A chat for a fool

I wouldn't say that my little trip to Lizzie's room was a complete waste of time, but it came really close to it. I guess she warmed up to me somewhat (and her cookies were delicious), but I wasn't any closer to finishing my job as I did before. I was expecting that Elessa told her something but she was just as clueless as me. I hoped Sin or Anne had found something.

I had some time before my meeting with the former, so I walked back to school for a little exploration. My bracelet opened the way to the vampires. What else can it do?

I still had a hard time with finding my way around the building, so I started on the upper levels, working my way down. I dampened my aura and sneaked around the corridors, waving the small metal band before the sensors, mostly to no avail. I was guessing these were private rooms.

I finally got to the sixth floor. The classrooms began here. The students were still inside, enduring their last lesson for the day. I quietly moved to the next floor, then the next…

I was fiddling with a slightly busted sensor on a door that said 'kitchen storage' when cold creeped up my neck. I've been spotted.

I spun around to find a vampire closing in.

"Looking for some late-night snack?"

"It's 4 a.m. More like early breakfast." I replied, sliding the bracelet in my pocket.

"As you wish." He lightly bowed. Why?

Damian was wearing a suit, pretty shoes and all, but his fitted jacket was open, with his tie tucked neatly into his pocket and his shirt unbuttoned at the top.

"Did you dress up all fancy just to flatter me, or have I missed the invite for the ball?"

Since our last meetings were disastrous, I decided to talk to him like I would've with my sister. He was an older sibling. They should be handled the same way, shouldn't they?

"I wish there was a ball instead of a sour day of politics." He sighed. He looked…drained. Unusual for a vampire.

"You look tired." I said.

"It was a convoluted meeting, but don't worry, I'll get a drink and get better." He answered reassuringly. " Although I have to say, it'd be even more refreshing if you were to join me. Maybe for a light chat?"

I assessed my options. I didn't want to get drunk, but I still had some time before the meeting with Sin and I needed any info I could get.

"Sure. Let's go."

He held the door open for me as we entered the canteen and he greeted the kitchen staff. He guided me back to the private area we had lunch in. An overly eager waiter trailed our steps, taking our orders.

The sun hasn't come up yet so the room was full of shadowy corners. I carefully looked around before settling on a chair. Damian sat across from me.

"And how was your day Ava?" He asked with genuine interest. So he wasn't told yet.

"Well, nobody died today so good I guess." I shrugged. I didn't want to get into that story right now. I'm more interested about this meeting of his.

Dam looked me in the eyes. He remained serious.

"When did we fall so low to have that as a baseline for a good day?"

"The day I've arrived." I said jokingly and I felt the vampire's aura stir. Something was wrong.

"Ava, do you consider yourself dangerous?" Damian leaned in, but the table was wide enough to not let him get too close.

"That's a weird question. Is this a light chat topic for you?" Damian clearly knew something; I just wasn't sure what. But I'm going to figure it out.

"You're a pyromancer. A really good one. Even mom was impressed by your skills. But you have to understand that we don't mix well with fire. And as a crown prince it is my job to make sure that no one is harmed. Not in my school nor my country."

Damian reached out to grab my hand, but I quickly picked my glass up and gave the cider a taste. It was clearly an evasive move, but I couldn't have him touching me right now. Touch amplifies magic, and I don't want to be captured by his domination if possible. I'm not sure I could break out of it without harming him, and that would definitely undermine my mission.

"Even a child could easily kill a man with a plastic spoon and some creativity." I shrugged. The vampire's eyes darkened.

"That's not an answer."

This whole situation was irrational, and it was pissing me off.

"So why don't you ask J to ask me if I want to hurt you, huh? You have a way to get nothing but truth, yet you opted for a 'light chat' in a dark room alone with the 'crazed pyro chick'." I went crazy with my air quotes calling out his mistakes.

"I don't want J to get into this. And unlike some people in this school, I actually believed you to be a bit quirky, but not harmful. But now, I'm reconsidering."

I wasn't sure what his endgame was with this conversation. Did he think I'd attack him? Did he think he could defend himself?

This was going downhill pretty fast.

"Okay, Dam, look; you cut the crap, I cut the crap." I said what I'd say to my sister to get back on track, but it wasn't working. Instead, Damian straightened his back and looked down at me. This was supposed to be menacing, but it was a weak attempt compared to my dad's menacing stature.

Still I knew I had to get on with my explanation.

"I will not hurt anyone, physically nor magically, unless they've threatened or hurt me first. Is that good enough for you?"

Damian watched me carefully for a couple moments. Then he nodded, letting his body change into a more comfortable position.

"Now how 'bout you tell me; why the sudden outburst?" I asked.

He thought about that for a minute, slowly swirling the blood in his wineglass.

"It's just politics. Don't worry about it." He finally said.

It wasn't the answer I was looking for. Should I push him? I felt like my luck was running dry.

"What about those people who see me as a threat?"

Again, he thought about it carefully.

"Some of our board members were distraught by your abilities. They kept insisting that you could easily set for example the library on fire to cause harm and confusion."

A burst of anger swept across my body. I barely stopped myself from breaking the fragile glass in my hand.

Why is this always a problem? It started being a problem when a Hunter outpost refused to take me for a job, because they feared I'd set their wooden houses on fire. Now it's still a problem, because some entitled pricks think I get off to the smell of burning paper or something.

"Yes, I could set the library on fire. You know what else could do that? A matchstick. Or a misplaced cigarette bud. Or a fucking ball lightning." I growled.

Heat gathered around me, and the tiny room jumped a couple degrees.

"Avalynn?" The vampire was getting uneasy, so I took some deep breaths to calm myself and disperse the heat.

My phone made a small noise, reminding me of the meeting with Sin.

"Are you okay Ava?" Damian asked as I quickly downed the remainder of my drink.

"Never better." I answered calmly, trying to banish my previous thoughts.

"I highly doubt that."

"I've been called worse than an arsonist before." I shrugged. "Still, please tell these dear pyrophobic people that I'm sure the firefighters two streets down would welcome them as new recruits."

Damian smiled for the first time since we met today.

"I have to run now. Take care Damian. Don't let the stupid people gnaw your ears off or you'll have nothing to hold that big crown with."

I rushed out of the room, and took the elevator to the highest floor.

Something tells me the other little prince doesn't like the notion of 'fashionably late'.