So, this is me finally updating . I hope ya'll aren't terribly mad at me. So without further adue…

Akash tackled the boy on the bed across the room. Tarak awoke with a start. His boyfriend was frowning down at the Mirror.

"I woke up and you weren't there." The younger boy pouted.

"Sorry. I had a lot on my mind." He motioned to his mark. With a sigh, the normal fledgling got up and went to get dressed.

"I hope you know that you're going to class tonight."

Tarak groaned and pulled the covers above his head. Akash pulled them down again and pulled the older fledgling on to the floor. The mirror pulled the younger down with him and embraced him.

"Come on! If you're not going to go to class, at least let me!"

Tarak sighed and release his boyfriend and sat back on his bed. "I think I'll go pray in the temple a bit later, maybe it'll make me feel better."

The younger boy snorted. "Which Gods are you going to pray to?" he nodded at the two different texts on the other's desk. "Besides, you could just as easily go after class."

"I'll pray to any that'll listen, and I want to go now, okay?" He sighed again and stared at the far wall.

Akash sighed too and sat next to him, half dressed. "Is there anything you want to talk about? You know that I'm here for you, no matter what."

Tarak snogged him lightly and sent him off to class, promising that they'd talk later. After a few minutes of nothing, he finally motivated slowly; clothes were put on and a wad of junk food from the dorm pantry was shoved down his throat.

When he finally got to the temple, it was Kimi's free period and she was meditating beside the statue of Nyx with a purple candle burning. She opened one eye as he entered. "Ah, Tarak. Come to pray too?"

"Yeah... But I wasn't sure Nyx'd still listen to me, since I'm different now."

Kimi laughed lightly, "Well, she never denied Kaine council, I'm sure she would never abandon one of her children just because they were forced from her by Xia. Even if she doesn't answer, she'll listen to you; hell, she might answer later with some fun schizophrenic riddle."

He replied with an unamused fake laugh. Standing there awkwardly, he watched the candle's flame brighten and dim with the Priestess's breathing. His eyes then moved to the statue; his parents had small statues of all the Hindu Gods in their living room.

"What's wrong? I know that you were uncomfortable giving up your religion when you first came here, is that still a problem?"

"Yes and no, I guess." He finally sat down across the flame from her; nearness to the flame was instantly soothing, which he credited to the Priestess. "I've finally accepted Nyx, but now I have a new Goddess and I still can't give up Brahman."

"Are you parents very strict about your original religion?" Kimi was still determined to keep her legs crossed and her arms up for a bit longer.

"Not really, they're still believers but it's a whatever thing in the family."

"Do you talk to your family a lot?"

Tarak nodded. "And Akash does too, but I haven't met his yet though he's met mine."

"Well, even when my friends and me were third formers, only Tilla and Circe ever talked to their parents, and that was barely really. Circe saw her mom once a week but otherwise never talked to her family."

"Really? Because everyone here still talks to their parents regularly."

"The way most Houses of Night run was such a shock when I first changed Houses, the Baltimore HON always was a little strange."

"At least it gave you a different perspective on things than most Vampyres?"

Kimi laughed again and stood up. "I have classes to teach. I'll leave the candle, since it's seemingly a good antidepressant; it does the same for me too."

As she left, he moved to where she was sitting. Tarak assumed a similar sitting position as she had and started thinking about all the things he wanted to know.

Why him? Was he really cut out for this sort of thing? Not just being a "Mirror," but being a fledgling at all. Is this war of Xia's worth all the danger Kimi is too kind to tell him about? Who was worth all this effort she was putting into the preparations for this supposed war? What did they do to piss her off? Was there anything more he would have to give up for Xia? What role could a kid like him play? Moreover, what role would Xia force Akash to play?How could Nyx just sit back and watch what Xia was doing? Were there any more crazy Moon Goddesses he should know about? Or any other Gods and Goddesses period?

He even threw a few questions to his Hindu Gods at the end, just in case. With a sigh, he stood and picked up the candle. It might've been his imagination, but he could have sworn that the flame glowed brighter when he picked it up; he assumed it was his mind playing tricks. In a light breath he blew out the candle and replaced it with its set.

Upon leaving the building, he made note of the time on the moon dial. The last class of the day would soon be out. With a smile he headed to Akash's last class and waited outside the door for a spell.

As the younger fledgling came out, Tarak tapped on his shoulder and was instantly glomped then had his hand taken hostage.

"So, did you go to the temple?"

"I did."

"And?"

"I feel better. She didn't answer me or anything, but just having it all off my chest, so to speak, made me feel so much better."

"I'm glad. Is there anything you want to talk about, with an actual person?" They were heading toward their dorm; there was tons of time before dinner and Akash's plan included Tarak watching him do homework while they talked.

"Nah, there is something I'd like to do with an actual person, but it isn't talking." Tarak smiled flirtatiously at the other boy; his plans clearly different than his roommate, friend, and lover.

Akash rolled his eyes dramatically. He really wanted to get his homework, but Tarak's offer was tempting.