So, I've written like four chapters about Vlad's kids and I've been neglecting my other dear main characters and updating in general. I would like you to all know that I decided to work on this instead of a three day late essay when I regained my muse. So I'm going to stop rambling and give you some character growth of your first main character. And they still speak German in Germany, they didn't change their national language in the last few months.
Adelle was lounging under tree on the grounds of the Berlin House of Night. The moonlight rested on her face as she called to Steffi, who was perched on one of the branches smoking a cigarette; "Hey, Stef, you never told me what your family's like."
Steffi remained silent and blew out another puff of smoke. The blonde rolled her eyes and reworded the question.
"Listen, I know you think that every one here had like a crappy childhood or something and that's why they were choen by Nyx, but I wasn't chosen by her so the same rules don't apply." Steffi replied half angered.
"I didn't mean anything by it; I just thought since I told you about my past you could share yours. Fair is fair, you know?"
Steffi dropped out of the tree and sat beside her roommate. This is pretty much how every day of the week had been spent since they met. It was only ever just the two of them, since they couldn't find any one to be close friends with even in the HON. The younger girl told the Mirror about her past and her thought processes, past relationships, and the like and Steffi avoiding the questions about her own past that came after.
Today Steffi was particularly annoyed at Adelle because of a conversation they had earlier, before classes were supposed to start. It had started with an innocent mention of Steffi's clothing choice always covering her entire torso and arms, and how she only changed in the bathroom. Steffi had freaked out on the fourth former girl and hadn't talked to her until dinner.
Steffi pulled out her lighter and watched the flame, an odd expression of hate blistering just behind her eyes. Adelle was shocked at this and stared at her roommate, waiting for and answer.
"I had a pretty normal childhood. My dad was a lawyer and my mom stayed at home until my youngest sister started school. A younger brother that was always annoying me quickly taught her to do the same. We saw my grandparents, on both sides, frequently. I use past tense not because I'm a fledgling, but because they're dead."
Adelle nodded and was almost appalled by the lack of affliction in the girl's voice. The Mirror continued when Adelle said nothing.
"Four years ago, a man my father was persecuting broke into our house one night and shot my parents and both my younger siblings. He then set fire to the house with all of us inside. I know he would have shot me too if not for the fact my room was always like a secret base that the entrance to was always hard to find. My mother and younger sister died instantly, according to the M.E. My father died from smoke inhalation and my brother is in a coma in a near by hospital. I suffered from severe burns but I'm still alive, for now at least. Every year after that I lost a grandparents." After she finished she tucked her knees against her chest and waited for Adelle to reply.
The other girl said nothing, only gave her a huge hug until Steffi told to her get off. The two returned to their room. As they changed, Adelle saw her roommate's scars for the first time.
Just for a change of pace, the two decided to attend class for the first time all week. As they walked into Cleo's classroom, late, after lunch she smiled and mocked them slightly. "So nice of you two to join us, very glad that the Mirror and her entourage could grace us with their presence."
Both headed to the empty lab desk in the front of the room that was obviously theirs. Cleo then went into the lesson without missing a beat. "Today, fledglings, we will be continuing to learn about lab saftey. We will be doing fire safety, which is my favorite," the high priestess's smile widened as the room heated up slightly. "What do we always do first when I mention chemicals or fire?"
One of the more masculine males raised his hand enthusicatly.
"Vulcan, I'm going to regret this, but what is the answer?"
"Run for the hills and call the fire department on the way." The rest of the class laughed as did the priestess.
"Very funny, but no. We put on our goggles and aprons, mostly so we can keep our insurance rates lower. So you should all do that now." The class did as directed, except Steffi.
"What's wrong?" Adelle asked, half guessing the answer.
"I don't like fire that I can't control completely." The brunette whispered in reply as she watched some of the students pull out their Bunsen burners.
"But you chain smoke?"
Cleo instructed the rest of the class, but watched the two slackers from her peripheral vision. She figured they'd need special help after the mass lesson.
"What's wrong girlies?" Cleo asked, bending down so her chin was level with the desk.
"Steffi's afraid of fire."
"Ah, I almost forgot about that," at Steffi's WTF expression she added: "It's a Priestess's duty to know all she can about her students."
"So, how are you planning on having me pass this class with a partner that can't handle fire?" Adelle said. Steffi glared at her but sighed and looked at the priestess in the same hopeless manner as her roommate.
Cleo chuckled at them as she pulled the Bunsen burner to the center of the table and hooked it to the gas nozzle. She was confident they both knew, in theory at least, how to work one.
After several minutes of the priestess explaining the basic principles of the burner, she finally was letting Adelle light it. The blonde was failing epically at it, she couldn't even get a spark. Before the priestess could light it for them, she finally noticed the line of students lining up behind her.
"Priestess," the boy who had answered before stated, "none of can light our burners."
"None of you?" Cleo looked at them all skeptically. The class nodded collectively. With a sigh, the priestess summon some fire power and sent it to the gas coming out of Steffi and Adelle's burner. Nothing happened. She tried again. And again.
After several tries more tries, she dismissed the class. The fledglings weren't bothered by the fact in the slightest, glad to get half a period free to do whatever.
When the room was empty Cleo sat at the girls' desk again and looked at the burner. One last time she tried to light it with her affinity. It worked that time, and the flame wasn't exactly small. Contemplatively, the priestess looked out the door; she wondered which student might have been causing the lack of fire her in room, but she had a pretty good guess.