Times Change, and we with Time
Hi, sorry for the delay in chapter, folks, meant to have this up sooner. And yeesh, some of you people are scary with your reviews, with those threats. I'm not sure whether I should be scared or flattered. So I wrote a nice long chapter for ya, happy now? Oh yes, and while I'm thinking about it, someone asked me what myth's on Vampires I'm using. Well, my knowledge of Vampire's basically consists of old monster movies, a few books, Episodes of Buffy and Angel, and the movie Interview with a Vampire. I'm mostly using info from Buffy and Interview, with a few of my own ideas thrown in there for good measure. And oh yes, as for how old Mika is, I started from this year to subtract, instead of whatever year in the 80's it would be if we were following from the year of the movie, okay? Anyhow, hope you enjoy this chapter, and remember to review!
Disclaimer: The Labyrinth and everything pertaining to it is not mine. I do however, own Mikayla, Kalani, Rosethorn, and all ideas behind the LaCroix. If you want to use any of my ideas in a story, please ask first.
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Chapter 6: Mika's Story, or: Everybody say, "Oh, now it makes sense!"
"First of all," Mika said, as the four sat down. "Sarah, I have to apologize to you for not telling the truth. But all things considered, I don't think you can blame me."
"I forgive you Mika." Sarah said quietly.
Mika smiled slightly. "Thank you. Though some of what I told you about my 'past' what somewhat true, most of it wasn't. But I'm getting ahead of myself. I shall start at the beginning…"
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I was born in 1687, as Mikayla Esmerelda Anâide, half-Spanish Gypsy, and half-French. My Father had been a Frenchman, who had fallen in love with my Mother and joined her caravan; he died before I was born. My Mother was a Spanish Gypsy, part of a caravan that traveled all over Europe. She died when I was very young. I was raised by the caravan, all treating me like I was their own child. I was taught French, English and Spanish, learned to dance, was taught the basics of the Magical arts, studied dagger fighting, and other useful trades. But my true talent was that of a thief. I could pick locks, pick pockets, and steal the jewels from a lady without her even knowing it until much later.
I left the caravan when I was only twelve, to make my way in the world alone, finding my surroundings stifling. I traveled, stealing what I needed. But I never stole from anyone who could not afford it, that was my only rule. I lived comfortably enough day-to-day, though it was a lonely life.
When I was 22, my life was changed forever. The year was 1709; a new Century had dawned. I was in England at the time, living a good life thanks to the heavy purses and expensive jewels of the English nobles. Young and cocky thing that I was, I thought nothing could stop me. How very wrong I was.
It was a warm night in Spring; I was counting the coins from a purse I had stolen from a nobleman. I bravely walked through the dark alleys, knowing I could handle anything anyone tried against me, thanks to the many hidden daggers I always wore.
I didn't even hear when she came, silent as she was. Beautiful she was too, in her own dark, mysterious way. Rosethorn LaCroix was her name amongst her people, I do not know what it was before she was changed. Her title was The Tigress, for her usually solitary way, and her feline grace in hand-to-hand combat. Even with my daggers, and my own skills in hand-to-hand, she still beat me. More than likely because daggers are not effective to kill a Vampire.
She cornered me, and sank her fangs into my neck, draining my blood from my body. Just as I was almost dead, she gave me a choice, that I could become like her, a child of the Night. Scared for my own mortality, I accepted. She slit her wrist, letting me feed upon her own blood, turning me into a Vampire. I cannot describe that feeling even if I tried. It is pain and passion, life and death, light and darkness rolled into one. Frightening as anything imagined, yet exhilarating, like flying.
When you are changed, as what becoming a Vampire is known as, your soul is taken from you. So there is no remorse, no guilt, nothing to burden you down from being what you are: an animal, whose existence is to feed upon the very life force of others. I was initiated into the LaCroix soon after, learning they had had their eye on me for some time. I was given my cross, decorated in spider webs and vines, a paradox of life and death, light and shadow, as that was what I was. My Title was The Whistler, a Vampiric term for a master thief. I stole many artifacts and such for the LaCroix, more than I can remember. Though some do talk of taking over, not many actually do anything about it, so Rosethorn and I were able to travel without having to answer to anyone.
As for Rosethorn, my creator, she kept me close to her, as her companion. She would always treat me as if I was something precious, giving me baubles, trinkets, anything my heart desired she would get. She hardly ever called me by name, it was always 'darling' or 'pet' or even 'my darling pet', or some other pet name. If it is possible to love without a soul, we certainly did. But like everything, nothing lasts forever, even immortals such as we.
When I was about 100, still barely a child in Vampire terms, Rosethorn had me steal a spell-book, from an old magician. In it was a spell to make Vampires reach a higher level of consciousness. Rosethorn though it meant we would be able to be out in daylight, making it that much easier for us.
Good and faithful little companion that I was, I was the first for it to be tested on. Making all the correct signs and marking rites, and saying the magic words, my life was again changed forever.
The pain was like nothing I could have imagined. How I stayed conscious is still beyond me. When I was done, I was no longer a Child of the Night.
Yes, I was brought to a higher level of consciousness. I was made human again, at least partially. My soul returned, in my mind's eyes flashed all those I had fed upon, slain, or tortured. Guilt tore through my heart like a ravenous wolf, as I fought the urge to cry.
But I was not made completely human, oh no. All things come with a price. Yes, I could again go out into the sunlight, yes I could get near a cross other than silver, and again I had a soul. But I was still part Vampire. My fangs remained, though like any Vampire they could still be covered by a glamour spell. That was not important. What was, though, was I still had the need to feed. I still needed blood to appease my hunger, and to keep me alive. Only now I knew guilt from those I had fed upon, and could no longer do so.
As for Rosethorn, she had passed out by the amount of power she had used. I fled, running as fast as I could, not noticing it was daylight until I had run many miles, as I still had the speed no human possesses. It took me many years to figure out all of what happened, and some of it still is a mystery, and may always remain that way. But one thing I did figure out: I still retained my immortality. I kept my name of LaCroix, and my silver cross, if only for protection against any other LaCroix I might encounter.
I wandered many years, feeding off rats and other small animals I could find, wallowing in my grief and guilt. When I was about 223, I met a married couple in their thirties, who were archeologists, named Henry and Edith Jones. This was about 1920; I had traveled all the way to Egypt. Curious, I joined their exhibition, digging for mummies. I learned much from them. Because I still retained the looks of the age I had been changed, they treated me like a daughter, even going as far as naming me the heir of their large fortune, which thankfully was not lost during the stock market fall a few years later. They knew of what I was, having explained it all to them when they first talked about making me their heir. They accepted it, and still claimed me as their heir, and kept treating me like I was their own child, even though I was almost two centuries older than them. Those were happy times for me, having people care for me so much.
We traveled many places throughout the world; I learned much of the way of different kind of people. The only sadness was watching the two people I had come to think of as parents, age as I stayed the same. It is hard, seeing those you love age before you, knowing you will far outlive them.
The Jones's were almost in their nineties when they died, barely twenty years ago. They were still out exploring when they did, within a week of each other. We had been in Africa, and I stayed several years with the tribe we had been with at the time, working through my grief. Finally, I left, heading for America, which they had talked about so much. It was frightening, when I first stepped off the airplane, and onto American land, New York to be exact. The world had changed so much since I was born; it was quite a shock seeing New York for the first time. But I grew to love this land, and all it's strangeness. With more money than I knew what to do with, I lived comfortably. I still traveled a lot, still having the wanderlust that I did when I was young. I stumbled upon a small town in New England, and liked its quiet and serene atmosphere. So with some of my money I bought a large brick house that had caught my fancy, and decided to go to an American High School. The Jones's had taught me Arithmetic and such, so I knew enough to get it, despite having no birth certificate or identification, telling them they were all lost in a fire. I was to go to School so I could somehow fit in better in this new century.
On my first day, I met a young girl who had the same adventurous and somewhat dreamer tendencies I sometimes did, and she became the first real friend I had had in as long as I could remember…
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The three listeners had been silent since Mika had begun her story, hanging off her every word. There was complete silence when she finished, none having the ability to say anything after such a startling story.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" said an unfamiliar male voice. The speaker was Mika's cat, Koko. "Remember me, your talking cat? That's something they'd probably want to know about."
"What's there to say about you?" Mika told the cat. "I saved you from being torn to bits by a dog, recognized you for the magical being you are, and you decided to tag-along with me."
"I am protecting you." Koko hissed. "You saved my life, and therefore I am indebted to you to protect and serve you."
"Bull, you just stay because I feed you well and you have a nice warm bed."
Kalani was finally able to speak. "Oh, I get it, he's a shifter, isn't he? Able to shift his shape to that of a larger type of wild cat, and has the ability of speech. I have one myself."
"Yes, my, aren't you quick." Said Koko, sarcasm evident in his voice. "Yes, I am able to shift to a cougar."
Jareth, who had been contemplating Mika's story, finally spoke up. "Mikayla, did you get rid of the spell-book?"
"Well, it'd be stupid to keep it for someone who even as a human would be a terror, wouldn't it?" Mika said pointedly. "The only place that spell is left is a place close to my heart. I burned the book. And now that you know what I am, I will leave if you want me to."
"No, Mika, don't!" Sarah said. "No matter what, you're still my best friend."
The two hugged, as Koko rolled his eyes. "I think I'm going to be sick."
Leaning on Mika, as after her anger she noticed her sprained leg (thanks to a bit of Magic, it was no longer broke) she faced Jareth.
"Now send us home." She said.
"I can't." said Jareth calmly. "Even if I wanted to, it's safest for you two to be here now."
"And just what is that supposed to mean?" asked Sarah.
"Because several LaCroix have been watching my house." Mika said, sighing. She looked over at Jareth. "You figured that out too, huh? I don't know how they found me, or even why they would, after so much time. I've been trying to figure out what to do for several weeks, hoping it was some mistake. Because you are my friend, Sarah, you're in a lot of danger, Toby too. Being here, it would be very safe for us."
"Fine." Said Sarah, gritting her teeth against the pain in her leg. She was in no condition to argue right now. She glared at Jareth. "But if you try anything at all against me or Toby, trying to turn him into a Goblin or something, I'll have Mika personally kick your butt."
Jareth smirked. "Wouldn't think of it, my dear. I'm simply trying to ensure your safety."
"Let's go, Mika." Sarah said, trying to hobble towards her room. Kalani helped steady her, making so Mika could let go. "I'll help Lady Sarah to her room." She said, and the two left.
Mika looked back at Jareth, who was staring at the door just closed. "It took a lot of courage to tell your story." He said thoughtfully. "And a lot of will to be able to handle such a hard life."
"You get used to it, I guess." Mika said, hardly noticing her accent had softened into the somewhat muddled mix of a Spanish and French accent she had spoken in when she was young. "Otherwise you would just go mad."
"What about Rosethorn?" Jareth asked. "Did you ever see her again?"
"No." Mika said. "But I still watch my back, after all these years. I'm not quite sure what she would do if we were to meet again. By the way, how did you know about the LaCroix that were watching my house?"
"When you and Sarah first arrived, I looked at the house through a crystal ball, trying to figure out just what you were, and I saw them in the bushes and trees." He explained. "It's true, you know, it is much safer for you and Sarah to be here."
"I don't see why you care about her safety…oh…" Mika looked thoughtful, as if the pieces of the puzzle had finally fallen into place. "You're in love with her, aren't you?"
Jareth didn't even bother to deny it. "Very much so."
Mika smirked. "And you do realize your chances of her are non-existent? She still considers you the villain."
"Don't remind me." Jareth said, cringing slightly.
"Luck of Mother Earth to you with that, Jareth." She said, using an old Gypsy saying. "I'm exhausted after telling such a long tale, I'm going to bed."
"You mean you're exhausted from droning on for so long." Koko said.
Mika only sighed, picking Koko up and heading out the door…
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It didn't take Mika long to surrender to Morpheus, God of dreams, falling into a deep slumber. She had a rather unnerving dream. More a memory really…of when she met Rosethorn…
"Hmm, 20 coins and a few jewels, not bad!" The young redheaded woman who was named Mikayla, said, as she counted the money she stole. Despite her fiery hair, she wore the clothes of a gypsy, a peasant blouse and colorful skirt, with dangly gold hoops in her ears.
"Good evening, pretty one." Said a voice, female by the sound of it, oozing sensuality.
"Who's there?" Mikayla asked, as she grabbed one of her daggers.
"Someone who has been watching you, little fire-flower…Mikayla, isn't it? I am called Rosethorn." Said the woman, as she stepped from the shadows. She was dressed in men's clothes, black breeches with a crimson shirt, and a black silk frock coat. Noticeable was a large silver cross she wore, with what looked like claw-marks etched into it. She was a beautiful woman, in a dark and mysterious sort of way. Her long hair was as black as night, with a few streaks of crimson, was not held back by any adornments, falling halfway down her back. Her face was very pale, with full lips naturally crimson. Her eyes, framed by long black lashes, were a startling violet in her pale face, the pupils cat-like. The woman smiled, revealing fangs.
"W-w-watching me?" Mikayla stuttered. "Why?"
"Because you could be an asset to us." Said Rosethorn. "And you are a pretty little one, I wish to keep you for myself."
"I'd rather not, if it's all the same." Said Mika, throwing the dagger. Rosethorn caught it, throwing it away as if it were nothing. After a brief struggle, and a few thrown punches, Rosethorn had her pushed up against a wall, Mikayla not being able to contain her shaking.
"Such a spirited little kitten." Said Rosethorn, nuzzling Mikayla's cheek. "You will be a perfect companion." The woman kissed Mikayla lightly, before plunging her fangs into Mikayla's neck.
She couldn't even scream, the pain was so intense, as her blood was drained from her. When she was almost dead, Rosethorn stopped. Violet eyes looked into gray, as Mikayla saw her own blood on Rosethorn's mouth.
"I will give you a choice now, pet." She said. "Either I finish, and you shall be lost forever to this world. Or, I may give you the power to become like me, a Child of the Night. It is your decision alone."
Mikayla wept, afraid for her mortality. "I don't want to die!" she whispered, unable to speak louder. Rosethorn smiled. Holding the weakened Mikayla with only one arm, she brought her own wrist to one of her fangs, raking it across it, making a small, shallow cut. Blood welled up, as she put it to Mikayla's lips.
She drank it, the blood tasting sweet upon her lips. As Rosethorn took her hand away, Mikayla could feel the changes in her happening. Again her body was filled with pain, and she convulsed violently, whimpering as she swore she felt her soul being wrenched from her body.
When it was finally over, the only thing supporting her was Rosethorn's strong embrace, as she sobbed quietly.
"Shhh, my darling pet, shh." Said Rosethorn, stroking Mikayla's hair. "Nothing will ever hurt you again. I promise…"
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Mikayla sat bolt upright in her bed, her sheets all a tangle. She gasped, trying to steady her shaking. Her hands automatically went to her neck, which still had the scars of Rosethorn's fangs after all these years. She vaguely recalled telling Sarah a dog had bitten her, when she commented about it.
By the Merciful Mother Earth herself, that dream had been so real! So much pain…even in her dreams, where she shouldn't, she felt pain. And her life continued to haunt her, throwing all the horrors she had done back in her face.
Mika laid back down, and cried.
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Wow! That was some chapter, if I do say so myself. Really put my heart into it. And yes, finally we understand what Mika is! Make more sense now? Oh, and on a side note, I've officially made Koko one of my muses. (Apollo) WHAT!?! (Safir) You can't do that, what about us!?! (Emmy) Sheesh, guys, I'm not getting rid of you. (Koko) Yeah, she's just brought in someone who actually has brain power above that of a raisin. (Apollo) *growls* You little…(Emmy) Oh what have I done…Anyhow, hope you enjoyed this chapter, and remember…
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Emerald, The Lady Destiny a.k.a. Emmy-chan