Progress

(Two weeks later.)

"Are you sure... I mean I thought you would have wanted it on Your home's premises, Lord Nox?" Barnabus asked, the rough-looking Blooded scratching his head as You grinned coyly at the plans in front of you.

You were in the Lounging Area after your workout... your workout without Rose who had remained distant since your time with Belle a couple of weeks ago, but you had been planning, making a suggestion on how to speed up your Sun-resistance.

"Well see it like this Barny." You started "I have no idea how this will affect me... I know we haven't really known each other that long but I can be pretty destructive when I lose control, I think putting the Chamber in the woods just north of the premises is a good idea, don't want to destroy the foundation of my home after it's already been put up, how's that going by the way?" You asked.

Barnabus gulped down the mug of Type O that You had been keeping in the fridge "Hey, that stuff wasn't easy to get you to know!" Namina complained as she peaked her cute feline face around the corner "do you have any idea how hard it is to smuggled donated blood out of a hospital, receptionists don't have that kind of clearance you know!"

Barabus waved her off, finishing the mug whole, making Namina swish her pigtails and strut off in a grump "Progress is definitely fast, nobody sees us during the night and we suspect things will be done pretty soon. so basically it's going good, Master." He explained You rubbed your chin.

"And... Rudy isn't causing any trouble?" You were hesitant to release Vulcan from her self-made cage, but when she offered to put up runes in the Manor that would make it worth ten mansions, you didn't quite know how to refuse.

Barnabus cringed "Miss Harlow has been keeping her under control... just about." the Man rubbed his arm like someone had taken a bite out of it "Although she's working just as fast as we are, and some of the stuff she is doing, I've never seen anything like it."

"This is great! It finally feels like things are coming along." You contemplated your inner strength, feeling the Beast's low satisfied growl. But you frowned, feeling a cold feeling within also.

"I'll tell the other Harkins about your chamber, it should be ready in a week or so, oh and I'll get that Nut to report to you also. Well, I better go, Velka and the other's are talking about attacking a child-trafficking ring, I could really use a snack!" He chuckled, getting up to leave you with your thoughts.

You felt a cold body sit beside you, leaning her Black haired head against You absently as she flipped on the Tv "You look especially depressed today." Cleo said as You pouted.

"I do not..."

"Whatever..." She said grumpily, though her eyes flickered to you as You continued to think "Ugh Alright, what's the problem?" Cleo asked, twisting around to look at you.

"Oh, so you care now?" You smirked.

She rolled her eyes "It is a Lady's duty to soothe her lord's pain, now spit it out."

Your smirk faded, and You turned your eyes away "My... uh, My Dad's funeral is tomorrow."

Cleo's sass seemed to melt away, replaced by sincerity "Oh, I'm sorry."

"No it's okay, You've been out working with the Twins. gathering info, busy stuff."

Cleo folded her arms "You could have mentioned it at least... then... I could have been there for you a little more, Mr Lone wolf." She pouted, it made you smile, the little ways she showed she cared.

"Aww there's cute little, Claudia again, aren't you just a cutie-pootie-pie?" Cleo frowned as you pinched her cheeks.

"I'll let you off this time, but if you do that again, You're smiling for me, and slapping my tits... a lot... very hard."

You raised an eyebrow "I literally see now punishment in that."

"Oh, there is, punishment for Me, finally." She grinned dreamily at the thought.

"Not gonna happen toots." You got to your feet "Now... If you'll excuse me... I have some snooping to do." Cleo shrugged.

"Fine, but don't be late to bed, Belle got Inpatient and started... Just don't be late." She insisted as You gave her a goodbye kiss, making your way towards the exit to the Cave.

"Master! Mr Drake H-Hold on, Wait!" You turned, seeing Namia's small form prance over to you, her pigtails bobbing as she did "Are you heading out? do you want me to come with you, I can be your little helper, o-or just look cute standing next to you?" She grinned, her green eyes fluttering at You.

"Uhh, I'm just heading to the Basement in the Manor, Mina, and you really don't wanna go in there." You cringed at the memory of S.O.L turning those UV lights on you, though you supposed that fear would become all too real soon enough.

"Oh, right... well, if you need me, then I'd be happy to help, anything to repay you letting me stay here," she said, gratefully but a little sadly.

You contemplated her, folding your arms "You know what, why don't you come with me, I have a surprise I meant to save when it was done, but... eh fuck it, come on." You gestured for her to follow, the girl jumping for joy as You pushed open the doors for her.

"A surprise!? really!? ooooh, Hashtag: Excited!" She yelped as you frowned.

"Never say, Hashtag: Exited again, I beg of you."

Namina Saluted "You got it, boss!"

Walking out into the cool night air, your spirits lifted as You saw Your home, even taller than it was before, all 4 of its floor's standing proudly, your dad's or your Astronomy tower, attached to the Southwest of the House, where your father used to keep his many books and gaze at the stars with that huge telescope of his.

Moving towards the Face of the Building, it warmed your heart to see those Black double doors, a black-iron gargoyle knocker which you grasped pushing the doors open with ease... they were always so heavy before.

Moving out into the Lobby, where Namina's jaw dropped, and you grinned. Set up, was probably the finest reception ever constructed, readied for staff with a semi-portable phone, surveillance, a hickory desk with all the scratchings, a sitting area that lead to the second set of double doors "Reinforced steel, no one gets in or out without your say so... also there's a room back there if you need to rest. I'm gonna be counting you to keep us safe, a Gatekeeper if you will." You grinned.

Namina stood frozen, bloody tears streaming down her face as she began to sob uncontrollably in a mewing fashion "T-This is the most amazing thing anyone has ever done for me!"

Mina flew at You, hugging you as she cried out in unimaginable joy, You patted her back "Hey... it's alright, just... no more fighting cats for scraps and feeding on crazy cat ladies alright?"

She looked at You, only inches away from your face as she nodded profusely "Yes, yes! I promise! anything I..." Mina paused, noticing how close she was... She stepped back "I'll do well for you Lord Nox, I promise, and... I don't suppose, that we can go on a date next week? I know... your dad's funeral is tomorrow, so what do you say, I know a lot of nice places."

You grinned at her, nodding "I would love to."

The Little minx giggled girlishly "Great, awesome, it's a date then!" She said, leaping back towards her desk "I'll just um... leave you too it then, I'm looking forward to our date haha!"

You waved as Namina vanished through the door behind the desk and screamed "OH MY GOD, A 40 INCH TV, HOLY SHIT, HOLY SHIT AND IS THAT CREAM, OOOOOOOH!"

You grinned, reaching over the desk and clicking the button, the security doors beeping as You walked through to the Foyer and then to the kitchen, a smile wide on your face.