The House of Night
The Dark Daughters and Sons ritual was almost exactly as Neferet's. The only differences were the poem, the music, Jewel, and a kid slouched against a table. Oh! And they the wine that was past around, was laced with blood. When Zoey took a drink of the wine she almost passed out in pleasure from the taste. She knew this could not be a normal thing. She'd have to ask Jack about it later. Zoey had walked over to a tree that leaned against the wall and sat down underneath it. She could clearly see the entrance to the rec room from where she was at so she knew Jack would be able to find her easily.
The sound of footsteps reached
Zoey's ears. Glancing up she noticed the girl Jewel, and three other girls tagging along behind her, walking towards her. Sighing softly she glanced around. There were a few fledglings mingling around on the grounds but none within ear shot. Jewel knelt down in front of Zoey and grinned. "Did you enjoy my ritual?" Without letting Zoey answer she continued. "Of course you did, everyone does. But I noticed your favorite part was the wine. Yummy wasn't it?" The girls snickered slightly. "We could see you practically have an orgasm it was so good. Don't deny it. I've never seen anyone react to blood like you, except vamps that is." Jewel stood and wiped her hands on her thighs. "Have a good night, nerd." Zoey sat there in silence for a few moments watching the girls walk away. Once the girls were out of sight she broke down into tears and wrapped her arms around her knees.
I knew there was something wrong with me. The blood tasted Soooo good.
The sound of foot steps over the grass came to her ears. "Zoey..."
Magi came into view as he knelt down in front of her. "A lot for your first night...?" he asked softly.
"Oh god! No! Please...just go away." Burying her head in her arms she trembled. Suddenly she felt something brush against her leg. The creature me-u-of-ed and sneezed on her.
Zoey looked up and her eyes came into contact with a beautiful black cat with a white spot just above her nose. "Oh! A cat!" Looking over at Magi she gasped. "A cat chose me?!?!" She sniffled trying to hold back a sob as she picked the cat up and cuddled her close. "Aside from my new friends, this is the best thing that's happened to me since I've came here." Nuzzling her cheeks against the cats head she smiled. "Jazz, it feels right. Her purring sounds kinda of like a toon, not just a purr. Ya know?" Her eyes met Magi's and she gasped. "Oh god, I must look horrible."
"No.. you just confused, that's all..."
Magi said softly. "And yes a cat has chosen you... you have happen many events happen in one night...that would over whelm anyone... Would you and your new friend like some soothing music?"
Jack walked up to Zoey, "Heh, cute cat you got there," He said with a smile, the same familiar black folder tucked under his arm and he knelt next to Zoey, stroking the cat behind the ears, "Have fun, Magi?" He said as he looked up at him as he continued to pet the cat.
Zoey looked up at Jack, her eyes were red and tears streaked her cheeks. She sniffled softly and nodded. "I'm naming her Jazz. Here listen to her purr." Zoey closed her eyes gently and listened. Her cats voice filled the air around them, making a melody all her own.
Jack looked over to the cat, though more so towards Zoey as he stopped petting the cat and closed his eyes to listen to the cat purr, "Jazz sounds like a wonderful name for her," he said in a soft voice, talking in the melody.
Zoey got to her feet and stumbled a bit. "I think I want to go up to the dorms. I'm getting cold." She really wasn't, fledglings don't feel the cold like humans do, she just wanted to be away from the strange kids. "Jack, will you walk with me?" For some reason she felt...safe, around Jack. He made her feel protected.
Magi looked between the two of them, then shook his head. "Bye you two...I have to get some work done..."
Jack stood up and looked to Magi, "See you later, Magi," He said before turning back to Zoey, "Yeah, we can go whenever you want."
Clinging to Jack,
Zoey walked with him back to the dorms. "Why is Jewel so...mean? I didn't do anything to her. She doesn't even know me." Zoey inhaled deeply, trying to calm herself. She didn't mean to get worked up so easily. She just wanted to be accepted and to fit in. She didn't fit in at her old school or her family and she definitely wasn't accepted. It seemed it was going to be the same way here.
"She's always been that way...It's just...how she is,"
Jack said as they continued to walk, "Jewel and I, well, we have a bit of a history. Yeah, tell me about bad choices, and, well, maybe she's just jealous, eh?"
"Jealous? Of me? Of us?!?!"
Zoey looked at Jack and frowned slightly. "I guess I have been spending a lot of time with you, haven't I? I didn't even think that you may have a girlfriend...o
r things you needed to do." Sighing she ran a hand through her long thick hair. "I'm really sorry."
Jack laughed and smiled, "Seriously, you worry too much. You're fine. I don't have a girlfriend, and defiantly have nothing better to do. In fact, over sitting around in my room and listening to the dead talk, this is a lot more fun for sure. I'm not sure if there's anything I'd rather do."
"Well, I'm glad I could liven up your life." Zoey smiled softly and slid her arm through Jack's once again. "And I agree. I do tend to worry to much. Maybe I should hang out with you more often, your all laid back and calm. Maybe you can brush off on me." She bumped her hip into his playfully and smiled. They came to the dorms and walked in. Zoey saw Stevie Rae over by a big screen TV talking to Damien. "Want to join them?'
Jack nudged Zoey back and smiled, "Sure, why not? The more, the merrier, I suppose." He said as he walked in stride with her. Little did she know, she was really rubbing off on him more than she could even realize.
Zoey grinned and plopped down next to Stevie Rae. When Zoey appeared Stevie Rae and Damien had stopped talking to adamantly, giving her the hint that they had been talking about her. Zoey rolled her eyes and made room for Jack. "Any good movies on tonight?" Damien perked up and giggled. "Actually, that new Johnny Depp movie is supposed to be playing on Pay Per View! We can put a request through and see if the teachers will accept it!" Zoey shrugged and looked at Jack. "Do you mind?"
Jack chuckled as he sidled up to the couch, taking a seat next to Zoey, "Sure, why not? A movie sounds wonderful tonight." He said as he looked to Zoey, not really focusing on anything.
"Yeah! A movie sounds amazing. Ima make some popcorn, y'all want some?" Stevie Rae stood and glanced around. When Zoey went to open her mouth Stevie Rae interrupted her. "And I'll grab Zoey a Mountain Dew while I'm at it."
Damien squealed slightly and picked up the remote. Flipping through the channels he came to Public Enemies and clicked the watch button. A loading screen came up and sat there for a few minutes. The screen went blank suddenly and the previews started. "Awesome!" Zoey snuggled up slightly and pulled a pillow to her chest. She leaned slightly against Jack and whispered. "So, what kind of movies are you into?"
Jack blushed a little as Zoey cuddled up to him, "Well, Uh...Really, I watch about anything. Been a big fan of the sci-fi horrors and such, you know?" He said as he sat there, his right knee bouncing slightly as he flipped his arm over the back of the couch, behind where Zoey was sitting.
Zoey bit her lip slightly as she looked up into Jack's eyes. "Let me know if you get uncomfortable, or something." Zoey looked up and smiled as Stevie Rae walked back into the room with 4 bags of popcorn and her soda. Stevie Rae passed out the popcorn and handed Zoey her soda. Zoey laid her head back slightly, accidentally bumping it into Jack's arm. Damien turned the volume up on the movie and kicked back in his recliner.
Jack sat back, resting his legs out well in front of him. He was getting comfortable, like...really comfortable, and not just with where he was sitting. He let out a slight sigh of content before grabbing a small handful of popcorn from his bag and slowly began eating.
Zoey yawned slightly and closed her eyes for a moment. Realizing she was a bit tired she set her soda and her popcorn down on the floor in front of her. Leaning back again she closed her eyes and listened to the movie and everything around them. Slowly she drifted off to sleep and slid into Jack's body, her head falling onto his chest.
Watching as Zoey slowly slid off into sleep, Jack just smiled briefly at the sleeping girl on his chest. The movie was interesting, but there were just some things that took over precedence to a movie, so he just let her sleep. Once the movie was over, Jack just slightly nudged her to wake her up, "Hey, Zoey, the movie's over."
Xirena spent the last half an hour in the gymnasium, doing focus exercises. She wanted to try to work out until she fell over, but found that it was quite difficult do when she was so wired.
Magi walked into the gymnasium. "Your mind is wondering, Xirena..."
Xirena jumped slightly as Magi interrupted her thoughts. "I know," she said. "I cannot seem to focus today. Too many...distractions. Nothing I can concentrate on enough to...well...concentrate." She smiled at him, a bit embarrassed.
"Sometimes even in the quietest times and places, our own thoughts can be distraction enough to break any focus..." Magi said softly and calmly. He walked up close to her, and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Sometimes one just needs one thing outside of themselves to concentrate on to be able to organize and focus inner thoughts...." He smiled at her gently. Magi then sat down near her, pulling his guitar around in front of him, and softly started to re tune it.
Polgara sat in the common room, her head bent over some homework. Every once in a while her hand twitched toward her leather-bound notebook on the table beside her. Still, she resisted the urge and pressed on with her assignment.
Xander was in the common room too, silently doodling in a notebook. He'd saved the fun homework till last, and was trying to come up with a good idea for an art class project. He kept getting distracted by the TV he'd turned on and put on mute, though.
"Xander..." came Naylinn's voice from behind him. "What is it that you are working on?" She asked softly, but loud enough for him to hear.
A bit startled, Xander quickly turned pages in the book to hide the sketches. He looked sort of embarrassed. "Ah...Uhm... nothing special really. I was hoping to get an idea for my art class project, but I have the attention span of a 6-year old on a sugar high it seems"
"What sort of art project are you working on?" Naylinn asked polite sitting down in a chair near by. She had her journal in her lap. "I've been working on one for my classes project... I have been working on a few...I..." Naylinn looked down, shyly. "I have one of you and Pol... from earlier...if you'd like to see...."
"I would love to see it" Xander smiled brightly, very happy to be able to escape the homework, even just for a while. He also sincerely did want to see the drawing. "So you're taking art too? It's one of my favorite classes"
Naylinn nodded, looking back up at him. "Yes I am...this journal...it was given to me as a gift from my mom a few years ago before she died...I use it to write out my dreams as well as draw them out...so I've been drawing the assignments in here too..." she said softly, as she opened up her journal to one of her sketches. The sketch was of Pol and Xander, as they were in the dining hall discussing their homework. The sketch was very detailed, and looked like it may even have been a black and white photograph.
"Those look almost like photos" Icene commented "They're very nice"
"Oh... I'm sorry about your mom" Xander said low enough for just Naylinn to hear and studied the picture a long while. "It's very good. I like the shading and the perspective... what kind of assignment is it?"
Naylinn looked up at Icene. "Thanks..." she said softly. Looking back at Xander, she said even softer for just Xander's ear, "That you for saying that..." In her normal soft voice, Naylinn then said, "It's an assignment on interactions between people, animals, or even plants...anything really... I chose people... there are always different types of interactions going on between people... Stevie Rae's in my class with me...she had asked for my opinion and advise on her assignment for the class...."
"Sounds like a fun assignment...for what class?" Icene was itching to start fencing, but still had awhile to wait.
"Mmm... I think I had a similar thing way back" Xander nodded thoughtfully. "She must be very clever to ask you for help " He smiled and winked at Naylinn. "It looks like you're gonna ace that assignment. If you don't mind, can I see some other drawings?"
"Art..." Naylinn said softly to Icene, and then blushed at Xander's wink. "You really think so Xander I will? I...if you wish..." Naylinn flipped through the pages of her journal showing Xander and Icene her sketch of Zoey and Stevie Rae, being the focus with Pol, Xirena, Jack, Magi, and anyone else that were friends of Stevie Rae's and Zoey's, then there were a few more interaction sketches of different people from the dining hall, and even some individual sketches of Xander, Pol, and Stevie Rae.
"Wow! You have so many drawings" Xander watched carefully as she turned the pages of the journal. "There's a lot of great poses there. They look very alive. Which are you going to use for the assignment? I think the one of Stevie Rae and the new girl is one of the best ones"
"I like that one too...it's of after the ritual..." Naylinn said softly. "Thank you for the compliment...I don't really show off my art to anyone....sometimes I'm sketching things that I wish I had...for art that goes with my dreams...." She turned to one of Xander that looked like it may have been done a while ago, but it was of him doodling in his notebook, like she had snapped a picture of him. "I like this one too...." she whispered.
Pol finally finished her thought and looked up from her homework, "Wow, those are beautiful." she said, looking over the table at Naylinn's sketches, "I wish I could draw like that."
Naylinn looked over at Pol. "Thank you, Pol...I...could help you?"
"That would be cool." Pol smiled, "It's really things like shading that I have the most trouble with."
"I...can help you...if you want..." Naylinn said smiling softly at Pol, and then she smiled gently at Xander. "Xander...what was your art class's assignment?"
"Mmm... A story with no words" Xander jokingly put up a horrible pout. "And I'm not even good at stories with words. I'm sold"
"Did you think of a story you'd like to tell first?" Naylinn asked. Naylinn looked truly interested in helping both Pol and Xander in what they were doing.
"Sort of..." Xander scratched his head awkwardly, unsure of how much he wanted to elaborate. "It's just a lot of work... and I'm way too picky with everything"
Pol smiled at the two of them, "I know the feeling, Xander." she sighed, opening her leather notebook and flipping through several pages, lingering on one in particular, an almost frustrated expression on her face. "Anyways," she looked back up at Naylinn and smiled a little, "Some help would be lovely, whenever we have some free time."
Naylinn nodded to Pol. "Maybe tomorrow...either during lunch for a bit...and then times like this...." she said. "I'm picky too, Xander...I want everything to be prefer...."
"I want this one to be extra perfect" Xander mumbled and sighed, before putting up a grin again; "But look on the bright side, guys... being picky can be good too; it makes us want to improve right? Practice makes perfect and all that crap"
Zoey woke with a start and looked up into Jack's eyes. "Oh goddess, I feel asleep, didn't I?" Without waiting for him to answer she sat up and ran a hand through her hair. Leaning down she picked up her soda and popcorn and took it back into the dorm kitchen. Throwing them both away she turned around and looked out the door at her new friends. Stevie Rae was crazy and fun. Damien was smart and queer. Jack...Jack was gorgeous in every way possible, looks, personality, and so much more. Sighing she shook her head to clear her thoughts and came back out into the common room. "Ready to head up to the room?" She asked Stevie Rae. Damien stood and hugged Zoey tightly and said goodnight. Zoey looked over at Jack and blushed slightly. "See you tomorrow."
Stevie Rae stood when Zoey came back into the room. "Yeah, sure." Picking up her things she led the way up to their room. Tossing her stuff in a corner she plopped down on her bed and grinned. "So...your kinda lovin on Jack. I mean, not sexually." Stevie Rae and Zoey both burst out laughing at Stevie Rae's dorkiness. "You two would make such a cute couple. But we can talk about that in the morning." Winking she climbed into bed and closed her eyes. "I'm glad your here, Z."
"Me too, Stevie Rae. The part about being glad Im here, not the lovin on Jack thing." The both burst into a fit of giggles again. Zoey turned off the light and climbed into bed. Looking over at her night stand she frowned at her glowing cell phone. Flipping it open she saw that she had 4 text messages. All from her ex-boyfriend back in her old school.
Z, where ya been?
You know, I don't think your creepy now that your changing, it's actually kind of hot.
Z, Text me.
I need to see you! BAD!
Zoey rolled her eyes and set the phone aside. Not answering was the best thing. Closing her eyes she slowly drifted off to sleep.
Jack watched as Zoey walked away before turning to Damien, "She's quite the girl," he said simply before standing up and heading to his room, turning around just before leaving the room to wave to Damien, "See ya later," he said before he headed up to his dorm room. Doing as he always did, he slipped out of his t-shirt, throwing it into a pile consisting of three or four others before finishing getting ready for bed and laying down staring at the ceiling for a while, thinking quietly to himself before falling asleep.
Icene made his way into the rec room. Looking around momentarily before heading to a corner and retrieving a canteen someone had left for him an taking a sip, coughing well now, this is stronger than what i expected he thought pleasantly to himself. He had met someone who told him he could obtain something stronger than wine in exchange for Icene writing up a schematic for him in shop class. Icene had excepted more out of boredom than expecting anything from it. He was pleasantly surprised. He corked the canteen and made his way back to the exit.
5:30 p.m.
A vibrating noise woke Zoey from a sound sleep. Sighing she rolled over and felt for her cell phone. Unlocking the screen she glanced at the sender and sighed. Zo, I need you in my life. I love you. Zoey scanned through her menu and deleted her text messages. Sliding out of bed she moved to the bathroom and hopped in the shower. She took a quick one and hurried into her outfit of the day. Drying her hair she applied a small bit of makeup around her eyes and that was it. Throwing a pillow at Stevie Rae she grinned. "Get up, Okie girl!" She heard a mumbling noise and saw Stevie Rae crawl out of bed. Giggling, Zoey shook her head and went down to the common room kitchen. She was the first one up so she grabbed a bowl of ceral and a mountain dew and curled up on a leather chair.
Jack woke up like clockwork. 5:37? What kind of time is that for someone's body to randomly decide to want to wake up? He thought to himself as he crawled out of bed and walked over to his dresser where he pulled out another black t-shirt from the top drawer, "Eh, might as well," he said as he pulled it over his head. He finished getting ready and went down to the common's kitchen where he just poured himself a glass of orange juice and went out to the main room where he saw Zoey, "Hey Zoey. How'd you sleep?"
Looking over her shoulder she smiled softly. Focusing on his question she blushed slightly. She had fallen asleep with thoughts of Jack fierce in her mind. "Um, I slept great actually, how about you?" Zoey stood up slowly and made her way into the kitchen. Setting her dishes in the dishwasher she turned around and smiled up into Jack's eyes. He was genuinely a nice guy.
Icene looked up at the buzzing phone that was telling him to get up "Already?" he groaned, making his way in an out of the shower before throwing on what he had set out to wear the night before. Grabbing the canteen he made his way into the common room, swilling from it before attaching it to a belt loop on his pants "Now what looks good" he said heavily.
Magi walked into the common dressed in a dark green dress shirt and sleek black pants, as well as black dress boots. He long hair was pulled back loosely and tied with a dark green ribbon. His guitar was over his shoulder. Magi came in head held high with his soft smile. "Morning Jack...Zoey..."
Icene decided on cereal and orange juice, found a table and began going of the schematics that he was working on for shop class. His phone buzzed did you do the write up? Icene was mildly annoyed that his number had been obtained without his knowing. He decided to ignore it and return to what he was working on.
Jack turned to see Magi, "Morning, Magi," he said before turning back to Zoey, "Oh, I slept alright, you know?" He walked into the kitchen where he put his now empty glass in the sink before hopping up onto the counter where he sat, "So, anyone have anything special going on today?"
Polgara came into the kitchen, her notebook clutched to her chest, as always. She wore a dark blue blouse with dark jeans, fingerless black lace gloves and she had made up her eyes with navy eyeshadow and black eyeliner. She looked almost goth, but there was still a quality to her that wasn't quite dark enough to be. She found herself some food and sat down to eat.
Icene shot a quick text message in reply to who ever was inquiring about a wright up before returning to the outline he was working on. Remembering the treat left for him the night before, he mixed some of it in with the Orange juice blech... he thought to himself. Straight scotch simply wasn't the best combination with orange juice. He corked the canteen and returned to pouring over his work.
Zoey walked out of the kitchen and returned to her leather chair. Moments later she saw Damien and Stevie Rae walk into the room. In the corner of the common room a boy could be heard, coughing loudly. Several people turned to stare at him as if he were stupid. "That's Marcus. He's not very liked." Damien whispered to Zoey. "He sounds like he's getting sick." Damien froze at Zoey's words and frowned. "I'd better get Neferet." With that the kid was gone and out of sight. "Why does he need Neferet?" She asked aloud.
Stevie Rae sat down beside Zoey and frowned. "Normally when a kid gets sick it means that there rejecting the change. And since his coughs sound wet, I'm betting that's whats happening." Stevie Rae's face was pale and sad as she watched the kid. Moment's later Neferet, Damien, and Dragon came into the room with two strapping males and a stretcher. Neferet gave him something to drink before they placed the boy on the stretched as he cried out. "I don't want to die!" Dragon stepped forward and clasped the boys hand. "Don't leave me..." Marcus said as his mentor smiled softly. "I'll be with you till then end." By this time blood had started to leak out of every hole in the boys body, his eyes, mouse, nose, ears, etc. Across the room a girl was weeping loudly as they carried him out of the room. "He may not have been liked, but it's always horrible to see a fledgling die." Stevie Rae came over and cuddled up next to Zoey, crying softly.
Jack slid down from the counter, walking into the room. He walked up behind Zoey and Stevie Rae, setting a hand on Stevie Rae's shoulder, "It really is too bad," He said, bowing his head, "I really should have known. Let me see if I can do anything to watch how he's doing."
"I shouldn't even be crying. I hated the kid." Stevie Rae sighed and laid her head on Zoey's shoulder. "I hear the stuff that she gives them to drink is supposed to stop the pain."
Zoey hugged Stevie Rae to her and sighed. "Maybe that's why you are crying. Because you didn't like him and now that he's gone you feel horrible about how he was treated or things that were said about him." She looked up into Jack's eyes. "What do you mean? Do you have an affinity for the dead?"
Looking down at Zoey, Jack nodded, "I do. I can sense people's life force, too. Sometimes it takes a bit of concentration for me to pick up on life forces, but I should be able to read Marcus'. I'll have to sit down with you sometime and explain exactly what I can do. Might be good for you to know."
Zoey nodded her head gently and stood, pulling Stevie Rae to her feet. "Come on, let's get you back to bed." Wrapping an arm around her she looked at Jack. "Can you help me with her?'
Naylinn came into the room with her journal in her arms, but then stopped when she saw Stevie Rae. "What happen? What happened to Stevie Rae?" she asked worried.
Icene shook his head at the reply text "When will you ever learn?" he said to himself. Now he was being asked to do someone's math homework as well....to bad they had already delivered on their end of the deal.
Jack nodded at Zoey, "Sure, I'll help," he said as he stepped up next to Stevie, getting an arm under hers, "alright, let's go."
Stumble!