So guess what happened to me this morning? It is a Friday by the way. I slept in! Not just sleep in until like nine. I slept in until one in the afternoon. Yes I did. I know. So I was like, aw damn, then my mom was like "Just shut up and stay home. Clean if you'd like." So since I won't be getting the e-mail with the homework I missed for a few more hours I decided to update. I know I am so wonderful. No? Aw well, can't blame a girl for trying. Just so you know I am making the trial work a bit differently. It is separated into a couple days. The first day is all review evidence and facts, the second day is when they talk. Just so you don't get confused, I don't like to confuse you all... much.
DISCLAIMER: I own no rights to any of the Vampire Academy Novels. They all belong to Richelle Mead. As well anything in italics and separated by *** actually happened in the book.
Rose's Point Of View
What the hell was up with Christian just now? Did he seriously not want to help me with my outfit THAT much? Uh, yeah. Probably. He is after all a guy. I guess I was going to have to make this decision all by myself. Great… this should be fun.
The following morning I woke up to a knock at the door. When I opened the door I noticed that it was Christian.
"What the hell? Do you have any idea how early it is?" I asked, trying to yell but was too tired to be loud.
"Quiet! And yes I do, but some Moroi person sent these clothes to my room by mistake." Christian said.
It was then that I noticed that he was indeed holding clothes. I took the clothes from him smiling. The clothes looked exactly like what all the other guardians wore. In my size too!
"It's like a dream come true isn't it?" Christian said, blinking rapidly, pretending to look dazed.
I ignored his sarcasm and said, "Yes! It's like I am the limited edition guardian Barbie doll!"
"She comes with matching shoes, and lip gloss." Christian said.
I smiled and said, "Yes, and you can be the limited edition Moroi Ken Barbie doll. Speaking of which, what in sunshine are you going to wear?"
"Formal wear was sent up earlier, I will be waiting until the last second possible to lose my self-respect." Christian said.
"Well since you're here you will be helping me with my appearance. Sit." I said.
"Self-respect. Gone. Check." Christian said, sitting on the sofa.
"Uh huh. Don't look." I said.
"Not looking." Christian said. To prove that he wasn't looking he turned around, closed his eyes, and covered his eyes with his hands.
After I changed into the outfit a few minutes later I said, "You can look now."
Christian turned back to look at me and his mouth dropped open slightly.
I immediately started panicking. "What? Do I look okay? Oh god my hair is dry isn't it?"
"Rose! Stop freaking out! You look gorgeous." Christian said.
What? Did he just say that? I looked at Christian he seemed surprised that he said that as well. It wasn't so much that he said it that surprised me. It was the happy feeling I got when he did.
"Uhm, so what else is there?" Christian asked.
"make-up, shoes, and hair." I said.
"Alright then. Make-up first. What did you have in mind?" Christian asked.
"Only two things, I was thinking of going with some light make-up and clear lip gloss. The second choice would be once again light make-up but this time red lipstick."
"I think they're expecting you to look bland."
"I hate it when you're right." I muttered.
"I can tell."
"First choice it is then. Shoes I was thinking of wearing a pair of black and white converse."
"Converse?"
"Well I am not going to be wearing four inch heels or dress shoes."
"Fair enough." Christian mumbled.
"Hair. Down or up?" I asked.
Christian's eyes lit up mischievously. "Let me do your hair."
"WHAT?" I almost screamed.
"You heard. Please?" Christian asked. He pouted. He fucking pouted! Not fair. He looks kind of cute… Okay stop it Rose. No thinky, no thinky. You have a hot kind of sort of boyfriend/mentor.
"Fine." I said. I couldn't say no.
About five minutes later I was sitting down and Christian was working on my hair.
"What are you doing to my hair?" I asked, as Christian was separating my hair into sections.
"Half-way ringlets galore." Christian said.
"What is that?"
"You'll see." Christian said.
"Okay."
"Rose, when we get free time though after this we are doing something that will help me regain my masculinity."
"Dude, you're doing my hair, what are we going to do go to a gym?"
"Close, let's go hunting."
"Please tell me you're joking." I said.
"Why not? Well we'd have to go where hunting is acceptable of course, because go where we're allowed it's all 'Hey they are going hunting.' Wave a hunting rifle around here though and they'd take us down, no questions asked." Christian said.
I laughed, but then turned serious. "No hunting. How about I teach you how to fight?"
"Get my ass handed to me? That would defeat the purpose of the excursion."
"You can learn… and then kick some arrogant Moroi butt for me so I don't get expelled. Helping and defending a woman, a very noble and manly thing to do." I said.
As Christian started adding curlers and rollers to my hair he said, "Sure. Let's see what I can do after some practices with the legendary Rosemarie Hathaway."
Christian and I continued mindless conversation, for I don't know how long. It was definitely a while though because we had to leave soon or we'd be late.
"There. Done." Christian announced.
I looked in the mirror and my hair looked beautiful. Christian had put my hair in beautiful ringlets. At the same time though he pulled my hair up into a tight ponytail high enough to be able to see the back of my neck. It looked like it could belong in a courtroom or a ballroom.
"Like it?" Christian asked.
"Love it." I said.
"Well I better go get ready, I have very little time." Christian said, leaving.
I smiled and pulled on my shoes and did my make-up. Damn, I really should reconsider going with the red. Bland was out the window anyway with this hair. Whatever, red lipstick it was going to be. It wasn't like I'd be talking today anyway. Today was mostly so the facts could be told and evidence reviewed. Even Victor wouldn't be speaking today if we were lucky.
Not long after Christian and I were heading towards the trial.
"Christian!" Lisa screamed, running to catch up to us.
"Fuck." Christian and I muttered.
Lissa caught up to us shortly after. "You two have got to talk to me!"
"No we don't!" I said.
"Christian can speak for himself." Lissa said.
"I can and we don't have to talk to you." Christian said.
"Christian!" Lissa shouted, but was cut off because we finally entered the courtroom.
Things actually went by quickly. The facts were presented. The deaths of Victor's guardians were mentioned. The death of Natalie. His daughter who turned Strigoi for him.
Tomorrow would be when our version of things would be told. What we saw, felt, thought, anything that would be of importance.
As we were leaving Adrian walked up next to me and wrapped his arms around me. "Hello there little Dhampir."
I was about to say something before someone else cut me off. "Move your hands Adrian." Christian said, looking like he was going to cut Adrian's head off.
"Fine, talk to you later my little Dhampir." Adrian said. He left.
"Excuse me. Ms. Hathaway, and Mr. Ozera. The Queen would like to speak with you in private. Please follow me." A Guardian said.
We nodded and followed him.
Christian and I were led to a room and told to wait.
"What the hell is this about?" I whispered.
"I don't know." Christian whispered back.
We waited silently for a few minutes and then the door opened, Tatiana walked in. I expected her to tell us to sit, or for her to sit, but instead she walked towards us frowning. She looked at me.
***
"Miss Hathaway," she said sharply, "I'm going to keep this brief. You are going to stop this atrocious affair you're having with my great-nephew. Immediately."
***
Christian started laughing.
"Mr. Ozera I suggest that you stay silent." Tatiana said.
"Sorry." Christian said sarcastically.
***
"There's been some kind of mistake. There's nothing going on between Adrian and me."
"Do you think I'm an idiot?" she asked.
Wow. That was an opening.
***
"Yes" Christian said.
"Mr. Ozera you are out of line!" Tatiana shouted.
He really was. Why can't he just shut the hell up sometimes? Is it so hard not to be sarcastic or rude? Really?
"Atleast I don't make up false accusations." Christian said.
"There is something going on between Miss Hathaway and my nephew, but as it seems that you refuse to stay silent I shall begin with you."
"What? Do you believe I am having an affair with Adrian as well? Because I will tell you right now that he is not my type." Christian said.
I tried really hard not to laugh, it didn't work though. I gave a small giggle.
Tatiana ignored him and proceeded to explain what she meant. "You and Vasilisa make an... interesting couple I guess. However Mr. Ozera you are holding her back. Being the last of the Dragomirs she needs support. My nephew can be helpful to her future career. All you can do is be harmful."
"You want Adrian and her to be a couple? You're about ten bottles of vodka and a couple days late." Christian said.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Tatiana asked.
"It means that the man-whore and the ice princess already got it on." I said.
Maybe I was out of line with that comment but really, what the hell did she think Christian meant by that?
"Vasilisa would not do that. She is a respectable young lady and I will not have you spread your slanderous rumors about her." Tatiana said.
At this rate she was going to get a heart attack. She looked like the face you would probably see on one of those At Risk... posters.
"Yet she did, and respectable? Last time I checked you said that a name doesn't make a person. I also heard that you told one of your male blood whores... I believe it was Ambrose... that you thought she was a disgrace. Was that just some lying pillow talk?" Christian asked.
This was getting interesting.
"Out of everyone here. You, Mr. Ozera, and Miss Hathaway are the only ones who are a disgrace. Afterall your parents–"
"Turned Strigoi willingly, only happened nine times in your lifetime... BLAH BLAH! I have a question. You all keep reminding me of what my parents did. Do you think I forget or something?"
Tatiana looked fed up. I was proven right with her next statement. "Mr. Ozera and Miss Hathaway I refuse to listen to this. It is utterly discusting behaviour. You both are not the king or queen I am. So I suggest you get some respect."
What the hey, what do I have to lose? "Christian how do you feel about being a king?" I asked, jokingly.
"Well I am not partial to the idea but I guess I would live with it." Christian said, in a fake british accent.
"ALL HAIL CHRISTIAN!" I said, getting on my knees in a hailing gesture.
"Thank you, you may rise loyal subject." Christian said.
"ENOUGH!" Tatiana shouted. "OUT!" She pointed towards the door and Christian and I made a speedy exit.
"Well that was fun." Christian said.
"If she has a heart attack or stroke, it would be completely our fault." I said.
"Really, we'd be doing the Moroi world a service. If she's the queen evolution isn't going to happen." Christian said.
"Point made." I said.
"Want to come with me to the library?" I asked.
"Why?" Christian asked, looking at me like I was crazy.
"I want to research my seeing problem." I said.
Christian looked excited. "Let's go."
When Christian and I got to the library we split up taking books out of two categories. I got to take books out of the magic/occult section that every place felt like they should keep in stock for the freaks of nature. Modern Hollywoods version of things. The only reason we were even giving this section a thought was because every lie had a grain of truth to it. Just finding the truth was usually hard to do. So if we warped our minds enough maybe these books would prove to be helpful.
Christian was taking books on anything 'Shadow-Kissed Anna' or 'Shadow-kissed' the reasoning for that was because being brought back from the dead might have been a trigger for me to be seeing ghosts. It wasn't like there was anything else in my past that could explain this. Well other than me being crazy, but until it was proven that I was off my rocker I was going to look for actual reasons.
The library had very neutral tones. Lots of earthy reds, greens, and browns. The walls were painted a dark, deep red colour, and the floor was a dark brown. There were categories just like any library. Though there were four main categories instead of two that branched off into smaller ones in organization. They still had the standard fiction and non-fiction, but there was a category labelled 'Specialties' it was a category that held books that explained about the different elements a Moroi could specialize in. Air, Earth, Fire, Water, and there were a few small books that talked about the very few Moroi that didn't specialize. Now it was known that they were probably spirit users. The fourth category was labelled 'Creatures' and it held books about the different types of creatures that existed. Not humans, or insects, but magical creatures. There were books on Dhampir, Moroi, Strigoi, and others. We weren't the only creatures out there. Witches, warlocks, demons, etc. that stuff all existed too. Poor humans though, they were at a serious risk with all this voodoo houdou around. There was a section to the right side of the library where the check-out desk was, as well as six desks with computers on them. There were two black leather sofas, and four tables with chairs around them.
Christian and I took one of these tables and put the books we found on them. After an hour about twenty books were piled up on the table. Some were old and leather bound, others were new and looked like six billion copies had been printed. Christian and I set to work on the shadow-kissed ones. We figured that starting with that was most likely our best bet to find out what this was. The magic/occult like ones would probably only frustrate us, so we were working on what possibly would help best in the short amount of time we had to research.
When we were working on the fourth shadow-kissed book my anger reached a boiling point and I threw the book against the wall. The librarian was asleep. It's not like she'd know.
"Calm down Rose!" Christian shouted.
"No I will not be calm! I'm a freaking freak! And none of this is helping! Am I destined to be seeing ghosts of those who've died? Having to watch things I don't want to? Blacking out? Or worse, commited?"
"Breathe Rose." Christian said, walking over to me and hugging me.
I looked up and met his eyes and my breathing hiked. Instinctively I moved closer, as did he. When our lips were only an inch apart though Mia burst through the library door, waking up the librarian.
Christian and I jumped apart.
"My... gosh... a library... really?" Mia panted.
"What?" I asked.
"Follow me." Mia said, she looked like she just ran for miles. Outside it was dark and raining but we could still see enough to know where we were going.
Christian and I ran after Mia who was surprisingly steady for having ran all the way to find us and now run to where she was taking us. After I have no idea how long of running we reached a crowd gathered around a building. Mia pushed through dragging me along, and I was dragging a panting Christian along.
When we got to the front I was shocked at what I saw. On top of the building was a guy. The guy was going to kill himself. Why the fuck did Mia bring me here? It was right after I thought that, that I realized who he was and what he was doing. It was Adrian, Adrian was on a rooftop and he had a bottle in his hand. I knew from experience that if Adrian had a bottle in his hand it was most definately not water.
There were guardians behind him on the roof but they weren't going any closer to him.
"Why aren't they going any closer to him?" I asked.
"He's drunk obviously, and when they go too close to him he dangles his foot over the edge." Mia said.
"Why the... hell did you bring... us here... I say... let... the fucker kill... him... self." Christian said, panting, he was going to need to run when we trained.
Oh my gosh. I almost kissed him before! Oh my god, slut slut slut.
"Hey Rosie!" Adrian shouted from the roof, almost falling off.
"Step away from the ledge please." A guardian behind Adrian said.
I was terrified and Adrian knew it.
"WHat'S wrOng RoSIe?" Adrian said, talking high or low at some points.
"Adrian what are you doing?" I screamed.
"TOO MucH SPIrit apParentLY! roSIE! I triED To Be PERfecT fOR yOu! TeaCHINg LiSSA spIRit Not GETTINg too DRUnk lEss women. UntIL iT AlL FeLl apART! RosiE fOrgiVE Me!"
Oh my god. Oh my god. Bad, so bad. Horribly bad.
