Donegal Town Ireland (Invite Only)

[morgandubhbraon]

Morgan scurried after her as she had gotten a start on him. The fool villagers weren't in any hurry as usual and one got in her way and knocked her down before he could shout or do anything to stop him. The man tried to apologize but she had scurried away. Morgan called out an apology in passing and hurried after her. He tried not to call any more attention to them, but it was inevitable in a village this size.

He came up behind her shoving the hidden closure on the gates aside and pushing them through. It was a short jolt to the front doors which were never locked and he lead her through and into the respite darkness. He tossed the hat to his sideboard armoire and held his hands out for the cloak. Silly people are never where you need them! But always where you don't want them. It must be a hidden law of some sort. I'm sorry I wasn't closer to help you. You sort of startled me when you took off so fast. I wasn't ready I guess. I suppose I still have a lot to learn about being aware of my surroundings, don't I? He laughed at his self degrading joke. It was intended to lighten the mood a little.

He pulled the cloak into a wad and tossed it on the armoire beside the hat and made to show her to some comfortable quarters. He still had a little time before the regular staff were due in, so he would have to make up the rooms himself. But it was nothing he wasn't used to. He often had friends drop by unexpectedly and he would set up their rooms so as to save the staff the hassle. He never thought himself above the work and he did it easily and well. Well then this way if you're tired, or that way if you're bored and would like to see what is in the old place.

[lucyloo]

Lucy laughed. “Yeah, it takes some time.” She released the heavy cloak and shrugged off any feeling of it. It wasn’t so much that she hated it, she just hated the constant hiding that took place in it. She looked up, and noticed the scenery of the castle itself. It did have some to offer for a newcomer. Thoughts and more thoughts blocked out any other conversation he was trying to have with her.

She hadn’t talked to Travis in a while. She wondered if he had forgotten about the plane ride he was supposed to schedule for her arrival back to the states. He was her manager for god’s sake! Why wasn’t he keeping her informed?! She rolled her eyes at the thought. She didn’t know where the rest of them were either. The ‘rest of them’ meaning the band members. Yeah, she was in a band. She didn’t mention that? Oh well, it wasn’t that big of a deal anyway.

As if on cue she heard her phone ring from her clutch that she, miraculously, held onto the entire time. She opened it and pulled out her phone. It was Travis. She rolled her eyes, and looked up at Morgan. “I’m sorry about this. It’ll only be a minute. I promise.” She walked over to a nearby wall and turned away from him and flipped open her phone. “What Travis?!” His words were slurred, and if she didn’t know any better, she would’ve thought that he was drunk. But he never drank, he must’ve been in a rush. “ Lucy! Your plane is coming tonight! Are you sure you want to leave so soon?! You don’t have any other stops on your tour except for Australia, and I know how much you’ve wanted to go there.” He added in sarcasm and she laughed. She loved that about her manager. “Uhm,” she turned back around and peered at Morgan for a split second. “Could you just hold it off until tomorrow? At least in the morning.” Her voice had became higher, and more influenced with English accent. It always happened after she fed. “ Of course darling. I’ll call you in the morning. Kisses.” She smiled and clicked the phone shut. It was amazing to have the power she did.

She walked back to Morgan. “Sorry, I had to take the call.” She turned back the way she was previously before the distraction. “Fancy place you’ve got here. It’s very nice.”

[morgandubhbraon]

Morgan grinned at her playful appearance. He couldn't help but grin at her as he heard her phone ring. He actually laughed. She'd had a phone on her the whole time, and he had never noticed. What would happen next! He moved to organizing the armoire to buffer some noise and give her privacy in the echoing entryway. They had not really even entered the foyer yet, this was just a place for the butler to take your coat and overshoes as the occasion presented itself.

Morgan occupied himself gazing at the arched dooray that lead into the foyer, the grand stairwell, a double spiral creation of marble and filagree could be seen. Its hard oak bannisters and handrails gleaming from years of touching and buffing. The huge chandalier glinted in the low wattage lighting and send prisms of color everywhere. To their left was another door, this lead directly to the pantries and holding room of the castle. The freezers and such were there convenient for grocery deliveries. To the right was an alcove that housed a curved bench and a cuppola cut into the wall holding gleaming trinkets his mother had unearthed.

He passed through the archway and stood there waiting. He knew he would show her to the rooms on the left where there was a nice canopied sleigh bed she could get lost in; and was en suite so she had a private bathroom also. The music room and grand ballroom were off that wing also, she might like that. Up one level were more suites; the entire third floor was suites of rooms. The fourth floor was his mother's showroom and her private office. Above that was his father's study and a rather large modern computer room. One more floor up found the movie theatre. and above that was the attic and turrets.

To the right was his wing, where his quarters were housed up two floors on the fourth floor. On the third level was a suite of guest rooms and the library. Down one level and you found the solarium and conservatories. Above his rooms were a bank of studies and offices. And topping that were the attic spaces which could prove quite fun. His rooms were one of the turret rooms and he had a study set up in the rounded space.

She finished her call as he finished contemplating the interior of the house. There was no need to show her the kitchens, so he planned his tour accordingly. Well I think you;'ll like the left wing, Lucy. There's a great suite I'd like to show you and teh music room and grand entrance to the ballroom are there also. My mom's showcase room and Dad's study are there too. Sound interesting or would you rather to just explore on your own?

[lucyloo]

Lucy peered down the hallway slightly. “Uhm, you can show me around. I don’t want to get lost in here.” As if that was an option for her in the first place. Well, actually, it was. She did have the habit of getting lost often. Most of those times, she ended up flipping out. And not in the good way either. If there was a good way of flipping out.

She awaited his lead. She didn’t want to end up going the wrong way, and making a fool out of herself. She had that habit also. So much for being a quote ‘graceful vampire.’ She rolled her eyes at the thought. The stereotype people set for vampires in the first place was stupid, let alone the real truth. She chuckled at the accusations she had heard about her kind before. Being afraid of garlic!? The only thing that did was annoy the hell out of her. It was just, a repulsive spice. And the whole cross thing?! Seriously, who the hell came up with those things anyway? Some old guy in his mother’s basement?! Come on. She was focusing too much on the thought. She shrugged it off, or at least attempted to.

She zoned back into the scenery around her. It was an honor to actually be in a place like this. Let alone meet the ‘lord’ of the land. She smirked. Yes, she was used to meeting famous people. Hell, she was one. But something like this, she never thought would happen to her. Never. She looked around once again, forcing herself to believe that she was actually in someone’s company, and not by herself, while spacing out. She looked at the stairs and the marble color they held, before peeling herself away to start her way toward the archway.

[morgandubhbraon]

Morgan nodded at Lucy. He wasn't the usual one to play host. His mother had always had that job; a thought which saddened him as he headed towards the stairs. Well this is my home; I was born here, in my parent's suite and grew here my whole life til now. He chuckled darkly, I was even reborn here, in my suite. He looked down at the ground momentarily as if checking the marble floor tiles. Then he put a smile back on his face and turned to face her.

So what would you like to see? How about the grand tour? We can start here on the main floor and finish at your wing so if you feel like resting; or just want to know how to find it you can. He lead her through all the rooms on teh main floor, pointing out the kitchens and the sitting room and then the bathrooms on that level. He wound his way up the back stairs to the third level, and on to his suites which began where these stairs ended. These are my rooms. This first is my main quarters, and that door there is the sitting room and I have my own bathroom between them, but you can't get to it from out here. Past them is another suite just like mine, I guess if I had siblings they might have shared this wing. As I don't; these rooms were reserved for my guests and others who needed a room for the night. The rooms I chose for you are on the other wing. I thought it might suit you better. The music rooms and libraries are closer to you there. So if you choose to wander you might find something to do closer to you, and you have the whole wing to wander in! He smiled at her, hoping she thought his idea was a good one. They were at the top of the main stair case now, the one from the front of the house; and he was getting ready to lead her back down to the second floor.

[lucyloo]

Lucy smiled at the statement. A music room and libraries huh? She could keep herself occupied there for a while. More than a while, most likely the whole day and part of the night she could spend in a library or a room filled with music. She did before when she was a little kid too. Always being attracted to music and reading like it was a drug to her. She smirked at the thought. Her mother encouraged that too. Probably because she knew that those qualities would come in handy one day. If they could really even be called qualities.

She analyzed attentively as he led her through all of the rooms on the main floor. It was all beautifully magnificent. If she used those words correctly. Nonetheless, it was an amazing place all around. Not one thing she found wrong with it, that was, until he told her that this was also the place where he was reborn. She winced at that also. Why, in gods name, would you ever want to be reborn in your own residence?! Well, maybe she should have more of an open mind. Maybe he wasn’t changed with as much, force, as she was. And not as violent either. Everyone was changed differently. She hated bringing up that subject, for that very reason. She hated her sire with her everything. If she ever saw him again, you would bet that there would be a third world war to go along with it. She shrugged off the thought, hoping for it to vanish within seconds. It didn’t.

She refocused as they started back down the staircase. “It’s all very wonderful. Thanks again for having me.” She mumbled, barely even loud enough for anyone to hear. But she knew he would, if he was paying attention to what she was doing. She had gotten eerily quiet as the tour went on. She thought she was doing it so that she wouldn’t space out, and go rambling on and on about useless things. But she had to say so herself, she was excited about seeing her ‘room’ , let alone the wing that she was staying in.

[morgandubhbraon]

Morgan felt her change of emotion as a cold tub of water being dumped over his head. He tried to shake it off and smile in spite of it. He lead her down to the suite on the right. He stopped at the entrance hall. He had a suite chosen for her; and he walked unerringly to it, third door middle of the hall. He stood in front of it and paused. These will be your suites for as long as you are here. He pulled the doors open with a flourish, double doors gilded in silver leaf and carved oak. He grinned and turned; the air was not stale and he was pleasantly surprised.

The windows weren't open now but had been recently, the staff were nothing if not thorough, and they aired different rooms on a rotating schedule. He flipped the switch and the sconces and chandalier jumped into life. They were also gilded silver and their wrought metal was shaped into roses. The bulbs were shaped like candles to recall the past they used to look like. They were in a sitting room at the moment, it was all mauve and navy and black velvet. Wing chairs flanked a fireplace in black marble. There was an ottoman between them and a service for drinks rested on it. There was a full bar in the corner on an etagere of carved oak.

Nearest the door were setees flanking each side in damask silk blazing with these bold colors. He entered the room and swept it with his gaze to see what she might need attended to. There were finger towels on the bar, and a throw draped over the chair's arm. He passed through still inspecting and took note of the large bed. It was opulently piled with blankets and pillows. He laughed.

At least he wouldn't have to bring in sheets and blankets. He peered into the bathroom and saw plush towels in mauve and navy, and relaxed fully. Well, here's the bed, and bath. I don't know if you would want, but there are closets of clothes that were bought just for guests who arrived unexpectedly and without proper entouorage. He gestured to a pair of armoires flanking the floor to ceiling mirror. The one on the right was carved with roses, the one on the left with doves and pheasant rising from the brush. It was easy to assume which held which gender. There was a third neutrally carved with scrollwork that was empty for guests arriving with clothing. His mother had thought of this once when a friend had dropped in and had been forced to remain for a week after a late season storm had snowbound them.

He turned to face her to see her reaction to everything and hoped her mood had lifted a little.

[lucyloo]

Lucy followed as he led her to her room. Everything really was ravishing. That was merely an understatement for it all, though. She couldn’t think of a better word to use for it. All of the ones she came up with, failed to meet the desired expectation.

As he opened the doors, she couldn’t help but brace herself for the impact. The awe that would soon strike her. She didn’t want to get carried away with it all, but she failed, miserably. As soon as those doors unlocked the treasure locked behind them, she literally lost control of all of her motor functions. Good thing she didn’t have to breath.

The navy and black velvet caught her eye first. Just the color combination, made her emotions leap with excitement. She had wanted those colors for her own residence, but she had never gotten the time to do the change. She pried herself away from only the colors that flooded the room and focused back on the room itself. She really had been spacing out a lot more often…

She maneuvered herself around the suite and gazed at practically everything. The bed, the bath, everything. Nothing slipped away from her eye. She tried to not look like a creeper, but even she wasn’t used to anything like this. She turned her attention to Morgan as he spoke, then to the closets as he mentioned them. They were… big. Really, really, big. She arched an eyebrow and felt like ripping them open in his presence. But, she had to contain herself. She was after all, only a guest. Even though there was a male and a female closet, she would probably open both of them, out of force of habit.

She examined the room once again and smiled, uncontrollably. “Morgan. This is, really amazing. I could never thank you enough for allowing me to reside here for the time being.”

[morgandubhbraon]

Morgan watched her actions. Her whole body was more relaxed and she seemed a bit better. He grinned and was thrilled by her reaction. He knew there was a wide assortment of clothing to choose from, and he felt glad to have an excuse to entertain. He had been too alone and his home far too empty. Her contained joy was humorous, he would have taken in stride any reaction, but she was pleased and that was his main objective.

Why don't I leave you to get more comfortable. I'll be wandering around for a while, and you have the whole of the place to relax in and explore. Feel free to head up to the music rooms, or the library. If you desire I have a great wine cellar under the kitchens, you remember where they were? Well you'll find them. Oh and if you think you're lost just find a hallway and head straight as far as you can. You'll come to a staircase at the end of every floor, or the elevators my Dad had installed for the future. Just head down to the bottom floor and you should be able to find your way back here. He grinned at her. He didn't want to leave, yet they had been running all night and he wanted to clean up, so surely she would also?

He turned away to leave her alone. He was glad they had met, and just as glad that she seemed to like the suite. He had thought of her when he selected this one. It seemed like it suited her personality. He was glad he'd guessed correctly. I shall be wandering around, if you need me yell I'll hear no matter where you are. He was smiling, because he loved this new joke of his. Being a vampyre was becoming fun in all teh new experiences he had discovered.

[lucyloo]

Lucy nodded. “Will do.” she chuckled briefly. “Don’t worry, this place is so big, it would be hard for someone like me to not get lost.” She laughed again and listened as the door clicked closed as he exited her room for the evening. The grin on her face exploded as soon as she turned around and eyed the room. She threw her phone on the bed after turning it off. No distractions from relaxing today. None. And she would be sure of it.

She drew herself a bath and slunk into the water. Having the silence surround her made her feel more comfortable. She began humming her most recent song, force of habit for her. She let her mind wander, she would surely regret this action, she just knew it.

FLASHBACK!

She was sitting in her room. Only but fifteen years old, she was watching her brother today. Not that very out of the ordinary. She had to watch him every day out of the week, regardless if her mother and father had work or not. The problem was, he was only six years old. He was CONSTANTLY running around the house like a ‘chicken with it’s head cut off’. She hated that part, but it gave her excellent exercise so, why not? They had just gotten done eating lunch and he wanted to go to the ‘big field’, as they called it anyway. It was just a field for future cattle to graze in, but in the mean time, they ran around there. She gathered up her brothers as her sisters decided to stay behind because they thought that it ‘was just a meaningless stupid waste of time.’ She pushed her brothers out the door finally and raced them to the field they were preparing to have adventures in. They reached the field and fell into a circle at the top of one of the hills. Their heads facing into the center for easier communication. The sky had suddenly gotten grey since they had been there for some odd hours. She knew it was going to start raining at any moment so she had risen from her place in the circle and looked down the hill into the shadows being caused by the trees. She saw a darker figure being outlined in the darkness. Just lurking in the shadows, watching her. She rushed her words into each other telling her brothers to go back home before something happened. Even though half of her brothers were older and more powerful than her, she still shooed them away. And still to this day, she was glad she did that. For that day, she met her sire.

REALITY![/size]

She forced herself to focus back into the life surrounding her and how well she was doing. She grabbed a towel from the rack and wrapped it around her boney figure. She drained the water from the bath and wandered toward the closets holding the clothes that Morgan was telling her about. She smiled widely and flung open the female closet, along with the male one. She eyed the clothes in both of the closets. They were wonderful, along with the castle. It made sense. She got an idea. She raced toward the bed and flipped open her phone and played the programmed music on her phone. None of her, herself, but of some of her favorite bands.

She placed the phone on a stand and allowed the music to float it’s way around the room. She slipped into numerous items of clothing from the female’s side, checking herself constantly in the mirror with every different piece she had on. Sometimes making crazy faces and ending up laughing at herself. She was just like a little kid inside, playing dress up. She laughed at the thought and eyed the male’s side. The action itself was utterly stupid, but hey, she was having some of the most fun she had, had in a while so why not? She slunk herself into some of the clothes from that side and eyed herself in the mirror. She really was short. And rather boney. Every single piece of clothing made her look like a doll in human’s clothes. She laughed at herself. It really would be pathetic if she were a male.

She returned the male’s clothes after fiddling around with them. She really had taken a liking to one outfit she threw together on the female’s side. She placed the outfit back on herself and glared at herself in the mirror. It would do, actually, it would do amazingly. She grabbed her clutch from the bed also and threw on some makeup. It really wouldn’t matter, but she felt the need. She smiled once again in the mirror and returned to pick up the phone. perfect.

She opened the main doors and closed them quietly. She didn’t know who would be lurking around the halls. So she took her chances. It wouldn’t really be that hard to find a music room would it? Well, at least she hoped it wouldn’t.

[morgandubhbraon]

Morgan took to wandering the halls after leaving Lucy's rooms. He stopped into his suites for a quick shower and change of clothing, a simple pair of long silk dressing pants and matching jacket. He slipped into soft black leather slippers and walked through the corridors like a ghost. He caught the scent of her bath water even on the fourth floor and smiled. It was nice to have a guest. He wandered aimlessly for a while before he eventually made a stop in the library. His eyes glossed over the selections he knew by heart and he moved to a tall cabinet where several volumes of classical Literature were kept. He pulled one at random from the shelf and tucked it under his arm. He began to pace the halls again.

Eventually he wound up back at the first floor near the kitchens. He pushed through the swinging door the servants used during dinner parties and into the working kitchen proper. There was the lingering scent of warmth and food prepared here. The origional stone fireplace oven was intact and still used. There was even an open hearth for hanging large soup pots and the holiday meats were often roasted over the spit and turned by hand there. He smiled mournfully as he realized he would never have a family dinner anymore. He had grieved for his mother, yet he had never let her go. The finality hit him hard suddenly and he rushed out of the kitchen leaving the book on the table, forgotten.

He swiftly moved through the house looking for any room that would not remind him of her. There was only one room that she never frequented and would hold no sad memory of her loss. His feet led him to the music room. This room was his and his father's sanctuary. His fatehr had been gone enough that ot helpd no real ties for Morgan, and he'd been dead long enough it wasn't sad even if it had. He walked through the room, his hand trailing over the sleek glossy piano case, his eyes casting around. He saw his guitar in the corener and grinned. He popped open the catches and looked at the beautiful hummingbird. The strings were still bright adn he picked it up gently. His fingers caressed it and wound around the stock like an old memory. He strummed it and found it to be almost in tune.

After minor adjustments he began to pick through a few pieces before settling to some classical dirges. He closed his eyes and allowed his fingers to make their way over the guitar by memory and feel. Soon he was more sure and his fingers thrummed against the strings plucking out Irish melodies. Eventually he bid his mother farewell as he played Danny Boy with his eyes still closed and tears streaming from under his lashes.

[lucyloo]

Lucy kept wandering around the hallway, making sure that no one would hear her, and if they would, it would only be by accident. She tip toed along the side of the hallway, attempting to be like a chameleon. Blending into the walls. Then again, if she ran fast enough, she could appear to be. But, she would never run in a residence, especially in one like this. Too many things could go wrong, and her klutziness would kick in, right at the wrong time; as always.

She wandered along and noticed the library first. She peeked in slightly and saw the many rows of books lined on the shelves. She smiled slightly, she always took much pleasure in reading. It gave her imagination a chance to wander to far away places. She always liked the book versions of something, rather than the movie version. Because in the movies, they would give the characters guidelines on their appearance, and their attitudes. She just thought that the movies ruined the books, that was why she never watched any movies anymore.

She walked up and down the rows of books, stopping every now and then to look at them. She arrived at an aisle and picked up a book at random. She flipped open the front cover and inhaled quickly, she loved the smell of books, especially the old ones. Weird? Probably. She plopped down on the floor beside the bookshelf and began reading. The images seemed to cross her mind like her own made up movie. It was probably an hour before she finished. She was a fairly fast reader, even for a vampire. She rose and placed the book back on the shelf before returning to her destination.

She exited the Library and walked down the hallway, just as silently as she had before. She passed by a room, maybe it was the music room? She wasn’t sure, but it had a piano in it, so she guessed that it was. She entered the room and was swept away by the piano case alone. She trailed her fingers over it and felt the texture of it on her palms. She lifted the cover from the white and black keys and her eyes lit up. She loved the piano. Loved it. She knew that now, she would have to by pried away from here if she was planning on doing anything.

She wandered around the side and propped up the top of the case, reveling the strings and other twined things that made the majestic sound. She walked back around to the keys and pulled out the bench. She knew exactly what she was going to play, but she didn’t know how loud it was going to be. Having the case propped up, made it harder for her to see if anyone was in the room with her, but she guessed that no one was. She played a key. C to be exact. Hearing it only echo slightly, she smiled. It was in tune, too. She dug through her memory of songs that she enjoyed to play and decided on her own version of Kiss the Rain. It was very beautiful, even when she would mess up a few times, making the flat a sharp or vice versa. It made her want to cry. She felt a stray tear escape her power and all she could hope was that Morgan wouldn’t get mad for the tears ending up on the keys.

[morgandubhbraon]

Morgan heard her soft footfalls as she found his sanctuary. He had stopped playing, but had sat in his darkened corner thinking of everything. It was funny how it had taken Lucy to make him realize just how different his life really was. Everything had changed now; except him. His mother's passing had been so sudden adn he had felt incomplete, tonight he had bid her fondest farewell and he felt better about it. His tears were finished, and he knew he wouls never cry for his mother again. He would miss her he would love her and savor her memory, yet he would never cry for her.

He looked at his guitar and smiled, it was a memento from her. He sat there watching Lucy, she was a kindred spirit...but her poison was the piano. He said nothing, moved not a muscle. He loved this effect of his being, to just almost cease to exist, sitting so still and never having to move, no itchy nose, no muscle twitch, just total control. He listened as she began to play and moved only to close his eyes as if it were his own private concert.

He sat there just listening to her, and allowing all his own grief to fade away on the notes of the song. He waited to see if she would play more, and moved only to adjust his position to hear better. His eyes were glints of light in the dark room, neither of them had moved to turn on luminescence, why when there was more than enough light filtering in from the hallway and the candleabra in the alcoves. No they were sharing a passion without even meaning to. Music was a binding force; after all. He grinned in his dark corner silently encouraging her to continue. If she chose a piece he knew he could join in and they could play together.

[lucyloo]

She dabbed at her eyes with the palm of her hand, hoping not to smear anything on her face. Yet another reason why she didn’t let her emotions get to her. She straightened up. She didn’t really know why she was crying, maybe it was just the atmosphere that was surrounding her. A family type of deal, yes. That was most likely it. She leaned forward over the keys of the piano. Pressing the tips of her fingers into her forehead. It wasn’t that she didn’t like to think about her family, they were all amazing people in fact. That was, except for her father. She forced her eyes closed, attempting to keep some rage inside. She pressed her fingers against her temples, trying to focus herself back onto the instrument in front of her.

She perked up at the slight noise. Thinking someone was coming, she kept herself on edge. She didn’t want to be ‘forceful’ but, if someone ever rubbed Lucy the wrong way, that’s what she did. Every time. She kept her eyes on the doorway for a good five minutes before relieving her nerves. Maybe it was herself? Maybe she moved her feet without knowing, oh well. She looked back down at the keys and kept thinking for a while. She didn’t want to play another song like that. No. She just couldn’t bring herself to do it.

She skimmed through her mind, playing parts of songs back in her head. She knew this one song very well. She just couldn’t remember what the name of it was. She knew it was by Beethoven, of course. He was her favorite composer of all time. No one could perform like he did. She loved seeing him in his performances. Wow, she really was old. She laughed at herself briefly and began the alluring song. She pressed her eyes closed and allowed the music to flow through her veins and control her fingers for her.

[morgandubhbraon]

Morgan could not play along with this song, he wasn't trained in classical guitar far enough to keep up. He was appreciative of the music and decided to rise from his dark corner when She was finished playing, You play exceptionally well Lucy, so much passion and feeling poured into the ivories. My mother would be pleased someone is playing my father's piano. I never had the discipline to do more than simple nursery songs and Silent night...no flourishes added. He grinned and then realized he had just appeared as if oput of nowhere. Oh and I apologize for not letting you know I was here. I was playing earlier, and then just sitting thinking. When you came in you were preoccupied and then you began to play and I didn't want to disrupt you. You play so well. He was grinning at her and gripping the neck of his guitar loosely.

He stood there in his silk dressing clothes, not really fit for company, yet not ashamed. He was comfortable here at home, and he hoped she would overlook his informality. He had not been certain he would run into her today, he had been unsure also just what his plans were. He had been playing things as a chance circumstance, allowing whatever happened to happen. What he was most glad of was that his guards were gone from the castle and he was alone in his own home again.

He pondered when they had left and why. Had they seen him out with Lucy? He didn't care about that, he was certain that none of Coven Vontaire would grudge him a friend, and he was certain Lucy was that. Even if she reacted badly to his unexpected presence here in the music room. If you would like I can go back down to the library, I had selected a book, but left it down there earlier. I usually like to play alone, so I can respect if you felt the same. His smile was soft and friendly. He would leave if she requested, but he hoped he would be allowed to stay a little longer to hear her play more.