Private Lesson (Tag: Alidia)

Vlad drew in a quick breath. He held the little keepsake in his hands.
"Oh, Alidia. It's lovely. Really, you didn't have to get me anything." Vlad said, a little awkwardly though. He wasn't used to being given gifts.

Alidia smiled. "I wanted to though, Dad. Youve done so much for me."

Her words warmed his heart. He reached out and tilted her chin up to meet his eyes.
"Thank you, my daughter. It means a lot to me that you thought about me." Vlad stated, happily.

She looked at her dad with the stars in her eyes.



And she smiled. Saying nothing. Cause wanted to preserve the moment.

Vlad had seen the stars in her eyes. It was a surprise, but he didn't say anything about it. He didn't know how he knew, but he felt like words were not needed now.

She smiled. As she just held him close in a big hug.

Vlad ran one hand through her hair. A strange message he had gotten sometime ago reasserted itself in his mind. Somehow, he thought Alidia might find it interesting.
"Alidia, I have this feeling that the school is going to get a new student soon. One who will help us all stand against this threat we face." Vlad began, thoughtfully.

Alidia felt her dad's hand running through her hair. And she smiled has she heard that somebody was going to help them fight. She looked at her dad, "Dad, do you still have the dagger I gave you?"

To answer her question, Vlad opened his coat. He revealed how he had kept it safe inside. He had thought it best to keep it with him at all times, given the circumstances.
"I never let it out of my sight." Vlad replied.

Alidia giggled as she saw the dagger. She began dancing like she did in the gym. And she made her outfit change. "Wanna join in?"

Vlad was happy to see her dance. She conveyed such emotion when she danced. That made it such a joy for him to watch.

Alidia smiled. She felt so free. She began singing a song for her dad and new mom, but she imagined Oncie singing with her and she imagined him dancing with her as she changed her outlook.

After a minute, Vlad began to applaud her. For a minute, he could see the image of a young man dancing with her, but he couldn't make out his features. Perhaps it was a reflection of someone she knew.
"That was quite lovely, Alidia. I can't help but wonder if that song was meant for someone." Vlad commented.

Alidia smiled as she looked Oncie's eyes, he made the strain of hair on her face go to behind her ear and they kissed but then he disappeared and before he did gave her something. Alidia hung her head down but looked at her dad and she smiled. "It was for you and Charmcaster, but then it changed to someone dear to me." And she opened her hand she began to tear up. It was a black rose hair clip with a ruby.

Vlad reached out to her. He held Alidia's hand in both of his. He didn't want to watch her cry like he had in the past.
"He must be very special indeed, to invoke such emotion from you. It means that what you feel for him is honest and true. I know that you must miss him, Alidia; it takes someone who lost a loved one to truly see that kind of loneliness in others. I've buried three wives and many lovers over the centuries that I've lived. Sometimes, their memory made it hard for me to let anyone else...get close. It made me afrid to let anyone into my heart." Vlad confessed.

Alidia nodded. And she hugged her dad. "Daddy, I'm so sorry."

"Oh, sweetheart. You shouldn't apologize for the past. If anything, I should be thanking you for what you've done for me. You were the one who started opening my heart again. If not for you, I wouldn't have the people I care for now." Vlad assured her.

Alidia smiled as her father told that. "You really mean it?"

"Absolutely. You did me a great service, Alidia. I used to be afraid to let anyone get close to my heart. You helped me to lose that fear." Vlad answered, moving a lock of hair out of her face.

Alidia smiled as she sang her song. She wanted to be stronger for her dad and everyone else.



Alidia was ready to prove herself to everyone. She was ready to fight.

Vlad had to smile at this. He had always admired a strong woman on the inside. And Alidia was certainly that.

Alidia smiled as she made a hologram of the hunters appear and ready to show her dad what she learn from him. And they sword-fought.

Vlad watched, enraptured by the sight. Each time Alidia gained an advantage, he let out a laugh that sounded slightly insane. Before long, he was applauding her performance.

Alidia made the holograms disappear and bowed at her father. Hopefully she made him proud and she was out of breath. So, she quickly to the drink she and her dad were drinking and chugged it down. And then she went back to the at ease moment she always saw in Army movies.

"You have been learning well. I must congradulate you, my dear. May heaven help those fools if they run into you." Vlad complimented her with a laugh.