For the Cookie
Nov. 4th, 2004 11:44 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
maderrThis is what I have so far for Chapter Three of Embrace. I apologize for not having finished it yet, time is one thing I haven't had of late. *sigh*
Chapter Three
Aubrey was just finishing lunch when his father appeared in the dining room. He glanced at his son, "We need to talk. I will be in my study when you're finished."
"…Yes, father." Aubrey said with a frown. He sighed as his father left, accepting Stregoni's sympathetic look with a nod.
'Milla looked at him, "I'm guessing this is about your future?"
"No doubt." Brey looked at his Pet, "Did you want to come along or remain here? It's going to be dreadfully boring."
"I would prefer to accompany you, Master."
Brey sighed, and nodded. "Very well. The sooner we start, the sooner we finish."
Once in the hallway, Brey let some of his anxiety show on his face. He worried his upper lip as he led the way through long, interconnecting hallways, up the stairs to his father's private study. The library/study downstairs was primarily for show; only Aubrey really made use of the books. Sangre did all his real work in the small study off his bedroom, and it was there that Aubrey went to meet him.
He rapped sharply on the door before admitting himself. His father sat sipping coffee at his desk, watching sternly as Aubrey approached. He flicked his gaze to Ruthven, then back to his son. "So you are finally finished with all of your schooling?"
"Yes, father."
"And now that you've wasted time and my money, what do you plan to do with yourself?"
Aubrey frowned, "I don't see how an education is a waste of anything. I would say it's far better than simply loitering around the house leeching off my uncle."
"Watch your words," Sangre snapped. "I know you and Gille do not get along, but your cousin is not as horrible as you are inclined to think. And anyway, right now he is more promising an Heir than you, so really you have no right to criticize him."
With effort Aubrey bit off what he wanted to say to that. "Why did you want to speak with me, father?"
"Naturally, to discuss your future plans and whether or not I should bother trying to salvage you as my heir."
"If you already think I'm completely unfit, why are you even bothering?"
His father looked at him, "Because you are my son, and it would have upset your mother to see someone else inherit. But make no mistake - I will choose practicality over sentiment if I must. It is up to you to decide whom I choose."
"I want to take care of 'Milla. That's all that matters to me."
"Indeed. Your sister is well cared for, you need not worry about that." Sangre looked about to say something else, but changed his mind. "What are you planning on doing, now that you've completed school? I never received an adequate response from you on that."
"I thought I'd stay here for awhile. Perhaps pursue private studies, help Stregoni with 'Milla. Must I decide right now father? I've only just returned home. I wouldn't have minded helping you more with the estate."
Sangre nodded, "That is a step in the right direction. At least you appear to be showing some interest in your home. Never mind notions of study; a waste of time once school is finished. We'll put that proper education of yours to proper use," he tapped his cane on the floor for emphasis. A beat of silence while he thought. "First thing first. You're too much a mouse."
Aubrey remained silent, with effort.
His father flicked his gaze to the Pet standing behind him. "At least you haven't discarded your Pet."
"Ruthven, father."
"Yes. I take it now that you have a Pet, you find it not so horrible?"
"I find it detestable, father, that I'm expected to have a Pet. I don't want him, but I seem to have little choice in the matter."
Sangre frowned. "Well, too bad. All nobles have Pets; it would be unseemly for my Heir to ignore the customs and fashions of the day. I want none of this 'rogue' nonsense. I will have a respectable heir, is that understood?"
"Of course, father."
"Very well, then." Sangre tapped a sheaf of papers in front of him, "I've composed a guest list for a ball we'll be throwing next month, in honor of your homecoming. It's been the talk for ages," he sounded disgusted and thoroughly put out by the thought, "As to whom I will select for my heir. Behave and prove yourself worthy for the next month, and I will announce you as my heir at that ball. If not, it will go to your cousin." A pause, "And while I am willing to care for Carmilla, and pay the exorbitant costs for her care and that blasted garden, I am not too certain your cousin will be as kind once he has a family of his own. Take that into consideration in this coming week."
At that, Aubrey could not keep silent. "How dare you! And how dare he! Carmilla has nothing to do with this ridiculous affair. Nothing at all! She can barely move from her bed most days and now you're telling me that if I don't act like your ideal of a son and heir, my rat of a cousin will toss my sister out on her ear? I won't stand for it."
"You don't have a choice," his father said coolly, unmoved by Brey's shouting. "And I didn't say it was fact. As I said, you're cousin is not the monster you think."
"He's monster enough." Aubrey barely kept himself from adding 'as are you,'. Behind him he felt the softest press of fingers at the small of his back. Somehow, the feather light touch soothed him. He choked off whatever other protestations he might have made. "Fine. This stupid ball is in one week?"
"Yes. Seven days from today. You will probably want to visit town; I've already arranged an appointment for you with our tailor."
"Of course."
"And take…Ruthven with you. Show him off. He's an excellent specimen, I didn't pay good money just for you to keep him hidden away in the house." Sangre frowned, "Would you have preferred a female? I was relatively positive you preferred men."
Aubrey wanted to scream, "I'll do as you say father."
"See that you do."
Without another word, Aubrey jerkily turned and left. Ruthven trailed quietly behind him, as Aubrey avoided the sound of his sister and Stregoni in his sister's parlor and instead made his way rapidly to his room. He collapsed on the small sofa in his sitting area.
He felt the weight of Ruthven, as the vampire sat on the edge of the sofa at his hip. Attempting to laugh and failing miserably, he lifted his arm from where it was draped over his face. "I think maybe you got cheated out of a good master, Ruthven."
"I think not," Ruthven was toying with a soft, red tulip, twirling it by the stem. Aubrey twisted briefly, seeing he'd gotten in from a vase of them set on his small side table."
"I think so. All those years of school and I can't even tell my father 'no.' Guess I haven't really learned much."
"If you'll forgive my impertinence, Master, I do not think you are the one who is in need of lessons."
"You really should stop calling me Master," reluctantly Aubrey sat up. "And I can hardly fault you for impertinence. I should think making you wear that collar and trotting you around like a Pet is a lot more than impertinent. Say whatever you want." Standing, Aubrey unbuttoned and removed his jacket, sitting back down with a sigh. He propped his feet on the small table in front of the sofa, throwing his arm back over his head as he tilted it back.
Ruthven smiled unseen, "Might I ask a question, Master?"
"By all means." Aubrey didn't move as he replied.
"Why do you dislike Pets so much?"
Aubrey was silent, surprised. He answered slowly, removing his arm and sitting up. "I don't dislike Pets…I dislike that we keep other humans as Pets. It isn't right."
"But are we human?"
"…Albeit slightly different…" Aubrey frowned. "You're not our slaves, or our pets. Dogs and cats and birds are pets, not fellow people. Even if they do drink our blood. Why do you ask?"
"Just curious, I suppose," Ruthven smiled briefly. "I've never met anyone who disliked it as you did. I thought you might have a particular reason…"
Aubrey looked up at the portrait over the fireplace, of his family when it was whole. "Now that you've drunk my blood…if something happens to me, you'll die. That isn't fair. Why should two die where only one had to? That's what bothers me."
Chapter Three
Aubrey was just finishing lunch when his father appeared in the dining room. He glanced at his son, "We need to talk. I will be in my study when you're finished."
"…Yes, father." Aubrey said with a frown. He sighed as his father left, accepting Stregoni's sympathetic look with a nod.
'Milla looked at him, "I'm guessing this is about your future?"
"No doubt." Brey looked at his Pet, "Did you want to come along or remain here? It's going to be dreadfully boring."
"I would prefer to accompany you, Master."
Brey sighed, and nodded. "Very well. The sooner we start, the sooner we finish."
Once in the hallway, Brey let some of his anxiety show on his face. He worried his upper lip as he led the way through long, interconnecting hallways, up the stairs to his father's private study. The library/study downstairs was primarily for show; only Aubrey really made use of the books. Sangre did all his real work in the small study off his bedroom, and it was there that Aubrey went to meet him.
He rapped sharply on the door before admitting himself. His father sat sipping coffee at his desk, watching sternly as Aubrey approached. He flicked his gaze to Ruthven, then back to his son. "So you are finally finished with all of your schooling?"
"Yes, father."
"And now that you've wasted time and my money, what do you plan to do with yourself?"
Aubrey frowned, "I don't see how an education is a waste of anything. I would say it's far better than simply loitering around the house leeching off my uncle."
"Watch your words," Sangre snapped. "I know you and Gille do not get along, but your cousin is not as horrible as you are inclined to think. And anyway, right now he is more promising an Heir than you, so really you have no right to criticize him."
With effort Aubrey bit off what he wanted to say to that. "Why did you want to speak with me, father?"
"Naturally, to discuss your future plans and whether or not I should bother trying to salvage you as my heir."
"If you already think I'm completely unfit, why are you even bothering?"
His father looked at him, "Because you are my son, and it would have upset your mother to see someone else inherit. But make no mistake - I will choose practicality over sentiment if I must. It is up to you to decide whom I choose."
"I want to take care of 'Milla. That's all that matters to me."
"Indeed. Your sister is well cared for, you need not worry about that." Sangre looked about to say something else, but changed his mind. "What are you planning on doing, now that you've completed school? I never received an adequate response from you on that."
"I thought I'd stay here for awhile. Perhaps pursue private studies, help Stregoni with 'Milla. Must I decide right now father? I've only just returned home. I wouldn't have minded helping you more with the estate."
Sangre nodded, "That is a step in the right direction. At least you appear to be showing some interest in your home. Never mind notions of study; a waste of time once school is finished. We'll put that proper education of yours to proper use," he tapped his cane on the floor for emphasis. A beat of silence while he thought. "First thing first. You're too much a mouse."
Aubrey remained silent, with effort.
His father flicked his gaze to the Pet standing behind him. "At least you haven't discarded your Pet."
"Ruthven, father."
"Yes. I take it now that you have a Pet, you find it not so horrible?"
"I find it detestable, father, that I'm expected to have a Pet. I don't want him, but I seem to have little choice in the matter."
Sangre frowned. "Well, too bad. All nobles have Pets; it would be unseemly for my Heir to ignore the customs and fashions of the day. I want none of this 'rogue' nonsense. I will have a respectable heir, is that understood?"
"Of course, father."
"Very well, then." Sangre tapped a sheaf of papers in front of him, "I've composed a guest list for a ball we'll be throwing next month, in honor of your homecoming. It's been the talk for ages," he sounded disgusted and thoroughly put out by the thought, "As to whom I will select for my heir. Behave and prove yourself worthy for the next month, and I will announce you as my heir at that ball. If not, it will go to your cousin." A pause, "And while I am willing to care for Carmilla, and pay the exorbitant costs for her care and that blasted garden, I am not too certain your cousin will be as kind once he has a family of his own. Take that into consideration in this coming week."
At that, Aubrey could not keep silent. "How dare you! And how dare he! Carmilla has nothing to do with this ridiculous affair. Nothing at all! She can barely move from her bed most days and now you're telling me that if I don't act like your ideal of a son and heir, my rat of a cousin will toss my sister out on her ear? I won't stand for it."
"You don't have a choice," his father said coolly, unmoved by Brey's shouting. "And I didn't say it was fact. As I said, you're cousin is not the monster you think."
"He's monster enough." Aubrey barely kept himself from adding 'as are you,'. Behind him he felt the softest press of fingers at the small of his back. Somehow, the feather light touch soothed him. He choked off whatever other protestations he might have made. "Fine. This stupid ball is in one week?"
"Yes. Seven days from today. You will probably want to visit town; I've already arranged an appointment for you with our tailor."
"Of course."
"And take…Ruthven with you. Show him off. He's an excellent specimen, I didn't pay good money just for you to keep him hidden away in the house." Sangre frowned, "Would you have preferred a female? I was relatively positive you preferred men."
Aubrey wanted to scream, "I'll do as you say father."
"See that you do."
Without another word, Aubrey jerkily turned and left. Ruthven trailed quietly behind him, as Aubrey avoided the sound of his sister and Stregoni in his sister's parlor and instead made his way rapidly to his room. He collapsed on the small sofa in his sitting area.
He felt the weight of Ruthven, as the vampire sat on the edge of the sofa at his hip. Attempting to laugh and failing miserably, he lifted his arm from where it was draped over his face. "I think maybe you got cheated out of a good master, Ruthven."
"I think not," Ruthven was toying with a soft, red tulip, twirling it by the stem. Aubrey twisted briefly, seeing he'd gotten in from a vase of them set on his small side table."
"I think so. All those years of school and I can't even tell my father 'no.' Guess I haven't really learned much."
"If you'll forgive my impertinence, Master, I do not think you are the one who is in need of lessons."
"You really should stop calling me Master," reluctantly Aubrey sat up. "And I can hardly fault you for impertinence. I should think making you wear that collar and trotting you around like a Pet is a lot more than impertinent. Say whatever you want." Standing, Aubrey unbuttoned and removed his jacket, sitting back down with a sigh. He propped his feet on the small table in front of the sofa, throwing his arm back over his head as he tilted it back.
Ruthven smiled unseen, "Might I ask a question, Master?"
"By all means." Aubrey didn't move as he replied.
"Why do you dislike Pets so much?"
Aubrey was silent, surprised. He answered slowly, removing his arm and sitting up. "I don't dislike Pets…I dislike that we keep other humans as Pets. It isn't right."
"But are we human?"
"…Albeit slightly different…" Aubrey frowned. "You're not our slaves, or our pets. Dogs and cats and birds are pets, not fellow people. Even if they do drink our blood. Why do you ask?"
"Just curious, I suppose," Ruthven smiled briefly. "I've never met anyone who disliked it as you did. I thought you might have a particular reason…"
Aubrey looked up at the portrait over the fireplace, of his family when it was whole. "Now that you've drunk my blood…if something happens to me, you'll die. That isn't fair. Why should two die where only one had to? That's what bothers me."
no subject
Date: 2004-11-04 04:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-04 04:58 pm (UTC)<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3
You will write more, soon, yes? *puppy dog eyes*
~Hannah-chan
no subject
Date: 2004-11-04 04:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-04 05:48 pm (UTC)*laughs* Somehow I don't think Sangre likes you gnawing much.
I will between working on Nano stuff. Glad you like so far, sorry again for making you wait so long ^^
no subject
Date: 2004-11-04 06:20 pm (UTC)Also, have started writing Herald's Game in my head. Will have some of Aidenn's trials written up by tonight.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-04 06:21 pm (UTC)Yay! Yayayayayayay!!! *dances around office in glee*
no subject
Date: 2004-11-04 07:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-04 07:55 pm (UTC)^_^ Double takes are good.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-04 07:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-04 07:54 pm (UTC)You should see the reviews I get at ff.net - I think I've got three threats of kidnapping so far?
no subject
Date: 2004-11-04 07:58 pm (UTC)Other than that, that's kinda creepy then.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-04 09:38 pm (UTC)See, now I want to know what you would've said to that that would have made someone mad.
Eh. It's flattering all the same. And I'm not so good they'd actually do it.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-04 10:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-04 11:03 pm (UTC)What do you mean? It should still be around somewhere.
no subject
Date: 2004-11-05 08:57 pm (UTC)I TOOT FOR YOU!
*toot*
hehehehe...
no subject
Date: 2004-11-04 11:11 pm (UTC)*deep breath*
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
no subject
Date: 2004-11-05 05:41 am (UTC)Also, they are VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY cool. *glompswubs*