The Vampire's Apprentice

Always so quiet, she heard his voice to be. Even when she found a way under his fingernail, he spoke calmly. Looking for something more than simple peace, Kitty's gaze brushed over his face again before she turned away, following a straight path upstairs and to bed.
 
Sam plopped down next to the bed, trying to get as close as possible. His human was upset, and he wanted to make it better.

Clancy watched her go then shook his head. Why were pets always so complicated? He went to work and researched a few things before writing out his note to Kitty. Then he went for a long walk in the quiet night before turning in. Did he see something new? Yes... but he could not talk to her about it. Not really. Even if he wanted to share, he was not certain how to express it. So he kept it to his thoughts until he finally turned in.

Dear Miss Kitty,
Please speak to the landscapers. The grass in the back is being cut entirely too short, and thus will die. If I am going to spend money on landscapers, then I believe I should have green grass to show for it.
Please bake two dozen cookies and package them neatly to be given away in four bundles. I will explain more this evening.
I have an appointment at 8:30 tomorrow evening, and I desire for you to accompany me. Please dress neatly, but wear comfortable shoes.
Clancy McCleary
 
Curiosity was the main motivator for her mood that day. What sort of a thing did he want her to come to? And why? Was it important? Perhaps it had something to do with the cookies. Better yet, it had something to do with vampires. Not that it was likely, but there was no stopping Kitty's avid imagination.

She sniffed the air, drawing herself quickly back to the real world.
Shoot-
Scrambling to the oven, it appeared as though she would have to bake an extra batch to make up for a slightly-crispy one. Kitty sighed. No more daydreaming. This involved focus.

Two and a half dozen cookies, one dreary call to the landscapers, and three whole books later, an impatient and equally excited girl lay strewn across her bed doodling on a page of her notepad. She had since given up on trying to quell her thoughts, and instead took pencil to paper in effort to portray something similar. Was it working? Kitty hadn't the slightest clue, but she was getting fairly good at sketching Clancy from memory.
 
Sam begged hopefully for the burnt cookies, taking opportunities that presented themselves, but once he got nothing, he calmed down. Now he lay at the end of the bed snoring happily. This life was so much better than his old life!

Clancy rose and rushed to get a quick shower and dress. For once, he skipped his hat as well as a tie, but he still looked very nice in a blue shirt and black slackst. He hurried himself to get ready, feeling the pressures of a shortening night. Summer was coming, and with it, six hour nights.

"Miss Kitty?" he called up the stairs, still brushing his hair. "Are you ready to go, Miss Kitty?"

Sam grunted, gruffing softly in bleary confusion as Clancy's sudden call woke him up. What? Who? What? Bite? Bark? Maybe sleep.
 
"Yeah! Let me get my shoes!" She called back, tucking the pencil behind her ear. Kitty tugged a pair of sneakers over her socks and bounded exuberantly down the steps. The girl hardly noticed she still had the notepad in her hand. "Don't forget your hat, Mr. McCleary. I can't imagine you going someplace without it."
 
A faint smile twitched at his lips. "Thank you, Kitty, I appreciate the remind, though I am afraid I shall have to forego the hat this evening." He ran his hand through his hair, clearly at a loss. Going without his hat felt wrong, felt naked, but it was better than losing the precious item.

"The house smells very nice today, Miss Kitty," he commented, going to the table. "And I see you made the cookies. Well done!" He picked up three of the boxes of half-dozen cookies, leaving one half dozen of good cookies as well as the burnt ones on the table. "Come, I do not wish to be late. 8:30 was the latest appointment I could make." He walked briskly out the door, pausing to hold it open for Kitty and shooing back the dog.
 
"It is always important to maintain punctuality, no matter how trivial the affair might seem, but, yes, I would say it is rather important," Clancy nodded as he continued to walk. "Please let me know if I go too fast for you. Were you able to get ahold of the landscapers?"
 
"Yes. They gave their apologies, yet I still feel as though I lack the sternness you often posses for these matters." She had to run a little to keep up with him, but it didn't appear to bother her. "You haven't told me where we're going."
 
"You shall know once we get there," Clancy said, consulting and internal map. "It is not much farther. As for the landscapers, thank you for dealing with them. No, perhaps you have not yet gained your feet in the affairs of sternness, or however one would express that, but you will learn."
 
Since Kitty made no effort to continue the conversation, Clancy walked in silence the rest of the way to a large office building. It apparently housed a few different practices, and he want straight to the elevator and stepped in quickly, pushing a button for the fourth flour. A plaque next to the elevators listed what each floor held.
Jones and Jones Finances
Butler and Beeker Law Firm
Locker Foundation for Plegics
Tueller Counseling Services
J&M Brokers
Jones Intel Services
 
"Where are we going?" She asked for the third time, though her vocal expression had dipped considerably. Kitty gave him a wary glance. "And why?"
 
"We are going to the fourth floor because there is someone there with whom I have made an appointment to speak with," Clancy said calmly. "Her name is Allison Turner, and she is looking forward to seeing us. At least," a smile quirked the corner of his mouth, "that is what her receptionist said. I choose to believe that is so."
The elevator dinged, the doors slid open with a soft rumble of metal, and he stepped forward into a quiet, dimly lit waiting room. Ambiant music played at the edge of hearing, and the eggplant colored walls as well as the dark carpet led to a cozy feel. The bamboo shades were drawn even though the sun had gone down by now. A few plants dotted the area by the comfortable chairs and couches, but not so many as to feel crowded. They appeared to be real, for once. There were no magazines or books, but the paintings on the walls gave the eyes somewhere to rest. A window in one wall opened up to a receptionist typing away with a headset covering one ear. The rest of the room was empty save for Clancy and Kitty.
 
The girl gnawed gently on her lip, crossing her arms and no longer at ease. The one thing she had been hoping all day that it wasn't; betrayal stung a lot more than she had anticipated. Still, Kitty continued to hope this was some other endeavor not remotely directed at her. Something else entirely. This was not where she wanted to be.
 
Clancy knew she was disappointed. How could he not? He also suspected she was deeply angry and hurt, but hopefully he could make it up to her. Hopefully. He pretended not to notice as he stepped up to the receptionist. "McCleary for the eight thirty appointment?"
The receptionist smiled then tapped at her screen. "Thank you, Mr. McCleary, please have a seat. She will be with you shortly."
Clancy smiled again then went to a chair and sat down.
 
Kitty had already found a seat. She remained tight-lipped and tense; arms tucked close to her chest, and the girl was considering strongly not moving from where she sat when called inward. It was more fear and resentment than anger at this point, but it hurt nonetheless. At the least, she was trying not to direct it at him.
 
Clancy sat in silence for a long moment. Then he said softly, "We have somewhere else to go after this, and I think you will be a little happier with the second place."
 
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