School Troubles 1:
School Trouble: Mary has been attracting a lot of unwanted attention at school. With her Amazonian physique starting to show due to the intense training you've been putting her through, along with her natural beauty, she's become the center of attention, though not all of it is positive. Jealousy from both boys and girls has been brewing, manifesting in whispered rumors, stares, and even notes of affection. But what's caught your attention is a threat—an actual, written threat in Old Germanic, the language of the Sea People. Those ancient troublemakers are back, and it looks like they're targeting Mary. This is more than just high school drama; it's a potential threat to her safety and your carefully maintained secrecy.
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You sighed as you took a sip of your coffee, the warm liquid offering a fleeting comfort in the otherwise monotonous routine. It wasn't the most fulfilling of tasks, but it kept your mind occupied, a way to pass the time while the world around you remained blissfully unaware of the undercurrents of power and danger. The coffee had a drop or two of blood mixed in, just enough to stave off any cravings but not enough to make you feel the hunger gnawing at the edges of your control.
You couldn't go cold turkey; that much was clear. But you needed to set an example for Paul, to show him that the hunger could be managed, that it didn't have to control him. He was still young, still learning the fine balance between his vampiric nature and the life he could have, one not entirely ruled by instinct and cravings. A drop of blood wasn't a solution, but it was a temporary fix, a way to remind him—and yourself—that there was a semblance of normalcy that could be maintained. Eating when it was time, and drinking in moderation, these were the routines you set for him, hoping they would become his own.
Paul was finally starting to show signs of normalcy. He was going to school, blending in as best as a dampier could, and had even made a friend. You weren't sure who or what this friend was—Paul had become adept at dodging your questions—but you decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. He deserved his secrets, his private world. And if those secrets ever became dangerous, well, you'd deal with that when the time came. He needed to learn from his own mistakes, just as you had.
Your contemplative thoughts were interrupted when Mary entered the room, cradling a napping Joshua in her arms. The sight brought a rare, genuine smile to your face. "Ah, you two are early," you began, but your words trailed off as you noticed the weariness etched on Mary's face, the slight strain in her posture.
"Did Paul—?" you started to ask, but Mary shook her head before you could finish.
"Paul's fine," she said softly, her voice carrying the weight of the day. "He stayed behind to finish up some project with his… friend."
You nodded, though a part of you couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern. Paul was still a mystery, even to you, and while you wanted to trust him, there was always that lingering doubt. "And Joshua?" you asked, gesturing to the boy in her arms.
Mary looked down at Joshua, a small, tired smile crossing her lips. "He's had a long day," she explained. "Something happened at school, but he didn't want to talk about it. Just… wanted to be close."
"Then what seems to be the problem? You seem… unusually serious. Did a boy ask you out, a girl?"
Mary, breathless and clearly rattled, handed over a stone tablet, letting it crash onto your table with a resounding thud. The ancient symbols etched into the surface caught your eye immediately—Old Germanic runes, far older than most could recognize. They were from an era before Charlemagne's conquests, before the Christianization of the Germanic tribes, back when the World Tree, Yggdrasil, still held sway over those lands. But these weren't just any runes; they were the symbols of the Sea People, a dangerous and ancient faction you had crossed paths with before. The Bastards.
"Where did you get this?" you asked, your voice laced with the gravity of the situation.
"In my locker, right before I was going to try out for the cheerleading team," she replied, her voice carrying a mix of frustration and anxiety.
"I don't approve of such activities," you stated firmly, not for the first time.
Mary's eyes flashed with defiance. "Hey, you promised I could choose one after-school activity, and I chose that. At least then, maybe the guys and girls will stop looking at me like I'm a piece of meat."
You couldn't help but sigh, the weight of the situation making you more irritated than usual. "And you think that's going to help? Doing dangerous acrobatics in a scantily clad outfit where you can't hide your weapons, all while proclaiming school spirit? That won't do anything to protect you, Mary. It'll only make you more vulnerable, especially when you're traveling across the state for games and competitions, where I can't easily protect you." You took a deep breath, trying to rein in your growing frustration. "You're already complaining about how the boys and girls are looking at you like they want to eat you?"
Mary raised an eyebrow, her tone dropping to a whisper as she set Joshua down on the couch. "Don't you mean fuck me?"
"Eat, fuck—it's all the same to me," you replied bluntly. Considering what many vampires used to do for blood, it was honestly the same thing. And since prostitution was illegal in the united states, it meant… other things happened, things you wanted to protect her from. "Am I being too lenient with your freedoms?"
Mary blew a strand of hair out of her face, clearly trying to muster her courage and put up her usual defenses. "Listen, Norton, I just want a little bit of normalcy in my life."
You couldn't help but scoff at that. "Join the chess club. I remember when I lived as a traveling chess player in the 1700s—it was quite fun, and I'm still good enough to teach you to be a modern master, with tricks those new kids won't see coming. Or maybe do something else you kids enjoy these days?" You paused, thinking of what activities might align with her desire for normalcy. "Glee club? Dungeons & Dragons?"
Mary's eyes narrowed, sarcasm dripping from her tone. "My life is a DnD adventure with a fucking Vampire as my guardian."
"A fucking Vampire Elder as a guardian," you corrected with a smirk. "Don't forget, I worked very hard to get the rest of the world to acknowledge that despite all I did for it." You leaned in slightly, your smile taking on a more mischievous edge. "At least I don't force you to stay awake during vampire politics lessons anymore."
Mary rolled her eyes, her annoyance clear. "Screw you, Norton."
You frowned, the weight of your years pressing down on you as you stared at Mary. "I am trying to protect you," you said, your voice firm but carrying a hint of something deeper, something that spoke of battles fought long before she was born. You pointed to the stone tablet, its ancient runes still glowing faintly with the malevolent power of the Sea People. "And this… this is one of those things I'm trying to protect you from."
Mary, ever the defiant one, squared her shoulders and met your gaze head-on. "Let them come, and we'll kill them," she said, her tone filled with the bravado of youth.
But you shook your head, the frown deepening. "It doesn't work like that, not with them." You watched as her confidence wavered, just for a moment, and then she asked, more cautiously now.
"How?"
You took a deep breath, preparing to dive into the dark waters of your past. "For one thing, those Bastard Sea People are numbered in the tens of thousands… probably more if we consider their mortal help. They are ancient, and they've been recruiting, and corrupting for millennia. I've been battling them on and off for thousands of years." You paused, letting the gravity of your words sink in. "They are run by some of the most vile blood-sucking monsters I've ever had the displeasure of encountering—creatures that make most vampires look like kittens by comparison."
Mary's eyes widened slightly, and she hesitated before asking, "Colleagues? You worked for them?"
You couldn't help the bitter laugh that escaped your lips, a sound filled with equal parts irony and regret. "Worked with them, at times. When the world was young and alliances were fluid, I fought alongside them, traded with them, and yes, sometimes even shared common goals. But that was long ago when the lines between friend and foe were blurred by necessity and survival. And I hold a long memory of what they took from me. They're cunning and ruthless, and above all, they play the long game. To them, mortals are mere pawns, and even creatures like us are expendable if it furthers their agenda. I've barely survived many of our encounters once we decided to go to war with each other."
Mary looked at the tablet with renewed unease, the bravado from before fading. "Why are they after me?"
"My guess is, they are trying to find your brother and kill him." You stated matter of factly. "While I can say for certain that the council will not break their word, and honor at least the fact that I have placed you under my protection, the same cannot be said for my enemies. And they are old enemies that hate with as much passion as I. And the feeling is mutual."
"So what is the plan?" She asked as Joshua stirred.
Your old Germanic was rusty—understandable, given that you hadn't spoken it in over a thousand years. Still, as you scrutinized the ancient runes etched into the tablet, the words slowly came into focus. "Bastards," you muttered under your breath. It was as you feared. "It's an ultimatum," you said, your voice grim. "They're challenging you to a Trial of Ability."
Mary's reaction was immediate and vehement. "What? Fuck that," she snapped, her eyes blazing with anger. "What the hell do they gain from that?"
You frowned, considering the implications. "Well, on the bright side, they didn't demand a trial by combat. If they had, I could have intervened, sought arbitration, or even had it canceled outright. Tim owes me more than a few favors, and he could've made that happen."
Mary's expression softened a bit. "I think Tim is cool."
You couldn't help but smile at that. "That he is, my dear. But this challenge… it's not without its advantages. As the one who's been challenged, we hold a crucial upper hand."
Mary looked at you, curiosity mixing with her lingering frustration. "How's that?"
"The beauty of it lies in the choice," you explained. "You get to choose the trial of ability. And my dear, with my guidance, you will be able to pass it marvelously."
"But what about Paul and Joshua?" she asked, concern creeping into her voice. "They still need training too."
"That they do," you agree. "So it's a good thing that this challenge can be an opportunity for all of us. The training we'll undertake to prepare for this trial will benefit them as well. We'll tailor it to address each of your strengths and weaknesses. By the time we're done, you'll all be more than ready for whatever those Sea People throw at us."
Mary nodded, her resolve hardening as she absorbed your words. "So what's the plan?"
"We'll start by identifying your strengths—your natural abilities and the skills we've been honing already, and maybe our own creativity, something I am sure that none of them have. Then, we'll consider the most advantageous trial to choose. Remember, it's not just about beating them; it's about outsmarting them, making sure they don't even see the victory coming. Paul and Joshua will be included in this, not only to support you but to ensure they're progressing as well. Their abilities may be different from yours, but they're equally important."
She squared her shoulders, a fierce determination in her eyes. "Okay, let's do it."
"Good," you said, feeling a surge of pride. "We'll start immediately. The Sea People may think they have us cornered, but they're about to learn just how dangerous that assumption is."
As you began to outline the plan, you couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement. The challenge ahead was daunting, but it was also an opportunity—a chance to show these ancient enemies that you and your family were not to be trifled with.
What do you do?:
[]Begin Training Mary: She needs to begin her training, so that she may complete this challenge without any embarrassment, or worse, loss of her life.
-[]Write in what you wish to train her in.
[]Joshua's TV time: Joshua, in his spare time, has begun watching TV… something you haven't really done before. Maybe it can give you an idea. Or perhaps you will just find yourself having fun.
[]Pauls' New Passions: So Paul has been using his own… free time, to start painting. That's wonderful, maybe he can… oh no. why are his eyes whited out? Does he have the bloody sight!?
[]Diplomatic measures: YOu are going to meet with the Sea People. Maybe you can try diplomacy. Or maybe you can see if your… Friend will listen to reason.
[]Write in
AN: enjoy.
