Day 1

Ash knew Quinn had been watching him. The thought un-nerved him, but he played it cool, commenting, ''You know a picture would last longer.''

Quinn turned his head away quickly. He surprised Ash with his next words however, ''Actually I was thinking. Hunter called me earlier.'' A shiver ran down Ash spine. Hunter Redfern. Who practically ran the Nightworld and was a distant ancestor of his. Ash had only ever met him once, when his father had been trying to impress upon him the need for some direction in his life other than partying and getting laid.

''I though what he said might interest you.''

Taking his eyes of the road Ash gave Quinn a bored look then asked, ''What?''

Deciding he had the upper hand in this conversation despite his apparent boredom Quinn elaborated, ''Hunter wants people loyal to him. Not any old Nightworlders obviously.''

Ignoring Quinns slight on humans not being important enough to constitute as people Ash gave the the reply he was expected to. ''Obviously.''

''Anyhow, he asked why I was in some dead-end town Oregon,'' again he gave Ash a lead to follow, this time it was a sneering smile to which Ash did briefly return.

''Long story short he was impressed with the 'situation' back there and,'' the next words seemed to be of more distaste to Quinn. ''And he's offering you a position with him.''

Quinns words struck Ash as odd, ''With him?'' Although Ash could tell Quinn wasn't entirely sure Ash deserved both the offer and the his explaination he obliged anyway.

''Hunters breaking away from the council.'' So caught off guard by his reply Ash swerved, only his lightening fast vampire reflexes saved them from ending up in a ditch. Thouroughly pissed at Quinns joke he pulled sharply to the side of the road.

''Out. You can walk for a while. Don't joke about shit like that Quinn.'' Looking iron steady serious Quinn replied.

''Who's joking. I'm serious, the question is are you?''

Day 2

Before meeting Mary-Lynnette Ash would've dismissed Hunters offer politely in favor of partying, but now it had taken all his strength not to throw up over the evil ideas that Quinn spoke of and that they used to appeal to him.

Now only a day into his reformed self Ash just wished he could go back to Oregon and bury his head there for the foreseeable future. But as a non-morning person Ash thought that perhaps this attitude would fade by the afternoon.

Instead he focused on getting together a plan. Direction not being his strong point needless to say it took a while. Finally he resolved to find his cousin James Rasmussen, and his once human soulmate Poppy North.

He however had no idea where to look for them, obviously they'd be lying low because lost witch or not Poppy was still an illegal made vampire and it would be safer that way. Thinking back to his very recent encounter with them he remembered a third individual with them. Although he hadn't payed much attention to the human he did recall that James had said he was Poppys brother.

So after leaving Quinn a note saying he'd gone to see his father Ash instead headed back to Poppys' home town. Once there he used a few of his own contacts to find the brother, though it wasn't hard, the name North was unusal and obviously he'd gone to the same school as his sister and James.

Predictibly a couple of girls checked him out as he waited. Though not as many who normally would have because Ash wore a baggy jacket and a cap worn low over his face. Because if the brother recognised him his first instinct would probably run or arouse attention so he couldn't try anything.

Finally Ash spotted him among the throng of students milling outside of the school. Swiftly Ash followed him, unfortunately he was with a - albeit small - crowd of friends. One by one Ash had them all wonder off, though Phil did seem to find it odd he didn't say anything.

Once they had all gone Ash quickly caught up to him, sharply pulling him down an alley. Instinctively Phil attempted to shout. With the shortest of struggles Ash held him in place with one hand and covered his mouth with the other.

''Calm down. Phil North?'' slowly Phil nodded. ''Do you remember me?'' again Phil nodded, fear in his eyes. ''I'm gonna let you go now. Don't shout, scream or run okay?'' surprisingly to Ash Phil did indeed not attempt to run, or shout.

''If you've come to turn me into the Nightworld you can think again!'' Phil began, Ash rolled his eyes, for a lost witch with pretty decent powers he was still very annoying.

''No that's not it. If you want nothing to do with the Nightworld that's fine by me, trust me I'm envious I don't have that option. But your sister has alot to do with the Nightworld and I need to find her.'' Phil's look of suspicion intensified.

''Why? So you can finnish what you tried to do before, I don't think so.'' having only recently become accoustomed to liking humans Ash had to pause a moment before acting, or indeed even speaking. Meanwhile Phil, the perfect image of an all American youth, stood straight, not showing physically the fear that he was mentally screaming.

''No.'' was all Ash said. Feeling tired all of a sudden, ran a hand through his hair. ''No, just look, it's more James I need to talk too, even if you can't or won't tell where they are. Can you call them or something, tell him I need to speak him, urgently. I'm at the Owl motel, room 26. Thanks.'' Wearily Ash turned his back on Phil and walked out of the alley. Phil seemd to wait a few moments then cautiously followed.

''Your just letting me go?'' he asked, confusedly.

Ash looked Phil, whom reminded him greatly of Poppy and what he'd tried to do to her. ''Yeah I am.''

Later as Ash slumped on to his cheap motel bed, having just fed. He wondered briefly what he could do if Phil didn't or worse couldn't contact James. At some point he'd need to go and see his father and explain about their 'situation' in depth, or at all.

Slowly he pulled himself up into a seating position, then reached across to the phone on the bed side table. The phone, like the rest of the cheap motel was old and well worn. Ash wasn't sure why he'd chosen to stay here. Other than keeping a low profile he could have afforded better and usually lived it up.

The ringing on the other end of the phone he held to his ear finally stopped as it was answered, ''Hello?''

''It's Ash.'' he said, waiting for his fathers acknowledgement or reply.

''Ash? Have you found your sisters yet?'' his tone was a mix of bordom and disapproval.

''Yeah, I've found them. I uh kind of forgot they wanted to learn to hunt and they headed over to aunt Opals. Anyway long story short they're gonna stay there for the time being.'' there was silence on the other end at first. Then sounding as if he'd finally given the phone call his full attention, Ash's father said.

''I see, and what gave you the authority to make such a decision?'' Ash felt a headache coming.

''They deserve to stay in a hick town in the middle of nowhere.'' Ash replied, attemping his old attitude, which seemed to work, sort of.

''What about Opal? She might be a bad influence on them.''

Smiling now, Ash replied non-chalantly, ''Oh she's dead, I killed her. Like you said she's a bad influence, anyway just letting you know. I'm going out now, so bye.'' Ash made to hang up, but his father spoke before he could.

''Fine, but I want you home in a few weeks. You can expain things properly.'' without a goodbye he hung up.

Looking at the clock it showed it was still only eight o'clock, too energetic to go to sleep, Ash slung his jacket on and headed out.

There were a couple of Nightworld clubs in town, mainly tame cafe's, instinctively Ash headed for thr nearest. But after ten minutes sat at the bar he decided this was a bad idea. The place made him think more and more of his promise to rectify things and here he was sat drinking in a club barely two days after.

Getting up to leave a girl, a witch he thought stopped him. ''Hi, I'm Gisele.'' Ash just looked at her. ''I knew your cousin James Rasmussen.''

''Oh,'' was the best reply he could muster. The girl, Gisele gave him an odd look, but went on regardless.

''Anyway, I was wondering if you knew where he was I haven't seen him in weeks. Since well, you know,'' she lowered her voice, ''that human he was fond of died.''

''Yeah, well nice talking to you, but I've got to split.'' Ash knew he was being rude but this girl was such a cliche. Her scowl at his treatment of her followed him all the way out of the door.