A Home of my own

Exciting news! Mayor Lindsay sent a telegram to advise me that one of the properties to which I'd taken a fancy has now come on the market. He sent me details of where to collect a key to view the house, and without hesitation I put on my coat and hat, grabbed the carpet bag and umbrella and made for the station.

I collected the key as instructed from the estate office by the railway station and walked to the house. I stood outside for a good few minutes taking in the ambience of the area. Rummaging in my carpet bag I suddenly realised I'd left my camera back at the Tower, so no pictures today.

Opening the front door I walked in to a lovely sitting room and smiled as I drew open the curtains and took in the view. Opposite the front door was a staircase to the upper level and beside that a door to the kitchen. I went through the kitchen door into a very nice kitchen/dining room. There was also a rear door to a very lovely garden completely fenced in. I smiled at the thought of being able to gossip with the neighbours over the garden fence on sunny days.

I came back into the house and made my way up the stairs. There was a large room at the top with a small balcony overlooking the garden and another room to the front of the house, making this a classic 'two up, two down'. I opened the balcony doors and stepped onto the small balcony and took in the view. The railway track ran across the rear of the terrace just behind the garden fence, but the thing that caught my eye was the sight of water glistening in the sunlight between the trees of the woodland on the other side of the tracks.

Securing the property behind me I left the house with a promise that I would return, and walked to the end of the terraced row. I then crossed the railway track and walked to the woodland. The glistening I had seen from the upper room was a beautiful fishing site. Opening my carpet bag I was delighted to see that I had my fishing rod and bait, and proceeded to have a very enjoyable time fishing from the little jetty. Listening to the birdsong and the sound of the train passing by made for a very relaxing time. I was soon joined by a 12 year old lad by the name of Harold who was a ward of the Mayor. We had a very nice conversation and he seemed most excited at the thought of another resident for the town.

After packing my equipment away, and bidding my new young friend farewell I made my way back to the Estate office by the railway station. I left the key with the clerk there and asked him to inform the Mayor that I would be delighted to take up residence in the house. He smiled and bade me a good day with the assurance that I would hear from the Mayor very shortly. I then made my way to Milady's bankers, 'Dawes, Tomes, Mousley, Grubb, Fidelity Fiduciary Bank' and was delighted to learn that Milady had not only instructed them to provide me with the necessary funds to take possession of the property, but also made a gift of a sum with which to furnish the house. I never fail to be amazed at the generosity of the Countess towards her staff, and bidding the young Mr Banks a cheery farewell planned a shopping expedition!

The Dawn of a New Day

The Countess always left messages for distribution, as well as my instructions for the night, on her desk in the Library. When checking the other night, I found a green box together with a note from Milady. She had managed to obtain the Nightshade potion as mentioned previously. I read her note and found that the potion was only newly discovered, there had been no certain cure for vampirism that could be readily obtainable. There WERE cures out there, but these were very rare indeed, as evidenced by Dr Mason having none at hand at the time I was considering the change. Milady went on to explain that the reason I had been kept as Revenant was in order that I be able to be returned to my human state should I ever wish it. That process was far simpler, and when I inadvertantly became full Vampyre, was the reason for Milady's wrath... she felt that she had truly damned me at that point. Now that the cure was at hand, Milady wanted to make it available to me (I'd never have been able to afford to purchase it), and would stand by me, whatever my decision.
I had already made up my mind. Having corresponded with my dear friends Miss Jameson and Dr Mason, my thoughts had become clear.... I wanted to live out the rest of my days naturally. Although there are certainly fewer days ahead than there are behind, I wanted to be back in tune with the natural order of things.
Opening the box I retrieved the bottle of the stange green Nightshade potion, and made my way to the Turning room, the site of the Embrace when Milady or any in her family bestow the Dark Gift upon others.

It certainly felt strange entering the room knowing that I was about to undertake a reversal of the room's usual function.

I uncorked the bottle and the potion began to react in the air. Not wishing to waste any of the precious liquid I placed the bottle to my lips.....

... and drank the potion until the bottle was dry.

There seemed to be no signs of the potion having worked, but as I felt at the spot of a tickling sensation on my neck, I noticed that my bite marks had gone. I smiled widely, although it is difficult for people to ever notice this act as my moustache being of the 'soup strainer' style, it covers the act.

I made my way to the rooftop. The hour was late and I wished to witness the dawn of the new day, and the symbol of the dawn of a new life. Whereas I would have sensed Milady's approach before taking the potion, I was now quite deaf to her soft footed movements. She called my name, and removing my hat as she came toward me, I bent to greet her.

As I kissed her hand she smiled at me. "I am glad you did this Janus," she said. "I can rest easy knowing that your Requiem has a happy ending."

Milady drew me back to my feet, and then embraced me tightly. "What will you do?" She whispered.

"I serve you Milady, as always, to the end of my days."

I didn't need the supernatural powers of a vampire to know that her eyes had filled with tears. Bidding me a hasty good day, she went to her rest,

As I watched her leave the rooftop I noticed that the walls of the Tower were starting to illuminate, much more than my meagre candle could perform.

I turned to face the sun, and basked in its new born light. I'm not afraid to say, I wept more than a manly tear.

Change is in the air...

The Countess has been keeping herself quite busy lately, and not wishing to get under her feet, I've been spending my time just polishing items and generally keeping the place tidy.

A new mausoleum has been added to Milady's land at the rear of the Tower, and although very simple in its design, I find it pleasing to the eye. Alice was not so sure.....

"Ere, Mr Janus!" She said with a wide-eyed look on her face as she came scurrying into the Library.

I winked at the fish in the bowl on Milady's desk, gave the bowl a last wipe with the duster in my hand and then gave Alice my full attention. "Yes Alice, what seems to be troubling you?"

"Ghosts!"

"You're being troubled by ghosts?"

"Nah! Not yet... but they'll soon be 'ere!"

I raised my eyebrows incredulously. "They sent a telegram announcing their imminent arrival?"

Alice blinked owlishly, "I dunno abaht that, but their 'ouse is finished out back." She looked over both her shoulders before continuing in a quieter voice. "Their graves will soon be there.. and where there's graves... there's ghosts!"

"Is that so Alice?" I copied her by looking over both my shoulders and continuing in a quite voice. "I'll you what Alice, I'll have a word with Milady and ask her to make sure that the ghosts leave you alone."

A look of delight spread across her face. "'Joo fink she'd do 'aht?"

I nodded and smiled at her and she visibly relaxed. "I'm sure she would. In fact, I'll go and see her now." I pocketed the duster and left Alice in the Library with her nose pressed up against the side of the fishbowl making strange fishlike actions with her mouth. As I was now on the other side of her heading towards the stairs, I could see her face magnified from the other side of the bowl, and it was all I could do not to laugh at this huge moonface peering cross-eyed with the opening and closing mouth. I don't do her justice here, for she's a pretty thing really.

I made my way out of the Hall entrance door, bowed to the statue of the Dark Lady and then walked around to the back of the Tower. Milady was just straightening a crest on the gate to the Mausoleum as I stopped and gave my little 'clear of the throat' noise that I do when wishing to get Milady's attention.

Milady turned around with a dazzling smile upon her face. "Hello Janus Dear. Does this look level to you?"

I can honestly say, I've never seen Milady smile as much as I have in the last two weeks, in spite of the troubling things that have been occurring. I looked at the crest, squinted one eye and nodded slowly. "Yes Milady, I think you have it there."

She gave it one final look, and then turned to face me. "Good. Yes Dear, what can I do for you?"

I looked around the small enclosure and noticed that there was indeed room for graves. I explained that Alice was concerned about ghosts and Milady asked me to assure Alice that they would not trouble her if they were to arrive. She then asked what I thought of the new construction. I told her that I liked it, but although I recognised one of the crests (the Ventrue Clan crest) I was not sure what the other signified. Milady explained that it was the symbol for 'The Circle of the Crone', a vampire covenant for pagan vampires. I had heard of it, as I'm familiar with all the covenants, but showed surprise as, of all the clans, it is believed that Ventrue is the one that would be least likely to be involved with that particular covenant. When I voiced this Milady laughed and said, "have you never wondered why we have a statue to the Dark Lady? Janus Dear, I'm Pagan."

I laughed and felt quite foolish and she chuckled as we made our way into the Mausoleum. It was very simple inside: there was a small altar with a flaming bowl placed centrally upon it immediately opposite the doorway; a regal looking coffin to the left; and a very delicate looking stained glass coffin to the right. Milady indicated the coffins and explained that the regal one was for guests, as she was making it a haven for those of our kind who needed a place to rest when far from their usual resting place. The glass one is for her and Miss Viviana. The light cast from the flaming bowl gave a warm look to the place, and I found it to be quite comforting.

Milady placed her hand upon my shoulder and guided me out of the Mausoleum. "Walk with me Janus Dear" she said as we left the building. I noticed the sad look upon her face that I had seen a couple of days ago and knew that I'd find out what had been on her mind. We walked down to the water's edge and looking out across the vast expanse of water Milady told me what it was. It seems that a potion had been discovered that could restore a vampire's humanity once again. Milady had the necessary contacts to obtain a supply when it was ready. She looked me in the eye and asked me straight out. "Janus, if I were to get this potion... would you wish to be human once again?"

Goodness, what a question......