((I'll be honest with you all, I haven't lost interest in posing this story, but I have had little to no free time on my hands. I won't bore you all with the detail but to make a VERY long story short, I've been dealing with violent rounds of depression as well as school and family. It's not that I've ever suffered from depression or been diagnosed with it, but I have had some nasty runs with feeling utterly upset and down thanks to dealings with my hospital. Let's just say, for people that work with a highly sensitive matter, they seem at times very indifferent to it. I can't promise I will post more chapters soon but I will try. The biggest problem is editing the story to make the flow fix right.))

Chapter Twenty Six

Little Boy Lost

*~ Nightly ~*

Mikeal grinned at he knocked the rapier out of Janus' hands for the second time. the boy was good, he had studied the art well for having a year and a halves training, but Mikeal had years of training above him and he wasn't going to let the boy beat him every time.

"Very good, Janus very good," He gave him a bow before feeling about the manor. the uneasy airs had cleared and returned somewhat to normal. "I do believe we can rejoin them again."

He took the two rapiers and set them aside for later use and walked out the door, meeting Aleks in the hallways heading towards the studies.

"Is all well now Aleks?"

"Much." Aleksandr, relieved, smiled at the two of them. "Mikeal... I'll say this in front of Janus to be frank with you... the council does not know about our arrangement, and I doubt Razziel will want to tell them. I do not want you to break my confidence... This is your fledgling - treat him well." He looked at Janus. "...and if you ever think to force me to act as I have with Alice, I'll kill Valentine and put you back in Razziel's hands. Is that understood, Janus?"

"M-m-m'lord!" Janus bowed his head obediently.

"Good. ...thank you both for your help today... I'm rather indebted for it." The man rubbed his temples. "Endless Nights above, what a trying week this has been... It is good to share it with friends."

Even Mikeal felt himself bow like some student to a headmaster at Aleksandr's word. he pulled Janus quickly to his side before looking at Aleks and stating in a joking manner that held a whisper of seriousness under it.

"Over my dead body, he will." He ruffled Janus' hair and nodded at Aleks. "I guess that Alice is resting right now. Good, it may be best for her. Tell me Aleks, where are you head? Perhaps, Janus and I may join you, unless.." He looked at Janus fondly. "Janus, you wish to do something else, until Alice awakens... it's up to you. Think of this... as a new first night as a fledgling."

Aleksandr nodded. "I have a thought... I need to do some research in my library..."

Janus perked up. "Library? I... haven't seen that, have I, Lord Aleksandr?"

"...no, Janus. I keep it off limits. Well.. off-limits to any who aren't under my supervision. Would you like to see it?"

"Yes, m'lord! I won't be in your way - promise."

"While we're in there, make sure you tell me before touching anything. It isn't a safe place, whether its mine or not, understand?"

"Yes, m'lord."

"Research?" Mikeal rose an eyebrow as he followed Aleks to his private library. "On what? Maybe I can help you?"

He had only notice been in the private library and it had been the time Gabby and him had sneaked in without Aleksandr's knowledge. Not that that had lasted very long. They were spotted by one of the imps who happily snitched them out and they both had payed the price for it over Aleks' knee. Blushing at the memory, it reminded Mikeal to write Gabby as soon as he got him. If he recalled correctly, she was living in Spain at the moment. That or Rome.

"i remember this place. Gabby was very fond of it," He commented as he placed a whisper of a finger on the spin of one of the books. "Nearly crushed her when you revoked her permission to enter it again. If I recall recall correctly, it hurt you just as much."

Mikeal smiled at his elder, musing how despite the gap in their ages, they were very close friends. He patted Janus on the head.

"Remember to behave."

The room was almost as large as the ballroom, in some respects - books covered all four walls, and there were four large bookshelves in the middle of the room - the majority of the space left over by this framing of rich lacquered shelving was dominated by a large desk, and several chairs - sconces on the walls and ceiling burned with bright witch-fire.

"Yes, Mikeal." Janus said with a nod.

"We'll deal with Janus first, Mikeal - then I'll tell you what I'm looking for. ...so what would you like to browse, boy?"

"I don't really know, sir."

"Alright... None of the shelves on the left wall are there for you to even look at... nor are the ones behind my desk... anything on the right wall, ask before touching - and the stacks are available, no problem."

"Um... alright. Say, that spell you used, Mikeal? To create the rapier?"

Aleksandr smiled, and snapped his fingers. A thin green tome appeared in front of Janus. "Try that, Janus."

Janus nodded. "Thanks, Aleksandr!" ...and sat down to study.

Aleksandr turned to Mikeal with a smile. "...as for us..." He walked over to the forbidden shelves on the left wall. Two rows were dominated by brown-spined leather-bound books. "...I want to give Alice a chance to say goodbye. I don't know what I'm looking for - necromantic transfer - her spirit appearing to them... a dream-speech invocation... That's why I'm looking. The price doesn't really bother me - I just need to make sure it'll be safe for her."

"Be careful with that book, Janus," Mikeal warned lightly. He knew how Aleks felt about his books. "They are very old and can rip easily. If you rip one out of carelessness, i won't be happy."

He knew he didn't really have to tell the boy that. Razziel had probably beaten that into him by the third day, but he felt the need to say so anyways, just to insure that Janus knew that he felt the smae way about book. he then turned to Aleks.

"That may take some time..." Mikeal glanced about, grabbing a book and flipping through the pages. "Necromantic spells are always pricey things, demanding life for their use. Never the less I'm sure we'll find something."

He glanced at Aleks and patted him on the shoulder laughing lightly under his breath.

"She truly is a typical girl, your Alice. She has you wrapped about her little fingers and doesn't even know it." He joked lightly. "I dare say with the Blood Moon festival comes about, she'll be the belle of the ball. For now however... that spell..."

Aleksandr just nodded to Mikeal, and started browsing the shelves. "...luckily, she's got one of the council's Magi wrapped around her finger... which means I can actually do something for her..."

"Mikeal!" Janus groaned. "I'm not a fool! ...yeesh..." The boy started flipping through the pages when he heard the tinniest little (rip) and froze. "...ah..." He began to flex his magical muscle, prepared to repair the tiny tear, when he suddenly felt a very strong hand on his shoulder.

"...no magic in this room, Janus. You'll kill us all. Understand?"

Janus froze. "I... But- I..." He swallowed - Jake's innocent eyes popped up from under his long face. "...yes... m'lord... I'm.. sorry..."

"Janus!" Mikeal scolded the boy and gave him a flick over the nose. "Be more careful."

Mikeal wasn't going to react more then chaste him. the rip wasn't very big, it was practically invisible to the eye unless one knew where to look. There was no need to over react.

Mikeal returned to his book searching for the spell. This could easily take ages to find something close to what they were looking for.

"Yeow! Mikeal! What was that for?!"

Aleksandr chuckled as he left Janus' side to go back to the stacks.

*riip*

Janus looked down, wide-eyed. He'd tensed his hand - accidentally, but he'd done it - and made the rip wider.

"...shit..." The boy slammed the book shut, and covered his eyes. "...idiot..."

Mikeal gave a heavy sigh and took the book from the boy, looking apologetically at Aleks as he lay the book aside.

"I'll fix it for you once we've found the spell, Aleks. I'm terribly sorry about this," he apologies before looking at Janus sternly and pointing towards the door. "I'm sorry Janus, but if you can not treat these books with respect, I can not allow you to man handle them.
I'm sure there is something you can find to amuse yourself with until Alice is awake. Something that does not involve magic or destruction of the Ratline property."

He sighed to himself, remembering that for every joy there would always be a woe.

Janus' fists balled. "...dammit... Mikeal, I'm sorry. Please, Lord Aleksandr - let me fix it! Just.. .just tell me what I have to do." The boy looked around the room hopelessly. "I don't want to get kicked out this... this is a wonderful place. I'm sorry - it was an accident!"

Aleksandr nodded, understandingly. "Yes. It was. Obey your Sire, Janus."

Janus tensed again, and brusquely got out of his chair, leaving his book where he'd been sitting, and tramped towards the exit with all speed and much anger.

Mikeal groaned as he heard Janus stomping towards the doorway and shut his book completely, setting it aside and called out.

"Janus, come here please," He listened fro the boy's footsteps to come to a halt and return before looking at him. He turned and gave Janus a reprimanding look before pointed at Aleks. "You may leave after you've apologies to Lord Rastline from ripping his property. And you will stop this attitude you are having right now, young man. Just because you are in my care now doesn't mean that you can behave poorly."

He looked at the boy, doing his best to ignoring Aleks next to him. To Mikeal it felt as it the man was suddenly testing him on something he had no idea if he was ready for. It was unnerving.

Janus tensed, and shuffled towards Mikeal as though there was a gun against his head.

"I didn't mean to behave poorly, Mikeal! It was an accident! I... I just got angry - I am sorry Lord Aleksandr - I do apologize! Truly! It isn't an attitude, though, Mikeal! I just got upset! I'm okay! ...okay?"

Aleksandr nodded at Janus' apology, and went back to his browsing without a word.

Mikeal nodded and placed a hand on his boy's shoulder.

"I know that you didn't mean for it to happen, but never the less you did," He explained. "Like Alice you let your temper win you over at times. If she can't get away with it, I can't possibly allow you either, right?"

He looked at the boy and sighed, being a bit of a softy inside.

"We'll fix the book later for Aleks, but not now," He looked the youth in the eyes and smiled kindly. "If you promise to be extra careful, I'll allow you to remain in here and continue reading, with Aleksandr's consent of course. But Janus, if you rip another page in these books, I can asure you, you will find eating dinner while sitting an unpleasant end to the day. Do you understand me?"

He ruffled the boy's hair and left him to make his own choice and continued to research the books. There had to be something.

...if you promise to be extra careful...

Janus turned inward. What does he think I am? A baby?

"...yes sir." His eyes looked cold. Aleksandr sighed - there was no chance the boy was going to stay calm. Something was going to get broken.

"I'm sorry, Janus, but you're looking a bit stressed. I'd have you go somewhere and calm down for a while before I let you come back in. Give it, say, a half-hour?" Alek suggested, delicately.

Janus' fangs threatened to lower. He closed his eyes tight, and lowered his head obediently. "My lord... I am fully capable of..." Janus realized that he was balling his fists tightly enough to draw blood. "...god-dammit!" The boy bobbed his head again, turned on his heel, and started to stamp out of the library before he could make a bigger fool of himself.

Mikeal felt a twitched as he set the book down again and gave Aleks a quick bow. Janus was clearly in need of this more then he had originally thought.

"Excuse me my lord..." Mikeal walked quickly out the library and glanced up and down the hallways looking for his currently angry ward. "Janus? Come here this instance."

Mikeal watched as the boy shot him a glare before nearing him sullenly. He quickly grasp ed his hand and lead the boy back to his own guestroom, leading the child as if he was five.

"I will not put up with a tantrum Janus. I will not," He pushed the boy into his room and moved towards the bed after locking the door. "come here. What is this all about Janus? Help me understand. I'll listen to what you have to say in your defense..."

He hoped the card would play in his favor. Razziel was the kind that didn't listen so hopefully the words would help calm Janus enough to reason with.

Janus looked up at the man - but didn't sit next to him. Right now, he wanted space. "I messed up, okay! I'm sorry! I was an idiot! You flicked me on the nose, and talked to me like I was some damned toddler, and I got angry, alright! I'm sorry! Then I proved I was an idiot, and wanted to get out before I made a bigger fool of myself! Just - please - leave me alone so I stop screwing up!"

The boy found himself cutting into his hands again. His eyes flashed, his body screamed 'upset' - and he couldn't do anything about it.

Mikeal felt his inside ache for the boy. It wasn't surprising that Janus carried physical and mental scars from Razziel's treatment. He looked at the boy before rising to touch him on the shoulder.

"Janus you're not..." he blinked when the boy moved away from him. It was clear the he wanted to be left alone but Mikeal wasn't about to allow him that although he would not touch him until it was necessary. "... you are not a screw up nor are you an idiot. You're talented in many ways, I've only seen a handful of them. What you are though, is still a child and you're learning to deal with the emotional outbursts that came with being a fledgling. There is a reason, we Sires exist. it is to help you along your way."

He studied the boy, hoping that he had listened to him. He wouldn't revert to Razziel's method of beating it into him, but he was new at this role so he was unsure of what to do.

Janus shook his head. "I don't care right now. Please unlock your door. I want to be alone." The boy squeezed his eyes shut, his breathing was labored.

...why am I so upset! Get a grip, stupid...

Janus began to tap his foot, impatiently. He didn't want Mikeal's pity any more than he wanted Razziel's cane, right now. He'd messed up, and he needed to get over it before he hurt someone... or got himself hurt... ...again...

Mikeal suddenly grabbed Janus around the waist and pulled him close to him, ignoring the boy's demands of release and his feeble attempts to get away. He held the hurting child close and shushed him gently. Not the demanding 'be silent or else' kind, but a real loving 'I'm here for you to cry on' shush. Mikeal pulled the boy over towards the bed where he sat down and began to pet his brown hair and rock him gently.

'Such damage you done, Razziel. Such damage,' He thought and held the boy tight. "You may say that you wish to be alone but you're insides cry for something else. I know it's hard Janus Bell, but you can let these emotions out now. No one will hold them against you and no one will mock you..."

The boy thrashed and struggled as he was dragged to the bed, but, of course, he was no match for Mikeal's strength.

Helpless as a baby.

Janus' eyes flashed cold - he pushed his head up and away from the man's shoulder, staring at a spot in the wall, digging in as though he was preparing for another strapping. In a sense, he was - he didn't want to give in.

"I don't care." The boy said, voice icy cold. "Let me go."

He could feel his entire body aching, he was holding himself so tightly - he welcomed the sensation - it kept his mind off of the kindness Mikeal was showing, which was just infuriating him.

Well fine. Just like a caning. Janus dug deep, and waited for the 'pain' to stop. Sooner or later, Mikeal would let him go.

Mikeal sighed to himself as he felt Janus crawl deeper into himself. He didn't know exactly what to do to help the boy. Maybe time was the only healer he had.. at lest until Alice maybe woke up. Janus seemed more open with the girl just as she did him. Giving Janus a final firm hug he released his hold on the child and unlocked the door. He wouldn't lash out at the boy. He was too fragile to do so in the moment.

"Alright, Janus, you win," he sighed allowing the boy to exit the room, but not before giving him a final hug and whispering to him. "But know this. Just as Aleks is proud of his Alice, I am also just as proud of you, my Janus. please do not forget that. When you're ready come and find me. I'll wait however long you need me to."

He finally turned away and headed back the the library were Aleks stood awaiting him.

"I don't know how to reach him, Aleks. He won't let me right now..." He sighed depressed, realizing this was something Aleks himself was working with on Alice from time to time. "have you found anything?"

*~ Nightly ~*

Janus ran down the hall to the ballroom, picked up a rapier, and began to swing, wildly, ignoring the tears running down his cheeks.

*~ Nightly ~*

"Not yet. But I think I'm on the right track." He held up a red book with black binding. "Back up, Mikeal."

The book was Awakening the Dead, Volume 44... As Aleksandr had warned Alice before, the very words in these books could be dangerous if handled improperly. He carried the book to the center of the room - a mandala - a round symbol - on the floor, glittered, and filled the air with a column of silvery-blue light. Aleksandr sighed, and then inhaled deeply. The air flickered as he pulled magic into himself, and, hands glowing a soft violet, opened the book, and began to page through it. Shadows and streaks of something.. awful... began to flicker along the edge of the mandala, as though they and Aleksandr were trapped in a glass bottle together. The man read on silently, ignoring the chaos forming around him.

"...you know, Alice was puttering around in one of these books a few days ago." He said, conversationally. A mouth full of green fangs smashed against the edge of the circle Aleksandr was standing in, and turned to smoke. "...it reminded me that we, as undead, sometimes count as the dead... and some cultures... consider... the sleeping.. to be dead as well... so.. maybe..."

The man's voice began to get a bit strained as worm that appeared to be made of scorpion tails encircled his neck. Aleksandr pressed his lips together, as though peeved at being interrupted, and a brilliant flash of orange filled the circle - when the light cleared, the tail-thing had vanished.

"...perhaps I can find something in here." Alek finished, as he paged through the second half of the book.

"She was?" Mikeal frowned at the knowledge. He recalled Alice writing him once some time ago about curiosity about something called the Shadow Realm. He had told her what he knew, that it was a between world were supposedly these shadows came from. He knew little about it himself and had asked Alice to ask Aleks instead. "Stupid girl... I told her to ask you, not go and fool with the dark arts. i trust you cleared up with little mistake with her soon after before anything happened..."

"Oh yes. We had an interesting week after that little incident. Funny - between that and Razziel's visit... this has been a rather productive week for Alice's education..."

Something fairly draconic lowered itself from a space near the ceiling. Alek threw a hand up, and grasped it at the neck, squeezing as he read.

*~ Nightly ~*

Alice rubbed her eyes something drawing her back into the world of the 'living'. she wasn't sure what it was, but she passed it off as being Klonoa as he scratched violently at the door.

"Again? Geez, you have a small bladder don't you?" She opened the door and stepped out of her room, watching the puppy race down the hallway. "Maybe I should get a doggy door set onto mine..."

She walked about aimlessly for a while, forgetting Aleks' request to find him after she had awakened. She couldn't help but shake the feeling something was off. She just wasn't sure what. Turning a corner she hear the sound of swishes and went to check, relieved that it was just Janus and his sword and not what she first had thought.

"Hey Janus, what are you..." She stopped and neared him seeing his tears. "you okay? what happened?"

Stupid. Stupid! STUPID!

The boy was giving the air hell as he thrust, parried, and worked himself into a frenzy. Everybody was falling apart today, and it was just stupid! Why couldn't he just keep it together? This was a good day! He was free of God-Damned-Fucking Razziel! Forever!

...well, it wasn't like he deserved it.

He froze when Alice walked in.

"I..." He put the rapier behind his back like a child hiding a cookie from his mother. He didn't want to swing it and hurt her - right now, he felt like he might. The urge to run crossed his mind. "Nothing." He took a few steps back, circling towards the door. If he could make it... he'd just run down the hall, and go hide somewhere.

Just like a little baby...

Janus forced his mind away from hurting him, and the conversation to a topic besides how much of an idiot he was. "Um... I'm just working some stuff out. Are you better, now?"

"I'm fine thanks..." She eyed him closely, some was wrong and she knew it but it wasn't what had awoken her at all. Still, her friend was hurting and she wanted to help. "Janu's what's wrong?"

She reached out and grabbed his wrist, preventing him from passing her, only to have him yank it away from her grasp and tell her he wanted to be alone.

"you ass!" Alice growled, angry that he was doing this again. It was like the night Razziel caned him in front of her. "What the fuck is wrong with you? You're not fine that's for sure, so spill..."

She thought for a moment, debating what would be the best thing to do. Naturally she chose the worst one. She got ready to sucker punch him if he gave her lip.

*~ Nightly ~*

"Somehow I'm not surprised..." Mikeal watched Aleks with child like curiosity. He was not good with magic so this was a sort of learning experience for him. "What exactly are you doing?"

"Oh... just preventing these fiends from tearing my soul out while I look at forbidden lore... If it wasn't for this circle I'm in, you'd be having quite the time right now, Mikeal. Quick. Get a piece of paper. I think I've found the right spell." Aleksandr squeezed the draconic shadow until it made a sound rather like slamming dozen eggs into a brick wall, and vanished. "I can't exactly bring the book out there, and this is getting tiresome..."

*~ Nightly ~*

"No! Leave me-"

Janus saw the fist coming up as though it was in slow motion. His adrenaline was running hot, and the young vampire was full of energy he didn't know he'd had. He sidestepped the punch, and brought his other arm up - and froze.

He realized he was pointing a sword at Alice. It was right there, an inch away from her ribcage.

He dropped the weapon, and fled the room, rushing as fast as he could up to the library, where he began to pound on the door.

*~ Nightly ~*

"...during a half-moon. Got all that?" Alek waited for Mikeal's nod, and clapped the book shut. "Alright. Tommorrow night, then, I can open the book... ah... safely." The fiends had vanished, and Aleksandr stepped out of the circle.

wham!wham!wham!

"Mikeal... get that. I believe its your boy."

"I do believe soUMPH!" Mikeal had barely opened the door when Janus semi-tackle him apologies so fast that Mikeal had not clue what he was say. "What in the world? Janus I wasn't mad at you I told you... Oh dear! Aleks!"

Mikeal quickly moved Janus safely behind him just as Alice can storming down the corner.

"Janus you fucking prick!" She roared, her temper weaving with her own untrained magic and lashing out about the place, shattering glass and braking tables. "How could you do that! You could have killed me!"

"What is going on here?!" Mikeal looked between the enraged draculina and the frighten boy behind him. "Can't we leave you two alone for more then three minutes without you getting in trouble? What happened?"

Alek's eyes widened in surprise. "OUT!" He forceably pushed all three of them out of the room, and slammed the door shut behind them.

"Nine Hells! My LIBRARY!" Aleksandr took a deep breath, opened the door, and closed it again. Flickers of light burst under the doorframe, as the door clicked, announcing it was locked.

"ImsorryMikealImsosorrypleaseforgiveme. AlicegotangryandIaccidentally pointedmyrapieratherand Ididntmeantohurther!"

Janus squeezed the man's ribs desperately afraid. "I... didn't mean to... I..." Janus' body stiffened. "I failed you... I'm... forgive me..."

"Hang on a moment," Mikeal looked desperate as Alice was clearly enraged herself to the point where is was frightening. As a fledgling of the Rastline house, she had a natural stronger tuning to magic, she just didn't know how to tap into it. "What are you talking about? forgive what? WHAT TO BLOODY HELL IS GOING ON HERE!?"

"What's going on?" Alice's voice held a sense of malice that could surpass Razziel's. Her eyes were flashing red but it wasn't anything like the skating ring. "What is going on?!"

The red of her eyes almost appeared to run past her iris as she fangs and claws visibly elongated. She was entering a Blood Fit again, her anger fueling that fact that she hadn't drunk any through the whole day.

"He fucking tried to stab me in the fucking heart!" She roared, hunching her shoulders for an attack, instincts over riding her sense of logic. "He could have killed me!"

Mikeal pushed Janus well behind himself, knowing questions would need to be asked, but first them need to calm the currently PMSing female before them that was threatening to destroy that hallway.

"Aleksandr?" Mikeal stated calmly as he could. "You're needed."

In response to Mikeal's plea, Alice's choker flashed, and she found herself unable to move or speak.

Janus got a chill.. There was something bad happening in that library. "N-no... let her move. I... I didn't mean it, but I did it..."

A muffled explosion rocked the library door.

Janus froze, looking at the door, at Mikeal's back, at frozen, enraged Alice, and back. "Um..."

Another explosion, and a blinding flash that worked its way through the cracks under the door.

The library swung open, and Aleksandr, suit unfortunately covered in soot, picked Alice up, and pinned her to the wall, eyes flashing. "Calm. Down." The choker stopped glowing, and a powerful glow filled Alice's eyes, as Aleksandr tore the blood fit from her mind. The man shivered, and wheezed.

"Now... explain..."

Alice's eyes flicked back to normal and her hand instinctively grabbed a hold in his arms, clawing for him to release.

"You're... chocking.. me!" She wheezed, although he really wasn't. It was in her mind, her blood fit had he was really choking, since it wasn't backing down quietly. "Aleks!"

Mikeal in the mean time tuned on Janus with a crossed look on his face, daring the boy to lie at all.

"What did she mean by 'tried to stab', Janus?" He demanded his voice thin and daring. "What happened between you two?"

"He... tried to stab ...me with his sword... Aleks please let go!" She was trying to pull his hand away from her throat to breath again, even though she could feel the air entering her lungs just find, her mind was saying she could hardly breath at all. "I can't breath!"

"Come with me. All of you. You can explain on the way."

Aleksandr stormed downstairs to the kitchen with Alice firmly in his grip.

"I was practicing w-with my rapier in t-the ballroom... and Alice came and asked me what was wrong... and she took my hand, and I pulled it away, and then when she got closer, I brought my sword up.. and... I realized what I was doing, and I dropped the sword and ran!" Janus explained, somewhat calmed down.

Aleksandr, meanwhile, had poured a goblet of blood for Alice. "Drink, dear." He said softly. He wasn't about to give her a chance to throw a tantrum, so he kept his arm around her shoulder, holding her tightly, while he raised the cup to her lips. He didn't pour, but he wasn't giving her a chance to throw it to the ground, or anything like that.

Alice jerked her head bad for a second before she drank the blood. She knew better then to fight Aleks when he was like this, and she wanted to end at lest to night with only corner time on her lists of punishments for the day.

"Oh dear, you two..." Mikeal looked between the two and gestured for Janus to sit down. "Janus what were you thinking?"

He instantly wanted to take back his words as he could see the boy was distort just as Alice had been about hearing of her death. He quickly pulled the boy close and rubbed his back to give him comfort.

"No, I'm sorry, I didn't say tat right," He calmed the boy. "I know you were upset and you never mean to try and hurt Alice. It's alright, no one's angry. I forgive you and so does Alice right?"

He glanced pleadingly at the girl whom had by now finished the cup and gently pushed it aside. she hadn't been all the angry to begin with, more frightened when he had turned on her. It was when he ran she had gotten pissed.

"Yeah..." she answered sending him a kind smile and wiped her mouth off in her arm. "no hard feelings... just don't do it again, okay?"

She knew inside she wanted Janus friendship. It was nice to have someone in the same age group to talk to at times.

"I really didn't mean it Alice! I'm so sorry!" The boy lowered his head, unable to look her in the eyes. "I... Please, Masters, don't send me back to Lord Razziel! Please!"

Aleksandr let go of Alice, and gave her a soft touch on the shoulder - her blood fit over, the girl was forgiven for something that had been out of her control. "Alright. I think we'd better settle this, hm? Alice, your outburst was an accident - you are, of course, forgiven."

He let the girl go to comfort herself, or Janus, or to do whatever she needed to do, and let Mikeal take care of his frightened fledgling.

Alice stood oddly as Mikeal gently patted Janus in his arms. She didn't want to step between the two, but at the same time she wanted Janus to look her in the face.

Mikeal smiled at the girl and nodded his head slightly and before Janus knew what Mikeal have nodded about , he found himself trapped between Alice and Mikeal in a small group hug.

"No one is sending you anywhere, my dear Janus," Mikeal calmed the boy softly. "You have been forgiven and that is all you need."

"Yeah, Janus," Alice answered back. "I said i forgave you too. Shit happens remember?"

Alice hugged him close as well when she saw Klo walk pass them, oblivious to what had happened with something in his mouth. Alice felt her face light up when she realize it was the video Mikeal had given her. The dumb puppy must have found it and thought it was a toy.

"Ark! Bad Klo!"

Author's Note:

Damn pets and their ability to cutely blow one's cover.