Sorry for the wait, if anyone is keeping track. It's been hard piecing together my ideas for this story, and I actually wrote this scene a while ago. In fact, I think I intended on putting it in Forever Violet, but it didn't seem to fit, but it might be a little off. I have told two people about what i was planning to do with what I have written, and now I'll just tell anyone interested. After I finish off my first two stories in this series I'm thinking out in my head, I'm going to rewrite them, mainly because I have improved the character and my writing. So, don't think I'm going to ditch you, I'm just rewriting the story as long as writing it, so bare with me:)

Please give me your thoughts, even if they are on the lighter side of the story, and more humor then usual. If you're wondering about David, you're just going to have to be paitient on finding out what's up with him. REVIEW!!

(if there are spelling mistakes, it's because stupid spellcheck isn't working. Again, bare with me.)

ThePhantomsFlutist


Chapter 9:

Uncomfortable

"So, you must tell us of your family, Violet." Added Mrs. Farrel taking a bite from her disgusting sandwich. I mean, to me, all human food is disgusting. But there's somewhere along the thin line that it's unappetizing to plain disgusting, and I think this sandwich just crossed it. I eyed it, and then looked down to my paper white hands nervously, paler then usual because I haven't fed in a while.

"Well, there's not much to say..." I lied, my hands folding together tightly. There's probably way too many things to say about my family, my coven. Saying they're strange doesn't even begin to cover it.

"Well, do you have any sisters or brothers?" She questioned, taking another dainty bite out of the dreadful thing.

"Well, technically, they wouldn't be biological. I have an adopted sister named Lucile and an adopted brother named Nicholas, but he recently left us." I explained slowly, trying to weigh out every word so they wouldn't sound too far-fetched. Nothing to make my boyfriend's mother suspicious and scared of me. And just in case you are wondering, it's a very hard task to handle. Also, if you would want to approach me just randomly as a complete stranger perhaps, my natural outlook is very threatening. Trying to mask that every day of my life is pure torture, considering what I am, what I will forever be.

"I'm adopted as well. My biological parents died a long time ago." I added, which again, wasn't exactly a lie. My mother died back in 1796 and father died, after looking for me, in 1837 after a long, prosperous life of sailing.

"Oh, I-" She started, looking up from her plate. I cut her off with my raised hand and she paused.

"No, please. I couldn't ask for anyone better then the two parents I have now, actually. As I was saying, Lucile is sixteen currently, and Nicholas is eighteen. He went to live on his own, and as far as I know, he's not coming back." I smirked. That was something I had to tell the school office, the teachers, and every one of his adoring fan girls that made up ways to get rid of Lucile in order to go out with him, because Lucile couldn't do it herself. And then I had to forge every single one of his papers in order to get his records out of the school because Victoria and Alexander were too upset to do it theirselves. Then there was me, who would have been more then gleeful to kill him myself with my own hands, and set his limbs on fire myself and laugh no matter how depressed my coven would be. I honestly don't give a damn if he lives, after what he has done and said to me. As you can probably see, I don't take revenge lightly.

"Did he move out?" Asked charming Grace from across the table, secretly feeding Snowbell her sandwich under the table. I could tell by her concentrating expression and the third chewing and swallowing sound mysteriously coming from the table that only immortal ears could truly hear.

"Yes, I think he got tired of us," I can say that again, "too tired, perhaps."

"Well, that's too bad. I'm sure your foster parents weren't too thrilled with that." The mother added.

"No, they were very depressed. I wouldn't bring up the subject, if I were you." I gave a ghost of a smile, Mark's arm came around my waist. He now knew what really happened to Nicholas, but best of all, what he didn't know of was what I thought of it. He didn't want to know, quite frankly.

"We should meet some time. Your foster parents seem very interesting." I snorted mentally, again. Interesting, once more, doesn't begin to cover it. "For dinner, perhaps." She added. Mark tightened his grip and I held his wrist, my thumb going over the artery over and over again just so I know why they should meet and why they shouldn't. First of all, Victoria and Alexander's humanity was the first to go out of all of us. They've been around a lot longer, and if any of us don't scream "vampire", then they would. Not to be offensive, but it's natural. We're the undead, honestly, what do you expect? I sunk into my chair. Not a way to impress the parents of my boyfriend, and possibly someone who will be by my side for the next eternity if my insanity continues.

Mrs. Farrel seemed to sense my discomfort at the topic, and Mark shifted his weight, knowing what it's like to come into our mansion. There is a reason why we don't have many guests, and the home itself has nothing to do with it. But what he have in the home is something entirely different considering some of the furniture is possibly centuries old, and the air of the house just seems unnatural. The expensive technology, the stereo, the sound system, the television, the phone, lights, kitchen, many things are modern, and something you'd find in a rich house. But it's almost beyond belief, and I haven't even started to talk about the second and third floor. Yet, it's a dark home. It's not like you'd find a coffin, or dead bodies stashed somewhere like you would stereotypically think of a vampire home, it's simply dark. Alexander is definitely not fond of light, but Victoria is. There's a two-way split.

"No?" Asked the mother, confused at my expression.

"I'll run it past them sometime." I confided, gripping Mark's hand even tighter, but not too violent to cut off circulation.

"Well, good." She replied. I sighed, fixing my posture. I was thinking whether or not I should even mention it. Victoria would be more then happy to have Mark's parents over. Lucile would be as well, but not in the right sense of the phrase, "coming over for dinner." Alexander could care less, as usual. And I would simply be awkward the entire time.

"Do you play an instrument?" Asked Grace who was now washing her plate after feeding most of the food to her dog.

"I play many. Flute, piano, violin, viola, many others, and I sing as well." I explained quietly, trying not to make it too important. Not that I was embarrased, it was just that my voice was well... different. It's... not human, I can tell you that.

"I play flute, as well!" Grace replied enthusiastically.

"Awesome! How long?" I added, trying to make it interesting for her.

"Five years so far, but I will play longer. What about you?"

"All my life, practically. My parents see music as a need in life, not just something to be ignored." Yes, my mother never let me see music any other way than that and my father said it was a waste of time, and that women should never be involved. I didn't enjoy my father very much.

"That's very good!" Replied Mrs. Farrel, "Mark never seemed interested in music." I smiled up to Mark again, who came back with a rueful smile, embarrased that his mother kept talking on.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure he's not like that," I teased, fighting the urge to kiss his lips for the hundredth time today. I can't ever get used to his beautiful smile that melted my cold skin, and made me feel much better about living.

"Sounds convincing," He murmured into my hair, his warm breath coming to my neck.

"Do you have a private teacher, Grace?" I wondered. Teaching directly was something I never got around to do, but would do willingly if I survive these next years.

"Not yet." She said quietly, seeing where this was going.

"I can tutor you sometime, then. I believe they have something like All State in middle school and high school here. I could help with auditions and maybe you could make it." I shrugged. She nodded, seeming hopeful.

"Sure, that'd be cool." She replied. Mark nudged my arm teasingly, and I shrugged it back.

I left the Farrel home at sunset so I could hunt and come home before Victoria worries too much of me. I thought hard and deep about having the Farrel family over to our mansion as I bit down on the neck of a deer. I sucked in the blood, savoring it every bit. I could feel myself growing warmer, feeling the life coming back into my shell as it gushed onto my lips in the red form of the only cause of life. It satisfied the burning fire in the back of my throat, as if someone stuck a flame and lit it there. When I am hunting, I forget everything, and just rely on my senses. Whatever living being I come across, I attack and drain it of the life it had, and once dead, I care less for the dead blood. There isn't a time after I met Elizabeth that I don't wonder how horrified she must have been, witnessing me sucking blood out of a deer. It could have been worse-- I could have been draining something that's impossible to tame for a mortal like a bear or lion. Or even her. Her blood would be more attractive then any of those animals. She should consider herself lucky.

I delivered Mark's truck at midnight, just so I could see that David wasn't making any sort of interference with Mark, that he never found our trail. And I was thankful for only that. But what he did actually do, I never could figure out. The only scent I had of David was the one on my wrist, where he was holding me down so I wouldn't move and that makes no difference, either.

Victoria seemed to have known exactly where I went for the day, being the one to even let the runaway Mark into our house so he could speak to me. She was more then happy to have me see him again, though she had not a clue how much of a mistake that was.

I took a shower after arriving, to clean off the dirt and blood that I had from hunting, as I usually did. It was mostly dirt, no need to worry, vampires are very clean when they have their kill, so it's not like you would see one accidently walking around with blood on their shirt. No, those are only horror movies.

Michael seemed more at ease now, though he didn't know who David was or how much of a threat he posed toward us. Obviously, Lucile didn't fill that in for him, and wasn't about to. They seemed like friends, sitting together all the time, not like her and Nicholas would. It was more mere fascination that Lucile has toward Michael, but she knew something I didn't, it was obvious.

It wasn't until a week later that I ran the entire idea about Mark's family having dinner at our mansion by Victoria. It wasn't until a week later that I had the courage and will to do it, though, and so it was kind of some faint topic.

"Of course, that would be a brilliant idea!" Victoria exclaimed, suddenly excited. I blinked twice, and shook my head.

"But, honestly, Victoria. How can we possibly pull off this masquerade further, and to the point of them being in our home?" I asked, helping her with the laundry, taking my own clothes out of the basket.

"It's possible, though." She shrugged, "Doesn't Lucile cook?"

"Yes!" Lucile called out from the library up the stairs. I made a face at Lucile's agreement. I still didn't want them over, even though it would make or break our charade in this mortal world. I knew it was bad to be interfering with humans so much to the point of their uncomfort, and surviving through it. I knew that the parents could not know who and what we are. For they would panic perhaps a little too much. But you see, teenagers have different minds, as you probably know. Friendship and love are so strong to them, perhaps even stronger then some adults. They see things much differently, taking risks to know it, and being reckless. Their reaction to my secret would be a little less acute then what an adult would be. Elizabeth was almost at ease by the truth, though I didn't know how much of her was terror-stricken. But she knew if I meant her any harm she would be dead now. Mark was simply out of adoration. If my guesses are correct, he could care less if I was a monster, or had two heads, he loves me. Like, entirely real love. Something I can not mistake. Adults would be more rational, making the sign of the cross or doing something to ward me away without success.

"See? It's possible. You would like to keep Mark close, correct?" Victoria smiled at me in her motherly way, pushing back a strand of my thin hair that lingered in my face. I pushed away that train of thought.

"Yes, but-" She cut me off with a swish of her hand, and she kissed my nose.

"We must abide with the mortal's rules, Violet. And it's accustom to them, still, that the parents meet. Remember what it was like when you were a girl, Violet? The groom always had to have the father's permission to marry, and you had to have the parent's permission to even touch the gentleman? I'm sure you know it's still like that. It might not be that way in our world, but we must blend in. Do you understand?" She asked. I nodded reluctantly, as she drew me near to her chest to hug me.

"Brilliant! When shall they come?" She flashed another smile of her excellent white teeth and I had to hold back a groan. There was absolutely no going against Victoria. She knew what she was doing, unfortunately.

They were coming over that friday. I don't think I'll ever forget that single most interesting evening in my entire life. The house was filled with foul-smelling foods that are gourmet to any human, from baking, broiling, frying, and concocting, Lucile was absolutely the busiest thing I've ever seen in a kitchen. She gracefully leaped back and forth between dishes she was working on, the meat, the salad, corn, mashed potatoes, and all of the other human foods that would be considered expensive. But Lucile just had to make it. She was so excited about doing it, she was almost spazzing while watching the Food Network all afternoon.

I was outside of the house most of the day, or helping Victoria set the house up, putting things of flowers around to neutralize the disgusting smell with the refreshing smell of life. It was hard figuring out what to wear, what to say what to do. I even made a list of things humans do that I don't need to like blinking, breathing, moving, or sitting down, and went over it every five minutes.

Elizabeth came over to help me rehearse my own little show, and help Lucile taste the meals, to see if they are fully cooked. We didn't need any raw meat, even though it was appetizing to half the people attending. She was staying for dinner as well, next to Mark because she simply wanted to help with the human charade.

"How often do you not breathe?" She wondered as she turned on the light to my walk-in closet. Her eyes lit up at all my expensive materials, and clothes that I am yet to get rid of centuries ago.

"What if one of them walks in with a cut? What am I supposed to do then? Attack them all. Sure. That'll score big with the parents then anything else." I said impaitiently letting acid drip in.

"Don't get all pissed at me for no reason. That's extremely annoying, you know. You don't tell me much, so don't blame me!" She accused, going toward my shoes and her eyes almost came out of her head. I walked around, indifferently, grabbing out different pants, skirts, blouses.

"What do you think? Should I stick with red or black?" I questioned, pulling out my blouses, and holding them up as I listed them off.

"Red. It compliements your hair tremendously." She said, as if paying attention, coming toward my older jewlery now.

"Holy crap!" She exclaimed pointing to the largest diamond necklace that I wore for many balls and dances hundreds of years ago when I was smaller.

"Yes, that was a gift. I forgot who it was from, but it's pointless." I said, shooing it away with my hand, as I picked up one of my black silky skirt that went well with my blouse.

"Do you wear it anymore?" She asked. I laughed lightly, and looked at her stunned expression.

"I haven't been to a ball or large party for ages. How would I wear it?"

"I don't know... you could..." She trailed off, going further back. Her hand ran over one of my dresses from the later 1800's, ones that had to require corsets, bonnets, lots of ribbons, sashes, scarves, and very uncomfortable things compared to today. Yet, everything was the latest french fashion. This is when I remind myself how grateful I am for the invention of bras... I haven't looked at them for years, hidden so far back that they hold little memory of my perfect life back then. The material so fine, costing what thousands of dollars would be today.

"Their beautiful..." She sighed, stroking it lovingly. "I always loved learning about your time period. Espeacially what you wore."

"Hm. It wasn't the most comfortable thing." I huffed, looking over my dresses.

"So it seems..." She whispered.

"They're beautiful, yes, but thank God for bras." I sniffed and then eyed my shoes. "Which ones shall I wear?" I asked, trying to grab her attention elsewhere.

"Your flats. They're so cute!" She gushed, and threw them at me. I caught them with a single movement. "I love doing that." She smiled. I gave a grin and walked out of the closet, not bothering to see what my hair was like at the moment in the mirror.

"Is Lucile alright with the dinner, or are things looking something like a sewer?" I asked, grabbing a comb and going through my long hair, parting it to the side swiftly.

"No, actually. It tastes excellent!" Elizabeth said, looking through my books for the hundredth time today. Pointing out her favorites and going to favorite parts in them. She wondered what different titles meant in languages from around the world, from Chinese to Russian or French. I pointed out that they were theory books, things that she wouldn't have any clue about even being in the eleventh grade. Many vampire legends, stories, and novels from when I was curious in my life, trying to depict if any got close to it or not. From the Mesopotamian beliefs, Asian legends, Romans, Greeks, things from around the world, all accusing to us being the undead, and then some actually scarily close. Dracula simply remained on my "what to burn" list, how annoyed I was when it came out, admitting us all to being the evil undead, killing anyone in our paths. Warded away by mirrors because we have no souls. I had to consistently remind myself that they always had to have unreasonable explanations to the things they can't explain themselves. The closest of all tales came from Europe, growing more and more frighteningly accurate by the century. But anyway, Elizabeth was fascinated as I was with the world of the immortals. She pulled one of Anne Rice's novels out from the shelf and her eyes seemed to lighten.

"I was always wanting to read this book..." She whispered, dusting off the cover. I read it when it first came out, the start of the whole series. "I thought you hated reading this type of vampire fiction." She noted, looking up from the starting page curiously.

"I don't hate it. It's always interesting finding out what humans can tell about us, even if it is impossible for the real thing," I smiled faintly. I grabbed the clothes off my bed and ran to my bathroom to get changed into my picked out clothes. "I'll be out in two seconds," I promised and shut the door.

The doorbell chimed from down the stairs, echoing to the hallway that led to my room. Combing my hair to my shoulder, I took in a deep breath, and softly walked down the stairs. Lucile jerked her head away from the television and glided to her feet. Micheal stayed put casually on the chair, and looked over to the door. Obviously, Lucile and him went out shopping, he was dressed in better clothes now, seeing that Lucile couldn't stand him staying in Nicholas's clothing. His hair was neatly combed now, and I could tell he was clearly making himself at home.

Elizabeth stayed behind me as I opened the door to Mark's awaiting family. "Breathe, Violet!" Liz hasted, nudging my elbow.

"Oops." I whispered and breathed naturally as the door slid open. "Welcome!" I smiled hesitantly. I wonder what I look like... probably stupid and nervous. Victoria was at Alexander's side in the hallway that led to the back of the house, Alexander simply staying put, yet not looking as dark, and Victoria smiling brightly. Lucile was next to me within a split second, and Michael stayed away.

"Hello, Violet!" Nodded Mrs. Farrel, stepping into the home. Her voice was a little disconnected as her eyes searched the entire doorway, the chandelier, our living room. She seemed quite intimidated, and a little startled. Obviously, she wasn't expecting luxorious and expensive. The husband, a tall and nondescript man, stood over his family. He was business-like, with his glasses straight out of the 90's and his attire belonging in the office. Probably the one making the most money. Grace was in a mini jean skirt with leggings, and a V-neck shirt. Mark was dressed just as casually, not matching his parents at all.

"You have such a lovely home!" Gushed Mrs. Farrel, seeming a little jealous. I had to hide a smirk. She had no idea how much money we have. Probably enough to buy ten of these houses.

"Thank you." Victoria said, minimizing her smile as she stepped out to shake hands. "I'm Victoria, the mother of Violet, and my other daughter, Lucile. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." And then she gestured to Alexander, "This is my husband, Alexander."

"Pleasure." Alexander nodded in his low voice, looking somewhat less intimidating. The parents shook hands as Grace and Mark kind of walked away, eager to see the house in all it's glory. Grace was absolutely astounded, looking at the lavish chandelier that I had picked out not but a year ago. The marble staircase that twirled up to the second floor, the balcony that overlooked it all.

"How the hell did you get this house?" She whispered under her breath, not meeting my gaze. I simply shrugged.

"It's complicated. My father has lots of money, and just thinking about how he got it makes my head hurt. Just don't ask." I smiled, Mark snickered, now at my waist, kissing my hair. I bent my head up to kiss his cheek without the parents looking.

"Oooh!" Lucile said, nudging my elbow before I kissed Mark's neck, as usual. As Lucile walked away to go set the table, I kicked her really hard in the shin, leaving her grimacing in pain for a few seconds. "Ouch!" She shrieked so low that no mortal could hear. Alexander jerked his head over to see what was going on, and finding that we were fighting again, he seemed no longer interested. I walked Grace, Mark, and Elizabeth through the hallway to the dining room, the two-hundred-year-old table, with it's decor consisting of candles, and fruits, the normal table cloth set over it. I smiled at how quickly a table that hasn't been touched or used in years suddenly comes to life in thirty seconds.

"Why does everything have to be... wow?" Grace asked, looking over our expensive kitchen that's hardly used except for Lucile's purposes, in which, the refridgerator is in use. But that's nothing to think about now.

"Victoria likes things perfect." I whispered, my eyes wondering to Michael standing casually against the threshold, fitting in perfectly.

"By the way, um, Mark, this is Michael. He's staying with us for a while." I said, as the angel outstretched his tan hand. Mark looked over him cautiously as he replied with his own.

"Pleasure." Replied Michael, leaving Mark without reply. I huffed delicately and then tilted my head to his ear, "I'll explain later." I whispered. Mark simply nodded, still eying Michael with curiosity.

So, it was the time to dine. As I told you, this was the most interesting night of my life, and there's a reason for that. Our human charade might be to the point of perfection, but we were always expecting a slight flaw. It began when Lucile had planned to perfect our night by mixing in blood with the grape juice that we would have, and the others could have soda if wanted. But Lucile and I had the grape juice as Alexander and Victoria had red wine that also had a decent amount of blood in it. And in the dark shades of both the refreshments, blood could easily be hid. None of the humans or the half-human knew of this, and they weren't going to. It was our casual secret that's snickered about as an inside joke, and it remains that way.

Grace just so happened to also have grape juice without our other "flavor" mixed in, or so Lucile thought. Grace took the first sip from her crystal glass, and immeadiately put it down.

"This tastes weird." She noted, and I dropped my fork. Lucile's eyes widened as she also took a sip from her own glass, putting it down, she stared at me wide-eyed, and I could instantly tell there was a mistake. I heard a clash of glass on the table, Victoria expectantly watching us.

"God..." I murmured to myself, checking my own "grape juice" carefully, and found it had the blood in it, only Lucile and Grace's glasses were switched. How it got that way, who knows.

"Hm..." Began Lucile as she seemed to get up quick enough that no mortal eye could witness except for Michael. He was watching the show intently, as if it was live television. Lucile switched the glasses in a split second, making no sort of sound or wind, just each frame of movement slowed down so I could see it. A series of simple gestures, like a cartoon, moved too fast to notice. The next second, Lucile was back in her chair.

"Sip it now." Lucile demanded lightly, hiding a smile, as if the whole event didn't happen. Though it was slightly off, Grace didn't notice, and she took a sip from the glass, utterly confused.

"Um... I must have tasted it wrong after the... chicken." She paused, eying the glass, shoving it to the side. I don't think she touched that drink again for the remainder of the meal, and politely got up to get soda instead. Mark looked at me as if I was going to give an explanation publicly, because he didn't get it, either. I eased my tense position, and cut into the meat, chugging it down simply to get it over with.