Formal Assignments Part One

[butterflyslinky]

Title: Formal Assignments
Fandom: TGWTG
Characters: Rachel, Jaeris, Linkara, Spoony, Snob, 90’s Kid
Rating: PG
Warnings: None
Summary: Jaeris and Rachel begin their official duties.
Notes: Rachel created by achika_chan. Used by permission. This story takes place after “Lullaby,” concurrently to “Dancing to Hell.”

The next night, Snob took Jaeris and Rachel back to the manor.

“I don’t know what Spoony’s going to assign you to do,” he said to Jaeris as they walked. “But I’m sure he’ll come up with something.”

“Okay…” Jaeris said in confusion. “I didn’t realize that he’d have duties for me.”

Snob gave him a severe look. “You’re going to be part of this court, you’re going to pull your weight,” he said. “There’s plenty to be done around here. So you’d better have a pretty good attitude about whatever you’re given. Got it?”

“Got it,” Jaeris answered.

“Good.” They had reached the manor. Snob knocked on the door. There was a moment before it swung open to reveal Lady Scarlett, who was smirking.

“Got the new recruits, then?” she asked, looking at Jaeris and Rachel with amusement on her face.

“Course I do,” Snob answered. “So take them in.”

“Meet you at the Palace once they’re settled,” Scarlett said before she turned and led them down the hall into a small office, where Spoony, Linkara, and a few other vampires were gathered around a table, looking over a map. Jaeris recognized that look. They were preparing for war.

Spoony looked up as they entered. “Oh, good,” he muttered. “Bella and Edward have arrived.”

Linkara rolled his eyes as he looked up from the map. “Leave them alone, Spoony,” he ordered softly. “I hope that they’re both a little more competent than that.”

“So do I, sir,” Rachel added, resisting the urge to glare at Spoony.

Spoony laughed. “Don’t be offended,” he said. “We do that with everyone.” He came around the table. “Are you ready to begin your official duties, then?”

Rachel nodded. Jaeris looked uncertain. “What do my ‘official duties’ entail?” he asked.

“At the moment?” Spoony said. “I think we’re going to put you on border patrol. With our protection spell breaking down, we need a constant look out for any little gifts the Order and the High Council want to send.” He glanced at the other vampires gathered around. “Unless you boys have any objections?”

“None whatsoever,” one said. “He can be 90’s Kid’s partner.”

“Dude!” the youngest of the assembly said, waving.

Spoony grinned widely. “Sounds good to me,” he said. “Get to it, then!”

The vampires all made a proper bow and left, except 90’s Kid, who flashed Spoony a pair of devil horns before grabbing Jaeris by the arm and leading him outside. Jaeris looked helplessly at Rachel before he allowed himself to be dragged along.

Linkara smiled reassuringly at her. “Don’t worry,” he said. “90’s Kid is a bit excitable, but he’s a good guy. And I doubt anything’s going to happen any time soon.”

Rachel nodded. “I know,” she said. “The Order was just in the planning stage when we left. We have some time…unless the High Council is planning something as well…”

“Don’t worry about that,” Spoony said. “Right now, I believe you have training to complete.”

“Yes,” Linkara said. “We do.” He gave Spoony a look that Rachel couldn’t quite read. The Vampire Lord nodded and Linkara smiled slightly before he led Rachel outside to the expansive backyard. “Sorry we have to do this in the dark,” he said. “But I’ve kind of become nocturnal since I started here.”

“Don’t worry,” she said. “I’m starting to get that way, too.”

Linkara nodded before his expression grew serious. “Okay,” he said. “I know you’ve done well in all your lessons with the Order and you know a lot of theory and some practical combat…but right now, it’s probably best if we start by seeing what you really know.” He took his vest off and took a fighting stance.

“You mean you want me to spar with you?” Rachel asked.

“Yes,” Linkara said. “Just to see where you’re at…it’s been a while since I’ve seen you in combat.”

Rachel nodded and removed her own vest, setting it down beside Linkara’s carefully before she whirled around and threw the first punch. Linkara grinned as he blocked it and returned with his own blow.

“Though it’s hardly fair of you,” Rachel said as she dropped to the ground and swung her legs around, knocking Linkara to the ground. “Putting a poor little girl like me up against a fully trained Slayer like you.”

Linkara caught her wrist and turned her over onto her back, though she managed to break his grip and flip to her feet again. “Would you rather I put you up against an actual vampire?” he asked as he got up just as quickly before lunging at her.

Rachel caught his wrist and twisted. “I don’t know,” she said. “What’s the difference?”

“A vampire’s faster,” Linkara said, twisting his arm and knocking Rachel on her back again. “And they don’t pull punches, even in hand-to-hand combat.”

“You don’t, either,” she snarked, rolling over and leaping up before delivering a roundhouse kick to Linkara’s shoulder. He was knocked sideways, though he managed not to fall.

“I’m going easy on you,” he said, ducking her next punch and pushing her to the ground. “But you should be a little more ruthless…you could have easily hit my head and knocked me out.”

“But I don’t want to hurt you,” she said, kicking him down.

“You can’t think like that,” he said, rolling over and pushing her down before she could get up. “When you’re in a real combat situation, you have to be willing to hurt people.”

She struggled a bit, but he pinned her easily. “Also not fair that you’re a lot bigger than me,” she complained.

“Yes,” Linkara agreed. “Not fair. But most of the creatures you’ll be facing will be bigger than you.”

“Yield,” she sighed.

He got up and helped her to her feet. “Not bad,” he said. “You’re quick at least. And if you were willing to hurt me, you might have had that one.”

“But?” she asked.

“You don’t watch your balance and you’re too nice. Even when you were attacking, you weren’t giving it your all. Come on, show me what you can really do.”

She sighed and they began again.