*NOTE* - Chapter 1 and 2 are the same story/scene. They've just been written in different perspectives. The 2nd one is newer. I'm curious to know which version people like better. Please let me know!

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Alyxandra was still just waking up as she bounced her way halfway down the staircase, when the scent hit her. Then she heard the low voices. Company? Two voices, both male, one definately her Puppy. The other smelled human. Alyxandra smiled. Had Puppy brought her a snack? That was not like him. He seemed happier the less he knew of her eating habits. But she was not presentable, so she made her way back upstairs to dress and clean up.

Having made herself ready for company, Alyxandra followed the sound of the two men's chatter. She stopped in the doorway, her eyes half hooded, a hesitant smile touching her mouth. The strange man, or boy really, for he couldn't have been any older than 20, looked over at her, a ready and friendly smile upon his face.

Alyxandra didn't look fearsome. Not for a human, certainly not for a vampire. She was an average enough height, 5'7", 125 lbs, slightly athletic build. Hourglass figure, but not too generously endowed. She was pale of course, but she'd been pale even as a human. Lightly golden blonde hair fell in straight locks halfway down her back, and framed a youthful face. She appeared no older than the boy, and her dark blue eyes, usually wide with a child-like look, made that face look innocent and often much younger. Overall, she looked like a gentle, kind sort of creature. The sort to make a stranger feel unthreatened. The sort to bring out protectiveness in others, worse, predatory qualities in others. Right then she turned those hooded blue eyes on her husband, Michael Karrde. She arched an eyebrow in question.

Mike couldn't always guess how his wife was going to react to things. Even after nearly a decade of marriage, her sometimes unpredictable behavior surprised him now and then, and not always in a pleasant way. So he couldn't be sure how she'd react to the young man sitting in his living room. "Hun, this is a friend of mine, Alex."

"Alex?" Alyxandra's smile didn't falter, but the corner of her mouth twitched at the name. Only knowing her as well as he did, could Mike see this as a sign that she wasn't happy. But she continued to smile as she turned to the young man. No temper tantrum. He relaxed, but only slightly. He wasn't exactly expecting Alyxandra to do anything, didn't even really think she might, but Alex's safety was his responsibility.

Alex stood up and grinned at Alyxandra in his friendly manner. "Mike's told me a little about you. Still can't quite get over it. I think you're the first vampire I've met. Malkavian, right?"

"I most certainly am not! I am Ventrue." Alyxandra spat vehemently, her face shocked.

Alex turned to Mike, confused. Mike simply shook his head, and shrugged with a look that said the kid had brought this one on himself.

"I'm sorry," Alex said, "I guess I misunderstood?"

"What clan are you babe?" Mike asked his wife, wiping a hand over his mouth to hide his smile.

Alyxandra giggled, and curled up next to him on the sofa. "Malkavian, of course," she purred at him. Mike shrugged at Alex. She didn't listen as the two picked up their conversation again. She was annoyed, but kept a relaxed position, leaning into her husband. The light drumming of her fingers on Mike's knee the only outward sign that she might be bored or otherwide disturbed.

She was a little dissapointed that the young man wasn't meant for her, but it wasn't exactly a surprise. It wasn't as if her Puppy had ever brought her anything to nibble on before. And he seemed to count him as a friend. But he annoyed her. And so she waited for a good excuse to step away. She had it when Mike had finished the bottle of soda he'd been drinking. She snatched the empty bottle from his hand, kissed him quickly on the cheek, and swept out of the room without a word.

"Damn, is she always like that?" She heard Alex whisper to Mike, but she was hurrying towards the kitchen and didn't pause to hear her husband's response. Like what, though? She wondered. I was perfectly pleasant.

In the kitchen, she gathered what she needed and grabbed another drink for Mike. She didn't bother to see if Alex wanted anything. If he could be rude, so could she. Returning, a lazy smile playing on her lips, she handed Mike his drink, rubbing against his legs as she passed him. But she kept her eyes on Alex. "Oh Puppy, I forgot to get your friend something. Why don't you go get it?"

"No no, I'm fine." Alex insisted, smiling pleasantly at Alyxandra, looking slightly less comfortable. And then even moreso when she sat down very close to him, her feet tucked under her.

"Babe, why don't you come sit over here, next to me?" Mike asked her, using a tone she'd understand was more than an invitation. But she was annoyed, and not feeling entirely accomodating, so she just stared flatly at him for a moment, then turned back to Alex. She smiled, far more friendly than she had before. And in an instant, she'd pulled a butcher knife from her waistband, and held it close to Alex's throat.

Alex had barely time to utter an oath, and Mike had Alyxandra's wrist in an iron grip. With his free hand, he removed the knife from her hand, and tossed it behind him, onto the sofa. "What is the matter with you," he asked her, angry, and shook her slightly, to get her attention.

Alyxandra pouted, her chin down, wide eyes as she turned them up to his face. "He stole my name."

Mike sighed, of all the things to set her off. That was one he hadn't thought of. Though just the fact that it was so ridiculous, he should have known better. She jumped, still secure in his grip, when he spanked her once on her bottom, a very firm slap. "Be nice," he growled at her.

The sound should have been enough to make most any person, vampire or no, shake where they stood. But Alyxandra simply smiled up at her Puppy and rested her chin against his chest. "Yes Puppy," she cooed, and giggled, before she nipped at his chin.

Mike kissed her forehead, content with the certainty that Alyxandra would behave herself now, and took a step back from his wife. "Put that thing away," he gestured to the knife. Alyxandra snatched it up, humming to herself and bounced out of the room, pausing only long enough to stick her tongue out at Alex.

Alex was looking a litle sick. "You gave the knife back to her?"

Mike shrugged. "Should have known she'd pull something, but she won't bother you again."