Autumn's Beginning, Autumn's Breeze

Isabella~

I took a few deep breaths, calming myself down. I was furious now, the second stage in keeping myself sane. I hated that everyone thought I couldn't handle myself, and that I needed help making every decision. I knew what I wanted, and I knew that I could handle it. Before Aunt Alise could speak, I tried using my magic on Max. I wasn't sure if Vampires could use telepathy, but why not find out?

*Max?* I called quietly in my mind, hopnig for an answer. I knew if he heard me, he would hear the tears. *Max, please come back....please....* I pleaded.

"Isabella," Alise began. I hoped Max would reply, would come back. Before Alise tried to change my mind...again...

Natan-

I reached for Val's arm, pulling her to a halt. I smiled slightly.

"Talking to ourselves now, are we?" i asked teasingly, pulling her into a hug.

She laughed softly. "Habit."

"You're not the only one," i muttered, more to myself than her without realizing it.

Riley-

Stay? Here? With Ariana? I had completely forgotten that i was new to this town and had nowhere to spend the night.

"Uh, yes, please. Thanks."

She smiled. "No problem."

She led me into the house, Davnix following.

"Oh, I'll be right back. I need to go and tell Bella and Leira what Natan wanted me to say, then i'm going to find mom and dad and Isabella." he called before running out the door. I blinked and followed Ariana up the stairs, yawning continuously.

Davnix-

I ran out the door and to Natan's house. I knocked on the door.

"I-" i began, but stopped short when i saw Nathaniel standing in the doorway, looking none too happy. I bit my lip.

"Is, er, Natan here?" i asked hesitantly.

"No."

The door was slammed shut in my face. I blinked.

"Nice to see you...too...?"

I stood there for a second longer before running back towards the battlefield in search of the rest of my family.

Max

I heard Isabella's sweet voice in my head. I wanted to respond to her but didn't have the heart to get her hopes up.

But then I heard her tears and I could bear it no more. I got up and ran back to her and her aunt and uncle.


Alise

"Go away!" I shouted as Max came into view.

"Aunt Alise!" Isabella shouted rising and running to Max. He caught her around the waist to stop her from going further.

"Isabella! Get over here now!"

"Alise!" Max shouted, releasing her, probably in diference to me, "My intentions with Isabella are pure."

I growled, he shouldn't have any other intentions other than crawling into a hole and die.



Ariana

"Stop yawning," I said between my own yawns, "unless you'd like to sleep on the couch." I kept my tone light and at the same time warning. Just a random skill I had picked up.
I opened the guest room door and let him walk in. "Its not much, but it's warm."

"Thanks," he said.

I smiled waved and went down the hall to my own room where I collapsed onto the bed and fell instantly asleep.

Valentina~

I hugged Natan, slowly walking him toward the door.

"What are you doing?" Natan asked, looking down at me.

"Natan, I don't want to cause trouble between you and your father," I said softly.

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Isabella~

I held tight to Max, refusing to let him go (just in case). He held me tight too, and I was pretty sure he didn't plan on running again. When my aunt snapped, Max managed to pry me away, but only moved about an inch back.

"Aunt Alise! You are being utterly ridiculous! Unless you can give me a decent reason, and proof, as to why Max is a horrible person, I shall not believe it!"

Natan-

"Val, it's not you. And besides, it'd be best to let him cool down before i even think about showing my face there." i told her gently, drawing away from her and the door. She sighed and shrugged.

"That's probably true," she admitted.

"Plus, I don't really want to leave. Your house is...less chaotic than mine, if you catch my drift."

"That's probably true, too."

I smiled. "Very true. My father is always and and out, Leira is constantly tugging on some part of your clothing, begging for you to play with her. Isabella is always out an about, and if not then she and I are practicing. And my mother is always rushing around, either helping my father or cooking or helping out my aunt and uncle or...something. They can't sit still, i swear! They have to always be doing something!"

Riley-

I entered the room and looked around. A small bed, a dresser, a table, and a chair. Perfect. It was better than my previous lodgings which usually included bugs, dirt, grime, hay or straw, and other unpleasant things.

I walked over to the bed and sat down, staring out the window. After a moment i wrapped my wings around myself and fell asleep, not intending to be asleep for long.

Valentina~

I smiled, taking Natan's hand and pulling him to the couch.

"What are you doing?" he asked as I forced him to sit down.

"You gave the impression that you wanted to sit still. Frankly, I'm somewhat tired, after today. Aren't you?" I curled up next to him, taking in his warmth while trying not to inahale too deeply.

Max

I winced, I knew what was to come, and I had to stop it. "Alise," I pleaded. "Please, let me tell her."

"No," she said defiantly.

"Please," I said, "We'll sit in your living room if you wish, where you can see us. I promise I won't do anything foolish."

Alise glared at me, but I knew I had her.

"Fine," she grumbled.


Ariana

I had only been asleep for a few hours when I woke up, and I couldn't get back to sleep. Feeling strangely brave I exited my room and walked down the hall to Rileys. Why was I doing this? Was I really THAT stupid?

I reached the door. Apparently I was. Gingerly I pushed it open slightly, just enough to see if he was asleep or awake. I started when he looked at me, he was awake. I wanted to run, but that would only make matters worse.

Isabella~

I didn't know what was going on, but I knew that I was being led toward my aunt and uncles house. Max was murmuring a few calming words in my ear, and it was working.

Aunt Alise opened the door and let me in. Max led me to the couch, where we both sat. He still had an arm around me, which Alise glared at disapprovingly. She said nothing, so he didn't move it.

"Well?" I said expectantly, growing tired of being the only one left out.

Max

I released Isabelle so she could face me and I lowered my head.

"Two hundred years ago I was a very different man. Blood thirsty and vengful. And" I winced "very lustful."

I looked up for half a second to see her reaction, but couldn't keep my eyes there for long.

"That is what your aunt is so upset about. But trust me Isabella, I've changed since then. And every feeling I had towards Alise was purely blood lust."

"And what about me?"

I leaned my forehead against hers, "no offence, but your blood wreaks of mage, and that is-at least for me-one of the lesser appealing smells."

She looked at me most likely highly confused, "huh?"

"Everything I feel for you is real."

Natan-

I sat on the couch and smiled, putting an arm around Val. "Surprisingly, no, I'm not very tired. You would think i should be...but I'm not. Odd..."

"Hmm?"

"Well, usually when i heal a person, i get really tired. It happens to all mages. Today i've healed at least three people, and yet i'm wide awake. Even my father would be collapsing right about now."

I frowned in puzzlement. "Plus we had the battle today, and all that running around, and having to cast multiple spells as quickly as possible, and having to carry my father back here..."


Riley-

I glanced up quickly as the door to my room creaked open, revealing Ariana standing there, looking slightly startled. I smiled.

"Yes?"

Ariana

"I...I...." Oh god I felt so stupid studdering like that, "I couldn't get much sleep and came to see if you were having any better luck than I was..."

"Only a little."

"Wanna come downstairs and have a sandwich or something?" I could feel my cheeks turning redder than the apples we had downstairs.

Isabella~

I looked up at Max, grinning.

"I didn't need you to tell me what you felt was real. Anyone with eyes could see that," he looked doubtfully at my aunt. "She doesn't count, she thinks you're the same as you were."

"He is," she said bitterly.

"Aunt Alise, you are living proof that people change," I replied. "So is that the only reason everyone is going insane over this? Because you were attracted to my aunt 200 years ago?"
-----------------------
Valentina~

"That is a lot of work," I nodded. "Why do you think the demons were here?"

Max

I winced again and lowered my head as I heard Alise scoff, "he did a lot more than just be attracted to me."

Isabelle turned to me with a quizzical look on her face.

"I attacked her on several occasions, thats what I meant by lustful."

"He's lucky I didn't kill him," Alise explained.

"And he's lucky I don't kill him now," Gerard added.

Natan-

"Oh, who knows? Maybe just passing through, looking for some fun. After all, they are brutes; killing for the fun of it." I shrugged.

Riley-

I smiled as Ariana stuttered, asking me if i wanted to make a sandwich.

"I'll take an apple, if you've got one." i said, getting up and following her downstairs. We entered the kitchen and she went quickly to the pantry, getting out a bright red apple and handing it to me.

"Thanks," i smiled.

Isabella~

I thought for a moment, trying to come up with a decent thing to say.

"But you're differnt now, right?" I asked slowly. "Better?"

"Yes," Max replied, smiling slighlty. "Much."

"Good, then there's nothing to worry about!" I had the habit of making things too simple.
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Valentina~

I nodded, listening to Nat's voice while drifting into a deep sleep.