EDIT: 2nd August 2010

Manga series: Record of Fallen Vampire

Prompt: #15 skinny

Timeline: between chapter 5 and 9

Pairing: none intended

Word count: 446 (approx.)

Warning: nothing… I think

Shoji − are the sliding paper doors in traditional Japanese houses… or so I'm told.

Rating: K-K+

"I hate this." Laeti mumbled, smoothing down her skirt, as she stood in front of the mirror, in one of the rooms of the enourmous Japanese mansion.

She was 68 years old for cryin' out loud… and she was still a halp-pint and skinny… no matter what amount of food she consumed… (and boy, did she love to eat). She managed to grow a little since she met Strauss, but everyone only saw her as a little girl… a child… It infuriated her, no-one stopped to think that she was a grown woman stuck in a very, very… VERY slowly developing body. Laeti never had the chance to talk to other dhampirs, so she didn't know if this was normal and how long it will take for her to really grow up. She already had the mind of a grown up at the age of 18 but it only got worse since then. Now she was running out of patience.

Strauss changed even less in those 50 years, still the same silverish-blue hair, ('Just like the moon in winter.' Laeti added as an after-thought) and the same amethyst eyes. Even his clothes stayed slightly old fashioned. Of course, when they first met the fact that he was very good-looking never escaped Laeti… after all, every 'little girl' can have childish crushes. However, at that particular time she was much more concenred with his missing arm and the joy that she - at last - met someone who was like her.

Still, she hated that the stupid, malicious Black Swan treated her like she was some immature brat. 'I know it would distrurb people if I started to act like an adult… That was part of the reason why I had to run away when mommy was killed.' Laeti thought miserably. 'I just wish Strauss would look at me more like an adult. I have been his companion in last 50 years… and probably the only dhampir who didn't want to kill him in the last thousand years… I just want to be useful in his quest for freeing Adelheid.'

"I will always help you, Strauss. I'll be by your side even if no-one else is." the girl whispered to her reflection.

A knock sounded on the shoji panel.

"Laeti, breakfast is ready." Strauss' voice called softly from the other side.

"Be right there!" Laeti chirped in response, then smiled cheekily and struck a victory pose for the mirror, just like she always did before a battle. "That's a promise of a lifetime." She assured herself.

Then she turned and ran out, heading towards the big dinning room, where all kinds of amazing dishes were waiting to be devoured.