“I’m too old for this.” Zebedee muttered to himself, as he tried for the third time to tie his cravat around his neck. Did people even still wear cravats on dates? He hadn’t been on a date in so long, he really didn’t know.

“Nonsense.” Mitsu said from her perch on his bed. “I’m older than you are, and I still go on dates. You’re just far too much of an introvert.”

“Do people even still wear cravats?” He asked finally, as he realized he had tied it wrong again.

“Not usually!” Mitsu said brightly.

He snarled and ripped the offending cloth from his neck. “Then why didn’t you say something?!”

She smiled at him impishly. “Because.” The doorbell rang, and Mitsu leapt from the bed. “Oh, they’re here!” She ran from the room to go answer the door, her many tails wagging energetically behind her. Zebedee groaned and trudged after her, after on last frustrated look in the mirror.

Mitsu’s boyfriend, , was already lip locked with her. Well, he was young, only ninety seven, and Mitsu was... well, she was Mitsu. So, he supposed he should hardly expect better behavior. He’d certainly lived with Mitsu long enough to know fully well what kind of boyfriends she liked.

There was another person in the foyer, a young woman he had never seen before. Her hair was dyed a bright blue, and he suppressed a sigh. He knew this had been a mistake. Other than the hair, he supposed she was quite lovely. She had a heart shaped face, vibrant green eyes, and an amused smiled on her lips, as she gazed at Mitsu and Joseph.

Zebedee cleared his throat. Mitsu flipped him the bird, Joseph ignored him, but the young woman turned to him. “I am Zebedee Millerson.” He said formally, holding out his hand for hers. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss...”

“Oh, I’m Amanda.” She said, taking his hand and shaking it vigorously. “Amanda Clinch. Nice to meet you Zebedee.”

Amanda Clinch. Oh dear. Her name sounded like someone a prank caller would ask for.

“Mitsu hasn’t told me much about you, Miss Amanda. She said only that you were someone Joseph knew.”

Amanda nodded. “I met him last month at a book club. We were discussing Robin McKinley’s ‘Sunshine’ and he said he knew a character very much like Constantine. I said I’d love to meet him, and well, here I am, and here you are. Are you actually a Vampire?”