Sorceress Night
I had been traveling for days with no coherency of time or place; all I knew is that I need to get to safety and the one place I knew was safe: Cross Academy.
My feet carried me lightly through the dark forest surrounding Cross Academy. With a slight force to the ground I hopped the fence. Going across the campus I made my way to the headmasters' office. Even at this late hour there was still a light on. Knocking I walked in.
"Irainna!!!" came a cry followed by my ribs being crushed. "What a delight! What a surprise! Oh for the empress of the sorceresses to visit!-"
"Cross, calm yourself man, yes it's good to see you to but I wish I had come under more pleasant circumstances." I interrupted the to-enthusiastic-exhunter.
"What brings you here then? You do know your support in my pacifism could really help…"
"I understand and for the time being you have it but I have traveled far and long without rest and I need a place to stay, for on a night like this a week ago me and mine friends and family were attacked, I am the only one who survived." I accounted in a monotone.
"You are welcome to stay here for as long as you need. Would you like to stay in the Moon or Sun dormitory? And if we have need would you mind filling in as a substitute teacher?" he asked.
"I would like to stay with those closer to kind, so I'll stay in the Moon dormitory and no I don't mind." I replied.
"If you'll have a seat while I go get the dorm president, I'll only be a moment." he walked out the door and closed if behind him.
As tired as I was I didn't sit, instead choosing to lean against the desk. Taking a deep breath I willed myself to not cry and be strong. Looking out the window I stared at the moon and stars, easily picking out my favorite constellations. So absorbed in my thoughts I was, I didn't hear the door open again.
"Irainna."
Turning at the sound of my name being called by the headmaster I found myself facing a man. No, not a man, but a vampire. He stood about 6'2", with me coming up to about his neck. He possessed red-brown eyes that held a deep sorrow which flashed with surprise upon taking in my appearance which was hardly surprising.
With my being a sorceress I looked strange to most people indeed. I was currently wearing a dress died deep blue that was long sleeved with holes cut out to expose my shoulders and part of my upper arms, the sleeves bellowed out at the elbows. I was barefooted. My midnight raven hair, which was slightly tussled from running, shone darkly in the moonlight. My eyes also shone by the moons' light, a deep, pure, crystal blue gaze which was both beautiful and terrible to behold.
"Kaname Kuran" started the headmaster, knocking us both out of our silent examination of each other, "allow me to introduce Irainna de Vaskilisk, Irainna this is Kaname Kuran pureblood and dorm president of the Moon dormitory."
Upon hearing my full name Kanames' gaze turned to one of complete surprise and puzzlement, he bowed.
"Welcome to Cross Academe Irainna-hime." he spoke in a rich baritone.
"So you know or me pureblood vampyre" I began "and you have my condolences Kuran child." The whole of the sorcering world knew of the Kuran family massacre and the sole surviving heir, Kaname who was practically the ruler of the vampire world.
"Arrigoto Irainna-hime and it is a honor to meet you and am I right in assuming you have come to support the headmasters' idealism of peace between vampires and humans?" he asked.
"Hai, and also to do some side teaching if need be while I'm here and also maybe to establish friendship with the vampireing world?"
"It will be much looked forward to." he smiled, which I returned with a small one of my own.
"Well I'll leave it in your hands Kaname, welcome to Cross Academy Irainna, if you need anything you know where to find me." the headmaster said holding the door for us.
"Thank you, Kien." I replied as he closed the door to his office.
Outside the building Kaname offered me his arm "If I may, Irainna-hime?"
Taking his arm I stated "It's just Irainna, the -hime part is unneeded for we are equals." It seems I was full of surprises to this vampire for his eyes once again flashed with the emotion.
"If it is what you wish, Irainna." At this point we had arrived at what I assumed was the Moon dormitory. Dormitory my foot, it was more like an aristocrats mansion which really was to be expected since all the vampires here were of the nobility class. Inside was even more stunning than the outside. A giant crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling in the main entry way. On either side of the room was a wide-sweeping, marble staircase that lead to a second floor with a slight balcony protruding over the sitting area and fire place that occupied the space between the two stair cases. But what held my attention was the group of vampires scattered throughout the room. Some occupied the couches and chairs, reading, drawing, or writing. Two boys, a carrot top and blonde who looked like they could be related, where deep in a game of chess. All stopped their individual activities upon mine and Kaname's entrance.
"Irainna, may I introduce some members of the Night class, Dorm Vice President Takuma Ichijo, cousins Hanabusa Aido and Akatsuki Kain, Ruka Souen, Senri Shiki, Rima Toya, and Seiren. Everyone I have the honor of introducing Irainna de Vaskilisk, she will be staying here to support the headmasters' idealism of peace, to extend the hand of friendship to the vampire world, and fill in as a temporary teacher if the need is called for." stated Kaname. It looked like Kaname wasn't the only one who knew of me, as Kaname finished speaking they all rose and bowed saying "It is an honor to meet and have you among us Irainna-hime."
"Please" I said addressing them "the -hime suffix is not necessary."
"I am sorry Irainna-hime" the one called Takuma said "but we must show respect to one as renowned as yourself, but if you wish we will call you Irainna-sama instead, if it pleases you."
Giving him and everyone a small smile I replied "If you insist upon it that is fine by me."
"Irainna," started Kaname while leading me away from the group and up one of the staircases, "we must discuss where you will by staying since all the rooms are full but I have no objections to you rooming with me, you shall have the bed and I shall take the couch."
"Kaname I could not do that to you if I must invade on your privacy I will at least take the couch." I started not beginning to fathom this pure blood prince sleeping on the couch for my sake. But it seemed he was going to have his way, if I objected or not. "Not at all Irainna, it seems you have been through a lot, please accept."
Giving up I sighed, exasperated, then smiled "If you insist up on it Kaname."
"I do." With that he hold open one of the double doors that led, I assumed, to what was his room in the dormitory. The walls were painted a very pale blue with white trim. The huge, sweeping bay windows offered a view over looking part of the forest and Cross Academy. The plush, soft carpet felt good to my sore bare feet. A miniature chandelier illuminated the room which held an elegant, one armed love seat with a mahogany coffee table in front of it with papers, books, and letters strewn everywhere. Leading me on a small tour, Kaname showed me the bedroom which held a canopied bed, dresser, vanity, and two nightstands on either side of the bed. The bay window was adorned with a window seat and thick velvet curtains that would easily block the light of the sun. The same material was upholstered to the pillows in the window seat. On the left side of the bed was a walk in closet which wasn't even three-fourths of the way filled. A little ways next to that was a huge bathroom with a marble tub and closet shower. A huge mirror with bright lights sat opposite the tub with as door leading to the toilet room.
"Well that's everything, I'll take you on a tour of the dorm once you've settled in, if you need any help I'll be in the other room. Oh, and Irainna I assume you'll be keeping the night class hours and might I ask were your belongings are?" he seemed quiet puzzled about the lack of luggage. Chuckling slightly I replied "We sorceresses carry our luggage a different way from most Kaname-san." Stepping more towards the closet I seemed to pinch the air and outline a box which began to shimmer, reaching into the outlined area I drew out 6 fairly large chests. Setting them on the ground, I closed the gap of space and turned towards Kaname whom held a look of wonderment on his face.
Smiling I asked, "Does that answer your question?"
"I had heard all the storied but to be told and to see with your own eyes are two completely different things. Did that not tire you out?" he asked.
"No, many, many spells take very little or no effort at all, to me what I just did was the equivalent of throwing a tennis ball, minus the actual lifting of the chests." I explained.
"Well do you need any help?" he asked once again.
"No but thank you for asking."
"I'll leave you to it then." he then left to the other room.
Sighing I looked at my chests and faintly smiled, each bore my seal, a dragon and a phoenix chasing each other in an endless circle. I lifted the lids of all and started hanging, organizing, and putting shoes, clothes, and personal items into the closet, vanity, and bathroom by means of magic. Into the closet went my clothes: dresses, corset tops, pants tack tops, cargo pants, jeans, ball gowns, evening dresses, cocktail dresses, skirts, and all other assortment of clothes. My wide verity of shoes including heels, sandals, combat boots, and slippers lined the bottom. Into the vanity went what little make-up I used for special occasions, jewelry, bathing suits, under wear, and pajamas. My toiletries, lotions, perfumes, bubble bath, and body sprays went into the bathroom. After everything was put away I took out a floor length, causal, black with a red phoenix on it, skirt, with a black corset tank top and red arm gloves. Going into the bathroom I took a quick shower, fixed my hair, got dressed, and felt very refreshed for it afterwards. Choosing to stay barefoot I walked into the other room where Kaname was.
"All settled in?" he asked.
"Yes, thank you for letting me stay here and might I ask, to wear does that lead?" I asked pointing to a door in a corner that was closed.
"Your welcome and that just leads to an empty tower room, it's not in use." he replied.
"My I see it?" At his nod I went to the door I opened it and ascended the stairs. At the top was a circular room width half of it being all window with the same curtains like those in Kanames' bedroom. Another quarter was empty wall space and the other was empty bookshelves. This would be the perfect place to practice and study my magic and a good place set up my potions lab, I thought. Turning to Kaname who had followed me up I asked "Would it be ok if I used this room while I stay here?" "Kaname?" I asked again when he didn't reply. What I didn't know was how he had been distracted by the way the moon had caught its' light in my hair from the open window, causing it to shimmer.
"Yes, of course." he replied snapping out of it.
Smiling I crossed the room and gave him a quick hug. Not expecting it he didn't have time to react.
"Gomen Kaname, I may be the leader of my people but I always view everyone as equal so I'm not at all strict on formality. And thank you, thank you for giving me a place to stay and work and being kind when it is most needed."
"You're very welcome." he replied smiling warmly down at me.
"I think I'll start to unpack my work equipment and study materials now." and opened yet another gap in space and started taking things out and organizing them around the room. While I worked Kaname occupied a seat out of the way and we talked about everything under the sun as the room quickly filled with bottles of herbs, liquids, and ingredients. The shelves were filled quickly with spell books, histories, and recreation books. We talked about our families and stupid thins our friends did, we also discussed the problems he faces with the senate and mine with my council. But even though we both smiled and laughed, the deep sorrow that was hidden in his eyes never left.
"I think that's everything for now. Sometime soon I will have to put wards and spells of protection on everything." I said once I was done.
"Why would you need to do that?" asked Kaname.
"I plane on using this room, not only for a study, but also to practice my magic and create and experiment with my potions. It would be a terrible thing if something happened to all these books and equipment." I replied, running a loving hand over the spins of a few books.
"So I take it that it would be dangerous to disturb you while you're up here?"
"Oh it's ok if people visit and hang-out while I'm up here but if the door's closed knock and wait for a reply before entering and I plan on putting a lock charm on the door so if I'm not here no one else can get in so they don't accidentally change themselves into a toad or worse." I explained with a smile.
Kaname grinned back then asked "Would you like a tour of the rest of the Moon dorms now? Unfortunately classes will begin for you tomorrow and there might not be anytime."
"I'd like that." I said accepting his offer. Going over to the door I descended the stairs with Kaname at my heels. Crossing Kanames' front room, Kaname once again took my arm as we walked out the door.
He led my all over the dorm. He showed me everyone's' rooms and introduced me to those who I had not meant earlier. Showing me the kitchen and dining room he explained the time of meals and how we were allowed to use the kitchen for a snack in between meals. Next he took me to the library which was huge. With floor to ceiling bookcase that you had to use ladders for top shelf access and sweeping bay windows with wide mahogany desk tucked away in places for privacy. In the library we encountered Takuma and ALL HIS MANGA!
"Oh my Goddess!" I explained upon seeing the mountains of manga and anime that where set off n a side room.
"Do you like manga, Irainna-sama?" asked Takuma with a smile on his face.
"Like?! Manga is my lover!" I exclaimed while practically glomping the piles and shelves all over the room. "I just regret I don't have a collection such as this."
"You're welcome to barrow as much as you like as long as you return them unharmed." Takuma offered.
"Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" I squealed while glomping him and then glomping the selves. Takuma and Kaname chuckled and took a seat to discuss dorm president stuff while I perused the shelves. After a time I came climbing out of the mountain of manga while trailing behind me was a stack of manga which I carried with magic that consisted of: Inuyasha, Prince of Tennis, Naruto, Fruits Basket and surprisingly a copy of Vampire Hunter, which I hoped wouldn't offended anybody.
"I'm done for this raid." I stated to the two wide-eyed vampires. "I'll give you most of these back pretty quickly, heck I might just do a duplication spell so I can have my own copy but it only takes my 30 minutes at most to finish one of these."
"Take as long as you need Irainna-sama." replied Takuma as Kaname and I exited the library.
"I like him" I stated to Kaname as we walked back to his, our, room with the stack of books trailing behind us "and his manga." I grinned at the afterthought. Kaname chuckled and held open the door for me and followed in after my books.
Walking into the bedroom I grabbed my pajamas and went n to the bathroom to prepare for bed. Washing my face and brushing my teeth, I slipped on my pajamas, thru my hair into a bun and walked out of the bathroom turning the light off behind me. Crossing the bedroom I stuck my head out the door "Good night, Kaname."
Kaname looked up from some papers he was reading "Good night, Irainna, sleep well."
"Thank you." I replied shutting the door and climbing into the canopied bed. I slipped under the covers noticing how they smelled of Kaname and inhaling deeply. My last thought before darkness took me was how safe I felt with Kaname. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks: I trusted him.
*End First Night*