Bloodlines: Alexus Dracula

Littlest Friend

Alexus woke to the rising sun and found herself on the ground by the woodshed. She slowly got up and looked around before making her way back to her bedroom.  She quietly walked through her bedroom doors and was immediately bombarded by Rosetta.  "Where have you been?" she asked.  "I had an argument with Lady Amelia.  I think that she was purposely trying to bait me to make me angry enough for the rage to come out," explained Alexus.  "Did the rage come out?" asked Rosetta.  "Only for a moment before I ran off into the wilderness then next thing I know I was on the ground by the woodshed," explained Alexus.  "You need to be more careful, my darling.  Now we need to get ready for the day. Oh and good news, I have received word that Dracula and Roman will be here by the end of the week," said Rosetta.  "Yes, finally something to look forward too and you couldn't start with that," said Alexus as she quickly jumped into the shower.  "I will meet you downstairs in the kitchen.  Breakfast before work," said Rosetta as she left to go to the kitchen.  Alexus had her face under the water when a memory from the night before flashed into her mind.  There were two people talking one said: "I found her at the base of the mountain" and the other one said "put her by the woodshed", they both were familiar but I couldn't figure out why.

After her shower, Alexus changed and made her way down to the kitchen.  "What can I get you this morning?" asked Rosetta.  "Well, you can go to the garden and enjoy your day while I make myself some breakfast," instructed Alexus. Rosetta smiled and walked towards the door before she turned and said "You stay out of trouble and try to enjoy your day.  Remember Roman will be here in a few days,".  At the same moment that Rosetta exited through the back door, Maria burst through the dining room entrance into the kitchen. "Morning Lady Alexus," said an excited Maria.  "I am no Lady, Miss Maria.  Just call me Alex. Now what do you feel like for breakfast," asked Alexus.  "PANCAKES!!!" shouted Maria. "Pancakes it is," said Alexus as she began to grab all the ingredients. 

Alexus turned to Maria and said "Well what are you doing all the way over there? Grab a stool and come help me out.", "But the cook said that I am not allowed on that side of the kitchen," said Maria as she looked at the cook scared. "Well I am sure that the cook will change his mind while you are with me," said Alexus to Maria before looking at the cook "right?".  "Of course, Miss Alexus." replied the cook.  "See.  Now get over here and help me whip up this batter," said Alexus as an excited Maria dragged over a stool and helped to make the batter.  Once the batter was finished, Alexus explain to Maria how to cook the pancakes and that she can cook them as long as she was super careful.  Alexus watched her like a hawk as she carefully put the batter in the hot pan, Maria was overjoyed in excitement for being able to cook pancakes on her own. It was somewhat comforting for Alexus as it reminded her of when she first taught Roman to make pancakes.  It was mothers day morning and he wanted to help make mum breakfast.  Roman was in such a hurry that unfortunately, he burnt himself but luckily he was a vampire and headed quickly. Alexus snapped out of her reminiscing when she heard an  "Ouch!" come from Maria as she held her hand.  "Give me a look," said Alexus as she grabbed Maria's hand and placed it under the cold tap to run water on it.  "I am so sorry Alex.  I should have been paying more attention to what I was doing," said Maria in a low almost frightened voice.  "What are you apologising for little one.  These things happen and it is my fault I should have been paying more attention to what you were doing," replied Alexus.  "You leave that hand under running water while I go quickly grab my first aid kit," instructed Alexus.

Alexus quickly ran up to her room and grabbed her first aid kit from her wardrobe then returned down to the kitchen.  As she approached the kitchen, she could hear sobs coming from Maria.  "Now you are going to tell Miss Alexus that you are not feeling well and leave my kitchen and if I ever see you back in here again doing what you are not supposed to be then I will cut that pretty little handoff," said the cook.  Alexus burst through the door and pinned the cook up against the oven with his face nearing the flame. At that exact moment, Michael walked through the door and stood there in silence amazed at Alexus' strength and in shock from what he had walked in on.  "Some of the bonuses of being a vampire is that we are super quick and have excellent hearing.  Now if I ever hear you threaten Maria again, I will rip your throat out," Alexus warned the cook.  "Do you hear me?" she shouted.  "Yes, Miss" replied the cook as Alexus stepped back and away from him.  The cook scurried off through the door to the dining room and Alexus pulled Maria into an embrace to comfort her.  "Are you okay, Maria?  I promise he will never be mean to you again," said Alexus and she tried to shush her quiet sobs.

"I don't know what I just walked in on but Maria, mum wants you," said Michael still in shock. Alexus jumped at the sound of his voice, she knew someone had walked into the room but didn't expect it to be Michael. Maria now calmed down replied, "Awwwww but we are making pancakes for breakfast,". Alexus let out a small giggle, "How about I finish breakfast and you go see your mum?  By the time you get back it will be all done and ready to eat," said Alexus.  "With syrup?" asked Maria, "With syrup and fruit to counter all that sugar," replied Alexus.  "Okay, I will be back soon." said a once again excited Maria.  Maria headed towards the door and Michael turned to follow her.  "Michael!" said Alexus.  Michael turned back around, "Do you mind escorting her back to me.  I don't trust that cook not to try anything." said Alexus. "I was going to anyway but you do realise he would have gone straight to Lady Amelia," replied Michael.  "You just let me deal with her but until the matter is solved, I don't want her to go anywhere alone. That is absolutely nowhere," instructed Alexus.  "What if she needs the bathroom?" chuckled Michael, "Then she will use my private one in my bedroom," replied Alexus as she smirked at him and he choked at the idea of going into Alexus' bedroom.  "Hurry up Michael! The sooner I go see mum the sooner I can come back," said a now impatient Maria. "Okay, let's go," replied Michael as they both exited the kitchen.

For the first time in a long time, Alexus didn't feel so alone as she quietly hummed and finished cooking breakfast. She pulled out some fresh strawberries, blueberries and bananas, deciding to cut up the strawberries, caramelise the banana and leave the blueberries whole.  Alexus also grabbed a bottle of maple syrup and fresh yoghurt from the fridge, ready to serve breakfast. As Alexus finished plating up breakfast, Michael and Maria burst back through the door.  "That looks amazing," said a wide-eyed Maria as Michael turned to return to his daily jobs. "We have more than enough if you want to stay for breakfast too," asked Alexus. "I have quite a bit to get through today but thank you," replied Michael.  "I insist, stay for breakfast. My mother always said breakfast is the most important meal of the day," replied Michael as he turned back and moved towards the counter.  

Alexus slowly sat down at the counter and said "Pull up a stool.".  "I thought you would have wanted to eat in the dining room, civilised at the table," replied Michael.  "You really don't have a high opinion of me do you?" asked Alexus as Michael blushed. "Well, I am just going to have to prove you wrong." she giggled as she started to cut and eat her pancakes.  "Do you not like eating in the dining room?" asked Maria.  "Not really.  I find the whole enormous intimidating dining ware a bit too much.  My brother and I weren't raised in a compound so it's all a bit overwhelming now that we have been thrust into this life," explained Alexus. "You have a brother! How old is he and where is he and also where did you grow up?" asked Maria.  "Maria, that's enough.  Stop bombarding her with your one thousand questions," said Michael. "No, she is fine.  This has actually been one of the most riveting conversations I've had since being here.  Usually, no one talks to me because of my "stature", " replied Alexus.  "So, yes I have a brother and his name is Roman. He is technically 98 turning 99 but he is more like a 9/10-year-old.  You will actually get to meet him at the end of the week.  My grandfather and Roman are coming to visit and no doubt check up on me. Oh and lastly I grew up in a small country called New Zealand.  We lived inland about 40 mins from a town called Dargaville," explained Alexus. "Wow! So if your brother is nearly 99 how old does that make you?" asked Maria, "Maria, its rude to ask for someone's age," snapped Michael still not quite sure about me.  "No, its fine and everyone is probably dying to know," giggled Alexus.  "I am 147.  I actually just celebrated my birthday before coming here," she replied with a smirk on her face.  "Wow!" marvelled Maria.

The three were deep in conversation eating their breakfast.  Once breakfast was finished Michael helped Alexus tidy up before leaving to do his jobs.  As he walked out the door, Alexus gave him a lingering stare and inhaled deep.  "You like Michael," squealed Maria.  Alexus giggled before leading Maria out to the woodshed.  "Right, little one.  You are going to get some muscle on those arms and help me with the wood today," explained Alexus.  Alexus began chopping wood and Maria picked it up and threw it into the crate.  After 2 hours of hard work, Alexus decided it was time for a break.  Alexus and Maria grabbed a quick sandwich and drink from the kitchen before heading back to the woodshed. "Alexus, I just need to go to the toilet," said Maria as she walked off in the opposite direction as the back entrance to the kitchen.  "Where are you going?" asked Alexus, "I'm going to our toilet," replied Maria.  Confused Alexus accompanied her to the bathroom, they reached a long drop at the back of the compound, "Does everyone use this toilet?" asked Alexus, "No, just my family because we don't live here." explained Maria.  Alexus opened the door for Maria.  This long drop was a death trap and ready to fall down.  "Nope.  You are not going to the toilet in there.  You and your family can use my bathroom inside until I make other arrangements with Lady Amelia.  Come with me," said Alexus.

Alexus led Maria into the house and toward her bedroom.  As Alexus opened the doors to her bedroom, she heard a small gasp coming from Maria.  "Wow! this room is amazing," said Maria.  "I know what you mean.  It has taken a little bit to get used to.  Now the bathroom is over there so whenever you need to use the bathroom while you are here just come to my room and use this one.  I will wait outside my bedroom door for you okay?" explained Alexus.  "Okay Alex, won't be long," replied Maria.  Alexus left Maria to her business and waited outside the bedroom door. As Alexus stood outside her room she saw Lady Amelia approaching.  Alexus rolled her eyes and inhaled deeply before plastering a smile on her face.  "Alexus, I heard there was some trouble in the kitchen this morning?" asked Lady Amelia.  "Yes, I caught one of your cooks threatening my helper," explained Alexus.  "Do I need to remind you that you are a guest in our compound?" asked Lady Amelia.  "No, but seeing as though this will one day be my compound, I also find it necessary to introduce to our coven what I will and will not tolerate and threatening children is high on my list of things that I will not tolerate," replied Alexus in a stern voice.  "Alright.  I think that is the first time you have acknowledged your betrothal without being prompted, I call that progress," said Lady Amelia.  As Alexus was about to farewell Lady Amelia, Maria walked out of her room.  "And why is little Maria coming out of your room?" asked Lady Amelia but before I could say anything Maria instinctively apologised, "I'm sorry my Lady,". Alexus placed her hand on Maria's shoulder, "I have offered my bathroom to Maria and her family for use until such time that we can organise something more permanent with indoor plumbing," explained Alexus.  "I don't think that is appropriate considering they are not part of our coven," said Lady Amelia, "Well I disagree.  They may not be a part of this coven but they work on our compound for at least 8 hours a day.  They deserve to have the same amenities available to them that we give to our coven workers and until we can organise something they can share mine.  Like I said this will one day all be mine anyway," replied Alexus.  "Okay, well discuss it with one of our builders and you can begin preparations," said Lady Amelia before walking off.

"I think I want to be you when I grow up," said Maria.  Alexus giggled "Come on now we still have another 2 crates to fill before we can do anything else today and with all this hot weather I was thinking that a swim at the river sounds good," said Alexus as they made their way back to the woodshed.  After another 2 hours of hard work, Alexus and Maria finished filling all 5 crates and it only just turned 12noon. "Well, we still have another 5 hours before the workday is over so how about we go and see if your parents need any help and give them the good news and on our way over I can get someone to demolish that death trap long drop," said Alexus as Maria grabbed her hand.  They both made their way over to a construction shed and found a man named Augustine to organise the demolition of the long drop toilet and to discuss the alterations to the butchers quarters.  "I will come by tomorrow and we can head over and discuss the alteration plans," instructed Alexus, "Yes, Miss Alexus" replied Augustine. 

Alexus and Maria then continued on to the other side of the compound where the butchers quarters was.  They both walked into the shed and everyone stopped and stared at Alexus in shock.  "Lady Alexus, what can we do for you?" said Derek quickly as he and Elisa bowed their heads and Derek hit Michael on the arm to bow too.  "Please call me Alex and please no formalities.  I am here as Alexus the person, not Alexus heir to the Dragon Heart," asked Alexus as Derek, Elisa and Michael all stood up straight. "How can we help you?" asked Derek.  "Well, I am actually here for three reasons now. Firstly, to let you know that I am having the long drop demolished and you and your family will use my private bathroom in my bedroom until a new arrangement has been made," explained Alexus as Elisa gasped in surprise.  "It is soooooo pretty in there.  I have already used the bathroom," Maria told her family. "I will come back tomorrow with our builder, Augustine, and we can discuss the alterations.  It doesn't look like any attention has gone into this place since before the first world war and trust me I was around then too," joked Alexus.  "Secondly, Maria and I have just finished chopping all the wood for the day and I am heading for a swim at the river if Maria is allowed to come with me?" asked Alexus as Maria begged her parents.  "I won't let anything happen to her," added Alexus.  Derek stood there thinking, "Michael, you can accompany them,", "Dad" moaned Maria.  "Either Michael goes or you don't mija," Derek told Maria. "Okay fine," agreed Maria.  As we went to leave Derek asked Alexus what the third thing was.  "Oh the third thing was that I wanted to thank you for trusting Maria to be with me.  I know that some people are wary of elder lines and who can blames them I am fully aware of how the Romanoffs and Beauregards treat people so I am grateful that you trusted me based on me and not from how others act," replied Alexus with a small smile of gratitude on her face.  "You saved our daughter. There was no doubt in my mind that you were different to the others," replied Derek.  Alexus went to leave but turned back again, "Oh actually there is a fourth thing, sorry.  I want to learn what your job at the compound is.  I'm going to double up on wood tomorrow then I will be back bright and early on Friday to shadow you for the day," said Alexus.  "Be here by 6am on Friday," said Derek before Alexus, Michael and Maria left.