(EEE sounds perfect! I love the idea.)

Jeff released both of them and stepped back. Watching Alex with narrowed eyes as Daisy handed him the cloth, he slowly said, "Alex, you have changed. My sharp elven nose can sense something in your blood that isn't right." Jeff quickly held up a hand to forestall any thoughts or actions. "Just say it. You are obviously in love with Daisy and want to do right by her. Your actions define you. So just say it." He looked at Alex intensely, knowing his teleportation skills allowed him to keep Alex from bolting too far in either direction.

*****

Trying to parry the strike, Rachel lost her sword in the rush. The vampire before her was a pureblood and very familiar looking. As her sword clattered to the ground, she flew back and into the air above him. It only gained her a few seconds which she used to re-equip into her wind armor. The metalic wings formed behind her and two new swords appeared in her hands.

The pureblood scoffed and looked above him. "You think that is enough?" He then noticed the two swords in Rachel's hand and took a step back. It would be hard to evade both but he knew he could. In a split second, he jumped and kicked one of her hands. His feet met the ground and he pulled out his own weapon, a lone revolver. He aimed it and was wondering if he should be so ruthless and shoot one of the highest level students. Smirking at the thought, he took the safety off.

Alexandre was put on the spot. He chuckled a bit and his lips curled into a grin. "Love? I wouldn't say I love her but the past few days I have realized that I am fond of her." He avoided the accusation and walked toward Jeff. Alex whispered into Jeff's ear. "Shut it elf." With a low growl he walked off passed him and down the hallway. "I have some business to attend to." He didn't want to act cold but he had to go do something to stop this. The plan was not ready, too early. We need time.

Daisy stood still and her hands balled into fists. She had heard what Alexandre said to Jeff and her blood started to boil. "Stop right there Alexandre..."

Rachel ducked as she pulled a fire circle up around him. Dodging off to the side, she leaped into the air while tightening the fire circle. Vampires burned nicely. If he leaped out, she was ready to meet him with her swords. In that second or two of action, time slowed and seemed to stretch an eternity.

Jeff teleported in front of him, "Whatever business you have is no longer secret. We are going together." Raising his voice, he called out to Daisy, "We can't go back, so come on. Let's keep going." He was getting a little annoyed with Alex and wondering just what the heck was going on in the strange feline's brain.

(Let me give you a heads up. I will be gone for the weekend and might not be on for another week to 2 weeks. School is getting absolutely ridiculous and I have so much to do. The latest I would get back is Dec.26th.)

Daisy sighed and walked over to them. Alex seemed tight-lipped and wouldn't even look at them. "You need to help Rachel. She could be on trouble." He took a deep sigh. "I will tell you everything later, okay?" Daisy looked at him and then to Jeff, still slightly angry. Her nails dug into her palms.

As the circle of flames engulfed him he swiftly rolled out of the blaze. His suit ended up with patches but he was okay with that. The battle bored him and he retreated into the shadows, disappearing down a hidden hallway through the wall. Alexandre has disobeyed my orders to not interfere.

When he reached the others and explained the situation, they were dumbfounded. "We have to hide the evidence." One said. "No, we have to kill them!" exclaimed another. "If they find the-" With his hand now raised they were silent. "Now everyone," He scanned the room. "just stay calm. They cannot find this place without tearing the whole clock tower down. Unless,-" He stopped and everyone's eyes were on him, coaxing him to finish. "Unless a certain someone tells them how to find us. We have to be ready when he does. Look around. Just who is missing?" With that people looked around, trying to put the pieces together.
Then someone spoke up:

"Alexandre."


Alex's ear twitched and he didn't hear fighting anymore. "Never mind then. We should go see what happened..."

Jeff grabbed him and shoved him against the wall. "I think you have some explaining to do and now might be the only chance to hear it out. So speak." His gaze bore into Alex's eyes, full of tension. His calm was melting under the strain of the last few days. Something was dreadfully wrong with the world right now and Alex might be the key to learning what was going on before calamity struck beyond repair.

Rachel stared around in complete confusion. The vampire has just disappeared. He was one of the purebloods. Not a human turned vamp destined for an early death nor a monster turned vamp destined for eternal slavery. This was one powerful creature and his son was a student at their school. Realizing nothing more could be done here, she turned and jogged down the corridor after her three friends. Rounding a bend, she came upon the three. But not what she was expecting. Daisy looked tense while Jeff held Alex against the wall. Slightly breatheless she said, "Let him go Jeff. Alex, we need to talk."

To Rachel it must have seemed rather odd to see Daisy strained as much as she was. Daisy heard Rachel's voice and turned to her, head down. Alex looked at her for a split second before looking at Jeff. "Che, you heard Rachel. Let me go." He tried to sound collected but his voice slightly faltered and gave out with the last sentence. He was at his wits end and he knew he would have to confess. Alex pledged loyalty to the vampires though and his mind was in a constant tug o' war at this point.

He waited for Jeff to let him go. After he did he dusted himself off, stood tall, and took a deep breath. Alexandre, known to be aloof and to act dumb, looked as serious as can be. His eyes were sharp and he took another deep breath before speaking.

"So you want to know the truth?"


Daisy just watched him. She felt weak. I could have done something. I don't belong here. I came at the wrong time. Her mind kept racing and she was regretting doing nothing and acting like the weak heroines of most stories.

Rachel strode forward, wrapping an arm around Daisy's waist to better support the girl. Her gaze steadfastly staring Alex down. Her voice like ice floated to him as Jeff circled round to block the other direction. "That would be a good start I think." The stone walls around them with their cool air seemed to make the words all the more deadly. Jeff's eyes took in every little movement Alex made. Rachel's blood still pounded strong from her fight, bringing all her senses to high alert. Even as they just stood there, she was busy at work casting magic. A personal shield around Daisy so that whatever harm was inflicted on Daisy would be caused on herself instead. She would make sure that defense was in place if nothing else. Rachel had never had a friend who treated her normally. The other students gave her high regard and complete respect because of her position as a top ranking student and monster. The teachers treated her, not as a student, but as a peer. Her friends assumed she was perfect and composed. Only Daisy had seen her vulnerable, uncertain, completely happy, or nervous and then had still accepted her as she was.

Alexandre took another breath and steadied himself. "Well first things first we have to get out of here. We can go back to your dorm if you want to. It is safe there but it is very unsafe to tell you here. I promise." He raised one hand and put the other over his heart. "Boy scout promise." He tried to show them that he was still the same person and bring a lighter air to their situation.

Meanwhile Daisy calmed herself down and stopped thinking those thoughts. When Alex talked and did the "boy scout" gesture she giggled a bit. "I agree with him. Let us get out of here first. This dark feeling is making me think about very negative things." Daisy did a curt nod toward Alex.

"Rachel, what do you say we go back to our dorm for more privacy?" Daisy looked up at her. Rachel didn't make her feel as weak as she thought and that was very comforting to Daisy.

Daisy found herself breaking free from Rachel's embrace and walking toward the foyer of the clock tower in order to make a point. "Seriously, I am getting a really bad headache." Alexandre sighed. "It is normal for that to happen under these conditions."

Rachel tightened her fists. If they left, it would give those creatures a chance to regroup. However Daisy and Alex were just kids and not much in a position to fight. She wasn't sure what to do. Rachel really wanted to keep going. Jeff had grown up learning basics in fighting but never been in a position to use them. He was a newbie just like them. For their sake it made sense to leave. Still, with no more of those zombified vampires running up their way, it was a free and clear go. Her hesitation was evident on her face. Conflict played in her eyes.

((Sorry, it is such a small post...))

(No do not worry ;A;. I feel bad for not being here asdfghjkl;.... I missed you.)

Daisy stumbled a little before looking back. "Well?" She saw the way Rachel looked and braced the wall, feeling dizzy. "Rachel, if they regroup then they will do it whether or not we are here. Either way we are in trouble and if we keep going then we are likely to get hurt. Alex is telling us to leave because he KNOWS what is going on and what will happen if we do not leave." She paused and looked at Alex for confirmation. Alex nodded and looked over at Rachel. "She is right. If we do not leave you are in danger. Hell, I am even in danger now since they caught me on your side."

(Awww, I missed you too Daisy ^_^)

Rachel sighed and unclenched her fists. "Alright, fine. But you have a lot of explaining to do. And I know a safer place than the dorms to go to." She nodded to Jeff while she reached for Daisy's unsteady arm. Taking her and Alex in a tight grip, because she was frustrated and angry, she felt Jeff touch her back and teleport them outside. The others in the photography club looked up at them mystified. She said to them, "There is an emergency, get to the school office and tell them that vampires of were created from humans. Those lower level vampires that go crazy from having monster genes forced into them." She saw them blink in confusion, then horror dawn on their faces. They were already running as she whispered over her shoulder to Jeff, "The top of the building where our club rooms are at." He teleported them there. A place no stairs led to.

(How is the event going for you?)

Daisy and Alex blinked a few times in the room. All of this teleporting had made Daisy even dizzier. Alex settled down on the ground. He was more comfortable there than anything else. Daisy sat in a small chair and looked at everyone. "I feel a bit better now that I am sitting..."

Alex readied himself and rolled his shoulders. He felt as though they were going to crucify him or something. His nerves were on end again, threatening to ruin his composure. "So... here we are." He looked at Rachel and Jeff. "I am part vampire. The people who attacked you are a part of this organization set on ruling over everything." Alex let it sink in before starting again. "They took the elders and powerful monsters hoping that would help the process." Alexandre crossed his arms.

(the event is going okay... I have the first three pages of event commons and read to buy those tops on page four. Really, really want those tops. How is it going for you?)

(Oh, and we are on top of the roof of a really tall building ^_^)

(Minus the chair part of me then. XD Just act like I was sitting on the roof like Alex.)

( I just started getting the event points and stuff. TwT)

(It is a lot of fun :) And your avi looks like she is have fun too ^_^)

Staring at Alex, Rachel couldn't believe she had heard right. She looked over at Daisy and Jeff in shock, then turned back to Alex. Swallowing, she tried to see if she heard him right, "Let me get this straight. You have vampire blood in you. You know what is happening to all the other disappearing monsters. You know that some strong vampires are trying to take over, which is one against the monster treaty and two something the rest of us wouldn't want. Then three, my conclusion, is... you agree? With them?" She looked at him like he had suddenly sprouted two horns and was wearing bright glittery pink.

(I am glad it is fun. My avatar is having fun haha.)

Daisy's mouth could have been on the floor if it was possible. Had she heard all of it correctly? She guessed so. Alex sighed and ran a hand through his hair, his ears flat on his head. "Well yes I do have vampire blood in me." He opened his mouth for emphasis and they could see his canines lengthen a little and his eyes take on a light glow, not red like the movies but a soft glow, making his eyes seem to shimmer and lighten. He pressed on, addressing her concern. " You are correct in every sense of the word...sadly I do agree with them. I wanted power and they promised that." He stopped and glanced at Daisy. "If I may say something... and I know it won't make up for it but, when I met Daisy and started to become friends with all of you it sort of changed the way I thought. So to answer you, in a way I do and in another light I do not agree with them."

(I am going to run. Christmas lunch at a friends place.)

Shaking her head, Rachel decided to try to understand where he was coming. Questions were usually the best way. Things were definitely getting worrisome. If clumsy Alex could be on their side... "Well, Alex, why do you want power?" Start there and then progress to figuring out how he thought he could have it. He was a lower level monster. They would have made him their servant through whatever means they needed: guilt, blackmail. It didn't matter. In the world of monsters, he was a no one and that he had fallen ploy to their prowess had proven that all the more. Her opinion of the feline was dwindling by the second.

(Alrighty dear. Oh it is Christmas over there! I forgot >.<" MERRY CHRISTMAS DARLING <3)

Alex cocked his head. "Well for one, I am not as weak as you think and they told me to "dumb it down" so to say." He knew what she was trying to get at. The tension in the air was thickening. "I wanted power for reasons I would not like to disclose but since I promised to answer your questions I guess I have to. I was maybe 10 and my father despised me, hurt my mother many times and I was powerless to do anything about it. I had made friends with several of my kind and they told me of a certain organization that could help me with my problem." He stopped and closed his eyes. "So, with that I went to them and they told me they could grant me power and take me under their wing... They promised to make the bad things go away, which they did." Alex sighed and took a breath.
Daisy's eyes widened and she stood up. "They killed your father didn't they!?" Alex nodded slightly. "Yup, they did." His nonchalance made Daisy's nose crinkle up into a snarl. "No matter what your father did he did not deserve to die..." She spat. Alex shrugged outwardly but on the inside that jab struck him to the core. "He deserved it and they trained me pretty well. They even got me enrolled in this school. I owe them but at the same time I can see that what they are doing is wrong." Daisy was speechless and decided to cross her arms in annoyance instead of taking out her anger on him. Her icy glare bore into the back of his head and she knew he could feel it.

(Merry Christmas!! ^^ Yes it is Christmas here. Been a good day so far.)

At the mention of letting his dad get killed, of being the reason primarily for his death, Jeff grew still. His face became expressionless and eyes let no emotion through. They were as black as anything could get. Rachel saw and knew what was going through his mind. It was going through hers as well. You couldn't choose your family, but you still did your best for them within reason. That was going a bit far, even in defense of him and his mother. A part of her wished that he wasn't so solid about this. He appeared so confident and nonchalant. She knew she could finish him off right here and now. With the vampire blood now coursing through his veins, he was that much more burnable. Nothing killed a vampire faster than a spark. She had but to engulf him. Voice steel cold, she asked, "What made you change your mind?"

(That is really good to hear. Mine was busy busy BUSY)

He sat still, trying not to look at anyone. Alex knew he sounded bad but he was younger and vulnerable at that time. Upon hearing Rachel's words and tone of voice the reality set in. They think I am a monster. In all sense of the word. "Well, I thought all of you higher ups here were... what is the word... evil. That is why I decided to make friends with lower level monsters and ride it out in this school. My father was a high level monster so..." He trailed off and sighed. He decided to let out some of what he was feeling inside. "It isn't an excuse but I guess I am afraid and when I got to know you I realized not everyone is that bad. You are not as bad as this organization made you all out to be. I was being brainwashed and when you were confronted by them and forced to fight I knew I had to help because you are my friends." Alexandre's voice cracked and Daisy realized it was her turn to speak up since he was done. Her voice was harsh and icy. "Even though what you said infuriates me-" Looking at Rachel and Jeff who seemed distant and very clouded by anger she added in a softer tone, "I understand why you did it." Daisy looked down at Alex then back up to the people she had come to know. "Rachel what he did is unforgivable but you have to see where he is coming from at least. He was young, afraid, and he just wanted a way out of the pain he felt at the time I guess. I did the same thing years ago, maybe not at the same level but just enough that it was detrimental to my own mental health... Surely you both can relate as well with things in your own lives. Think about it." Her voice was stern and she sounded different, not the soft spoken girl Rachel knew. Daisy was slightly ticked off they shouldn't be trying to chastise him at this moment. The guy next to her was broken, the school was in chaos, and it was only a matter of time before the vampires will strike again, looking for them.

(Eh, tell me if that was any good. I just woke up haha.)

((lol, it looks fine dear ^_^ ))

Sighing, Rachel shook her head, "I don't condone what you did. However, we all have done things we are not proud of. As I did say earlier, you helped Daisy so that must mean you have some good in you. You are not going to be unfriended, just, give me time. I need time." She turned and looked at Jeff. He swallowed, "It is a hard thing for me to accept you Alex. Where I come from, family is everything and everyone else is nothing. Still, after being here the Photography club is similar to me in relations to my family. So. I will try to understand. I don't, but I will try." He turned and looked at the edge of the room, "strategy time." Rachel turned and nodded, "Vampires can't resist blood. The second cafeteria has plenty of... raw materials... that we might be able to use. But how to create a trap?"

Daisy smiled and nodded, happy with what they said even if it wasn't what she expected. Alex was somewhat relieved and he stood up. "There are many ways to make a trap and set one for vampires. Most of the pure bloods can resist the urge for blood though the fledglings should have a hard time resisting." He began to stretch. "I think the easiest way is to find a secluded place, place the trap, and stake it out. What do you think?" Daisy gestured to the campus below them.

Rachel shrugged, "It won't be so easy. If blood doesn't bring them, then it will have to be an ambush we create. I can use my magic to set up fire traps once they are in the ambush, but distracting our targets so that they don't outrun my flames will take some creative thinking."

Daisy grinned at Alexandre. "Well then creative thinking are what us artist do best. What distracts vampires most Alex?" Alex tapped his chin and thought hard. "Well one thing I know is harmful to myself is immersion in running water... which is why I was pretty apprehensive back at the pool. There is a running brook not to far from here and-" Daisy chimed in. "That's where I was when I was attacked!" A shiver ran down her spine and Alex's eyes widened at her intrusion but he looked down at her, frowning a bit in reaction to her words. "Rachel, when was she attacked?" He raised a brow in annoyance and clenched his teeth. Daisy scowled and sighed before speaking. "Well let's go by what I told Rachel...

... a tree seemed to come alive and tried to grab me. I got away and someone was chasing me but by the time I stopped running and turned around no one was there.

So I was being chased by something near the creek." A few birds could be heard happily chirping in the distance, seeming to fill the silence with a happy song that didn't fit the situation. Alexandre looked at Rachel and Jeff solemnly. "Did this happen around the time you pulled Daisy to the mage class instead of letting her go to art class?" He let out a low growl, his ,mind filling with assumptions. "Did you think it could have been me who tried to attack her? Do you REALLY think I would do that?" His voice had an icy tone to it and was eerily calm sounding, minus the exaggeration of some words.

Daisy tapped Alex on the shoulder. Once he turned his head she smacked him hard across the face. "Get a hold of yourself. She was only trying to protect me. How were we supposed to know? I never thought you had anything to do with this in the first place but look where that got me. You lied Alex. Even if you want to help now that can't happen with you spouting nonsense that can be handled later. Our main priority is to get this over with."

(O.o I went a bit overboard I think. My fingers wouldn't stop XD)