"The Books of Aurelius" The history of a Vampire: seventeen
The coupling
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The candles on the tables were fighting a war with those on the chandeliers for dominance of the shadows on the wall. The hall was slowly filling with vampires for another of the Order's banquettes. At the podium the Master, Angelus and Darla had already taken their seats as Charles escorted Buffy inside.
Through the melee she caught glimpses of Lissane. She had missed talking to her best friend even though they had exchanged letters in the years that she spent on the continent. Lissane gave her a stern look that told Buffy that Lissane wasn't too happy she hadn't gotten a visit that afternoon. The smile that followed also told her that the vampiress was informed of the reason why that little visit didn't happen.
The inauguration began like so many before had. The Newly borne were lead before the Master and he approved them. At the end, the lawyers and housekeeping greeted two new members each. It looked like it was going to be a simple banquette. Until…
"Sire, I request your permission to address the Order." Charles spoke in his General's voice.
The Master was intrigued, finally something other than this inane chattering. "You have my permission, Charles."
"My Childe has made a decision that she wants to announce. Before she does, I wish to clarify I support this decision."
The Master turned his attentions on his Childe and GrandChilde sitting at the table besides him. Had his manipulations borne fruit? Was the perfect relationship between Darla and Angelus rumbling on its foundation? For the untrained eye Darla looked composed but the Master had an connection with her that told him she was slightly apprehensive about what this Childe of Charles was going to say. Angelus, however, hardly paid any attention to the proceedings. He was absentmindedly caressing his Sire's shoulder as he drank his blood & wine.
In the meantime, Buffy had stood up and kissed Charles on his cheek. She approached the podium before addressing the Master.
"I am announcing that I have the desire to couple Mitch, Childe of Charia to me.." She turned towards the entire Order. "I ask if anyone wants to fight the claim I lay on him?"
There was a silence followed by the scraping of a chair over the stone floor. Mitch stood up and joined her. "We wish to join our fates in your Order, Master. What say you?"
"Well, Charles approves and I can't see how Charia could be anything less than ecstatic." He looked at her for conformation which she gave with a large smile on her round face. "Then, I can't see how I could not. You have my blessings. Order of Aurelius, a new couple has been made and approved. The fates of Mitch, Childe of Charia and Buffy, Childe of Charles have been joined for prosperity and anguish."
The vampires cheered. Charles toasted Charia, Mitch kissed Buffy and she felt like the biggest liar in the world. She sat down ignoring the vampire on the podium. The one she had wanted to do this with.
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The coupling
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The candles on the tables were fighting a war with those on the chandeliers for dominance of the shadows on the wall. The hall was slowly filling with vampires for another of the Order's banquettes. At the podium the Master, Angelus and Darla had already taken their seats as Charles escorted Buffy inside.
Through the melee she caught glimpses of Lissane. She had missed talking to her best friend even though they had exchanged letters in the years that she spent on the continent. Lissane gave her a stern look that told Buffy that Lissane wasn't too happy she hadn't gotten a visit that afternoon. The smile that followed also told her that the vampiress was informed of the reason why that little visit didn't happen.
The inauguration began like so many before had. The Newly borne were lead before the Master and he approved them. At the end, the lawyers and housekeeping greeted two new members each. It looked like it was going to be a simple banquette. Until…
"Sire, I request your permission to address the Order." Charles spoke in his General's voice.
The Master was intrigued, finally something other than this inane chattering. "You have my permission, Charles."
"My Childe has made a decision that she wants to announce. Before she does, I wish to clarify I support this decision."
The Master turned his attentions on his Childe and GrandChilde sitting at the table besides him. Had his manipulations borne fruit? Was the perfect relationship between Darla and Angelus rumbling on its foundation? For the untrained eye Darla looked composed but the Master had an connection with her that told him she was slightly apprehensive about what this Childe of Charles was going to say. Angelus, however, hardly paid any attention to the proceedings. He was absentmindedly caressing his Sire's shoulder as he drank his blood & wine.
In the meantime, Buffy had stood up and kissed Charles on his cheek. She approached the podium before addressing the Master.
"I am announcing that I have the desire to couple Mitch, Childe of Charia to me.." She turned towards the entire Order. "I ask if anyone wants to fight the claim I lay on him?"
There was a silence followed by the scraping of a chair over the stone floor. Mitch stood up and joined her. "We wish to join our fates in your Order, Master. What say you?"
"Well, Charles approves and I can't see how Charia could be anything less than ecstatic." He looked at her for conformation which she gave with a large smile on her round face. "Then, I can't see how I could not. You have my blessings. Order of Aurelius, a new couple has been made and approved. The fates of Mitch, Childe of Charia and Buffy, Childe of Charles have been joined for prosperity and anguish."
The vampires cheered. Charles toasted Charia, Mitch kissed Buffy and she felt like the biggest liar in the world. She sat down ignoring the vampire on the podium. The one she had wanted to do this with.
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