The Lair....

Lass left her apartment and wandered across the street to look back at it. Her face furrowed into a frown and then her head nodded as if she'd come to a decision. Which as it turned out - She had. Her apartment was perfect for her and Duck and there were a couple of spare rooms for guests, however with the size her family had grown to she decided it just wasn't big enough. For if all of them had a crisis and needed to get away from their lives there just wasn't space for them all to fit into in there. Besides, she didn't want her family to feel like they were mere guests. She wanted them all to feel like they belonged. Like they all had a special home and a base where they were all always welcome no matter what may be going on.

She turned down the street and started walking, wondering if she wanted to simply buy a place or if she wanted to build something of her very own. With each step a new thought popped into her head, then it left as she mulled over her options. Pulling out her phone she began to flip through websites to see what was on offer, what was on the market, but she discarded most properties she found with a shake of her head or a scrunch of her nose.

The more properties she looked at, the more she came to the decision she needed to buy a large plot of land and build her own home. Plan it and decorate it so it was exactly as she wished it to be. Looking up from her phone she looked around and smiled. She'd walked straight up Vervain to the far north of the city and she now found herself on top of her favorite hill overlooking the city. her smile widened as an idea came into her head and sitting on an old tree stump she began to make some calls.

It took a while, hours in fact, but she finally got what she wanted. She found the humans who owned the land she currently sat upon and threatened them enough and offered enough coin that they finally agreed to sell her the land. Immediately she set about arranging for builders and architects and more to come by and get started. It was amazing what a pair of fangs could accomplish!

It took a couple of nights, but finally she stood in front of a large and empty shell of a building surrounded by a lot of exhausted and scared humans. Her face was an absolute picture of joy. It was just what she'd pictured and then some more. Finally, a place of her own, for her family, for her love. She couldn't quite get her head around the fact she had her Duck - even now. The poor pyre had seen pretty much all of her moods and still he was with her. He'd seen Anya, and still he was with her. She'd pushed him away, telling him she wasn't good enough - and still he was with her. She shook her head in disbelief, unable to let herself accept the fact he wanted to be with her, enjoyed being with her and loved her - flaws and all. Coming from her nightdream her eyes focussed once more on the building as if it were the symbol that her family were whole.

She couldn't wait to decorate, but even before that she wanted to tell her family of what she'd done. So pulling out her phone she texted those she was closest to in the extended family and sent them the address. Then she texted her childre and love, full of pride at her idea and accomplishment and again sent them the address. With a small nod to the builders by way of thanks, she sped inside and looked around in awe.

There was so much space! That was what she'd wanted the most. Space for them all to be themselves and space for them all individually. The windows were huge and ran from floor to ceiling - However she'd made sure to have UV proof glass fitted so that the sun would not cause them to burst into flames, it would merely sting and burn them like a sunburn. However there were large drapes and shutters for the peak of the day to keep it all out. The windows were that large for the moon and star light. Being so far out of the city meant the skies were unbelieveably clear at night and the lights above twinkled like wet blood on her Duck's skin.

She reached the opposite side of the building and gazed out over the city. Opening the French windows she stepped out onto the large veranda at the back and leant on the stone balustrade, her head in her hands. A very happy and contented smile played on her lips knowing that this was hers and that her family now had a place to call theirs. Things were finally falling into place for her.

The 4th of September 2010. She wasn't sure she would ever forget that date. It was the day her childre had banded together with an idea and saw it through to it's completion. She stood there, her hand running over the plaque and the beautiful gates that had been revealed to her.

She stood there on Vervain and 1st and looked up the very long drive that led all the way out of the city and up the hill to their family home. She laughed a little at the message there and read it over again.

A respite from the grind of the city or the center of hopes and dreams. The picturesque lair is calmly positioned on the outskirts of this tenderly hateful city we all call home.

To look at the lair one will see the city skyline glowing in the night. To turn your back on the city, however, will show a calming delight. From the aromatic gardens to the serene lake, the backdrop exists to consider your wildest fantasies. For those rugged types, the hills and caves are more than enough to center your being.

A plaque outside brandishes the following words: A place, a home, for all those who need one for however long they need it.

But, remember you have a duty to respect the lands and those within them. Consider yourself warned.

It was honestly all quite quite perfect - barring one small thing. Bending down to the bag she'd brought with her she pulled out a few bits and pieces as well as a hammer and screwdriver. Setting to work she didn't stop for a good hour until it was complete. She'd built a little nest type home just on the inside of the gates, complete with heater, and had also planted a couple of blackberry bushes right underneath.

Satisfied it was all as it should have been she gave a shrill whistle through her teeth and waited. It didn't take long before she heard the sound of skin flapping in the night, followed by the rustle of bushes and then more gliding through the air. Holding out her arm she waited for the little sugar glider to take his final leap and land nimbly on her. He cocked his head and looked at her expectantly and she laughed, pulling out a grape and giving it to him as he expected her to.

After he'd finished eating she held her arm up to the little home and he shot inside with no need for encouragement. He'd always liked little holes he could crawl into and sleep in, so it wasn't much of a surprise that this dark and warm hole appealed to him so much.

Letting her hand once more brush over the plaque and gates, Lass smiled and headed up the long driveway to see how the decorators were doing. Casting a glance over her shoulder she grinned at Bismarck's little nose as he looked out to watch her leave. She'd known he would be the best one to watch over her gates because of his inquisitive and friendly nature. But at the same time, if trouble were to arrive there he was small and quick to escape and warn her, after delivering a nasty bite or two of course.

She nodded her head and grinned, things were looking good!