Thursday, May 04, 2006

chap 18: Fiery Tempest

NB: Do you think musicians are good at math and vice versa as well? It seems those adept at additional calculus are superb in music lessons. Lestat is quite skilful in mathematics given that he is an excellent artiste!
Krystal loaths maths too.


“Why do you want to do this?” I asked, looking at the number of mistakes I had made. It wasn’t that I paid little attention, he Is a real attention grabber. I just could not concentrate feeling so tired. Projects too many to keep track and my flunking maths tests. At this rate I was going to get an F. my dad would kill me! If I retook it, I had to pay more.

Lestat stopped marking. “Hmm?” He circled question 20 and wrote a comment.

“Help me to appreciate music? Why is this wrong? Isn’t that the eighth and sixteenth? Um, I thought there was a nineteenth note. Or symbol….I’m not so sure….”


My teacher pressed a gifted hand to his temple, in frustration or exhaustion I didn’t know. I sat down and flashed him my forgetful- student- routine apology grin. Lestat smiled weakly and said, “It’s ok. Life is different from the past. Your stress is too overwhelming to understand. But still, did you get the concepts right? Or you totally couldn’t grasp them?”

In truth most of the concepts were rendered forgotten, but to be tactful, ‘everything was cool and I could understand.’ It was a while before he finally answered my first burning query. “I just want to, as a friend.” Lestat formed a shape with his hands, a symbol of artistic fervor. “I believe strongly, that everybody has talent. It needs awakening and once you have awakened the musical genes, voila. You can sing out your joy! The day you discover that is the fruit of my labour. Right now, it is torture?”

I closed my eyes, letting the words sink in fully into my consciousness. Umm, no. I like the way you convey your love for music. For piano, specifically. It is hard to have someone like you. Lestat, I will try much harder. It is just, I have so many things to do. We have Too many stuff going on. I am sorry.

Hey why are you feeling that way? We are friends, close friends okay? Do not take it to heart. He stopped-------- Sometimes, sometimes I feel so angry when I cannot penetrate your business and I just want you to pay sole attention to me. I hate to admit it. Yet it is true. But of course your Day life is the main part. I am only a tiny portion of it... He replied in a pained manner.

I touched his hair. His shoulders shook. He pushed away when I extended to a hug. No. If you touch me, I won’t stop crying. Darn this emotional shit.

Lestat made the lights off and sniffed. I felt uncomfortably guilty. He’s so Emo. sometimes! Sigh. He told me not to take it to heart, but he starts crying instead?


“Armand is stable,unlike you. Now what's up? Have some dignity, teacher’s status,” I said huffily.

“Really? Then no breaks for you. Bianca.”

I moaned.

“You really like my ex? That’s… that is so---------“he trailed off, could not find some bombastic word to place in.

“So cruel?” I suggested. The Frenchman said aha and drummed his fingers. I posed, my nose in the air, raising my crest. I can do that, there are some muscles to make my headfeathers “Heheh, I am queen ruthless. Shapers are beasts, we aren’t supposed to express ourselves so openly like that! Self-restraint.” I quoted, smugly.

The lights came on, blinding me! Lestat laughed his wicked laugh, totally sexy to fangirls. They actually roll up their eyes and drop in a dead faint. My witness.

“I am not restrained in Any way. We’re not able to repress ourselves. Do you understand what I’ve done with you so far? Is it too difficult?” he said.

“No. It’s cool. I want to drink now. Let’s see. Got any milk? Coke!”

He looked sad. “Music is so unbearable? Cherie. Don’t have coke at night, it’s bad for your stomach. You had gastric. Louis will nag me if you are in pain again. Please spare a thought for others besides yourself.”


“I don’t have it now. I’m cravvvving caffeine.” I skipped to the fridge, which is always packed to the brim of snacks, ready to eat and ready to cook. I pestered Lestat to buy coke on offer last Sat, since Mr counselor was out on a poetry appreciation event. Louis had made many girlfriends and went out all over the island. Lestat wished he could tag along and hit on them, but his fledge made it clear it was no way. So he suggested more personal dyad- time, which means two people only. I didn’t mind, but if only he were not uptight about piano lessons.

He muttered to himself and pressed the door shut with his telekinesis. I couldn’t open it. “You just got better. Have some milo. I’ll make for you, lots of sugar,” he coddled, leaning against the door. I did not have a hope of moving him so I walked away.

“Don’t want,” I said, applying my fingers to the keys and playing by ear. My friend was whistling to the CD playing softly, spoon clink, mug on the tabletop. A chocolatey smell filled my taste buds. I sensed him before he came real close and turned. He was pleased.

“Ah. Here you go. Your reaction’s faster now cherie. So I should become a cat, or a beast to sneak up on you.” The light accentuated his unique features, not quite human. He had a tan from being in the sun at dawn two days ago. Pinkish healthy lips, alert large eyes lazily half closed, a perfect nose. Already handsome during his mortality, vampirism had enhanced this by a million times! Lestat tossed his golden mane. I snapped out of my dreaminess and glared. The heat of the beverage brought me back to reality.

The vampire grinned. “I can still enchant you. That can’t be avoided.”


How conceited, I trilled. I closed my eyes and let the music, the rhythm flow like he had described to me many times over. Fingers do the walking….. Twang. Wrong tune. Oh darn. Lestat motioned, let me demonstrate. I sat aside and observed his deft fingers. It’s the only thing he can do without crushing.


“Why was I wrong?” I listened to his corrections and re did the score again. I had put my thumb in the way so it slipped and hit the A key.


I have trouble doing F sharps and the flats. And semi tones are a whole lot of problem. I remembered something. I jumped up, pressing his shoulder. “Hey Brattie, I’ve got a surprise for you. Come on up.”


He sulked. “We just got started. Wait. Finish the drink.” I took it from the glass table and wolfed it down. In my room, I took out a paper wrapping in a soft shape. Lestat was half frowning as he opened it and let out a hyper yell.

“Wow! Sorry, I forgot my voice. Where did you get this?” He felt the seams in suppressed excitement, a vintage frock coat. On tour, David and him had run into some enemies and his coat was ripped. It was only slightly torn, but you know, he doesn’t settle for second- rate stuff. I didn’t get a peek at that because Puppyboy had already gotten rid of it.

This one has gold buttons and there’s a snake insignia on the breast pocket. It has silver trimming on the ruffs and the edges. My friend immediately removed his shirt and put it on. It fit him to a T! Mom’s estimation of size and height are phenomenal.

“Yay! How did you----- oh yea, I remember. I told you about my torn frock the other time. Merci. Is it costly?”

“Nope I have a discount. My uncle’s shop. He sells these kinds of clothes. Since you like, I’ll bring you there next time k? I got Louis one too. Secret.”

Lestat laughed, agreed to this. Trooping to his bedroom which was two doors down, he threw open his wardrobe and hurled out his blue jacket. “Why? Nothing’s wrong with this.” I picked it. “Lemme keep it. As a souvenir.”

“Okay then. Looks so worn. I have too many clothes.” He stuck his head in and murmured some stuff that I couldn’t hear. Such a rich boy and does not like old things. Typical of the youngest kid. “Only.”

“You’re the youngest.” I corrected immediately. No response for a while as more white, beige, several shades blue coats and pants sailed overhead and fell all in one pile.

Only child. ------ he emphasized--------- My brothers are gone, I’m all alone. Let’s not sound depressed, Bianca. You don’t have to buy me things. I know the presents are a kind of thank you. Right? I didn’t answer. He shut the door, pressed it by force until it complied and came to lie down. “You do not have to. I am doing it from the significance of my heart.” I touched the place where his heart used to beat. I did not agree with this, freeloading has always been a staunch principle of our kind. We don’t freeload off anybody. Lestat did not hear this and looked through me. Half propped against the wall, one leg up and in the frock coat, my friend could eternally emblem himself in a mortal’s memory. Now, immortals have excellent memory, so I say mortal’s.

“Bianca, my physical appearance is the only quality that gives me my confidence. I’m very insecure. We did that personality quiz yesterday. It is true. Hmm, I think I should start to do tests more often.” He blinked and a strand fell over his nose. I nodded. “Yep. I admire that you can calmly think things through. When there’s a problem, I always rush into it. How do you do that?”

Now he shifted to be more comfortable. Vampires are normally very still and can remain in one position for ages, but not Lestat de Lioncourt. He is a really active person. I wonder if he likes sports. “Do you? Then you can burn up your excess energy,” I sidetracked.

“No. I like to drama. No no that’s not right, I like drama, plays better. Maybe… swimming. Honey, back to the question.” Casually he gestured for me to carry on.

“Oh okay. I am calm but not in emergencies. No way anyone can be calm in an emergency! Like when you lay bleeding.”

It is alright. I don’t expect you to be calm when blood is over you. I was freaking out when I first began. So much of it, and ironically I need it to live. You have such strength for a young adult. You talked to me to keep me conscious. You saved me. Remember the feel of your hands on me…. Ummmm.

Oi, what do you mean?----- I made my voice go up a fraction and scowled.

Musical laughter. Oh. It is true. I love the feel of your satin skin.

Lioncourt!! Arrgh I have had enough of you. Lestat blocked as I whacked him with my pillow. He held it firmly. I took my stuffed animals and hit him. I could not stop laughing. My prince made various clownish sad and hurt faces. You can tell------- when he’s really mad, or hurt deeply it’s different.

“Can we please go to the lesson at hand now? You still need to do semitones. When you apply, you can understand better.”

“Sleeepy.” He rolled off the bed and lay on his coffin. This one is new, polished till it’s almost golden. He changes coffins once every 6 months and always from a different supplier so they don’t send an MIB to check out the phenomenal number of deaths.

“Think I’ll sleep early tonight. Louis has been neglecting our relationship dyad. Nothing to do. Wanna come inside?”

I shuddered. The box. It looked cool, but I did not think there was much circulation of air. “No. I’m claustrophobic.”

The preter looked up at the fluorescent light. It blinked off. Hurt his eyes when he directly glances at light. “Most avians are claustro?”

“Yep. Maybe you could train me to be less?” I was hopeful. Couldn’t afford to break into panic if I was stuck in a small area.

“I need more info then. Are you also scared of the dark? It is dark inside my coffin. Come on in.” I gingerly lay down beside him in birdshape. Relax. It’s not small. Very spacious. And you can breathe. Remember this experience and you will gradually lose your phobia.

I gulped in air. You need oxygen right? hmm, there seems to be air. A bit musty though.
True. I was not suffocating. He talked to me softly and kept up the stroking.
Now I will close the lid. Okay?

No. leave it open. Why don’t you leave it open?----- I said incredulously. You can fight off people who invade right? Gabrielle discovered for herself. You could do it too.

The stroking stopped. He tried to sound cheerful. Yeah, I could. But if servants should troop by? Door’s Locked, but they may disregard my orders and sneak a peek at their master.

Do they know you’re a night walker?

Lestat’s voice was tight when he replied, I hope not. But mortals are inquisitive by nature, whatever is unknown they want to uncover it. Probe it till it comes to the surface. And I told you this before, don’t try to damage my rest area or your life will be in peril.


I wondered why he sounded angry. Had I offended him? Was it because I talked about Gabrielle? Lestat was silent now. I did not mean to. He had been willing to share bits of stuff about her. Then didn’t Lestat like to discuss her as equal to him?
I am. I don’t like to discuss about her as a vampire. Her human self was for me, but we separated. I wanted to stay with her, but she didn’t. I am her only offspring left. She had her own hidden agenda. She did not care.

I was full of indignance for his mother and flew out. "How can you insult your mother like that? She gave birth to you. She has her own feelings and her life!!"

"Left me alone to suffer. Don’t you see from my view? You haven’t met her." he responded in agitation now and sat up. Like a live corpse.
"Bianca, I created a wall between us, a barrier. She was my first fledge. We couldn’t read each others’ thoughts. It puzzled me. It infuriated! My own mother and the flow of telepathy had ceased so completely I tried so hard. But Gabrielle became colder and colder, distant from I. I who yearn for warmth. I cannot call her mother, though it is the fact!"

I thought about this. "But you were under the same roof for a bit. And you still don’t understand her? Okay, I do not mean to be rude...."

"Why do you wanna know? It is fine not to talk about her." The way he said ‘her’ was petulant, sharp and thick all at once. He began to pace up and down, so much like a mad conductor, hair wildly flying. The window was open. The light played on his almost human features. in strong telepathy, he went on------Cherie, it is very upsetting for me. You may ask me all the probing questions, but not Gabrielle, nor Marius’s secrets. Torrential rush to blockade these images.

I nodded. "Sorry, Lestat. Now you cannot sleep early." I watched him relax, the tension leaving him. I repeated this a couple of times, to sound sincere. However it didn’t mean I would stop questioning why. Secrets are enticing sweets to mortals, and also for shapers! Lestat smiled and told me it was all right.

“I love this frock coat and I’ll wear it out next time. Come here, let me kiss you goodnight.” I remained in birdform. “I don’t want to breathe in feathery dust. Be good.”

I yielded and his cold lips brushed my forehead and my cheeks. I hugged my friend, eyes wide to take in the darkened room. An insect scuttering to a rathole. I had eaten a few. The servants were so pleased they need not hire a pest control. “Shall we continue semitones if I can’t sleep early? I’ll make it easy for you.”

Oh no, I didn't want to touch another music note!!

Lestat released me. I curled up in my bed. I heard his footsteps, non existent for humans, but audible for me. He halted outside my room and I felt his ethereal pupils scrutinize me. Not in bloodlonging, but love for a little sister. Louis always jumped in to criticize when he labeled me daughter. It is a vast difference----- daughter means I’m already a convert to vampirism. If only Gabrielle and he could be reunited and she’d stay with him forever. I remained still and prayed for this. I could try my new transmission skill to seek her out. It is extremely hard to focus unless you are a very strong telepath like Charles Xavier.

Psst, what are you doing? Don’t wanna sleep? Keep me company----- Lestat whined. He was not outside my room. Sorting through the piles of CDs and disliking each one downstairs. There are countless rooms, guest lounges, bedrooms of which three are occupied, one storeroom, servant rooms. My teacher brought me en tour several times.

I ignored him and reached out to the wilderness beyond. My head hurt.
If you hear me Gabrielle, Lestat needs you very much. He wishes you’ll be his mother through and through. You do not need to answer me. Just show yourself to him. Did you know that my friend was critically poisoned? He cried out for you when he was feverish. My mother had to pretend to be you.
Do consider that he is your only son. I think it is a pity that you’re not living together. Lestat is soft and dependent. He needs care. Something like this. I went to sleep immediately. Of course I tried my best to shield this sensitive message from my teacher. I do not know if he actually heard me. He didn’t mention this at all.

It had taken quite a lot of reserves on my part, because I cannot manage a Full Sending now.




Lestat was usually happy from then on. Why? I remembered almost all the stuff he had taught. Not the music, the vampire theory lessons which were new. There isn’t such a module outside. Flattered, Brattie was thrilled to pass on his knowledge. It benefited me to be more aware of preternaturals. Actually they are more common than mortals know. It could enhance the relations between our two races.
Posted by Ireth Seregon :: 8:50 PM :: 0 Comments:

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