Haven City

Lithia rolled her eyes and sighed at Alex just as Nicholas walked into the room and took his rightful place at her right hand.
"As always, a pleasure to see you Alexander," she said, "I assume you behaved yourself last night."

She looked to Nicholas for confirmation.
"Aside from a traumatized maid, he didn't bother anyone," he said.

"Well, for him, that's good I suppose. Very well then," she said, "Eat. Marco will be joining us soon as well. I have yet to inform him of my arrangment with you. I've been preoccupied all night and he's been off galivanting. When I tell him I doubt he will react well. I anticipate violence. I can only pray that my good china survives . . ."

If Nicholas didn't know her better, he would've thought she was joking.

Alex shrugged "Why would I need training I already know who to use weapons and I am skilled in combat." he then responded to what nicholas said "That maid is the one touching my things I have an issue with that and for good reason to."

Marco walked into the dining room to find the queen seated at the head of the table with her faithful pet on her right hand. Alex sat at the other end of the table and the place to Lithia's left was set for him.

He bowed slightly and came to sit at the queen's left side. "Sorry I'm late" he said "There was some gang trouble downtown. So what is it you wished to speak with me about Regina?"

"Well Marco," Lithia began, "I have recently decided to use Alex here as an assasin. Seeing as I'm beginning to doubt that he is truly, 100% human."
"I agree," Nicholas chimed in, "I've seen him hang from the rafters like a bat out of hell. It's freaky . . . And trust me, I'm an expert on freaky. I sleep with vampires."

"Nicky!" Lithia repremended him in a whisper, swatting his shoulder.
"What? It's not like everyone doesn't already know," he said.

Lithia rolled her eyes and told herself that she would deal with him later. She turned back to Marco. "Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that I would like you to train him. He thinks he has all the expertise on this particular aspect of study . . . But I don't think it would hurt for him to have a few lessons with you. Don't you agree Marco?"

"You want me . . . to train a human?" Marco repeated slowly. He couldn't believe his ears. Lithia knew how much he despised humans for their weakness and incapability. He had never been human and he had never lived among them. He had no tolerance. "You have got to be kidding me" he said.

Lithia stared at him. "Marco, I never kid. You know that."

She had known he was going to be difficult on this matter, due to his intense loathing of humans. She didn't understand why he disliked them so much though. She loved humans . . . Well some humans. Well just Nicholas. And honestly the fact that he was human kind of irritated her. She knew that he didn't enjoy being her pet, but he put up with it anyway because it was the only way they could be together. Which is why she was planning on turning him into a vampire . . . Of course, she hadn't told him that yet. She'd mention it when she had the proper setting.

Stirring from her nightmares about the cold goddess she sat up clutching her dizzy head. Her fingers found that what she was sitting on was not the cold hard floor she remembered but a soft cushion. Her eyes gazed down. A couch. Odd I would've think I'd be in chains by now. Her steak was gone leaving her only her fighting ability which wasn;t much but it was something. How long have I been asleep? No windows, she noticed when she looked around. I wonder.. Standing carefully Alerie tested the strength of her legs which weren't as wobbly as she expected. Her head had a bruise near the temple she realized after looking into a mirror perched on a shelf. Surveying the room she sauntered over to the door trying the handles to find them locked. Of course. So as quietly as she could she slipped back on the couch and sat to wait foir whatever was going to happen to her. But as she sat her eyes wanered around the room looking to the different things she might be able to use as a weapon. She is always planning, always. She was almost like a fox in some ways, one step ahead of the rabbit that she's tracking. The mirror! She jumped up gripping the mirror in her hands bringing it down on her knee. Perfect! She was giddy with excitement, while she picked up good jagged peice of broken glass shoving the rest behind the couch.

Alex shrugged "What scared I might out shine you?" he smiled he didn't like the fact that someone with wings would be training him he then said "What about a werewolf,or witch." "What about a vampire."

Lithia contemplated Alex's offer when a guard arrived. He bowed quickly and then spoke.
"Your highness," he said, "The human girl you had us put in the parlor seems to be awake. I heard a crash from behind the door. How shall we proceed?"

Lithia sighed and got up, snapping her fingers to inform Nicholas that he should get up as well. As a formality, she attached his leash to his collar when he did.
"I'd like to speak with this human," she said, heading for the door with Nicholas trailing behind her.

She turned back to look at Alex and Marco. "We'll be right back," she told them, "Make yourselves comfortable." She smirked faintly. Knowing they would be anything but.
Her and Nicholas followed the guard to the parlor where there were some strange noises coming from.

"Open it," she commanded the guard and he unlocked the door and pushed it open.
Lithia and Nicholas stepped inside. . .

Immediatly she straightened herself, the glass was gone from her hand thankfully. She wouldn't se it now but only for her own protection. Her eyes shot between the two. The Queen and her little pet.. Alerie mentally scowled. Multiple times hse had been in a collar, every time she released herself it didn't seem apparent to them that they should have it welded on instead of locked on. Well best not to make enemies.. She did a very slight bow, just to start off good but remained in her spot, standing by the couch she ahd woken up on.
Alerie's eyes examined the two, the cold goddess from her dreams and a handsome boy next to her. Maybe they aren't so bad... She thought for a moment then quickly pushed the thought away, the ones keeping her locked up in this place will and always have been, to her, unnatural beings.

Lithia let her eyes study the human girl before her. She was standing in the middle of the room, obviously up to something. Nobody just stood around doing nothing. She seemed young, probably about Nicholas' age, with interestingly styled blonde hair.

"Hello human," she said, noticing the slight bow with interest, "I am Queen Lithia. And would you be so kind as to tell me who you are?"

"I am Alerie.." She stated, her eyes never moving from them. She crossed her arms over her chest taking a couple deep breaths, it didnt stop the goosebums from rising on her skin while she looked at the women. She then added with pride in her voice ,"It means eagle, my Father named me.." thinking of her Father always bothered her. Suddenly she didn't really understand what she had to hide, other then the peice of glass that she had hidden.

"What a beautiful name," Lithia said, allowing her cool eyes to penentrate the eyes of the human. She was looking for any signs of misconduct. Well there was the fact that her favorite mirror was missing, which meant that the human had probably broken it to use as a weapon. Clever. But Lithia was thousands of years old, she wasn't as easily fooled as any common guard. This girl might have had experience with outsmarting guards, but she had never dealt with an ancient vampire queen. If she wanted to compete with Lithia, she'd have to step up her game.

Not at all afraid of the glass shard that the human obviously had on her person, Lithia glided forward, towing Nicholas behind her. She wasn't afraid of this human. She was queen for a reason afterall. She'd survived countless battles against immortal armies and had one of the greatest calculating minds in all of the world. It was a given when you were one of the oldest living creatures on the planet. This Alerie girl might have had some talent, but it wouldn't get her far against Lithia. Lithia didn't plan on harming her though, there would be no need. Unless she tried to hurt Nicholas, which Lithia hoped she wasn't stupid enough to do. If she did, she'd find her life span severely decreased. In seconds.

"So tell me Alerie. What did you do to wind up in this place, my palace. Surely you must have done something. Go on. Tell me a story. I very much do love stories," she said, sitting down on the sofa. Nicholas stood by the side of the couch, like he always did when Lithia was on her throne.

"Can we get some refreshments in here?" she asked of the guard standing by the door, "I have a feeling it's going to be a long story."
The guard looked slightly taked back that the queen had asked him to go get drinks. Seeing as it wasn't really the place of a guard to have to do errands.

"I could go get them Lithia," Nicholas chimed in.
"Hush. You'll do no such thing. I want you to see this," she said.

The guard still stood in the doorway. Lithia gave him a withering look. "Drinks?" she repeated. He immediatly ran off.
She sighed and turned back to Alerie. "It's so hard to find good help . . ." she said, "So Alerie, go on then. Tell me a story."

She noticeably hesitated opening her mouth, but no words came. Clearing her throat she took a breath,"My father was a marine, strict and loved everything to be his way. I was a mistake. He got drunk one evening while celerating with some friends of his and fell upon my mother. A.." She chose her words carefully, she loved her mother,"She worked on the streets for entertainment. Since she could not afford to keep me when I became 12, my Father took up custody of me. I didn't know the world, only that of dancing and entertainment like my mother. I never did what she did but I know many things I shouldn't." She took another breath, her grip loosening from the glass in her hand,"Multiple times I ran away within the years, running off with boys, druggies, prostitutes, but I never got far. I was sent to detention camps many times but always got off on good behavior. When I reached age 18 I took off knowing I had my rights and fell into a mess. I tried to follow my dream of moving to France and falling in love with..." She stopped herself, not wanting to mention her little fantasy world.
"I went to France and had only been there a couple nights when I was hit, on the way from a club. I had no idea what had happened. I was traded and sold multiple times, but they never did anything to me. They just wanted the money. Then I ended up here." She jerked her chin slightly in a gesture to show the castle. Her mouth was a little dry, she had never mentioned this but something about the Queen didn't frighten her like the rest of the inhabitants here did.

"Interesting. Hardly a rebel are you. A victim of circumstance. But I suppose all the humans who end up in Haven City are. But most don't end up in my castle. Usually it's just the troublemakers who grace my presence . . . But yes, that's all very interesting" the queen appraised her story, crossing her legs, "Isn't that interesting Nicky?"

"Yes," Nicholas said.
"Oh how terribly rude of me. This my human, Nicholas. Say hello Nicky," she urged.

"Hello," he said emotionlessly. Lithia rolled her eyes at how unfriendly he was around new people.

Her eyes flicked to the ground and she cleared her throat again looking up into the eyes of the male Nicholas,"Salutations." She nodded slightly. Her hand tossed the glass down onto the coffee table with a clatter. She wasn't giving up just standing down for the time being.

"Now, what to do with you Alerie?" the queen contemplated, "I feel bad just selling you after getting to know you a bit. Besides, based on the fact that you were inteligent enough and strong enough to break my mirror and hide it under the sofa, I have a feeling a typical master may find you troublesome. And heavens knows I don't want you ending up Alex, always shifting from owner to owner, getting stronger and more cynical as you go on. No, that seems unfair . . . Nicky darling, what do you think?"

"I honestly do not know," he said.
Lithia studied him and was sure in her assesment that he was telling the truth.

"I can't think on an empty stomach," she decided, "Come Alerie, surely you are hungry. You can join Nicholas and I, and our guests, for breakfest. The cooks will make you anything you like."

She rose to her feet and, towing Nicholas by his leash, headed for the door. "Come along now Alerie," she encouraged, "Let us go dine. And then I'll get you some new, more suitable clothes. You're a little smaller then me, but I can always have one of my dresses tailored if we have to. Forgive me, but I hate to see people walking around not properly dressed. But first, we eat."

"Um.." She stuttered and hadn't realized she was alittle hungry. As if she had done it before she silently followed thinking. A dress wouldn't provide a very easy escape but she actually was starting to like this place slowly. She looked down at her jacket and took the sharp pin from the pocket placing it up her arm into her skin, good enough to hide but not to draw blood. She was silent as she followed them thinking on what she could possibly eat.

Nicholas tried not to look as uncomfortable as he felt, and he had a feeling it was working to an extent. He was used to Lithia walking him around on a leash; it was typical. But it just felt weird when he was right next to another human, just like him. A non-collared, non-leashed human. It made him feel like a fucking dog.

Lithia opened the door to the dining room and stepped inside. Alex and Marco were inside, in the exact same positions they had been in before. She doubted that either of them had moved for the entire time she'd been gone. They'd probably just sat there, still as stone and as silent as the dead, just glaring at each other. Men . . .

"Boys," she called their attention, "This is Alerie. She'll be joining us for breakfest."

Her eyes kept to the ground avoiding the male in front of her. Why was someone like him treated like this..she didn't understand. She had been lost in her thoughts when she almost ran into him walking into the dining room. She stopped and swallowed glancing up to meet the eyes of Alex and Marco, her golden eyes shone with mischeviousness for only a second then she looked away.

Lithia went to go sit at the head of the table and Nicholas came of course and sat on her right hand.
"Come Alerie, sit next to Nicholas," she beckoned.

"Marco," she said, turning to him, "You are excused for now. I have decided in your favor and you will not have to train Alex. Oh and on your way out, could you tell one of the servants to come in here to see what Alerie would like to eat."

She then turned to Alex. "I have made my descsion. You suggested a vampire as a trainer. I agree with you that vampires are the most skilled. And what vampire is more skilled then me? None of course."

She stood awkwardly in the doorway then walked over and pulled out a chair sitting down next to the boy silently. She was just as uncomfortable as he was and rubbed her neck after swallowing silently.

Marco nodded to the queen, trying to hide how satisfied he was. He got up and left, summoning a servant as he went. He was sooo glad he didn't have to train that little brat.

"You should try the french toast," Lithia suggested to Alerie, completly comfortable, "They're delectable. Right Nicky?"
"Right," he mumbled.

He felt very uncomfortable at the moment. He was in a room with two humans and his Mistress. Both of the humans were both unowned, uncollared, unleashed, and uncontrolled. Neither of them was a spoiled house pet like him. They were both more dignified then him, and they probably both thought he was some pampered blood whore. The way Lithia paraded him around like some pretty toy. He loved Lithia, but he hated having no self respect.

She stole a glance at the boy and hesitated before lightly brushing her hand against his, she hoped he didn't feel to bad, she hated that. She then loked to the servant and put on her best manners,"May I please have the french toast its sounds wonderfuk." She smiled politely her hands in her lap clutching the napkin.