Bishop James Santiago's Story

Bishop gave a toothy grin down at the dark haired Anise, such a slight and skittish girl. She seemed to be settling into her role as his maid and was learning that her place was at his side. The vampire was enjoying her company, for the most part, Anise hadn't yet found her confidence around him. "Follow me," Bishop instructed, hands folding behind his back as he lead Anise from his living space and to the storage closet where she would find supplies to keep his room clean. "I don't expect you to clean much, I'm a naturally tidy person. The occasional dusting and bed making is all I ask." Bishop clarified as he came to stand in the hall outside of the storage space.

Without another word he turned away from her, headed back to his room, leaving the door open as he paced to the balcony the curtains had once blocked from view. His bright amber eyes gazed out over the expansive land around the Castillo. A smile touched his lips as the memory of him and Demetri came to him, the two throwing snowballs at each other and running around carelessly as their older brothers watched from a distance. Those days of fun had been nearly forgotten by the years and years of immortality.

Bishop had forgotten what it was like to be a kid, forgotten most of his morals too. The life of a vampire was a dull one, only when fresh hot blood touched his lips did his miserable existence mean anything. The burning fire of taking another's life so he could selfishly continue his, the thrill of hunting down a powerless human like a lethal jungle cat, and seeing their last expressions and hearing their last breaths. Bishop turned back into his room, sighing softly as he draped himself in his armchair carelessly.

Anise played with the necklace around her neck as she shuffled quietly behind Bishop. It was a simple trinket, sort of ugly, but it held sentimental value. Someone really important to Anise gave it to her shortly before she'd been shipped off. Derrick... I'll never see you again.. will I? She thought to herself before kissing the pendant before slipping it under the collar of her dress. True, she'd never had a boyfriend, but Derrick was complicated to say the least. He bullied her since childhood.. but as they grew up, his attitude changed. He'd flirt and tease her, but nothing like the badgering child from before. The grudge holder she was, Anise would always dismiss his advances. He'd tormented her so much as a child, and in her naivety, she didn't understand that he had been crushing on her since childhood. Shortly after her mother informed her she'd be sent away, Anise accepted the trinket in a moment of weakness.. What she wouldn't give to see the face of a farmer's boy instead of the Aristocratic vampire's she was growing far too accustomed to for her own comfort. Bishop's words ripped her from her thoughts, amethyst eyes shifting to his figure, "I'll do my best." She replied with uncertainty. Among the girls, Anise was by far the least confident in her abilities, aside from Alice that is. She gingerly reach forward, opening the storage closet. Her eyes stared into the dark depths of the closet for a few minutes, her body shivering in fear before Anise forced herself to hastily retrieve a laundry basket and duster from within it. Anise swallowed hard before closing the door as swiftly as she could without slamming it. She had a tremendous fear of closets, or any other dark, cramped space.

She turned to thank Bishop again, taken aback as she realized he'd left her. She speedily returned to his room, getting straight to her duties. She decided to begin at his wardrobe and work her way back around the room. Gently gliding the duster along the exterior of the room. I wonder why Bishop chose me..? He seems so bored.. She thought to herself. Normally she wouldn't have allowed such thoughts while on the job, but dusting was hardly a strenuous task that required full attention. She glanced over, just in time to witness the smile across the face of the hotheaded vampire. A tiny grin crossed her own features, returning back to work. He can be alright at times.. She shook herself from her observation, the last thing she wanted was to be caught staring at him. Explaining would be exceptionally torturous. Once she was satisfied with her work on the wardrobe, Anise sidestepped to his desk, cautiously taking the duster over it's surface and contents.

Why me..? I'm not talented like Tanzy, or beautiful like Olivia.. I understand he fancies me over Alice, but still I'm definitely not his first choice. Her thirst to rationalize his decision was driving her absolutely mad. No matter what angle she took the situation, she always came to naught. She couldn't fathom any reason he'd willing choose her aside from keeping Alice in the palm of his hand. She ceased her actions for a moment, realization smacking her in the face. Am I nothing more than a pawn to be used against my sister? The reality of the matter stung, though her ability to change the situation was nonexistent at best.

"Why did you choose me..?" The words slipped from her lips before she could reclaim them. They were far too blunt, extremely out of character for the timid girl. It was certain she'd mistakenly voiced her thoughts. She immediately clasped both of her petite hands over her mouth, feather duster falling to the floor. She stood in shock for a moment before withdrawing her hands. She opened her mouth, striving to reclaim her words. She fearfully debated the outcome of the events to follow her foolish mishap. If Castiel threatened Tanzy's life over simple monotonous questions, she was certain Bishop would be enraged. Of all things she could have mistakenly voiced her opinion on, she'd questioned his judgement!

She quickly spun around on her heels to face her Master, "I meant.. Well.. " she stammered, pleading to any gods that would listen to salvage her from this treacherous situation. She eventually lowered her gaze in defeat. I might as well be honest if I'm already in hot water.. Her gaze timidly lifted to meet his, "I just meant.. I can't understand any of this.." She delivered her words with far more caution, "I.. apologize for my audacity.. I should've held my tongue.." She whispered, eyes scanning Bishop for his reaction. And now I wait..