Bishop J. Santiago's Story

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Jane listens to Mirabelle, with her heart racing. Only then had it really settled with Jane that this girl before her drank blood. Her brothers drank blood. People in the house drank blood. Blood. A hundred years? Mirabelle didn't look older than Jane or even Camilla to Jane, so... this seemginly youn girl was hundreds of years old? Everything about taking the job made more sense though. The reason there was no interview was clearer, the reason for the lifetime contract was clearer, everything appeared clearer, like it all made sense then with the new information just revealed to her.

As Mirabelle dropped Jane's hands, Jane stood up and backed away slightly. Jane listened carefully, watching Mirabelle carefully. Seeing her brother again? Or dying and causing multiple deaths, even deaths of those who aren't...vampires? Jane looked down at Mirabelle with concern. This offer was one that sounded better than any Jane would have gotten in town. It wasn't like she liked her old life much better, she loved the ability to be with family and having the farm and the fresh air and the horses, but it was always hard and cold and hungry.

Mirabelle was offering a chance for everything to be alright, for her brother to get better and maybe even well enough to start working on the farm again. All of these thoughts raced through Jane's head as she watched Mirabelle, trying to calm herself down. She wasn't sure if she entirely trusted Mirabelle yet, but she didn't think the girl would be bad enough to be like the vampires described in old folktales and such. She seemed stable enough, so did the other maids, and they had all said they had served the family, all of which was vampires, for a while. They had appeared healthy and fine and were even friendly with the brothers, even though they apparently gave blood.

As Mirabelle emerged from the bath, Jane looked to the cabinet Mirabelle had motioned towards and moved to it. She moved as if in a trance, going slowly on purpose for some reason. She reached into the cabinet and brought out the towel. As she came back over to Mirabelle, Jane unfolded it, then moved to stand behind Mirabelle, wrapping the girl in the towel. Jane moves to stand in front of Mirabelle, holding the towel closed by Mirabelle's neck as she looks into the girl's eyes

"Mirabelle, I... Slowly... I promise I won't tell anyone, but... it'll take time to get used to this. Living here and interacting with your family and all... Just... Please be lenient with me for a while. I'll follow you and your brother's rules and try to get better with all of this, being a maid and all, but it'll take a while for me to get used to certain directions and such, like calling you all lords and ladies," Jane states, smiling slightly at the last comment, her heart still racing though she felt calmer. Her stomach felt as if it wouldn't take anything and might even come up though Jane continues to breath and continues to feel better.

She wasn't going to feel entirely comfortable around anyone in the household for some time she figured. She certainly didn't want to risk anyone's lives, she couldn't handle that. "I know you're also new to all of this, so like you said, let's figure it out together. With a lot of patience with each other," Jane says with a smile and a nod. She was scared, but she wasn't too freaked out. If the family really had wanted to hurt her wouldn't they already have done so? She's allowed to move around and, probably go outside, so she wasn't a prisoner. How could she tell Mirabelle she was not going to stay?

"And a fair warning to you, I am a complete clutz of a person. It's a miracle I didn't drop the dishes downstairs while helping clean up," Jane states trying to lighten the mood as much as possible. She worried this would be the wrong decision, letting her guard down in a family filled with people who could kill her in seconds. She just had to let loose a little bit, take a risk for her brother. She still found it hard to believe that Mirabelle was a drinker of blood. Jane would normally be unsure and not entirely trusting of Mirabelle's story, but the news just made everything clear.

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As Bishop continued to make Jason want to lash out, Jason breathed deeply, not meeting the man's eyes. He was so different from his brother, the brother who had offered to share a drink with Jason. If he was worried of mixing the two up before this encounter, he would never confuse the two with the obvious personality differences.

When Bishop grabbed Jason this time however, he couldn't help but reach up to grab Bishop's hands. It was obvious that he wasn't trying to kill Jason, just freak him out and deliver an even more serious tone to the conversation. Jason focused on Bishop's eyes as he grew closer, unable to really look anywhere else. He nodded slightly upon being told about Anise. He wouldn't dare bring that up again around her. He wouldn't hurt her again even if he didn't realy know her.

Jason was growing tired of this act that the two were putting on. He knew he was trying to not anger Bishop anymore and acting different, and he hoped Bishop was also putting on a facade to scare Jason into being an obedient little butler. Jason had had threats on his life, so that wasn't what bothered him about Bishop. What bothered him the most was that Bishop was reading him, that's how he knew what was going through Jason's head. Bishop was watching the body language and reading it like a professional. As Bishop continues to shout at Jason, Jason thought he saw what Bishop was really doing. Bishop was still really raw about the losses, but more importantly, he was venting. He needed an out and Jason was the best one for it. The conversation may not have started as an opportunity to vent, but it had transformed into one.

Jason's head hit the wall upon being shoved against it. He closed his eyes, trying to chase away the spots in his vision until he opened his eyes again to see something that surprised Jason. Bishop had teeth sharpened to perfect points, as if he had spent time sharpening them himself. As Jason listened, he couldn't help but wonder what was going on here. Werewolves? Bishop must be more than a terrorizer, he was crazy. Yet here he was seeming serious and amused at Jason's confusion.

"What the-," Jason began when Bishop started again. Jason listened, his hands still at his throat that Bishop held. This time, the threat Bishop gave was far more real to Jason than any before. He was certain that Bishop would follow through on this one. What did he mean though? Food... They had just eaten dinner and yet here Bishop was claiming that he didn't want that food, but Jason as food. What the hell was going on? Jason could hardly register what Bishop was doing until he was upon him.

Jason sucked in his breath slightly as he looked down to only see Bishop's red mop of hair. Jason felt his head swim and he let his head go limp, leaning it against the wall. His head moved slowly as it tried to process what was happening. He was being eaten, literally, from the outside in. Jason could feel his head swimming and his tenseness going away. All his previous worries seemed to leave him and he had a tough time recalling why he was mad at Bishop, or maybe it was the brother who had embarrassed him at dinner, or possibly Demetri though Jason doubted that. Why was he mad again?

Jason looked down again, seeing a red head in front of him and briefly wondering why Demetri looked to be hugging him until he remembered, this was his brother Bishop. What was that tugging he felt on his neck, he moved to wipe away the thing causing the odd feeling but found his arms incapable of moving. He looked up to find his hands were restrained. What had he done to deserve that he wondered.

As Bishop released him, Jason felt like he wanted to vomit, or lay down, or both. Both sounded best. "You're, you're a... what's the word?" Jason manages, still trying to clear the fog from his head. Jason had heard stories of people who drank blood, and that's what it looked like from the tint of red around Bishop's mouth. "Not... not how I expected... that would... happen. Didn't expect that to happen either..." Jason says as he nods slightly at Bishop. How much had he drank? Jason tried to look at his neck but failed to, wondering how it looked. He probably looked pretty stupid, felt drunk actually.

Instantly he hated it, the feeling, and stopped moving except to lower his head, trying to take deep breaths, trying to clear his head. Had Bishop really just made him drunk? He truly felt sick then. "You just... drank from me... didn't you?" Jason whispered, hoping that that was it instead of having a few drinks. He was surprised at himself, he would rather have had someone drink his blood than have a drink of his own? That was weird, but true. Jason just hoped that Bishop hadn't done damage, or like, something bad to him, other than ripping open the skin of his neck with his teeth. That was an odd thought that had never crossed Jason's mind.

As Bishop pulled away from his dinner, the redhead lapped at his own lips to clean any excess from his features before loosening his hold on the human. Only concerned enough to make sure the human was alive, Bishop seemed satisfied enough just hearing the man speak. The lull and fogginess of mind was absurdly obvious in this human, a snort meeting Jason's musings. Couldn't even tell his head from his ass right now could he? What weakling humans could be!

Rolling his eyes, Bishop took an ornate leter opener and cut into his palm, holding the now bleeding flesh over an empty wine glass until he had a drinkable sample. The wound closed up seconds after he licked it clean, holding the glass almost impatiently out at Jason.

"Drink this...and wipe yourself off." Bishop ordered, glancing at the young man before him in something akin to derision. "Vampire....not that you will be telling nyone else of course...yes?"

Bishop sat down at the edge of his bed, about to dismiss the butler when his muddled question caught his attention. Quirking a brow, the firey redhead almost wondered if he had been given the village idiot.

"Obviously I just did. Are you slow in the head?" Bishop snorted, then smirked in mocking amusement. Were it not for the cool glint in his eyes and the obvious distain, Bishop would simply look incredulous.
"You're already this blood-drunk from a feeding? Lord only knows what a lover's bite would do to you. Such weak, pathetic things humans are..."

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Jane nearly gasped out loud at the feeling of Mirabelle's teeth entering her skin. She felt as if her heart beat itself was slowly being sucked away. She couldn't help but feel pleasure course through her, as if she was in her brother's embrace yet again. Jane could feel her head spinning slightly, not enough to cause her trouble, by the time Mirabelle pulled away.

Jane managed a shaky breath as Mirabelle spoke, "Jane? How are you feeling?" Her eyes fluttered open as she pushed away the euphoria that had engulfed her. "That was not at all what I was expecting," Jane manages as she sat down on the stool that usually held a towel at the ready should someone not have a maid to help them.

Jane manages another breath as she looks down at her wrist, pulling it to herself as she looks at the blood that was around her wrist. It was obvious it wasn't going to stop immediately any time soon. It made Jane slightly nervous, she had heard that slitting your wrists killed you, and her wrist still wasn't closing like some tales told of vampire victims. There was just a little bruise on her arm where Mirabelle had held it in place during her... meal.

"Mi-, Lady Mirabelle, what happens now with... this," Jane asks, nodding down to her wrist. She'd have to ask if she could call Mirabelle by a nickname, perhaps Belle, so that she wouldn't have such a large mouthful to say every time she wanted to address her employer.

Briefly, Jane wondered if she would not turn into a vampire, it wasn't that she was scared to, it was that she was scared to be one. She'd have to drink blood too wouldn't she? She'd have to change her lifestyle and that sounded not at all fun in any way... "It doesn't seem like it's stopping," Jane explains as she takes a nearby towel to cover the bloody mess.

The room felt warmer than ever to Jane and her maid's costume felt tighter and more revealing than ever now for some reason. She was glad Mirabelle hadn't decided to drink from her neck like Jane had always thought vampires had, but she still wished that... feeding, didn't have to happen at all...

Jane held her hand close, not wanting to have too much blood come out. She looked down to see the blood was nearly about to touch her new uniform. She didn't want to have to try to get blood out of it, so she lifted her hand away only to see it get a smear on her white apron causing her to groan slightly on the inside. She was sure the family would not approve of her wearing a blood apron around the house.

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Jason watched Bishop, holding his neck where he had been bitten. He felt his own blood on his own fingers and felt sick to his stomach over it. "Drink this... and wipe yourself off," Bishop demanded as he offered Jason a glass of his own blood. Jason stared at Bishop for a moment, wondering if the man was crazy. It wasn't every day someone offered you a glass of blood and told you to drink it.

Jason accepted the glass though he only stared at the contents as he reached for his handkerchief in his back pocket to hold it to his neck. He stares down at the blood once again, wondering if he should just man up and drink it to avoid Bishop's wrath, or not and possibly have his neck fed from yet again. The answer was quite simple really. Jason took a deep breath, then downed the entire glass's content without thinking. He nearly dropped the wine glass, managing to set it on a nearby table, as the metallic taste of blood flooded his mouth and throat.

Jason just looked at Bishop was he was asked about telling anyone. Who would he tell? He couldn't very well tell his friends, he didn't have but one or two, and his mother would fear far too much. It wasn't worth telling anyone as nobody would believe him most likely. He just nodded, holding the once white cloth to his neck still.

Jason looked at Bishop incredulously. "You can't really expect me not to be confused. It isn't every day someone, feeds from you," Jason says, ignoring the obvious disdain in Bishop's eyes. He couldn't care less what the red headed vampire thought of him, he really only cared about keeping his job at this point as that seemed far less likely than Bishop liking him.

Jason didn't argue with the humans being weak, as it was obvious he was nowhere near as strong as Bishop, and he was rather strong from working growing up. Bishop had called how he felt blood-drunk, he hated the name instantly. "I've felt it enough already, being drunk that is, any time I get close to it, like the way it feels starting out, my body automatically makes it far more effective than it should be," Jason practically whispers, hating that he had to admit it out loud, feeling he needed to though, to admit his faults to himself again, not so much Bishop.

"That's it then, that's how it works. Am I correct to think you wouldn't bother trying to change me out of not wanting to have to have me around for what, you live forever don't you?" Jason knew he should stop, bow, and leave probably. He couldn't help but wonder about what being a vampire was like, how they lived, how it worked for them. He figured Bishop would dismiss his questions, dismiss him saying he was an idiot and that he should just pack his things, and Jason was not entirely sure which he would prefer, being given answers or being asked to leave. Being given answers would mean more to him that being told to leave and just be there in the morning, it would mean Bishop wasn't against curiosity, which was a major part of Jason, meaning one day he could accept Jason, possibly even as a friend, even if it took being talked down to, beaten up, and threatening before it could happen.

As soon as the crimson liquid went down Jason's throat, the wound on his neck ceased bleeding. In seconds, the mark was all but gone. The puncture had closed up, only a faint remnant of it's existence remaining.

Bishop folded his arms over his chest, watching Jason with little more than boredom and contempt. Stupid human. Of course it wasn't every day someone drank your blood. However, Bishop hadn't sugar coated it at all. If the human still didn't get it, that was his problem. His brow arched slightly as he registered Jason's displeasure at the blood drunk remark. Putting away the tidbit that followed Jason's displeased face, Bishop decided not to comment on it for now. A history of alchoholism and drunkeness? It was certainly useful and good information to know. Even at a whisper, Bishop didn't miss a single word.

It wasn't until Jason started to question him again that Bishop rolled his eyes and found it worthwile to speak. "How what works? Vampirism? Obviously. And no, I haven't ever turned a human if that is your meaning. I'm not about to start with the likes of you. I wouldn't take you as a fledgeling. Any other senseless chatter and questions? If not, go away and don't you dare open a single curtain or window until night comes again." Bishop waved Jason away, having enough of the human for now. How obnoxious. He much preferred Anise, even if she did tire him out with her bouts of skittishness and fear.

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Jason almost tried to look down at his neck before stopping, breathing deeply, and reaching up to feel it. It was gone, wherever Bishop had drank from, the cuts or whatever, were gone. Jason listened to Bishop thoughtfully. He knew he was being talked down to, but he didn't really care all that much at this point. He couldn't believe it, all those stories his mother had told him growing up were true. Jason certainly was not surprised upon hearing Bishop claim he wouldn't turn Jason, he had expected that much.

Jason shook his head slightly, still surprised and filled with questions. He nodded upon hearing Bishop's command, then walked out, his hand still at his neck. He couldn't believe it. He closed the door and stood there, outside, looking around. He was in a house of vampires. What was to keep him from running right then? Back to his family? He was sure after Bishop's threats, Bishop would hunt them all down. Jason couldn't possibly handle the red head in a fight, especially after his display of strength.

He sighed slightly, breathing deeply, then moved down the hall. Sure he wasn't too keen on working for a vampire, but it was better than his old job in the factory, it payed better too. He could put up with Bishop so long as it meant more money. He moved to his room, opening the door and walking in. He had almost walked right past it, forgetting where he was going in his deep thoughts.

He went to the window and looked out before walking to his small desk and pulling a piece of stationary out for use along with the needed ink. He thought before he began, but in the end, decided with a simple entry in the journal he kept.

I'm here, Castillo de la Muerte. It is rather grande and beautiful though nearly always dark with the lack of sunlight. It can't be helped though as the occupants could hardly stand that, and who'd want to have their employers as a pile of ash? That's what mother said happened to them anyway. I work for a man named Bishop, a little hotheaded and seemingly arrogant, but I think there has to be something in that heart of his. How else would he be related to his twin? He worries me though, he's sharp, and knows more than he should if he's keen of everything his kind is keen at. I miss my family, all of them. Sure this job pays more, but it restricts me from seeing those I love most. Hopefully Bishop wouldn't mind going without me for a day or two so I might visit them. It won't be for some time though. I don't really know what to do now, I've been dismissed for the night, or day, I can't quite tell yet. Perhaps I should take a nap, or do something, yet I don't quite know what to do. I don't know this place well enough to find any books I might read and I certainly don't think I should wander, but perhaps I should. It'd be an opportunity to look around the house, or rather mansion. Perhaps anther time, dearest wishes to you A-

Jason stopped. He looked down at the journal entry, then down at his case which held his entries from the past few months. He crumbled the paper on his desk and threw it across the room, hands shaking. How had it not quite reached his head. Alice was gone, he couldn't handle idea anymore. He took his case and grabbed each letter from within, throwing them as well. He's about to gather them all up to burn them, but stops. Perhaps... he wouldn't give them to her yet, he'd wait. It was her sister after all, perhaps she would like to see that someone did deeply care for her. He looked down at the paper, then walked to his bed, calm in appearance but hurt on the inside. He removes his coat, tossing it on the bed and falling on it himself. He felt broken, possibly was. He sighed, this new life was a living hell already.

"I... Ok."

Demetri immediately nodded after the girl finally chose to submit, a wise choice in fact. He didn't want to see her die so early, she had a whole life ahead of her.. a promising one if she'd allow him more trust. He could teach her so many things; Art, Literature, Fashion.. She would be a very dangerous woman when she grew up if she allowed Demetri to take her under his wing... which he doubted would happen any time soon based on her reaction to him mere minutes ago. A man can dream though, right? He almost considered this girl to be the daughter he'd always wanted, but never got the chance to have,

"Thank you, Camilla... I will be as quick and as gentle as possible.." He stated with kindness. He didn't want her hand to become grotesque simply because she didn't trust him. Within less time than it took to blink an eye, Demetri had bandages and a few pieces of thin wood in his hands. It wasn't very clear when he'd retrieved them, but they weren't there a fraction of a second before. He gently took her injured hand into his own, his mouth pursing a bit at the wound. It wasn't going to be fun to treat the broken and dislocated bones, but he could do it. Besides, Demetri doubted that the child would feel keen on drinking his blood to heal the wound so early in the game, so he'd settle with human methods for now..

Though despite knowing this, he couldn't help but despise this method. His blood would have been far less painful and exponentially quicker. She'd struggle with this wound for some time... Humans were so fragile, yet he envied them for many things.. Every moment with Camilla reminded him of how he wished for a child of his own. He'd nearly forgotten the miscarriage his first love had when he was a young man.. He couldn't even remember her face, but the pain of losing his child, he remembered that as if it happened yesterday. He'd bloodied his fists so badly that they were almost unrecognizable.

"This won't feel pleasant. You can grip my shoulder if you must." He informed her in a calm tone, and knelt down before her. He took a deep breath, seeing as this process would take a fair deal of time to complete, not to mention the fact that he wasn't sure how she'd respond to the pain. Seeing as all the wounds he'd ever dealt with as a human were male, Demetri had little experience with female pain tolerance... He'd never doctored up a woman before, typically he fed them his blood to heal them... This would be an entirely new experience for the red headed vampire, which was a rare occurrence indeed, considering his age, curiosity, and his old habit of constantly traveling all across Europe, "Okay.. one.. two... three..." at the word 'three' Demetri popped the bone of her finger back into place, putting a piece of wood below the finger and above it before tightly wrapping it with bandages. He continued this process until all her afflicted fingers were dealt with. He stood shortly after, a small smile on his face as he reach over and caressed her hair as softly as he could possibly manage, "My kind....we do have horrible tendencies, but not all of us are the monsters children hear about as bedtime stories..." He stated to Camilla, then looked to his window. Tonight seemed like enough excitement, but there was still more they needed to do. He'd ask Reiji if they could rave the town tomorrow night, directly after dinner. This night was nearly over, and everyone would need to rest.

"Shall I escort you to your room? I'd hate for Reiji to catch you out and about on your own.. I think it would be wise to retire for the night. Tomorrow night we will be preparing for Saint Valentines Day... so we'll all be going out on the town." He informed Camilla, before walking her out of his room and to her own, no longer waiting for permission. He truly did not trust Reiji around her, and he'd do anything he could to protect this girl....he already failed one.

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Somewhere along the lines of their conversation, Castiel asked for her to leave his presence for the night. She wasn't quite sure exactly when it happened, mostly due to the severity of their conversation. She had other parts of the conversation on her mind and wasn't too concerned with the fact she was asked to leave. In fact, she never even made it to her room. She sat outside in the hall. She couldn't believe this. Suddenly she was Castiel's maid, he was confiding in her, and Bishop had a new servant. Alice was dead, Katerina was dead, Shuu, Angelo and Olivia.. Things were so different from last year that nothing felt real. Her entire body was numb as she sat on the stone floor, staring up at the ceiling. How was she supposed to move on like this?

Alice still plagued her mind... Most times she would just catch glimpses of her, but occasionally her sister would actually talk to her... She wasn't sure if she was going mad or if it was truly the ghost of her deceased sister, but either way, this being was truly angry with her. Nothing that this 'Alice' had to say to Anise was kind... In fact, she even dared Anise on several occasions to end her own life. Every day was a struggle, keeping this information secret.. Eventually, someone would figure it out and they'd probably kill her.. Insanity was an incurable disease... anyone plagued with it became a danger to all those around them..

She suddenly felt the urge to run away. Though she doubted she would get too far. She probably wouldn't even make it off the Santiago's estate, considering how fast the vampires of this house were. Though now she understood how Alice felt. Suddenly this mansion was suffocating... Despite it's luxurious size, she felt as if she were trapped inside of a small cage. She was almost panicking.. Her eyes landed on Bishop's bedroom door, then Reiji's and finally Castiel's. None of them would allow her to leave, and yet her gut wanted to test that theory.... She had nowhere to go, yet she wanted to try anyhow... Or perhaps she did...? Maybe Derrick hadn't married yet? Perhaps he would take her in? That thought alone made the thought of escape tempting enough..

Now that she thought about it, Castiel had yet to feed from her. She would probably have to continue Tanzy's method by putting it in the lord's food... seeing as he would die without sustenance. She had to admit that it was a lot safer than Bishop's method, but she also wasn't used to it. Despite being relieved that she wouldn't have to be on guard wondering when the next time she would be bitten would be... but the sudden introduction of this difference was a bit unsettling. Being bitten was one of the only things that remained the same in her life, regardless of how unusual it was... Now that was gone too, it felt like nothing was the same anymore. She felt.... absolutely helpless. She knew she needed to leave this situation, especially since having a man bite her neck and drink her blood was the last bit of stability left in her life. That was definitely not a healthy routine... She had to be mental to accept that as the norm. She was definitely losing her mind.

Somehow, she found herself at his door, instead of her own. She didn't even realize she'd gotten up until after she'd already knocked. She felt like fleeing the scene, and immediately she spun around on her feet to do just that, "M-my mistake..." she called in, doing her best to leave before Bishop made it to the door. She wasn't prepared to face him, what would she say? She had no explanation for why she ended up at his door, especially at this hour, at which both of them should be sleeping.

Bishop could practically feel the butler crumbling before him, eyes watching the man as he left for the time being. Stupid human. The redhead rolled his eyes as he listened to the footsteps retreat from his quarters, mind wandering as he idly wondered what the poor unfortunate human was thinking. He bet Jason regretted ever accepting the position. Even if he did though, there was no turning back, and Bishop would not let the human be a liability, regardless of whose butler he was. So long as Jason understood how serious Bishop was...and the legitimacy of his threats, he'd be able to at least tolerate the human's presence.

"Unfortunate sap. I already have a perfectly fine human plaything." Bishop muttered to himself. He was not adverse to men, but women were more likely to catch his tastes. As fine a specimen as Jason was, he was not the gentle and skittish Anise.

Once Bishop could no longer sense the butler, the red head sighed and checked himself in the mirror, ensuring no blood was on his person or his attire. After all, Demetri's blood lust was a force to be reckoned with, and he had no desire to trigger it accidentally no matter how unlikely a simple bloodstain would be to do so. As expected, he was clean, and Bishop turned to leave his quarters and pay his twin a visit.

As soon as his hand touched the door handle, Bishop caught a far more delicious scent than his meal, in the form of his maid. What was his little mouse doing up and about? Her footsteps stopped outside his door to his surprise, the male fighting a chuckle as he heard her soft dulcet tone murmur a mistake. Her mistake was a welcome enough one for him.

As soon as her voice trailed off, the door was pulled open to reveal the red headed vampire noble, brow arched in bemusement. His strong hand took Anise's wrist before she could retreat, careful not to grip too hard and injure the young woman. Bishop gave her an appraising look, the corner of his lip twitching with the hint of a smirk.

"What might you be up to at this hour my Anise? Why run away before you accomplish whatever it is you came to me for?" Bishop mused softly, eyes riveted on the human before him.

Anise felt a firm grip clasp around her wrist and her eyes immediately shut in embarrassment. Her wrists were still bruised from her involvement with Reiji earlier in the day, but his grasp wasn't rough enough to cause her enough pain to complain about. She didn't even consciously approach the door, yet here she stood, with no explanation to give Bishop other than the fact she was apparently losing her mind. Why did she find herself here? It was a good question, and one she'd have to answer soon enough.

She was hesitant to open her eyes, but forced herself to do so regardless. Bishop hated it, and always found some of her shyer quirks to be irritating. Though she couldn't blame him. Her initial reaction for closing her eyes wasn't solely out of embarrassment, there was underlying fear as well. Though she couldn't brush that aside, even after spending an entire year in his presence. No matter how long she remained in his service, he would always strike fear in her heart. He was far stronger than she could ever imagine, and he could say or do whatever he wanted while her words and actions were limited. She was a servant, and he was a Spanish Lord. One of the lords that governed this region. His name held power, his existence was power, and she was weak. Regardless of his prior treatment, he could do whatever he wanted.

She constantly feared that there would come a day that Bishop would grow bored of his flirtatious jabs and would possibly end her life. Not to mention, despite the fact that he was a vampire, he still looked like a man, still wore the body of a man... and still behaved as one. She had no experience with men other than her year of service to him, and being in his presence, especially so close to his quarters... well, it unnerved her, to put it in appropriate terms.

"What might you be up to at this hour my Anise? Why run away before you accomplish whatever it is you came to me for?"

His gaze, his tone of voice, the fact that she still remained in his grasp.. She was drawing blanks as she tried to come up with an excuse. She didn't have one. Her subconscious mind brought her here, yet abandoned her in his presence. Her mind supplied her with no reason to present him. Honestly she was growing angry with herself, wondering if she'd continue to be at war with her own mind from now on, "H-Honestly, I'm not sure how I got here... Mi'lord... I thin" It was no longer appropriate for her to call him 'Master Bishop', seeing as Reiji assigned her to serve Castiel now. She could feel her temperature rising as she struggled to justify her actions. Her cheeks were growing redder, and her throat grew dry as she attempted to speak to him. Her eyes glanced to the hallway, wondering how inappropriate their current situation would appear to onlookers.. Her violet eyes returning to him afterwards, attempting to ignore her thoughts.

"I suppose I'm just tired... I haven't been able to sleep very well... I apologize for disturbing you Mi'lord.. I spaced out for a moment and I found myself here.." She wasn't sure if he'd be satisfied with her answer, but she hoped that it was enough to put his curiosity to rest. If she was forced to endure being this close for any longer... to be under his grasp for another second... she'd surely lose her nerve. She was using every bit of willpower to keep her thoughts together. This was exactly the situation she wanted to avoid for the sake of her sanity. Despite the danger, Bishop held a certain feral appeal, one she was doing her best to ignore, she didn't want to let herself appreciate him. He was more than aesthetically pleasing.. at times he was wildly seductive. For starters, his eyes under the current candlelight were truly captivating and the smug expression on his face nearly brought a shiver up her spine. His confidence, the way he presented himself, everything about Bishop made her nervous. From the ball last year, she'd felt an attraction, but she always kept it hidden, deep within her heart under lock and key. She couldn't tell if under this light Bishop's eyes were emerald, gold, or a wonderful combination of the two... but she almost found herself lost in them. She shook her head to snap herself out of it. He was like a wild animal, dangerous, but quite compelling all the same. She couldn't allow herself to be swayed. She was a living, breathing, mortal human... Bishop was dead, somehow breathing, and an immortal. He was a vampire. That alone should have been reason enough to keep herself distanced... yet being in his presence was...suffocating... and somehow relatively addictive.

Though if Bishop didn't have such a strong grip, Anise would have sided with her better judgement and would have fled from him quite some time ago, despite knowing that if he truly wanted to he would be able to catch her with ease. She could feel knots forming in her stomach, mostly because whatever happened next, it was all up to Bishop. As she grew nervous under his hold, she brought her free hand to her face, and lowered her head in a failed attempt to shield her blush fro his view.

I am truly grateful that among his many talents, mind reading isn't one of them.... If he could read my thoughts, I'd never have the courage to face him again... He can never find out that I might... instantly her heartbeat fluttered as she got close to mentally admitting it. She had to, if she couldn't say it out loud, she had to at least admit it to herself, even if it was just this once. He can never know that I might have unintentionally grown to fancy him... I cannot believe that I've developed romantic feelings for a vampire.. Alice would be furious

The ebony haired maid's instinctual reaction earned a slight frown, Bishop watching her closed eyes as he puzzled if he had somehow still held her too firm. No, her wrist seemed ok, and her heartbeat was slightly increased as if anxious, but not erratic with terror or pain. She wasn't a terrified trembling little mouse, but he could feel her fear...and see it in her eyes once she opened them. Still this maid vexed him with her flighty responses. Even so, she didn't run, and he gave her credit for it.

As Anise found her voice and her courage, Bishop listened calmly, watching her every little movement with an unreadable expression. Her stammers and flushed cheeks would have elicited a chuckle had she seemed in better spirits. Bishop made no interruption, allowing Anise to trail off as he mulled over her words. Tired but couldn't sleep? He could relate far more than he cared to admit. He didn't doubt for a second the memories of the previous year haunted her sleep...as they sometimes haunted his own. Bishop felt an unusual sympathy for the young human woman, and he had an odd feeling it wasn't because he was pitying her.

Allowing a silence to fall between them, Bishop had to bite back an audible sigh as Anise used her free hand to try and cover her face in vain. A nagging in his mind left him feeling something akin to insulted, the vampire letting out a soft hiss before trusting himself to speak.

"Why do you hide from me?...Surely in all this time you've realized I have no intention of harming you? Then why do you tremble before me...?" the redhead murmured, shaking his head and sighing for real this time. Meeting the violet orbs that were Anise's eyes, he tilted her chin up with a single index finger, not willing to have her avoid him. "Don't apologize for something as menial as coming to my door at this hour. Besides..."

Bishop released Anise's wrist, but the finger on his opposite hand lingered under her fair chin. His voice lowered further, eyes practically daring her to look away from him.

"I'd be amazed if you actually slept well on a regular basis..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Glancing up at the snippet of a chuckle, Tanzy tried to read the Santiago's mood and actions. Did the single laugh indicate he had in fact doctored the agreement? Stomach churning into even more knots, she was about to protest when Reiji shook his head, following it up with a verbal assurance that he had added nothing. His tone was different this time, the threat and the commanding power no longer lacing his voice. Tilting her head in wonder, the maid appraised his expression for a moment, surprised that it seemed almost....gentle? Was she dreaming? No, he looked much more approachable now.

While she may have worried that the vampire would simply do as he pleased, she found herself believing him. Now that Reiji's voice and eyes no longer held the cold and threatening aura of before, she began to relax. This time, her small smile didn't morph into a look of mortification or fear.

"Yes sire." she answered his request, looking over the parchment before ink finally met the paper as she began to sign her name.

She had only gotten halfway through her first name when his touch startled her, his fingers in her hair earning a slight shiver. Glancing at the male from the corner of her eye, Tanzy bit her lip, face beginning to turn a rosy pink at his closeness and his gentle touch. Him playing with her hair gave her neck and head a slight tickle, her nerves alight at the caress. Taking a few deep breaths, she resumed her task, finishing her first name and beginning her family name.

Once more, she had only finished dipping the quill and started moving the tip across the paper in careful strokes when Reiji's breath tickled her ear, earning a gasp as she startled in her seat and nearly dropped the quill onto the contract. The touch alone was enough to elicit a reaction, but his words earned an audible squeak. Her eyes went wide with shock, blood draining from her face only to shoot right back up and color her face a tomato red. She was blushing so hard she could feel it warming her cheeks. He would take her to his BED?! Trembling under his smooth voice and the delicious shiver he caused to run down her spine from her very sensitive neck and ears, Tanzy struggled to find her voice as she turned to look at him.

"B-b-bed?! S-surely you're fooling with me m-m-master Reiji...!" the young woman stammered pathetically, somehow managing to pick up the quill and at least hold it over the parchment. A small blot of ink stained the page, thankfully just shy of any of the words. Reiji's announcement was so sudden, so unexpected, so mind-boggling that she struggled to resume the simple task of writing her name. She only had two more letters!

She noticed that he was contemplating his actions, second guessing himself and his approach, which was something she rarely witnessed. She only caught the end of it, seeing as her eyes had been closed for most of his reaction.. She felt bad for making him question himself, and she was certain it would do her no favors as far as his mood was concerned. The eye contact was awkward at best, but she had to maintain it, despite herself. She kept her hand over her face and was incredibly shocked when he released her wrist. Bishop wasn't one who typically let things go so easily, but perhaps things would be different now that she was not his personal servant?

"Why do you hide from me?...Surely in all this time you've realized I have no intention of harming you? Then why do you tremble before me...?"

Her eyes scanned his features in utter shock. These questions would only breed more questions.. Nothing good would come from answering them, yet she had no choice. If she lied, the redhead would hear it in her heartbeat.. If she chose to remain quiet, he would grow angrier.. She had to be as honest as her timid nature would allow, because she was the one interrupting his sleep. She came to his door, albeit not of her own conscious accord, "It's not like that at all!" Anise replied hastily, hoping to prevent any further offense. She was still trembling, despite being called out on the reaction. She couldn't help it, she was so nervous and embarrassed that it was utterly terrifying to speak, "I just... It's just.." How was she supposed to convey the truth without coming across as assumptious or vulgar? Finally she forced the words out before she lost the courage to blurt the words out, "I am not accustomed to a man being so close." Her cheeks burned from her embarrassment, but she felt the need to justify her bold statement, it didn't make a lot of sense on it's own, "It's just.. Aside from Master Santiago, you're the only lord and male in this house that makes physical contact with me..." She was speaking of Reiji, not Castiel as she spoke of the 'Master' of the estate. If Reiji overheard, she had to use the title he commanded or all of hell's wrath would crash upon them both. She knew Bishop wasn't fond of her calling someone else by the title he'd requested nearly a year prior, but as a servant she had no other choice, "Mi'lord, you're the only one who has done so without conscious intent of killing me.. And it is something that never occurred before my time here.. I-It's unnerving, mi'lord.." She finally got the truth off her chest, yet she felt more flustered and unwell than she did earlier.

She did not drop the hand that attempted to conceal her blushing face until he lifted her chin up effortlessly and it fell lifelessly at her side. She was so embarrassed and emotional at this point that she could almost cry. She wanted to retreat, but doing so would not end well, she still had to respect his title. He was a lord and she was a servant. She couldn't leave until he chose to dismiss her or he allowed her to dismiss herself. After her confession she doubted the fiery haired and wild lord would willingly let her escape his company.

"Don't apologize for something as menial as coming to my door at this hour. Besides... I'd be amazed if you actually slept well on a regular basis..."

"Honestly Mi'lord, I can't remember a night that I have slept for more than a couple hours.." she replied as calm as possible, considering the situation and the hour. She was certain he was tired, whether vampires actually slept or not, she was sure he valued rest as much as the next person, "I apologize for distur- ..I... I mean.. It's inappropriate for me to be here at this hour..." She added, correcting herself seeing as he told her not to apologize for the exact incident she nearly apologized for..again. Although he had unspokenly dared her to look away from him, Anise's willpower finally failed her. As she spoke of the inappropriateness of her late night presence, she ended up breaking eye contact with Bishop out of nervousness. Her eyes shifted to the wall, although she did move from their current position. Her head still remained tilted upward, but she averted her gaze. She found the conversation to be too awkward, too embarrassing. She was ready to return to her room, being in his presence was both suffocating and maddening... He was not a good influence, and getting any closer to Bishop, whether it be physically or emotionally, would only complicate everything.

"Master Santiago will be angry if he catches me outside of your door at this hour..."Being caught outside of the door to Bishop's quarters was the last place Anise wanted to be caught by Reiji.. He removed her from Bishop's service for a reason, and she was terrified of defying him needlessly. Not to mention she already admitted to being chaste, she wanted to depart before Bishop interrogated her further. If some things were spoken tonight, they could never be unsaid. She was mentally praying to a god she no longer believed in for Bishop to dismiss her at this point. I can't look at him... I feel like an idiot for saying all that... I need to escape before I say something ignorant.. He can never know I am questioning if I fancy him... H-his ego is big enough.. Besides... The thought of his response... a shiver immediately traveled down Anise's spine. She didn't want to stick around to find out how Bishop would respond to the discovery that she might have been developing feelings for him.

Anise's trembling did nothing to soothe the redhead, the vampire kept from his ire only by the fact that she was the most favorable human around. He truly had no desire to actually hurt the young woman, but he was almost insulted by her cowering before him. What would he have to do to get the message through her sweet little head? Pursing his lips in a silent show of annoyance, the look softened at the reddened cheeks. What on earth had his little maid so flustered? Bishop made no interruptions, arching a brow at the soft voice searching for her words. It was almost cute, soiled only by her trembling body and anxious expression.
Not accustomed to a man being close? It was adorably innocent to think of it, and a hint of a smirk threatened to showcase itself.

Emerald eyes narrowed in anger as Anise mentioned Reiji, the thought of the older vampire enough to irk the twin and spare the maid from a smirk and some teasing. A nagging in his mind buzzed incessantly upon imagining Reiji making contact with her. Her troubled heart and demeanor were fuel for his hatred, any negative thought now directed solely at the self proclaimed head of the house.

Bishop shook his head, accepting her explanation without any taunting. "Unnerving?" he repeated, looking over Anise before giving her a pointed look. "Well regardless, know that I have no intention of harming you. As for the prick, you tell me if he does anything. You may be on loan to Castiel, but no one else is allowed to touch what is mine." he continued, shoulder's relaxing ever so slightly as Anise finally lowered her hand. He took in her features in silence. Vaguely noting her now disclosed sleep troubles and apology, Bishop removed his finger from under her chin, eyes like a hawk on the maid. She looked away, her attitude seeming much more dismal than simply embarrassed. She was still hiding something! And yet, so far what she said was true as much as he could tell. A soft huff left his lips, thoughts and would-be inquisitions interrupted once more by the mention of Reiji.

"Stupid git. Very well, but he cannot fault me for escorting you to your quarters. Come." Bishop decided with a roll of his eyes, stuffing his hands unceremoniously into the pockets of his slacks. Bishop turned, craning his head over his neck to look at Anise and ensure she follow him. Slowly stepping forward, the vampire raked a hand through his hair before returning it to his pocket, allowing a silence to linger for a moment. And yet, something still needed to be said. A compelling comment tried to work it's way out of his stubborn, rapid fire brain. In the end, it forced it's way through.

"A smile is much more suited to you....not the lost and wary gaze in your eyes." Murmured the redhead,the tips of his ears red, though he looked otherwise composed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Even as she finished signing, Tanzy could feel a looming sense of trouble. She hadn't been counting, but she had a sinking suspicion it had taken more than thirty seconds to snap out of her moment of shock. As Reiji smirked and returned everything to it's place, the maid wondered if she had managed to evade the threat, or if it was a warning made in jest to hurry her up. She placed her hands on the arms of the chair, ready to stand up and prepare to depart.

Before she could even contemplate asking if she was dismissed, Tanzy was indeed scooped up, her hopes swept away and her suspicions confirmed with the simple action. A soft cry came at the contact, face once more beginning to turn a deep pink. The ease with which he carried her with even a single arm was both amazing and unnerving. The maid curled up on autopilot in his hold, wary of what could happen. Lonely? He didn't seem lonely, he had no detectable emotion at all! He was back to being unreadable.

The room she was brought to was unlike any she had seen thusfar in the entire castle. Filled with all sorts of mysterious bottles, plants, and books, it had a certain academic feel about it. It was in complete disarray, no noticeable organization of any kind in the entire room. With exception of the bed. The bed stood out in stark contrast to the entirety of Reiji's chambers- it had not a wrinkle, not a single thread out of place.

Tanzy had little time to dwell on it, plopped down onto the bed as her current master taunted her once more. His words and the feel of his breath on her ear once more earned a mortified squeak, face burning a deep crimson as her blush returned with a vengeance. She struggled to find her voice, somehow turning even redder the more he talked and with any contact he made. As he toyed with her hair, Tanzy finally had the voice and the courage to speak. Nodding first, she bit her lip at his rather well- made guesses. "I...The thought h-had crossed my mind sire..." She admitted, feeling oddly guilty for the assumption that violating her was on his mind. It was however, deeply relieving to hear Reiji assure her that he wouldn't do such things to her. Glancing down at him, Tanzy held her legs tucked under her as she remained sitting upright beside the vampire, swallowing hard at the deeply personal and embarrassing questions.

"I...I...It's t-t-true I've never l-lay with anyone before..." her voice was softer, shy and utterly embarrassed to be called out on her innocence for the second time in the castle. Castiel had noticed, and now Reiji.

Tanzy's blush slowly began to abate, the girl silent as she watched Reiji toss aside his jacket. She dared not say she doubted she'd get any rest regardless of how tired she was feeling. The blush returned as her master bid her to unbutton his shirt, the young woman looking up to see his amused ruby gaze. She felt as helpless as a mouse. She WAS a mouse, and he was the cat toying with her. This was a game to him.

Tanzy bit her lip, but she slowly leaned closer with trembling hands and a cherry red face to undo the top three buttons as instructed, eyes not meeting his any more.

"Unnerving?"

She nodded her head, very embarrassed. She never wanted to admit this much, but she really didn't have a choice at this point, he would be able to tell if she lied and that would only anger him...

"Well regardless, know that I have no intention of harming you. As for the prick, you tell me if he does anything. You may be on loan to Castiel, but no one else is allowed to touch what is mine."

.....He didn't understand me at all...... Anise would have slapped her hand over her face in disbelief, but at the moment she was grateful for his naivety. She was glad for once that she was being misunderstood. If he would have realized she didn't mean bodily harm, this situation would have been a lot more complicated. She could tell that he wasn't entirely satisfied with her answers, but the mention of Reiji seemed to get his mind off of the details she was hiding from him. She felt bad, but she honestly did not intend to ever admit what he was trying to interrogate out of her. She wasn't even sure, but if she admitted it out loud it would breathe life and that door would never be closed again. She had to think logically, she would be working here for the rest of her life.. Kat and Demetri didn't fair well, she didn't plan on allowing herself to become romantic.. As long as they kept a physical distance it would be easy.

"Stupid git. Very well, but he cannot fault me for escorting you to your quarters. Come."

Escort? Well, at least he was allowing her to retire. It meant she was off the hook and that he was finally satisfied with her answers enough to release her. He walked off in a nonchalant manner and she followed from a comfortable distance behind. It wasn't a very long walk, yet something seemed to bother Bishop still. She tilted her head at this, a curious expression on her face. Though the words that came next were highly unexpected.

"A smile is much more suited to you....not the lost and wary gaze in your eyes."

Her eyes widened as the words passed through her ears, completely shocked. In an entire year of service she never got a single comment from Bishop like this, it was unexpected and completely uncharacteristic.... yet it wasn't entirely unwelcome. Were his ears red? Was he seriously kind of embarrassed? A giggle escaped her lips despite her better judgement and she smiled up at him, a crimson blush still decorating her cheeks, but her mood was much brighter, "Thank you, my Lord. I will do my best to smile more... It just feels impossible to do at times..." Although her words were sad, her expression was still relatively happy. She gave a short curtsy before turning to open the door to her quarters. It was so early that glimmers of light bled through the curtains, meaning she wouldn't get more than a few hours of sleep, but it also meant she wouldn't need a candle to see, "Goodnight, my Lord." With that she retreated to her room and calmly shut the door. It wasn't until the door shut that she allowed herself to freak out. She placed her hand against her chest, her heart racing from his words and she could feel butterflies in her stomach. She had to get ahold of herself or she'd end up falling for Bishop, especially if he kept tossing her kind words and gentlemanly gestures. Then she saw Alice laying on her bed, brushing her eyes in disbelief.

"You're dead, this isn't happening. Why do I still see you!?" She snapped in disbelief. She was going mad seeing her deceased twin every day, especially since everything the girl had to say was negative and degrading, "You're not there!" She was almost panicking at this point.

"Is that any way to speak to your sister? You're practically throwing yourself on the enemy... When is the wedding?" Alice sneered at Anise in disgust, throwing herself from the bed to circle the living sibling. The look on her face was cruel and angry. This happened every day, the words were different but the expression was always the same, "You're repulsive, maybe you should have died instead."

Immediately a tear streamed down Anise's face. She approached her bed and sat down, cupping her ears with her hands and she attempted to ignore the shouts of Alice. Her twin was not truly there, but it felt real enough to drive Anise crazy. Alice made her work out every day until her arms felt like falling off.. She made her eat less and she also kept her up most of the day... It felt like torture. Sure she was gaining muscle from it, but she also was losing weight and was very tired.

---

---

"I... I'm sorry, do you have candles?"

The red haired man nearly chuckled at Camilla's response, but withheld his amusement for her benefit. She didn't seem comfortable expressing her fears so he refused to make a spectacle of them, regardless of how cute she was like this. He actually enjoyed this side of her. He somewhat felt like a parent when she chose to reveal tidbits of vulnerability to him. Was this Reiji's intention all along? Her presence warmed his heart and did well to fill most of the aching gap that Angelo and Katerina left behind.. He had to admit that Reiji was a sneaky bastard, brilliant, but also very sneaky.

"I...I mean, it's not like I'm afraid of the dark or anything!"

"Why not? The dark is full of terrifying things.. Werewolves, Rogue Vampires.. Witches... I wouldn't blame you for being scared.. If I weren't a vampire, I would definitely be scared too." He replied in a gentle and reassuring tone. He took a candle from the corridor's wall, seeing as he was taller than her by a great deal and did not have a candle on demand. He entered her quarters, lighting all of the candles before ushering for her to follow him inside. The room was now well lit, so he felt there was no further issue. Though after seeing her so worried, he had to stick around for a moment, "You're mostly here for my company, so don't fret over small things like this." Demetri stated in a friendly and smooth tone. He would probably spend his free time educating Camilla seeing as she did not grow up with the same childhood as he did. Mathematics, Ballroom dancing, Etiquette, Tailoring, even an instrument if she was curious and wiling.

He gave a polite bow, leaving Camilla to herself. She wouldn't get a lot of sleep seeing as he had midday plans for everyone. Though a smile crossed his face. He came out just in time to witness Anise flee to her room and overhear Bishop's words.

"A smile is much more suited to you....not the lost and wary gaze in your eyes."

He hung around until all was quiet and approached his twin, "I know who your Valentine is going to be." He nudged Bishop with a knowing smile. Demetri was always observing those around him.. He always had the most spare time on his hands seeing as his only tasks were to tend to their horses, his dog, and events, "How long have you two fancied each other? There is no mistaking it... You let her end Dante even though he killed our brother as well..." Then he smiled a bit thinking of Katerina. It had been over a year, yet he still wasn't entirely over the loss of her. Suddenly an interesting thought crossed his mind. He'd help Bishop realize his affections. Anise was a fighter, if anyone would survive it would be her and Tanzy. They survived the werewolves without even a scratch.. So, in the holiday spirit, Demetri decided he would play Cupid.

"When was the last time you were intimate with a woman, dear brother?" He inquired, quirking a curious red brow at his twin, emerald eyes sparkling with familiar mischief. Demetri loved aiding others in romance, he was a bit of a meddler. One might ask how whores would help Bishop realize his feelings, but he knew his brother would decline if he truly loved the ebony haired maid, "We could rent a few concubines after the Saint Valentines festivities.. like the good old days if you like.. It's been too long since I last bedded a woman." Demetri sighed. Honestly it was the last thing on his mind, but he did not have a heartbeat to give his white lies away like a human's would. Would Bishop take the bait, or would he start to accept the situation that was slowly wrapping it's claws around his heart?

"If I remember correctly, Castiel said he nearly chose her as his own maid instead of yours... I also caught him appreciating her in the past as well as her appreciating our fair headed elder brother... I'd make a move, she is quite a lovely, innocent, young thing... If you did not hold claim I would have already approached the sweet little dove myself... But I respect your claim, Castiel does not remember our 'hands off' arrangement..." He was not taunting his brother, nor did he intend to make him angry, but he had to speak up. He didn't want to watch his twin miss out because his mind was too stubborn to notice his heart. Castiel was his brother as well, but Demetri's loyalty always rested in Bishop first and foremost.

"I merely wish to say that if you wait too long, you risk losing her to another... We may be immortal dear brother, but not indestructible. I would love for you to make more bonds, because if something were to happen to me... It would pain me to see you isolated.." He rubbed his brother's cheek lovingly with his thumb at these words, thinking back to Angelo for a moment. He never would have guessed he would lose his brother so quickly.. and Demetri had a a horrible feeling that it was only the beginning.

"I am going to let Reiji know that we should be leaving within three hours. We will have to tend to the horses. Less daylight the better. We will just have to be careful and stick to the shade as much as possible. If we don't make another daylight appearance the townsfolk will begin to gossip." The last thing they needed was a human revolt because the peasants discovered the Santiago family was the vampires that plagued their villages and also governed them as well. He went through great measures to keep their suspicions low.. especially after his blunder when Katerina was slaughtered. He still heard about the massacre from Reiji at times, "I don't think that Castiel is fit to travel so I will sneak a certain someone onto our carriage... As her prior lord it would fall upon you to pick out her dress along with Jason's suit." suddenly he noticed that Anise was speaking to someone. His own talking masked it before, but he caught a tidbit of the muffled sound and grew concerned. He did not sense a heartbeat other than her own on the other side of the door, Is she talking to herself in there or is someone else in her quarters?" he asked his brother in a concerned voice, seeing as Anise sounded distressed and he could almost taste her depression. Though Anise was not his maid, nor did he hold romantic feelings for her. He did not feel obligated to protect her, nor would he go out of his way to do so unless asked by Bishop directly. The long haired silently bid his temperamental twin farewell and strolled off to Reiji's bedroom door. Bishop would suffice if he chose to investigate, besides Demetri had other matters to attend to. He knocked twice before announcing his business, "I shall prepare the carriages. We must go to town and make our daytime appearance so the locals do not suspect us.. I will tell Mirabelle as well. I have arranged for Mira, Jane, Tanzy and yourself to ride in the Master of house carriage, while Jason, Bishop, Anise Camilla, and myself ride in the second. Castiel isn't well enough to travel so we'll take on Anise. I will see you off in three hours brother.. Please tell the little dove inside to dress in casual attire." With that he proceeded to his sister's door, not even considering to knock on Castiel's. He was not going to risk bringing Castiel around that many humans especially in daylight. Castiel was a danger to everyone.

"Mira, we are leaving for town to pick out our Saint Valentines attire, the ball is nearly here and we each need to make an appearance so the locals we govern do not suspect our true nature, I am going to tend to the horses and prepare them for our journey.. Then I am going to rest for an hour before setting them up to the carriages." He called into the door, not aware that Jane was with her, mostly because he wasn't trying to snoop. He did however notice that Reiji was not alone. The nervous heartbeat inside the room was too loud to ignore. Everyone seemed to pair off today, how romantic. Suddenly he got a mischievous idea, "Sister.. Would you like to assist me in a prank? For old time's sake? I never let you as children.. But we can remedy that now.. Let the little dove inside prepare for our journey.. She should dress casually and I need a moment with you in private." His tone was mischievous, and he made sure that Bishop would not be able to hear him. Demetri was so... evil at times. He just hoped that Reiji would not find out. If this plan worked as he wished, Bishop would surely kill him later.. Good thing Bishop was the strong one and Demetri was the quick one. Hopefully he was still faster than Bishop's aim.

The giggle was an unexpected, but oddly welcome sound to hear from the ebony haired maid. Even so, Bishop glance back at her as she did so, giving her a pointed look. One could almost hear a 'What are you laughing at?' just by the expression on his face. Despite the scowl presented, he didn't look legitimately angry- something more akin to a young boy caught doing something uncool or embarrassing when trying to look the part. Turning his gaze forward, Bishop chose not to comment on her laugh, mentally soothing himself with the knowledge that he got a promising result. Fine. He said it, and all fixed!

He nodded at Anise's words, face solemn for a moment at the unspoken understanding of the tragedy. He didn't doubt it was hard on her. Truthfully, he feared nothing more than losing his beloved twin. He didn't even want to imagine what her loss felt like. He never cared for the impetuous Alice, but he did genuinely feel sympathy for Anise.

His lips twitched in the beginning of a smile as he regarded her flushed cheeks and her pleasing answer. "Of course it isn't possible all the time. But still, it doesn't change the fact. Bishop commented, nodding in a simple gesture of farewell as the door closed respectfully in his face. "Good night."

Watching her door for a few seconds longer, the redhead finally turned to head back to his and his twin's rooms, only for the twin in question to approach. The nudge earned a quirked brow, the expression rapidly becoming a mildly annoyed look of chagrin. If anyone could get away with being obnoxious, it was Demetri. Even so, it was vexing to have his twin be able to read him so well and know just how to push his buttons should it suit his fancy.

The trail of conversation quickly became more and more exasperating as Demetri went on, Bishops emerald eyes narrowing as his hands left thier pockets and folded across his chest. "Oh shut up. Who says anyone fancies anyone? And I thought we grew out of concubines. They're dirty anyway. Besides, I can tell when you're bullshitting me." Bishop rolled his eyes, only to begin growling low in his throat at the not so subtle jabs regarding his maid and her popularity amongst the castle.

"You must want me to kick your ass brother..." Bishop ground out, slowly but surely relaxing at his brother's loving gesture, his breath coming out in a huff that became a sigh as he gave in. He couldn't stay mad at Demetri for anything.

Except one thing.

The talk of him being gone sparked a rare and unparalleled anger and panic in his heart, a growl meeting his twin's words. Bishop gripped Demetri by his shoulders, all but hissing at his brother. "Don't even speak of such things! If something happens, it happens to both of us dammit! Nothing is going to happen...nothing. I won't let it!" Bishop snapped, his biggest fear above all else the loss of his brother. To think or even speak of it was synonymous with a sin in his mind.

Before he could scold his twin some more, Demetri caught what even he hadn't noticed until it was pointed out: sounds coming from Anise's room, and it sounded like her voice. Even more tense now, Bishop turned to face Anise's door even as he bid Demetri farewell for now. There was one rapid and frightened heartbeat. Something was wrong, she hadn't been this scared and upset when he left. What could possibly have happened?! He wasn't even ten feet from the door. Bishop listened for a moment more before cursing, giving the door a commanding set of knocks.

"Open the door Anise! I know you're hiding something!" Bishop barked, still frazzled from Demetri's concerns on top of puzzling over his maid.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Reiji's smirk and slight chuckle did nothing to assuage Tanzy's embarrassment or awkwardness, though thankfully he didn't comment or verbally taunt her further. She vaguely wondered about the man beside her as she silently managed to undo his buttons as instructed despite her slightly trembling hands.

About to pull back and regain some semblance of distance between herself and the vampire once more, Tanzy was prevented from doing so with another unexpected touch. Her eyes were forced to meet the ruby orbs of her master, confusion in her eyes as his hands met the back of her head. She had no chance to inquire about his actions as his fingers wove through her hair and he came even closer...

And kissed her.

It was closed mouth, but notably more than a simple peck. Tanzy's eyes went wide with shock as her face burned red at the gesture. The maid was frozen like a rabbit before a fox, breath caught in her throat and heart hammering in her chest. Even after he pulled away, she couldn't get herself to move, to speak, to do anything but stare at the vampire in stunned silence with an ever growing blush. He had kissed her. The thought alone was so unfathomable in the maid's mind that it took a second to even realize he had just begun to talk to her.

Do it again to remind her? Remind her of what? Thankfully she was spared from answering him by a knock and the voice of Demetri. Tanzy was barely listening to the twin as her brain finally began to noticeably function again and convince her to move. Hand at her lips, she shifted anxiously as Demetri made it obvious he knew she was in here with Reiji.

Once more Reiji added to her mortification with the decision she would help him dress. Her poor nerves weren't going to get any break from him it seemed, the young woman nodding as she thankfully approached his wardrobe to pick something for her master.

Looking through the clothes, her mind began to dwell on what had just happened. Reiji had kissed her on the lips. But why? It didn't make an ounce of sense to her. She was a maid, he was her new master. As far as she knew, she was just food and service. He had made it evident in the past that she and other humans were beneath him, that people were disposable. So why? Even when he had said she was pretty, he hardly seemed to be actually interested in her as a person.

Finally, Tanzy came across a suit that made her pause. It was dark blue, almost black, and didn't have any fancy embellishments like much of the dressier attire. A simple stitched trim of silver and plain sterling silver buttons were the only accents on the suit.

Deciding this would do, Tanzy brought the outfit out to her master, still dwelling on the kiss as she approached Reiji. His eyes had the mischevious look in them, and instantly her embarrassment and flushed face began to vanish. He was teasing her. Of course. She was a toy to him, something to play with for his amusement, and nothing more. He was having fun with her. The realization was strangely bitter in her mind.

Biting her lip and forcing her voice back into her throat as she had managed to do so far when agitated by the male, Tanzy began to help the vampire into a shirt and his suit. He had stolen her first kiss. Granted, it was closed mouth, but that didn't make it any better in her mind. Secretly a romantic, Tanzy had always wanted to fall in love someday, and have a sweet first kiss. She had begun to resign herself to the fact that her new life made such a possibility out of the question, but his gesture had teased that romantic daydream in her mind. Sure, she didn't dare have any whims of fancy regarding the castle's occupants, but she was still cruelly reminded of what she had once hoped for.

"Open the door Anise! I know you're hiding something!".

Anise's eyes widened as she heard Bishop's voice. She didn't want him to see her this way, but it was a direct order to open the door. What was she supposed to do in this situation? Immediately she began wiping her eyes, ignoring Alice's shouts and accusations as she sped over to the door, unlocking it quickly. She straightened out her hair the best that she could, but there was little that could be done without a comb. Without hesitation she opened the door, trying to keep herself from hearing the rantings of her deceased elder sister.

If she caught Alice's words, Anise feared that she would begin crying again, and that was a weak state she did not wish to expose Bishop to twice in less than forty-eight hours.

She knew her cheeks were red, but they typically were in Bishop's presence. Perhaps he would not make a fuss about it? The only thing that physically gave her away was her glossy eyes. Her irises were like two shiny purple marbles inside her skull. Normally they were not near as shiny as they were now. Under the candlelight of the corridors her amethyst eyes were like living silk gazing upon him.

"Y-yes mi'lord?" Anise answered with uncertainty, knowing she would likely have to explain herself. She didn't want to speak about what she was 'hiding', especially to Bishop.. If she were to tell him about Alice's visits, Anise knew the lords of Castillo de la Muerte would dispose of her for being insane! She was not ready to die just yet so she hoped that wasn't what he meant.. How did he know she was freaking out in here anyway? Did he linger at her doorway? Why would he do that? She was beginning to panic. Was he talking about Alice's torment or the fact that she hadn't been entirely open with him about why she felt so uneasy around him.

"I was crying over my sister.." It wasn't a lie, but there was more to the story indeed. Then she decided to continue, seeing as she doubted that Bishop would be satisfied with just that, "After a glass of wine I sometimes forget she's gone." Anise admitted, again it was the truth.. She just withheld the fact that she actually would SEE her sister. How could Anise of known she was experiencing the effects of Mandrake root. It was in her wine, so it was fairly tasteless.. The world around them was so calm these days she barely suspected the wine, something Bishop encouraged her to be careful about once before, "I think I have just been pushing myself a little too hard.. I've been feeling sick lately as well.. I-It's nothing. I will be fine.." She gave a reassuring smile, completely unaware of the poisonous additive located in her daily drinks.

Anise was so hasty to answer the door that she didn't even realize that she'd answered the door in her full length white nightgown.

Counting the seconds in his head, Bishop felt and ever increasing urge to simply break Anise's door down. He contemplated following through on the idea when Anise fortunately opened the door to his summons. Her flushed cheeks weren't unusual to see, but her expression sent off warning bells in his mind. As normal as his maid was pretending to feel, her eyes were anything but what he had come to be accustomed to.

Growling softly, Bishop inwardly cursed upon seeing her glossy eyes, tears threatening to trail down her fair cheeks. Tears she was somehow keeping in check with an admirable and amazing willpower. It was both impressive and heart-breaking. Bishop clenched his fists, never intending to truly frighten the ebony haired girl, but he was swiftly losing control of his temper. Before she could retreat from him, the red head clasped his large hands on her shoulders, emerald eyes glaring into her glossy amethyst orbs.

"Bullshit." He hissed softly through clenched teeth, resisting the urge to shake his sweet maid. Why was she lying to him?! He could tell she had some truth in her words, but despite the snippets of reality, he noted with annoying clarity how evasive her behavior and answers were. It was maddening, insulting even, to have Anise still refusing to be honest with him.

"Why do you insist on lying to me? No matter how many little truths and half-truths you give me, you always hold back. Have I not made it clear I can tell when you lie? And still you lie to my face!" Bishop continued to seethe, eyes narrowed in frustration. Taking a few deep breaths in a vain attempt to calm his nerves, Bishop continued, speaking in a harsh whisper.

"Why can you not tell me anything? Dammit, I cannot do anything or protect you from the git if you don't tell me what the hell is going on! You've been acting odd and hiding even more than before. This is a far cry from nothing. Something is going on, and I want to know what." Bishop's voice finally lost some of it's edge, the male sighing in frustration. Something was clearly wrong, and he hated not knowing what it was.

"Have I not made it clear you are safe with me? Dammit Anise, if anyone else catches you like this they will force it out of you in a far worse way than me. Are you going to wait for that to happen?!" Bishop tried, finally releasing her shoulders from his hold. Letting his words hang in the air, he tried to collect himself, inwardly wondering why on earth he cared so much. Why was he this worried over the silly human?

It was only then he noticed her state of dress. He had been so focused on getting answers from her that he hadn't even realized his human was in her nightgown. White. It was a good color on her, and he noted how it fell down her body with satisfaction. Not bad. Had he been in better spirits, he'd have teased her and sought to elicit a reaction. As it was, he simply noted the detail in his mind, eyes soon returning to Anise's.

"Bullshit."

Even though she knew he was only aware she was holding back due to the sound of her heart, her heart still fluttered. The fact that cared enough to notice, that he could tell when she was putting on a brave face, it was embarrassing, but she did appreciate it. It almost brought a smile to her face had he not been glaring at her. His glare was shiver inducing to put it mildly..

Anise felt her entire body freeze completely stiff when he latched onto her shoulders. She immediately expected to be shook, it was a common practice of her childhood after all. Her mother did it often when she was a child, mostly when she'd done something wrong, but also during pointless drunk rage. She was relieved when she realized he simply meant to lock her in place, although that made her nervous enough..

"Why do you insist on lying to me? No matter how many little truths and half-truths you give me, you always hold back. Have I not made it clear I can tell when you lie? And still you lie to my face!"

"I apologize.. I never meant to insult you, mi'lord.. I used to open up solely to Alice.. I'm not used to speaking freely to others.. I never had anyone else that would listen.." She finally let a few tears fall, but she wasn't bawling. She simply lost her composure. She found herself unable to reach her eyes to wipe them before the streaks ran down her cheeks, seeing as Bishop's hands still held her in place by her shoulders.

"Why can you not tell me anything? Dammit, I cannot do anything or protect you from the git if you don't tell me what the hell is going on! You've been acting odd and hiding even more than before. This is a far cry from nothing. Something is going on, and I want to know what."

Her eyes met his for a moment, completely taken by surprise. His words brought a blush to her face, but she also felt the sting of his frustration and anger. She felt her balance crack, her legs daring to collapse, but she managed to keep her ground thanks to his grip on her. Bishop was spouting words she didn't want to hear. His words were too intimate, too caring. It was confusing. This was not an argument between a lord and his brother's employee.. Yet she wasn't certain why he was always going that extra mile for her either. He had no reason to like her, in fact she seemed to constantly disappoint him. Anise was once again surprised that she was not on the receiving end of Bishop's hatred by now. She put her head down, hair falling in her face, bangs concealing any and all of Anise's facial expressions as she responded, "I'm sorry mi'lord.. I.. My silence is not aimed against you personally.." She assured him, her stomach finding ways to form intricate knots, even afrer she felt she couldn't feel any guiltier. She began to tremble, in fear and pure nervousness as she forced herself to continue, this time with raw honesty, "I haven't told anyone.. and getting close.. It feels so wrong.. I know it isn't.. But I blame myself. Alice was planning to run away, she wanted me to go with her and I lied to her. A lie was the last thing I remember telling my sister.. I lied and told her I couldn't leave without Olivia, Katerina, and Tanzy.."" She admitted. She never spoke of this, afraid he would be angry with her, whether she actually intended to flee Castillo de la Muerte or not..

"I never planned to leave.. Partially out of fearing punishment, but also because I wouldn't know where to run.. I have nowhere to return to... Alice was not aware of our mother's cruelty..she was searching the castle for an escape route because I lied to avoid her anger.. I didn't want her to feel as though I was betraying her.. And I led her to her death.. She would have been at the party if I didn't lie.. Or in her quarters.. She would have been safe.." Anise realized that she was trailing off topic and was also crumbling into sadness as well. She bit her inner cheek, forcing herself to return to what she aimed to confess to him, "It's hard to open up to you, to any of your siblings really..." The topic was out there, she took a moment to swallow her nerves, because that wasn't the hard part..

"Alice and I had an argument about my acceptance of this life.. She hated vampires, you and Castiel especially.. and I suppose that now I feel guilty for feeling otherwise.. Every choice I made drove her to that wine cellar the night of the party.." She whispered in a delicate tone, she felt as though her entire body was made of thin glass, entirely exposed and extremely fragile. She had never been this honest before, and she was completely dreading his response. She was consumed with terror and anxiety. His homicidal rage was still burnt into her mind and she did not want to be the object of his hatred.. Her words were always calculated to keep him calm up until now and this was the first time she was worried that she'd crossed the point of no return. If he was insulted, she doubted she would live to mend the situation. As kind as he was to her until now, she assumed his patience with her had it's limits and she was fairly certain she'd finally broke the mold.

"Have I not made it clear you are safe with me? Dammit Anise, if anyone else catches you like this they will force it out of you in a far worse way than me. Are you going to wait for that to happen?!"

Anise flinched at his tone, her eyes glued to the stone floor. She wasn't aiming to be so difficult, she was simply frightened. She knew that confessing her situation had only one outcome, she'd witnessed it thousands of times back home. Death was the only known cure for insanity.. She didn't want to die.. She didn't realize it before, but the thought of dying was horrifying. She wished to cling to every moment of life she could grasp.. The currently vulnerable scar on her arm was a constant reminder of her will to live. She was living with an unsightly scar, but it saved her life. Her arm was the only defense she had against her mother and Anise sacrificed her once flawless skin to keep herself alive. Telling Bishop would jeopardize her life, but she now knew that if she didn't confide in him, perhaps her life would be in greater danger than she realized..

"I know.. I know it, yet I'm still scared.." She wracked her brain for a way to describe how she felt, until her hand touched the stone walls of the corridor, "If I were to punch this wall, my fingers would break.. Your fist would surely shatter the stone without a single scratch to show for it..." She explained, biting her bottom lip as she searched her thoughts for another example, "You're a man, and a lord of high status.. I'm a girl and a servant... Everything is scary in a world where you have no power or the ability to make choices for yourself.." She sighed cynically. Anise decided that she would reveal everything, especially if the consequences would mean being put down for her insanity like a sick dog, "Do you remember what it was like to be human.. Fragile? I could fall ill and die tomorrow for all I know.. I watched a fever take my cousin.. He was a perfectly healthy baby boy with the blondest hair I had ever seen.. Then he wasn't.. You do not have to bat an eyelash on topics such as falling ill or growing old.. Being worried, being scared.. That's human nature.." Anise admitted in a shaky tone. She didn't like being this open, she felt too vulnerable for her own comfort but an explanation was definitely due..

"I've been attacked by my own mother, sold to a family of vampires.. Lost my sister to a werewolf attack and was nearly mauled by one myself.. I wish I could just forget.. I would have given up anything, my sight, my legs, anything to have my sister back.." Then she shivered, feeling a knot form in her throat. This was the part she feared most.. Telling him that she's seen Alice every night since her death.. She wasn't sure if she could.. She could feel herself choking on her words. She was trying to force her mouth to move, but fear sealed her lips shut.

She had to pinch herself before she could even open her mouth to speak again, "I no longer want that.. Every day since her death, I see her." The hard part was over, she let out a relieved sigh, but she still had to be a bit more descriptive or he wouldn't understand, "She doesn't look like a ghost.. She's fully there.. She says the most horrible things.. I can't even sleep.. I see her everywhere no matter where I go.. It goes on for hours after dinner, but sometimes I see her during the day after I eat breakfast.. I think I just need to cut down on the wine.. But it's so.. Realistic and its maddening.. I can't take it anymore.."

She wrapped her arms around herself as she felt a bit chilly, though she found warmth shortly after. Immediately her entire body felt warm because she realized she was in her night wear this entire time. Her face burnt red and she took a step back, attempting to retreat, without giving him a moment to reply, "So there you have it, my lord.. The truth! I-I really have to change now, p-please excuse me!!" She squeaked in mortification, though she knew nothing of their trip to town soon so Anise definitely meant into her work clothes. She fled back into her room, reaching to shut the door so she could change. She hid her form behind the door so her body was no longer visible, but she did not dare slam it in his face without permission. She didn't have a death wish after all.. Nor did she wish to see her door lying on the floor because bishop was not satisfied with how their "chat" ended so abruptly.

Though he'd never admit it, Bishop found he actually felt a bit guilty upon feeling the raven haired maid tense under his touch and seeing tears escape her eyes. Her words were mollifying enough to keep his temper in check for now, the vampire watching like a hawk as she finally began to divulge the truths to him. The surprise in Anise's eyes would have been a pleasantly amusing reaction were the circumstances different. As it was, the situation was much too serious and tense to tease her and watch her face become flustered. Her blush came and went, and once more the maid was avoiding his eyes.

Having half a mind to shake her, Bishop refrained from doing so, his urgings paying off in his favor as she made him privy to what had been weighing on her mind. Finally, he could feel and hear the truth in her words, Anise's full disclosure satisfying as well as surprising. She had been fretting over these matters for quite possibly more than a year. Bishop gave her credit for resilience if nothing else, eyes narrowing as he absorbed her words. Despite the slight concern that interrupting her would cause her to clam up once more, Bishop huffed and shook his head as she lamented over not saving her sister and being unable to face him and his family.

"If you did leave, I highly doubt you'd leave your precious friends, so that isn't lying. Second, what makes you think your sister had any intention of not sneaking off and avoiding the party in the first place? She'd probably been scoping the place out for a while. Getting lost from time to time no doubt. I'm more surprised she thought to sneak about like that when I told her any disobedience from her would result in me hurting you..." the redhead realized he probably could have left the last part out, but in the spirit of full disclosure, he figured it would be of little consequence. She was timid enough around him anyway. Besides, he had told her recently she was in no danger from him, despite his words in the past.

Anise seemed to curl into herself, but still she talked, so he let it be for now. She would speak, then hesitate, and bit by bit Bishop loosened up, simply listening with a slight frown on his face. She was scared, not that he could blame her, and he almost wondered where she was going with her train of thought. He held back the temptation to interrupt this time, shifting only slightly as she questioned him, asked if he recalled being a vulnerable human. Bishop was given no opportunity to answer, Anise pushing on in spite of her obvious distress, and he would honor it by hearing her out before speaking again.

Her final revelation was what prompted him to react. Brows first furrowing in confusion, he opened his mouth to ask her to explain when she launched into further detail without his prodding. Bishop vainly tried to conceal his surprise, not even realizing he had released her shoulders at some point. Seeing her sister? Visions conjured by magic or the mind, it wasn't clear, but he had a feeling it was the latter. Recalling Anise's behavior since that night a year ago, Bishop felt almost embarrassed he hadn't caught on sooner. It was irritating to say the least. But he finally had an explanation. 'That certainly explains a lot...damn woman trying to hide it!' the vampire thought irritably, though he had to admit it was not something wise or safe to share. Even so...

As the door closed in his face, Bishop noted her face was once more a bright red in embarrassment, the mortified young woman retreating from him as abruptly as he had come to rap on her door. It would have been almost comical to see the stunned looking Bishop had the mood and conversation not been so secretive.

Regaining his composure, the vampire shoved his hands into his pant pockets, glaring at the door. "Of course I remember...stupid human...and we don't lose the ability to feel emotion or fear...we just are better masters of it." he grumbled under his breath, eyes narrowed as he tried to stare the door into submission.

Turning to leave, Bishop remembered Demetri's plans to go out, not only so the public would see they were in fact, real and still in power, but to do some shopping. Right, the ball. Bishop noted how the castle seemed to be active already, the occupants ending sleep early to prepare for the outing.

"Well hurry it up in there!" Bishop snapped, facing Anise's door once again as he barked out orders. "Demetri's getting ready to go to town, so make sure the asshole Reiji will think it's presentable or some crap...Whatever! Just get dressed so we can go!" The redhead finally turned away with a huff, pacing along the corridor but making sure he was within hearing and visual range of Anise's room. As he grumbled something about 'silly, stupid humans' and 'nosy crowds', Bishop was vaguely aware that he should go and wake the male appointed to him by the prick. He knew he would have to, but at the moment he couldn't be bothered to care. Besides, he wondered how long Jason would sleep in if left unattended?

"If you did leave, I highly doubt you'd leave your precious friends, so that isn't lying. Second, what makes you think your sister had any intention of not sneaking off and avoiding the party in the first place? She'd probably been scoping the place out for a while. Getting lost from time to time no doubt. I'm more surprised she thought to sneak about like that when I told her any disobedience from her would result in me hurting you..."

Those words dug into her head like knives on a chalkboard. Bishop threatened to hurt me..? He often spoke of having no intention to, but was that always true? Was there a time when he would have done so guiltlessly? Anise's head was spinning with confusion. Alice knew of this, yet she still disobeyed? There's no way that she could have known that Bishop wouldn't have hurt me... I wasn't sure of that myself.. I still have my doubts every now and again.. Just knowing he threatened it, makes me wonder if he really would.. The realization that Alice knowingly endangered her life brought tears to her eyes, but she wasn't given a lot of time to reflect on this new knowledge, seeing as Bishop's voice rang in once again.

"Well hurry it up in there!"

Anise quickly wiped her eyes, stiffening in mortification. H-he was waiting out there this whole time!? Immediately she scurried to her wardrobe and retrieved her maid outfit, flustered as she began to worry. Did he hear me crying again? H-how pathetic of me... She would have already been dressed, but luckily she was fumbling with the buttons. Why was that lucky? Well for starters, she would have been in the wrong attire had Bishop's next words come any later. She would have taken even longer if she had to completely undress again.

"Demetri's getting ready to go to town, so make sure the asshole Reiji will think it's presentable or some crap...Whatever! Just get dressed so we can go!"

Anise blushed a bit, a little flattered that he was still waiting on her, seeing as she was no longer his personal maid, and technically no lower his responsibility. She switched out, grabbing a random black dress from her closet, though she made sure that it was thick. February was dreadfully cold, especially in the morning and Anise hated feeling cold. She slipped it on, rubbing out any creases before checking herself in the mirror. Her eyes were still tinted a light hue of red from her tears, but there was little she could do to fix something like that.

Once she felt more composed, Anise turned the doorknob gingerly and slipped out of her room. She emerged into Bishop's line of sight, just in time to witness Bishop's pacing. She blinked at the lord, a little confused by his action. A giggle managed to slip past her lips, undetected by Anise, Thank you for waiting... Mi'lord? What are you doing?" She asked in a slightly amused tone of voice, though she didn't mean to bring negative attention to it. She then turned her gaze to the wall, letting out a soft sigh before returning her gaze to Bishop, "I...I'm going to attempt to mend my...'problem'.." She knew she couldnt depend on anyone else, and somehow Bishop's words made her feel less guilty about casting off her dead sister. She was never aware that her sister knowingly put her life in danger, if she had been, she would have mourned quite differently during the last year. She wouldn't have been so torn up about endangering Alice! She couldn't help but feel a little upset that Bishop kept this a secret for so long.

Though it was none of her business, she was just a servant after all. Anise wet her lips, nervous about speaking of her ailment so openly, "Seeing as I only see Alice when I've been drinking.. I suspect wine is the culprit." She wasn't certain, but she did notice a pattern. Though she was distracted from this thought when Bishop's other words finally had time to register. Anise grew a bit excited, remembering that he mentioned going into town. It would be the first time she'd been away from the castle since she arrived! She couldn't help but cheer up, and the flutter of her heart was definitely giving her mood away. She was practically an open book. Anise only managed to hide the excitement she felt on the outside.

"If you don't mind my asking, why are we going to town so early, Mi'lord?" Anise asked with pure curiosity, her violet eyes waiting for the answer earnestly. She definitely was looking forward to the trip, although she did her best to conceal it,her upbeat heart rate gave her away immediately. The prospect of finally meeting new humans definitely lifted her spirits.

Bishop could hear Anise's scrambling about even when his pacing took him to the far ends of the hall, the male wondering if she was still sad or just flustered now. As he paced closer to her door, he noticed her pattering heart and opted for the latter. Flustered for some reason. Silly little dove.

He saw her as she emerged from her assigned quarters, the dark dress contrasting with her fair complexion. Truthfully, the male preferred a little more color on her (such as red, violet, or perhaps a teal. Though he did wonder how orange would look), though he gave no indication of his thoughts. Looking the ebony haired girl up and down as she emerged, he frowned at her slight giggle. She truly was interesting- crying then flustered and now looking puzzled and amused. "Who're you laughing at? And I'm waiting on you...idiot" Bishop muttered, letting out a huff as he led her along towards where Demetri was waiting.

To his surprise (and secretly, his alarm), Anise commented some more on her recent predicament. Did she want to let anyone else hear of her visions? Making sure to not look at her or act at all concerned, the red head glared and shook his head curtly. He couldn't let her accidentally give away any clues. "Quiet. Mind that tongue of yours. If you need to discuss something, choose a better time to do it." came a quiet hiss. Though his words were firm, Bishop hoped the maid realized he was being vague on purpose. She was smart enough to figure it out.

Awaiting what he was sure would be more nervousness and withdrawal, Bishop was admittedly relieved she changed the topic, and even seemed excited. Almost too excited! Turning to look at her with a quirked brow, the twin rolled his eyes. "The hell you so happy about? The asshole is coming too, and I doubt he's going to allow mingling." Bishop looked forward once more, spotting Mirabelle as he came down the stairs. "We need to make an appearance so no one forgets of us and our existence. And humans are only out during the day. Besides, when else do you do shopping?"

Approaching his sister, Bishop looked over at Anise once more, noticing the thickness of her dress. Realizing it would be pretty cold outside for a human, he turned to the blonde vampire and shrugged apologetically. "I don't know if she owns any shawls or such that she can wear out on the town. Think you could spare her one of yours for the day sister?" Bishop looked down at his younger sibling, petting her head once like he did when they were mere children. He didn't tend to show it as much as his brothers, but he did genuinely care for Mirabelle. She was his baby sister after all.

About to relax and wait with the two females, Bishop remembered the human male put in his charge with an audible groan of annoyance. Stupid git Reiji!

"Forgot to get the new moron." he grumbled, shoving his hands into his coat pocket as he marched back upstairs to Jason's room.

Glaring at the door as though it had gravely offended him, Bishop rapped the bottom of the door with the toe of his boot, careful not to break or damage it. "Get up moron! We're going to town so dress appropriately. And hurry it along!" he snapped loudly at the door, vaguely wondering if Jason would hear and comply.





Finishing her cooking, Tanzy wasted no time in gathering the breakfast onto a plate to eat. She supposed she would have to tidy up afterwards, the young woman trying to look away and ignore the pan she had placed into the sink. Thankfully, Reiji's questions were more than sufficient to occupy her attention. "How old sire? Well...I think I started watching from a young age, then was allowed to help with simple things like mixing when I was around seven. I don't believe I actually cooked entirely by myself until I was at least twelve or thirteen." Tanzy began to relax at the casual conversation, his curious tone not threatening in the least.

Unfortunately, such feelings didn't last, her face once more beginning to burn pink at the vampire's teasing. Averting her eyes, the maid shook her head. "N-neither Master Reiji...I was just thinking the suit is a nice one, and you had a nice collection of clothes." she answered timidly, face burning even redder as he continued. His words only further muddled her thoughts. The compliment was obviously flattering to hear, but she wondered how much of it was mere teasing- taunting for his enjoyment.
Even more perplexing was the comment that she deserved better than to work in the Santiago castle. Did he truly think so? Tanzy found she had strangely mixed feelings about his sentiment. On the one hand, would that mean he'd consider releasing her? Surely he knew she would never betray the family secrets for fear of his wrath. And yet, if in the rare chance she would be excused, how would she ever leave Anise? Anise was like a sister to her, and quite easily her closest companion. To abandon Anise would break her heart.

She was spared further musing on Reiji's crytpic comments when his calm, flat tone froze her in place. Reiji's demanor may have been casual, but his watchful eyes alowed no escape. Tanzy looked at him anxiously, only to have her features morph into surprise. In all honesty, she hadn't even considered selling the dresses and accessories given to her by the original head of the house. She hadn't even assumed to think she could- considering them loans in a sense.

"I-I hadn't thought of that sire...I wasn't aware I was allowed to treat them as my own. And...I have written many letters, but only one I have ever sent before your family's nature was revealed to me. I admit, I've been afraid to send any to my family since. I never asked if I was allowed to write...I feared the answer would be no." Tanzy admitted, biting her lip and daring to hope she could resume contact with her family. The only way they would even know she was alive was due to the money that was sent to them.

She was startled out of her anxious thoughts at the unusually cold and irate voice reached her ears. Looking up at Reiji, she could practically feel the hatred he had for his elder brother. As curious as she was about why Reiji hated Castiel so much, she dared not ask.

Before she could worry too much about his cross tone, his mood immediately switched back to a calm and seemingly amused one. Back to the teasing. Tanzy wondered if she'd ever get used to it. She nodded mutely at his words, looking a tad pale at his revelations of not only her inability to hide anything from him, but at the thought of witches existing as well. Though, a part of her wondered why that was a surprise. After all, she had fond out the hard way vampires and werewolves existed, who knew how many other creatures roamed the earth among humans?

"Yes Master Reiji." Tanzy acknowledged, hurrying to finish her breakfast so she could change into something suitable for going out.