Chapter 1 - Part 14: Put Out the Fire

Out of the blue Faith received a call from the science facility.  They had somehow been informed of her interest in all things biological.  She had been making quite a name for herself with her teachers, being top of the class in every subject and even tutoring other kids.

It turned out that they were eager to know what Faith's plans were for after graduation and were quite hoping that their facility would be a part of them.  They were willing to give her free reign of the compound, including access to their private garden which included some very unique and rare plants.  Faith had to admit it was a pretty intriguing offer.

While Faith was busy being courted by her prospective future bosses, Morand was sent out on an emergency.  His heart sank when he realized the address was Cecil and Jett's apartment complex.

Please, please don't let anyone be hurt, he silently prayed to himself.

Cecil and Jett were safe outside.

"Khalilah!!" Cecil was screaming, "Dad, Khalilah's in there, you have to save her!  Please!!"

Morand immediately sprinted inside and up the stairs, his heart pounding in his chest.  If anything happened to his granddaughter, the devastation to his family would be irreparable.

He burst into the apartment to find it completely engulfed in smoke and flames.  He could barely see anything in front of his face.  Sweeping the room he didn't see a sign of her.

"Khalilah!" he shouted, his voice barely audible over the roar of the flames.

Morand pushed his way through the apartment and broke through the door of the nursery, fearing the worst.  The flames reached up to the ceiling, almost everything in sight was on fire.  His granddaughter's crib was starting to char and melt and it took everything he had to look inside.

It was empty.

Constantly shouting the girl's name, Morand continued to put out the inferno, only hoping that she was safe and he wouldn't have to retreat downstairs with news that would break his son's heart.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, the last of the flames died down and the physically and emotionally exhausted Morand looked around, searching for his missing granddaughter.

Who he found hiding in her toy chest in the living room.

He scooped up the girl and hugged her close, on the verge of tears.  "Pappy!" she squealed when she realized it was him and snuggled herself close into Morand's sooty chest.

One more crisis narrowly averted, Morand thought with a huge sigh of relief.

Faith awoke early Saturday morning and rode her bike out to her favorite fishing spot.  True, her latest passion had become horticulture, but there was always a soft spot for her first hobby, fishing.  

And the fish really seemed to be jumping today, which made her happy.  There would be fresh fish for dinner tonight!  The rule of the house was if Faith catches it, Morand would cook it.

However, the main reason for this fishing trip wasn't for catching tonight's dinner, it was to use this solitary time to think.  There was a lot going on in that genius brain of hers.  Thoughts of the future, of where her life was taking her, of where she wanted it to go.  

All these thoughts of the future were particularly important today, because this was Faith's birthday.

When she got home, she was shocked to find the place completely decorated.  Balloons in her favorite color were scattered all around the house and the radio was even tuned to her favorite station.

"Surprise!" Morand said, smiling wide, clearly proud of his decorating abilities.

Faith shouldn't have been too surprised, though.  She knew her Dad would make a big deal out of her birthday, even if she didn't.

"I know you don't like big parties and whatnot, so I didn't invite over a ton of people," Morand told her, "but I couldn't let your biggest birthday come and go without any kind of celebration.  Because I only have one daughter, and you know who that is..." he teased her.

"Me!" she laughed.  Her father sometimes forgot that she wasn't a kid any more, but she couldn't help herself from playing along with him.  He was the only one that could ever make her act like the kid she was, to everyone else Faith had been 'one of the adults' since she was a child.

"Thanks, Daddy," she said, giving him a hug.

"I love ya, kiddo," he replied, not quite ready to see his little girl grow into an adult.

Morand had only invited over Cecil and his family for the party.  Unfortunately Khalilah wasn't feeling very well and ever since the fire, Jett and he decided she wasn't to be left without one of them home at all times.  So, Cecil came by himself.

The three of them continued the family tradition of turning every party into a dance fest, with Morand breaking out some of his signature moves.  Cecil, being the big time sports star he was felt that dancing was a little above his pay grade, but obliged his sister's request.  It was her birthday after all.

While Morand prepared the fish that Faith had brought home, Cecil took the time to catch up with his little sister.

"How have you been, girlie?" he asked her.

"I've been great," she answered, "I've been basically guaranteed a job right out of school, at the science lab, so that's great news.  I'm pretty sure I've also aced all my finals as well, though I think I might only be getting an A- in advanced history" she finished.

"Yes, yes, I'm sure that's all very fascinating, Faith.  Work and school aren't the only things in life, you know," he teased her.  "What about friends?  Boys?  You seeing anyone these days?" he asked.

Faith bit her lip.

Cecil caught her hesitation, "So there is a boy!  Spill it, girl, tell me all of the details," he persuaded, a large grin spreading across his face.

His sister didn't seem too eager to share, "it's not really like that.  I'm just trying to help him out.  I haven't even talked to him in months," she finished, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

"And what is this cassanova's name, pray tell?" Cecil asked her.

Once again, Faith hesitated, "Drake Dracul," she eventually confessed.

"Oh, Faith, no," her brother said worriedly, "please don't tell me you've gotten involved with the Vampires.  They're dangerous!  They hurt people, they drink blood.  You are far too good to get caught up in all that!" he begged of her.

"But Drake is different, Ceece!  I mean, yes, he drinks blood, but he doesn't like it.  He doesn't want to have drink it.  That is why I'm helping him, because he's different.  Don't worry about me, I'm not 'getting involved', I'm just interested in seeing if there's something I can do for them," Faith defended.

Like father, like son, Cecil could only say, "Just please be careful, ok?"

She hugged her brother and told him she would, as their father yelled "Dinner!" from across the room.

After the outstanding meal of fresh caught fish came the cake.  Faith thought long and hard about what to wish for.  Her mind automatically went to "Getting straight A's on the finals" to "Reaching the top of the field" in her dream career.  However, she eventually settled on something a little more... personal.

These two really enjoy parties.

While her father and brother cheered her on, Faith blew out the candles and entered adulthood...

Title / Queen

Chapter 1 - Part 13: Disco Inferno

It had been awhile since their last Father/Daughter day, so Morand decided to take Faith out to the ballpark to spend a little time together.

It was another one of Harmony's gorgeous days and he couldn't think of any better way of spending it than with his gorgeous daughter.

Though he did tend to get a little over-excited about throwing the ball.

When the two tired of the baseball diamond they decided to grab a drink at The Dug Out.  

Even with just the two of them, Morand could tell that Faith's mind was somewhere else.  "What's on your mind, sweetheart?"

She snapped back from whatever thought had been crossing her mind, "Oh, nothing much."

"Vampires?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

She let out a big sigh, "I know you don't care for them, daddy.  But, they're not all bad.  Bad tempers maybe, but not bad people.  I think I can help them," she said, with a look of hope in her eye.

Morand looked at his daughter, almost grown and soon to be responsible for herself and knew he raised a daughter who was capable of doing great things.  "Just be safe, hun.  That's all I ask," he said, returning to his juice.

She just smiled at her father.

Life carried on like normal over the course of the next few weeks.  Faith constantly scourged the science section of the paper for any new developments that might help her in her research.  She hadn't heard from Drake in at least a week, but wasn't surprised.  The Vampire people were a proud people, she wasn't expecting any kind of olive branch to come from him first.  However, that didn't put her off from doing whatever she could to help him.

It also didn't stop him from checking up on her.

The next day Morand came home with a gift for Faith.

"I know you've been working really hard on whatever it is you're working on, but everyone needs a break now and then.  When was the last time you went out with your friends or did anything outside?" he asked.

Faith didn't have the heart to tell him that she didn't really have any friends.  Or any hobbies that didn't include books or research papers.

Morand continued, "did you realize that tonight is your prom?  Why don't you go, let your hair down, take a night off?  I got you a dress, I hope you like it," he said, handing over the gift wrapped box.

"Oh, daddy, you didn't have to do that," Faith replied, a little embarrassed about not realizing that the prom was tonight.  "I don't have a date or anything, what would I do there?"

"You go for yourself!  Dance to the music, meet new people, just have a good time," he urged her.

She took the package and gave him a big hug before running up the stairs to change.

An hour later, she was off to the prom.  Dateless, but looking forward to a night away from books and papers and thoughts of Vampires.

To keep his mind occupied while Faith was off at the prom, Morand used the evening to put the finishing touches on his master bathroom.  New appliances meant new upgrades to complete!  (Matching pajamas sold separately.)

It was pretty late when Faith returned to the house, but she found Morand still up waiting for her.  Sitting down at the table, she told him all about the party.

"It was SO fun, dad!  When they announced my name for Prom Queen, I almost choked on my punch!  I guess helping half the student body with their homework won me some extra votes," Faith laughed as she showed off her crown.

"How could they not vote for the smartest and prettiest girl in the class?" Morand replied in true doting father fashion.  "I'm glad you had a great time tonight, sweetheart.  See, it pays to leave the books on the shelf once in awhile."

"Yes, yes, yes, you were right, dear Father," Faith teased.  Then yawned.

"Off to bed with you, Daughter.  Your Father commands it," they laughed, then went promptly to bed.

The only thing missing from the prom had been Drake, who was nowhere to be found.  She began to wonder if the Vampire even attended the school at all.

.

OUTTAKES

 Morand had the Opportunity come up to dance at a club for simoleans.
While the pics didn't fit into the story, they were too priceless not to share!

I'm guessing this is where Cecil and Jett go on their nights out... =)
(Morand is way too excited about the shirtless bartender!)


Title / The Trammps

Chapter 1 - Part 12: Hot Blooded

Faith's new schedule revolved around her books and the order in which she wanted to read them.  As a birthday present, Morand had gotten her a membership to the local book club, which put her in heaven as a freshly printed book (some by local authors!) arrived in the mail every week.

In addition to her mass amounts of reading, there was also homework to be taken care of.  Having been tested out at genius levels doing her homework didn't take very long, but there were certainly worse places she could be doing it than on her private balcony overlooking the ocean.

She also enjoyed spending time in the newly renovated study, surrounded by her father's awards and trophies.  It gave her a sense of pride to sit in among his accolades, providing her with inspiration to make the same kind of success for herself, whatever field she ended up in.

Morand responded to the day's emergency like it was any other, until he heard a familiar voice yelling from inside the house.  It wasn't quite the same tone as he'd last remembered it, but he knew as soon as the screams reached his ears who it was.

"Cheri," Morand muttered to himself.  The mother of his son.  The abandoner. 

He hadn't seen Cheri Cornwell since she unceremoniously dumped Cecil in his arms, shortly after he'd moved to Harmony.  He'd heard that she ran off to Bridgeport to try and make a name for herself musically, but apparently she was back.

Morand fought his way inside the building and made his way to the petrified woman.  Upon seeing his face, Cheri immediately avoided eye contact and sheepishly allowed Morand to lead her out of the burning house.

"Stay here!" Morand commanded, "I'm not through with you."

The overdressed woman was still hysterical, "Save him, please!  You have to save PeeDee!" she screamed at him.

He ran back inside and forced the panicked man away from the flames.  Once his hypnotic stare was broken from the fire, he fled.  Her taste in men still ran towards the nerdy, Morand observed.

Once the fire was out, he ran outside to confront Cheri.  All he caught was a glimpse of her backside, once again running away from him.

Damn that coward, he thought to himself.

Seeing Cheri again reminded Morand exactly what he had gained in life, not what he missed, so a new tattoo was emblazoned on his body.  A design encompassing four stars, a symbol of the four members of his true family; himself, Faith, Cecil, and Dixie, in Dixie's favorite color.

Faith had signed up through the school to be a tutor on the weekends and was caught off guard when Drake Dracul appeared on her doorstep at twilight.  Her dad had mentioned something about the "dark society" in Harmony, but had never met any of them.  She wasn't even aware that he attended her school.

"Thank you for meeting with me, Faith," Drake said to her.

Faith had to admit to being a nervous around the boy.  She had heard some pretty scary stories about their kind - using mind control on people, their mental prowess, and of course there was the sucking of blood, even a couple cases where that had lead to death.

"Uh, yes," Faith said, withdrawing her hand from his, "Why don't we get to work?"

She sat down on the porch, purposely not showing him in, as she had heard that once you invite in one of their kind that it was basically giving them permission to come and go as they please.  

She worked him through his homework quickly, yet still trying to answer his questions and not let him see exactly how nervous he was making her.

Once they were finished, she jumped up and quickly thanked Drake for coming and wished him a good evening.

"I am sorry if I have offended you.  I can sense your fear.  You have nothing to be afraid of from me."

Embarassed, Faith could only apologize, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude, it's just...  Well, I've never met any of you before.  By 'you', I mean a..., you know.  You, blood suckers," she practically whispered the last two words, clearly flustered at the vampire's presence.

Drake began to lose his composure, "Is that what you think I am?  A 'blood sucker', that all I want to do is open up your veins right here and now?"

Faith had clearly upset him and wasn't sure how to handle this creature's anger.  "I'm sorry, I just don't want to be bitten or killed," she pleaded with him.

"It is no wonder 'us people' try to avoid contact with 'you people' whenever possible!  It is ideas like yours that have created a fear and hatred where none is needed.

To inform you, not all vampires enjoy having to drink from humans.  Personally, I abhor it.  I have had to drink the blood of dozens of humans to stay alive, whether I wanted that fate or not, it is mine to bear.  If there was another way for us to live, I would gladly partake, however at this time we have no other choice!" he finished, fuming.  This was clearly a very touchy subject with the pale man.  And he wasn't quite finished.

"Just to let you know, Miss Cagley," he spit her name out as if it was a venom, "I did not need to come to you for tutoring.  I am older than your grandfather by many years, and infinitely more wise.  However, I needed to see if the rumors about you were true."

Faith's attention was piqued, "and what rumors would those be?"

"Unfortunately they are," he continued, "you possess a mind power that humans your age are not usually gifted with.  I was hoping we could work together, but genius or not you are just another simpleton!" he raged.

"And you're just a scaaaary vampire!" Faith mocked him, finding a bravery she didn't know she possessed.

Whatever her intention had been in making fun of the man, it worked to break the tension and Drake had to force himself to not laugh.

"I apologize.  I did not mean to get so upset.  If you will forgive me, I will be on my way.  I am just sorry that you are not the one I thought you were."

With that the vampire turned and left, in all but a blur.

Faith woke up early the next morning having not slept well after the conversation with Drake.  She stopped by the library to pick up a couple books and went to the only place she knew she'd be able to concentrate.  The Butterfly Pavilion.

She wanted to learn more about the history of the vampire people and their struggles.  It didn't sit right with her that she had a misconceived notion about them and that her thoughts were based off of rumor and not fact.  Something else had struck her as well, the idea that Drake didn't enjoy feeding off humans.  If there was a way he could still get the nourishment he needed without having to feed, Faith wanted to help him find it.

Being surrounded by the trees and flowers she was hit with inspiration.  She raced home and began to study plant matter, making the comparison between a fleshy fruit like a mango, with actual flesh.  The spark of an idea was there, but it certainly required more research.

"You've been awfully busy lately," Morand mentioned to Faith as they sat down that evening for some leftovers.  "What have you been working on?"

"Not much," she replied, "just trying to help out a vampire."

Morand almost choked on his waffle.

Title / Foreigner