Disclaimer: I don't own Legacy of Kain or any other identifiable pop culture references.

As Jennifer and Raziel settled into their new home, they found many things that had fallen to neglect. They had to start a list so they wouldn't forget anything. The overhead light in one of the upstairs bedrooms flickered and snapped when Jennifer turned it on; she immediately hit the switch and taped it in the 'off' position. Several tiles in the downstairs bathroom had fallen off the wall and were nowhere to be found. The pilot light on the stove was constantly going out, but this was listed as a minor problem that could be temporarily solved with matches. Likewise, the peeling wallpaper and worn carpet were put among the lowest concerns.

Fortunately, Raziel had decided to inspect the outside of the house as well. He stood with Jennifer in the back yard and said, "There are some damaged shingles on the roof. Fortunately, there isn't any sign of anything rotting."

"I guess that's the first priority, then," Jennifer said.

"Why do you think she let this place fall into disrepair?" Raziel asked.

"It's hard to tell," Jennifer said thoughtfully. "If these problems came up gradually, she might not have noticed how bad it got. That, or she just might not have been able to keep up on the maintenance."

Suddenly, Raziel noticed a dark shape moving through the overgrown weeds. He grabbed it hastily. Raziel then cried out as the small black and white creature squirmed out of his grasp. An overwhelmingly pungent smell filled the air. His eyes watered as his enhanced senses were barraged with the stench. He shifted to his wraith form in an attempt to escape it.

"Don't go into your plush form, it won't save you," Jennifer warned. "I'll be right back, get in that washtub."

Raziel did not answer; speaking would require breathing. He twitched in agony as he righted the basin she indicated. A moment later, Jennifer returned with a can of tomato juice. She muttered a few words over it and dumped it over Raziel's head. The can looked like it would hold a pint of juice at the most, but it inexplicably overflowed the washbasin.

Raziel settled into the cool red liquid. Now the smell was tolerable. "This feels familiar," he muttered as he let some of the juice flow through his claws. "What was that thing?"

"That was a skunk," Jennifer pointed out. "It would be wise not to annoy the wildlife."

"How long do I have to stay in here?" Raziel asked, shifting uncomfortably.

"I'm not sure," Jennifer said. "Just don't come back in the house until the smell's gone, or else it'll never go away."

Raziel shuddered as he sunk further into the tomato juice. He was very thankful that Jennifer knew how to neutralize the stink. He never wanted to smell anything like that ever again. Fortunately for Raziel, his soak in the tomato juice got rid of it quickly.

After he had dumped the juice into the weeds, Raziel asked Jennifer, "Am I to expect more of this 'wild life' to be invading this area?"

"It's not really an invasion, they've probably been here longer than we have," Jennifer said. "I'm sure they won't come so close to the house once we cut some of these plants away."

The neighbors were always curious about the couple living in the 'haunted' house. Jennifer had to keep convincing them that everything was fine, and that she'd have a housewarming party soon. She really wanted to get things cleaned up before she had people over.

Raziel flew up to the roof, hauling a box of shingles and the necessary tools with him. Jennifer had gotten some books on home repair from the library, but had to accept a temp assignment to pay for the materials. Because of that, Raziel was left to do most of the actual work. He didn't mind, really. As a vampire lord it would've been beneath his dignity, but Raziel didn't feel that part of himself anymore. This work made him feel ordinary, and that was strangely comforting.

Something thumped behind Raziel, causing the roof to shake. He grabbed his box of nails to keep it from sliding off the edge and asked, "Did you have trouble finding this place, Janos?"

"Not at all," Janos answered. "Though I'm afraid this isn't just a social call."

"What's wrong?" Raziel asked.

"They fixed the clock," Janos groaned. "It's horrible."

"You're welcome to stay here as long as you want," Raziel said, truly meaning it.

"Thank you," Janos said.

"What about that pain in the neck that's staying with you?" Raziel asked.

"I've set him lose," Janos said. "I do not know if Azrael is willing to behave, but I don't think I can do anything more for him."

Raziel thought carefully for a long moment. His personality had matured so much during his journey. Without that, he would still be wild and aggressive. "We can only hope," Raziel finally said.

Janos left then to get his belongings. Raziel finished repairing the roof and went back inside. Jennifer came home before Janos got back.

"I don't mind him staying here," Jennifer said after Raziel had explained the situation. "I thought you were the one who had a problem with it."

"I wanted you to myself," Raziel said. "I don't know what came over me."

Jennifer grinned seductively at Raziel and smooched the end of his nose. "You're cute when you're jealous."

Jennifer was making a roast beef sandwich when Janos returned. "Would you like one?" she offered.

Janos looked at the meat in disgust. "Do you have any tuna, or peanut butter?" he asked.

"Oh course," Jennifer said, giving the reformed vampire an odd look.

"Before the bloodcurse, we only ate fish and vegetables," Janos explained. "Even though I have killed countless people in my time; I feel that I should hold with tradition, now that I am free to do so."

""But why fish?" Raziel asked.

"Fish do not have feelings," Janos said self-assuredly.

"My brother would've disagreed with you," Raziel said. "He used to collect fish until an accident with the containers nearly killed him. I still don't know how he managed to get them in the first place."

"It seems like a very strange hobby indeed," Janos said.

Jennifer took the tunafish can directly out to the recycling bin. She jumped in fright as she saw Azrael leaning against a tree. "I suppose you're homeless now, too," she said.

"I've been homeless ever since I was brought here," Azrael said. "Though for now I have no place better to go."

"How do I know that you're not going to kill me?" Jennifer asked. There was no point in sugarcoating the question. She thought she knew what she was dealing with.

"I swear that I won't do anything to you," Azrael said.

Jennifer stared at him contemplatively for just a little too long.

Azrael jumped at the offense and began yelling angrily. "I swear on my honor! I swear on my blood, the blood of my sire, and the blood of my clan!" He paused to snarl angrily. "Is that good enough for you?"

"You can crash here," Jennifer said unemotionally as she turned back into the house.

Azrael followed several steps behind her. Raziel watched curiously as his twin entered the kitchen.

"He has sworn not to hurt me," Jennifer told Raziel.

Raziel nodded in approval. He couldn't remember a time when he had intentionally broken a promise.