Current...Past...Sin...Alexander...Forum...Notes...Survey...D-land

The Second Fencing Class
2003-03-29 - 1:19 p.m.

The next evening, I awoke in Alexander's arms, much to my surprise. But I still did not know why he had acted so distressed the evening before. He told me he acted in such a way because Soterius had told him that I had slept with Adhemar.

Panic shot through me at that moment. We had slept together, but we hadn't slept together. I immediately regretted having turned to Adhemar when I was depressed at Alexander's leaving.

I had only wanted someone to hold me, to be with me, to show me affection during that time of great heartache. I had not realized Alexander would be so startled over the act, for it was platonic and completely devoid of any lust. Adhemar was like a brother, especially because he was so close to Henmi. I had very much appreciated Adhemar being so loving towards me when Alexander was not, but now Alexander was making me feel guilty for our time spent together, even though Alexander said he did not care about my time spent with Adhemar.

When Alexander asked for my forgiveness, I felt as if I might shatter. I wanted to ask for his as well, but then I thought that I should not have to apologize. What is wrong with loving your friends platonically? And Adhemar just wanted to comfort me when I was so depressed just like a good friend would. There was nothing wrong with that, I decided.

Then Alexander told me how much he loved me, which was something I did not hear often. I held him tightly, mentally telling him that I loved him so much as well.

Later in the evening, we left the house to feed, but then returned to the school right after. We spent the remainer of the night together. I asked him if he would sleep in our coffin with me, for we had not done that in such a long time. He smiled and accepted.

When I awoke the next evening, Alexander was still asleep, so, not wanting to wake him, I carefully unwound my limbs from his and climbed out of the coffin.

I remembered that a fencing class was to be tonight, so I changed into my uniform.

I wondered if Ella was awake yet, so I walked downstairs to see if I could find her. I found her in the classroom, straightening mats that had been set out of place from the last lesson.

She looked up at me as I entered. "Hello, Sindor."

"Hi�" I replied awkwardly. "'I� well, I want to thank you for your concern."

"But Sindor, I did not do anything," Ella stated. "So I take it that you and Lex are alright now?"

"Yes," I replied. "I'm glad."

"I am as well," she replied, smiling at me. "Is Alexander awake yet?"

"No, he isn't�"

"Would you wake him up, Sindor? He would not be happy if he was late for the lesson," Ella said.

I nodded at her, then walked back upstairs to my room.

When inside, I walked over to our coffin and looked inside. Alexander was still sleeping soundly. He was beautiful; I didn't want to wake him up, but I had no choice, as I didn't want him to be late for the lesson. I shook him gently and said, "Alexander? Alexander, wake up�"

Slowly, his eyes fluttered open. "Sindor?" he mumbled sleepily.

"We have a lesson tonight, remember?" I said with a smile.

He immediately sat up. "I cannot believe I forgot�" He stood up and stepped out of the coffin. "Sindor, will you stay by the door and let the students in while I get ready?" He reached in his pocket and pulled the house key out and handed it to me.

I nodded and told him I would. I walked out of the room and headed downstairs.

Just as I reached the end of the stairwell, I heard a soft knock on the door. I unlocked the door and opened it immediately. A tall, dark-haired boy stood in the doorway, clad in his fencing uniform, and, if I remembered correctly from the previous lesson, his name was Judas.

"Oh? You're answering the door? How strange�" he purred. "You live here? With Master LeNoir?"

I felt my jaw fall slightly. I didn't know what to say. I simply stood staring at him for a moment before he smiled and said, "Nevermind, nevermind. It's none of my business, is it?" He slid past me and into the school.

I felt my face heat up with annoyance, but did not do anything further, for I the saw Henmi and Adhemar walking up towards the house. Henmi looked very happy, and Adhemar physically looked much better than the state he had been in two nights ago. I was glad that he had recovered somewhat.

Henmi hugged me tightly when he reached the door, and said, "I missed you, Sin."

"I've missed you too, Henmi," I said, releasing my hold of him after a moment.

I looked up at Adhemar, but his eyes were focused elsewhere, on Judas, who stood leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, looking at the three of us with amusement. Adhemar raised an eyebrow at him in annoyance.

Adhemar? I asked.

This kid's a perv, just look at him! Adhemar replied.

Judas raised an eyebrow at Adhemar in a mocking gesture, a smirk on his face. Adhemar wrinkled his nose slightly at Judas in dislike.

A moment later, Judas quit his staring at Adhemar and walked over to Henmi. He took one of Henmi's hands in his own. "I noticed you didn't look so well at the last lesson. Are you feeling better now? Are you going to participate in the lesson today? You can be my partner if you'd like�"

Henmi blinked at him with a confused expression on his face.

"Forgive me. I am Judas," he said. "And what is your name, if I may ask?"

"H-Henmi�" Henmi replied nervously.

Adhemar could sense Henmi's apprehension, so he stepped in front of Henmi, breaking the link between Judas' and Henmi's hands. "Do you mind?" Adhemar asked snidely.

Judas crossed him arms across his chest again. "Do you? Who are you, his slave-escort?"

Adhemar's upper lip drew up slightly to expose one of his sharp fangs. He was so angry; I wanted to do something but I didn�t know what to do.

Judas snorted with amusement. "No, I suppose you wouldn't be a slave; you are too light-colored to be a west-African. East-African, perhaps? I wouldn't know, though. They're all the same to me�"

Adhemar was seething. Henmi looked on at the situation fearfully.

Thinking of a way to atleast free Henmi from their quarreling, I said, "Henmi, why don't you and I go find you a uniform?"

Judas jumped on the opportunity. "What are you saying? You have to stay here and answer the door, lest Master LeNoir will punish you, I'm sure," Judas said with a smile. "I'll help Henmi find a uniform."

I sighed angrily at Judas' constant immodest choice of words.

Adhemar growled, "I'm sure Arnon is capable enough to find a uniform for his brother without your help."

"Brothers? How delightful; I didn't notice before," Judas said, ignoring Adhemar's anger. He turned to Henmi and said, "Yes, I see it now. The eyes are the same. But the hair isn't�" He reached around Adhemar's shoulder to trace his fingertips over the side of Henmi's face. "No, not the same at all�"

Henmi gasped slightly and stepped back from Judas' touch.

Adhemar pulled Judas' arm away roughly, causing Judas to wince a little. "Never touch him again�" Adhemar hissed.

Judas smirked, his arm still being held by Adhemar. "Or what?" he asked smoothly, turning his head knowingly towards the stairs.

I followed his gaze to the stairs and I jumped slightly as I saw Alexander standing at the foot of the staircase, his arms crossed and glaring at all of us.

Adhemar immediately released Judas' arm and stalked off out the door, not looking back. Henmi took a step forward to go after him, but I stopped Henmi, as I knew Adhemar would need some time to calm down.

"Judas," Alexander said. "In the classroom."

Judas smiled and obediently walked off to the fencing room.

Alexander then said more calmly, "Henmi, go find a uniform though that door there." He pointed to a room near the classroom.

Henmi looked up at me for a moment before walking silently off to find a uniform.

Alexander took my hand and led me into the kitchen, closing the door behind us. He hadn't bothered to close the front door, so that the rest of the students could walk inside.

He began, "Sindor--"

"It wasn't all Adhemar's fault!" I said defensively.

"I know, Sindor--"

"Judas is so� so�" I couldn't think of a word to describe him. "�And that's why!"

"I know, Sindor," Alexander said, placing his arms on my shoulders to calm me. "What do you suggest we do with Judas?"

"I don't know�" I said truthfully. "But don't let him near Henmi, please. Henmi is frightened of him!"

Alexander sighed. "I will have Ella work with Henmi this evening," he said. "It would be a good idea to do so, anyway, because Henmi did not participate in the previous lesson so he will need extra help at first."

I sighed in relief and hugged him tightly. "Thank you�"

He ran a hand through my hair. "I am not always angry with you, Sindor. Please do not think so."

"But� I just don't want to make you angry�" I said, still holding him.

"You do not make me angry, Sindor," Alexander said, reassuringly.

I nodded against him and said, "I'm sorry� I should have done something to stop them� But I didn't know what to do�"

"It is alright, Sindor. It is best you did not do anything," Alexander said. "Judas will have to control himself if he wishes to stay here."

I nodded again, feeling a little better. I looked up at him. "Will you be my partner?"

"Need you even ask?"

I smiled shyly up at him and kissed him gently. "I love you, Alexander�"

"I know. And I love you, too," Alexander said. "But we should get ready for the lesson now, alright? And I promise Henmi will be fine."

I nodded and followed him out of the kitchen and into the classroom.

When we entered, we noticed that Ella was picking out a practice sword for Henmi. We walked over to them. Alexander whispered a quiet command into Ella's ear, and Ella nodded to it. I assumed it was about her watching over Henmi during the lesson.

Judas sat cross-legged on one of the mats, waiting for the lesson to begin. Several other students had arrived while Alexander and I had been talking.

I grabbed a sword for myself and took Henmi's hand and led him over to the opposite side of the room than where Judas was and waited for the lesson to start. I watched Alexander and Ella talk about what Alexander was going to teach in the lesson.

Once all of the students had arrived, Alexander told the class that we would begin. We all stood up and arranged ourselves on the mats, Henmi near Ella and myself near Alexander.

Alexander first walked us through all of the fencing stances that we had learned from the last lesson. He then said he was going to teach us how to block a lunge stance. He told me to stand before him in the en garde stance opposite himself, he in the same stance.

"Now, when your opponent is in the starting position and moves into a lunge stance," Alexander began to the class, "You can block it one of several ways. For example: you can draw your sword up underneath your opponent's and push up. This also leaves your opponent open for an attack on your part. Sindor, lunge, please."

I did so, and he drew his sword up quickly under mine, making my sword-wielding arm shoot into the air. Alexander stepped out of his stance and held my arm up where he had pushed it. "Now, as you can see, Sindor's midsection is undefended, so my chances of striking him now increase." He released my arm and let it fall to my side. "Now, back in starting position, Sindor." I immediately obeyed.

"The second way of blocking is the exact opposite," Alexander said, moving back into the en garde position as well. "This time, instead of pushing up, I will place my sword above his and push down. You do not need to maneuver your sword very much; just tilt your wrist upward slightly and then back down to block you opponent's strike. Again, Sindor."

I lunged again, and he pushed my sword down with his.

"As you see, Sindor is not left as open as in the previous stance, and in fact, if I were to strike him in this position, he could strike me at the same time," Alexander explained. "Well, try those two blocks for now," he told the class.

He stayed with me for a moment, letting me block his lunges, before telling me how good I was doing. I smiled, and at that, he left me to help some of the other students.

I watched Henmi and Ella practice. Henmi was nervous, but Ella was being gentle with him, so I was appreciative for that.

Alexander taught us a few more blocks and had us practice them, and before I knew it, the lesson was already over. The students all left in turn, Judas giving me a sultry glance as he left the house.

I was rather relieved that Judas was leaving, however. I didn't like him; he had an uncomfortable air about him.

Henmi was also relieved that the lesson was over.

"Did you like it?" I asked Henmi.

He nodded and then lowered his head a bit and said to Alexander, "Thank you for letting me participate�"

"It is nothing, Henmi," Alexander replied. "You are welcome any time."

I smiled at Alexander's generosity, but then remembered about Adhemar. "Henmi, do you want me to walk you home? Adhemar is probably worried about you�"

"Yes, I want to go home�" Henmi admitted.

Alexander asked, "Will you be alright on your own?"

I nodded. "After I drop Henmi off, I'm going to go feed, but then I'll be back."

Alexander nodded and opened the front door for us. "See you later, then."

Henmi grabbed his other outfit and then we walked out into the darkened street. It didn't take us long at all to reach the tavern. When we entered, we couldn't find Adhemar in the bar area, so we assumed he was in the back room.

We walked back there, and sure enough, he was there, sprawled on his back on Henmi's bed, both of his arms beneath his head. He glanced up at us as we entered.

I closed the door while Henmi walked over and sat down next to Adhemar on the bed.

I turned to both of them. "Adhemar, I'm really sorry�" I said.

"It's my fault, kid," Adhemar replied. "I should have ignored him."

"But he shouldn't have acted that way," I answered. "Don't worry, Adhemar. No one is angry with you."

He nodded and sighed, taking one of Henmi's hands in his own.

"It was fun, Adhemar," Henmi said. "The lesson, I mean."

"That's good," Adhemar said, smiling up at Henmi.

"What'd you do while I was at the lesson?" Henmi asked.

"Inventory," Adhemar answered. "It's bloody boring�"

Henmi laughed softly, but then said, "You shouldn't have done it without me. I would have helped�"

"It's alright; I had nothing else to do�" Adhemar replied.

I smiled. "Perhaps I should get going then�" I said, not wanting to interrupt their conversation any longer.

"Are you sure, Sin?" Henmi said. "You just got here�"

"I know, but Alexander wants me to come home soon," I replied.

"Will you visit us tomorrow?" Henmi asked.

"Sure," I said. "I'll come over tomorrow. So� I'll see you later then?"

Adhemar nodded and Henmi said, "Alright," so I exited through the back door out into the night.

I looked around quickly to find someone to feed from. I wasn't particularly hungry, but I knew if I didn�t feed, I'd be famished tomorrow evening.

After I fed, I walked back to the school, wondering what Alexander and I would do for the rest of the evening.

*All the rights to Sindor (the graphics and text included) belong to Leah Jenner. No reproduction or republication without written permission.