Walking calms the nerves

[Tika-chan]

Tamilka or Tika some often called her walked slowly down the stone path. Her fingers were laced around a book as she her hands were placed together behind her back. Sighing she shook her head about the outfit. The white uniform with jacket and skirt. The length of the skirt bothered Tika. It was much to short in her opinion. She would not even wear this if it hadn't been for the rules that you must wear your uniform. School was interesting but had a lot of rules Tika must endure. She was much us to the home schooling of her parents when she was younger but no she had to come here. To help with the proving vampires can live a long side with humans. The tablets Tika was use to already but something needed to be fixed about them. Blood tasted so much better then the foul blood tablets. Tika shook her head from the thoughts running across her mind. The silver haired girl soon stopped at an fountain. She watched the fountain sprout water up towards the sky. She pushed a few strands of her long silver hair in behind her left ear. Her ocean blue eyes sparkled as she watched the fountain help calming her nerves. Yes she should have been going to class but she was feeling over whelmed again. She was not use to being around other vampires even if she was one herself. Been around humans and only humans for as long as she could remember. She was waiting in till it was just before class would start. That way she could just go in there and listen to the teacher without having to converse with the others. She did not know very many people here so there were few that she conversed with.

A soft smile came across Tika's face as memories of her home came into mind. She missed her human father very much. He had sent her here in hopes to help his friend who started this school, Kaien Cross. She had met him a couple of times before when she was still a child. The man was too much for Tika on more then one occasion. Her soft blue eyes glanced around the area to soon find a bench. Perfect just what she was looking for. She sat down on the bench opening the book she carried around with her. She often carried some sort of book with her. Reading was something she enjoyed and fantasy books were always her favorite to read. The light from the moon was more then enough light needed to see the letters on the white pages. Tika's eyes flashed red slightly causing her to sigh. Reaching into her white jacket's pockets she pulled out a small pack. Opening it she took out a blood tablet which she threw up and caught in her mouth. It was much better when taken with water but she had no glass. After swallowing the tablet she turned her attention back to her book. It was a thick novel and just to get a joke it was about vampires. It amused her how the humans see vampires and portray them as all being like those of the level E class. Although humans do not believe in vampires which is probably for the best. Only a few like vampire hunters know about vampires. A shiver went down Tika's spin at the thought of vampire hunters. She disliked them greatly after her father told her about them. Although like vampires there are some good vampire hunters who only caused those who have caused trouble to perish.

Soft blue eyes continued to scan across the page of her book. Taking in each word as Tika continued to read. She was aware of the time and knew she still had time before she would have to go to class. She often came right before she needed to. She shivered slightly as a cool breeze picked up. It moved some strands of her hair. Glancing up towards the sky she took a few minutes to admire the stars that could be seen. Often she looks up towards the sky. It was so far away that she couldn't touch but the night sky was fascinating. She smiled softly before turning her attention back to her book as she continued to read while sitting on the bench near the fountain.

[Dante Di Cairanesi]

Dante watched the clock in his Algebra II class, hoping the time would tick by and release him from the hell that he was currently sitting in. He barely held his composure; He was tempted to simply lie his head down and fall asleep. Dear God, please, make these last five minutes speed by. Please. I haven't done anything to deserve this hell. He thought, watching as the minutes counted on and the professor drolled on and on about some equation or another, unaware that over 90 percent of the class was lost and deciding to give a test on it tommorow. It took remarkable force of will to not groan along with the others. He had to behave like Kaname-Senpai. He was above the rest. He couldn't express himself. Yet...a part of him longed to do so.

Finally, the bell rang. Dante didn't care about appearences at this point, grabbed his book as fast as possible, and escaped before the teacher could give out even more homework. Ridiculous. Why was he learning things that he couldn't even apply to real life? It wasn't as if he was going to become an engineer or anything; He knew his talents lay elsewhere. He felt like offering a mild expletive but refrained himself: again, a pureblood couldn't act like a commoner. He sighed. Kaname-Senpai must have a remarkable deal of patience and self-control. He just hoped he could emulate him.

Dante decided it was time for him to meet his only true friends, the foxes whom decided Cross Academy would make a nice home. They were encouraged by Dante, who secretly kept food hidden on his person to feed to them. No one dared to search a pureblood for contraband, and he exploited this without fail. If a prefect saw him, he could get in quite a load of trouble, but, then again, if it kept his mind off the blood, surely they wouldn't mind?

Dante carefully walked out into the small forest surrounding Cross Academy, and took out several large steaks which he had kept taped to the inside of his uniform, giving him a more muscular appearance then he actually had. No one questioned him about this, however, and he managed to get away with it almost every day. Slowly, after about two weeks of this routine, the foxes had come to expect him, and even allow him to touch them. He found them fascinating animals, if a bit musky-smelling. They were charming animals, monogamous just like vampires and humans, a bit of cat and a bit of dog, despite the fact they belonged to the canid denomination; they had the intelligence of a cat. Much like most humans...and vampires he thought as he observed them.

They felt particularly playful today, and he smiled as he watched the remarkably cute fox kits play with eachother, while their parents eyed Dante with an expression of wary acceptance. All the vampire had done so far was be kind to them, so they felt like returning the favor. Dante was overjoyed at being able to see this secret ceremony, watching the kits, most appropriately, outfox a young mouse. They were now playing a kind of volleyball with the rodent, not killing it, but kicking it repeatedly, never letting it touch the ground as they both wished to win.

Then, suddenly, something spooked the parents, a crunch in the woods beyond Dante's hearing. The parents scattered, as well as most of the kits. One, however, a small, almost runt-like red fox kit ran in the opposite direction. He was running toward the Academy! Dante offered a silent curse. If Headmaster Cross found out they had supposed "vermin" there, he would order them killed! He chased after the blurring red ball of fur as it struck towards the pathways.

He realized he was going at abnormally fast speeds, but he had to save the little fox kit. He wouldn't be letting one of his friends die, even if they were animals. He realized most vampires would characterize him as an unbelievable softy, but he didn't care. He visualized a silver blur for a moment, matching the kit's speed even if this technically was an illegal use of his powers; Kaname-Senpai did not like them exercising their abilities unless they had to. Well, he considered this worthy of the use of those powers.

The red fox kit erupted out of a bush directly behind Tika, going under the bench. A silver blur lept high in the air right above her, barely missing her head, and rolled directly into the red-furball. They rolled on the ground into a halt, with Dante on his back holding the pacified and snickering fox kit in his outstretched arms. He stared at the animal in disbelief. He had been playing with Dante.. He had been outfoxed.

[Tika-chan]

Tika turned her head towards the Academy buildings hearing the bell again. She knew she was going to be going to class just before but she ended up skipping some classes today. The book got interesting and she did not wish to stop. Besides it would only be the first day she was not in class. It was not often she skipped but being late was an often. She smiled before turning glancing back down to the book in her lap. She held the edges of the book carefully not wanting to drop her book. Her blue eyes again tracing across the page bringing her into the world between the pages yet again.

Being involved in her book she did not hear something coming out of the bushes behind her. She tensed slightly feeling something furry run past her legs from under the bench. Quickly her blue eyes glanced down to noticed a small red furry creature had just sprang out from under the bench quickly. Soon followed by the little red furry creature was something much larger that leaped over Tika's head. Instinct rolled in causing Tika to duck holding her head over her head as she shut her eyes. Hearing something make contact with the ground she opened her blue eyes slowly.

In front of her was a strange sight for anyone to see. She noticed the little furry creature was none other then a small fox. Most likely a fox kit of some sorts judging by the size. The little fox was sitting on top of a man. From the white uniform Tika knew it was someone from the night class. A vampire. By the feeling she got she knew it was the other pure blooded vampire. It surely was not Kaname but the other one. Tika would have cursed inside of her name for forgetting his name if it weren't for the sight in front of her. It was clearly written on the other vampire's face he was shocked by what the fox had done. Pure bloods were not often seen in this sort of character from what Tika had observed so far of her species. Not able to hold it in Tika started to giggle softly finding the sight both amusing and adorable. Tika's human father was allergic to animals so Tika was denied to having one but she has always found the young animals especially adorable.

"Forgive me but why are you chasing such a small creature as a fox kit?" Tika asked tilting her head slightly. She was still sitting on the bench. Her book had fallen out of her lap and was on the ground from her being startled by what just happened moments before. Tika not use to being around her own species she did not know how to act around a pure blood. However she was curious about the fox kit and wanted to know the reason for this behavior. After all she was still learning as her father puts it how to be a proper vampire. Some might say the straight forward question to be disrespectful to pure bloods. Soon memories of the lessons some of the vampire had taught her and from what she observed ran through her mind.

"Sorry," Tika quickly said jumping up from the bench. She bowed her head showing some respect as some would call it. She was still new at this sort of thing. She had placed her hands together fidgeting with the ends of her skirt. She had not been in a situation where it was just her in front of a pure blood vampire. She got a strange feeling like most vampires not of pure blood rank when around those who out rank them. Sure she was in the rank of a noble but pure bloods out rank all. Tika smiled nervously as she watched the male vampire in front of her with the fox kit in his arms.

[Dante Di Cairanesi]

After the initial shock had worn off, Dante realized an important fact. He was not alone. He shot a desperate glance at the short(compared to him) silver-haired vampire. This would not have been much of a problem, except now he was talking to a female vampire. This was made even worse by the fact that she wasn't an ugly-looking vampire either. Inwardly, he gulped, but kept a cool, calm expression on his face. He had to keep appearances up, even in this most embarrassing situation. He tried to imagine what Kaname-Senpai would do in this situation, but since Kaname-Senpai would never have let himself end up like this, that didn't help very much at all.

On top of all of this, she was giggling! He knew that was definitely a bad sign. Great. Made a fool of myself again...not to mention in front of a woman. How am I ever to be respected if I can't even maintain appearences.. He pondered for a moment on how exactly one -would- maintain appearances in his situation, and decided that it was impossible, at least for him. He resolved to remain silent, hoping the female didn't talk to him and simply let him sulk away before his reputation was destroyed too much...surely she would inform Headmaster Cross...

Things went from bad to worse as she addressed him and asked him a question. A shadow of a wince played across his face, but was surpressed almost immediately. He coughed and forced himself to meet the female vampire's warm, blue eyes. He didn't say anything for a couple of moments, and then the female vampire apologized profusely. He wasn't trying to be cold...just trying to figure out what to say to such a marvelous creature who had caught him at an extremely bad time.

He sighed, cradled the baby fox in his arms, and stood up. He turned to face her once more, but noticing she was nervously holding her skirt, not wishing to be in his presence. Ah, she must have recognized I am a Pureblood.... He noticed her trepidation. ...and, as always, does not wish to talk to me. Not really. Like all of the others.... It was the curse of being a Pureblood, eternally unable to fit in with the regular students of the Noble Class, and far removed from the world of the average class C vampire. A flicker of sadness was visible in his light brown eyes as he addressed the rather beautiful vampire, and cursed inside as he couldn't stop shaking. The fox kit snickered even more and Dante gave it a fierce glance which caused it to offer a whimpering "meeeeww.". He sighed.

"It....became....separated....from its family." He said, using all of his willpower not to stutter. "I was...simply trying to return him to his family." He glanced at her with a sudden change in expression, and suddenly found the courage to speak without hesitation. He had to continue this torturous conversation, for the sake of the cute, mewing fox-kit in his arms. "If you could not report this to the Headmaster or Kaname-Sanpei, I would be eternally grateful...They are not supposed to be here...If they were discovered, I fear they would all be killed." He said, eyes flashing with a determination. "I am trying to ensure that that particular scenario does not play out."

He then realized how utterly rude he had been, and gave her a low bow, indicating deep sorrow. "Ah, It should be I apologizing for my rudeness...Ms..." He paused, unsure of her name, hoping she would give him some sort of clue as soon as possible. He wasn't exactly sure if Purebloods were supposed to be apologizing, but he figured that good manners couldn't make the already bad situation worse.

[Tika-chan]

The silent between the two of them made her rather nervous. She cursed inside of her head for not taking the time to learn how to react around other vampires. Sheltered life is not always a good thing to have. She noticed him stand up while holding the little fox gently in his arms. Tika's soft blue eyes glanced to the small fox. The little creature seemed attached to the male vampire. A slight smile tugged at Tika's lips. Hearing the other vampire finally speak she quickly turned her attention to him. She was still fidgeting with the ends of her skirt. She tilt her head slightly noticing the pureblood stutter. Is he just as nervous as me...

Finding out there was a family the fox kit belonged to made Tika happy. At least the little creature had an home to go to which caused relieved. Soon the other vampire started to speak calmly about not mentioning about the fox family to the headmaster or Kaname or the little creatures would surely be killed. Tika nodded her head in understanding as she gave him a kind smile. She had noticed the sad look in his eyes which made her feel like she had done something wrong. In fact Kaname often had that same sadden look.

"I wouldn't want harm coming to the fox family so this will be our secret," Tika said softly. She would have loved to pet the little fox kit but if it had a family it usually meant it was wild and wild creatures only allow those they can trust near them. Bringing her out of her thoughts she heard the pureblood apologize to her. Hadn't she been the one being rude for not addressing him properly. A surprise look appealed across her face but she quickly replaced it with one of her smiles.

"Tamilka Henshin but everyone refers to me as Tika," the silver haired vampire stated. She held her hand out to shake. An human habit of hers she had picked up with her live with human parents. Seeing how the other vampire reacted around her made her feel a little less nervous. He was not acting superior at all which made Tika feel more comfortable. She had much human habits and traits which made her feel out of place among her very own species.

"I'm terribly sorry but I don't seem to remember your name," Tika admitted. She smiled sheepishly as she fidgeted with her sleeve with her other hand. He was a pureblood and she should have paid more attention to the names of her class mates. Now she was paying for it. She tapped the ground with the toe of her left foot lightly on the stone ground. She noticed this pureblood was much different from Kaname. His appearance was not like that of a vampire. The striking beauty of the other Night Class but he was not ugly either. He was attractive but strange beauty of the others. It appeared almost like the beauty of an human that is popular among those species. In all it helped Tika relax a bit more.

[Dante Di Cairanesi]

Dante offered a small smile when he realized that Tika had the same affinity for the little fox kit as he did, and relaxed slightly. He retained his composure, but it was more...relaxed. "My name is Dante Di Cairanesi...Dante for short." He said with a brief nod. He watched as she extended a hand, a tad bit taken aback. Very few vampires ever extended their hands in greetings, it was more of a human habit and looked down upon by the majority of the upper classes. She looked like a noble...surely her parents must have instructed her...but although he hesitated for a second, he took her hand, shifting holding the fox kit with one of his arms.

After holding her hand for a moment, he shook it as was custom, and then let it fall, but strangely enough, he felt reluctant to do so. Why? Was it because this was the only vampire who had reached out to him besides Kaname? Was it because she didn't appear to be the manipulative and conniving like most other female vampires? He didn't know. All he knew was that he felt both elated and sad at the same moment, and a flicker of something. What was it...

A memory burned across his face, blazing like fire, making him wince openly with the strength of it. He shook for a moment, banishing away that horrible memory, the memory which fueled the terrible rage kept in by self-control, the memory which directly led to his overzealousness for hunting down rogue vampires. He realized how awkward this must have looked to Tika. He didn't want to give the impression he didn't like her, as he was doing now. d**n it, I can't screw this up, the one other vampire who actually had the courage to speak to me...make something up..

"I...I'm sorry. I just had a little bit of a...stomach ache. Nothing to worry about.". The little fox kit looked up at him with a curious, concerned expression on its face, then glanced at Tika and snickered, offering a small little laugh. Silently, Dante wielded just a small bit of that power to help the little fox kit drift away into a gentle sleep.

Desperately looking for something else to say, he noticed that Tika was reading a book, and that it was awkward that he kept standing up. He moved quietly to sit beside her, and inquired. "Ah, you like reading as well? May I inquire as to what you are reading?" He said, as the fox kit yawned, stretched, and rolled over onto it's stomach, revealing a creamy-white belly. Incidentally, it seemed to have rested it's head in Tika's lap, feeling totally and utterly secure, for foxes would not do this unless it were so.

(Incidentally, here's what the fox kit looks like ^^. I have a feeling he might be keeping it later in this thread ^^.)

[Tika-chan]

Dante Di Cairanesi... A name Tika will have to remember. Shouldn't be to difficult now that she had learned his name. She was glad he did not make any fuss about her not remembering. He was one of the pureblood states and she should have known his name. Come to think of it Tika did not learn his name at all in till now. Tika's blue eyes watched him as he hesitated about shaking her hand. It was expected after all. Tika was not surprised. This was an human habit and she had yet to meet a vampire who greeted others when first meeting with an hand shake. Although Dante did shake her hand in the end. Tika needed to learn to move away from some of the human habits she has picked up over the years.

Soon Dante made a face almost like he was in a bit of pain. He had even winced which caused Tika to know something was wrong. She wanted to help him but he soon recovered stating it was nothing other then a stomach ache. Pains that cause one to react like that surely must mean more then just a simple stomach ache. Although he appeared to be fine now Tika did not push on the topic. She wouldn't want to pry Dante about it and cause him to push away from her. She did not feel as relaxed as now with the other vampires she had came across.

It was not long before Dante quietly sat down beside Tika. The fox kit appeared to be rather tired as it rolled onto it's stomach. The little creatures head was now resting on Tika's lap a bit causing the young silver haired vampire to smile at the fox kit. Using her index finger she soft stroked the fox it's head lightly careful not to disturb it to much. Soon her blue eyes moved to Dante who had asked her about her book. Glancing towards her black cover book she picked it up with her other hand.

"I enjoy reading fantasy type of books. This one is about vampires. I find it amusing how humans portray what we act like when a lot of it is incorrect. They describe vampires to be more like those of the level E rank when most vampires are not," Tika explained. She gave a small laugh as she repeated inside her head what she had just stated. Must have been strange a vampire reading about an vampire. Although Tika found it rather amusing. Of course she knew a lot of vampires did not act like those in the book. This school is a fine example of that.

"You said as well. What sort of books do you read?" Tika quickly asked. She wanted to move the topic away from her. She felt as if she made a bit of a fool of herself. A couple of times to be exact. She had much to learn on how to be a vampire. She had to many human traits and habits embedded into her it made it difficult for her to figure out if she was making the right move or not. She smiled kindly as she glanced back to Dante. She did not want to make herself appear too strange. After all there were not many who she has spoken too since arriving at this here school. Cross Academy.

Using her index finger she continued to stroke the top of the fox kit's head. The fur was well kept and very soft. She enjoyed little furry creatures they were always adorable. She rested her book in her lap as she curled her fingers of her other hand around it. Making sure it did not fall down to the ground as it already has times before. Tika tilt her head slightly as she watched Dante waiting for an answer. She hoped she would not come off as too different for him. After all how strange is it for a vampire to be raised by humans all of her life. She has made note not to let that get out at school at least not yet.

[Dante Di Cairanesi]

(Short, but hehe.)

Dante smiled softly as he watched Tika carefully pet the now-curled up fox kit. He waited a moment before responding, and nodded. "I read fantasy as well, though I do tend to have a penchant for science fiction as well. As to the descriptions of vampires, well, most of them have only been exposed to Level E's, so naturally, that's where their perceptions come from. I don't know where they got that idea that garlic harms us. Must've been a particularly allergic vampire, I suppose." He offered a small, relaxed laugh.

He leaned back slightly on the bench, and gazed up into the stars, which were out in abundance tonight, along with a crescent moon. It was a truly beautiful site. One rarely saw this near major cities; Smog obscured the stars from view. It reminded him of his hometown, and he offered a wistful sigh. If only he could relish the warm, starry Italian countryside night once more...He missed it dearly.

[Tika-chan]

(( heheh I don't mind the length at all ^_^ ))

Tika nodded her head. Science Fiction was definably interesting type of stories. She continued to stroke the top of the little fox's head as it curled up. The little creature was certainly adorable. She glanced back to Dante hearing him sigh lightly. She noticed he was starring up towards the stars. Soon her soft blue eyes glanced up towards the shiny sparkles in the night sky. She smiled softly always having interest in watching the sky at night.

"They really are beautiful when the night is clear like this. My father's home is on the outskirts of a main city so I usually can see the stars like this. I'm glad the Academy was located only near a small community so the lights and industries smoke do not block the stars," Tika said as she smiled. She often sat outside with her father. They both admired stars or more like her father admired them and got Tika introduced when she was small. Now it was just habit of her to be out here staring up towards the stars. Lucky for her the school does not last all night. Just the usual amount of time except at night instead of day. Which means she got to admire the stars often.

Tika glanced down to the little fox feeling it move its head slightly. She smiled as she went and stroked it's soft white belly lightly. Then she remembered Dante stating something about the little fox having a family and it straying away from it. Glancing over to Dante she noticed how relaxed he seemed watching the stars. She really did not wish to disturb it. She shook her head before glancing back up to the stars above them. She continued to stroke the fox lightly as it appeared to continue to sleep.

"I hate to disturb the silent but don't you think this little's fox's mother and father will be worried and possibly searching for the little creature," Tika said softly. She continued to watch the sky noticing a few shooting stars. It really was quiet and they were so far lucky no prefects came around. She knew they would be ushering them to get back to the dorms or something like that. Then again they still had quite a bit of time before they must head back.

"We should probably return the little creature sooner then later," Tika said as she glanced back to Dante. She tilt her head slightly wondering if they should return the little fox soon. It can not be good to keep it from its parents for too long. The fox's parents would surely be worried about the little fox's disappearance.

[bella]

bella looks around and down the paths when she saw no one she let out a sigh. why is it so hard to fit in? she wondered as she fell to the ground. everyone seemed to hate her for almost everything she does. she looks up at the sky and she could feel her long brown hair brush against the ground. she hears a rustle and she looks over and gets up brushing the dirt off her skirt and began to walk. Suddenly a fox jumped out of no where and ran across the path. Bella didnt know what came over her but she began to run after it. She felt the thorn on the bushes tear at her blazer but she continued to run finally she found the fox next to a fountain. Why was did the fox stop here? she looks around her breath coming out in shallow grasps. will i ever like it here? Bella sits next to the fountain and her finger on the water watching it ripple. this was never was a easy life she had to remind her self first the fire and now this whats next? the fox settles down only a few feet away from her. She smiled and saw a rose bush. She got up and plucked a rose from the bush "ow!" she whispers she looks down at her finger as it began to bleed, She ran back to the fountain and rinsed off her finger. she hears a rustle but ignores it as she picks the rose back up.