Disclaimer: I don't own Legacy of Kain or any other identifiable pop culture references.

That weekend, the house could finally be considered as presentable. Jennifer invited the neighbors over so they could see that the supposed 'haunted house' really wasn't. Jennifer temporarily disabled the wards around the property. Kain, Azrael, and Janos all went away for the day.

Only about a dozen of the neighbors showed up; not counting the children who left once they discovered that there was nothing interesting about the building that they had feared for so long. Raziel bore the intrusion well, but found every single guest to be absolutely boring.

"That wasn't too bad, was it?" Jennifer asked him after everyone had left.

"They seem friendly enough," Raziel conceded.

"All except for that guy that lives at the mouth of the street; he's a bit of a racist," Jennifer said.

Raziel frowned in confusion, "I thought humans were the only race here, except for us plushies."

Jennifer nodded, "It's mostly a matter of skin color. That's how you can tell what country someone's ancestors came from. A racist is someone who hates people based on that one detail."

"The clans did have a strong sense of pride in their heritage, but I had never heard of any animosity based on that," Raziel said. "The only reason why vampires ever fought amongst themselves in the first place was because it got boring once the most aggressive humans were wiped out."

"Charming," Jennifer commented dully. "I guess it was nice to have problems like that."

Raziel did not answer that. He refused to be apologetic for his nature, especially when Jennifer knew. Furthermore, Raziel realized that if he started an argument about it, there was a good chance that Jennifer would steer the conversation into a descending spiral of absurdity.

There were still several hours of daylight left, so Jennifer and Raziel decided to spend them working in the yard. Jennifer began cutting away bushes and weeds. She piled them at the back of the property. Raziel washed the windows, whose wards were still disabled.

"Look what I found," Jennifer said, holding something cupped in her hands.

Raziel eyed the little ball of black and white fur and stepped back in fear. "What is that?"

"It's a kitten," Jennifer grinned. "There's nothing dangerous about it."

"It's just for a moment I thought… never mind," Raziel said as he took the small creature. It howled in protest and clawed at his hands.

"Isn't it cute? There's a whole nest of them under the shed," Jennifer said.

Raziel let Jennifer take the kitten back from him. "It's got fangs and claws under that fur," he said.

Jennifer ignored him as the kitten struggled out of her grasp. Somehow she managed not to get scratched. "I want to tame them."

"Is it tamable?" Raziel asked skeptically.

"All we need to do is feed them," Jennifer said as she scooped the kitten up and carried it back to its nest.

The next morning, Raziel surveyed Jennifer's handiwork in the yard. "There's finally room to spar out here."

"So you'll finally teach me how to fight?" Jennifer asked excitedly.

"I told you I would," Raziel said. He thought back to his survey of practice areas. Jennifer's apartment had been too small, and any other place would draw too much unwanted attention. He had only been able to show Jennifer some basic moves for times of desperation.

Raziel found two wooden poles. They looked like they were the handles of some tools, but they would serve well enough.

"Staffs?" Jennifer questioned in disappointment.

"One, you're way too clumsy to be trusted with a blade," Raziel said. "Two, those things you call swords would break too easily."

"Fine," Jennifer said.

After several hours, Jennifer had progressed remarkably well. She had remembered something from an old self-defense class and almost managed to score a hit on Raziel.

"That was a dirty trick," Raziel said disapprovingly.

"Think about it. Just about anyone I'm likely to encounter is going to be bigger and stronger than I am." Jennifer said. "Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines."

Raziel had to admit that he was working with a different set of ideals than Jennifer. In addition, there were very few individuals that stood a chance against him. He conceded that her safety was probably more important. Raziel sighed, "I suppose I can overlook your cowardice."

Jennifer twirled the weapon, but it slipped and the staff ricocheted off her forehead.

Once Raziel determined that Jennifer hadn't actually hurt herself, he said, "Yeah, you don't stand a chance."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Jennifer scowled as she scratched her arm. She paused as she noticed the rash that was developing. "Oh no."

"What's wrong?" Raziel asked.

"There must have been some poison ivy in those weeds," Jennifer said. "I've got some stuff that should take care of this rash."

"It's not going to do you any serious harm, will it?" Raziel asked.

"No, it's just going to be uncomfortable for a while," Jennifer said. She suddenly thought of something. "Don't burn the brush pile. It will be serious if that stuff gets into anyone's lungs."

Raziel was talking to Kain about some small matter when Jennifer came stalking back out of the house.

"Did you find what you needed?" Raziel asked, sensing that perhaps Jennifer was annoyed.

"That goo isn't for when the skin is already broken," Jennifer said stiffly.

"How inconvenient it must be to have an allergy to a plant," Kain said smugly.

"Then I suppose that whole garlic thing really is a myth," Jennifer said.

"That isn't the only inconsistency," Kain answered.

Smoke: Yay, I got some reviews this time. You people made me happy.

Raziel: See what happens when you ask for them?

Smoke: It's all good as long as I'm not begging.

Raziel: Then what's that announcement you have in your hand?

Smoke: This isn't begging, this is bribing.

Raziel: Gee, what's that going to do to your fragile self-esteem?

Smoke: I have an announcement. I'm planning a fan invasion of my story. Though it won't be for several chapters yet, I still need a sound-off of people who are still alive (or just conscious) and want to visit my fic.