Every room he went through her opened the curtains, letting the bright warm shards of evening light pierce the darkness with greedy fingers. He finally came back to the master bedroom, ah yes was their sound inside their. Suddenly Kael lost his nerve, he couldn't shock the person, he knew it was unpleasant to move and he was being unkind.

"Hello? I'm just looking around and taking measurements, your welcome to keep me company. I wont be long." He called through the door rapping his knuckles against it, the sound muted in the silence of the house. He shook his head, maybe he was making the sound up? Their was nothing now. He turned, leaning his back against the wall, sliding down into a sitting position. He looked down at his hands, why had he vainly hoped for some company? It had been what weeks, no months since he'd spoken to someone outside of work. He needed to go out soon, that or go mad. The realtor had told him that no one had been living in the house for weeks, their was no one in the bedroom when he checked back. It must have just been his overactive imagination playing up. He sighed closing his eyes. Who else could it have been?

Killian paused in the room, someone had obviously come back. "Bugger..." He muttered, he only had a couple hours until the night finally fell and someone just had to come back. He stood in the darkest corner of the room looking down and sighing. He just really seem to get a break, he had hoped to get away and not have to worry about someone finding him in an empty house. "Apparently someone is thinking of moving in." He mumbled and blinked at the underlying emotion in the man's, he was sure it was a man's, voice. He sounded sad, lonely and Killian had a bad habit of constantly trying to make people feel needed and wanted. But he couldn't get involved... not now when he was being hunted by the covenant.

He sighed and knew that wasn't entirely true, during the daylight he needed a place to go... A place where the covenant's shadows couldn't come and kill him while he slept. Maybe if he asked nicely this man would be willing to share the flat with him, so he had a reprieve... He needed to relocate anyway to keep the covenant off his scent. He blinked and grumbled to himself, well it seemed his mind had already made the decision. He walked as silently as his light steps could be and headed to the door. He listened for a moment and deemed the man was no longer in front of the door and hoped he wasn't about to startle him. His hand faltering only slightly as he grabbed the knob and turned, when he opened the door he looked down and was startled to find the man sitting on the floor. He looked him over and smirked, his vamipiric charm washing over him. "Uh, hi... I hope you don't mind my trespassing but I needed somewhere to stay for the day..." He said trying to keep his explanation satisfying but also guarding any and all of his secrets. "I am Killian..." He added as an after thought holding his hand out to the man still on the floor.

Kael looked up at the other man, silenced both by his own shock and the other man's beauty. He gazed at the other man, running his eyes over the handsome face and striking body. He shook, embarrassed that he had been staring, he put a hand on the back of his head, ruffling his hair for a small distraction. It had been a long time since he had felt even remotely attracted to anyone, even longer since a stranger. Then he remembered the offered hand, scrambling to his feat he took the other mans hand, shaking it briefly before daring to look up into his eyes. God this man was gorgeous, he did his best to keep from blushing, knowing all to well how badly some men took to his flirting. He dragged his eyes away looking down at the floor, he struggled to find words, he so rarely spoke to other humans that it was always a struggle. This was different though, the man seemed to have an energy and power about him.

"I'm Kael." He took back his hand, not wanting to sully other mans, unsure as not how much of the earth he had removed before arriving. "So.. what do you think of the house?" He looked around down the dark hall, reaching out he flicked on the lights. He took the measuring tape out of his pocket, wondering to himself why someone would need somewhere for the day. He supposed the Killian could be nocturnal, their were people who lived like that now. He glanced over nervous and found the shock of his own reflection on the wall again, man this house must have had a really vein owner. He glanced at his own face and was surprised to see that he looked happy, it was nice to have the company he realised. He smiled lightly, moving past the other man to the one room her hadn't seen, he flicked on the light and was rewarded by the shine of many mirrors, they would have to go. Climbing on the bed he measured its size, unsure as to weather or not he would put his bed in or keep this one. A cool breeze fell across the bed, stirring up the smell of the other man, interesting. He got up and peaked briefly onto the shower-room, nodding to himself.

"Why do you need a place for the day?" He asked, the words falling off his tongue before he could call them back. He looked back at the other man, sure he would soon leave. Then Kael could go back to his solitary life, he was getting tired of being alone all the time, maybe he would get a kitten for this house. At least then he wouldn't truely be alone, he also had his plants. They would fill this house exquisitely, with the soft scent of open blooms and green leaves. Even then he would still be alone. He looked around at the other man, moving to sit on the corner of the bed, he observed how he moved, smelt and his deep eyes that captured him so effectively. He wondered why such a man had broken in to this house, how he had lay asleep so quietly while people looked around. He thought to himself that he had most likely put in the offer just to see if the man would still be here, in his house, in his bed. He closed his eyes, wanting to stop the thought process immediately.

Killian smirked more to himself as he watched the man fumble all over himself. 'He's... Adorable." He thought with a mental laugh. He watched the man walk around the house. "It's a lovely house, open and quiet. Thick walls so you aren't disturbed by the nosie of the streets outside." His mind ventured toward the preverbial gutter, "And probably so you don't wake the neighbors with any playful activities that happen inside." He said as an afterthought, wondering how Kael would take his statement he turned his deep golden, another sign of his Vampirism, eyes on the other man watching him carefully. He watched him glance at the mirrors, the looks in his eyes surprisingly unreadable, Killian himself had figured the mirrors to be over the top and had belonged to someone who had a fear of vampires. Though the trait that you had know reflection had been bred out ages ago, the previous owner of the house had probably known someone, or had had themselves, with a bad experience that conerned the nocturnal and blood thirsty form of humans.

One of the many mirrors catching his eye he saw his reflection, and was glad for it. His mother had had the trait and seeing her and looking into the mirror over her vanity and not seeing her had been a disturbing thing even if it was normal for vampires. But now he took this time to study his reflection, the burns and blisters from the sun had healed wonderfully, amazing that certain types of blood helped a vampire with certain things. The cows blood he had drunk in the bathroom had helped heal his wounds... Chicken blood surprisingly helped with stamina... At this thought Killian glanced over at Kael, who was now taking measurements of things. He gave a mental shrugged, he knew he was attracted to Kael, he figured Kael was attracted to him, but how long would that attraction last when Kael found out the truth. He had lived many years, seen things that had once been certain fall through into utter distruction. But he knew many elders that had found love in a mate, and that love transcended the time they lived. He sighed more to himself at the longing that filled him, he wanted someone he could be with, someone who would love him for forever, for all eternity until time itself stopped.

He stared at his reflection, his handsome, full face, his eyes and his shoulder length black hair gave him a air of mystery and passion. People swarmed about him at clubs and asked for dates and sex. But he had grown tired of that, he wanted someone, just a someone, who he could love, be them human or vampire or werewolf or whatever. He could turn them if they were not immortal, but the many relationships he had had the more heartbreak he had indured. Many people seemed to be a good pick for a mate, but they had either feared him after he confessed or had left him for something better after they had been turned. He frowned to himself and blinked when he heard Kael speek. "Sorry, off in my own little world... What was that?" He asked smiling sheepishly and rubbing the back of his head in embarassment.

"I said, why do you need somewhere to stay for the day?" He blushed to the roots of his hair, blood flushing his face, a pale rose. He looked up at the other man, glancing away, embarrassed that his interest had been so blatant. He knew many men didn't like that he was gay, it almost never came up his little world. His friend's knew, but it had never been acknowledged by words, his family had chosen to ignore the one man he had brought home. He looked down at his feet, twisting them in embarrassment. He stood fluidly moving across to the curtains, he pulled them open, disappointed the sun had gone down.

"Don't suppose you want to come and see the garden before you leave. I'm sure the London sky will light it enough." He smiled gesturing at the starless sky, blocked out by the many rays. It would be lovely to move here, such a contrast to his Brixton flat, though he would still miss his old place. He shook his head, mind moving back to Killian's reference of sex, looking up at the other man, he supposed this man only got the best woman. He smiled to himself, oh well, he guessed this guy would soon be on his way. He walked with his white socked feet to the door, looking over his shoulder at the stunning man, he gestured for him to follow. He walked back through the mirrored hall, opening one of the well hidden doors, revealing the hidden staircase, that looked as though you were going through a cupboard. He had wondered about that, he assumed that an extra stairwell would be unattractive to the modern, clean cut, ideals for this house. He shrugged looking back to the man again, he guessed unless he had had a thorough look around, he wouldn't have any idea that it was there.

Moving on up through the dark cramped space, he hunched his back, occasionally grazing his head against the sealing. The light outside was bright compared to the claustrophobic stairs, and he breathed in the air with deep, greedy gulps. His now midnight blue eyes glistened , the ideas for this new space filling him with the a happy glow, all the hours to be spent here. He rejoiced in the feel of the soft breeze against his neck, he hadn't realised how nervous he had been. He smiled at himself, had it really been so long since he had spoken to an attractive man? The answer was plain and simple, yes, and it would be just as long, he expected, till it would happen again. He should make the most of it, he should say something. He looked out around them at the city, what could he say?

"Um, I don't suppose you want to have a coffee after this? I mean.... I have to get back to work... But I could make time for coffee... If you want." He looked anywhere but at Killian, twisting a lock of hair nervously thorough his fingers. He never asked anyone to anything, so used to keeping his own company. Suddenly attracted back to the subject he had on his mind before, he should defiantly. Kale smiled, he liked cats.

Killian smiled at the mans embarassed expression and instantly figured that it had been a long while for Kael had had any sort of company, sexual or otherwise. He chuckled, 'like a virgin almost..' he thought amused. "Oh..." he blinked and debated how he should answer... "Well, uhm..." He shrugged with a rather bored "whatever" expression on his face but when he opened his mouth no words came out... Nothing, he was sure he probably looked ridiculous standing there however casually his mouth moving as if to say something but no words came out. He blinked again and let out a breath. "My boyfriend kicked me out late last night, I was out wandering and knew he worked tonight so I broke in here and waited so I could go get my things..." He said knowing it wasn't entirely a lie. He had been dating someone and they had kicked him out after his stint that had the covenant on him for treachery.

He paused a minute and sighed, having had to run almost immediately after his breakup brought the feeling of betrayal back. He had hoped that that had been the one but apparently everyone but him had a loyalty to the covenant first and everyone else second. When Kael pulled the curtains open he fought the urge to flinch and nearly let out a sigh of relief when he noticed that twilight had befallen them. "It's a lovely night." He said more to himself than to Kael as he saw night sky spread out before him at the window. He was born the way he is, had never once seen the sunrise or set... but that really didn't matter much to him he had grown up with vast starry skies and elegant night time parties. Yes the night was just as much his as he was its.

As he followed Kael out into the new night he sighed, although he had not loved the last man he had been in a relationship he was that ready to settle down and had hoped that with time he would have learned to love him anyway... He was lost in thought barely registering the anything new or interesting about the house when they finally reached outside he smiled as the night seemed to settle any wayward thoughts. 'Well, as long as I am free to try again I suppose there is nothing I can or want to do to change what has taken place.' he thought as the night seeped into his every pore, he smiled at Kael and his offer and nodded, "A spot of coffee sounds lovely just about now." He said his golden eyes practically glazed with what vampires called 'night haze' he shook himself mentally before he did something stupid... 'Well...' he thought after a moment, 'I don't think it would be stupid to bend this beautiful man over and shag him senseless but I doubt he would appreciate it..." He watched him a moment before letting a soft smirk slide its away across his lips... 'Or maybe he wouldn't, but regardless that is not the way to start of a relationship...' He blinked, did he want a relationship with Kael? Well, apparently his feelings were ahead of his mind in this one, yes... Yes he did want a relationship, Kael seemed to need one as well.

A few emotions flickered across Kael's delicate features, unhappy that the seemingly nice man had been hurt, joy that he too chose men, then sadness assuming he wouldn't want anything for a while. He leant back sitting on the short wall, supposedly protecting them from the drop. Stretching dangerously over the edge, he felt slightly helpless with his attraction to the man, utterly distracted. His own dirty blond hair swirled around his face, briefly covering Killian from view, he enjoyed the temptation of the drop behind him. His supple back swayed lower, revelling in the sense of oblivion. As his back arched, his muscles pressed against the soft fabric of his shirt, showing off his hours of hard work in the garden. He swayed gently, feeling the pleasure of company he got from Killian. His face flushed red as he righted himself, swigging onto his feet in a single fluid motion. He walked easily to the other man, his eyes set on the floor, to look was to much. He paused just before him, wanting to place a hand upon his chest badly.

"I think your ex must have been stupid." He looked up into Killians golden eye's, wondering how his could ever be called beautiful, with something so exquisite already in existence. He blinked, coming back to himself, he took a terrified step back. He shouldn't have said that, his brows creased in horror as he moved past him to the door once more. How could he fix it? What had gotten into him? He paused hand holding the door open, wanting to say something, anything to make what had left his mouth go away. Shaking his head, he beat a quick retreat down the stairs and back into the lower hall. On the way down the hall he nicked his finger on a nail from the banister. Sticking it his finger in his mouth, he cursed his luck today. The blood was sweet and metallic in his mouth, he stood waiting silently for the other man to join him. His utter disbelief that he had said such an obvious come on. Usually he was so careful, so delicate when trying to flirt with men, they never took to him well. Looking down at his long fingers, he watched a small bead of blood form then trickle down his finger, this made him feel a little calmer.

"Coffee then?" He said when the other man finally joined him, a smile spread across his face, trying to cover for his embarrassment. When he reached out to touch the other man he had a flicker of fear, why could he not see his face, was this Killian? He fell back shocked, no it wasn't.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you, I'm the owner. I thought I'd check you were ok alone in the dark. Are you? You look kind of shocked." The figure reached out flicking on the light. It showed an average looking man, with a long white scar down the side of his face and neck. Kael flicked his gaze away, not wanting to seem rude.

"Oh, not at all. My fault for leaving the lights off. I thought you were my.. friend. Your house is lovely, may I say?" He placed a hand on the back of his head, embarrassed. "Killian, come down and meet the owner!" He called up the door, still slightly frantic from the second shock tonight. He smiled briefly at the other man, wondering why he would want so many mirrors. He shrugged, maybe he had a beautiful wife or he was into reflective sex. Everyone had their kinks. He looked up the stairwell for Killian, eyes expectant.