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 Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:15 pm
Al's free time was gone quickly, the laundry had to be changed over and she had things to fold. She left her binder open on her bed and walked down to the laundry room. She took down the clean white clothing and folded it carefully. She sorted the clothes out into piles of who they belonged to than hung up the dark clothes that had been soaking. She wrung them out then hung them up to dry. After most of the hard work was done she took up the piles of folded clothing and dispersed them threw out the house in front of the appropriate door.
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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 7:25 pm
"They have decided to advance now, sources have told our side so. They have sent people here, and now every plan made is now oblivious to them. So, really, either we relocate or face losing this war, indefinitely and having our side erased. I came here for advice, really. I need you to tell me what to do, so I can report it to my leader." Franky stared at him, waiting for a bad reaction.
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:37 am
A warm cloth had been placed on my shoulders. I did not have to turn around to see who had done it, I found it quite obvious. "Thank you, Mallory,"I spoke in almost a whisper. My deduction was made simply from that Nathaniel and Franky had important business to discuss, and I had not heard nor saw anyone else come up with the two. A small smile crept onto my face as the cold slowly drifted away and replaced itself with the comfort of warmth.
"Now?" I tried to keep my voice down, as to not send a panic to Mallory or Dusk. "Why now? We're supposed to have two more months, not two days." I began to pace back and forth trying to figure out what to do, and what caused them to advance so soon. Where would we relocate? There isn't enough time. Plans would need to be changed, everyone involved would have to be contacted immediately. "Where is the one whom you call your leader?"
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:09 pm
"It is my pleasure, mademoiselle. I think that there is no more need for me here; I take my leave of you." Mallory was not too concerned about the jacket; he felt certain it would get back to him. He glanced once toward Franky and Nathaniel. Their voices were kept low and he could only assume they did not wish to be overheard. He thought to coax Dusk back inside where it was warm, but he did not. To have his intent misconstrued would cause entirely too much trouble. So instead he said only "It is warmer inside." He made his way back down the fire escape and in through the door. He assumed Nathaniel would have another key and so he did not bother to leave Alexia's.
Alexia... was she still with his father? God, he did not want to even think about that, let alone waltz into the middle of it. So rather than returning the key right away, Mallory went to the room he shared with his father. He was surprised to see Alphonse laying on his bed. "Father..." Mallory said hesitantly, then changed his mind. Surely he was sleeping; it did not matter. It was none of his business.
Alphonse slept through Alexia's tidying up, but the soft and hesitant voice of Mallory woke him. He opened his eyes and sat up, swinging his legs out of bed.. "Yes, Mallory? What is it?"
Mallory watched his father quietly for a moment before he asked, "Why does it have to be her, father? She is a good women. Surely you can find someone more... suited to your particular appetites?"
Alphonse felt the urge to laugh, but stifled it. For once, Mallory was not glaring or being obstinate. There was nothing to gain by aggravating the boy, for certain. "Mallory. Alexia is also an intelligent woman. Would you not agree?" He waited for Mallory's confused nod before he continues. "I do not misrepresent myself to her. I have promised nothing I would not give. Would you say she is intelligent enough to decide for herself whether I am satisfactory?"
Mallory's silent scowl was something Alphonse more or less expected. This time he does let out a small, exasperated chuckle. "Well, feel free to be the one to tell her you believe she needs your help in making such a decision."
Mallory felt his face grow hot with embarrassment. "Do not mock me, father. You know I would do no such thing! I do not know why I even spoke to you; you will always do what pleases you." Mallory frowned deeply as he began gathering fresh clothes. He then stalked out of the room to shower and dress once more. The shower revitalized and calmed him somewhat. He supposed his father was right, but he was still angry about it. He knew it was not a rational anger, but when was it ever rational?
Alphonse was waiting outside the bathroom when his son emerged. Taking a glance at Mallory's expression, he could guess the boy had given his previous words some thought. Rather than bat the beehive, Alphonse suggested "Let us go downstairs. I know you do love your breakfast."
"And you do love to watch the 'scenery'. Alright, father. Let's." Father and son made their way to the kitchen in a state of relative calm.
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:28 pm
Al, now finished with the laundry walked silently down the stairs and into the kitchens to clean up the mess from her cooking. When she reached the kitchens and saw Mallory and Alphonse looking for food she smiled. " Good morning!" she called and made her way to the large sink. She filled up one side of the sink with hot soapy water and the other empty side with pure hot clean water. She started to wash the dishes making as little noise as possible.
"Is there anything specific You would like Mallory?" she asked. He never seemed to ask for anything and she wished he would be more direct in what he wanted. “We have Veal if your having any cravings.” The ice box was half full of frozen meats just incase some one needed something.
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:38 pm
Mallory blanched at the offer of veal and quickly shook his head. It was bad enough his father forced blood down his throat. The thought was still sickening to him. "Non, please no. I would not trouble you. Perhaps if there is something already prepared?" Mallory hated to ask Alexia for anything. He was not used to having someone look after him as she did. It confused him greatly and made him just a little uncomfortable.
"Veal? Hmn... perhaps I will have breakfast after all." Alphonse did not really enjoy most foods. In the dawn of his unlife, he would settle for nothing less than human blood. He had adjusted as time had passed, but he still preferred blood over all else.
Mallory frowned slightly, but knew he could not begrudge his father that choice. Once again he was reminded of being forced to drink; it was likely the reason his father needed to replenish his own supply. Mallory felt a pang of guilt.
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:42 pm
I looked once more up at the sky, before heading inside. Mallory was indeed right it would far warmer inside than out in the cold. I walked over to Nathaniel and slipped the keys out of the bottom pocket of his jacket. After unlocking the door, I tossed the keys back onto the roof in hopes he would see them. I made my way down the stairs and into the kitchen, where Mallory and one older man stood. I did not want my presence to made known, so I remained behind the two.
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:50 pm
Al nodded and dried her hands on her apron. "I think there are some eggs left. And I know the scones are still warm. She took a basket of scones from the counter and placed it on the kitchen island along with a plateful of ham and eggs. Then with the same skillet she had used to cook the eggs earlier she opened a package of veal and left it to thaw on the stove. "How would you like it cooked?" She asked Alphonse. And took up a wooden spoon and held it firmly in her hands. “Rare?” She was pretty sure that it would be best to cook it as little as possible.
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:56 pm
"We have at least a week to prepare, they are many miles away, but they are moving at a faster rate than ever seen before. It might only take them 4 to 5 days. As for my leader, well, he has vanished. He might be following their progress."
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 3:58 pm
"Ah, you ask but you already know me so well! Rare, yes. The meat should no more than kiss the pan before it joins the plate." Alphonse grinned wide, showing fang. Unlike his son, Alphonse enjoyed watching Alexia bustle around the kitchen doing self appointed chores. He watched her so intently that he neither saw Dusk nor the annoyed glance Mallory shot at his back.
"Merci beaucoup." Mallory said softly to Alexia after he had been effectually ignored by Alphonse. He buttered his scones heavily, just the way he liked them, before eating his breakfast there at the island. He ate with great enjoyment and satisfaction; food was a pleasure to Mallory. He was still well mannered, of course; it would be terrible to scarf down good food like an animal. But he still ate with great gusto. Glancing behind him once, he caught sight of Dusk and was glad she had come in from the roof.
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:29 pm
The veal was done in about one minute and she smiled and carried the plate to the island and looked over at Dusk. "Can I get you anything sweetie?" she asked kindly. And patted the table inviting her to sit. Al then walked back to the dishes and started to dry and put away the clean plates and bowls. She examined every one carefully for cracks before placing them in their correct cabinet. " Would anyone care for a drink?" She asked and tuned around to face them. She put her hands on her hips resting on the waistband of her frilly apron.
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:42 pm
"Bring the boy something, would you? Do we have apple juice? He loves that godawful stuff." Alphonse chuckles and gives Mallory's hair an affectionate ruffle. Then he turned hungrily to the veal leaking its tempting juices onto the plate. He cut off a large bite eagerly.
Mallory bristled at the hair ruffling and immediately protested. "Father, please. I am neither crippled, nor a child. You should not send her running about on my behalf." He did not turn toward Alphonse and tried to ignore the smell of the still dripping meat. He was not desperate for blood, he had drank enough to last him for some time, but that did not help much when there was the smell of blood in the air. As much as the idea of ingesting blood disgusted him, the actuality of it, the rich scent, was appealing to him more than he would admit.
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 4:58 pm
Al bowed slightly. "Of course," She walked quickly to the icebox and took out a large picture of apple juice. She poured a tall slim glass just over half full and put the picture back in the ice box before placing the glass on the table next to Mallory. She smiled warmly and stiffened the moment the sent of the blood running of the practically raw meat reached her nose. She tried to keep up the appearance that she was fine, but she started to breathe a lot slower. Her odd diet worked very effectively except when she was tempted. Her mouth watered and she stepped away from the island to re-rout her focus to something different.
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:16 pm
Mallory could not really be annoyed with Alexia and so he accepted the juice with a quiet "Thank you." After all, it was true that he very much liked it. Mallory sipped from his glass.
Alphonse watched Alexia with interest. He did not know about her diet, but he did know that look in her eye and the reason for her sudden avoidance. Mallory acted much the same way around him when he was eating. "Wouldn't you like a bite, Alexia dear?" Alphonse cajoled, slicing off a piece and holding it up on a fork. Would she come to him? Oh, he did hope so. He was mildly surprised that Mallory was not giving him a dirty look.
Mallory was annoyed with his father's behavior, but more important than showing his displeasure was ignoring the tantalizing presence of blood. He could control himself. He would not lose himself to something so base and feral as a desire for blood.
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:20 pm
I walked over to the seat that Al had offered. "No thank you, I'm fine." It took me a second to realize that I still had Mallory's coat on. I gently slipped it off of my shoulders and handed it to him. "Thank you again," I spoke quietly before taking my seat.
"Well that is quite a relief. Though I am still rather baffled that they would leave so soon. Would you mind helping me with the preparations? It would be much appreciated. However, if you are in a rush I understand." I knelt down and placed the set of keys back into my pocket.
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