"Goodness, son," Lucian said sounding somewhat exasperated, "What good is a Moonstone ring if you're not going to walk in the damn sun?"

"There's enough sun, here," Caius said with a shrug.

Lochxen used to be his reason out of the Estate and now that it was gone, Caius believed he'd be content to stay here. That was not to say he didn't have any drive for adventure. He had plans for various expeditions, but he just didn't have the resources to undertake any of them yet. And, at least for now, he was fine with delegating his tasks.

Also, if the speed of his advancement was going to slow down (because all his lovers were away), he might as well pour his all into making Alchemical Breakthroughs.

"Oh and on matters of staying home, I'd like to inform you that I've extended an invitation to someone," Caius said then while holding a finger up as though to say 'Lest I forget'.

That took Lucian by surprise and he leaned forward a bit.

"Who?" He asked.

"My Alchemy Professor," Caius answered easily and then paused a second as though to let that really settle before he continued,

"It's only for the Mid-Semester Break. I just figured if she's not busy with school anyway, she might as well be close by to help me."

"Help you with what?" Lucian asked with his brows furrowed.

"Alchemy," Caius said like that was obvious. Granted, it should have been obvious and maybe even an acceptable answer but Lucian looked skeptical.

"Is that all?" He asked and the lens of his glasses seemed to glow in magical assessment.

"What do you mean?" Caius asked easily.

"Son, you can invite anyone you please. This is your home," Lucian said with a sigh.

"Oh great. Thank you," Caius replied graciously.

Really, there are very few things a noble child is not allowed to do. Offering someone a place to stay in what is an absurdly massive estate with an abundance of empty rooms, is not one of those things.

Sure, attentive parents will screen who their children bring home but Nobles are hardly ever an attentive bunch. Really, the children see servants, nannies, matrons, and butlers more than they see their parents.

Of course, asking is common courtesy. It can be very awkward and even dangerous for a Nobleman or woman to find a stranger walking about their home. So a heads-up is appreciated.

In any case, the leniency in having houseguests is why Caius was never too worried about asking his father. And that was why he was confused Arlette was so worried.

Speaking of which, he retrieved his Loqui-Link from his Storage Ring.

"She'll like to know she's allowed," Caius said and a second later, Arlette responded to his call.

"Caius, I don't want to discuss—" Arlette started.

Caius cut in before she said more than she should.

"Arlette, I'd like you to meet my father."

Arlette paused.

"What?" She asked, stunned.

Caius turned the device around so it was his father's hologram that would appear on her device where she was. Lucian's expression had softened and the lens of his glasses was no longer glowing. Probably because the magic wouldn't be able to scan Arlette through her hologram.

"Father, this is Professor Arlette Louvene," Caius introduced, "Arlette, this is my Father."

Caius realized Arlette was on her feet now and he really hadn't ever seen her this flustered as she did a courtesy.

"Count Von Helsing. It's an honor to— er, meet you," she said, sounding unsure if a virtual call counted as a 'meeting'.

And of course it did. She just wasn't in a mental state to remember.

Lucian's smile was kind,

"Likewise," he said and although his glasses weren't working their magic, Lucian's eyes were narrowed in a shrewd look as he took in Arlette's flustered state.

A few seconds passed before Caius cut in to say,

"Father, isn't there something you should let the Professor know?"

"Oh right," Lucian said, sounding like he had been jolted to remembrance,

"We'll be honored to have you in our home, Professor."

"And there you have it," Caius said and turned the device so Arlette could see him instead.

She was scowling and dropped her voice to a whisper that his father was sure to have heard with a hearing as good as his.

"We'll talk about this later," she said, and then in a normal voice greeted,

"Goodbye, Lord Von Helsing."

"And goodbye to you, Professor," Lucian greeted with a wave and the device turned off.

Lucian's soft expression became serious once again.

"She knows, doesn't she?" He asked in a low voice.

"She does," Caius answered, knowing already what his father was referring to. And seeing no reason to lie.

"For how long?"

"A month and a half," Caius answered and stopped thinking that was one time he should have been less truthful.

But then he decided he would be in trouble anyway because either way, he shouldn't have told anyone. And certainly not someone he hadn't even known for two months.

Lucian let out a breath.

"A month and a half— you'd barely even started school," he said.

"Things didn't quite go as planned when school started. I had to improvise," Caius answered carefully.

"And you told me none of it," Lucian said, sounding somewhat hurt.

"I wanted to spare you," Caius said.

"Spare me?" Lucian asked with a raised brow.

Caius put down his cutlery and spoke gently.

"I made the decision to accept what I am a long time ago. It's the only way I could see to survive. And when things took a turn and it was no longer about keeping what I am a secret and became about being selective about who I told, I had to adapt.

But I know how much what I am disgusts you—"

"Caius," Lucian started.

"No, father, it's alright," Caius said, "Believe me, I understand your disgust. And I admit, I didn't want to find out what your code would have you do with me.

But then, you figured out I'd been indulging— evolving. And, despite your feelings, you accepted me. But even then, I could tell how much it goes against all you stand for. I can see how much it hurts to even bear the sight of the monster I've become.

How then could I regale you with the tales of my Vampirism beyond what is necessary?"

Lucian was silent for a while. He really wanted to say he accepted Caius, vampirism, and all, and wanted to know all that went on in his son's life. And yet, he couldn't.

Because, he knew he was glad to have been spared.

In fact, Lucian hated to admit it but whenever he learned of something Caius had done as a vampire, he wasn't really upset for being lied to or having something hidden from him. He was actually upset at being exposed to more inner workings and more realities of what his son had become.

"So I think it's best we keep things about my vampirism on a need-to-know basis," Caius said, "So as not to overwhelm you. And to spare you as I've only ever strived to do."

Neither father nor son spoke for a few minutes after that and then Lucian cleared his throat.

"The Professor, you're feeding on her?" He asked.

"Father—" Caius started.

"Caius, I can't be satisfied with a 'need-to-know basis' only. If I'm to overcome this feeling— This terrible disgust no Father should have for his son, then I can't be shut out. I can't always be spared.

I need to know.

Please."

Caius let out a sigh.

"Very well."

"So do you feed on her?" Lucian asked again.

"Yes," Caius answered.

"And you haven't killed her?" Lucian asked. He didn't sound insulting. Just intrigued.

"Mind over matter," Caius said with barely a smile.

"Not many can boast of that," Lucian said, "I've seen many of them feed. Seen how they look at the sight of blood and they never look like they can stop. Or want to."

"Yes, because they've long accepted what they are," Caius said,

"I'm not quite there yet. And that comes with advantages and disadvantages."

"That Feral state?" Lucian asked.

"Yep," Caius answered.

Caius's self-control came from his disassociation with his Feral state which should be innate. And now it has become so suppressed that he lacked control over it meaning if he let it take over, he would probably be worse than the average Vampire who lacked self-control. And yet, he needed to master it if he was ever to command the true strength he possessed as a Vampire.

"And what does she get out of it?" Lucian asked.

"Who?"

"The Professor," Lucian answered.

"Oh," Caius shrugged, "Some people just like to feed Vampires. The pain is its own reward. Or something to that effect."

Lucian noticed much from that answer and, more than ever, he found himself thinking of the importance of sex education and teachings of abstinence and such. And then he wondered if he'd ever even gotten the chance to teach Caius about the birds and the bees and if now, here at the dinner table, would be the right time to broach the topic.

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