The Vampire's Apprentice

Sam stuck close by Kitty, sensing something was off. He didn't even want to play outside, choosing instead to lay next to her or follow her around. His human was unhappy, so he was unhappy. That was that. He would protect her! From what, he was not sure, but he would be there!

Clancy rose a little earlier than normal and had to take care to avoid the last vestiges of the daylight. He dressed in all black- black jeans, tight-knit black shirt, and his red hair pulled back in a ponytail with a black band. He looked like a hipster barista, not at all his normal elegant style and flash. He looked like he was about to speak in a nasally drawl and sigh dramatically when you gave him your order. That, or perhaps he was about to bring out the bongos and lay down some beat poetry in a cool, crisp way.

He went upstairs and found Kitty by the shelves. "Why, Miss Kitty, you do not look like your usual, perky self," he said. "Is anything the matter? I heard you stirring quite late in the night. Bad dreams?"
 
Kitty looked up, about to answer, but paused. She blinked. "What happened to you?"
This was not at all the person she recognized, nor what she had expected to see. Though, she had to admit, it wasn't much of a bad look.
 
Clancy looked down at himself. "I put on clothing," he said blandly. Then he sighed. "I do not think I am pulling off... whatever this is. I was hoping to try to blend in a little better with my, ah, age group. And yours."
 
"I mean," she stuttered, "it's not bad. Just wasn't what I was expecting...." Kitty had to look him over a second time. "It's not typical of you, so I was surprised."
 
"Mmm, fair enough," Clancy agreed. "It is certainly atypical of my usual style, but I felt it would suit the need better than my usual style. Now, then, you were saying before my appearance startled you?"
 
"I... I don't know. What was the question?" Kitty set her book aside and picked up the mug only to realize it was empty. She set it back down again.
 
"I asked what was the matter as you seem rather off this evening," Clancy repeated. "I heard you moving about late last night. Did you not sleep well?"
 
"Oh, that." She looked towards him again. "I'm fine. Just... restless, is all." A half-truth; Kitty wasn't sure if she had irritated him with her refusal the other afternoon, though nothing seems to have happened yet, so she was unsure.
 
"Hmm," Clancy said, letting her see he did not fully believe she was telling the whole truth. Then he moved on. "Are you ready to go out? It may be best to leave the dog."
 
"I suppose." Kitty glanced at herself. Her jeans and shirt were dark in color, but the mint-jacket she had donned seemed a bit counter-productive. Still, she hardly went anywhere without it; now was not the acceptation. "I've still got that pouch of stones you gave me once. Should I bring it?"
 
She agreed to this, though insisted on keeping her mint one underneath. Kitty tossed the book onto her bed and washed her mug out.
 
Sam ran ahead and stood eagerly by the door. Out? Out time? Time for a walk?

"Not this time, mutt," Clancy told Sam, firmly pushing him back. "You stay. We have a busy night ahead of us."

Sam whined and looked to Kitty. She would let him out!
 
Sam whined unhappily, but he sat and stayed while Clancy ushered Kitty out.

Clancy settled into a nice, casual pace that still covered ground, his hands resting in his jeans pockets. "So, where shall we start?" he asked as he walked toward downtown.
 
Kitty had to quicken her steps to keep up, almost a half-jog. She was still having a difficult time comprehending him to be the same person. "The east side is where I've heard the most about them. That'd be a place to start...."

Somehow, even though he was casual in attire, the exploration felt more like a mission than anything. The east side was one of the shadier areas; Kitty hadn't gone much further than the outskirts when she did dare venture over there, having little to defend herself at the time
 
"Alright, and you have your lovely sack of pebbles on hand? If nothing else, you can swing the bag and clobber them good," Clancy said cheerfully. He turned toward the east side and headed toward the darker area. He hunted there from time to time when he couldn't get a "date." This was different.
 
"Yeah, 'cause pebbles are definitely a match for thugs." Though she was being sarcastic, her tone wasn't nearly as silly as it normally was. "At least, I hope you don't feel inclined to count them if they scatter."
 
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