Ashe P.O.V

I knew he was waiting, expecting me to say something; deny or ask why I couldn't stay with him. And why didn't I? Because of how much he sighed and sounded frustrated with having to deal with this. And the stuff he mumbled to himself? Yeah, not indistinguishable to someone like me. I knew he didn't want me and was just hoping he could quickly rectify this problem before it took up any more of his time.I was pretty much in everyone's way, so what right did I have to say anything about it?

But, I was still thankful to him for the food and trying to help me, even though he had no actual responsibility toward it.

"Would you like to take a shower?" He asked me, obviously uncomfortable by this extended interaction.

I frowned at the question, reminding me that I was only dressed in my pants with some bandaging on my shoulder, "As I do not have a change of clothes, I should probably just do so back at my-" I found myself unable to figure out what I should call it now, "-at the dorm, where my clothes are. I suppose I'll go over there to clean up and pack. Thank you, sir, for your assistance in this problem," I kept it as formal as possible, especially since I didn't know his name. That was one more thing I didn't ask, and it seemed he was not going to offer.

"Gale is going to assist you with gathering your things and moving them to his place. Luckily he hadn't found a roommate yet," He replied, totally pushing aside the words of gratitude. I wondered if he were only doing this to create more space between us, like he wanted to make sure I didn't get attached. I won't.

I didn't respond, as it seemed he wasn't expecting anything in return, "I think it best if you wait here for him, then head over to your dorm together. Your shirt was destroyed, so I'll give you one of mine. By the time you're out of the shower, Gale should be here for you."

He didn't give me a choice, nor expect me to refuse. It kind of pissed me off, how he was acting, but I swallowed my sharp feelings and they settled to prick at me in my stomach. I bore through it as he brought me to his bathroom and left out items for me, showed me where the products were, and started the shower for me.

****

Dressed once more after the shower, I was nervous to exit the bathroom. Why? Because I had heard his friend, Gale, enter. The guy, who I finally now know is named Cian thanks to Gale, seemed a lot more.... Not quite relieved, but maybe not so reserved or stressed. It seems he really did consider Gale as a friend, and if he trusted Gale in that way, I didn't think I would have such a problem with him as well. I mean, I might not be happy about all this, but I guess I can understand, though it hurt a lot, that Cian's goal was purely to keep me safe and well.

So, dressed with damp hair, I girded myself before stepping out of the bathroom. Cian had put me in his private bathroom because, while there were other bathrooms in the building, only his had the proper supplies. The good news was that I had already counted the steps in this room and out into the living room, so it wouldn't be all that hard to navigate myself around quietly. I felt my ninja double oh seven self come back with a vengeance. What I found recently was that this place was made in such a way as to keep sound from traveling. From what I can tell, the walls were thick and tended to muffle or swallow up any noises. That wasn't very helpful for someone that wanted to eavesdrop. As expected, I wouldn't do very well as a spy since they require their eyesight so much; where do you think the name 'spy-glass' came from? So, I thought there were other fields that fit my repertoire. Agent or ninja? Yes. Spy? No.

I quietly moved along, lightly tapping the door frame and following my mental image of the area that I kind of knew. Their voices had receded while I had changed, but became clearer as I exited the short hall and walked up until the couch was once more to my right. I shifted my head to follow their voices and frowned. The origin of the voices were confusing, as the sound seemed to be coming downward at an angle on the far side of the room. My brow furrowed, thinking that it was obviously coming from a room upstairs... But what the hell were stairs doing just outside a regular- sized door?

My head tilted to the side for a few moments before I straightened, surprised. I gasped, realizing that I was in a fricking basement! No wonder why it was so damn quiet and I couldn't hardly figure out the rooms through my normal means. The cement and fact that it was underground kept the general vibrations and outside sounds from giving me any inkling to dimensions. In addition, the rooms didn't keep sound well, so it didn't bounce back to me enough to be of any help. 'This must be what it's like for regular blind people,' I thought, missing my cane.

Suddenly, their voices got louder as the sound of boots down stairs reached my ears. I wasn't sure why, but I ducked down and sat on the ground behind the couch as the guys talked lightly to each other about the club and Gale's writing. It was the usual small talk that just comes with interaction and can be as easily forgotten later. I listened as they reached the kitchen, both getting drinks from the fridge.

The smell eventually reached me, but I was a little confused by the smell until I realized that it was blood mixed with alcohol. I leaned back, wondering why I was even seated here, now behind the armrest of the couch so as not to be seen by the two men in the kitchen. And then I got my answer.

"So, I'm glad you're willing to take in this kid. I can't believe how sloppy the nest has become, and the exchange of governmental hands has only increased the chaos of late," Cian took a sip from his glass.

"It's no problem. It's hard to find a roommate in general, and almost impossible to find one that isn't crazy or annoying as shit," Gale's voice held amusement. "Just so long as he's not loud enough to bug me, keeps messes to a minimum, and pays for anything he needs or wants- have at."

"That should be no problem. I told you before that he was blind, which necessitates cleanliness, and he is sensitive to sounds as well from what he told me. And not to worry about money, his account will be controlled by me, but I will be sending a steady supply of blood, allowance, and rent as needed."

"Sounds good to me. I'm not going to be a babysitter though, right? I mean, he's not a little kid I need to coddle or anything?" Gale seemed to rub the back of his neck, "And if I bring back company... There shouldn't be a problem with that, right?"

Cian stayed silent for a little. It wasn't an awkward silence, but one in which he was actually thinking and considering the answers to these questions. Gale, most likely used to this, took several more sips from his glass, and the creak of the counter signaled him leaning against it.

"He is a kid, but just keep anything PG-13 to your room and it shouldn't matter," Cian crossed his arms, "Your rooms have been sound-proofed, right?"

I can imagine Gale rolling his eyes as I heard him huff a sigh, "I know you like your insane juxtaposition of quiet below the rowdy club- weird- but since I am also a vampire with pretty good hearing, of course I sound-proofed my room so I can write without every little noise bugging me... And yes, in expectation of having visitors of the same species, yes, the other rooms are too."

"Alright, now that I have explained everything that you signed without bothering to read it, is there anything you need to stock up from me?"

"Nah, I'm still good," Gale took another swallow of his drink. "When will I meet this kid? Where is he?"

"Well, I would expect him to be out of the shower by now," I heard Cian straighten. "Maybe he still in my room."

"You let him into your room?!"

I could almost imagine Cian glaring, but right now my major concern is what I'm going to do. Should I sneak back into the room...?

"All my other rooms are fairly bare, and I didn't want to deal with the bother of moving things just for him to take a shower in another room. What a hassle."

I listened as Cian, by the sound of the steps, began heading toward his room, walking from the kitchen straight down between the wall and couch, at the end of which I was hiding.

(Gale above)