Ｓｈａｃｋｌｅｓ {Ｖａｍｐｉｒｅ Ｓｅｍｉ-Ａｄｖａｎｃｅｄ} discussion

The library is on the third floor, with a winding staircase down to the second floor. Old books and manuscripts are locked up behind glass boxes. Chairs and sofas are within its confines. There are small rooms near the back for tutoring, and classrooms also are evident there.

Avani looked around the huge room and sighed as she realised this is what she would have to clean. She rubbed her head with her hand and began with the fire place. Soot was everywhere and she always wondered if the Prince's made it worse for the maids.

John entered, simply aiming to find solace, perhaps with a book. He saw a human, cleaning, and immediately approached them. Trying not to startle her, he spoke. "Please don't. I'd rather see the dust than you suffering to remove it."

She jumped and looked around almost dumping a bucket of dirty water over him. "Are you sure?" She squeaked unsure if he was joking.

"Certain, madam." John replied. "May I ask your name?" He spoke as he moved, not looking at her, searching the bookshelves.

"Um... Avani sir?" She said quietly and watched him as he looked over the endless shelves of books. She put the bucket down along with her rag.

"Have you been here long, Avani?" John asked, eyes scanning the shelves, looking for books on one particular subject matter.

"No I haven't sir." She said and shifted on her feet as he continued to search the shelves of books.

"How long?" He questioned, taking out a book, blowing the dust from it, and then reverently placing it back from whence it came.

"A couple of weeks. Why sir?" She asked and tilted her head to the side while watching him.

"I haven't seen you before. Where else in the palace have you worked?" Another book came out, another book proved dissatisfactory, and another book was replaced.

"I worked in the kitchen's sir." She said softly. "Do you need any help?" She asked quizzical as he continued to rummage through books.

"The kitchen's. That would explain it." John's eyebrows furrowed. "Perhaps I do require help. I doubt you are capable of giving it. I search for very particular texts."

"Excuse me?" She said before she had a chance to stop it. "Sorry, What are you looking for sir and maybe I can help?" She asked sweetly.

"You are lucky I am not my brother. You may have lost your tongue for that slip." John's tone did not change, ever calmly neutral. "I search for texts relating various subjects. My family history... the psychology of the murderer... and others. I had hoped to study them in peace."

She didn't know what to say to that. "You have to move down sir." She said knowingly as she had cleaned them earlier. "And I will leave if that is what you require from me."

"I do not require anything from you," he replied, emotion showing in his voice for the first time in the conversation. "Where?" He asked.

She sighed and walked down the corridor a little. She pointed to a row of books. "Here you go sir." She said softly.

((And this is me roleplaying someone who's meant to genuinely be nice...))

John looked across them, and extracted a few choice volumes. "I shall be taking these with me," he said, to no-one in particular.

((He's not too bad... (; ))

"Okay then sir." She smiled slightly and moved away from the shelf and him, to go and get back to work now that her brief break was over.

"Have you heard of the ball?" He asked, "It is soon."

She turned again. "Yes, it is why I am here. They invited me. I don't know why but..." She said and trailed off with a frown.

John shrugged, "I know no more than you as to your involvement." The lie came naturally. "I find them terribly boring affairs, though with good catering."

She bites her lip. "What is going on? What is the reason for the event?" Avani asked curiously as he looked at him.

"It's just a ball." John said, "No doubt there will be some announcement or other, but mainly it is for my parents to host politically important guests, and subtly insult those who have displeased them by disallowing their access. It's all politics."

"Oh..." She said and looked at him. She shuffled on her feet and crouched down to grab her rag.

"Did I disappoint you?" John asked, amused. "Of course, some fools will play at romantics, but you asked as to the purpose, and I replied as per the question."

"No, I was just wondering why I a random middle classes lady was asked to take part in such an event. I understand the working but not why I was invited to the ball." She said with a small shrug.

John shrugged. "Perhaps it is nothing," then he smiled, "Perhaps it is everything."

She blinked and watched him as he smiled. "Okay?" She asked in confusion.

"Read into it what you will, I am not free to divulge any more."

"Alright." She said and then sat down next to the fire place to get back to work.

John looked at her, "Do you read, madam?"

She looked back at him. "A little sir, why?"

"I was interested," John thought a moment. "Do you like books about vampires?"

"Hmmmm... I've only read one on a vampire. So I can't really answer that question." She smiled slightly at him. "Do you?"

"You could say that. What book?"

"Dracula." She smiled. "It was a very worn copy is all I can say." Avani said and stood again.

"And did you believe it?" John pressed, pretending to be making idle conversation.

"Not really. Vampires may be real but turn into a bag? Sleep in a coffin? Only allowed out in the dark? Some of it didn't make sense." She said and looked at him. "Do you believe in it?"

"Some of it makes sense," John said. He moved and took another book. "Read this." He handed it to her, "Studies on the Undead. It's quite stimulating. But don't let my brothers - or my parents - see you with it. Our secret, okay?"

She smiled. "Thank you." She said and nodded her head. "Our secret." Avani grabbed the book and held it unsure of what to do with it.

John nodded. He knew he was over-familiar with his supposed inferiors, but it was hard not to want to befriend them.

She held it tightly and bites her lip. "What should I do with it?" She asked quietly.

"Read it, of course! And do be careful, it's rather old."

"I know that but ummm... where do I put it?" She said and twisted his lips to the side.

"I don't know. Figure that out yourself." John retorted, "You are capable of free thought, are you not?"

She glared at him. "Of course." She said and took off her jacket. She then wrapped up the book.

"There, all done." He replied, somewhat patronisingly.

"Yeah I know I'm clever right?" She said softly and looked at him.