Mistoffelees sat at one of the tables at the Bronze, idly sipping at a soda as he looked around. "Hard to believe it's already time for the fumigation party..."
Grids stirred the ice in her drink around, gazing at it absently, "Hmmm?"
"It's an annual tradition, the closing of the Bronze for a few days to nuke all the roaches," Mistoffelees replied, glancing over at her while Tugger made a fool of himself on the dance floor.
"Oh. I see."
"It's a lot of fun," Mistoffelees said, arching a brow. "What's it like where you are?"
"Hm?" She looked up, "Oh, I'm sorry. I was just...thinking about...things. And stuff. "
"I'm going to take a shot in the dark and say that you're talking about a guy."
"Not exactly. For me to talk about a guy there would have to be a guy for me to talk about. Was that a sentence?"
"You lack a guy?" Mistoffelees asked. "I mean, of course, romantic guy. You have other guys. But wrong guys? Speaking of wanna be sentences..."
"I do. Which is fine, most of the time, don't get me wrong. You and Tugger are great, as friends, but..."
"But we're friends, and who doesn't want to have someone to come home to and be romantic with?"
"Yeah, exactly. I mean... I'd kinda like to go on y'know, a date. With a guy who...well, who likes me for me, y'know?"
He nodded. "Yeah, I know. Dates would be nice in general..." he sighed and shook his head. "Well, what about Mac?"
She rested her chin in her hand with a sigh, "Yeah, I can see him in a relationship. 'Hi honey, you're in grave danger, see you next month.'"
"He doesn't seem to be around too much, that's true," Mistoffelees said, resting his chin in his palm.
"He disappears! Every time. Tells me there's trouble then poof. Gone. But when he's around...It's like the lights dim everywhere else. You know what I mean?"
For a long moment Mistoffelees didn't respond before finally nodding. "Yeah, I know the feeling alright. Lights dim everywhere else cos you're too busy looking at that one person and they're all you really want to pay attention to?"
She sighed, "Yeah. Exactly." Grids paused for a moment, glancing at him, "Who makes you see things like that?"
He snapped abruptly out of his half dreamy state. "Huh, what? Was there someone? Did I ever say there was someone? I mean, I, uh, that, uh, is..."
She arched an eyebrow, "If you don't want to tell me you don't have to, but I'm curious now."
"Oh you're curious," he let out with a breath, looking at her with wide eyes. "Oh great. I really stepped myself into that one didn't I?"
She offered him a bit of a smile as she nodded, "Yeah, you really kinda did."
"Whoops," he said, voice tiny.
"Do I know them?"
"Well, yes, I would assume you'd know them since we both seem to see them relatively often and h-they are sorta around and... it's not Mac don't give me that look, I really don't seem to go for tall dark and mysterious at all so no worries on that territory and..."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Misto, slow down. Who is it?" She glanced toward where Tugger was dancing, but dismissed the thought after a moment's consideration.
Mistoffelees followed her gaze and shook his head. "No. I've known Tugger since before I could form words, and I love the guy dearly and would do anything for him but there is no way in hell. Besides, much as I love him? He's stupid enough to nearly get eaten by a giant bug."
She smiled a bit at that, "Figured. So who is it then?"
"I..." he hesitated for a long moment. "It doesn't really matter. It's not like it has a snowball's chance in a campfire of ever working."
"Alright, if you ever want to talk you know you're welcome to. God knows you hear enough from me."
He offered her a faint smile. "Thanks, Grids." But there was no way he was bringing this particular crush up with her. Hopefully ever. She looked around the club again, before turning back to stirring her drink.
Sighing, Mistoffelees cast his gaze over the club as well, eying Tugger again, who had flirted with a girl only to see her rather large and angry looking boyfriend, dancing the other way, and nearly colliding with Bomba.
Bomba turned, scowling at him, "Please keep your extreme oafishness off my two hundred dollar shoes."
"Sorry, I was just in the neighborhood," Tugger replied, voice cheeky.
"Really? I thought you were getting off the floor before Annie Vega's boyfriend squashes you like a bug?"
"Oh, you noticed. Well, thanks and... I really have no idea what everyone is talking about that, that outfit doesn't make you look like a hooker at all..." She gaped after him, managing an indignant squeak. He grinned at that. "Come now, Bomba darling, let's make up and be friends."
"Get lost, loser."
"Oh, your words, they wound me," he replied dramatically.
She turned her back on him, striding off in a huff.
Shaking his head, he bounded over to the table where his friends were. "What are you vixens up to?"
"Just sitting here, watching our barren lives pass us by," Mistoffelees said, chin in a propped up hand. "Oh look, a cockroach."
Grids shrugged slightly, "Nothing really."
"Stop this rollercoaster of excitement!" Tugger declared, spreading his arms. "I'm getting dizzy. What's up with you two tonight?"
"Barren lives?" Mistoffelees offered. "Love lives especially bleak."
Grids sighed, finally rising, "Not much, really. I think I'm gonna head home for the night. See you guys tomorrow."
"But, it's young still!" Tugger protested and Mistoffelees looked like he was about ready to go home too. "Come on, dance!"
She offered him a faint smile, "Raincheck. Night." She slipped away before he could protest again.
He watched her go, drooping slightly. "Well that wasn't a brush off at all..."
Mistoffelees shrugged. "Could be worse. I think I'm heading home too," he said, though he didn't have the energy to move quite yet. Grids paused near the door, scanning the club one last time before sighing and slipping out to head home.
She made her way along the street, pausing as she thought she heard a sound behind her. She glanced over her shoulder, but didn't see anything. She continued on, but heard it again. She stopped, but didn't turn this time. Sighing, she finally spoke, "It's late, I'm tired, I don't want to play games. Show yourself."
A vampire wearing what looked like amour came out of the darkness, looming above her.
She looked at him, grimacing, "You really should talk to your orthodontist about a refund." She pulled a stake out of her jacket and closed in. As she raised the stake to strike, her wrist was grabbed from behind.
She glanced back to see two other vampires behind her. Her wrist was twisted painfully until she dropped the stake. "Hey, Ow, okay! I'm letting go. I don't want to fight all three of you," she kicked one between the legs, "unless I have to." She slammed her elbow into another's stomach as one of them slammed into her back, sending her stumbling into the grips of the others. Grids struggled, but the first vamp inched toward her neck.
"Good dogs don't bite," a voice said from behind the group, and the vampire going for her neck turned in time to be punched in the face by Mac.
Grids hit one of the vampires holding her and elbowed the other one, managing to lose their grips, but her feet were kicked out from under her and she fell.
Mac managed to toss the vampire he was fighting into the fence behind them, only to be punched from behind but another vamp.
Grids knocked the third vamp off of her and managed to get to her feet. She looked up in time to see the vampire Mac had tossed aside rip an iron spike off the fence, "Mac, Look out!"
He turned abruptly and managed to jump, but not in time as the spike slashed along his rib cage and he staggered back, bleeding. Grids reached his side, kicking the vampire back before he could strike again. She caught Mac by the arm, pulling him toward the end of the alley, "Run!" Holding his wounded side, he still managed to make good time.
They finally reached Grids' house, the vampires hard on their heels. She yanked the door open, all but shoving him inside, "Get in! Come on!" She slammed the door behind them, locking it and looking out the window as the Vamps reached the porch.
"It's alright," Mac panted, leaning hard against the wall. "A vampire can't come in unless it's invited."
"I've heard that, but I've never had to put it to the test..." She looked out the window again. The three vampires had retreated into the darkness away from the porch, but they weren't leaving. Grids let out a shaky breath and then turned to Mac, "I'll get some bandages, take your jacket and shirt off." She turned and headed into the kitchen.
For a moment Mac just blinked after her, before complying. He laid the jacket over the chair before pulling the shirt off, wincing slightly at where it pulled at the wound.
She located the first aid kit, turning and pausing at the sight of him with his shirt off. She blushed slightly, but moved over, "Nice tattoo..."
He half glanced back, though he couldn't actually see it where his shoulder was. "Thanks," he said, almost hesitantly.
"You're welcome." She traced her fingers gently over it, before turning her attention to bandaging his wound, "I was lucky you came along. How did you happen to show up then anyway?"
"I have impeccable timing," he replied and shrugged, wincing. "I live nearby and was just out walking. Happens."
"…So you weren't following me? I had a feeling you were..." She frowned slightly.
"Why would I follow you?" he asked, tilting his head back to look at her.
She shrugged, "You tell me, you're the Mystery Guy who appears out of nowhere - I'm not saying I'm not happy about it tonight - but if you are hanging around me I'd like to know why." She finally straightened, realizing how close she was to him.
He tilted his head even more, meeting her eyes. "Maybe I just like you."
"M-maybe?" She almost pursued that more, but heard the front door opening and tensed, hurrying to check it.
He opened his mouth to answer and snapped it shut when she went for the door, slipping off the counter he'd seated himself on and pulling his shirt back on.
Grids reached the front door just as her mother entered. The teen pulled her mom inside and closed the door, locking it again after scanning for any signs of vampires. Jenny blinked in surprise at that. "Honey, it's good to see you too, but what's going on?"
"I...There's a lot of weird people out at night, I just feel better with you safe and sound inside." She looked her mom over, "You must be beat."
"I am, it's been a long day and there's been so much paperwork for the gallery..."
"Tell you what, why don't you go upstairs, get in bed, I'll make you some hot tea - "
Jenny gave her a long look. "What did you do?"
"What do you mean? I didn't do anything - I'm concerned about your needs, can't a daughter worry about her mom once in a while?" Grids knew she was bordering on babbling.
Jenny was looking at her a bit oddly and her eyes trailed behind her daughter to find Mac standing, looking terribly awkward in the doorway. He at least had his shirt on, but his jacket was behind where Jenny was standing. "Hi," she said slowly.
Grids turned, relieved to see him clothed at least, "Oh, Mom, this is Mac. Mac, this is my mom, Jenny. I just happened to..." a lie, any lie, even a half-truth, "run into him on my way home."
"Hello," Mac said smoothly, picking up her hand to kiss the back of it, causing Jenny's eyes to widen further. "It's nice to finally meet you."
Jenny darted a glance between the tall dark stranger and her daughter. "So, what do you do Mac?"
Grids cut in quickly with an answer, "He's a student. First year community college. Mac's been helping me with my history. You know I've been having trouble there."
Mac gave her a long, half disbelieving look. "Yes, yes, I totally tutor history. I know lots about it. I'm really into the researching thing."
Jenny looked between them again. "It's a little late for tutoring, honey," she said, giving Mac another look.
"Alright, Mom. I'll say goodnight and then head to bed, okay?"
She nodded. "Alright, sounds like a plan." She looked at Mac again. "Nice to meet you," she said and headed upstairs.
Grids watched her mom go and waited until she heard her bedroom door close before opening the front door and speaking loud enough for her mother to hear, "Good night. We'll meet up soon and do the study thing." She closed the door firmly, locking it again before turning to Mac and nodding toward the stairs.
He arched a brow and followed her up into her room. "You know, I'd really rather not get you in trouble..."
"And I'd really rather not get you dead. They could still be out there." She considered her room, "So, one bed, two of us - that doesn't work - you're wounded, you take..."
"Well, when you put it that way… I'll take the floor," he replied pretty firmly.
"But you're hurt," she protested.
"I've had far worse living conditions," he replied, glancing around her room.
"I...if you're sure…"
He nodded. "Yeah, no worries. I'll survive one night on the ground."
"Alright then. Why don't you see if the Fang Gang is loitering and keep your back turned while I change?"
He raised his brow and for a moment didn't look like he was going to turn, before he did it slowly, stepping to the window. "I don't see anyone out there..."
She changed quickly, "You know, I'm the Chosen One. It's my job to fight guys like that. What's your excuse?"
He glanced back at her before returning his gaze to the window. "Which excuses are you going to accept here?"
She finally moved over to stand next to him, "Which one's true?"
"Somebody has to?" he offered.
"What does your family think about it?"
For a very long moment he didn't react. "They're all dead," he said finally.
She froze, turning to look up at him, "Was it vampires?"
He didn't respond again for a moment. "You could say that, yes. It was."
"Could say th-I'm sorry, that's really not my business..."
He shrugged and glanced away. "It was a very long time ago."
"Still...So this-this is for vengeance then?"
He shook his head at that. "No. Not entirely. Not at all really." He considered his next words carefully. "Perhaps more of a redemption one."
"Redemption?" She looked at him in confusion as she pulled a couple of extra blankets and pillows off the bed.
He shrugged, watching her. "When my parents... I was young and stupid. Made a lot of mistakes. Was wasting my life, things like that."
"O-oh...I'm sorry." She moved over, handing him the blankets, pausing for a moment, "I shouldn't have asked..."
He shrugged. "I chose to answer, didn't I?"
"I suppose. Thank you."
"For?" he asked, tilting his head.
"Being willing to tell me," She replied softly.
He offered her a faint grin. "Sure. How could I resist when you look so pretty even when you're about to go to sleep?"
She arched an eyebrow, but offered him a bit of a smile, "Well, when I wake up it's a whole different story."
His grin became a bit more sure. "I suppose we'll have to see about that then, won't we?"
Her smile brightened as she moved back to the bed, curling up for sleep. He watched her, before adjusting the blankets and pillows she'd left out for him, lowering himself down and turning on his side.
She lay there for a moment, "Mac?"
"Hm?" he hummed softly, tilting his head toward her voice.
"Do you snore?"
There was silence before a low chuckle floated up. "You know what? I don't actually know. It's been forever since anyone could tell me."
She smiled softly, "Okay...sleep well, Mac."
"Sleep well, darling," he replied.
A gentle blush colored her cheeks, but she turned over and went to sleep.
o.o.o.o
The sunlight streamed down over the school the next day and Tugger looked like he'd been given a heart attack. "He spent the night?" he demanded.
Cori looked up from the text he was pursuing. He was more than a bit concerned by everything else Grids had said, but this was something he wanted to hear an explanation of too.
"I already said he did, Tugger."
"In your room? In your bed?"
Grids shook her head, "Not in my bed, by my bed."
Cori returned to his skimming and pacing.
"That's so..." Mistoffelees considered Tugger and decided whatever it was was not something Tugger, or Cori for that matter, needed to hear.
"That is the moral decline that's eating out country out of house and... he slept in your room?"
"Did he...?" Mistoffelees asked.
"Yes, he slept in my room. And no, he didn't try anything. He was a perfect gentleman."
"Come on," Tugger protested and Mistoffelees kicked him under the table but he continued anyway. "Wake up and smell the seduction. It's the oldest trick in the book!"
She looked at him, unimpressed, "Saving my life and getting slashed in the ribs?"
"Duh!" Tugger said, throwing his hands out. "Guys'll do anything to impress a girl."
"You don't even want to know some of the things he's done," Mistoffelees cut in. "Let's just say there are days I'm ashamed to be associated with him."
"Thanks for the support," Tugger glared at him and the smaller teen just shrugged.
"Anytime."
Cori finally spoke, "Could I just steer this riveting conversation back to the events that took place earlier in the evening? You left the Bronze and were set upon by three unusually virile vampires," he set a book down so Grids could see the engraving, "Did they look like this?"
"Yeah, what's with the uniforms?" She looked up at him.
"You encountered the Three - warrior vampires, very proud and very strong."
"How is it you always know this stuff?" Mistoffelees asked, sitting on the edge of the library table and swinging his legs slightly. "You always know what's going on, I never know what's going on."
The librarian motioned to a large stack of books to one side, "Yes, well, you weren't here from midnight to six researching it."
"No," Mistoffelees said, eying the books and the librarian with some slight new appreciation. "I was home. In bed. Sleeping."
Cori turned to Grids again, "You're really starting to hurt the Master, he wouldn't send the Three for just anyone. We must step up our training with weapons..."
"You should stay at my place until these guys are history," Tugger butt in and Mistoffelees rolled his eyes.
Grids just gaped at him for a moment, "Thank you for the offer, but I think I'll stay at home."
"Oh? Are you worried about Mac? Misto can run over to your place and let him know to leave town for a while," Tugger continued and Mistoffelees made a sound of protest.
Cori shook his head, "Griddlebone and Mac aren't in immediate jeopardy. Eventually the Master will send others but the Three, having failed, will now offer up their own lives as penance."
"What if he doesn't take their lives?" Mistoffelees asked.
Cori arched an eyebrow, sarcasm saturating his answer, "Oh, right. I forgot the Master's such a kind and forgiving sort of chap."
o.o.o.o
Jenny put dinner on the table and glanced over at her daughter. "Well, it seems like we don't have a chance for family dinner's much anymore... though we're a rather small family it seems."
Grids offered her mom a bit of a smile, "It just makes it better when we do have the chance." She glanced toward the stairs, but turned her attention back to Jenny.
"Yeah, I suppose that's true," her mother said, sitting down. "So, how's your day been?"
"Long, and I've got a stack of homework I need to get done tonight."
Her mother nodded. "How is school going anyway?"
"It's going pretty well. I've got a couple of really good friends, and the librarian's really helpful."
"The librarian? You go into the library willingly?"
"Well, some of my friends spends a lot of time there, and he's kinda my go-to for help with homework."
"The friend or the librarian?" Jenny asked with a grin.
"Both?"
Her mother grinned. "You seem to be getting a lot of homework help. Speaking of which... so, who's this Mac exactly?"
"I told you. He's a student who's helping me with history."
"Well, yes, but considering the way you guys were looking at each other... isn't he a little old for you?"
"We're not seeing each other, Mom. I like him, sure."
"And what about him then?"
"I...think he might like me. But he hasn't done anything to pursue it."
"Well, a slow paced pace is probably a good thing. Like glaciers. They move a couple feet a year, you might want to consider working like one of those. Are there any boys at school?"
"My best friends. But I can't see myself with either of them."
"You know, I'm not sure I've met either of them yet. You should have them over sometime," her mother said, trying to hint that she'd like to change that not so subtly.
"I'll check with them, see if there's a time that works."
Her mother nodded and glanced at her plate. "Sounds ideal. Well, I should probably let you go get started on that homework huh?"
Grids nodded, "Yeah, I should go start that..."
"Well, good luck honey. You're a good student if you try. I'm also proud of you for asking for help when you need it."
She offered her mom a small smile and then rose, heading upstairs.
Mac was still lurking in her room, though he wasn't entirely sure if he should have left already. She slipped in, glancing around for him, "Mac?" He appeared out of the dark corner he'd been standing in silently.
Grids startled, "Don't do that!" She paused for moment, "I'll run down and get you some of the leftovers after Mom's gone to bed. What'd you do all day?"
He shrugged, watching her. "I read a little," he said, motioning to her small bookcase. "And thought. About a lot of things. And, Grids..."
She looked in the direction he indicated, paling when she saw the journal there, "My diary? You read my diary?"
His eyes widened. "I..."
She turned back to him, growing more agitated, "That is not okay, a diary is a person's most private place and you don't even know what I was writing about, "Hunk" can mean a lot of things, bad things, and where it says your eyes are "penetrating" I meant to write "bulgy"." Alright, she was babbling again, she really needed to avoid Misto for a while maybe.
Mac smiled faintly, though he tried to hide it. "Grids..."
"And-and for your information "M" does not stand for Mac, it stands for-for Miguel, a charming foreign exchange student and so that whole fantasy part has nothing to do with.."
"Your mother moved your diary when she came in to straighten up," Mac finally got in between her words. "I watched her from the closet. I really didn't touch it, let alone read it. Promise."
"I...Oh." She blushed when she realized what she'd said, "Oh, God..."
He couldn't stop but smile fondly, but the expression melted off quickly enough. "I did alot of thinking today and I really can't be around you..."
"I...What?"
"Because, when I am," he started.
She shook her head, "It doesn't matter, water over the bridge."
"All I can think about is how much I want to kiss you..."
"Under the bridge, over the dam," she corrected herself, pausing and looking up at him in surprise, "Kiss me?"
"I'm older than you," Mac said, wavering toward her for a moment and pulling back. "This can't ever... I should go," he finished, opening the window he was standing next to.
She reached out, but stopped before she touched him, "How much older?"
He hesitated, staring at her. "A lot. Too much."
She stepped closer, "Mac?"
"Yeah?" he asked, arms almost coming up but not quite.
Grids hesitated again and then put her hand on his shoulder, "I..."
"You?" he prompted, though his hands came up to rest on her waist. So much for leaving.
She swallowed and then leaned up to kiss him, hesitantly. He appeared to suck in a breath, returning the kiss, at first softly and then deepening it, pulling her closer. Grids pressed up against him, one of her hands moving up to twine in his hair, matching the passion in the kiss.
He clung to her tightly, before something seemed to change and he pulled back abruptly, his entire face changed. She stumbled back in horror and screamed instinctively.
His eyes seemed to widen behind the mask of a vampire and he darted out of the already open widow, hitting the roof and rolling.
Jenny ran into the room moments later. "I heard a scream."
Grids stood, staring out the window, "I...I saw a shadow...sorry, Mom."
Jenny swallowed and nodded. "So long as you're alright."
The teen nodded quickly, "Y-yeah. It just startled me..."
Her mother nodded, leaving the room to go back to sleep at that. Grids closed and locked the window before heading to bed to try and sleep.
o.o.o.o
"Mac's a vampire?" Mistoffelees' voice was filled with surprise the next morning in the library.
Grids nodded very slightly, her gaze on the wood of the study table, "I can't believe this is happening. One minute we're kissing, the next minute..." She glanced up at Cori, seeking some sort of reassurance, "Can a vampire ever been a good person? Couldn't it happen?"
The librarian sighed, "A vampire isn't a person at all. It may have the movements, the memories, even the personality of the person it takes over, but it is a demon at the core. There's no halfway. I'm sorry, Grids."
"There has to be something," Mistoffelees protested, off Grid's expression. "Come on, that's what research is for right? I mean, he's Mac, he's not just evil... is he? It doesn't make any sense."
"Misto's right. He…he was good to me. It doesn't make sense."
Cori sighed, shaking his head, "I'll see what I can find, but..."
"Please, Cori," the girl looked up at him, pleading.
Mistoffelees added his pleading gaze as Tugger stopped pacing and came to sat down next to Grids. "Alright, we need to take a breath and look at this calmly and objectively."
She glanced at him, "Doing what I can in that area."
"Come on, he's a vampire, you're a slayer. You have to kill him."
"Tugger," Mistoffelees hissed in anger, sad he was too far away to kick the other.
Grids gaped at him before turning her gaze to Cori who looked away. He wasn't going to say anything until he found out more about the vampire. His expression though said that some part of him agreed. "I...I can't do that."
"I know you have feelings," Tugger tried to sooth and Mistoffelees looked like he was ready to kill his best friend since childhood. "But it's not like you're in love with him or anything, right?"
Grids dropped her gaze again, "I...I d-don't know."
"You're in love with a vampire?" Tugger said, raising in shock. "Are you out of your damn mind?"
"Tugger," Mistoffelees growled, several books in his arms for research. He was tempted to dump them on the other's head. "Now is not the time."
Grids looked from Tugger to Cori, who still was skimming through books rather than look at her. Her gaze moved to Misto and she offered him a weak smile. "I...It's time we got to class."
He was still scowling at Tugger but nodded, leaving the books on the edge of the table for his free period. "Yeah, class. Class is a good plan."
She picked up her bookbag, "See you later, Cori."
He nodded, "have a good day in classes."
Tugger was out of the library first and Mistoffelees lingered a moment. "I'll be back during lunch, okay?"
Coricopat nodded, "I'll see you then." Grids slipped out the door quietly
At the lunch bell, Mistoffelees slipped back into the library, glancing around. "Cori, you around?"
Cori came to the railing, "Up here, Mistoffelees."
"Find anything yet?" Mistoffelees asked, putting his bag on the table and going up to join the other.
"Possibly, I'm not entirely sure."
"Well, what's the possibly?" Mistoffelees asked, reaching for a likely book.
"I haven't been able to find anything in the texts, but I've been going through the old Watcher's diaries."
"And?"
"And I'm not quite certain yet. I can't find any creature with the name 'Mac,' thus far."
"Are there any variations of that name? Like, what is Mac is a nickname?"
"Well, I've been looking and so far the only thing I can find is a few references to a Macavity from Ireland a couple hundred years ago."
"Macavity... any descriptions?" Mistoffelees asked, flipping through another book.
"Nothing specific..." He turned a page, "Though...here's a mention of a tattoo."
Mistoffelees craned his neck, managing to invade Cori's private space in an attempt to look at the description. "We can ask Grids about that after school then. So, if he is Macavity... what was this Macavity like?"
Cori startled a bit at the sudden proximity, "From the looks of it? Just like all the rest of the vampires. A vicious, violent animal."
Mistoffelees' mouth twisted. "Well, when's the last mention of him you've found?"
He continued to skim through the diaries, "About eighty years ago, he came to America and shunned the others, living alone. No records since"
"He shunned others? Well, that's good right?"
"Possibly."
"So, he could have reformed, and he could be good, and all that?"
"I've never heard of it happening."
"But it could, right? I mean, not all vampires can be evil. That's discrimination saying they are, and I'm sure that's not PC," Mistoffelees verged toward babbling.
"They're not human, Mistoffelees. They're demons who have been allowed a human form."
"Speicism then, or... demonism, because that's just... that's not fair. She's in love with him and it's not fair, it's bad enough that I'm..." he stuttered out for a moment and came back in full on babble, "I mean, between Tugger and I we really should have fulfilled our mooning over people quota for all three of us, and she shouldn't have to be in love with someone she can't have, or god knows that she'd have to fight and that's just not... it's not fair," he muttered finally, putting the book he'd been going through back on the shelf with a bit more force then he should have, though still carefully enough it wouldn't damage the book.
Cori watched him for a long moment, "Life very rarely is fair, Mistoffelees. I wish it weren't such as it is, but what's happened has happened. Mac is a vampire. I have never seen information on one being reformed. It's not possible. They don't have a conscience. They have wit, and the ability to
"I just..." he sighed, taking a breath before taking another breath and turning to the librarian. "I'm sorry. I know you're the last person I should be getting angry with over this, but you're the one that's having to tell us about it, and it's easier to shoot the messenger. I just, god, wish it was some other way."
"...Perhaps it's best she found out now." He sighed.
"I... yeah... best..." he sighed and shook his head. "It still shouldn't have had to happen at all."
"No, but there's nothing more to be done about it besides see what we can find."
He nodded. "Which means finding. Which means being calm enough to read."
"Are you going to be able to do that?"
"In a minute or two? I really am sorry, you didn't deserve to be snapped at."
"It's alright. Is there anything I can get you while we work?"
"You have anything calming?" Mistoffelees asked, glancing over.
"Tea?" Cori offered.
Mistoffelees paused. "I would accept tea."
"Alright, give me a couple of minutes to get that brewed." He set the book aside and slipped into his office to brew some tea.
"Thank you," Mistoffelees said after him, and all but banged his head into a bookshelf once Cori was out of sight. Fantastic... Cori returned a few minutes later and handed him a cup of tea.
"Thank you," Mistoffelees said softly, looking up from the book he'd finally managed to get open and reading. He accepted the cup and took a sip, blinked, and took another sip, blinking in surprise again.
Cori's brow arched, "Something the matter?"
"No, I," Mistoffelees shook his head. "It tastes really rather good."
"It's the lack of a teabag," Cori replied, picking up another volume.
"That must be it," Mistoffelees replied, offering him a grin. "Thank you."
He returned the smile, "You're quite welcome."
Going back to the book, Mistoffelees got through a couple more pages before looking up again. "Tell me I can raid your tea stash again sometime."
"Do you know how to make tea with loose-leaf tea?" He arched an eyebrow.
"No? I don't usually make tea at all honestly."
"Then I don't know that raiding my 'tea stash' will do you much good."
"I can find some way into bribing you to make the tea?" Mistoffelees offered with a far from innocent grin.
Cori arched an eyebrow again, adjusting his glasses as he shrugged, "Perhaps."
"Not that I'd have any idea with what to bribe you... I mean, tea, tweed, and books. That's all I really know that you like."
The librarian laughed a bit at that, "Well, if I can think of anything I'll let you know."
Mistoffelees offered him a faint smile, half sad he hadn't actually gotten any information out of that.
"Well, either way, we have research to do."
"Yeah," Mistoffelees said softly, turning back to the book. Cori glanced at him for a moment, but turned back to his work.
Mac just about had a heart attack when Grids said he tutored in history. Since, as we now know, he lived through so much of it. Poor chap.
This chapter has a lot of firsts/revelations in it. Misto's crush/new obsession with tea, and most importantly, Mac's condition. Not that it should have been too surprising but hey.
Half your author team is heading out to Ireland for the next month, so updates are going to slow down quite a bit. Cheers all!