Lucien awoke promptly, not allowing the sun to hit his face through the ever present crack in faded curtains. He rose as he did every other morning, swinging his frame about atop the lavish bedding, finding his clothes from a large oak wardrobe. It was an autonomous process, the white shirt slipping on, buttons, he counted 11, each one slotted into place. The rest of the outfit just seemed to appear upon him, the process blurring with monotony. Lucien didn't seem to enjoy anything anymore. Even the walls of books that surrounded him, every one committed to memory, every one now just a testament to all he'd learned, and how little he'd gained.<br/><br/>Jase opened the door from his bed chambers, striding through the vast halls of the house he had inherited. He hated living here, the massive dwelling a towering pillar of arrogance that stood tall with all the others in this quarter of london. But alas, he got no further than the hallway outside before a haunting, sing-song voice rang out behind him.<i><span style="color: darkorchid">"Good morning brother."</span></i>Lucien stopped in his tracks. That voice. Every time he heard it, it seemed to stab at him. But his breath was wasted on apologies, no matter how much he tried to tell her. She neither gratified them, nor dismissed them, merely acknowledged his pleas for forgiveness. It was... Infuriating.<br/><br/><i><span style="color: darkorchid">"I trust you shall require my services, If you are indeed poised to venture out, brother?" </span></i>Lucien found that infuriating too. She seemed to ask him perfectly valid questions, but make his insides quiver with guilt at the same time. She wasn't smart like Lucien, but she was wise beyond her years. She seemed to know what made things... Tick.<br/><br/><span style="color: darkslateblue">"Sophia... You may do as you wish."</span>Lucien intoned blankly, trying not to show his emotions. He let his hand rest on the door, paying a glance back to the small, elaborately dressed up girl. Her gown was of the purest white, its frills and decorations flowing from the center of her garments. Her hair remained the same, without style, but it seemed so pretty to Lucien, even as the brown tendrils of plain hair merely hung obediantly at her waist. She was such a beautiful girl.<br/><br/>Sophia just giggled slightly.<span style="color: darkorchid"><i>"Don't worry brother. I shan't see you alone on the streets."</i></span>A smile shone on her lips, the kind of smile that stabbed at him.<br/><br/><span style="color: darkslateblue">"Very well then."</span>Lucien started out onto the streets, looking at the steadily climbing sun, and chuckled. Lucien had been intending to find a vampire tonight, but it seemed he had a while to go. He let Sophia's hand slip into his, taking care to be discreet. The chances were that any onlooker would not see his ethereal sister, so he stayed his arm at his side. He felt that certain, yearning, at the back of his mind. It seemed he might have to catch another already. At least it would offer some occupation.<br/><br/>Lucien strode toward the center of London, finding the streets strangely deserted. This would not do. He was nearing the part of the city that seemed rife with market stalls, entertainers, beggars and the like. Lucien, however, did not discriminate. Everyone had an equal oppertunity to be chosen, as it were. But where is everyone?<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>