Friday, August 04, 2006

Wounds run Deep

Chapter 29 Wounds run way deep



I went to the Cathedral a few times. It was rather enjoyable, singing hymns and giving each other the sign of peace. I only did not like to sit still. Since I wasn’t a Catholic, I was not obliged to kneel at the pews.

On a weeknight, humid and still sunny, 6.30pm. I walked up and pressed the gate bell. It was closed. They are open by remote activated by either of the vamp’s mind. Louis was in orange t-shirt. “Come on in.” He turned and called Lestat.
“Hmm, why’re you dressed like that?”


It’s not that Lestat won’t know if a guest has arrived, his senses are heightened. Brat wants to be informed verbally, coz he usually runs around half dressed if it’s no one important.
I was in leather, my arms bare and had thickened my lashes with mascara, spiked my hair purple. I laughed. “For fun. Do you think Brat will be mad at me?”

Lestat ran down and frowned at me, but then he smiled and embraced me. He was in his new white tunic, open at the chest and had half belted his trousers. The pants were loose and he held it up, slotting the hole and the clasp. Had he become slimmer?

I’m alright. My child, you’re very.. different tonight. Still pretty. Don’t worry, I shan’t nag at you. Women are extremely modern in thinking this century. --------- he said into my mind.

Ok. If not I’ve gotta prepare for an ear bashing. Lestat chuckled, rubbing his eye.

So I’m gonna have lessons today. What’re we going to do?

Tonight we’d be talking about fashion during the Ancien Regime. As demonstration, my sensei changed his own costumes, let me feel the material beneath my fingers. It was like some fashion statement in a model show! He’s a real natural, as you know. All vampires have the ability to imitate whether it’s clothing, songs, or physical activities. I just haven’t seen my friends swim yet.

“Ah. I don’t want to catch cold. Ok, come back to the subject. We usually don’t conform to the century. I still like lace and silk. What about you guys? Last time I remember Omaga and Juno insisted we must wear clothes. Then you don’t go bareback?”


I crossed my legs. My boots were so shiny. “Usually we don’t. But I would love to.”

“Is it, executable if you are seen exposing some flesh?” Louis in his most cheeky manner. He had his hair cropped short and washed with the anti-growth shampoo. Looked like he’s just in his twenties.

“No way, man. All sorts of material are cool, and we change the clothes as well with our Shifting. Otherwise we’ll be naked when we change back.”

Then we moved on to other topics. Did hair color mix through the centuries? For example, if a blond and a black hair mix, did it equal to brown? Not necessarily.


Lestat used his own family tree to explain: his mom and paternal grandmother had been the only Lioncourts to be blond. ‘So I take on that. I suppose my grandma had curly hair too, my father used to show me pictures. My brothers all take after the marquis, dark, broad shouldered. I kinda deviate to the feminine side…”

We both consoled him that he was every bit a hero and not feminine at all. He said he was all alone, and what happened to the family unit? Most aristocrats lived in relative bliss. At this point, Lestat seemed about to cry and quickly went on to other Blood drinkers.
“So far, I’m one of the very few golden manes. Marius’s hair is almost whitish. The most common kind are black-haired, like our guy, Armand.”

Louis protested. “I’m not a kind! I’m a people. Why didn’t you call yourself a kind too?”


His Maker used a book and gently tapped his head. Louis squealed at all the dust falling on his fresh hair.


“Alright. All of US are a kind, a population, if you insist. Yes, cherie?”


I wanted to know if dye could stay on for a long time. He said it was not possible---- “No. I once made my front locks bright green and violet. For my concerts. Then they were back to this same color the following night. A waste of money.”



After some bantering and a sketch where ‘stat pretended to be on the throne of England, he fell silent. I snuggled close to Louis and continued my sketch. I finished it.

“Great. Want to put it up where every guest can see it?” Louis suggested. I felt a little horrified. His humor is not on equal wavelength with us. I barely noticed when my sensei left.



An hour later,

I went in search of him to show him my completed crayon scribble of a person. Guess who? No one famous. Detected his bright pink aura. He was seated on one of the window sills in the Rejuvenation room. I knocked. I cannot enter this room without permission, it’s only for transfusion between vampires.

“Yea?”

I noticed his pensive and tired composure. He doesn’t usually go off by himself. “Um, do you want to be alone? I’ll give you due respect.”

“No problem. I’ll come out… haven’t cleaned up yet.” Lestat closed the door. “Yes what’s the matter?( I held out my drawing) Who’s that? It’s very special.”


I had made the person look blurry. You can’t make crayon very clear. The hair was a mess of blue brown wavy, the eyes and mouth were small smudges. It’s ugly, but my sensei is polite and supportive of art. “Can be anyone I want it to be.”
He motioned downstairs. I flew down on my golden wings.

Lestat did not exclaim upon seeing me change. He was suppressed and seemed to be holding stuff in his heart tonight. “Lestat, you don’t need to speak. I think you’re very very strong. Coz you can withstand pain and hardship.”


He smiled. “You think so?” Not allowing himself to break out in preter emotions of exhilaration.


“Definitely!” I chirruped, walking from side to side towards my companion.


“Thank you. I’m touched that you think so highly of me. But too much credit, how about when I’m stoming, violent and a crying sod? Mon dieu, I’m never patient. When the young ones are rude to me, I get all emo.”



I laughed. Puppy was back again, dramatic and excitable. He asked if I felt he was kind to me. I nodded.


Switch to telepathy, unique art. Lestat Sent me a live and whirling Northern lights. Yahoo!!!!

I bobbed my head. Heehee.

Aww. So cute, he replied and held out his hand. I made a peck. He snatched back------- Hey! How could you?

We guffawed at his indignant expression, curls all flying up. The wind was very naughty indeed. Ma darling, Quinn hasn’t come back. Has he left already? ----Note all serious.

Oh. Sorry, I forgot to tell ya. His friends wanted to meet him in the South. He’ll be in Jasper and Lights Bartown. Said not to fret. He’ll call.

What time will that be? Lestat looked at the phone for a very long time. Apprehension in colors of grey! Quinn’s young, very new here and very naïve.

Like magic, the phone shrilled. He jumped to answer. “Hi bro. I’m fine. Where’re you now? Um hm, you take the cab. Do you have money? Just control the guy to come right here, and I’ll pay. Yea yea. Bianca, do you want anything? He’s gonna pass by some fast foods…”

“Fries from Macs. Can?”

Stat relayed the message, then after some fatherly tips for him to be careful, he hung up.


Pointe suddenly appeared in our midst. Lestat pretended to faint from heart attack. ‘please man, tell me when you come! I’m still a patient!’ We listened to the soft guy explaining why people blush. Some more than others, because of the thinner blood vessels. We teased him about his smartiness.



Lestat was in a really good mood now. “It’s been almost two years since our friendship. Certainly endured. Few of my relationships have lasted. And we’re of a different species! That’s such a good thing!”


I was glad too. Quinn returned with Macs and they kissed and hugged. Puppy was behaving like his nickname and holding his hands in affection. Louis sulked that he didn’t acknowledge his presence. Quinn came over and clasped his arm.

Vibrations in my bag. I answered my cell.

“Yea?”

“Krys, we’re home. Come back. Mom’s gonna stay for two days.”


Alright. I took the fries and Lestat said he’d escort me. Quinn wanted to sleep. As always, Lestat used the shortcut from the back door to the river. It runs through the small forest and meanders right into our town. “Can’t I go home by myself? I’m big now.”


He shook his head. “No. I will still accompany you. I’m streetwise and besides, you were quite lost the other time.”


I looked at the silvery water, knelt on impulse and let the coolness flow over my fingers.


“An appropriate tune for tonight,” he seemed to sing. I nodded. I ignored my beeping phone. Didn’t wanna interrupt the stillness. All alone with a predator. I stifled my fear.

Lestat is good. He is my teacher. Another voice said: don’t trust. Don’t trust. A predator, not innocent. The blood of the shed. I wasn’t paying attention.

Princie was kind of hurt.I leaned against him and smiled. blocked out my unpleasant thoughts. “What were you saying?”

“Singing. It’s ok. It’s two and a half years since we met. I was trying to count. ”

We continued strolling, I had to scan for any stalkers, or rocks. Lestat was behind, humming to himself. “Äny changes in your life?” I piped. I faced him.

“So shy, I feel.”he laughed softly, one hand elegantly tugging a strand of hair. “Ma fleur, why? Yes, there’s been a significant earthshaking impact and turning point in my life since you came. You were practically an answer to my prayers.” Shiny blue eyes.

I felt the soft cottony fabric of his tunic. My fingers went up to his collarbone. Cold and hard.

Sharply he asked, what’s wrong? I’m hard.

I started and then walked on in front. No, it’s… fine. It’s just---

What? Are you angry with me? He asked in a vulnerably small voice.

No. I wanted to run away, since my instincts were on overdrive. He’s not mortal. He has no heart, how can he feel conscience? My home was over there. I didn’t get why I was suddenly feeling spooked.

Bianca, why didn’t you say goodnight to me?

I said already, I replied almost rudely.. He is soft, how can I bear to hurt him?
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