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Ash couldn't be fooled that easily. He could see the dark circles under her eyes, feel the slight shake in her hand as he placed it on his arm, hear the slight wariness in her voice as she tried to hide the fact that she hadn't slept well, smell the hint of copper from the fact that she'd been sick upon waking. But he didn't push her on it and simply lead her along the pathway that Sebastet had disappeared down, deliberately following her with Rebecca at his side.

"I do know the garden well since I've lived here for several years now but it is still surprising me at times. I never really know where my feet will lead me or what wonders I will find around the next bend. I don't know how Sebastet and her little helpers manage it but they always keep some surprise for us out here," he told her softly, keeping a small smile on his face.

He considered telling her who they were following but hesitated, not sure what she would think of him basically spying on Sebastet. But he decided to go on with it anyway, "I'll tell you a small secret, Sweet Rebecca... I'm following someone very special... She doesn't know it, but I was sent here to protect her. She doesn't make it easy, though. She's not even supposed to be out this time of day," he started, hoping that she wouldn't think too badly of him.

But at least the walk gave her the chance to relax a bit and see some of the beauty that surrounded them. The garden was good for relaxation, a thing of true beauty. And it was a constant surprise to everyone who wandered around it, something new always in the works.

Ash tapped the tip of her nose with a finger playfully and grinned, "That would be telling, Darling... But I'll tell you anyway. I'm following none other than Sebastet, the one you were sent here to see. Would you like to meet her now or would you like to wait until later?" he couldn't help teasing her, she made it too easy for him.

He knew as a hybrid she'd be able to handle the sunlight for a little bit longer, but not really much past that. So meeting Sebastet now would probably be best despite the fact that she wouldn't be able to see much of her until after the sun went down or they went inside.

Truthfully, part of him wanted to keep Rebecca to himself for a little longer. He knew full well that her slightly pale tone showed that she needed to feed and considered offering, but held back for just a little longer from doing so. He wanted just the right moment for that and it hadn't come just yet. He thought he was lucky that he was a patient demon. Well, most of the time.

Ash just gave a slight shake of his head, "She's being a bit melancholy at the moment and needs to be pulled out of it anyway before she gets too morose. She's too good at that by far," he told her and increased their pace a bit to catch up to the cloaked figure.

It didn't take them long to find her standing in front of a large piece of black marble with three names etched into the surface. Ash cleared his throat and the figure turned to face them, the cloak covering every inch of her as he smiled at her, "Sebastet... this is Rebecca, sent here to aid you in protecting the island by her clan," he made the introduction easily and simply and kept the hybrid's hand on his arm.

Sebastet looked the woman over slowly, folding her arms across her chest under the cloak, "I got their letter that you were coming. I'm fairly certain that Ash has told you that any duties like that would be light. Basic patrols once or twice a week of the island forest to eliminate the gangs that show up from time to time. Poachers mainly, but we do get the odd slaver- and rape-gang in. They are all to be eliminated. No warnings. Play with them a bit, or simply kill them outright, I don't really care. With the poachers, after you've killed them, simply head straight for the Path and mark the pathway in with a bit of red cloth. One of the villagers will notice it and take care of the skins and meat so that it doesn't go to waste. Any trapped animals simply release," she explained to her in a soft voice that hid the naturally occurring ever-present hint of a purr that her voice carried.

Too many people found it seductive even though it was unintentional on her part, "Other than that, do what you will with your time. The villagers always inform us when there's a Hunter on the island and I usually take care of them myself," she looked at Ash and considered something else that she knew he might not like to hear, "I do have one other task you might take on for me... Ash is currently barred from the village for angering a young woman's father, so if you would keep an eye on him for me, I would appreciate it..." she said with a grin at his frown at her.

Ash didn't like that last part, but knew that it would work out anyway in the end since Rebecca knew why he was here. He cleared his face and grinned at the hybrid, "I'm quite certain that I will find the time with this lovely woman to be quite enjoyable," he said softly, totally going with the double meaning on that one.

Sebastet just shook her head at him before turning back to Rebecca, looking her over carefully this time, "Go on in and feed, Young One... Take care of yourself while you're here and enjoy what peace we have... You appear to need it..." she told her in a softer tone before turning to glance at the marble stone then left them alone as she headed for her tower to rest.

Ash tisked at her and lifted her hand from his arm to place a light kiss on her knuckles, "Hardly, my dearest... You're dealing with two people who know what they're looking at, is all. Sebastet actually predates humans on the planet and saw the vampires evolve into being. You don't look weak, Rebecca, just a bit tired and in need of a feed. Nothing more," he told her softly as he settled her hand back on his arm.

He looked at the stone in front of them now, noting the names carved into it and gave a soft sigh, "And she's being melancholy again, just as I thought. She's going to have to move on at some point. I just hope it's soon," he said simply about the stone then turned to lead Rebecca further into the garden.

"Enough about that, though. She was right in that you're a bit on the pale side. So would you prefer bottled or fresh?" he asked her, deliberately tempting her this time with a bit of heat in his violet eyes as he looked down at her.

He wasn't trying to distract her from whatever questions she might have had over the marble stone. Quite the contrary, he welcomed her questions. But he knew that her health did need to be seen to...

Ash tisked again and shook his head slightly but lead her in the direction of the kitchen anyway, keeping the walk to a peaceful meander for the moment, "You wound me, sweetness... I'll have you know that I've not offered a vein in centuries... But I'll let you keep to your game for now and behave myself for the moment," he told her simply as they walked along the pathways.

He did pause once, long enough to pluck a rose that was white at its base but looked as if it had been dipped in blood along its edges and offered it to her as he continued their walk, "Besides, I think a fresh feed would probably do you good. The bottled stuff leaves something to be desired, I'm told, almost as if it's missing something vital. But if it makes you uncomfortable, there are others here you can feed from. All of them willing donors with several of them sworn to do nothing more than donate," he explained to her softly.

This time, he was serious. No double meanings attached. He rather thought she'd been deliberately avoiding a full feed for a while, judging by her color, and it wasn't a good thing. But he'd abide by her wishes and be patient, knowing she'd come to him sooner or later, "Or did my kiss throw you off too much last night?" he asked her with one raised eyebrow, his face showing that he hadn't meant any harm with the kiss.

Ash paused on the pathway and turned to face her fully, taking her hand in his in the process and looking directly into her eyes. He could see the inner struggle inside of her and knew he had to say something about it. He was a demon of desire and knew all of it's forms intimately.

"Rebecca... I'm a demon of desire... Not just lust... I'm alot older than you might think me to be and experienced with all forms of desire. Lust is in there, yes, but I know what it is to struggle with yourself and hold other desires in check... To do so will eventually mean your downfall in ways that you won't wish to see happen... You must understand your desires and embrace them, learn to control them but not hide or bury them..." he told her softly and raised one hand to gently caress her cheek in a very tender gesture.

"I do not fear you or what you could do to me, Rebecca. Instead I offer you my help if you will allow it. It is not a weakness to accept aid when it is freely offered. I won't press you on it now, though, knowing that you aren't really ready for it. Just know that I am here when you are ready," he said and simply continued their walk towards the kitchen.

As they neared it, he saw another familiar face leaving to head into the tower entrance to their left, "That one is Dancer. He lives in the same tower Sebastet does. Sebastet has the top floor for her own, Dancer is on the second floor. He was born and raised here, one of Sebastet's many godchildren. If you ever need someone to simply talk to or someone to feed from, he's a good candidate. He won't expect anything more than the feed from you, though. One of the reasons I mention him to you," he explained as the other man disappeared through the main door of the tower.

Dancer was even more striking to look at than Ash was in his own unique way. His body was lean with a dancer's build, appeared to be in his early twenties, had silver and white hair that fell to his ankles, and harlequined eyes with one a striking blue and the other emerald green.

But Ash simply left his explanation there and gestured to the doorway that lead into the kitchen, "And there is the kitchen with all the modern conveniences that most people have missed. Refrigerators for both vampires and other races, gas stove for cooking, and even a coffee pot. You'll find plenty of bottled blood in the refrigerator marked for vampires only," he told her, letting her make the decision on what she'd do now.

Ash moved to put his arms around her, tucking her head under his chin as one hand moved slowly up and down her back in a soothing manner. He wasn't pitying her, not at all, simply giving her the support she needed at the moment and the knowledge that she wasn't alone.

He stayed holding her like that for a silent moment, doing nothing more. He didn't ask questions, didn't pressure her in any way until he felt her start to relax a bit, "Oh Rebecca... Sweet and lovely little one..." he said softly, his voice soothing, "We all have these struggles, those of us who come into great power... Know now that I will make no demands of you, nor expect what you aren't ready to give... I do not pity you in any way... Quite the opposite, in fact. I respect the courage you have faced so far," he told her, keeping his voice in that same soothing tone.

After another moment he pulled back enough to raise her chin with one finger so that he could look into her eyes with a small smile, "I think, perhaps, for this first feeding from me, it would be best done in your room. It is a place where you can feel safe, where you can make the decisions. You must start by taking control where you can. I can easily contain anything you let loose so you can be free of that worry. If you want to take the first step, lead me there and take the first step in controlling what will happen," he suggested softly, knowing that she would need that ability to control the situation this first time.

But, being who he was, he couldn't resist teasing her just a bit. He gave her a small smirk and tapped her nose lightly with his finger again, "Anything else that happens between us will remain between us. And I will make sure that you remember every moment of it," he added, not bothering to hide his desire for her.

Yes, he desired her body. He made no effort to hide that. But he also knew that she needed to know she was desired and that helping her did come with a bonus for him as long as she was willing to take the chance.

Anube sat next to her and listened and was surprised to find out what she was. He felt sorry for her but did not say it for she had lived a long time and was sure she had heard it over time too. She was strong to keep going on like this and keeping strong and helping those around her. Blade had a good godmother looking out for her and he was happy to be apart of the family now. "Thank you and I am glade to have meet you" he said getting up, "I wish more people where like you. Willing to open there home for those need it. Have a good night." with that he left to go find his mate.