"The Books of Aurelius" The history of a Vampire: Seven
Home is where the Master is...
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Charles woke Buffy up and asked her to get dressed. The carriage that would take them home came within the hour and they left a little after that. Buffy glanced out of the carriage windows to the house in which so many aspects of her life had changed. She was in two minds about leaving. Anxious to see her new life but also sad that this time with her Sire was over. How strange that she had felt so safe and loved by a vampire while her watcher had left her high and dry dealing with being an empty shell.
During the drive through London Charles discussed with her what to expect upon arrival. "While attending to your needs I have not had a chance to conduct my affairs. I will have to settle them when we arrive but you will know where I am and when I think about you so take comfort from that. I will deliver you to the Dominus Proles and he will be your teacher for the coming days. Please make me proud, Buffy." She hugged him not wanting to let go. What if she could not function in this vampire world? What if her soul got in the way? What if they wanted her to kill? What if he would hate her for not wanting to kill? The possibilities were endless and they scared her thoroughly.
The carriage entered an archway just outside Hyde Park. Behind the Archway was a small alley that ended in a large square surrounded by stables with trees beyond them. At her left was the side of a large town house. As Buffy exited the carriage she could feel a large number of vampires all around her even beneath her feet. A plump woman wearing an apron and voluminous skirts came towards them from a door giving way to a kitchen. Standing with her hands on her hips, the woman eyed Buffy up and down before she gave Charles a warm smile. "Charles, my man. You sure know how to pick them, a little skinny but another female fighter for the Order is always much appreciated. Welcome home!"
Charles hugged her before introducing her to Buffy. "Buffy this is Charia, she is the Keeper of the Keys. What all that means will be explained to you but for now she will show you to your rooms and have your trunks brought up."
Charia walked her up a series of stairs before they came to the attic. "You will stay here until your inauguration. Then you will move into Charles' wing. You get settled now. Most of your trunks will go into storage but your bare ness cities will be brought up. I suggest you wear something pretty before being brought to the dominus proles because it will be a long evening. If you need help pull that cord and a fledgling will be there shortly. Do you have any other questions" About a gazillion "No, thank you for all your help."
Shortly after she had changed her dress and make up Charles knocked on her door. She had felt him approach her from the left wing of the enormous house and was glad to see a friendly face. He offered her his arm and escorted her downstairs through the house, down more stairs in to the sublevels of the complex to a room occupied by a dozen other vampires and an equal share of Sires. Charia was there with a young woman about Buffy's age. Charles acknowledged a few of the other Sires but only with a head nod and nothing more. Buffy felt extremely uncomfortable being scrutinized by the stares until Charles put a hand on her own resting on his arm. She looked up at him and smiled.
A large bald man entered the room holding a leather bound book that looked the right proportions in his hands which made it gigantic in a normal sized one. He was dressed in a pair of breeches and a shirt all of a cheap quality and rough material. "My name is Othan and I am the Dominus Proles. Sires please announce your charges and their status." Every Sire stepped before him giving the name of the one they had turned and their status. Othan wrote every name and status down at the correct page. Buffy was trying very hard to remember the names and the faces and which ones were Childer like herself and which ones fledglings. Charles was the last one asked and all eyes were turned on them. He spoke clearly. "Her name is Buffy Anne Summers and she is my Child."
Othan closed the book and nodded. The Sires took this cue and left. Charles gave her a smile over his shoulder as he left the room. The Dominus turned around to face the small group. "From this moment forward until your inauguration you will listen to my commands. You will eat, work and sleep in two groups. The inauguration will happen if you are still alive in one week's time. Now, Childer follow me." He lead them out of the room and up the stairs to a den furnished with plush couches, a writing desk and a big carved chair. "Sit down" Othan asked unceremoniously.
After a small wait in which the 6 occupants looked at each other warily, the door opened and Buffy's heart hit a beat in her dead chest.
"Welcome to the Order of Aurelius." The Master pronounced.
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Home is where the Master is...
===========================================================================
Charles woke Buffy up and asked her to get dressed. The carriage that would take them home came within the hour and they left a little after that. Buffy glanced out of the carriage windows to the house in which so many aspects of her life had changed. She was in two minds about leaving. Anxious to see her new life but also sad that this time with her Sire was over. How strange that she had felt so safe and loved by a vampire while her watcher had left her high and dry dealing with being an empty shell.
During the drive through London Charles discussed with her what to expect upon arrival. "While attending to your needs I have not had a chance to conduct my affairs. I will have to settle them when we arrive but you will know where I am and when I think about you so take comfort from that. I will deliver you to the Dominus Proles and he will be your teacher for the coming days. Please make me proud, Buffy." She hugged him not wanting to let go. What if she could not function in this vampire world? What if her soul got in the way? What if they wanted her to kill? What if he would hate her for not wanting to kill? The possibilities were endless and they scared her thoroughly.
The carriage entered an archway just outside Hyde Park. Behind the Archway was a small alley that ended in a large square surrounded by stables with trees beyond them. At her left was the side of a large town house. As Buffy exited the carriage she could feel a large number of vampires all around her even beneath her feet. A plump woman wearing an apron and voluminous skirts came towards them from a door giving way to a kitchen. Standing with her hands on her hips, the woman eyed Buffy up and down before she gave Charles a warm smile. "Charles, my man. You sure know how to pick them, a little skinny but another female fighter for the Order is always much appreciated. Welcome home!"
Charles hugged her before introducing her to Buffy. "Buffy this is Charia, she is the Keeper of the Keys. What all that means will be explained to you but for now she will show you to your rooms and have your trunks brought up."
Charia walked her up a series of stairs before they came to the attic. "You will stay here until your inauguration. Then you will move into Charles' wing. You get settled now. Most of your trunks will go into storage but your bare ness cities will be brought up. I suggest you wear something pretty before being brought to the dominus proles because it will be a long evening. If you need help pull that cord and a fledgling will be there shortly. Do you have any other questions" About a gazillion "No, thank you for all your help."
Shortly after she had changed her dress and make up Charles knocked on her door. She had felt him approach her from the left wing of the enormous house and was glad to see a friendly face. He offered her his arm and escorted her downstairs through the house, down more stairs in to the sublevels of the complex to a room occupied by a dozen other vampires and an equal share of Sires. Charia was there with a young woman about Buffy's age. Charles acknowledged a few of the other Sires but only with a head nod and nothing more. Buffy felt extremely uncomfortable being scrutinized by the stares until Charles put a hand on her own resting on his arm. She looked up at him and smiled.
A large bald man entered the room holding a leather bound book that looked the right proportions in his hands which made it gigantic in a normal sized one. He was dressed in a pair of breeches and a shirt all of a cheap quality and rough material. "My name is Othan and I am the Dominus Proles. Sires please announce your charges and their status." Every Sire stepped before him giving the name of the one they had turned and their status. Othan wrote every name and status down at the correct page. Buffy was trying very hard to remember the names and the faces and which ones were Childer like herself and which ones fledglings. Charles was the last one asked and all eyes were turned on them. He spoke clearly. "Her name is Buffy Anne Summers and she is my Child."
Othan closed the book and nodded. The Sires took this cue and left. Charles gave her a smile over his shoulder as he left the room. The Dominus turned around to face the small group. "From this moment forward until your inauguration you will listen to my commands. You will eat, work and sleep in two groups. The inauguration will happen if you are still alive in one week's time. Now, Childer follow me." He lead them out of the room and up the stairs to a den furnished with plush couches, a writing desk and a big carved chair. "Sit down" Othan asked unceremoniously.
After a small wait in which the 6 occupants looked at each other warily, the door opened and Buffy's heart hit a beat in her dead chest.
"Welcome to the Order of Aurelius." The Master pronounced.
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