The Vampire's Apprentice

"Good evening, Miss Kitty," Clancy greeted her calmly. "And how are you feeling this evening?" She seemed unusually nervous. Should he be concerned about that?"
 
"Better, definitely. I made cake," It was an effort not to appear appalled at the thought of Mrs. Pugglesworth. "I wish I could've shown it to you."
 
"Ah, very good! And I take it from that you spoke to the delightful Mrs. Pugglesworth?" Clancy asked innocently.
 
Kitty debated a mild insult. She decided against it. "According to her known universe, we're somehow related, though she has yet to figure out exactly how we discovered each-other with no family connections. I escaped before having to answer that one."
 
Her anxious nerves were strung tight once again. Kitty did her best not to let it show, pulling herself off the bed, bare feet landing softly on the floor.
 
Clancy looked her over. "Hmm. Clothing. Yes, clothing is a must. Tomorrow your assignment shall be to find clothing to dress properly. While I understand those shorts that cover less than your underwear and those leggings that reveal every single crease are in style, please refrain from those. Beyond that, you may use your discretion."

He turned and started to the family room of the second floor. "Traditionally, this is usually done underground, or by the light of the full moon, or similar, but that is all just... how would you say it, window dressing? The ceremony itself is very basic and quick."
 
It was a good thing neither of those styles appealed to her in the first place. Kitty trailed uncertainly after him. "I've decided to stay."
 
"Good. I am pleased." Clancy pointed to the center of the room where he'd moved everything to make the area empty. "Stand there, please." He made certain all of the blinds were securely closed to all prying eyes then retrieved a wooden box from his desk. He stood in front of her, looking at her sternly. "There is no going back. This is your last chance."
 
"There's an empty space right on my collarbone." She answered, not backing down. Terrified, absolutely, but determined. "Somewhere I can see it."
 
"That will do," Clancy approved. He opened the box and began a light chant in Latin. As he had told Kitty, most of this stuff was nothing more than window dressing, the smoke and confetti of a magician, but it was still important on a different level. Familiars were not equals. They were pets, highly intelligent pets who could stake you if they got bored of waiting. It was best to maintain as much of a mystic allure as possible to redirect their attentions and constantly keep them guessing. Making something so simple seem fantastical, mystical, and magical would help keep them in awe and never realizing exactly how simple certain things could be.

Clancy finished chanting the Latin and playing with an assortment of items in the box. Finally, he looked Kitty in the eye. "Why is it you wish to become my familiar?" he boomed then added more quietly, "As concisely and truthfully as possible, please. I will know if you are lying or concealing something." And he could, about as reliably as any other lie detector. The resonance of the voice, the rate of the heartbeat, the dilation of the pupils, it was all there for the observing.
 
Why...? It seemed at the question, every valid thought left her brain. There were so many reasons why, but which reasons were real ones? She decided to begin with the way he had put it two nights prior.

"I'm alone, friendless, family-less, homeless, jobless, and you've offered me a place to stay, a "certain amount" of friendship, and a fulfilling of my initial goal of finding a vampire. Besides that, I owe you my life, as I'd likely be dead otherwise." There was a pause, and Kitty considered how to phrase the next bit or if to say it at all. She continued, but slowly. "And I'm curious. It's the perfect opportunity for adventure." Besides that, she liked him as a person, but it seemed pointless to mention as it wasn't a factor her decision.
 
Clancy studied her, stretching out the silence agonizingly so. "Very well," he said, liking what he saw in her eyes. "I accept these answers. I will now accept you as my Familiar under the terms and conditions already laid out. Bare your collarbone, please, for the mark."
 
She adjusted the collar of her shirt to reveal her skin, wincing slightly in wonder if it might hurt somewhat.
 
Clancy opened his mouth, his fangs sliding out smoothly. "Hold still." He leaned down and took her shoulders firmly. He carefully used his fang to carve CMC into her skin deep enough to faintly scar. At first, it would hurt, but in seconds, the natural numbing agents of his saliva kicked in, wiping away all pain.
 
Kitty cringed, then let out her breath slowly. Not as scary as she had thought initially; the tension from previously seemed to dissipate, and she seemed much less anxious.
 
Clancy used a white handkerchief to dab away the blood then carefully folded it up, placed it in the box, and closed it. "And here we are," he said simply. "You are now my Familiar, and I am your master. My word is law."
 
She nodded. "I will do my best."
It was over. What relief, not to have such a choice weighing on her so heavily. Wether it was the right one, Kitty didn't know, but to die later than presently seemed good enough for the moment. Whatever would come afterward... she'd jump that cow when she got to it.
 
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