Naomi motions to the couch in the lounge and Baldev sits down hesitantly. She hands him a cup of tea and sits down in front of him on a small ottoman. Baldev politely sips the tea. His eyes flicker from Naomi to Sarah. Sarah drops onto the couch next to him at a fair distance. She raises a hand to the fireplace and the logs of wood ignite with a burst of flames.

"If it's one thing I know it's that you vamps tend to run cold."

Baldev chuckles courteously. He sets his teacup down gently on the table. "My Queen, I am sure you're wondering why I insisted on being paired with you and your resolute."

Naomi purses her lips, "yes curious. But I'm sure you're excited to tell me why."

Baldev smiles, "we haven't had a queen in many years. It is...to be a part of something bigger. I've always felt like I was intended for something more than my humble village. Once I became aware of the record-keepers I knew I had found my calling."

"And how did you become aware of the record-keepers?" Sarah asks.

"My parents. I've grown up in a traditional vampire household. I've only spent one hundred years in pupilage with the elders, the typical years to become a fully fledged record-keeper is five hundred. I will be the first to admit My Queen, being a record-keeper is not the hope of any vampiric parents. It comes with a lot of sacrifice..."

"Such as?" Naomi probes.

"We kill off the possibility of meeting an aeturnum. It is a lifelong commitment. It means something different when you're immortal, if the Illness doesn' take you. Strictly between us, well and the King, our species is dwindling in numbers. Over the years as many did not choose the path of vampirism the gene began to lay dormant. It's just evolution, but it becomes a difficult reality when a child actively chooses against adding to the race, the species."

"I see," Naomi muses. "Well Baldev, I am happy to make your acquaintance. We can begin formally tomorrow. I trust you have the equipment you need to record?"

Baldev nods his head. "My Queen...I cannot thank you enough. My life truly is yours."

Naomi chuckles then clears her throat. "Let us regroup with the rest of your little party. I think it is fair for us all to get some rest before morning. It is going to be a busy month to come." Naomi stands up and Baldev mimics her. She walks out of the lounge just as Raurlin is walking out of the dining room with Jackson, Ing and Hyacinth in tow. Naomi comes to a stop next to Raurlin and he wraps an arm around her shoulders.

"Thank you for your grace," Ing directs at Naomi and Raurlin as she steps to the door. "We will be able to find our way to our lodging. What time will be the most appropriate to meet in the morning? And where?"

"Why don't we meet here?" Naomi looks at Raurlin for confirmation.

"Yes, at ten no earlier and no later."

Ing drops her head in a low bow then turns and opens the door. Hyacinth follows after her and after a smile at Naomi Baldev follows too, shutting the door firmly behind him. Naomi remains standing in place for a moment then she exhales loudly glancing up at Raurlin. Raurlin kisses the top of her forehead.

"That wasn't so bad," Sarah admits with a shrug.

Raurlin rolls his eyes, "Baldev keeps looking at my Queen with puppy dog eyes. I might just have to-"

"He's a child," Naomi teases shoving at Raurlin. She turns to him again and Raurlin is still looking down at her, gold eyes glowing. Naomi clears her throat and Raurlin raises an amused eyebrow. "Why don't we call it a night too?"

"Stellan and Dee are still out," Jackson queries.

"Yes but they're adults. In fact he's a king."

Jackson narrows his eyes at Raurlin. "Yes and they are our guests."

"Not guests," Raurlin fires back, "they are at home here."

"Good to know!" Stellan booms as the front door swings open. He ushers Delilah into the foyer and shoves the door closed behind him. "It is bitterly cold outside," Stellan shrugs his coat off then assists Delilah in taking off her coat too. "Saw the record-keepers on the way out. Such young folk." Stellan leads the way into the lounge.

Naomi takes a seat on the ottoman again, hoping to make it to bed sooner rather than later. "Yes, we've agreed to their terms. We begin tomorrow, tonight we had them over for a meal that Soraya cooked. She's upstairs at the moment. She disappeared after dinner."

"Is she okay?" Delilah probes delicately and Naomi nods her head.

"She is fine, considering. But she did lend a hand in cooking dinner. Well she practically cooked the meal tonight, very impressive. I just worry about her."

"As do I," Sarah admits quietly.

"We all do," Stellan concludes, "she is a new vamp. Baby vamp. We can't let her fall through the cracks of everything that is going on. You all remember how scared you were when you first became what you are now." Stellan rubs the bridge of his nose.

"I would be happy to have her along with me and the record-keepers," Naomi states, raising an eyebrow in question.

"I think that's a great idea," Stellan agrees. "Dee, love, perhaps you can remain close at hand until we need to leave. Soraya has taken a liking to you." Delilah nods her head. "One last matter of business, an update on the hospital and our travel arrangements. We wanted to make sure we helped as much as possible before leaving. We've done a thorough clean of the ground floor. You should be able to bring in equipment as is but we will reach out to some sympathisers and see if they can bring in some equipment too. Should lighten the workload."

"Thank you, Stellan," Raurlin responds. "We are truly grateful. Now when can we expect your departure?"

"In two weeks. Caro is still conducting some preparations on her end. Our flights are booked though so regardless come two weeks we will be on our way. It shouldn't take long, Raur. The ceremony is fairly straightforward, although I must admit I have not conducted one since your father."

"May he rest easy with The Gods," Raurlin mutters. "I feel a tremendous amount of guilt at not being able to have seen Lyjil off the right way. It seems that our avenue in wanting to find him has hit a sure dead end. We will need to think of something...I don't like the idea of having to tell the record-keepers that we haven't found him yet." Raurlin exhales a hefty breath.

"So we'll hold off on sharing that for now," Jackson suggests, "I don't think I'm ready to relive what happened."

"Of course!" Stellan confirms. "You must be able to speak of it on your terms when you are ready. Ugly ordeal that. Now why don't we all head to bed. We will have a busy day tomorrow I'm sure."

Naomi stands up and steps towards the door. "Dee, one last thing, Soraya needs to be putting in her hours at the hospital. Will you oversee that? I expect that we'll be hearing from Axel soon and I want to make something expressly clear to everyone, under no circumstance can Axel be alone with Soraya again. Under no circumstance is he to be close to her without someone else close enough to prevent another...incident."

Naomi takes a moment settling her eyes on each person in the room and in turn they nod their heads solemnly. Naomi turns to the door again and begins her ascent up the stairs. It may seem like a dramatic exit but her heart is pounding. She has to be firm, especially when it comes to Soraya. She's the one who drove the dagger into her chest. And the thought of any further violent harm coming to her is gut-wrenching. Even so, having to make such a declaration, an order, to her closest friends and family isn't easy. It's uncomfortable, as if she is an imposter in their home and in her own skin, playing the role of someone. A queen.