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"Master togami? Mistress Ludenburg dropped by earlier and left you a present. Its on your bed and I made sure to put it there when your father left."These were the first words of Pennyworth when Byakuya came home from studying at the library. It left the scion more then a little surprised considering they'd only been a thing for three months now. He had originally attempted to create his own harem of possible girls to slightly oppose the togami tradition of having them picked by someone else. Things didn't go as planned since after the first date the idea of going out with others just seemed wrong. Byakuya prided himself on thinking practically and while he wasn't the best at understanding the feelings of others it didn't take being the ultimate empath to know how off putting this could be to Celest.It was clear from day 1 of meeting her in class that Celest was the type to want to stand out and despite her nonchalant attitude to how people perceived her, she cared a lot about other people's opinion of her being unique. Fake pigtails, fake French accent, and while he still didn't know what her real name was she wasn't using a real one. To be told she'd be just one of many girls he'd be with wouldn't sit well with her theme.This might all seem shallow to some but as someone raise and drilled daily on how to behave like a Togami it was understandable.After 3 weeks when they were someplace private she started letting her accent slip in conversations. It was small but something he took note as earned trust. While it wasn't physical nor worth any money it felt special in a way he didn't know how to label but it helped him make up his mind that the whole tradition was a ballocks one.One annoying thing the ultimate ordinary boy of his class would say a lot was how small normal things could hold big value. These blathering ideologies would make Byakuya roll his eyes to Saturn at how cliché they were and yet this small thing made him somewhat get it. Celest could make herself slowly trust someone with seeing a bit of the real her and being comfortable. Then why couldn't Byakua do something to make himself comfortable? The entire premise of harem just seemed like a hassle of messing with multiple people's emotions and having future children that would resent him for it.Another thing Byakuya prided himself on was his ability of future sight and that just didn't seem like a good future for anyone. Just a big dramatic shallow show to make the Togami line seem unique in the eyes of unimportant peers. If not for his good memory he'd probably never recognize his father the handful of times he'd seen the man. He resented his father for having him have to compete with his own siblings for basic parental attention even homeless common folk had. If sometime down the line him and Celest were still together and sired children then he didn't want that to be their future. While still new to the concept of love he knew this thing with Celest shouldn't be trivialized with the Togami tradition.For the time being he'd have to keep his decision to be a one woman man a secret along with him dating. Pennyworth was one of the few servants who he trusted to keep his tongue on the matter.Traditionally the man gives gifts first but it seems Celest finds them serious enough to switch things up.Walking upstairs quickly he almost missed the medium sized black and gold wrapped box on his bed. Opening it tentatively he couldn't imagine what she'd get him since he rarely wanted for much and couldn't recall telling her of anything he'd like besides specific imported coffee."...Is this a cat with glasses? Is it meant to be me?" Byakuya wondered as he looked at the cartoonish looking feline. It was a medium sized plush toy of a grey cat wearing a smart looking vest and tie with black glasses. The eyes were two different colors of green and brown. Attached to its arm was a tag that read "Greetings, my name is Raymond" with the name Animal Crossing on the back. While he rarely got involved in mindlessly simple games he knew of a few thanks to how much those around him didn't know how to shut up. Byakuya knew at most it was a popular town running simulator where your the the new mayor of some made up land that you ran and befriended everyone their.It was a straight forward and simple concept but he didn't see the appeal nor imagined it was something Celest would be into. A quick google search on his phone on this character told him the implied joke which made him chuckle some.xxxxxxxxxxxxx
The next day
Continuing to be one of the few people Byakuya would go all out for when he died, Pennyworth kept the limo warm while giving him time with Celest. He was also keeping guard in case someone sent by his father came looking for him. The gps tracker on his phone wasn't a secret.She asked Byakuya over to help sort out some things she wanted to keep, donate to charity or auction off. He brought over the stuffed toy in his bag to ask her why she gave it to him. It wasn't that he didn't mind it even if it was a bit childish but he didn't peg her as the type for such games."We all have our hobbies for a break from routine do we not? I have ones I'd rather forget about and ones I want to embrace more now that I've been thinking of my future more." Celest answered."I suppose there are worse hobbies a person could be into. Does this mean you no longer want a castle?" He asked.Celest looked at him like he grew a second head before laughing."No, no, of course I still want that but I've been thinking about more then that. Weirdly enough Asahina of all people made it happen indirectly."The name of the very same swimmer who made him question himself enough to attempt a harem made him raise both eyebrows in surprise. His reaction must of been question enough to have her continue."I'm not a gossipy or ease dropping type as you know. Sometimes I just happen to be near people saying interesting things and I might share if its something I can use. Don't give me that look its the truth. Anyways, she and makoto were chatting on the stairway. I was waiting from a respectful distance for them to be done so I could walk down."Celest moved over to a box of books and old notebooks while talking as Byakuya followed behind."Apparently Aoi had been antsy since hurting her ankle that day. It meant she couldn't do any of the multiple sports she's signed up for over the next few weeks. They discussed why she does them isn't for the gold but the next challenge. After reaching her goals for gold it leaves her hollow so the adrenaline rush of the challenge themselves is what drives her."Momentarily the gambler picked up a small notebook and made a sour expression at it before throwing it in the "to the trash" bin. She walked away from it with a slight slump in her shoulder before straightening her stance. Was that cause she remembered he was there or something else? Byakuya wondered what that was about but she continued talking so he kept his tongue for the moment."To hear that, it got me thinking of something I guess...I guess deep down it was an inevitable reality of my own dream. If you lie to yourself enough about something over time even you forget it was a lie..." Celest trailed off as if thinking how to continue or not wanting to. Byakuya had some idea of where she was heading."Yes, but no matter how convincing a lie is the truth comes around eventually to bite you whether you like it or not. With what you make from your earnings as the stuffed trucks outside and boxes in here can attest, eventually you'll have enough for a castle before graduation. Earning enough for what you want is a minor challenge but I'm guessing because its minor you don't think you'll be as satisfied with it after. Maybe more then that what will you do when the novelty of castle life wears off? Is that it?" Byakuya inquired.Celest crossed her arms while saying nothing in response with her back to him. He took the gap in silence to pick up the small notebook she threw down and look through it. In it was various male names with hearts. They were all Europeon and American names that made him at first think they were past crushes or former boyfriends. He thought this before the next page detailed what seemed to be quotes from books that seemed oddly familiar. The part that particularly caught his eye was each wing of the castle they'd be staying in had count next to the servant name."Count? Wait a minute. Count, foreign names, doodles of bats, and odd quotes... no. Don't tell me."If asked Byakuya would swear up and down he perfectly kept the incredulous tone and snicker out his voice as something occurred to him."You were one of those psycho obsessed vampire girls from the 2010s?!" He asked.To the goth girl's credit she gave almost nothing to indicate being insulted in being called crazy with her body language as she turned to face him. Her right eye did twitch a bit in irritation though."I was not then nor have I ever been a psycho over them. I admire the culture associated with them and the creativeness behind their concept to healthy levels. I know they aren't real nor do I plan to drink blood of someone to "gain powers" or anything the realm of that. At max as a kid I admit to making a few now very much abandoned True blood fanfictions but that's it. With the bad reputation they've taken over the years finding men who'd be open to the roleplay as vampire servants will be its own task."Byakuya took the next pause in conversation to think carefully on what to say next. He half believed most of what she just said. It was probably not best to tease her more then a little at least."Everybody has taste and mindsets that change overtime you know. You aren't the only person on Earth who will stop liking things like vampires on some level or your current fashion when you hit 50 years old. My mind changed over the Togami tradition after dating you even though I was set on keeping it up at first. I still have pride in my family name and while that won't change there are some things I want to drop. I'll still have power and status even if I'm demoted behind my sister as head but my obsession for that title has begun waning as well. There's still plenty I can do while not being my father's exact copy or whipping boy. You and my sister might get along since she liked some of these characters to for whatever reason.Celest gave a thoughtful hum in response but Byakuya noted she looked slightly tense still. Taking out the plush toy he got behind her for a half embrace with one arm while his other held Raymond into her line of sight."How about this, instead of multiple weird men who'd have access to your valuables while cleaning I hire the help. I've been thinking of striking a deal with the ultimate maid when she opens a future cleaning service. They will be thoroughly background scanned and high quality professionals and will wear black." His girlfriend now tilted her head up at him curious at where he was going as she moved a bit closer into the embrace."There is a catch right?" She asked."Yes, the catch is that instead of 24/7 vampire attire they will be wearing normal worker clothing. The only vampires suited beings that may occasionally show up from time to time in the year will be me and Raymond either for holidays or spontaneously."A blush lite her face as Celest rubbed her chin in thought. He felt her relax a bit against his chest."I guess that would keep things interesting. I'll have to think about it more but not a bad deal." As Celest finished talking she leaned up to kiss him in thanks. The small kiss quickly turned heated. Pale hands traveled suddenly under his shirt as his own pause while teasing just below the back buckle of her bra. They never went this far while kissing but he wanted her consent. He knew that some at school saw him as one of those impatient rich delinquents who'd take things by force cause they were rich enough.Both knew he wasn't that type so another door of trust felt open as she started unlacing the top of her slip until the loud buzz of Byakuya's phone rang.-Your father is here. 2 minutes.- Is all Pennyworth's text said.They quickly straightened out one another's clothing before the knock could be heard at the door."Bonjour et bon après-midi monsieur, I am Celest Ludenburg and you must be Byakuya's father. He really does take after you in good looks if you don't mind me saying." It was true they looked slightly similar though his father had a noticeably bad wigs on as of lately. Father looked around at the expensive things still packed and still on display with a look of cold indifference to it all. He walked past Celest almost stepping on her shoe like she wasn't even there while glaring at his son."Yes, though it seems he hasn't taken after me in basic courtesy of checking his phone. I had paper work I needed done and had to get his lay about sister to do it. Honestly boy, I get your a teenager but if your going to associate with loose distractions do it on your time not mine. Togami's are meant to be better then that, I shouldn't even have to say it."Byakuya kept his face schooled with indifference at his words but was smirking internally at Celest glaring a hole in his father's head. If looks could kill not even the three body guards outside would stop her blood lust. A real vampire might even be scared of her right now. "Focus." He chided himself."Actually I had business of my own that is related to Togami work but mainly the future kind. Celest is part of a few girls I've courted over the last few months as is tradition so I haven't really been neglecting anything I couldn't get to later." Byakuya informed him.This gained him a raised eyebrow raised in suspicion. "Your suppose to wait until some time has passed when you graduate school first and then have women assigned to you. Every generation wants to think they know how to do things with no respect but I'd thought you were better. I have to see the etiquette of these women at the next get together my associates are having in a few weeks. Pick a few or all of them to show up but they better not embarrass us." With those parting words he turned to leave while once again almost stepping on Celest's shoe without any acknowledgement to her before slamming the door."Well, he's even more pleasant then your past descriptions gave credit. Do you have a plan?" Heavy sarcasm laced her voice along with once more letting her accent slip."Yes, while I wouldn't go as far as calling them friends I've made at least a few acquaintances at this school so I can make some calls before then."Quickly he locked the door before turning back to his girlfriend to embrace her as he had before."Let's not have people unimportant to me right now take up our minds at the moment." He adjusted his voice a little deeper while borrowing a bit of her southern twang to it."Wanna get back to where we left off madame stackhouse?" He asked with a grin which got a hearty chuckle out of her."Sure thing wayne."Byakuya paused with bemused look on his face at the response."Bruce wayne? Is this part of some odd crossover true blood fic from that account of yours?" He had to ask."That and I don't think Bill fits your character. Might explain more later if that's okay with you ." It was now Byakuya's time to chuckle. Little things like this definitely made him feel he was making the right choice."I don't mind at all madame stackhouse. I don't mind at all."