Chapter 2Swishy Hips and Sugar Daddies
Once the Stratford party ended, the valet pulled up in a blue sporty convertible while one of the wards brought my luggage. "According to Alex, you're not one for modern technology but you drive a very nice car."
Sinjin muttered, "Thanks. Cars are about the only thing modern I know how to operate." Sinjin looked at the pile of luggage the wards brought then his car. "I didn't think you were moving in permanently."
"I only brought the essentials but I feel like I'm forgetting something." I picked up my laptop bag. "I must have my computer." I looked at the pile. "Work- out clothes, night clothes, casual, dressy, urban, shoes, toiletries, I need it all."
Somehow Sinjin managed to pack it all. "Pipat! I forgot Pipat."
"What's a pipat?"
"He's my ward. I wrote down the address of the party but I took it with me for the cab driver. I forgot to rewrite it."
"Call him and I'll have a car pick him up tomorrow?" Sinjin rolled his eyes and opened the car door for me.
Once we passed the bright lights and tall buillding both classic and modern of London, we breezed through the English countryside with an occasional rustic shop and home along the way. Lush scents of greenery filled the brisk air that the few strands of my hair that fell from my bun. As Sinjin drove, I tried to make conversation. "Sorry about the amount luggage but Alex took me to several fashion houses and I love clothes. He's very generous." Sinjin seemed to be in his own world and just nodded so I tried to engage him. "How do you know him?"
"A long time ago, we adventured together. His thorough knowledge of art and extremely discerning eye proved invaluable. Over the years, we have sort of a gift exchange going."
"Gift exchange?"
"Through my investigations, I sometimes find art that I cannot appreciate as well as he can. Instead of dealing with tribal politics and other such nonsense, I simply give them to him. By the same token, during his treasure hunting, he sometimes finds magical items and gives them to me since he knows I won't use them for nefarious purposes."
"So who's ahead," I asked.
"I really don't keep score," he answered sincerely. "Alex always feels he owes me since I saved his life centuries ago though I never hold it over his head or ask for anything. I simply knew how to counteract fairy glamour."
"Thank you for saving him," I stated as he gave me an 'Oh please look.' "By the way, you can always be honest with me." The remark confused him. "At the party, I figured you were talking tribal politics or something secret. You could have just said that instead trying to intimidate me."
"If I said any such thing, then everyone would try to listen in even if you are the exception," he explained. "Besides, similar comments always work to keep someone from even wanting to listen in. Also, it gets rid of vacuous nitwits for which I shall not waste my time speaking to."
"So all my tribe are all vacuous nitwits," I said as I crossed my arms.
"No," he said in an apologetic manner, "but Alex does have a certain type." Too enraged to speak, I motioned for him to continue. "He prefers exquisite, mortal vacuous nitwits who only know about how the latest pop star parts their hair." The old codger had it coming with that remark. "Though I knew you were a vampire, you look completely mortal and I just figured," he trailed off. "Look, I know now how clever you are. From how adamantly Alex wants you kept safe and by the fact that he turned you, you mean a lot to him."
"Well, I'm not upset that you assumed I was a vacuous nitwit," I conceded with a grin. "By the same token, I assumed you were a stuffy dreary codger."
"Well at least one of us was mostly right," he smiled now completely at ease. "I prefer antiquated to stuffy."
Driving a long wooded gravel road, Sinjin slowed down as we neared a metal fence. With a wave of his hand, the gates opened. Nearer to the manor, he did the same thing with a tall wooden fence. "Welcome to Luculenta Manor." Beneath the extensive grounds of the large manor, we pulled into an underground garage which housed dozens of cars. Above the garage, his antique British manor had a charm and personality all its own. Books had a place in the few rooms I saw. "Even though I'm not modern, my home has all the conveniences for you. My room is here at the end of the west wing. While my home is the safest around, if there is danger my room is the most protected." Briefly glancing in, the grand bedroom of hunter green and brown with hardwood everything could be lived in since it had its own living room area filled with books and comfortable reclining chairs.
In the east wing, he showed me to my room, mostly white with rose, pink and purple décor, with a huge canopy bed, dressing area and multiple wardrobes. All of it created a very feminine feel in the room. Through a doorway, I could see a luxury bath with an oversized porcelain tub. "Thank you. It's absolutely splendid; you must have lots of female guests." Sinjin gasped and looked almost upset. "Relax, I don't judge." Pixie yelped. "Pixie needs to be walked and fed a couple times during the day. Normally, Pipat handles it."
"I have wards of my own who will take care of the matter."
Downstairs, we heard a high pitched squeal, one all too familiar to me. "Pipat!" I bolted down the stairs to Pipat who stood there amongst his luggage. "I'm sorry I forgot to leave the address. How did you?"
"I know you too well." Pipat held up a piece of the notepad paper with pencil marks over it so that the writing was left unmarked. "Look at this place, it's fabulous. I can't believe we're staying here." Sinjin moseyed down the stairs now. "Um..hum, it just got a little more fabulous." Pipat gave Sinjin the once over. "Natasha, you just seem to collect sugar daddies."
"Oh stop, Sinjin is a friend of Alex's who's kind enough to let us stay."
Rolling his eyes and shaking his head, Sinjin proceeded back up the stairs. "Your rooms are next to each other. This way."
One of Sinjin's wards helped with the luggage. A smaller but still large room next to mine decorated in tan served as Pipat's room. "Can I add some more color to this room?"
"Whatever you wish," Sinjin replied walking towards the west wing. "Good-day."
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The next evening, after I showered and dressed, Pipat ushered into my room with his styling kit. "Oh honey, those shorts look almost like men's boxers and grey no less. You need to dress it up for goldilocks."
"Pipat it's not like that. We need to stay out of his way."
"Whatever," he remarked, proceeding to style my hair.
"Do you mind styling me daily?" The only thing I could do for hairstyles was brush and leave it hanging loosely or a ponytail.
"No, I like having my own Italian Barbie doll. I get to dress you up and style you as I like." Skillfully, he parted my hair. "I'm glad you left it long. I have so much to work with."
When I tried to turn my head, Pipat gently pointed me back towards the mirror. "Pipat, I love you." He stopped combing. "Not like that but like family."
"Same darling," he replied kissing my cheek.
Once he finished, I burst out laughing. "I look like Pippi Longstocking but with braids."
"You wanted it simple. Now let's explore."
Giddily, we explored the manor. Each of the bedrooms had a theme color from red, green, purple, black, umber to grey, offset with white but they didn't impress Pipat. "I so want to decorate these rooms." On our way down to the stairs, we bumped into Sinjin who wore a long blue terrycloth robe and carried a towel. "Good evening," we yelled in unison.
"Uh," he muttered looking up, barely awake.
"Grumpy goldilocks," Pipat muttered.
"Come on, let's go downstairs. I'm sure there's secret passages and rooms."
Downstairs we explored several private studies and sitting rooms. While the studies were decidedly British old style, the sitting rooms were light and airy, having almost a French Rococo feel. Stealthily, we crept into Sinjin's rust colored study which had wall to wall books with the exception of the fireplace, bay window and worldly antique knickknacks from various cultures. Then we went to the marbled grand ballroom room with countryside paintings, crystal chandelier and a temporary ballet bar.
"If we try to find a secret passage in his study that would be rude so let's try in one of the other studies." I raced Pipat to the study farthest from Sinjin's. Carefully, we tilted various knick-knacks before trying the books but nothing happened. "Wait a minute, vampire, it would be something that only a vampire could open. Blood is the key." Then I saw a tiny jade dagger, a trinket that really couldn't do any damage and didn't quite fit in with the other decor. I touched the tip of it and it drew one drop of blood. The fire place slid out three feet from the wall.
Pipat jumped tiny hops of joy. "I knew you could do it. Let's go."
"Me first, in case there's trouble, I'm tougher than you now." Within the narrow stone passageway which surprisingly didn't smell nor did it have any cobwebs, we tip-toed in. Five feet into the passage, a yellow canary swooped in hovering just in front of us. "How cute!" A few more followed. Suddenly, they hissed. "Run!" We ran back but not before one pecked the back of my leg. "Ouch!" The moment we exited the fireplace closed blocking of the canaries. "I'll never watch another Hitchcock movie again."
"Me neither," Pipat added. "You OK?"
"Yup, I've already healed." My leg looked normal. "How about we explore the outside instead?"
"I agree," replied Pipat.
Afterwards, we toured the tennis court and indoor heated pool. The crown jewel of a pool had a natural feel with rounded corners to make it not quite a rectange but long elongated for laps and the look of being made of stone while a rock fountain composed its filtration system. Rock edges at the ends of the sides rose to form a natural cliff for diving. The outdoor shower looked like a Hawaiian waterful. On a patio pool table, we found a note.
Natasha,
Please enjoy your tour. However, I overheard you mention secret rooms and passages. Those are off-limits. Otherwise, my home is your home.
Sinjin
Pipat threw up his arms. "Now, he tells us."
"I suggest we go outside, in case he discovers our little adventure."
Surveying the outdoors, we noticed some bricks made up of some sort of orange, black and red gemstone which seemed to run the circumference of the home. Above it, the next rows had an unusual pattern that looked like Arabic writing combined with knot work designs. Upon further study, I observed that the pattern repeated itself every yard. Because the guard dogs ignored Pixie, I let her play ball outside. Fifteen minutes later, Pixie furiously dug at the something. When I looked, I saw those same fire color gemstones embedded into the ground in a curved pattern which extended quite a bit away. Once I picked Pixie up, Pipat and I saw what appeared to be a delivery person leaving at the gate.
We ran inside to find dozens of unusual roses including the purple ones I commented on at the Stratford party. Sinjin stood looking at the roses and reading a note. "Natasha, we know who the roses are from but I have received a request from Ulric and Bakir of the Turpis tribe about a tour they promised you. You seemed to have made quite an impression."
"I guess so," I muttered reading the notes similar to the ones he read but addressed to me. Despite appearances, all of it was quite innocent.
"Until Alex says you are no longer my charge, the answer is no to that tour. It's too dangerous."
"But," I started.
"Under the circumstances, you can't go, for your own safety. I'll explain it to them." Before I could object, he wagged his finger in front of her. "Arguing will get you nowhere."
"All I was saying was, it might look like I was snubbing them. Alex wanted me here so I'm following his instructions. Whatever you say goes."
Sinjin looked astonished. "Well, I'll explain it that way to them. I'm sure they wouldn't want you to come to any danger." Then he closely inspected the roses.
"Can we put these in different rooms?"
"Yes," he replied. "By the way, thank you for being so cooperative."
"You're welcome. Sinjin, do you have any books on the history of the tribes that I can read. I don't want anything secret."
"Of course, I'll bring it to you something by the end of the night."
For the rest of the evening, I danced to some very modern music in the ballroom. Not only did I hear the music, I felt it driving me into new and usual moves. Towards the end of the night, I noticed Sinjin watching me, holding a couple of books. "I'm sorry but I lose myself in the dance."
"No trouble, I enjoyed watching you but I've never seen ballet quite like that. I'm more out of touch than I realized."
"It's ballet fused with modern. I'm doing a children's charity in a few weeks in Paris." Once I took the books from his hands, I dragged him into the ballroom. "Show me how they danced in your day." He shook his head. "Please," I pleaded.
"Very well," he replied. "Follow my movements but instead of a bow you curtsy." After he took my hand, he bowed so I curtsied. A few intricate footsteps followed some twirls. Olden steps met modern music. Halfway through the routine, he had fun. In his eyes, laughter sparkled replacing the lassitude I noticed before, making me want to melt. Several routines later, he stopped. "The sun will be up very soon."
Grabbing the books, I ran upstairs. "Thank you for showing me the dance steps and for the book. Goodnight….I mean Good-day."
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The next evening, I gave Pipat the night off so he could run around town. After I emailed my family, friends, the ex-boyfriend, Alex and the other vampires I met, I printed out an article I found on one of the current pop star's hairdo. Before I read the books Sinjin gave me, I taped the article to his study door. While I read, I heard his laughter.
One of the books discribed the various inate abilities of the different tribes confirming much of what Alex had already told me. The Proeliator tribe were hyper fast and very strong which is why they tended to be fighters. The Veneficuswere sorcerers which various magical abilities which they closely guarded. The Accipio were highly intelligent and immune to being commanded by other vampires. My own tribe had all five of our senses heightened to beyond any known capabilities. We were known to develop a sixth sense depending on the abilities we had before being turned. The Custostribe could manipulate memories and feelings. Some were rumored to be Healers. During recent times, they developed almost magical skills with technology, specifically with computers. Lastly, the Turpis tribe who looked like the classic Nosferatu were very resiliant able to withstand sunlight and fire and produce illusions.
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On the fourth night, I approached Sinjin in his study about my findings. "I made some notes about my thoughts on the origins of the tribes but you can't laugh."
"I promise, I won't." Sinjin sat next to me and watched in near fascination while I powered up my laptop.
For many of the tribes with the exception of the Veneficus tribes, different abilities were apparent in the newly turned vampires which distinguished the tribes with the exception of the Nosferatu appearance of the Turpis and their ability to create illusions. That remained solely with them. However, in the various tribal elders, all the other aptitudes of the different tribes eventually appear but none displayed magical abilities. All the other tribes traced their ancestry to around 500 BC while the Veneficus didn't crop up until around 800 AD. Despite that evidence, the Veneficus claimed they started at the same time the others did. In conclusion, aside from the Veneficus, the other tribes were the same while the Veneficus were an offshoot of the Accipio tribe. My notes had various proofs of these conclusions.
Sinjin beamed. "I can't laugh at your insights. I'll show you why but close your eyes." Once I did, I felt a slight breeze followed by another slight breeze moments later. "Open your eyes." Sinjin handed me parchment detailing the same things but with pages and pages of more information, details and citations from many sources written a couple centuries earlier. "You conclusions and the fact that I showed you this shouldn't be discussed. It's not tribal secrets or anything but still unwise to discuss."
"Are you angry with me?"
"Not at all, I'm pleased just like I was on your second night here." I just stared at him hoping he didn't mean what I think he did. "Natasha, I know that you discovered how to open one of my secret passageways."
"That was before your note. How much trouble am I in?"
"None because I was impressed." While we chatted, Sinjin positively lit up. For my part, I found his intellect quite enthralling, just like his eyes, his lips, his cheeks and who am I kidding? I thought he was hot. Since being turned, I hadn't been attracted to anyone. Alex told me once I became a vampire, attraction became rare since there was no instinct to breed anymore. Awhile later, we finished our discussion on origins.
"Do you have a function or something within your tribe? I'm still trying to figure all this out."
"Not per say a paying one," he answered. "I'm more of a researcher and investigator."
"You're not going to believe this but so am I, in a way." Once I said that he looked at me strangely. "My minor in college was forensics but more along the lines of the detective side."
"But you're a professional dancer," he said incredulously. "When did you have time to go to college?"
"On tour, I earned a degree via corresponce courses. All I do during a tour is practice, schmooze at an occasional party and go back to the hotel to study, study and study." He looked at me like I had impressed him. It made me quite proud. I glanced down a moment while I thought of some things that made me curious about my own kind now. "Sinjin, do you mind answering more questions about our kind?"
"Not at all," he replied.
"My heart still beats and I'm still warm and all like before the change. Is everyone like that at first?"
"No, it is very rare. I've known about five other vampires who are like that. You're lucky." My last heartbeat was hundreds of years ago when I was changed." Sinjin looked sad a moment but returned to the present.
"I have another question. Why are there so few women vampires?"
"Women have only become truly liberated since the twentieth century and even that can be debated. There are some elder female vampires though." Sinjin stood and refused to look me in the eye. "Before that they were considered wives, mothers and mistresses, not scholars, artists, fighters or anyone worth having around for centuries. They weren't educated to be anything different. No one knew it was wrong. It just was."
"So what do you think of modern women who have become all those things?"
"It intrigues me." Almost shyly, he turned to the window. "I lost track of time. The sun is starting to rise."
"No wonder I'm tired. I enjoyed our chat. Pleasant dreams."
"You too, Natasha."
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The next evening, Pipat put my hair in a braided bun with a water proof cover that looked like a flower before he left for town. I think he had a new boyfriend. From the other side of the manor, I awaited Sinjin to finish his swim, figuring he wouldn't' feel comfortable with me there. When I dove in, the surprisingly icy water walloped my entire body. Immediately, I shrieked. Sinjin straight away, ran from nearby, dove in and scooped me out. "Are you alright?"
"Cold," I barely said. I just shivered. "Supposed to be heated," I stammered. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I felt comfortable and safe while enjoying the clove musky scent of his cologne that remained on his body despite his recent swim. Because of his nearness, my body flushed from attraction to his very athletic form. Subsequently, the most unexpected thing happened.
