Day 1: Outside Billings, Montana | Tuesday Afternoon FH-Time

[guardianborn]

The trip had gone too fast for Rose's taste.  Sure, it had been about ten hours since Dimitri had shown up at the gym and told her they were heading out instead of training today, but between the nerves at doing her Qualifier right now instead of in a few weeks like  they'd discussed and the incredible good fortune of being able to spend so much

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[guardian_god]

"Not too much farther," Dimitri agreed, feeling good about the outing. His student was ready and Art was going to give her a recommendation the Headmistress would flip over. He was certain of it.

[guardianborn]

"So - you're sure there wasn't anyone else available other than Arthur Schoenberg?" Rose asked, knowing it was a stupid question.

Arthur Schoenberg. He was only a legend in the guardian world. Greatest living killer of the Strigoi, used to be head of the Guardian Council, and now apparently the guy doing Rose's qualifier. She didn't even know how to deal with that.

[guardian_god]

It was like she'd read his mind. Dimitri glanced at Rose and smiled at her reassuringly. "You'll be fine. Art's the best recommendation you could have on your record."

[guardianborn]

Art. Of course Dimitri knew the guy by his first name.

She nodded, shifting in the seat. "Yeah," she agreed, smiling back and continuing to worry about that record that included running away with a princess and basically getting kicked out of school.

[guardian_god]

"You'll be fine," he repeated, wanting to both soothe her worries and make her aware that he wasn't worried at all. "The good in your record outweighs the bad."

[guardianborn]

"Thanks, Coach," she teased, watching him for a long moment as the car turned smoothly into the snow-covered driveway of a large rambling house.

She thought he looked more relaxed than usual and way more happy than the usual brooding hot guardian mentor.

[guardian_god]

Dimitri parked the car and exited, walking around the car and letting his thoughts turn to the task at hand.

The air was still and silent, other than their boots crunching through the inch of snow on the gravel driveway.

[guardianborn]

Rose sneaked another glance at Dimitri, and he still looked relaxed even if he was obviously turning into business mode!Dimitri as they headed up the walk.

She studied the house, and it was pretty much what she expected from a royal family. Big and expensive with huge tinted windows to block out the light. It was the windows that she was looking at when her foot slipped on the ice covered sidewalk, and Rose realised too late that she wasn't going to be able to save herself a fall.

[guardian_god]

Dhampir reflexes were an excellent thing, and Dimitri's kicked in instinctively, reaching out a gloved hand to grab for Rose's arm and steady her.

He was helpful that way.

[guardianborn]

"Thanks," Rose said, smiling up at him. He'd saved her from that kind of fall before on the night they'd first met. She glared down at the sidewalk. "D'you think these people have ever heard of salt?"

[guardian_god]

Abruptly, Dimitri dropped her arm and went tense.

It wasn't like a family expecting company to have an icy sidewalk or snow-covered driveway. He'd let his guard down too much, not noticing these signs immediately, but now Dimitri's head turned, his alert gaze searching the broad, white plains of snow surrounding them before settling back on the house and noting more signs that something was clearly going on.

[guardianborn]

She felt the instant tension and followed Dimitri's gaze, seeing the oddnesses too now.

"Something's going on?" she murmured, stepping to the side a little so they could watch each other's back a bit more.

[guardian_god]

He nodded before cautiously approaching the front door, stopping to study it since the door wasn't open, but it wasn't entirely shut either. Obviously, the door had been forced open at some point.

Dimitri was on high alert as he inspected the area.

[guardianborn]

Rose followed silently, watching behind him.
Only their footprints led up to the house, and a broad expanse of snow covered plains surrounded them.

She wanted to ask more questions, but there was something that told her this wasn't the time, to stay silent. The doorknob jiggling as Dimitri brushed it, and even she could come to the conclusion that it had been broken.

She took a breath. This wasn't the expected Qualifer.

[guardian_god]

Finally, Dimitri looked back at her and said quietly, "Rose, go wait in the car." There was no way in hell he was taking her into a house that could be swarming with Strigoi who'd just fed off Moroi blood.

[guardianborn]

"But why?" she protested instantly.