I am tickled pink with the number of visitors and specially, to those who wrote your Reviews... Tickle me a lot more Please. I relish the experience.
I admit that all characters and original plot is all due to Richelle Mead's VA series. We wouldn't have the fun in Chap. 3 if not for her.
Must Have a Moroi
I arrived at the Royal Court at 12 midnight, noon in human time. I chose to arrive this late so I can settle properly in our place. By our place, I meant the Hathaway-Mazur pad. The 2-story, 3-bedroom unit was bought 2 months ago by Ibrahim "Abe" Mazur aka Turkish/Russian suspected Mafia, aka Zmey the "snake", aka Janine Hathaway's sperm donator, aka Rosemarie Hathaway's father; when I called him at St. Vladimir.
I first met my father when I was 18 years old at Siberia, definitely my favorite curve ball. After the initial explosives of meeting a never met mobster of a dad, he and I just jelled. He calls me Kizim or Kiz and I'm now calling him Baba when I feel the mood.
I am the female version of my father. We both have these exotic features. I love it when he says that I look like the desert-princess of his childhood tales. We both have tanned skin, mine is of golden tan, and his is a grayish sort that has sadly not seen the sun for some time; we have dark hair, mine is dark brown almost black, his is black; both our eyes are brown, with his more deep-set; and the mark of a true Mazur, full red lips. Just like other Morois, he is tall. While at 5'7" I am slightly pulled down by my 5ft. mother. As a Moroi he is in very good physical condition. He is just as toned and muscular as I am, though of course I have the curves and ample bosom that causes a lot of my male novices to stare and drool, proving that I am the female Mazur offspring.
He told me that I have two younger Moroi brothers from two different mothers. Abe said he has been going around too much that his inamoratas got tired of following him. I am his eldest and his only daughter so my old man indulged me. And he was very proud of my escapades when I was updating him on my past. There was no shaking of the head or "Rosemarie Hathaway, what did you do this time?" The guy was preening like a cock, he kept on saying "That's my girl!" or "A Mazur through and through!". We've been having a blast being together ever since… But I am glad I met him when I was eighteen. By then the Hathaway sense of right is the backbone of my values. And I admit I love it when he spoils me. It is such a nice break from my rigid Guardian lifestyle.
I knew my father would support me. He has always been the non-conformist, and found the Moroi-Dhampir order of society ridiculous. He is probably accused of criminal activity because he would not abide by their rules. Although suspected, they cannot reject him either in the Royal Courts if he wants to witness the public proceedings. Whatever suspicions they have on him he has never been convicted. Besides, he knows almost everybody's skeleton; it will take a very brave or lily-white politician to bar him.
Sadly though, Abe Mazur is not a royal and he can only provide me his wisdom and advice, living allowance, and living quarters. So I still need someone to eventually get me in the Royal Court as a participant.
When a guardian arrives in a Moroi community, we have to report to the Guardians' Headquarters so we can pitch in somehow in maintaining its safety. As I am approaching the building, I try to guess some reactions that the news will cause when they learn that I left St. Vladimir Academy. Actually, I am just expecting raised eyebrows, nothing graver than that. But I still planned to be there at the earliest possible time so I will encounter the least number of people.
As I enter, there are only two guardians doing the early paper work. I approach a familiar face that I used to greet every time I have to go to the headquarters at the Royal Court. I can't recall her name but the old guardian has always been very friendly.
"Guardian Hathaway! Did St. Vladimir send you with the list of new graduates? We are not expecting that until later this month. You guys have always been fast."
Just as I am about to answer, I hear a group of guardians enter the room probably to get their assignments for the day. Just my luck!
"No, I don't have them. The academy will be sending their representative later this month. I am here to report that I am no longer connected with the school and would be applying for guardianship as soon as I find a Moroi who will find me suitable for such assignment."
"Oh my! But what will happen to the poor children?"
Darn! Why is the room so quiet all of a sudden?
"We thought you've been doing excellently there. We have noted that St. Vladimir graduates are exceptionally fine and Headmistress Kirova reported that you are largely responsible for that. It's a shame if you will leave the school. It is obvious that you have the calling to be an instructor."
Dear me, I forget that the reason I did not get too close with grandma here is because she loves to prattle away. And she's doing it now with much relish and loudly too.
"I have been with St. Vladimir for six years. I would like to have a different assignment now. The Academy understands this."
"You can go to a different school perhaps, Miss?" A voice hisses at the back.
I whirled and spotted a stunning brunette, her cat eyes keenly looking at me. She's probably 19yrs. old, definitely not a day older than 20. But I wonder why she looks a bit pissed?
"I am looking for other assignments. I would like to live here in the Royal Court for a change." I choose to ignore the "Miss".
"Oh! But if you expect to find a Moroi to guard here in the Court, you might have to wait for a long time. All those who need guardian services and are residing here are already assigned with seasoned personal guardians. There are no available vacancies for Royal Court Guardians either." Another one answered.
"If I were you, I'd look for offers outside the Court."
"But it would probably be best if you take another TEACHING assignment since you have great credentials as an instructor. I am sure there will be a clamor of offers, Miss…"
Dang! I see all eyes trained on me and not one of them look friendly. What did I do to these guardians, especially to Pissy-Kitty?
"GUARDIAN Rosemary Hathaway. I think you have forgotten your basic Guardian Courtesy by calling me Miss. Do you need to go back to school for a refresher, Guardian?"
I then turn back to ole grandma behind the desk, give her my half-assed smirk, and talk loud enough for everyone to hear. "I will be back to file a formal request when I have me a Moroi. Expect me please no later than a fortnight."
It would have been such a great Hathaway performance have I not been stopped. As I am leaving the room, a familiar pair of brown caramel eyes captured me. They belong surprisingly to a still magnetic but seething 6'7" brutish Russian. Oh my god! A towering inferno!
"Angry much Guardian Belikov?" Hah! I've learned that from my kids.
"Just as I thought. You'll be back!" He spat. The nerve! I actually felt the blast of air hitting my face!
"What the…."
I refuse to hurl profanities at the Russian arse. I have successfully cleansed my mouth for the sake of my novices, and I do not intend to start again as soon as I leave the academy… Arse, however, is part of my compromise list.
But oooh, after these hostile guardians, I do not intend to let this incident with that hulk of a monster pass. That Moron (another word in my list) thinks he can just wallop me then leave? Oh, I have been away too long for him to think that he can get away with it!
We are in the middle of the street when I am finally able to catch up with him.
"Hey Hulk! What's that stuck high-up in your ass that causes you to attack me when we've only seen each other for hardly a minute?"
"You call that an attack? You are going soft, Guardian Hathaway." He sneered.
"Hardly a welcome, Bean Brain." I am so frustrated with Impossible Hulk in front of me coz he is being very antagonistic. And I'm equally frustrated that I am limiting myself to elementary profanity!
"You left St. Vladimir?" an eyebrow going up.
Hmp! I still can't do that stuff, so I just glare my darn-est.
"I think you've already heard my current state of employment back in the office."
I certainly do not have any intentions to tell this man my plans here.
He lowers his baritone to his much remembered, earthy voice.
"Explain to me Roza, with competent guardian instructors hard to find nowadays, harder still for highly-regarded instructors such as you, why did you leave your novices at St. Vladimir vulnerable with one less instructor?"
"I gave the Academy enough time to look for my replacement."
"Do you really think that Headmistress Kirova can find an experienced guardian who will be allowed to leave to teach, with all these ongoing battles against the strigois? Are you really willing to risk the lives of your students with newly graduate guardians just so you can seek glory here at the Court?"
"The last time I checked in the Academy's records, I've graduated almost 7 years ago. I do not have to explain myself to my former mentor, Comrade."
"You know Rosemarie Hathaway, this conversation is a waste of breath. It is universally known that once you've made your mind up to have an adventure, you will abandon those entrusted to you. You are again proving to everyone that you are pigheaded and self-centered!"
When I was a novice I have always tried to follow my former Russian god, and for old times sake, I will do so again. So instead of wasting my breath, I have decided to let my hand do the talking. I send my message through express mail and use his left eye as the post office. POW! I'm sure he got the message as he stagger. His long brown hair flailing all over his chiseled face.
Suddenly, I feel strong hands clamping my arms at my side. Too late, only now did I become aware that the guardians from the headquarters followed us.
"Hey none of that! Are you crazy?"
"Is this what you teach your novices? To start a brawl?"
"What? Your Guardian Hulk there started it!" I countered.
"I did not! I was just talking to you." The Russian arse growled.
Then pretty Pissy-Kitty added, "If this is how violent you are, it will be no surprise if you were actually relieved by your school, MISS!"
That's it, gloves off!
"You do not know who I am. You did not even hear what Hulk there said to me but you freakin' mouth me off? Oh! I get it! He's probably screwing your brains off and you've cummed it all out, Pussy!"
Somehow, I am able to disentangle myself, got into my fighting stance, and crazily I'm ready to take-on Pissy-Kitty, Impossible Hulk, the guardian who held me and whoever wants to join in the fray…
"Wait! Stop this! Let her be." Russian arse incredibly comes to his senses.
"Fuck it Dimitri! That bitch deserves a lesson." Kitty is still spewing.
"I don't think you'll be able to bring me to school, Kitty."
"Stop it Rose! For once hold your tongue and act your age… And the rest of you go home or do your tasks. We will all come out as an embarrassment when word spreads that the Royal Court Guardians cannot control their temper, much more jump on a lone guardian from outside the Court."
I hold my tongue to let the guardians leave. But when just the two of us are left behind, I set him straight.
"Do not play me for a fool, Belikov! I am no country bumpkin nor are you the peacemaker. The next time we meet, you will NOT treat me like a 17year old idiot. If you do that again, I will make you regret that you did not remain a Strigoi!"
Then I leave the towering Dimitri Belikov with an expression of having a stick-way-up-his-Russian-arse in the middle of the road.
As I am walking back to my place, I realize what I have done. Way to go Rose! I have definitely left Guardian Rosemarie Hathaway indelibly marked in those guardians' brains. Darn it! I better find me a Moroi fast!