Vampire Academy (tamaracorine & goldcat)

[tamaracorine]

"It bugs me, too." Lukas nodded. "I just hope I don't get assigned to someone who thinks I'm of less worth because my job is to protect them. I hate that thought. I hate that I could be treated like a slave, or a guard dog." he leaned back against the stairs, smiling up at Serene. "I'd happily be assigned to someone like you, you know."


"No!" Anna said, all too quickly. "I mean..." she turned bright red, sighing. "I just meant that... if you... wanted to talk to them, you don't have to feel bad... I'd understand..." she put her head in her hands and groaned, laughing quietly. "I'm so much better with books than I am people. I'm sorry."

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene listened and nodded in agreement to his words, then smiled and blushed softly from his last comment, "Thanks..." She laughed softly and looked down. "I'd love to have someone like you be my guardian..." She looked away, smiling then thought for a moment, and her smile faded. She voiced her thoughts, but was directing them to herself, "I wonder if I'd even get a guardian..."


Nick watched her with a slight amusement, then smiled at her, "It's okay." He chuckled softly, "But really, I like talking to you. And I much more prefer to talk to you. Not that I don't like the other Moroi, but... I don't know. You're just a lot more interesting than they are..." He whispered quietly, "They're all the same... At least the ones you mentioned..." He thought back to the girls that wanted to dance with him and giggled so easily.

 

[tamaracorine]

"I saw your name on the list." Lukas told her. "We were given a list of students we could get assigned to so that we could prepare ourselves for anything..." he shrugged, "So you'll get one. I'm not sure how they assign us, though. That's not something I'd ever thought about until... well, just now." he laughed.


Anna moved up a step and slid across to make room for Nick, beginning to relax. "Okay." she nodded, running a hand through her hair. It was out of its regular ponytail, with a few braids through out it. She let her legs stretch out in front of her, becoming a little less self conscious about her clothing. "I expected... a fancier party than this, to be honest."

 

[goldcat16471]

She grinned, "Well that's a relief to know I'll get one. I was just worried because..." She shook her head, as if to say nevermind that. "But I really hope you get assigned someone you like. And I hope I'll get someone friendly like you." She smiled at him.


Nick sat beside Anna, and smiled as he noticed her relaxing. Then considered her comment and grinned, "Well, a lot of people assume Moroi parties are fancy, but it all depends on the type. Like this party? It's really just supposed to be a fun back to school get together. You could have showed up in sweats, and people wouldn't have minded, or judged." He smiled softly.

 

[tamaracorine]

"I hope so too." he let his hand rest on the step just behind Serene's back, his thumb lightly grazing her back. "I mean, it's scary. It's basically like I end up marrying this person, we're together for life, and I'm completely passive in this arranged marriage. It's terrifying." he laughed, "Sorry. I'll stop rambling. Do you want to dance...?"


Anna raised an eyebrow, "I'm Dhampir, of course people are judging... but I get what you mean." she smiled up at him, her hands sitting awkwardly in her lap as if she wasn't sure what to do with them now that Nick was so close to her. "I guess I've got a lot to learn about Moroi, apart from just protecting them."

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene smiled sadly from his words. She felt the touch on her back, and tried to ignore it. If she thought about it too much, she knew she'd blush. "It's okay." She told about the rambling. Then his question caught her off guard, and she hesitated then nodded, "Yeah, I'd love to..." She smiled at him, then looked back at Anna, who seemed caught up in a conversation with Nick. That made her smile more, and she stood up.


Nick smiled and looked down thinking, "Some of them are judging. But the ones who have more important opinions are the ones who are not." He thought about what he said, hoping he worded that right. Then he looked at Anna, "Also... Sometimes I just like to look at us as all people. We're all just... People." He considered for a moment, "Anna I think you underestimate yourself sometimes." He looked at her.

 

[tamaracorine]

Lukas offered her his hand, taking it and leading her onto the floor. He was a good dancer - most Dhampir had some skill with dancing, simply because fighting had taught them to be graceful and move well. He eventually put a hand on her waist to hold her closer, becoming more certain of himself.


Anna frowned up at him, "What do you mean?" she asked curiously. "I don't underestimate myself... I work hard with studies and skills and... I... I know I'm good at things." she mumbled awkwardly, a blush forming in her cheeks.

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene took his hand and walked with him to the dance floor. She blushed softly when he put his hands on her waist, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She danced with him to the music, and smiled happily looking him into the eyes. Serene had danced with guys before, but none of them felt like this one. This time it was different.


Nick smiled, "You better know you're good at you're studies. You're the best Dhampir fighter I've ever seen." He blushed softly when he said those words, and he quickly moved on, "But I'm not just talking about that, I think you underestimate yourself when it comes to social things. You're doing a good job right now, you know?"

 

[tamaracorine]

Lukas was goofy sometimes, pulling faces and making strange movements simply to make Serene smile. He was comfortable when moving. It was almost always easier for him to do something physical rather than have conversations. He preferred fighting to talking, he preferred working to assignments. But the combination with Serene was refreshing, "Not a bad dancer for a Moroi." he teased.


"W-what?" she asked, visibly shocked by his words, her cheeks bright red. The blush moved all the way to the tips of her ears. "I... I just... I'm..." she stuttered, then sighed and looked down at her feet. "Please stop complimenting me, Nick."

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene blushed and rolled her eyes, "Oh please..." She laughed, and looked at him, "You're really good yourself." She complimented. She kept eye contact with him, and smiled. Serene actually had taken dance classes when she was younger. A lot of the royal families did that, because a vast majority of them got the opportunity to go to royal balls. However, many of the Ozera family hadn't been to a royal ball in the past couple years, except the few with a higher social status.


Nick smiled as she blushed more and he looked at her, "Well Anna... I'm only telling you the truth." He watched her for a moment. Then looked down, "I hope I'm not like... Coming off too strong am I?" He chuckled nervously, and bit his lip. She was one of the only girls, that could make him feel nervous like this. Nervous, but mostly in a good way.

 

[tamaracorine]

Lukas grinned, getting lost in the music and the movement. His hands remained on Serene's waist, not moving at the risk of offending her. He smiled down at her, leaning forward and resting his forehead against hers as a slower song came on. He bit his lip. "You're beautiful, you know that?" he whispered.


"No... you're not." Anna gulped and shifted slightly, closing the gap between them so that her legs brushed against his. She kept her eyes down in spite of the confidence required to move closer to him, "I... I think I like it... I... like not being able to ignore it."

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene blushed heavily, and she closed her eyes with her forehead against Lukas's. A smile formed on her face, and she forgot the world around her. For the first time in years, she felt truly at peace. She danced with him for the rest of the song. Once it was over she pulled back slightly, and looked at him smiling softly.


Nick felt the Dhampir shift ever so slightly, and their legs touched. He felt himself heat up ever so slightly, and he looked at Anna and smiled at her. "Well in that case... Anna, I've never met a girl like you before. You're so beautiful, and strong, and determined. I admire you, so much." He complimented her on all the things he wanted to tell her when he first laid eyes on her.

 

[tamaracorine]

Lukas gulped as they parted, "I don't mean to be too... Forward... But would you maybe go on a date with me sometime, Serene? I'd be... Honoured if you would."


Anna turned bright red, burying her head in the crook of Nick's neck to hide her reaction. A second later she realised how close they were and jumped backwards, creating a few inches between them again.

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene smiled and looked down, blushing. Another Moroi girl heard Lukas's question and looked at them. Serene glanced at her, and saw the girl frowning, then the girl quickly turned away. Serene was confused but she dismissed and looked back at Lukas, smiling more, "If I say yes... Should I be worried about possibly feeling the wrath of your sister?" She asked him, joking slightly. She highly doubted Anna would be mad, but if the Dhampir was... She sure did not want to get in a fight with the girl.


Nick laughed softly when Anna blushed, and was pleasantly surprised when she hid her face in the crook of his neck. He was also surprised when she quickly jumped backwards, and tried to hide the disappointment. Instead he looked at Anna in the eyes with complete seriousness, and he hesitantly grabbed her hand gently. "Annalise...?" He asked.

 

[tamaracorine]

"My sister trusts my judgement." Lukas told her quietly. "I promise you wont suffer her wrath. I'm the only one she beats up without much cause, and it's only because I'm her brother. You can say yes without worrying about Anna. I assure you. So, what do you say, beautiful Serene?" he smiled.


Anna's fingers wrap instinctively around Nick's when he took hold of her hand. She looked up at him, her eyes nervous. "W-what?" she stuttered, "I... I didn't mean... to... I didn't mean to move so quickly..." she mumbled. "W-what are you d-doing?" she gripped his hand, trying to force herself to calm down, but in spite of her expertise at combat, this was a whole new situation that left her baffled.

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene smiled from his response, and looked down shyly again then back into his eyes, "Then, I'd love. Yes." She liked Lukas. He was kind, and funny, and friendly. She wanted something to work out here. Serene didn't voice these thoughts, but her eyes told enough.


Nick sensed Anna's nervousness and he bit his lip, thinking of where to go with this, "I just wanted to ask you... If you possibly wanted to..." He refrained from using the word date. "If you wanted to hang out again sometime. With me. Do you think you'd..." He looked down watching their hands, "Possibly be interested in that?"

 

[tamaracorine]

"Perfect." Lukas grinned at her, leaning forward to plant a gentle kiss on her forehead. "How about... Friday? I'll set something up for us. And uh, I'll try to not make it too obvious what it is that we're doing, if you don't want people to know. I don't want you to feel embarrassed." he whispered, playing with her hair.


Anna nodded, taking a deep breath and sliding closer to Nick again, letting their hands rest gently on her knee. "L-like... a... a d-date?" she whispered, obviously trying to calm down. "I...I'm s-sorry... for s-stuttering..."

 

[goldcat16471]

Her cheeks had turned even more red when he kissed her on the forehead, and she giggled when he started playing with her hair, "Friday, sounds great! And... You don't have to hide it..." She looked down slightly, "I mean... Why hide something good?" She smiled and glanced back up at him. She really didn't want it to be a secret. How much could the other Moroi actually care about Serene's love life?


Nick was happy when she slid closer again and he smiled at her reassuringly as he looked at her, "It's okay. Don't be sorry. And... That depends... Would you want it to be a date?" He asked her hopeful. He studied her features slightly, waiting for her response.

 

[tamaracorine]

"Okay." Lukas grinned. As a upbeat song began to play, he pulled her close to dance again, easily falling back into the motions. His hands rested on the small of her back as they moved this time, gaining more boldness, his smile wider. He was happy and it was obvious. His eyes never left Serene's as they moved, completely oblivious to the looks of those around them.


Anna inhaled slowly, trying to calm herself down enough that she could speak without stuttering. She had stuttered as a child, and most of the time, it didn't occur anymore, but nerves brought the stutter back. Her eyes shifted, looking up at Nick. "Yes." she whispered nervously, squeezing his hand.

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene got lost in the dance as well, as the world around her and Lukas seemed to disappear.


Nick smiled happily at her, and his eyes showed her that too, "Great..! Then, it's a date." He smiled, and looked down, then back at her, "Would you like to sometime this weekend? We'll talk more, to get it arranged."


Suddenly the teachers found out about the party, and started heading down to the boy's dorm. They were pretty confident they knew whose doing this was, considering it happened just about every year. William and his group of friends. The teachers tried telling him over and over, for the past five years, that if he just asked, then they would let there be a back to school get together party, just with chaperones. William never listened though. And for that, they were forced to head over to the boys dorm, and break the party up. They were almost there.

 

[tamaracorine]

Lukas heard the footsteps rushing towards the dorm. "People are coming. Teachers." he whispered, taking Serene's hand and rushing towards the stairwell where Nick and Anna sat. "This is beautiful, guys, but the teachers are coming. We need to get the hell out of here. Come on, we can go down to the lake for a swim."


Anna stood up quickly, not removing her hand from Nick's as she rushed with Lukas out the back door of the dorms. They ran to the lake, collapsing on the grass by the shore. Anna laughed, the rush of adrenaline filling her.

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene was alarmed when Lukas said those words, and quickly followed him to get Anna and Nick.


Nick was surprised when Lukas and Serene ran up to them, and his words nearly made him laugh. Make this the fifth year in a row that this had happened. He glanced over at William who was scowling from the noise of the footsteps. "He never learns, does he?" Nick chuckled quietly, then quickly stood up with Anna, and left the dorm with all of them, running to the lake. Anna and him, hand in hand.


Serene ran beside Lukas and collapsed on the grass beside all of them. She was slightly out of breath from the quick run, but she got it back quickly and looked at the others. She heard Anna start laughing and the amusement spread to Serene as well. She joined into the laughter.


Nick looked at Anna adoring her as she laughed then sat up and looked over at Lukas, grinning at him. "Well that was fun!" He commented, then grinned back down at Anna.

 

[tamaracorine]

Lukas smirked, "A very smooth escape, if you ask me." he sat up and gently pulled Serene's head so it was resting in his lap. "Too bad you Moroi aren't that good at running, huh?" he raised an eyebrow teasingly. "And did I see you holding Nick's hand, Annalise?" he asked, playing with Serene's hair.


Anna's eyes widened and she blushed, "You did..." she mumbled after some hesitation, lifting her hands and looking at them in the darkness, squeezing them into fists and then flexing them out again. She looked up at Nick, biting her lip.

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene rested her head in Lukas's lap and faked a glare at him from his comment, then laughed , and relaxed closing her eyes as he played with her. She listened to the conversation smiling.


Nick chuckled softly, then looked at Anna and smiled at her. "Lukas, I don't think you give Anna enough credit when it comes to social things." He looked over at Lukas, smirking softly.

 

[tamaracorine]

"I give her plenty of credit." Lukas objected. "She's my sister, I know her well. She's reliable and tough and smart, but she's not a social butterfly. And pretty sure she's the first to admit that... Heck, I'm shocked that she's here right now." he smirked at Anna.


Anna raised an eyebrow, "Don't challenge me, brother dear." she told him quietly. "Maybe Nick is right. Maybe I can do social things. Maybe... maybe I can be spontaneous..." she glanced at the lake, then up at Nick, gulping and smiling slightly. "Swim?"