━ ◦ ✤ 𝕱𝔞𝔫𝔤𝔰 & 𝕾𝔢𝔠𝔯𝔢𝔱𝔰 ✤ ◦ ━【тєиzαι & кιттєи】🅽🆂🅵🆆

[Kitten]

◁ ❚❚ ▷ ılıı|ıılıı|ıılıılıılıı|ıılıı|ıılıılıılıı|ıılıı|ıılıılıılıı|ıılıı|ıılıılıılıı|ıılıı|ıılıılıılıı|ıılıı|ıılı
ᴛʜɪs ɪs ɴᴏ ᴍɪsᴛᴀᴋᴇ
ɴᴏ ᴀᴄᴄɪᴅᴇɴᴛ
ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ᴛʜᴇ ғɪɴᴀʟ ɴᴀɪʟ ɪs ɪɴ
ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ᴀɢᴀɪɴ
ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ʙᴇ sᴜʀᴘʀɪsᴇᴅ
ɪ ᴡɪʟʟ sᴛɪʟʟ ʀɪsᴇ

​

Life has always been shrouded in mystery for Twyla Bardot, known in her more familiar human guise as Alora Hart. Raised in a quiet, secluded village, her early years were marked by the tragic and enigmatic death of her parents, who were esteemed vampires. Orphaned at a tender age alongside her younger brother, Val, they were taken in by loving adoptive parents who embraced them with genuine affection, as though they were their own flesh and blood. Following the traumatic loss of her birth parents, Alora's memories of that time seemed to vanish, leaving her with only fragmented recollections of having parents and an unsettling void about their fate.

She was perpetually haunted by questions about her parents' disappearance, clinging to a faint hope that they might still be alive somewhere. Yet, a nagging sense deep within her told her otherwise. Despite this, she pressed on, holding onto the hope that one day she might reunite with them. Her brother, too young to remember their parents' faces - only an infant at the time - never experienced the full weight of their loss. In her quieter moments, she felt a pang of envy towards him, as his lack of memory spared him from the profound pain that she endured.

Unbeknownst to her adoptive parents, both Alora and Val, were pureblood vampires - a rare and remarkable lineage. How this news came to be is a tale of its own. Soon after taking them in, striking white hair that eventually replaced Alora and Val's chestnut locks, along with prominent canines and captivating purple eyes, marked them as something otherworldly. Most would have reacted with fear, seeking to rid themselves of such extraordinary beings, but their adoptive parents chose a different path. Embracing the challenge, they were determined to raise Alora and Val in the human world, confident that their unique nature would not hinder their place in society. They had to master the art of concealing their hair and eye color, maintaining these disguises for extended periods. Only when their parents were confident in their proficiency did they permit them to venture into the world and accompany them on outings. Another task was to get them to drink the blood of animals, frequently buying blood from butchers. They could eat human food, but it came with a price of stomach aches and pain that lasted all night.

As time passed, the old adage "time heals all wounds" proved true in Alora's life. With each passing year, she found herself increasingly at peace with the events of her past, even though the truth about her parents' fate remained elusive. As she matured into a young adult, Alora decided it was time to lay her parents' situation to rest. What was done was done, and nothing could bring them back. Despite her challenging past, she radiated positivity and vitality, with her striking locks and bright, vibrant eyes. Now in her fourth year of college, pursuing a degree in science, she decided to move out of her adoptive parents' home and live closer to the university on her own.Val couldn't imagine life without her and pleaded to move in with her if he could help cover the expenses. Even without the additional funds, Alora would have welcomed him with open arms.

Naturally, their departure came with a tearful goodbye from their adoptive parents, even though it was more of a "see you in a few days" than a final farewell. The prospect of having someone live with you for an extended period only to leave was a tough pill to swallow. Despite the emotional farewell, their parents managed to smile and embrace their children, reassuring them that they were just a phone call or text away if needed.

The most pressing concern was the rising threat of vampires. Despite Val and Alora's ability to fend for themselves, their status as purebloods made their blood particularly valuable and highly sought after by other vampires. Around five years ago, their numbers began to grow at an alarming rate. Though they weren't purebloods, they still posed a significant danger to society. These vampires possessed advantages far beyond those of ordinary humans, including superhuman strength, speed, and the ability to regenerate, making them nearly immortal. Contrary to popular belief, they weren't confined to the shadows; they moved freely in daylight, often using contacts to conceal their vibrant red eyes and blend in with the human population.

It was within Alora's power to exterminate any vampires she encountered on her own in private, driven by a profound sense of guilt that they existed at all due to her pureblood lineage despite not being involved in this herself. A vampire's creation was often a result of the generosity of a pureblood's blood, and while these vampires might not be as powerful as purebloods, they still posed a significant threat. They were bound to their "masters" by the blood they had received, which granted them increased strength. The more blood they consumed from a pureblood, the stronger and more dangerous they became. This also meant that there were more of her kind out there, and that alone piqued her interest.

The general public had grown weary of the vampire threat, leading to the enforcement of strict curfews to keep people indoors during the eerie hours of darkness. This measure was designed to protect citizens from being preyed upon, as vampires found it easier to capture their victims under the cover of night. Unfortunately, this also had a detrimental effect on the nightlife scene near the university. While safety was obviously more important than social activities, some still risked venturing out, only to find themselves on the losing end of that gamble. Ultimately, the rise in vampire numbers was so severe that a specialized police force was established in recent years, dedicated to exterminating them. Their mission was to control the vampire population and, ideally, find a permanent solution to rid the world of them once and for all.

Regardless, this situation had to end, and Alora was resolute in her determination to fight the battle, whether she faced it alone or with the support of others… However, Alora's secret made it much harder for her to seek assistance. Knowing the truth about her pureblood status and the potential consequences, she found it challenging to enlist help without revealing too much and jeopardizing her own safety.

The crunch of snow echoed beneath Alora’s footsteps as she walked down the sidewalk, the gray cement now hidden beneath a graceful blanket of white. A long scarf wrapped around her neck shielded her mouth and nose, while her hands were tucked comfortably inside her coat pockets. With her white AirPods nestled in her ears, she was immersed in her playlist, focused and unperturbed as she made her way to her morning class. Lost in thought as she mentally reviewed for an upcoming test, Alora’s concentration was abruptly shattered by a snowball hitting her back with pinpoint accuracy. The sound of boisterous laughter pierced through the music blaring in her AirPods. Whipping around with a raised eyebrow, her stern expression softened when she recognized the familiar face behind the playful attack.

“Mia, what the heck?!” Alora shouted, though her giggle immediately made it clear that she wasn’t truly angry. She quickly pulled her hands from her pockets, crouching down to scoop up a handful of snow. She packed it haphazardly into a lopsided ball and hurled it at her friend. Despite Mia’s swift attempt to dodge, the snowball landed squarely against her chest.

“Hey, I had to catch you off guard! There’s no way I’d win a snowball fight if you saw me coming!” Mia laughed, brushing the snow from her torso and wincing at the cold sting on her hands. She jogged to close the gap and fell into step beside Alora, slipping her hands into her pockets for warmth. “So, do you think you’re going to pass the exam?” Mia cut straight to the point, knowing it was weighing heavily on Alora’s mind.

With a long sigh and an exaggerated tilt of her head, Alora finally responded. “I’ve studied, but I’m still nervous. This exam counts for so much of our final grade.” Before the conversation could continue, they noticed yellow CAUTION tape being fastened around a building in the distance, a curious sight near their campus.

"Man, when are these attacks going to stop? This is what, the third one this month? And we’re not even halfway through." Mia shook her head in disgust, flabbergasted that things could take such a turn in such a short amount of time. Alora, grateful for the scarf wrapped around her face, hid the guilt that twisted her expression beneath the thick fabric. The truth was, before heading home last night, she had encountered a vampire about to prey on a student walking alone. Acting quickly, Alora feigned naivety, distracting the hungry predator until he realized too late that she was designed to eliminate him. She must’ve overdone it, leaving quite the mess for others to clean up. Fortunately, there were no security cameras where she led the fight, but the damage was done, leaving detectives with yet another puzzling case to unravel.

"Believe me, I know," Alora replied, her voice heavy with genuine sympathy. She wanted nothing more than for the vampires to disappear, but the guilt gnawed at her daily. She was grateful that she wasn’t like the dangerous ones, but that wouldn’t matter if she ever got caught.

The two friends walked past the group of detectives, their conversation falling silent as they headed to their respective building, each lost in their own thoughts.

 

[Tenzai]

ᴀɴᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ɢᴀᴢᴇ ʟᴏɴɢ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴀɴ ᴀʙʏꜱꜱ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʙʏꜱꜱ ᴡɪʟʟ ɢᴀᴢᴇ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ɪɴᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜ.
- ꜰʀɪᴇᴅʀɪᴄʜ ɴɪᴇᴛᴢꜱᴄʜᴇ

---

It was never supposed to be like this, Adelaide.

I'm sorry. I'm so terribly sorry.

ℕ𝕠𝕨 𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕪𝕚𝕟𝕘: 𝔸𝕤𝕔𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕚𝕤𝕞 | 𝕊𝕝𝕖𝕖𝕡 𝕋𝕠𝕜𝕖𝕟
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺

Well, I know what you want from me
You want someone to be
Your reflection, your bitter deception
Setting you free
So you take what you want and leave​

Ascension. That's what those monsters hidden underneath human facades had called his torture. For all deserving of God's blessing, they were to break all earthly ties. The first to go was his grip on his own humanity: His desire for life. Against his will, they bound him in chains, deprived him from his senses, and starved the poor man to near madness. Only then was his mind susceptible to their corrupting influence. Only on the brink was Archimedes willing to forego his own sense of self for his survival. Gone was the pride that was built up over years as a talented mathematical logistician. Gone was his sense of shame as his life teetered towards the edge of his sanity. He was willing to do anything to return to his family, even if it meant feeding the pride of those that captured him.

When begging for mercy from the dark angels, they rewarded his subservience with blood. At first, he rejected the crimson solution. 'It wasn't food nor drink. Just another one of their sick ploys.' His mind imagined in an attempt to defend itself. Yet, over time, their offer had grown more tempting. The absence of a drink to parch the thirst of his tongue for far too long had intensified his need to sate his drought to a maddening degree. Without any distractions to take away his focus, all he could do was suffer in silence while his mind grew wary until his own sense of logic could not fight it off any longer. He ached for respite. He yearned for salvation. Finally he pleaded and took their gift in open arms; His mouth voicing gratitude to his new god as their blood ran down his throat.

Won't you come and dance in the dark with me?
Show me what you are, I am desperate to know​

Though once he quenched his need, Arc didn't realize that he had finally succumbed to the sanguine curse. His soul had become one with their sinful taint, causing his eyes to glow and his body to go cold. He felt no hunger; His empty stomach ceasing in its call for food. Instead, what he felt was an overwhelming thirst and sensitivity to blood. He could smell when someone was bleeding in another room. His ears were sensitive to the heartbeats and breathing of those that surrounded him. When his blindfold had came loose, his eyes were clear despite the darkness. He became different. To his captors, Arc had begun his path towards ascension.

Arc's heart had turned cold and dark.

The radiant star had been eclipsed.

Diamonds in the trees, pentagrams in the night sky
You're gonna watch me ascend​

However, it was the next step that led Arc down the path of retribution which he pursued vehemently in the current day. He was forced to commit a sin against his own flesh and blood as a sign of his loyalty to his new life; A crime he could never forgive himself nor his captors for: The murder of his family. With his newfound uncontrollable thirst, the vampires that held him and his parents hostage had leveraged their control on his mind to turn him against his own. Despite his loving past with them, he couldn't recognize them. Not even their screams nor their pleads for mercy could reach him. It was only after the deed was done; After he consumed the very life that brought him into being where he realized the weight of his sin. They were dead and mutilated by his own hands.

Covered in their blood and forced to live with his new tragic reality, Arc swore to burn it all down. Upon gaining their trust and being set free to work in their god's name, he succeeded in earning a reputation as one of her favorite children. Cold yet efficient, he excelled in carrying out her missions while garnering information to dole out his revenge in full. His formulaic interpretation of his prey's behavioral patterns as well as his particular eye for analysis had made him stand out from the rest, causing their god herself to look upon him with favor. He was dangerous, not because of his strength in body nor affinity in magic, but rather the sharpness of his mind; A refined tool that was soon to be wielded against her.

Eventually, the moment came where he found his original captors alone and in a vulnerable state. As if, giving his family a proper send off, he killed them while they were resting from their wounds and burnt their building to the ground; His sacred pyre was made as offering in hopes that his parents would forgive him.

Reborn in the fury of flames for those that passed before him.

He hoped that through fire, he'd feel their warmth again.​

Yet, as he stood amidst the ash and cinder, watching as the building he was captured in was reduced to rubble; He felt nothing in their ruin. The death of his immediate enemy would not stop the tide of vampires from proceeding forth into the daylight to force others to succumb to a similar fate. Their death would not bring his parents back, nor did it did not return his life to normal. He was still a vampire; The same being he wished death upon. Worst of all, he could still feel the taint in his lips and the craving for mortal blood in his mouth. Without purpose, he drifted back into the obscurity of the dark, disappearing from vampiric eyes as he returned back home.

Once he came back however, he saw the teary face of his little sister as he opened the door. Before he could mutter another word, he felt her hug for the first time in years. Her words were bittersweet, but her warmth was real. Arc wasn't alone anymore. He still had someone. The semblance of returning to normal had nearly brought him to tears. Having someone there to take away the silence was a mercy, he previously believed was beyond him. It was then that he promised himself to protect her and not take her for granted. Where he failed with his own parents, he would do anything to prevent her from suffering a similar fate.

Over the next few weeks, they caught up and acted as a normal family again. He would cook her meals while he looked for jobs around to help pay off the rent. Sometimes they would watch movies or go out in the evening to break up the mundanity of the day to day. Regardless of the ordinary life they lived, through it all, he felt warmth in his soul. Her familial affection and connection to him acted as the anathema to his sanguinity. For the moment, he felt alive. She treated him as though none of his past sins had ever existed. However, reality was not so kind as to let him go from his fate. In time, his predators had stalked him, following clues of his whereabouts. Vampires had roamed the shadows around his hometown, seeking to return their god's prodigal son. It was then when his fate had finally sunk, once he found her speaking with someone he suspected to be a vampire. Arc was never meant to escape. The moment he drank their blood, he had given up his future.

Try as he might to run away. He could never escape.

Her crimson gaze extended to all that the moon touched.​

Quickly, he gathered what was easy or essential from their home and moved himself and Adelaide towards another, larger city entirely. He hoped that, given the density of the population, the vampires tracking him would have a harder time finding them amidst the crowds and bustle of the city. Unfortunately for their relationship, as Adelaide protested against moving away from all she knew and loved, he couldn't give her a genuine answer; Only telling her that he found a job that could take care of the both of them in another city to avoid worrying her. Forced to move with little explanation, their relationship grew cold. Still, he was resolved in protecting her whether she liked it or not. They weren't going to take her from him too.

To hold up his promise, Arc worked harder than ever in his search to appear as though there was substance to his reason. Thankfully, given his history working alongside vampires and his level of experience when it came to utilizing his degree, once he moved, he was able to find a job in the local police department. There, he swiftly rose in ranks, becoming one of their up and coming bests; Talented in all matters that related to vampires. Due to his vampiric blood as well, he was one step ahead of his peers physically too. Through his rise to prominence, he gained a following within his police cohort, eventually leading to his promotion as a head detective of a specific wing tasked with investigating vampire activities. It was here where he dedicated more of his time to keeping his sister safe, exchanging the warmth he grew to love for her protection.

It was a sacrifice he needed to make in order to protect her smile.

At least, so he thought.​

Watching her cry for the first time because of him had made Arc realize that he was no better than the same monsters he protected her against. He had forced her to go through pain, taking her away from all she knew for the reason of "safety." He smothered her with care and treated her like a defenseless child, taking away her independence in the hopes that she'd stay home while he took care of everything for her. Little did he know how much he robbed her of her autonomy and her life. It sickened him whenever he saw himself in the mirror, finding those same glowing red eyes he grew to fear in his reflection.

And I know what you want from me
You want the same as me
My redemption, eternal ascension
Setting me free
So I'll take what I want then leave

"𝕐𝕠𝕦'𝕧𝕖 𝕞𝕒𝕕𝕖 𝕞𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕙 𝕀 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕕𝕚𝕤𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕒𝕣."

​

---

A wall of yellow to ward curious eyes.

A scene becoming too frequent for comfort in this city's streets.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴅᴇᴇᴘ ᴄᴏᴠᴇʀ | ꜱᴜɴ ᴀʀᴀᴡ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

"Arc... Arc? Can you hear me? Earth to Arc? Hello?" His partner, Vega, sighed. There were several times before when they were working a case together where he would find the lead detective spacing out. Upon hearing his partner's voice call for him, Arc's mind returned to the project at hand. "Oh... Sorry. Was just thinking about some things." Arc walked towards the scene, leaning underneath walls of yellow tape to reach where the supposed vampire murder took place. "What? Don't tell me you're going to retire now? Least you could do is give me a warning first so I could file for my promotion... Or... Are you second guessing your choice in career?" Vega gave a snide remark, following right beside him.

"No. I was thinking of someone I need to protect... What to cook for her when I get home. I'm sure you have people you care about too." While Vega might not have seen Arc with the same zeal that his coworkers had, he still held a level of respect, seeing Arc as someone who was able to match the heightened wits of vampires. By being beside him, he was able to catch the lead detective dissolving many schemes thought up by different covens of vampires. From bringing down traffickers in the red light district to discovering planned attacks against high ranking officials beforehand, it was clear to Vega and the rest of his department that Arc was capable; Dangerously so.

"I mean... I guess I do." He rolled his eyes at Arc's thoughtful answer, disregarding his statement before a crude smile grew over his face. "Finally find yourself a girlfriend to move in with you? About damn time. The guys and I have been placing bets on what the hell was wrong with you. I put my money on you being married to your job. So, which girl from the department is it? Was it Vex? Bet it is. Everyone in the department wants a piece of her." Arc shook his head. "No, not a girlfriend. Family. We'll just leave it at that. Please." His eyes had grown cold, thinking of her empty responses to his gestures of kindness. Ever since they had that fight, their relationship was never the same. He had stopped being seen as her brother; Just a stranger she shared an apartment with.

As they approached the scene, the nearby environment had held the stench of dried blood. The nearby structures made of stone were cracked, as though the powerful blows that were exchanged between them and their murderer had struck them. In the center of it all was the pulverized remains of a vampiric corpse. Their fangs were cracked as a result of heavy blunt force trauma to the skull. Their body was broken in several places; Limbs angled in wrong directions. Splayed out in a dried pool of blood, the vampire had breathed its last; A frozen fearful stare being the only recognizable feature remaining on its lifeless form. To have a vampire suffer from that much damage, it could only mean one thing: This was the result of a pureblood's doing.

Humans lacked the strength necessary to physically fight with the same intensity. Non-pureblood vampires have never seen each other as an object of fear. It was only those that well-surpassed them in strength that could cause a mess like this. "Looks like a fight between vampires. Not the most common sight, I'd say... But its starting to happen more often around here. No weapons seemed to be used so it could be just a fist fight... Though, this looks like something more. What do you think, Arc?"

Whenever the prodigious detective was in the presence of blood, his mind would shift to darker thoughts. It was during moments like these where he would pull out his flask to drink from. Disguised as a whiskey flask to hide its contents; Inside sat a pouch full of animal blood combined with medicine to control his urges; Mixed with blood thinners to avoid solidifying into a thick mass. While it was not a perfect alternative to human blood, it was more than enough to deter the call of his sanguine soul. "Really, a drink?... Right here?"

"Just something to calm the nerves, Vega. Only enough to help me concentrate." ​

Arc took a swig to hold off the dark tide; With his senses heightened, he looked around for clues. Given the fact that the body was showing rigor mortis all the way up to the limbs, he could imagine that the fighting took place roughly eight to twelve hours ago. Speckles of torn fabric were gripped around their fingers, revealing a patch of cloth matching the colors of the university nearby. "Hmm..."

"What is it?" Vega leaned back on a nearby concrete pillar. "Could be the work of a pureblood. Given the scale of the damage and the look on the body, it leaves little to the imagination. Time of death could be anywhere between eight to twelve hours; Its likely that the murderer could still be nearby." Arc placed his leather gloves on, approaching the corpse to separate the ripped cloth from his fingers. "Maybe even from the university. From the looks of it, they might be hurt too." He gave the piece of evidence a look of concern. With his sister now attending, it was hard to shake away the feeling of dread.

"Vega. We should send a few teams to scour the university. See if we could find any injured. Worst case scenario is that there's a vampire hidden among the students. One with bruised fingers if they managed to swing with this much power." While serving as an agent of god, Arc remembered that, while vampires healed from cuts extremely quickly, bruises took much longer to regenerate. Discoloration required fresh blood to fade quickly while the pain and swelling took time to remedy. It meant that they had a short window before their vampiric foe would disappear.

"Best case scenario is that a student got hurt and escaped before the fighting started. They could serve as a lead in helping us find out who did this." He placed the scrap into a bag before taking a few pictures of the crime scene. "Regardless, it wouldn't be wrong for us to investigate." Vega yawned. "Fine... Whatever you say. I'm counting it as overtime." The lead detective rolled his eyes. "Of course, Vega. Always."

---

She always liked snow.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʙᴇɴᴇᴀᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴀꜱᴋ | ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴᴀ 5 ᴏꜱᴛ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

With the dawn of the new day, the two men had made their way to the university dressed in winter jackets and scarves to keep them warm. While other members of the vampire task force were responsible for interviewing injured college students from other exits and entrances, the two detectives had stood in front of the university just as it opened. The snow had an amber hue as the sun highlighted the clouds over the horizon. It was a beautiful sight, one he believed his little sister would have loved to share if it wasn't for all that went wrong between them.

It was times like these where he wondered how they would have been if it weren't for his capture on that fateful day. If the vampires had chosen another human to enthrall, would they be enjoying the snow together? Would they make hot cocoa before building snowmen? To see the contrast with who they once were and who they have become had made his heart ache in his chest. At this point, Arc didn't know what he was fighting for. What was the point of protecting all these people when he himself was a monster? The moment they would find out that their hero was one of the enemies they sought to destroy, it would devastate them. He was an enigma; A walking hypocrisy. Without the love of his family to guide him forward, he was running out of reasons to persist against his powerful enemy.

The snow didn't feel cold on his exposed skin. The frigid temperature lacked the same potency that it used to. It was an odd thought to miss the feeling of discomfort that came with the snow. Once excusing it as a nuisance, he found these old negative sensations as signs that he was normal like her. Though, before he gave himself more opportunity to spiral, Arc shook his head away from his freefall. While there were problems to address, none other than the main issue at hand had to be focused on right now. First and foremost, he needed to protect his remaining family. If he failed in his duty, the sacrifice of his relationship would have been for naught.

For the most part, their shift involved asking questions to nearby students about any suspicious whereabouts or injuries. However, before long, there was a pair of students that caught Arc's precise eyes. One among them had seemed to tense oddly as she tossed a snowball at her friend; Her arms were sore. As they approached, his sensitive ears had picked up on their, hearing them speak over an exam.

"Man, when are these attacks going to stop? This is what, the third one this month? And we're not even halfway through."

"Believe me, I know,"​

"Excuse me."​

Arc approached the girls, maintaining a respectful distance at first as he got in the way of their path. "I don't mean to be rude, but would you mind helping us in our investigation?" Vega walked to his side, stretching his arms as he left a couple of other students. "Arc, we're wasting time here. What makes you believe that the vampires are on campus anyways?" He attempted to shift the detective's focus. "Vega, not right now." Vega attempted to squeeze a word in to no avail. "But-"

"I said. Not now. Now if you would excuse us?" Arc lowered his voice, hinting at his level of seriousness. No matter what, he was going to ensure this campus was safe. Vega stood back. "Ugh, I hate it when you get stubborn like this. Fine. I'll be over there getting a coffee if you need me." He jeered, leaving the lead detective alone.

"I'm sorry you had to see that. My partner is usually a bit more cooperative." He gave them both a gentle nod, before introducing himself. "My name is Arc. Lead investigator for the local police department." He pulled out his badge, revealing his affiliation. "As a result of the attack nearby, I've had concerns that there could be a vampire on campus. If you both won't mind, I would appreciate it if you could answer a few questions for me. Anything would help in keeping this campus safe." As he spoke, he looked curiously at Twyla. Underneath his kind facade, he held suspicions over her involvement with the vampire.

"Follow me please. I promise to be quick. If it helps, I could also order you both a warm drink nearby too. On me, of course."​

---

The campus cafe.

A place of respite from the cold.​

Arc loosened his scarf and removed his gloves, placing them to the side before turning to his student counterparts with their drinks in hand. Here, inside the cafe, there was no need to be concerned over his lack of mist giving off his vampiric nature. The ambient heat was more than enough to mask the coolness of his skin. However, this invitation towards the cafe was not out of a mere sense of kindness nor respect; It also served to loosen up his interviewees. He did his research into the cafe beforehand, visiting alongside Vega before starting their shift. The side of the cafe he sat at specifically was close to the heater, warranting the removal of gloves and scarves.

"So, tell me about yourselves. Have either of you seen anything odd recently? Specifically around the last couple nights?" He started off with an innocent question. Something easy to begin their conversation without making them too nervous. "Do you know anyone who got hurt? Just in case something were to happen, I'd like to give them medical attention." Arc appeared to speak charitably. To interview anyone, it was a fine dance of words that required precision to bring the truth out. Too much force and the target would be susceptible to lying or shutting down. Too little and no information of worth could be extracted. Though, before he continued, he noticed the time on a clock nearby and drew his phone from his pocket. "Oh, apologies. I need to make a call."

"Your call has been forwarded to the voicemail for Adelaide."

"At the end of the tone, please record your message."​

He turned his head to his side, staring idly outside the cafe window while he called his little sister. After being sent to voicemail, he mumbled quietly into microphone. "Adelaide. My shift is ending soon. If you'd like, we could go out to a cafe sometime and I could get you some dinner." He paused, taking a moment to breathe just to remain in full control of his emotions. "The one I'm at right now offers your favorite snack. I've read the reviews online and saw that they could make it really well."

The vampire stared at the food he ordered for her to take home. He already knew the answer to his invitation long before asking. Still, he didn't think that it was wrong to try. It was these acts that helped him remain strong against his urges. His sister was among the last anchors that kept him human. Her forgiveness had acted a bastion against the darkness in his mind. "Call me back if you're interested, alright?... Stay safe. Love you. Bye."

He hung up after a couple minutes, turning back towards the two. His eyes had settled on the drink that stood in front of Twyla. "Is the drink not to your preference? I could always order you another one." The detective pulled out his flask, taking another swig of his drink before examining her gloves. "But if you're still cold, I'd recommend taking off your gloves and holding on the drink. I'm sure it'll warm you up faster. Then again, it is pretty hot here." He fanned himself, switching his attention towards her neck. If she was the injured student, Arc would assume that her neck would have been bruised. "How about you take off you scarf and relax a little? Take some time to think about what else you'd like to order. The cafe here apparently could make really good drinks."

"...And it would be a shame if you were left uncomfortable."​

Character Hex Codes

Archimedes - #B81F32
Vega - #fedcdd

 

[Kitten]

"Either way, we shouldn't let it bring us down. There are things in this world beyond our control, especially the actions of others." With a casual shrug, Mia appeared unbothered by the natural chaos that had become commonplace around campus. Alora, however, wished Mia would be more cautious instead of brushing off the situation so casually. Still, Mia wasn’t entirely wrong - no one can control another person's intentions, and sometimes, no matter how careful you are, bad things can still happen. The brunette shot her best friend a stern, unamused glare, but the way her nose scrunched up made it difficult to take her seriously. Instead, she resembled an adorable bunny trying her best to look upset.

“Don’t give me that mom glare.” As Mia burst into playful laughter, another sound completely captivated Alora's attention - slow, deliberate footsteps approaching. Her heightened sense of hearing allowed her to pick up on sounds that others might miss, making it difficult at times to feign ignorance or pretend she hadn’t heard something she wished she hadn’t. Although it was daylight, when attacks were less frequent, they weren’t unheard of. Turning her head just enough to glance over her shoulder, Alora spotted a tall man with an aristocratic aura. His stride was calculated, and each step on the snow beneath him produced a satisfying crunch. Despite his imposing presence, she didn’t sense any malicious intent emanating from him.

“Excuse me. I don't mean to be rude, but would you mind helping us in our investigation?”​

As his velvety voice sliced through the chilled air, Mia’s laughter abruptly stopped, and she pivoted on her heels to see the investigator who had quietly approached them. Alora also shifted to face him, her attention drawn not just to the investigator but also to another man who joined him, stepping up beside the almond-haired officer. Even without an introduction, it was clear that they were both with the police, their crisp uniforms standing in stark contrast to the casual attire of the students around them.

Alora was a useless liar, and it was transparent which crime scene the investigators were captivated in questioning them about. Her breath caught in her throat, and she could feel her mouth go dry as she tried to swallow the lump forming there. Alora had always avoided trouble and kept a safe distance from anything involving the law. Despite knowing she was innocent and had done nothing wrong, the overwhelming sense of guilt gnawed at her, making her feel as though she would fail any lie detector test on the spot.

"Arc, we're wasting time here. What makes you believe that the vampires are on campus anyways?"​

Yes, Arc. Take Vega’s opinion. Silently, Alora prayed as she gathered their names during the vehement conversation. The two girls watched the men before them awkwardly, their investigation momentarily paused as the two colleagues engaged in a mini quarrel. It seemed that Mia was having the same thoughts as Alora, and the two exchanged a wordless conversation through their expressions. Mia’s eyes widened in confusion, her brows furrowing, while Alora responded with a casual shrug and a lift of her eyebrows, signaling her own uncertainty.

"I'm sorry you had to see that. My partner is usually a bit more cooperative."​

“Don’t sweat it,” Mia said, taking the lead in responding with an air of unamusement, which spared Alora from having to speak for the moment. Their focus shifted to the glistening gold badge, momentarily dusted with tiny snowflakes before being tucked away with care. It was a no-brainer that this questioning would lead to the yellowed-taped crime scene right in front of them, but Alora still held onto the hope that it might concern a different incident that had ironically surfaced around the same time. As Arc’s gaze shifted respectfully between her and Mia, Alora couldn’t help but feel that he was looking at her in a different light. She couldn’t quite place it - whether it was concern or suspicion - but the unreadable thoughts swirling in his mind were starting to make her uneasy.

"Of course, anything we can do to help," Alora said, taking a deep breath and mustering the courage to speak through the scarf wrapped around her mouth. Hopefully, her eagerness to participate and assist with the case would make her appear less likely to be a suspect. Her golden eyes met Arc's with what she hoped were rays of warmth and sincerity as she tried to dispel any doubts that might be circling his mind. She knew that staying silent while Mia took the lead might make her appear guilty. Meanwhile, Mia's thoughts were on the potential for free caffeine, which had piqued her interest. She nodded in agreement, hoping her earlier unamused tone wouldn't cast her in a negative light.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Tʀᴜsᴛ Mᴇ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 2:58
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

The sound of metal chair legs scraping against the hard floor echoed as the trio settled at a table in the heart of the café. Their bookbags were positioned securely against their legs, a precaution born from old habits to keep their belongings safe. Mia quickly shed her coat and hat and hung them on the end of her chair, while Alora chose to keep hers on, only pulling down her scarf to reveal her roseate lips. The rich scent of ground coffee beans permeated the air, bringing a refreshing and invigorating energy. A cappuccino-like beverage was placed in front of Alora and Mia, the steam rising and swirling around, a clear sign of its intense heat.

"So, tell me about yourselves. Have either of you seen anything odd recently?"​

His eyes didn’t seem to focus on anyone in particular as he inquired, leaving the question open for anyone willing to respond. Mia, feeling chipper after sipping her warm beverage at no cost, happily spoke while cradling her mug. "I've only heard what happened after the fact; I never witnessed any-" She frowned as Arc, yet again, appeared distracted and sidetracked, having asked a question but failing to maintain the conversation after excusing himself for a moment. This was the second time he’d done so. "Okay, then..." She huffed an agitated breath before taking a careful sip of her hot drink. Alora couldn’t help but laugh at her irritated friend, who never failed to be herself - even in the presence of a police officer.

As Alora tried to appear absorbed in the café's ambiance, she couldn't help but eavesdrop on the conversation taking place. He was whispering into his phone, making it difficult to determine whether he was speaking to a lover, a family member, or a friend. Though it was truthfully none of her business, she found it hard to ignore his discourtesy - he seemed impatient, unable to wait until after the investigation he was so eager to conduct. "Hey, you have a bad habit of drifting off from the main topic." Mia crossed her arms, her foot tapping with irritation as she shot him an irked look.

"Mia!" Alora spoke through gritted teeth, giving Mia's leg a gentle nudge with her own foot in an attempt to silence her from speaking poorly to the investigator, even though he was the one being discourteous. She regretted speaking up as soon as Arc's attention shifted to her, directing the focus of the conversation her way. "O-oh, it's just a bit too hot for me to sip on right now. I hope I didn't offend you by not drinking it immediately." She shifted uncomfortably in her chair, trying to come up with more filler words to make her excuse sound more convincing. "I've burned my mouth plenty of times, and I really don't want to embarrass myself." The truth was that she couldn't digest human food or beverages easily. While she could consume them, it came with consequences after an hour or two - her digestive system wouldn't tolerate it, often forcing her to vomit up whatever she had ingested.

For now, she was relieved with her explanation, but her relief was short-lived as Arc swiftly shifted the topic to her attire, questioning why she continued to wear her winter clothes inside a cozy building. She flinched, not from a physical blow, but from his keen observation of the subtle things she did to feel more comfortable among humans. "Silly me, you're right," she said, forcing a laugh as she began to unravel the scarf wrapped around her neck. Fortunately, she wore a vintage button-down collared shirt that concealed the bruises on her porcelain skin against her neck. She unfastened her coat and draped it over the back of her chair before carefully removing her gloves. It was clear that her hands ached, as her movements were slow and deliberate while she peeled them off. Bruises were evident on her knuckles and fingers, revealing the fact that she had been in a tussle. Fortunately, she had prepared an alibi for just such a situation, hoping it would cover up the true cause of her injuries.

"Alora, you need to take it easy on your martial arts class!" Mia quickly gasped at the sight of Alora's hands and lifted them up to inspect them for herself. "I know you like to give it your all, but it's just an extracurricular class," she said, giving her friend a playful punch on the shoulder. "I'd hide my hands too if they looked like that." Alora wasn't sure whether to thank her friend for speaking up on her behalf or to wish she'd keep quiet, but she hoped Mia's genuine words would make Arc ease off and stop pressing on her about trivial matters.

Holding her cup with both hands, Alora cradled her warm drink as if waiting for it to cool down. "I actually had breakfast before coming to campus, but Mia would happily take you up on that offer," she said. Alora didn't need to speak for Mia, as her friend was already engrossed in the menu, eagerly scanning the delicacies available in this gem of a café. "Just as Mia mentioned, we only hear about these incidents after they've happened. We're usually either at home or in a different building on campus," Alora said, glancing down at her coffee, its dark color preventing her from seeing her reflection. "I understand you're just doing your job, but we genuinely have no idea about what might have happened."
It was a big, fat lie from Alora's end, though Mia was truly innocent. Alora felt a pang of sadness as she looked at her naive best friend sitting beside her, knowing that Mia remained unaware of her true nature as a pureblood. The thought weighed heavily on her heart every day, but the fear of what might happen if she learned that information scared her more.

Her mind couldn't help but drift back to the previous night, the memories still vivid and haunting in her thoughts.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Sᴛᴏʀᴍʙʀɪɴɢᴇʀ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 5:45
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

The temperature had plummeted to nearly zero, and as the sun faded and the moon took over the sky, the streetlights flickered on, casting their glow in the frigid air. Alora walked along the paved sidewalk, AirPods nestled in her ears, immersed in her own world. She was heading into town toward her apartment, knowing that Val was probably already home, having finished classes much earlier than she did. Her throat vibrated with a hum as her elongated chestnut locks swayed, energized by her choice of music. It was a beautiful night, and she walked slower on purpose, savoring the lingering beauty of the evening. Ahead of her, nearly half a mile away, a lone college student was making her way home around the same time. With curfew set to begin in about an hour, their timely departure was evident. They were still on campus, but town wasn’t too far away.

In the corner of a darkened patch of buildings casting a deep shadow, piercing red eyes glowed as a male vampire emerged from his hiding spot. His pace quickened as he aimed to get close to his unsuspecting prey before anyone else came by and noticed. Alora’s brows furrowed with concern, reluctant to take any risks as they ventured deeper into the outskirts of campus. Thankfully, the girl made a sharp turn, disappearing from Alora’s and the fiend's sight. Seizing the moment, Alora decided to distract the vampire.

"Ugh!" she exclaimed loudly, purposefully tripping over her own feet to create a thud that would surely capture the man’s attention. Alora fell to the ground in a messy tumble, tiny pebbles embedding into her palms as she tried to catch herself. She aimed to appear weak and defenseless, making herself a more tempting target than the young adult who was merely trying to get home safely. She could sense the man tuning into her sounds, and before she knew it, he was right in front of her, as if he had appeared out of thin air. To an observer, it might have seemed like he had just left a nearby store and happened upon the commotion by chance. However, Alora knew that his heightened yet silent speed allowed him to mask his presence as a mere coincidence.

"Are you alright, ma'am?" the man asked, extending a hand to help her up. His red irises were gone, suggesting he had put in his contacts to conceal his true nature.

"Oh my goodness, thank you so much!" Alora exclaimed, taking his hand with delicate care. But her grip tightened abruptly, each finger curling solidly around the back of his hand. An audible CRUNCH filled the air as she crushed every bone in his hand with a single, forceful squeeze.

"AAAHH~" His screams were muffled as her other hand covered his mouth, silencing any cries. Her hair, once a rich chocolate hue, had turned as white as the snow around them. Her eyes, a stunning shade of lilac, shimmered beautifully in the moonlight.

"Shh... You wouldn’t want to cause a scene, now would you?" A devious smile crept across her lips, a stark contrast to the cheerful and bubbly girl who had been skipping along to her music just moments ago. Her fists and legs moved with swift, ruthless precision, not giving the poor creature any chance to fight back. She was relentless, determined to have her knuckles pierce every inch of his flesh to teach him a lethal lesson. This would be his only lesson, in fact. He tried to shield himself with his arms, but when he realized it was futile, he resorted to carving into her neck, chest, arms, and legs, gripping her tightly to leave his mark. Alora hated when they bruised her, and it seemed like they knew exactly how to inflict pain. She winced, letting out an agitated breath before she grew weary of his resistance.

In a swift and brutal motion, she snapped his limbs like twigs, her knuckles pounding against his face and skull until it caved in. With a surge of heated rage, she slammed his body against a nearby building, causing the ground to rumble with the impact. Once the smoke of the debris cleared, she gasped for air, realizing she was on the brink of losing control. Sweat glistened on her skin - a rare sight - as she stared with wide eyes at the lifeless vampire with crimson speckled around before her. With a few deep breaths to steady herself, she quickly grasped the severity of what she had done and fled the scene, leaving behind a torn piece of her university hoodie.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ &Rᴜɴ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:45
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺

RING
RING
RING
1 Missed Call from Arc​

Adelaide shifted restlessly in her bed, her eyes shadowed with dark circles. She glanced at her phone as its screen briefly lit up before fading to black, shutting off to conserve battery life. Her eyes seemed vacant, as if she had lost interest in everything. She wasn't allowed much freedom, not even the chance to get a job. She had to beg him just to attend college, and even then, she was limited to only one class. His overprotectiveness was suffocating, and she resented being treated like a child when she was a capable young adult.

She regretted ever bringing up the idea of moving out to him. She yearned for independence, believing it was a vital step for her personal growth and happiness. While Arc saw it as a potential mistake, convinced she wasn't ready for the challenges it would bring, she was resolute in her conviction that it was the right path for her. This led to an intense shouting match between them, with both of them nearly screaming at each other. In the heat of the moment, Adelaide said some deeply hurtful things. Bringing up their parents, a topic that always struck a raw nerve, only made the argument more painful. She could still hear her own voice echoing those cutting words, regretting the pain they caused.

If mom and dad were still here, this wouldn't have happened!

Arc’s expression visibly shifted, his jaw clenching tightly as if he were struggling to contain either a harsh retort or the impulse to lash out physically. After a tense moment, he turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him with a force that left no doubt about his frustration.

As her phone buzzed back to life with a new notification, Adelaide glanced at the screen and saw a voicemail from Arc. Her fingers hovered over the delete button, unsure whether to listen to the message or not. She debated with herself, wondering if he might be in trouble or if he needed something important. "He can take care of himself, since he wants to so badly." She scoffed, decisively pressing her finger on the 'delete' option. With a sudden burst of frustration, she spun around and clutched her pillow tightly, burying her face in it as she sobbed uncontrollably.

The pillow, her only source of comfort, quickly grew damp with her tears.​

Character Hex Codes

Adelaide #8B295A
Alora/Twyla #9365B8
Mia #FBA026

 

[Tenzai]

"𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕞𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕒 𝕝𝕚𝕗𝕖 𝕤𝕖𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕝𝕖, 𝕞𝕪 𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕥 𝕃𝕦𝕔𝕚𝕗𝕖𝕣."

"𝕌𝕟𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕙 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕦𝕓𝕛𝕖𝕔𝕥 𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕒𝕞𝕖 𝕗𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕒𝕤 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕤.."​

Learn to be beyond them. Learn to be better. Her words had always lingered on the deepest recesses of Arc's mind. They were spoken to him as gospel, taught to the young vampire while he was serving as one of her favorites. God's children, they were called. Taken from different swathes of life, the sanguine apostles all had different strengths that allowed them to serve their dark goddess in their own perfect ways. Arc was the weakest among them. Nicknamed Lucifer as a result of his pride and arrogance in wishing for a life more than what being one of her chosen offered, he was the target of countless rehabilitations.

To overcome his attachment to the living realm, he was forced to feed on the innocent. With every sacrificial lamb, they had hoped that drawing the blood of the pure would taint his soul beyond redemption; That by forcing him to commit atrocities on those that reminded him of his family, he would break through sin. Instead, it became the fuel for his undying fire, an unceasing desire to turn against the goddess herself and bring her empire to ruin. Quiet was his anger as he orchestrated a sabotage devastating enough to give him a window to escape. By turning her children against each other, her long, dark gaze had left him for a moment; Enough for him to commit his revenge against all who took his family away.

Arc was better than them. He didn't need them nor their dark powers to live a life he always wanted. Through flame, he cleansed himself of his sin, hoping to leave that life behind. Though no matter how far apart he could escape her, he was caught within her web. Her careful manipulations had left the poor man trapped within her influence. Her words had echoed in his mind whenever he was brought closer to insanity; The darkness that overwhelmed him had dwelled quietly in his soul, a predator stalking his conscience waiting for the perfect time to strike.

Her gospel were the nails on his cross

that left his soul suspended in limbo.​

---

Their argument had never left his dreams, taunting the poor brother with his mistakes up to the current day. Arc recalled the look of snow outside the window. The crunch of each step as he went up the stairs to their old apartment. There was a chill in the house then, an odd feeling given his lack of sensitivity to the cold. It was a feeling that usually accompanied dread, as though his sanguine curse could pick up on the essence of those around him. Something was amiss.

From the silence then came the shouting. She was furious at the lengths he would go to ensure her safety. Without being able to mention the true cause of their parent's tragedy, he was left with poor excuses to give her. Words that only served to intensify the rebellion that existed in her heart. With every sentence he spoke, she gave tens more of how wrong he was. It was unfair. He was subject to the misfortune of being forced to wear a mask to keep her safe, yet that same mask had caused their relationship to shatter. As the argument kept bubbling, her feelings had overflowed until she finally reached her limit.

"If mom and dad were still here, this wouldn't have happened!"

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʜᴏᴍᴇꜱɪᴄᴋ | ᴡᴀᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴇᴀʀᴛʜ
↻◁ || ▷↺

In this cold place
Where the snow hasn't melted yet
Leaves that resemble, the cold a-growing,
My freezing breath, frozen memories​

Her outburst has shocked her brother. Their argument was drawing a dark side of him that he wished to bury alongside his past. Her high pitched tones, her frustrated demeanor, and the tears that broke from her eyes had summoned the worst of him. Try as he might to settle his heart, her sanguine corrupting influence had held a grip on his mind, making it so easy to speak the most regrettable words. Treating cattle as anything else would lead to problems. To hear her utter her truth had caused him to drop all semblance of hope for a kinder future. This was the home he came back to. That profaned goddess was right; This was to be his new reality. He had lost his right to happiness.

He became her Icarus.

Flying too close to the living for the sake of love.

Erase me from here and set me free
All I wanted was to fly high
I can't believe my wings are broken
And fell against the sky​

The same wings that made him fly above the clouds had grounded him. The same warmth he fought so hard for had left him frozen in place. The herculean effort he spent attempting to return to some semblance of normality beyond his past with the leftover remnants of his family had all gone for naught. Gone was the love that existed between two siblings that lost their parents. In its place came a hatred for himself and a coldness between them. He deprived her of a normal future. He was the reason why mom and dad were gone.

Her words had left his heart reeling, taking him back to the time he felt the blood of his loved ones drip from his fangs. The regret he held for himself, seeing the man in the mirror as a monster, had returned to haunt him. Arc wasn't human anymore. To act like one had hurt the person he loved the most. Finding no other way to remedy their shattered relationship, he turned and left her; The door slamming with vampiric strength on the way out, shattering the hinges that separated them. It was another reminder of what he lost when he took their blessing.

His sanguine gift had turned into a curse.

Closed doors did little to muffle her anguish.​

Even as Arc stood outside to take a break from the argument within, he heard her genuine thoughts about him: How he took away her freedom and autonomy, how he robbed her of all that made her happy, and how he stole her future, the same future that her parents had sacrificed so much for. Beyond the door that served as a wall between them, he slumped against it, crying as he slid towards the floor. It was his second time crying since his family perished, the only other time occurring when he found her again.

It didn't take long before he grew accustomed to this new reality. Her coldness had made it hard for him to wish to return home. The praises of his coworkers in regards to his work had felt empty in contrast. With his home life in shambles, he found solace in taking his frustrations out on the vampire menace that stole it all away. At least, when pouring his heart out into his investigations for the sake of public safety, he was still giving Adelaide his love in his own special way.

"I'm sorry, Addy." He glared at the piles upon piles of paperwork that needed to be done before every investigation. Red tape had made working through bureaucracy its own version of hell. Spelling out where local tax money was being put into had took much of his free time away. Though, if this was all for giving a life where he'd one day be able to grant her freedom without paranoia of what lies in the dark, perhaps this was his way of seeking her forgiveness. "I don't think I'll be able to come home tonight either." It was a pleasant thought that kept him going regardless of the administrative tar that got in his way; This sacrifice would mean something. One day, he hoped, his home would return back to normal.

Arc was homesick.

Since their argument, his home had ceased to exist.

A flightless feather, oh
My freezing breath, frozen memories
Fearless behavior
It doesn't exist in me anymore​

---

"They're dead, Arc."

"Harping on them isn't going to bring them back."​

Arc stood in front of a grave for two, giving his parents a silent prayer. With his heart begging for a divine call, he asked the gods above to treat their souls better than he did. He knew that it was likely they would never be answered. He deemed his own soul too tainted to be seen by the kami. Though, he held hubris in his persistence. Maybe one day, their family would know peace if he never gave up.

Vega held an umbrella over his head, keeping the lead detective dry while they were on their detour. 'So that's why he cares so damn much.' He thought to himself. 'Those dumbasses came after the wrong family.' The vampire had thought of all of Arc's successes in tearing down the works of his sanguine allies. While Arc himself may have been an adversary, he was given another task by the goddess that took priority over the detective's elimination: Find the prodigal son.

Before Arc finished, he left some white roses on their grave. It was a symbol of his parents' love to each other and their love for their family. "They've left us too soon, Vega." He lifted himself up, sweeping the dust away from the letters with his gloves. "Even the dead deserve respect. I hope that when I see them in the next life, they'll forgive me for failing them." The rain did well to mask the tears on his face. "Sorry mom. Sorry dad. You deserved a son that's better than me."

His voice had dropped to a whisper as the rains had pounded the ground around him.

"I promise to keep her safe... So please forgive me."​

"Better? What the fuck do you by better?" Vega glared at him, scoffing at his humility. "You're the lead detective of the police force. Fuck, your face is on magazines and on the internet for saving people, and your parents don't think your enough?!" His vampiric pride had revealed itself in an odd way that benefited Arc. He didn't want to see his rival put himself down. "Sounds like they were pieces of shit."

The detective turned towards his partner, showing a rare emotion that even Adelaide never got to see. "Vega..." His fingers had curled into a fist, glaring daggers in response to his words. "Don't you EVER fucking say that about them or any other member of my family again! Got it?!" He reached over to Vega's arm, clutching his shoulder until it bruised, his vampiric blood boiling behind his eyes. "F-fine. Relax, Arc. I'll shut it."

Arc's hands had trembled. "They were all I had... And those... Vampires... Had taken it all away. They were so good to me and I... I!" He bit his lip hard enough for it to bleed; The taste of his own flesh mixed with the pain of his self-inflicted punishment had sobered him up quickly before his rage had taken over. "... I failed them, Vega! Hurt them... Hurt my own sister too... Do as I like, you're right... They're not going to come back... But there's still more I could do for them. I still have someone else that I... I could change... Someone left that I could save." He turned away, looking back towards the direction they came. He was losing himself because of them. "Just... Forget you ever saw anything."

His family was his strength and his weakness.

His benediction and his anathema.

Erase me from here and set me free
All, all I wanted was to fly high
I can't believe my wings are broken
And fell against the sky
Oh, will you please take me home?​

---

"You're right. My apologies. I'm being a terrible host, aren't I?"

In response to their inconvenience, he gave them his full attention.​

Now that their emotions had been properly stirred, he was able to get a better reading of the two girls in front of him. They appeared to be best friends, or at least friends with great chemistry. One of them, Mia, was rude but honest. The other, Alora, was polite but shy and nervous. They were two sides of a coin, a duo that complemented each other well. While they spoke to each other, he took note of Alora's unconscious mannerisms. The uncomfortable shifts in her chair, the rapid tapping of her foot, and the inability to look the detective in his eyes had all given him clues that she was hiding something.

"O-oh, it's just a bit too hot for me to sip on right now. I hope I didn't offend you by not drinking it immediately. I've burned my mouth plenty of times, and I really don't want to embarrass myself." The detective smiled kindly. "Don't apologize for it, Alora. There's nothing wrong with waiting a bit for the drink to cool." He pulled a notebook from inside his jacket, clicking a pen to jot a few notes about the interviewees in cursive. "Take your time. No rush."

Soon their attention was turned towards her attire. His eyebrow raised at the sight of her neck, before following her arms down to her hands. Once she loosened her gloves, his eyes were quick to note the bruises. "Oh?"

"Alora, you need to take it easy on your martial arts class!" Mia interrupted her, grabbing her hands gingerly as she inspected them. "I know you like to give it your all, but it's just an extracurricular class, I'd hide my hands too if they looked like that." Her best friend pinched her shoulder, causing her muscle to tense from the soreness.

"Martial arts. Smart. Given all that's happening nearby, I could imagine many of you students would take safety in your own hands." Her words had put the detective at ease. While he held his reservations about Alora, Mia had spoken her truth throughout, causing Arc to lower his inhibitions. 'Martials arts is most likely the source of her bruises.' He noted. 'Remind the others to remove the combat art practitioners and those related to sports/heavy physical activities from the list.' Once he finished writing, he lifted her hand gingerly. "Don't be ashamed of your wounds, Alora. Each bruise you take for the sake of yourself and the people you care about are marks you should be proud of."

Arc looked at her with sympathy before lifting his own sleeve, revealing a bandage that covered a nasty bruise from a prior vampire attack. "I received this when saving a child from a vampire the other week." He grazed his fingers across it, wincing once he placed enough pressure. "Some may call it ugly, but I? Its history. A memory of what we do for the people we wish to protect." He smiled, rolling down his sleeve before turning back towards her. "Just be sure to try and avoid vampires if you could help it. Martial arts could only do so much to something that could punch through steel."

Arc waved his hand back towards the menu. "Apologies for the tangent but my offer still stands. Feel free to order anything from the menu. Consider it a thank you for both of your cooperation."

"I actually had breakfast before coming to campus, but Mia would happily take you up on that offer, just as Mia mentioned, we only hear about these incidents after they've happened. We're usually either at home or in a different building on campus, I understand you're just doing your job, but we genuinely have no idea about what might have happened."

"That's fine if you don't know, Alora. I never asked assuming you had all the answers." His crimson orbs had given off her reflection, hiding his true thoughts behind a cloudy veil. "It's why you'll see others in uniform like me on campus. We have to make sure we do our best job to avoid something like what happened last night from occurring again." He flipped to another page on his notebook, reaching inside his jacket with his other free hand to pull out a bag that held a familiar piece of clothing.

" There is one final thing though."

"One more question and we're done."​

"Do any of you recognize this?" Unlike the other uniforms on campus, Arc had access to physical evidence of the night before. "It was found clutched in the hand of a dead vampire." Arc peered curiously, noticing an odd change in Alora's behavior. Her eyes didn't appear lost when seeing it, as though she knew something more. "It looks like it belongs to a student here, hence why I'm conducting my investigation."

He leaned closer, letting the two examine the patch's details in full. "Usually, this would be held under lock and key but..." The idea that there was a vampire in Adelaide's midst had bothered him. Arc had believed once that he escaped the clutches of the vampires by fleeing their home. To have his veil uncovered only to reveal just how close they've managed to come had drawn a sense of urgency. Following rules and procedures was not going to cut it if his sister was on the line.

"Something tells me, it would be perfect in finding people who know about it... Alora, do you know something?" The detective began to apply pressure. "Please, if you do. I would gladly appreciate it. There's students on the line... People that you and I can't lose are at risk. If I could help it, I'd do anything I can to avoid someone else ending up like that vampire."

He placed the bag in her hands, his eyes finally revealing his suspicions. She must have been a witness, or at least, known a witness. "We have concerns that a pureblood had made it on campus. Any information, no matter how big or small, can help us in catching them. Please." His heart had ached, steeling his resolve in keeping his end of the promise to his parents. He reached for her wrists, pleading for her help.

"I can't do this without you."​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Tᴇʟʟ Mᴇ Nᴏᴡ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:18
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Tʜᴇ ɪᴍᴘᴀᴄᴛ ᴏғ ᴏɴᴇ ᴄʜᴏɪᴄᴇ ɪs sᴏ ᴇɴᴅʟᴇss
Cᴀɴ'ᴛ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ᴏғ ʜᴏᴡ ɪᴛ ᴘʟᴀʏs ᴏᴜᴛ ɪɴ ᴛɪᴍᴇ​

“Can you blame the girl for wanting to protect herself, and heck, maybe even me?” Mia chuckled, imagining Alora bracing herself to defend them. Alora responded with a shy laugh, her gaze shifting away as if to shield herself from the truth she was so desperately trying to conceal within her veil. She wondered if she was truly any better than a villain for keeping her identity hidden from her best friend. If it came down to it, she’d stand in the line of fire for those she loved without hesitation. For now, though, she could only pray that those dear to her would remain untouched by danger, never having to face the ominous crimson eyes she feared might one day reveal her true self.

“Don't be ashamed of your wounds, Alora. Each bruise you take for the sake of yourself and the people you care about are marks you should be proud of."​

A small sparkle seemed to glimmer in her golden eyes, as if his words had unlocked a truth she hadn’t fully grasped until now. A soft pink hue flushed her porcelain skin, making her appear as if she was truly being seen and heard for the first time in a long time. It felt like he understood her pain and frustration, though she suspected he might be trying to soothe her over her weary hands.

“T-thank you,” she murmured, her gaze falling to her drink as it began to cool. You’re going to have to take a sip soon, Twyla, she chided herself inwardly, realizing she needed to prove her own humanity and vulnerability in front of him, she felt the pressure to avoid seeming out of the ordinary. She wanted to show that despite everything, she was just like anyone else.

“Oh my goodness! That must’ve hurt!” Mia gasped at the sight of Arc's wound, her own face wincing as if she could feel the phantom pain of the bruise. She shuddered at the thought of how much it must have hurt to sustain such a horrendous mark. Alora's eyes widened in response, her gaze reflecting the gravity of his responsibility. It was as if his body had become a canvas, the bruise a vivid smear of the weight he carried in his duty to protect those in need. The visible mark told a story of sacrifice and burden, etched into his very being.

“That is so commendable, thank you for your service, Arc.” She expressed her praise, hoping he could sense her genuine admiration for the daily sacrifices and challenges he faced. “I’m sure whoever you were on the phone with comes to mind every time you risk your life. It sounds like someone you really cherish,” she said, acknowledging his earlier conversation. She wanted him to know she had been listening and deeply sympathized with him on a personal level. “I have a younger brother at home who I wish to protect - he’s everything to me,” she added. Although her brother was more than capable of protecting himself, she felt a profound sense of sibling duty. Unbeknownst to her, her words struck a deep chord with him, resonating far beyond what she could have anticipated in that moment.

“Ah, shit, here she goes talking about Val again,” Mia muttered, rolling her eyes as if she’d heard it a hundred times before. Alora shot her a stern look that clearly conveyed two messages: to keep her comments respectful in front of the officer and to refrain from making light of her adoration for her brother. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that…” Mia quickly backtracked, a guilty expression crossing her face as she offered a sheepish smile.

Finally, Alora raised her hands, cupping her beverage tightly to make sure it wouldn’t slip from her grasp, her fingers trembling slightly - whether from nerves or fear was uncertain. With a determined pursing of her lips, she closed her eyes and took a sip. The slurping sound seemed to resonate, as if drawing the attention of everyone around her. The liquid was slightly warmer than she expected, and she flinched, unaccustomed to the bitter taste of coffee and taken aback by it. She masked her discomfort, pretending the drink was simply too hot. “My, that is still too hot,” she remarked while swallowing hard, struggling to suppress the urge to vomit.

"There is one final thing though. One more question and we're done. Do any of you recognize this?"
​

As Arc spread the tattered pieces of clothing on the table for both to see, Alora instantly froze, her complexion paling further, revealing her unease. Mia, however, appeared unfazed as she examined the fabric with a thoughtful expression, her thumb and index finger resting on her chin. "This looks like a piece of a university jersey. It almost matches yours, Alora. Since they don't make it anymore, you should bring it in for Arc to compare." Foolishly, her friend offered a helping hand, putting Alora on the spot immediately without intending to. If only she knew the truth, she might have realized she was unwittingly digging a grave for her best friend. Alora was visibly uncomfortable, her eyes fixed on the tattered piece of clothing as if she were caught in a trance, unable to move. Even Mia noticed her unease, her brow furrowing in curiosity as she wondered what had caused such a reaction.

"Alora, do you know something?"​

Mia glanced between Arc and Alora, sensing the tension thickening in the air like a dense fog. "Alora... is everything okay?" Her voice carried a note of concern, her eyes filled with worry as she looked at her friend, who was avoiding eye contact with everyone. If only they were aware of the internal battle she was facing, the millions of voices screaming in her head, pulling her in countless directions and leaving her paralyzed with indecision.

Tell them the truth! You're caught no matter what! A voice screamed inside her, daring her to surrender everything she had worked so hard to achieve. Run away! Run as fast as you can and don't EVER look back! Another voice rose above the rest, urging her to set aside her fears and take a different course of action. If you tell them then that mean Val will also be in danger! Another voice warned her, bringing her most cherished person into focus, forcing her to weigh what was truly worth fighting for more than ever before.

"I... I..." She began to speak, but the words caught in her throat, and she stumbled over her own speech, struggling to find the right things to say. There was no turning back now as she trembled uncontrollably, her hands quivering as she pulled them away from her cup of coffee and tangled them in her hair. The fear consumed her so profoundly that she wondered if she might lose control or pass out. Reassuringly Arc grabbed at her petite wrists, as if attempting to help calm her, but it almost made her more terrified.

"I was so scared, Mia... I didn't want to worry you..." Her voice shook with genuine fear, raw and unfiltered, not a hint of pretense or fabrication for effect. "Yes.... those are the pieces to my jersey... a v-vampire was about to k-kill me..." She wasn't lying; it was the truth. That was indeed a remnant of her jersey, and she was genuinely entangled in a struggle with a vampire. Nothing about her story was fabricated. "U-until a p-pureblood c-came and s-saved m-m-me..." This was where the situation became fabricated. She was the pureblood, not an innocent bystander. The rest of the story was something she had to invent on the fly, and the fear of being exposed for her deception consumed her more than anything else.

"They were covered in a hood and wearing a mask. They knew exactly what they were doing, but their pure white hair gave them away. B-but they didn't attack me... instead, they helped me..." She struggled to fabricate her story, trying to mix in some truth. She revealed how she had assisted an innocent woman by dealing a fatal blow to a monster, whose intentions were nothing but fatal. "Before I could thank them, they vanished. I didn't think anyone would believe me with how rare purebloods are..." She silently begged the deities above, hoping they would persuade Arc and Mia to listen to her trembling words and believe her story, knowing that some parts of it were indeed the truth.

Mia was struck silent, her eyes widening as her best friend revealed something so traumatic. For a brief moment, Alora saw a flicker of pain in Mia's eyes, a hint of regret for not being told sooner. But that pain was quickly overshadowed by a deep concern for Alora's safety and well-being, taking precedence over the hurt of being left in the dark. "Alora... why didn't you say something sooner? You could've been hurt... no... you could've been killed!" Mia's voice rose slightly in surprise, but she quickly caught herself, biting her lower lip to prevent her anger from overshadowing her deep worry. "This isn't something you hide, why did you?"

"Because I didn't want the pureblood to get killed because of me. They aided me. They were different."

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Eᴄʜᴏ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 4:20
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I'ᴍ ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ ᴛʜᴇɴ I'ᴍ ᴡʜɪᴛᴇ
ɴᴏ
Sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ɪsɴ'ᴛ ʀɪɢʜᴛ
Mʏ ᴇɴᴇᴍʏ's ɪɴᴠɪsɪʙʟᴇ
I ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ʜᴏᴡ ᴛᴏ ғɪɢʜᴛ
Tʜᴇ ᴛʀᴇᴍʙʟɪɴɢ ғᴇᴀʀ
Is ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴ I ᴄᴀɴ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ
Wʜᴇɴ I'ᴍ ᴜᴘ ᴀɢᴀɪɴsᴛ
Tʜᴇ ᴇᴄʜᴏ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪʀʀᴏʀ​

 

[Tenzai]

"A pureblood... Came and save you?"

When we met, I could see dark signs. Alarm bells in her eyes.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴅᴀʀᴋ ꜱɪɢɴꜱ | ꜱʟᴇᴇᴘ ᴛᴏᴋᴇɴ
↻◁ || ▷↺

And where we met, there must have been dark signs
Omens in your skies​

'Are there other vampires out there.... Like me?' The pen Arc wrote his notes with had dropped onto its page. His mind struggled to process together why another vampire would turn against their own kind, let alone a pureblood. When fighting against the vampires as one of them, betraying the goddess he had sworn fealty to in the process, he had always assumed he was fighting a lone war. The man was an isolated candle that flickered quietly against the night, warding off the darkness yet drawing the ire of creeping, abyssal tendrils forth the more that he consumed his own humanity. Arc understood he was fighting a losing battle, but he persisted in hopes that he could keep the people he loved safe just a little longer.

Stuck on an island surrounded by an endless crimson ocean from all sides, he believed himself to be the only one of their kind that was willing to strike back against the sanguine tides. Try as humanity must to hold the monsters at bay, there was only so much they could do when the gap in power was monumental. Without a unionized effort to focus on the vampiric menace with some among the higher ups believing that the vampire attacks were merely a government ploy to redirect funding; Even with the help of his own police department, there was only so much he could do. Unfortunately for the lead detective, they had the wealth and know-how to navigate pr. One among her apostles must have infiltrated even the most influential rungs of power. Those monsters knew how to divide and conquer.

Though, not all hope was lost in the vampiric detective. Seeing Alora's genuine concern for her own flesh and blood had reminded him of why he chose to resist so hard in the first place. Even if he was hated by all else, he wouldn't stop loving his family. Even if she knew how much of a monster he truly was, he would never cease in his purpose of protecting her until he knew for a guarantee that she was safe. Adelaide was all Arc had left.

Their care for their own family was the link that bonded the two vampires. Through his innate understanding of her emotional compulsion to keep her sibling safe, Arc was able to read that Alora wasn't lying. Her nervousness was leading him to believe she wasn't expressing her complete truth, however the purity mixed in with her words and the character she had portrayed herself to be had given Arc a clue. Alora had a reason to mask the explicit details. Whomever that pureblood was must have given her a reason to do so.

With this knowledge in mind, Arc had a lead...

... And Alora was the key.​

If it meant that he wouldn't be alone in his fight any longer, that there was another like him that he could learn to trust to be by his side when it came down to it, it was worth taking the risk. There was too much he needed to handle on his own. As a result of his observations on his talented, powerful, and resourceful enemy, he understood that the only way to muster up a reasonable defense against them was to utilize every advantage he could. While his particular ability might have given him an edge when it came to planning and scheming, it did very little when the actual fighting occurred. He needed help to compensate for his weaknesses, less his soul should fall victim to one of their dark goddess' schemes.

However, Arc needed to navigate this carefully. To show too much interest would garner him suspicion from the two students in front of him as well as the coworkers he worked alongside. He had his own doubts over the level of sanguine influence in his own department too. Despite the exhaustive measures he put in place to screen out potential vampires from the pool of recruits, he knew he wasn't perfect. There was always another window of which a smart vampire could intrude. All they needed was time before they could piece apart his plans. Arc was just a few steps ahead of them; With every day, he was losing his lead inch by inch. He was running out of time.

"Alora," He picked up his pen, scratching out his past plan as he spoke. "This pureblood. You said they defended you against another vampire right? Do you have any idea as to why they chose to protect you?" Arc placed his pen to the side, flipping through past pages of scrawled notes to revisit past cases. While it was more common to see human corpses whenever vampires were involved, there have been few occasions in the city where they stumbled upon the corpse of a vampire instead. Originally written off as a murder caused by an insult to their pride, to hear a potential motive being the protection of another had given him some new insight. Perhaps the lead detective wasn't the only one of his rebellious kind.

A ray of hope in the darkness.

A potential ally.​

"Admittedly... Wasn't the first time I've stumbled upon a scene like this." Arc had turned his notebook towards, showing several sketches of scenes she defended others in the past. Though interestingly enough, there were also other scenes sketched where she was never present. "Some of them were very similar to the scene that just happened off campus. Cracks in concrete. Dents in metal. And the bodies... It's as if someone repeatedly struck the vampires with their fists." Her reaction to his words had bled more of her truth. She knew more than she was letting on.

"So pure white hair, yet they're covering their identity... Hmm..." It was an odd sight for a vampire. Typical purebloods were never seen with strands of pure white. They were too prideful as well to hide their identity. 'Dye perhaps?' He shook his head at the thought. There was a reason why the vampires had avoided that color specifically, though the reason escaped him. Closing his eyes, he looked through his past memories trying to identify the cause as to why the color was deemed so malignant. At first, he found nothing. It wasn't an ordinary fear that most vampires even knew of. However, the further he searched into his soul, the closer he got until finally, he heard his goddess' words.

"𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕡𝕦𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕪 𝕠𝕗 𝕤𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕓𝕖𝕘𝕖𝕥𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕝 𝕠𝕗 𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕙."

A white-haired myth she spoke of as though it were real.​

There were few threats that the goddess had deemed worthy enough to bring to her favored children's attention. Though, above them all was this so-called angel of death. Whoever they were was the bane of her existence; An abomination that sought to bring her empire to ruin. The other apostles had mocked the idea, finding the mere concept of single being capable of tearing all they built asunder as insanity. Few among them had found weight in her words but all that existed underneath her dark gaze had taken white hair to be a sign of damnation.

While the contrast in power between the vampires and their human prey was vast, the difference in strength between them and the angel of death was unfathomable. As such, their goddess had ingrained in her apostles caution towards any human that had white hair in general. Having someone that dangerous around Adelaide had put forth fear in the detective's heart; Though it was that same fear that drew him towards the being. If there was anyone he needed to be in the good graces of, it was them.

Unlike the minds of the others in his department, Arc had shown no hatred towards the pureblood. However, as much as the detective had wished to continue the interview, Alora was visibly shaken. If he was going to work with her, there was little use in turning this interview into an interrogation; Especially if Alora herself was innocent. Arc gave her a gentle nod and a polite bow. "Actually... You don't have to answer my questions if you're not ready. It was rude of me to ask for your help so soon after you went through that traumatic experience." He was genuinely sorry. Seeing her shaken had reminded him of his sister back home. His selfishness had caused their relationship to turn cold. He wasn't going to do that again to another if he could help it, especially someone as essential as Alora.

"Here. In the case you're ever ready to share." Arc scribbled his number and his office address on a napkin. "I won't force you to help me... But if you really care about who you're protecting here," His eyes glanced over her bruised fingers. "I would like to speak with you in a place where you could feel safe. Only when you're ready of course." He gave an apologetic bow towards Mia as well. "I'm happy you've found a friend that could care about you so much. Treasure them. Reasons to fight for only come once in a lifetime. Don't be like me and waste your opportunity to spend time with the people you love most. Nothing is worth the heartache."

A smile adorned his face.

But his eyes had given off nothing but pain.​

"Thank you for your time." Finally, he stood up, walking over to the register to pay off their tab before leaving the cafe. "So, get anything useful out of them?" Vega leaned on the wall outside, smoking a cig and blowing the fumes in the detective's face. "No. Nothing you need to concern yourself over." The pink haired vampire looked at his partner curiously for a moment before leaving beside him. "Oh? So you just went on a date with a couple college girls?" He gave him a playful nudge. "On company time too? Damn Arc~ So scandalous. Vex is gonna be so pissed that it isn't her." Arc rolled his eyes, returning back to a casual demeanor. "Like you have anything to say about having a normal relationship, tell me. How long has your longest relationship last? Three days?... Three.... Hours?"

"Oh, shut the fuck up. Let's just get a bite before someone catches us. I'm starving."​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Vɪʟʟɪᴀɴ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 2:31
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Tʜɪs ɪs ᴡʜᴀᴛ I ɢᴇᴛ
Uɴᴊᴜsᴛɪғɪᴀʙʟᴇ ᴘᴜɴɪsʜᴍᴇɴᴛ
I ɢᴀᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍʏ ʜᴀɴᴅ, ʏᴏᴜ ʙʀᴏᴋᴇ ᴍʏ ᴡʀɪsᴛ
Aɴᴅ sᴄᴏʀᴄʜᴇᴅ ᴍʏ sᴋɪɴ
Hᴏᴡ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ I ʟᴇᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ɪɴ
I ᴄᴀɴ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ғᴏʀɢᴇᴛ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴛʀᴀɴsɢʀᴇssɪᴏɴs
Yᴏᴜ ᴡᴏɴ'ᴛ ʟᴇᴛ ᴜᴘ ᴛɪʟʟ I'ᴍ ɪɴ ᴀ ᴄᴏғғɪɴ​

A weight settled in her chest as Adelaide sniffled through the lingering remnants of her tears. She shifted, rolling onto her side, her fingers untangling from the pillow still damp with sorrow. Letting her legs dangle over the edge of the bed, she blinked against the dimming light, the early setting sun a reminder of winter’s grip. With a deep breath, she pressed her palms into the mattress and stood, her feet heavy, dragging her toward the kitchen as she left her room.

At the end of the hallway stood Arc's bedroom, a door she couldn’t avoid glancing at every time she left her own room. She halted mid-step, her eyes lingering on the closed door, amplifying the emptiness of the apartment as she was the only one inside its quiet walls. Go inside. Why not? A voice teased in her mind, tempting her with a thought she hadn’t fully entertained before. You’re curious, aren’t you? You hardly know him anymore. She shook her head, trying to push away the intrusive thoughts, but the more she resisted, the louder they became.

Though she was alone in the apartment, the voices in her head swelled, overlapping and urging her to open the door. Her gut churned with an uneasy feeling, like an alarm ringing deep inside, hinting that there was something behind the door - something that might help her, somehow. “No. It’s wrong,” she whispered to herself, squeezing her eyes shut, desperate to block out the rising chaos in her mind. But the chant only intensified. Do it. Do it. The pressure grew unbearable, until her body acted on its own, her feet turning her toward the door. Her trembling right hand reached out, fingers wrapping around the cold knob, and with a hesitant breath, she began to turn it…

Locked.​

“...W-why?” Adelaide asked the question aloud, though she knew no answer would come. The silence lingered, amplifying her confusion. Why did he lock his door when it was just the two of them? Her curiosity spiked, stronger than her earlier resolve, and she pushed aside her better judgment, determined to find a way in. Rushing into the kitchen, she yanked open a drawer, nearly pulling it off its track in her haste. Her fingers wrapped around a butter knife, and with a loud thud, she slammed the drawer shut, legs carrying her swiftly back to his door.

Gripping the doorknob with her left hand, she guided the knife with her right, slipping the blade into the slim crack between the door and the frame. With careful precision, she worked the knife, feeling the resistance give way until she heard the soft, satisfying click of the lock releasing. Her heart pounded painfully against her ribs, a drumbeat of anxiety as she stood on the verge of crossing a line she couldn't uncross. Now, with the door unlocked, hesitation gripped her. She bit her lower lip, fingers tightening around the knob until her knuckles turned white. With a deep breath, she squeezed her eyes shut and turned the handle, the door creaking open with an eerie groan, granting her entry.

As she opened her eyes, the disarray of Arc's room immediately hit her. Empty wine bottles littered the floor, scattered carelessly across the room. Her gaze shifted to his desk, where unmarked pill bottles lay among crumpled papers, their contents a mystery. She stepped forward, her eyes scanning every corner, committing the chaotic scene to memory. She crouched down, picking up a wine bottle, turning it over in her hand with a puzzled frown. Arc never drank, at least not that she remembered. By his bed, a corkboard displayed photos of their family, a collection of moments frozen in time, meant to serve as a reminder of what mattered most to him. She spotted her own face in several of them, but scoffed, her heart unmoved by his apparent affection for her.

As she paced the room, something with a subtle glint caught her eye from the corner of her vision, drawing her attention toward his desk. Her entire body shifted instinctively. "Was that... no. It can't be... can it?" Her gaze locked onto a shimmering object buried beneath scattered papers. With growing unease, she stepped forward and gently brushed the papers aside. Her heart sank as her eyes widened in disbelief. There, lying exposed on the desk, was her mother's necklace - the one she had cherished since their father gifted it to her on an anniversary. But now, it was stained with dried, crimson remnants.

"H-how?" she whispered, her voice trembling as she delicately picked up the necklace, her fingers shaking. Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared down at the piece, now filled with painful questions.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Pᴏᴘᴜʟᴀʀ Mᴏɴsᴛᴇʀ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 2:31
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I'ᴍ ᴀ ʟɪᴀʀ
I'ᴍ ᴀ ᴄʜᴇᴀᴛᴇʀ
I'ᴍ ᴀ ɴᴏɴʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇʀ
I'ᴍ ᴀ ᴘᴏᴘᴜʟᴀʀ M҈O҈N҈S҈T҈E҈R҈​

"Alora."​

She flinched, instinctively recoiling as if she were about to be scolded, though she’d done nothing wrong. Wiping away the tear streaks that escaped her lashes, she sniffled, lifting her head to meet Arc’s gaze, forcing herself to focus on him despite the breakdown she’d just had in front of him and Mia.

“I-I don’t know why they helped me... they didn’t have to. They could’ve let me die, but instead, they stepped in and saved me.”

Alora knew the truth behind why she saved others. It wasn't out of obligation or duty; it was a deep, gnawing guilt that haunted her - guilt for the suffering of humans, disgust at how her own kind sought to control the world. What she craved more than anything was to restore balance, to bring back the order that had been lost. She needed to restore that peace.

Mia remained quiet as Alora continued, resisting the urge to interrupt. She shifted in her seat, her own emotions stirring. Though it hurt that Alora hadn't confided in her sooner, Mia understood why she had kept it hidden. She swallowed the sting of betrayal, reminding herself that now, at least, she was being included. Better late than never, she thought, doing her best to keep her feelings from clouding the moment.

As Arc presented the confidential evidence, her eyes moved quickly over the documents, recognizing some while others seemed unfamiliar. She made an effort to mask her reactions, but her furrowed brows betrayed her, revealing curiosity - or perhaps something else entirely. She hoped he wouldn’t delve deeper into her reactions, and fortunately, despite his probing questions, he chose not to interrogate her further. "I wasn't involved in any of the others, but I've heard talk of the others." While it was mostly true, she couldn't shake the awareness that some scenes she had assisted other students with had been captured as well. Did anyone else recount the same story? Had they seen her, or were there no witnesses? She hoped fervently that no one had mentioned her. Her curiosity was almost overwhelming, tempting her to ask about it, but she kept her lips sealed, determined not to invite further scrutiny.

"Actually... You don't have to answer my questions if you're not ready. It was rude of me to ask for your help so soon after you went through that traumatic experience."​

Silently, she thanked whatever deity had granted her mercy. The investigator, taking her trauma into account, chose not to press her further, likely hoping to avoid reopening wounds she had worked so hard to close - at least, that was what he believed. She could fight those damned vampires endlessly, but Alora was nothing like Twylya, and she refused to let her double life be exposed, not even to her best friend. "I-I'm so sorry... I'm just so shaken up by it..." Her trembling voice was genuine, reflecting the real terror of almost being caught.

"Please, if you don't mind excusing us." Mia pushed her chair back and stood up, choosing not to get anything to eat and instead finishing her free beverage. She waited for Alora to rise from her seat as well, then gently wrapped her arm around her in a comforting gesture, feeling the tremor of her body beneath her touch. "We have a lot to unpack."

Alora glanced between her friend and Arc, accepting his business card as he explained himself. She studied the card briefly, knowing that despite his offer for her to speak when she was ready, he would inevitably seek a story from her - he was relentless, whether she liked it or not. "Here, I'll text you now so you have my number." She pulled out her iPhone and created a new contact, entering his phone number before sending him a simple message stating who it was. "There, now you have my number. I'll try to get back to you tomorrow. I understand this is a serious case, and I'm eager to help end this madness, but..." She trailed off, looking away. "Please, don't harm the pureblood who helped me. I believe they're trying to protect this world." She tried to brush it off as if she couldn't fully explain it, but deep down, she felt that they were genuinely trying to help the world.

The two girls bowed formally before Arc and left the café, quickly disappearing from his view. Mia chose to remain silent, honoring Alora's privacy, but Alora knew she had to explain more about the situation. As they walked, she elaborated on the details, weaving more fabrications despite the guilt that weighed on her. She aimed to keep her friend informed while concealing the truth. Even though Mia now knew about the "attack," she held Alora close and pleaded with her to share any future incidents, promising unwavering support and concern.

They still had a test and more classes to get through, but the encounter with Arc haunted her for the rest of the evening, his face lingering in the depths of her mind. Alora struggled to focus throughout the day, her distraction only fading when it was time to head home.

"Val, I'm home!" she called out as she burst through the door, fully expecting her brother to be tucked away in his room, perhaps working on a project or engrossed in his own activities. "We need to talk, unless you already saw it?" She shut the door behind her and locked it, allowing her true self to emerge. Her usual chestnut hair gave way to her snowy white tresses, and her eyes shifted to a deep purple, revealing her natural features.

"I'm scared, Val... I have a terrible feeling about this..."​

 

[Tenzai]

"Is this the place?"

"You'd think that bastard would live somewhere nicer."

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴛɪʟʟ ɪ ᴅɪᴇ | 1ɴᴏɴʟʏ & ꜱxᴍᴘʀᴀ
↻◁ || ▷↺

Walk up out the door, left a note up on my dresser
They tell me everyday that life is on its way to better
But I can't seem to shake the fact that I've been getting fed up
That's why my mind is drifting to the thought of a Beretta​

While Arc was out with Vega, a couple vampires had staked out his home from a nearby car. Even if the lead detective had yet to be outed as the prodigal vampire himself, he as a human was known for getting in the way of the local covens' schemes. By doing all he could to prevent the innocent from sharing his fate, he had provoked the ire of other vampires, turning their hostilities against him. "The fucking nerve, that human would need to have to think he could live in peace after killing one of our own. I can't wait to sink my fangs into his corpse." One of them spoke, puffing smoke against their window. To them, Twyla had yet to be known. As a result, it was easier to put the blame towards the face responsible for protecting the cattle. To these vampires, heroes like Arc needed to be made an example of. He stood in the way of their rule, potentially inspiring others to do the same.

"Boss said to make the hit as dirty as possible. Leave a mess if we could help it." His partner responded. "Gotta make sure his murder makes it on the front page of the news so no one follows in his footsteps." As they examined the front of his property, they realized he had yet to arrive. His car wasn't in the driveway and with the tracks faded as they were from the falling snow, it appeared he hadn't been home in a while either. "Shit, no point in breaking in too soon. Can't have someone calling the cops before he even comes." The vampire sighed, leaning back his seat as he rested. Though, before he was able to fully relax, his partner had brought up an interesting observation.

"Hey T, look at that." He pointed out towards the front of the frosted glass doorway. On the other side appeared to be a pair of boots, suggesting a woman was living with him. A fanged smirk had grown over his face. "Looks like the detective has a girl living with him. Think it's a wife? A girlfriend? A daughter or sister?" The other vampire had rolled his eyes. "What? Why are you looking at me like that? Can't we have a little fun? If they're both going to die anyway, the least we could do is enjoy them while they're screaming."

"Job first before pleasure, X. I don't want you fucking this up for us..." One of the vampires had held a strict personality in contrast to his partner's. It helped them keep control over his partner's particular tendencies when it came to torture. "... Afterwards though. The girl is yours. Just make sure not to bring her back, got it? The last thing I want is the boss to complain about us leaving witnesses." A crooked smile cracked over the torturer, displaying his delight in his partner's words. "Of course. I'll make sure to leave her in pieces. Don't worry you pretty little face~ After I had my fun of course!"

---

Substances could never mask his thirst.

Nor did it ever hide his history. High, drunk, or sober, Arc was still a monster.
​

Inside of Arc's room was a mess made up of empty wine and pill bottles. Alongside them were non-descript pills and powders meant to distract the poor man from his reality. Yet in spite of their intense effects, he always found himself returning back to his sober mind as a result of his vampiric regeneration. Even his vices could do little to help him escape from his goddess' supposed blessing. Among the pictures of various crime scenes as well as evidence of vampiric influence in various organizations, Adelaide was able to find letters that were addressed to her spanning as far back as the day they first moved in.

Each sealed envelope had her name and a date ascribed atop, the contents within holding pieces of her brother's fragmented heart. Beside them were pictures of their past life; Smiles that were the result of their combined efforts as well as memories frozen in time of their achievements. These were what kept him going regardless of his fate. These were what kept him human. Underneath the pile of envelopes sat an empty pistol with a single silver round laying beside it. A note was written next to it which read:

'In case I ever lose myself.'

'I'm sorry, Adelaide. I hope you could one day forgive me for the thing I've become.'​

Above the mountain of paperwork and strewn files stood his mother's memento. Still stained in the blood of the murder scene, Arc refused to clean it to remind himself of what sin he committed during that day. He hoped one day, he would be able to see the necklace and feel as though his acts were able to earn him his redemption in their eyes. Unfortunately though, that day never came. His sin was too much of a burden for the man he became to move on from. The memory of his parents was an anchor to his past, keeping him hooked onto the dark goddess' clutches regardless of how much he struggled to break free. Arc was the reason why Adelaide suffered. Unconsciously, he didn't want to forget who caused the torment of her solitude to transpire. While it may have been the goddess' fault over all things, he couldn't shake off the cruel fact that...

If he died then. She could have lived a normal life.

Perhaps if he died now, she could be cut free from his tragic fate.​

But the idea of seeing his parents too soon, only for them to show him the same disdain that his sister did by failing in his promise to protect her; It was a fate worse than hell. He was forced into this fate against his will, struggling to maintain the balance of keeping his sister safe and keeping her happy. The more he would give in to one end, the more he suffered because of the other.

In their past life, he focused on her happiness. Arc had wished to give her a life worth living in spite of her parent's absence. As a result, he found no time better in his life than then. With the added zeal that came from nearly losing his own, he made the most of their time together. Though that dream unfortunately had come to an end too soon. Seeing those fanged beasts speaking with her at her old school, using their unnatural charisma to tempt her to somewhere alone, had put a new fear in him. 'At least, even if she is unhappy, she would be safe.' He thought.

By locking the door, he hoped she would never find that other side of him. He was afraid that she would see him differently if she saw how bad his life had truly gotten and the reasons for it. From how bad their relationship had deteriorated after their first argument, her brother had wished to hide the truth away to avoid their bond from getting any worse. It didn't matter how much struggle he would be put through; Arc couldn't afford to lose her, even if it cost himself in the process. Unfortunately for her sister, she could hear the sound of his car pulling into the driveway.

For one of the few rare times this year,

Arc arrived home early. ​

Arc reached for his keys, unlocking the door to reveal a quiet house. The lights were dark though his eyes had seen his surroundings as though it were day. "I'm home... Adelaide." The vampire took off his shoes as if everything was normal. He was already used to not hearing any response back. Usually, whenever he was around, she had locked herself in her room to avoid speaking with him. It was only during times where they would eat together where he would see her in person. Quiet and stoic, he typically kept quiet to avoid disturbing her peace any further.

However, something was wrong. His room at the end of the hall was open. 'Weird, I could have sworn I closed that last night.' As he approached, he found his sister hunched over his desk; A familiar glimmer had sparkled from his desk light. She was holding on to his father's gift: His mother's beloved necklace. "Adelaide..." Arc was stunned at the sight. To think she would break into his room and find what he hid for so long, it was a nightmare to behold. His fear had come true: Finally, the day arrived where he had to explain himself.

"It's not what it looks like." His voice struggled to voice the same practiced motions he trained to speak with at his workplace. Seeing her tears had wrought ruin onto his composure. "I could explain." His mind found it difficult to determine the best course of action. What was he to do when faced with voicing his truth? Would this ruin his relationship if she were to know what actually happened? Would it be worse to lie to her? His heart had sunk his chest, hoping to see any response to gauge the best course of action. However, he received nothing. A quiet had passed over the room. It was a stillness that lasted for an eternity.

Silence before the storm.

The lull that came before calamity.​

Just as he was able to silently muster the strength to approach her and bridge the pause, the desk light had turned off. The fan above had slowed to a halt as though the power was cut. Arc's eyes were clear, aiding him in walking towards his sister before his precise hearing had caught onto the sounds of others outside. They weren't alone. Realizing something dreadfully wrong, he charged towards Adelaide, pulling her into his arms.

"I cut the power, T." X closed their power box, tossing the lock that once protected it to the side. They were already used to the motions of contract hits, finding this as ordinary procedure. "Good, no point in keeping them waiting now." T handed his partner a mask before donning his own. "Come on, let's go and collect our paycheck." Loading their weapons, they aimed their barrels towards the wooden walls that separated the two siblings from the outside.

"Let God handle what comes next."

A flurry of lead had pierced the boundary, disturbing the peace of their new home.

'Til I die, bitch, I'm riding for the gang
Tell 'em "Fuck the money", and I tell 'em "Fuck the fame"
Stayin' on the low, bitch, they stayin' on my case
Every day, I wake up, put a mask upon my face​

To build more chaos for the residents within and to take full advantage of the advantage of surprise, one among them had used their vampiric magic to enhance their fire rate to ridiculous levels: Tempo Royale, a magic that increased or decreased the speed of a localized space. By applying it to their hand and weapon, they were able to fire a storm of rounds in a fraction of the time. With X's extended magazine to help keep up with his rapidity, Arc was forced to brace without cover, shielding Adelaide from the inaccurate attacks of the outside.

His blood had spilled onto her body as he clutched her. His regenerative healing reduced the lethality of each attack, though the pain was surging. Through his adrenaline, he was able to bear the brunt of whatever lucky rounds landed into his body. Heaving once the storm had passed, he looked down at Adelaide. "You... Alright, Addy?" Arc called her by her nickname, focusing first on her instead of himself. He didn't care much for his own wellbeing, though from the look of fear on her face, he knew that things would change. They weren't going to be the same if they managed to get out of this.

"Stay in here, okay?" Arc lifted his blood-stained body, drawing his own weapon from inside his suit jacket. His voice was dropped to a polite tone, easing the tension as much as he could for her. Adelaide wasn't a fighter in his eyes. Just a girl that was exposed to violent circumstances against her will. The danger he did his best to keep away from her had finally found them, forcing his hand.

"Keep your head down and hide inside my closet. If someone comes in and they don't knock, don't reveal yourself. ℙ𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖." He gave her head a gentle rub, trying to instill confidence and trust in his sister despite their poor relationship. The situation was dire enough to demand it, forcing him to breach the boundary they once held prior. "Leave this to me. I promise, you'll make it out safely." While he spoke, little did he realize that his eyes were glowing red as his ability manifested. To keep her safe, Arc beckoned her soul to follow his commands. If he had to be a monster to keep her safe, he would.

No one was going to get away from hurting his family...

... Alive.​

Once Arc left, Adelaide could hear the sounds of crashing glass and a burst of physical blows just outside the door. The sounds of it had suggested that it wasn't a one sided struggle, though before long, another pistol different from the ones that fired first had been discharged... Again and again. In mere minutes, the chaos that erupted had finally come down to a standstill as the sounds of a car driving off had signaled the end of the conflict. As soon as it began, it ended.

The vampire had walked back towards his office as a trail of his own blood had pooled behind him. With a couple knocks that revealed his identity, Arc calmly walked over to the closet to open it with bandages in hand. A weak smile had adorned his face, finding that she was still breathing once the fighting was said and done. He was able to protect his sister again for now. Releasing her from his control, he hugged her tightly; Tears spilling down her shoulder as he held her close. "I know you might be angry at me... Or scared... I won't blame you if you're one or the other but... Right now. Please act like you like me enough to listen." His voice was dropped to a whisper, signaling the extent of his damage.

Bruises had covered his knuckles and face. Cuts had appeared over his legs, arms, neck, and cheek. His suit was in ruins, though the armor he wore underneath had protected his vitals. He was still breathing, but it looked as though consciousness was nearly evading him. "I'm sorry, Addy. I'm sorry for trying to protect you so much. From this." He clung onto her tightly, his wounds bleeding further as he did. "I thought, if I devoted myself to my work. To keeping you safe, you'd be able to live without fear of losing your life... Like I do."

His blood was growing cold as the adrenaline had left his system. "But I see I was wrong. I was so very wrong. I'm sorry for being selfish. I'm sorry for... Coming back to you." His mind had returned back to their argument all those years ago. "You don't have to forgive me... And you're right. If mom and dad were still here... And I wasn't. None of this would be happening to you." Arc reached towards his wallet and keys tiredly, placing both in her hands. "Here. Keys to the car and a couple cards you could use. Find a hotel to hide in until the coast is clear. Maybe if I'm not around to bother you any longer, you'll be able to live as you like again. To do as you want without fear of... Of being hurt because of me. So please."

"Do yourself a favor and leave me. Leave me and never look back.
I don't think I'm enough to protect you anymore."

"There's nothing for you here other than death."​

---

"Val, I'm home!"

"Welcome back Twy! I missed you!"​

Val put away his paintbrush, wiping the sweat off his brow as he greeted his beloved sister. In front of him stood another one of his paintings that he wished to sell at the local market. While Twyla was away studying her major, her brother had put his mind to work to help finance her schooling. His major wasn't as intensive as hers, allowing him the freedom to create and make money to pay for the books and other supplies necessary for her to succeed. "Is something wrong? You don't look like yourself..." His face was covered in different shades of paint, revealing how much work and focus he placed into his art. "We need to talk, unless you already saw it?"

"Saw what?" Once she turned after locking her door, he walked over to her with a gentle smile on his face. In contrast however, his eyes had given her a look of concern. "I'm scared, Val... I have a terrible feeling about this..." He placed his hands at his hips. "Well, how about we talk it over some animal blood! I tried infusing it with tea to give it a bit of flavor, but there's only so much I could do to well... Make it actually taste appetizing." Her brother gestured her over to the table, avoiding stepping on the various empty tubes of paint as he carefully navigated his way to the kitchen.

"So, what got you nervous?"

"OH! Did Mia set you up with another date again?"​

He placed his fist in his hand, thinking he figured out what his sister was nervous about. "Please tell me he's not as bad as the last one. Least she could do is set you up with someone compatible. A fucking chef? Really?" He rolled his eyes playfully, trying to ease the tension. "... Aw, don't tell me she's asking you to be her wingman again. Double dates are NOT the way to go!"

Character Hex Codes

Val - #9d694e

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Sᴀғᴇ ᴀɴᴅ Sᴏᴜɴᴅ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:23
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
I'ᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ɢᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ʙᴀᴅ ɴᴇᴡs Aʟʟ ɴɪɢʜᴛ
Sᴡɪᴍᴍɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴀ sᴀғᴇ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ Tʜᴀᴛ's ʀᴜɴ ᴅʀʏ
Yᴏᴜ'ʟʟ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ɢᴇᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴛᴏ Rᴇᴡɪɴᴅ
Yᴏᴜ sᴀʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ I ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴀɴ ᴀɴᴛɪᴅᴏᴛᴇ
Wʜᴇɴ sᴀғᴇ ᴀɴᴅ sᴏᴜɴᴅ Cᴏᴍᴇs ʙᴜʀɴɪɴɢ ᴅᴏᴡɴ
I'ʟʟ ʙᴇ ɢᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ʙᴀᴅ ɴᴇᴡs Aʟʟ ɴɪɢʜᴛ
Lᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ɢᴏ ᴏғ ʜɪɢʜ ʜᴏᴘᴇs Tʜᴀᴛ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴅɪᴇᴅ
Dɪᴇ.
​

In her palm, the diamonds gleamed with a fierce brilliance, but the once-elegant necklace bore remnants of its tragic history. Deep, dark stains of dried blood clung to its worn ridges, the faint scent of iron lingering in the air. She couldn’t tell if the metallic smell came from rust or the traces of blood long since dried. "Has it really been almost three years, Mom?" she whispered. The memories surged back, overwhelming her like a crashing wave. The pain of losing her parents resurfaced, as sharp and raw as the day she learned of their murder, threatening to pull her under.

Her grip tightened around the necklace as her eyes swept over his desk, taking in the scattered papers from his latest cases - the same cases that had kept him working late into the night, often at the expense of their time together. She couldn’t deny she missed Arc, though admitting it felt like betraying her own pride. Making amends with him seemed impossible when his vision for her life felt more like a cage than freedom, trapping her like some storybook princess. As her fingers brushed over a stack of binders, two in particular stood out, drawing her attention.

She picked up the thin binder, her heart skipping a beat as she read the title: ‘Vampire Caught Murdering Her Roommate.’ Flipping it open, her breath caught in her throat. There, staring back at her, was a mugshot of her childhood friend, Carla Evans. Her name printed beneath the photo made the reality hit harder. The document laid out the grisly details of the crime. Witnesses had reported hearing blood-curdling screams, soon replaced by sickening gurgles, as if the victim was drowning. When police finally broke down the door, they found the victim choking on her own blood, while Carla, with her elongated fangs buried in the woman's flesh, remained indifferent to their presence, continuing to feast as the life drained from her roommate’s body.

Addy shuddered, a wave of goosebumps rippling across her skin. She couldn’t reconcile the image of sweet, innocent Carla with the monstrous act described in the file. The thought of her childhood friend enduring such torment, spiraling into this darkness, made her frown. As she turned the page, her eyes widened in disbelief - an interview with Carla revealed the chilling truth. She had admitted to wanting to be turned into a vampire, driven by years of bullying, and the desire to wield enough power to destroy anyone who had ever tormented her. Addy’s heart ached with guilt. If only she had reached out more, maybe she could have understood Carla’s pain, steered her toward a different path. Scanning down to the final lines of the document, the words "sentenced to death" leapt off the page, and tears welled up in her eyes, blurring the text.

She set the document down, unable to look at it any longer. Wiping her tears with the back of her hand, she smeared the wet droplets against her skin, trying to pull herself together. Her eyes then drifted to the second binder, much thicker than the first - as if someone had poured endless hours into this case. The title read: "Married Couple Slaughtered by Vampire, Their Bodies Unrecognizable."

Don’t look at this, her conscience pleaded, urging her not to give in to the gnawing curiosity. But it was too late. She had already surrendered her better judgment, drawn in too deep to turn back. With trembling hands, she flipped the cover open, and a wave of nausea immediately washed over her. The first images showed her parents, alive and smiling. But just below those, her breath caught in her throat as the gruesome crime scene was laid bare - what remained of their bodies barely resembled humans anymore. Torn apart, they were nothing more than grotesque fragments of flesh, unidentifiable and nightmarish.

​

Why did Arc have these gut-wrenching photos and their case? Was he still hunting for their killer after all these years? Was he unable to let go, clinging to the only remnants he had left - the case file? Questions flooded her mind, each more agonizing than the last, as she tightened her grip around her mother’s necklace. The dried blood crumbled under her fingers, flaking into dust. She cursed her curiosity, wishing she had trusted her instincts and left the binder untouched.

Her body rebelled against the horror, her stomach churning violently. She rushed to the small trash can by his bed, retching as the bitter stench of stomach acid filled the air. Gasping for breath, she tried to steady herself, the weight of everything crashing down on her like a tidal wave. The room spun around her, and she grasped for something - anything - to pull herself back to reality. All she wanted was for things to go back to how they used to be. Back to family dinners filled with laughter and warmth, sharing stories of their accomplishments with her parents, who always listened with pride. But now, they would never see her grow up. They wouldn't be there to walk her down the aisle or watch her find someone who would cherish her like a princess. They'd never get to hold her future children, or become the loving grandparents they should have been.

The sense of loss overwhelmed her, sharp and unforgiving. She felt so deeply cheated, but more than that, her parents were cheated the most - robbed of the life they deserved, the memories they should have been a part of. It wasn't fair. It wasn't right.

In the corner of her tear-blurred vision, an array of carefully wrapped presents caught her attention. They sat on another table in Arc's room, each one wrapped with care, adorned with colorful ribbons and thoughtful touches. Forcing herself to stand, she wiped the bitter remnants of bile from her lips, the sour taste still lingering on her tongue. Her fingers pinched a card tied to one of the ribbons, the familiar handwriting on it stopping her in her tracks - To: Addy, it read. The wrapping paper was Christmas-themed, and as she scanned the rest of the pile, confusion settled in. There was a decent stack of gifts, more than she remembered receiving from him in recent years. Were these for this Christmas? Or had they been collecting dust, forgotten from the ones he hadn't managed to give her in years past? The thought tugged at her heart, adding another layer of confusion to the storm of emotions swirling inside her.

Her grip tightened around the necklace, a grounding connection she couldn't bring herself to release. Her gaze drifted back to the table cluttered with documents and case files, a place where Arc had seemingly buried parts of himself along with his work. A storm of emotions churned within her - curiosity, dread, anger - pulling her in conflicting directions. Should she keep digging? Uncover whatever else he might be hiding? The thought gnawed at her, tempting her to find the answers to the questions swirling in her mind. But the weight of what she had already seen made her hesitate. Was she ready to face even more heartache? Or would knowing everything help her finally understand him - and the ghosts of their shared past?

"Adelaide..."​

Arc's voice hit her like a bullet to the chest, leaving Addy stunned. How did I not hear him come into the apartment? A wave of shame washed over her, realizing how easily she had been caught off guard in her own home. What terrified her most wasn't just the surprise - it was the unsettling fact that she hadn't heard the door unlock, open, or even the faintest echo of his footsteps. But as the initial shock subsided, a new fear took its place - he had caught her red-handed in his room, a room that was supposed to be locked.

"It's not what it looks like. I could explain."​

It was ironic how he was the one to bring it up, not her, especially when she was clearly the one in the wrong. What could he possibly have to apologize for? She was the one intruding, meddling in his business, violating his personal space. She should have been the one scrambling to explain herself, not him… yet the look on his face told a story far more complicated than what Addy could see at first glance. She was too naïve to piece together why he had those documents, or the significance of the necklace. But seeing him so shaken by her presence in his room stirred a deeper worry in her - something far more dangerous than she could have ever imagined.

"No, Arc, let me explain, I—" Her words were abruptly swallowed by the stillness that filled the room, a silence so heavy it was almost deafening. The air felt thick, and the only sounds were the ragged breaths they both took, accompanied by the frantic pounding of her heart in her ears. Suddenly, everything around them plunged into complete darkness, as if the world had been swallowed by the void. Addy's voice trembled as she broke the silence. "Did we forget to pay the light bill?" she asked, her eyes straining to make sense of the endless blackness that surrounded them, as vast as the emptiness of space itself.

Nothing made sense as she felt Arc's strong arms coil around her, pulling her close, shielding her trembling body from something she couldn't fully comprehend. "Arc, what's gotten into—"

BANG BANG BANG​

A barrage of gunfire erupted, tearing through the air with brutal intensity. The relentless speed of the rounds seemed unreal, like something out of a Hollywood movie, but the sharp whip of bullets cutting through the space around her told a different story. They should have hit her - should have pierced through flesh. She screamed, her voice an involuntary response to the sheer terror that gripped her, struggling to believe something straight out of a film could unfold before her eyes. This had to be a nightmare. It couldn't be real. Yet she could feel Arc's body pressed against hers, his arms a human shield, willing to absorb every shot if it meant she would stay safe.

The overwhelming scent of iron filled her senses, thick and suffocating. She felt something warm and wet seep against her skin, trickling down her body. Flecks of liquid splattered her face, leaving a trail of crimson freckles. The metallic tang grew stronger, and as her mind slowed just enough to piece it together, dread crashed over her like a tidal wave. Arc had taken the bullets - every one of them. A blood-curdling scream tore from her throat, raw and desperate, as the horrifying realization hit her. Her lungs burned with the effort, aching from the force of her cry. "ARC!!! NO! NO! NO!!!" she wailed, her voice breaking, unable to grasp the nightmare unfolding in front of her.

"You... Alright, Addy?"​

"You're the one that got shot, not me!" she shrieked, her voice raw with disbelief. How could he even ask such a stupid question? She was drenched in blood, yes, but it wasn't her own - it was Arc's. Her brother's. The shock and horror of it all twisted inside her, making it nearly impossible to comprehend.

"Stay in here, okay? Keep your head down and hide inside my closet. If someone comes in and they don't knock, don't reveal yourself. ℙ𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖. Leave this to me. I promise, you'll make it out safely."​

His eyes glowed a deep, menacing crimson, and in that instant, the truth hit her like a freight train. Arc was a vampire. The endless news coverage flashed through her mind - reports about their hidden world, the chilling details on how to spot one in a crowd. And those cerise eyes were a dead giveaway. Fear clamped down on her chest like a tightening noose, suffocating her, but even as panic flooded her thoughts, her body moved on its own, obeying his unspoken command without resistance. He's a vampire! Oh my god! Her mind raced wildly. What is he doing? Can he really make me do whatever he wants? Her thoughts spiraled, recalling articles she had obsessively read about vampires and their unique abilities, each one gifted with powers that set them apart. Ironically, her fascination with them had always been a sore spot with Arc, who constantly tried to warn her about their dangers. But now, knowing he was one of them? It was unbelievable, incomprehensible. Yet here she was, trapped in the terrifying reality.

Huddled in the depths of Arc's closet, she held her breath, pressing her trembling palms over her mouth and nose in a desperate attempt to stifle any sound. Her body shook uncontrollably, as if she'd been left to freeze in the biting cold. The chaotic symphony of shattering glass, gunfire, and brutal hand-to-hand combat filled the air, making her squeeze her eyes shut, tears slipping down her face as she silently wept. She was terrified, completely unaware of what was unfolding just beyond the door.

Is Arc okay? Her mind spun wildly. He's a vampire, so he'll survive… right? I need to help him, but how?! Her breaths came in rapid, uneven bursts, the sound dangerously loud in the deafening quiet of the closet. It felt as though her heart might burst from her chest, the sheer intensity of the situation making her feel like she was on the brink of a heart attack.

And then, suddenly - nothing. No sound. No struggle. Just pure, unsettling silence.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK​

Her legs wobbled beneath her as she scrambled to her feet, nearly collapsing from the shock and adrenaline coursing through her as she heard his signal. She pushed the closet door open and rushed to Arc, her heart breaking at the sight of him. Without thinking, she threw her arms around him, and together they wept, their shared grief palpable as they held onto each other. Even without getting a clear look at him, she knew - felt - that he was far worse off than she'd expected. The scent of blood clung to him, and the rough, torn fabric of his clothes brushed against her arms, tattered and soaked with evidence of the violence he had endured.

How is he even still alive? The thought echoed in her mind, filled with disbelief. "Arc, please… shh, don't talk," she whispered, her voice trembling as she realized how weak he had become. His body grew heavier against her, teetering on the edge of collapse. She held him tighter, pleading softly, "Shhh, please..." But despite her desperation, his lips kept moving, as though there were things he needed to say - things he couldn't hold back, even if it was taking everything out of him to stay conscious.

"I get it now, Arc, I really do," she sobbed, her voice breaking under the weight of her guilt. "So please... don't apologize... please." Tears streamed down her face as she clung to him, the realization crashing over her - she had never understood how deep the darkness ran, how much he had sacrificed to shield her from the horrors of his world. And despite his best efforts, she had still found herself caught in the middle of it all.

"I didn't know how bad it was..." Her cries intensified, her heart heavy with remorse. Arc had dedicated his entire life to keeping her safe, from a nightmare she never fully grasped. And now, here they were - both of them entangled in that very nightmare. "You did protect me, Arc... I'm safe... Please, just heal..." she begged, her voice barely above a whisper. The weight of all the arguments she'd started, the hurtful words she'd thrown at him in frustration, haunted her now. She wished with everything in her that she could take them back. If she had known how fragile this moment would be, she would have never uttered those harsh words. "Arc, you're the only family I have left. I can't lose you," she sobbed harder, clutching him as if she could keep him alive through sheer force of will. His blood soaked into her clothes, a constant reminder of the life trying to slip away from him as guilt consumed her. Both of them remembered those arguments, the unspoken apologies hanging in the air, overshadowed by the crimson tide pooling between them.

. "Here. Keys to the car and a couple cards you could use. Find a hotel to hide in until the coast is clear. Maybe if I'm not around to bother you any longer, you'll be able to live as you like again. To do as you want without fear of... Of being hurt because of me. So please."​

"No!" She shouted, her voice raw with emotion, shaking her head so violently she feared it might snap. "I'm not going to leave you, Arc!" Her arms tightened around him as she clung to his battered body, planting her feet firmly on the ground as if she could physically keep him from slipping away. It didn't matter that he was a vampire or that she stood no chance of fighting whatever dangers lurked. What mattered was that she wasn't going to abandon him - not now, not ever.

"I know what you are now, Arc," she continued, her voice cracking but determined. "And I know you're one of the good ones... you would've killed me already if you weren't." Her chest tightened as she spoke, trying to calm the storm raging inside both of them. "I don't know how long you've been a vampire, but the love you've shown me tells me everything I need to know." Tears blurred her vision, but she refused to let them fall. She wasn't going to lose him - not like this. Not after realizing the depth of his sacrifice. He was all she had left in this world, and she wouldn't give up on him ever again.

"You're my family, Arc. I'm not giving up on you. Not ever."

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Pʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Gᴏᴅ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:23
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

"So, what got you nervous? OH! Did Mia set you up with another date again?"​

Oh, if only it were that simple, Val, she thought to herself. As she listened to him recount his story, he could already piece together what had likely happened, drawing from past experiences. Still, she let him continue, her lips curling into a soft smile. His energy was infectious, his enthusiasm for her life so genuine that it made her heart swell. For a moment, as he spoke, it was as though all her worries melted away, dissolving like snow under the warmth of the sun.

“You’re always so creative, not only in your art but also the way you enhance the blood.” Twyla gave him a laugh as she reached for a portion of his concoction. Taking a sip she’d roll it on her tongue, wanting to taste the light hints and how they contrasted again each other. “It’s a hit! I like it! Did you?” She asked, wondering how he felt about his “cooking” skills. The conversation could only be so sweet until she had to enlighten him with the truth.

"I wish it was something like that." Twyla admitted it, but the subtle shift in her expression - a flicker of doubt and worry - quickly wiped away the small smile that had graced her lips moments before. Her eyes wandered over to the beautiful canvas he had painted, hoping it would sell for a good price. She could tell how much effort he had poured into it; it was one of his best works yet. But then again, everything he created was remarkable. Several of his pieces already adorned the walls of their apartment, and they never failed to bring her joy each time she glanced at them.

"Please don't get mad but... I think I went overboard." Leaving the air thick with tension, she took a moment to study Val's expression, searching for any hint of how he might react. Finally, she broke the silence. "I... I went a bit crazy on a vampire on campus last night," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "And now, I'm being investigated by a cop. I think he's onto me." Nervous energy surged through her, and she instinctively brought her hands to her lips, nibbling at her nails as her mind raced to find a way to soften the blow. She didn't want to alarm Val, but the weight of the situation was heavy, and she wasn't sure how to put him at ease with such unsettling news.

"I told him I got caught in the crossfire of a vampire attack," Twyla explained, her voice low and careful. "But then I said a pureblood came and rescued me. By the look on his face, I think he believed it, but... he still wants me to talk to him eventually, once my 'trauma' from the event wears off." She raised her hands and mimicked air quotes around the word trauma, her nervousness seeping into every gesture. "I'm at a loss, Val. I always want to help, you know that, but now that I'm in the middle of this, risking our secret... it's terrifying." She cupped her face in her palms, trying to steady herself, her breath catching in her throat as if she was on the verge of tears. But deep down, she was just desperately trying to keep calm. The fear gnawed at her, but she couldn't let it take control. Not now. Not when so much was at stake.

Despite being younger, Val always seemed to have the answers, or at least a way to make everything feel better with his reassuring words. But this time was different. This was the first time they were in a situation that could truly jeopardize their safety, and guilt weighed heavy on her shoulders - it was her actions that had caused this mess. She knew it was up to her to fix it. "Should I call Mom and Dad and ask for their help?" Twyla asked, her voice hesitant. "I don't want them to worry, though, it's not like they could do anything to help honestly.." The thought of their faces flashed vividly in her mind, the protectiveness she felt for them overwhelming. She didn't want to drag them into this, didn't want to risk their safety too. But at the same time, she felt lost, and their guidance might be the only thing that could get them out of this.

 

[Tenzai]

"No! I'm not going to leave you, Arc!" Arc's sister had wrapped her arms around him as the heat had left his body. It was the first time in years since he felt her warmth again. Why? Why now? "I know what you are now, Arc, and I know you're one of the good ones... you would've killed me already if you weren't." Her gaze was coated in tears ready to fall, her eyes shaky as her brother wandered towards the edge of his own mortality. She must be scared. That's it. There's no way she'd change her mind about me. Not for a failed brother who couldn't even make time for her.

"You're my family, Arc. I'm not giving up on you. Not ever."​

Addy's words had become no less than a blur to her bleeding brother. Dying in her arms, he struggled to understand the weight of her love. In an instant, his day had veered towards the worst. The gift he once held in his hand when entering their home, one of her favorite snacks, was now scattered in pieces across the floor, bathed in his blood. His eyes were losing its fire. His consciousness was deprived of its vampiric strength.

Despite his ability to regenerate, when enough blood was lost, not even a vampire's blessing could be enough to repair the damage. Death had finally come to deliver him from this hell; To bring forth the end to his suffering and fruitless fight. It was a shame that he didn't have a chance to make his goddess pay for her sins. A shame that he would be forced to greet his parents again with nothing to show for his sacrifice. His eyes had closed for the final time, his arms going limp as his mind had returned to a hibernating state in hopes to keep his heart pumping for just a few more minutes longer. "I'm sorry... Addy. I'm sorry I wasn't better."

---

ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴀʀᴛʜ ɪꜱ ʟɪᴛᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴜɪɴꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴇᴍᴘɪʀᴇꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴇᴛᴇʀɴᴀʟ.
- ᴄᴀᴍɪʟʟᴇ ᴘᴀɢʟɪᴀ​

---

An eye for an eye.

You took my family away. My future. Its only just to do the same to you.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴀ ᴠɪʟʟᴀɪɴ | ʙᴀᴅ ᴏᴍᴇɴꜱ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺

Look into my face, then look again
We are not the same, we're different

To tell your tales and fables, you couldn't wait
You need a new clean slate without the dents

A place to put your pain, your consequence
When you look into the mirror, are you even there?​

As Arc's mind drifted away from his body, his conscience had returned to the many wasted years spent away from Adelaide over the sake of petty revenge. The flames of an empire were the light behind his glowing eyes; His family's sacrifice was the fire that scorched his blood. His goddess had declared war on his world, taking away the peace he once took for granted. To be her perfect child for the sake of her destruction was a poetic thought made literal through his carefully planned schemes. By befriending those who orbited within her inner circles, persuading them and contorting the bonds held between her pawns, he was able to inflict wounds that no other human with a death wish would even dream of attempting. Though in spite of his success against the darkness, he couldn't help but feel his time was wasted for nothing.

What good was revenge when it brought no fulfillment? Arc may have stood for the good of humanity and for the protection of his only loved one, but no matter how much effort he put forth, it always seemed as though his vampiric enemy was two steps ahead. For every scheme he put down, they succeeded in two more. For every vampire he captured, another five would rise in their absence. They were persistent, growing smarter and bolder, and increasing in strength and number with the passing of the days. It made him question whether there would even be a future where Adelaide would find peace. Despite being surrounded by people that supported his cause, he couldn't feel any more alone. No one but one had known of his curse; And no one but the woman who couldn't bear to greet him at home could ever understand his pain.

No matter how many times he would find himself standing at a blistering pyre, he couldn't forgive himself for his sins against his family. Every day spent eating with Adelaide in dead silence was another where he had to fight to maintain his sanity; His humanity. He was constantly losing time and skipping opportunities, fearing that one day, his time with Adelaide would be cut short. He already suffered the loss of his parents once. To lose her would be to lose everything else that mattered.

Arc was drowning in despair.

His dreams for a kinder future were slipping out of reach.​

What good is family if all they do if they're never there when you need them most? His vampiric thoughts had always found a way to attack his mind as he sunk further into his darkness. His soul was afflicted with her taint, being reminded each night that the man he appeared as was no more. Arc had died the day he drank the blood. In his place came forth a vampire with his face. The dreams of living a simple life where he could take care of his sister while she pursued her interests and make his parents proud in the process was no more.

He took both of their futures away, robbing his parents of a long life and his sister of her dreams. The monster that inhabited Arc's body was no different than the monsters he fought against on a daily basis. His semblance was growing eerily similar to his enemy: Elongated fangs that disturbed his smile whenever he was thirsty, a glowing of eyes when he felt intensely towards anything, the coolness of his skin and his lack of hunger, and most of all, his attraction for the blood of the living had all kept him aware of how different he was.

He wasn't Adelaide's brother anymore. Unlike Arc, he didn't know how to treat her right. It was hard for him to feel as though her confinement was akin to treating her as his treasured cattle. Even as they "ate" together, hiding the fact that he would expel whatever he swallowed immediately after to still enjoy the opportunity to spend time with her, he couldn't help but hold passing thoughts of biting her; Of wondering how her flesh would taste. Whenever he was thirsty, he could hear the flow of delicious blood running through her veins. It was these things working in tandem that always acted as constant reminders that their past was never a time they could return to. He became the monster he had feared.

In becoming a monster to the monsters;

Arc had succumbed to the same very darkness he fought so hard to resist.​

Revenge born of redemption had become his obsession. To be forgiven by his loved ones, both living and past, had been his goal all along. If not for the cruel endings of terrible fates he was exposed to on a regular basis, it would have been an honest pursuit. However, it was these bloody scenes that he protected from his sister, the crimes committed out of cruel ambitions being made reality, that steadily chipped away at his last reserves of hope. To adapt to this agonizing lifestyle, he did all he could to try and act normal. From therapy and meditation to hard substance abuse and addictive vices, it felt as though nothing could stray him away from the barrel of his own gun for too long; At least, if it wasn't for his printed memories.

If not for old pictures to remind him of a kinder past, he would have had doubts those times had ever existed. On the blood stained wall covered in bullet holes sat cracked frames of photographs that depicted better times. Behind every picture sat a story, from trips spent together as a family to celebrations of different achievements across his and Adelaide's life; That wall was what reminded him of what he fought for. The times he wished to return to were always lingering in his mind whenever he dedicated himself to his work. It was only these memories that made him chase this ambitious dream of a peaceful future without pause. The hope that one day, he could be the reason why his sister could smile again, pushed him when his feet could no longer stand.

'One day, we'll be able to celebrate your birthday like we did before. That day, I intend on spoiling you to make up for every year we spent apart, Addy.'

I don't wanna know all your secrets 'cause I'll tell
It's hard enough being alone with myself

I don't know how long I'll be holding on
I know you tried your hardest, I know that you meant well

But you pushed me to the edge and I slipped, and then I fell
I don't know how long I'll be holding on​

---

While floating towards the afterlife

his fading soul held gravity.​

The further he drifted along in consciousness, the more his mind had explored memories left untapped. As if, comforting him during his last moments, even the positive memories had resurfaced to lessen the pain of his passing. The more he thought about it, he realized; This wasn't the first time he got hurt when protecting her. The scent of his blood combined with her tears wasn't new to him. Their parents had assigned him to keep her safe no matter what. While she might have shielded him from emotional threats, he had protected her from all that her parents could not.

"Get away from her."​

Hidden away in the forest, the two had ventured in search of a place where they could escape from the heat. There was word from the other children over a giant tree in the middle of the forest that offered shade like no other. To find this mythical place, the two had followed a trail only to be cut off by a pair of small, rabid dogs. Arc had smiled, hearing his familiar, brave words escape his mouth as he watched a younger version of himself grab a stick to fend them off. Even as young as ten, he did his best to keep her safe, despite his lack of formal training.

The dogs had marched towards him, uncaring of the added length of his wingspan. As if, smelling the fear of the girl behind him, they mounted their attack. One had bit his arm while the other was smacked away with the tree branch during the charge. In spite of the pain however, he remained standing against them. "If you want her, you have to go through me." The boy shouted adamantly; His adrenaline doing away with the pain that ached in his arm. Respecting his resolve, the two had left them alone.

"You alright, Addy?" His voice had returned to softer tones, his eyes growing wide as she reached towards his hand. "Hey- I'll be alrigh- Tch." He winced when her hands had touched his bubbling wound. Though, as a result of being much more prepared than he, Adelaide had pulled out a bandage to seal his wounds. She was always the smarter of the two at the time. It was this behavior of being always prepared that modeled who Arc came to be. "...Thanks. D-don't mention that I got hurt to mom or dad, please-" He looked away embarrassed.

The two were a team. One could not be seen without the other. Once the duo headed home, after the tongue lashing his parents had dealt to them for running off alone, their parents had voiced how proud they were of both of them. They had a way of compensating where each other lacked. Adelaide was his anchor that kept him grounded. The one that usually held him back from getting hurt chasing his own ambitions. Archimedes was the gas that pushed them forward. The one that acted with bravery in order to bring about the best outcome.

In protecting Adelaide

His fights weren't limited to the physical realm.​

The end of a horror movie had usually lended itself to her asking for help when it came to battling the fears of the dark. Threats both physical and immaterial lay within the void's depths beckoning the two kids to march where their sense of sight had abandoned them. However, with each and every time, Arc had took the vanguard against the shadowy forces. His body would venture forth, holding her hand to remind her that he was there as he searched for the light switch in the dark. Their phone's flashlight had became their weapon; Their trust in each other had steeled their resolve. No darkness nor occlusion would remain as a barrier for this duo, not if young Arc had any say in it.

Sometimes, he would hear her being hard on herself whenever she'd fail at a task. Through an understanding of how she was and how she saw herself, he was able to tell when she would be fighting an emotional battle with her demons. It was then that he switched his strategy. Utilizing a mix of kindness, distraction, and gifts that came in the form of drinks or snacks, he would take away the sting of failure. While he wasn't perfect himself, to see her go through a similar conflict had drawn a side of Arc out that he never knew existed at the time; A compassionate side that held a focus on simply being there anyway he could.

Other times, he would catch someone picking on his little sister; A bully or a jealous friend. The mere thought of someone picking on another just because they couldn't fight back or due to something as mediocre of a motivation as jealousy had always infuriated the boy. Wherever she would be teased, he would stand up for her. No one was allowed to tease her other than him. 'What did they know about her when they didn't live with her? How could they act like they're perfect themselves?' He thought, standing up against her bullies. Not even the monsters of the emotional realm could stand a chance against her guardian.

Even when forced to stand against his own fears,

Arc had let nothing stand in the way of fulfilling his promise to his sister and his parents.​

From slaughtering bugs with three too many pairs of legs that crept into her room to speaking in front of audiences that knew nothing about him, he acted brave in spite of it all. His knees would tremble yet stand. His voice would grow weary but still speak. His muscles may have shook, but they still held the conviction to do what must be done. All of what he did in the past had trained him to be the guardian angel he came to be in the present day. This training had built up a level of mental resilience unknown to most vampires. Combined with an inextinguishable fire for revenge and the dream of a future where he and his sister could return to peace, the vampiric taint could do little to shake him.

It was the combination of all the factors that stood against him, of the goddess that wished him to return to her through any means, the hatred of the other vampiric factions whose schemes he ruined, the lack of assistance of a bureaucracy rife with corruption and sanguine taint, the death and destruction he was regularly witnessing, and finally, the disdain of the only one who mattered to him that broke his heart apart. No level of pride nor strength given by his sanguine blessing could prepare him for the culmination of factors that led to his ruin. He was a shattered soul finally given an end.

Perhaps, if given a second chance; A second life. Arc would seek to make things right.​

---

​

December 1st. Present day.​

Snow had piled up on the hospital window, illuminating his room in a cloud-covered moonlit bath. "Good. His vital signs appear to have stabilized. The blood transfusion has been a success." Familiar words had riled the vampire up from his slumber, slowly opening his eyes to his unconscious sister, asleep on his lap while a familiar face had run his diagnostics. "Ah, would you look at that? Your vampiric healing has kicked in and you're finally awake. Good evening, Arc. Be grateful that you were sent to my office rather than anyone else. Otherwise, they would have dissected you by now." The doctor had lit a cig.

"Poor girl tried to stay awake during the entire procedure. It didn't take a while of course, just a few hours, but after all you two have been through today, I could imagine that her exhaustion must have hit like a truck." He looked down at her, puffing above her head to avoid disturbing her slumber. "She knows who... Or rather... What you are now, Arc. No need to lie when she wakes up. As for what you owe me for this favor, I'll be out in the hallway whenever you're ready. Until then, talk to her. The last thing I need is for you two to come back here arguing about what's true and what's not. And we can't have that, now can we? Take your time, no rush." He left the two behind, walking outside into the hallway.

As Arc examined his surroundings, he noticed the familiar smell of medicines meant to keep a vampire's thirst at bay. It was what he used often when it came to his drinks; An anchor for his bloodlust that allowed him to function as normal around Adelaide. Slowly, he motioned his tired arms towards her head, stroking her hair to wake her up. "Adelaide." He gave her a gentle squeeze, noticing the bandages that shrouded his body. Whatever damage he sustained in that attack must have been severe enough to warrant the covering of most of his body. "... Addy, I'm... I'm here."

With all the strength he could wield, he pulled her towards his chest in a hug. The tears that stained his blanket were now dry, though he could tell how much she cried when he couldn't see her. "No need to put on a brave face. I'm... Alive for now. You are too. From the looks of it, you weren't hurt. Thank God." Arc smiled, greeting her opening eyes with his own happiness. "There you are. I'm... Sorry, that I had to reveal that side of me to you... Like this. I should have been honest earlier but... I didn't know how you'd respond to finding out that I'm a monster."

"You never deserved any of that. The time I spent apart. The time I was forced to lie to you to keep acting like we were normal. For all of that, I'm sorry. I'm so very sorry, Addy." His tears were painful, stretching his water deprived muscles. Though in spite of his typical thirst, whatever blood he transfused the vampire with must have been mixed with the same medicine he was prescribed. Otherwise, he couldn't imagine how the voices that spoke whenever his sister was in his proximity could be so quiet. "... I guess you must have seen the pictures, haven't you? The binder that I held on my desk about our parents. It was open when I came in."

"I'm tired of hiding who or what I am anymore from you. You deserve to know the truth."

"I'm the vampire that killed our parents."

Like a villain, I couldn't be
I didn't need it, it needed me​

Arc's eyes glowed a gentle ember as he revealed the monster he became. It was a fate he had accepted long ago. A sin he was forced to commit and to bear for the rest of his eternal life. "I was captured. Forced to drink the blood of a vampire that... Turned me into what you see now... But they weren't done. Those sick fucks were never done." The vampire's teeth were bore in front of her, showing just how much he changed as a result of his actions. "Then they wanted me to let go of my past life. My family came first. I was starved until I couldn't think. Until the brother you saw was no more... And then they came."

He recalled the looks on his parents' faces, seeing how far their beloved son had fallen. "I could barely recognize their faces. Their voices. None of it had rung a bell for me." Arc's eyes had dimmed, as though the fire within him was starting to go out. "Even as they screamed my name. Yelling for me to stop, I couldn't. I can't... My body just kept on acting on its own. Every damn time I blinked my eyes, more damage would appear on their bodies... The only time I realized what I've done, it was all over. My parents... Our parents... Were no more. Just a pool of blood, the remains of corpses, and that damn necklace."

Arc's fists have tightened, forcing pain up his body. Yet, this pain had felt welcoming, as though it was punishment for his selfish desire to live. "Ever since, I swore revenge. I swore to give you a life worth living in the hopes that I could be forgiven for what I've done... But look what happened to me. Ever since I saw your childhood friend try tempting you to a place where she could feed, I couldn't forgive myself for exposing you to that danger."

"This fate is only something I should face alone. NOT you. NEVER you. This was something we never asked for... And its something I never want you to ever go through." His arms clung tighter, unwilling to let go. He was afraid that this would be the last time he would see her, though he would put no blame if she did. He was not the brother she loved anymore. The quiet mornings that passed since they moved, the anger she held during their last and final argument, and the coldness of the eyes she would stare at him with are all signs of that. "But even now, as you see. I couldn't even do that much."

"I couldn't even keep you safe in your own home."​

His mind had returned to their home earlier that day. He remembered the shock he felt when he saw her in his room; The sinking feeling of finding that binder open with their mother's necklace in her hands. Then, in addition to all that, the surprise attack caused by his meddling in the affairs of other vampires. He should have been better about double checking his back to see whether others were trailing him, though with all he was dealing with at home already, his mind had forgotten the necessary nuances to keeping himself and her safe.

Tears had begun to rain down on her head from above. After all this time, his dam had burst, letting his feelings overflow as they manifested as tears. "I'm sorry mom... I'm sorry dad. I'm sorry I failed you both again. I wasn't good enough to protect Addy." He held her in silence, still in grief over the passing of their parents. Though eventually, he let go. Adelaide was still alive, unlike him. She still had a world of opportunity to escape and run off to. She wasn't forced to be with the walking corpse of her brother.

Finally, he was forced to admit the words he was so afraid of telling her. If he had one day deemed himself as not enough to protect her as her guardian angel, he would give her a chance to leave this all behind. The vampires and their allies were only after him, not her. "Adelaide... What I told you back home. I meant it. I can't promise you that they won't attack again. Nor can I promise you that I'd be around for much longer."

He grit his teeth at his own words, wondering how he ended up in this mess in the first place. It was that goddess' fault that he was stuck here, struggling between choosing a life where his sister could hate him in person or a life where he would die alone. Both had sounded like terrible fates, yet he knew he needed to choose. As long as that goddess existed, there would be no happy ending for Archimedes.

"Please. Listen to your sense of reason." His eyes were full of emotion, similar to how her brother would speak to her when checking if she was okay in times long past. While he might have had the ability to command her to leave, he refused to use it against her. Arc wanted her to choose her own fate for herself. "Your brother had died the moment he drank their blood. The moment I became... This thing, I struggled to remain the same person you've grown up to love. Do yourself a favor and leave, Addy. Take all I have left with you. At least, that would mean I've done something right in the past few years."

A shift in his tone had sounded his death toll.

With nothing left to live for, Arc wouldn't be scared of death any longer.​

"... At least, with me gone, I won't be an issue for you anymore, right?" Arc's mind had still lingered over the hurtful words spoken during that argument. All the words that questioned his own worth to her, about how much of a monster he became, had haunted him. "You'll get the freedom to do everything you always wanted to... And you won't ever have to worry about a control freak like me ever again."

Finally, Arc let her go, freeing her from his heart. As painful as it was, to keep Adelaide caged without reason would scar him even more. "Isn't that what you wanted? Freedom? I don't want to deny you your dreams to keep you safe. Its not like doing so had worked anyways." He gave a cracked smile, shedding the mask he wore to keep up the status quo. The mirage of a happy family had been torn asunder by the truth. This was who they were now, a vampire with an obsession over revenge and a caged girl finally given an honest glimpse of the world outside her confines.

"If mom and dad were still here, you wouldn't have to deal with me or any of this."
His vocal muscles had strained, recalling the final line of their argument.
"None of this would have happened."

"I should've died then. You would have been happier that way."

I don't wanna know all your secrets 'cause I'll tell
It's hard enough being alone with myself

I don't know how long I'll be holding on
I know you tried your hardest, I know that you meant well

But you pushed me to the edge and I slipped, and then I fell
I don't know how long I'll be holding on​

---

"You're always so creative, not only in your art but also the way you enhance the blood."

"Well, its thanks to you, Twyla!"

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ꜱᴇᴇɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜʀ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ᴍᴀᴋᴇꜱ ᴍᴇ ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ | ʙᴜʀʙᴀɴᴋ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

"If not for your kind words and the faith you put in me to create, I doubt I'd be even half as good!" Her brother had chimed, noticing the oddity in her eyes. The sparkle she always gave him when talking about her day wasn't there. Something must have happened that was influencing her mood. "It's a hit! I like it! Did you?" However, seeing her pleasant reaction to his sugary drink had caused him to brighten up. "I did! Thought you would like some so I made another glass just for you! I think this way, at least, we'd be able to enjoy little treats in our drinks without it tasting weird! But... Assuming from your eyes. Bad date?"

"I wish it was something like that." Immediately, her smile vanished as did the joy of her tone. Realizing how serious she was, he pulled himself away from his work to sit across from her and give his undivided attention. "Then tell me what happened? Don't worry, I don't think I'd judge. Nothing could be worse than dealing with a drunk Mia puking in our toilet again."

"Please don't get mad but... I think I went overboard." She went silent for a moment, causing Val to wonder whether she was finding the right words to say before she broke the silence again. "I... I went a bit crazy on a vampire on campus last night, and now, I'm being investigated by a cop. I think he's onto me." He gave her a look of concern. "How much does he know? There's been cops on campus recently asking the same thing of everyone. I don't think its anything to worry about really. Simple procedures and all that cop stuff! Like the true crime shows we binged last week but more boring! I think-"

As Twyla's voice dropped to a whisper, Val leaned closer to listen. "I told him I got caught in the crossfire of a vampire attack, but then I said a pureblood came and rescued me. By the look on his face, I think he believed it, but... he still wants me to talk to him eventually, once my 'trauma' from the event wears off. I'm at a loss, Val. I always want to help, you know that, but now that I'm in the middle of this, risking our secret... it's terrifying."

"It'll be alright. We've made it through worse before."​

Val stood up, grabbing his chair to sit beside Twyla instead of in front of her. Drawing his coat open, he pulled her into his arms to give her a reassuring hug. His other hand had stroked the back of her head, using his height and extended wingspan to its fullest advantage. "Take a deep breath and relax, okay? Its not like he knows the truth and everything. And hey! He gave you a choice to come by with more information. It doesn't mean that you're a suspect. Maybe... Just a victim! You did mention trauma, so I could imagine that he thinks you're innocent."

"Should I call Mom and Dad and ask for their help? Don't want them to worry, though, it's not like they could do anything to help honestly..." The vampire brother had closed his eyes, resting his chin on her own as he thought of a solution. "... How about we play it by ear. Maybe pin the blame on some other pure blood or say that you weren't in the right mind. Like uh... Hypnotized! Yeah! Hypnotized. If he's gullible enough to believe a pureblood is willing to help a human, I'm sure he'd be gullible enough to believe that any vampire could be the culprit right? I mean, a vampire hero? Other than you? Ha, nonsense! No one could be as cool as you!"

Val had given her a bright smile, confident in his belief. "So don't worry yourself okay? I don't want you getting stressed out just because some rando detective managed to get a little luckier than usual. This city is a big place, you know? Lots of faces to go around too. And besides! What are the chances you're ever going to see him again? My thoughts? If there's a detective hunting vampires? Most likely, he's going to disappear. Not that I'm saying that he should die or anything but... There's a reason why they don't tend to last long, Twyla. So don't feel too scared."

Val reached for a bottle that held more of his special concoction, refilling their glasses with more of the sweet sanguine liquid. "How about you and I watch a crappy horror flick over drinks? Yeah? Maybe play a couple games too. I'd rather us worry about exams than this." He held his glass out, clinking hers.

"Cheers~" With one long gulp, he downed his glass.

"Ah!~ Now that's what I call a drink worthy of a pureblood!"​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Aʟᴛᴇʀɴᴀᴛᴇ Rᴇᴀʟɪᴛʏ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:00
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Lɪᴠᴇ ɪɴ ᴀ ᴘʀɪsᴏɴ
Bᴜᴛ ɴᴏʙᴏᴅʏ ᴋɴᴏᴡs
I ᴋᴇᴇᴘ ɪᴛ ʜɪᴅᴅᴇɴ
Tᴏᴏ ᴀғʀᴀɪᴅ ᴛᴏ ʟᴇᴛ ɪᴛ sʜᴏᴡ​

"I'm sorry... Addy. I'm sorry I wasn't better."​

As his eyelids fluttered, his consciousness slipping away beneath a fog of fading awareness, Addy fought back the sobs rising in her throat. She couldn't afford to cry - not now. There was no time to let her tears fall and cling to his limp body. He needed help, and fast. A sharp chill ran through her fingers as she held him, a panicked thought crossing her mind: Has he always been this cold? Gently, she eased him to the ground, her hands trembling as she desperately fumbled for her phone, until she realized her pockets were barren.

Damn it, my phone! Addy frantically patted herself down, hoping against all logic that it might somehow materialize if she kept checking. Panic clouded her thoughts, the weight of the situation pressing down hard on her chest. She squeezed her eyes shut, giving her head a quick shake as if it might clear the fog of anxiety. With a jolt, she bolted from his bedroom, racing into her own, praying she could find it in time. Who do I even call? This is an emergency, so of course I'll have to dial 911... but what if they discover his secret? Her thoughts spiraled as she dashed to her bedroom, paying no mind to the disarray of the house. She barely registered the body lying in the kitchen, the shattered drywall spilling debris across the floor, while fresh crimson streaks stained the walls in a macabre display, like a chaotic canvas of bloodied paint. Her iPhone lay on the bed, exactly where she'd left it. She rushed toward it, snatching it up as Face ID unlocked the screen, revealing the keypad. Her thumb hovered over the numbers. Should she really risk calling central dispatch? The longer you wait, the more his life is at stake. Just have faith that everything will be okay! Addy tried to calm herself as she hastily dialed '911', refusing to waste another second dwelling on the 'what-ifs'. Whatever fate awaited was already set in motion, leaving no room to turn back now. She had no clue if a vampire could even be treated - much less if anyone would want to help. Most would rather see them dead.

"911, what's your emergency?"​

"H-help! My brother... he's dying!" Words failed her as the operator answered, her mind a blur, unsure of how to even begin. Addy struggled to piece together a coherent plea for help. She kept it vague, desperate to convey the urgency without revealing too much. Her voice trembled, the words catching in her throat, almost choking out her ability to speak, as if fear itself was trying to silence her. All she wanted was to get straight to the point, but the weight of the situation was almost too much to bear.

"Where is the current location?"​

The operator's voice was calm, soothing even, as if the tragedy being discussed was just another routine call. It was her job, after all, to remain steady in the face of chaos. Addy swallowed hard, trying to find her voice again. She cleared her throat before responding, her words still shaky but a bit more grounded, hoping the calmness on the other end would somehow steady her racing thoughts. "1482 Crescent Heights Blvd, Apt 2A, Riverview Ohio, 33777" She felt a surge of pride for managing to recite the entire address without stuttering or stumbling over her words. With her phone still clutched in her hand, she hurried over to Arc, her heart racing as she anxiously checked him, desperate to confirm he was still breathing - or any sign of life at all. His breathing was shallow but steady, his chest rising and falling ever so slightly. Despite the fragility, it was a sign of life - however faint.

"Help is on the way, please stay with me on the phone until they arrive. What is your brothers name?"​

"Archimedes Rosewood," his name slipped from her lips effortlessly as she crouched down beside him, eyes locked on his every movement, searching for any shift in his condition. He looked as though he was merely asleep, but she knew that was far from the truth. "He's on the police force. Could that be noted in case he needs his primary doctor?" Addy wasn't sure if her request would be honored, or if his profession might grant him access to different care. Still, it was worth a try. Maybe they had his medical records and could offer more specialized help.

"I will note that, thank you. What is your name?"​

"I'm Adelaide Rosewood, his younger sister," she replied, her voice tight with anxiety. She could sense the operator trying to make small talk, likely an attempt to calm her nerves, but it only fueled her impatience. All she wanted was for the paramedics to arrive faster. Still, she bit her lower lip, forcing herself to stay composed. This was protocol, she reminded herself, necessary to get their situation properly recorded.

"Adelaide, can you tell me how Archimedes is right now? What happened?"​

"He's unconscious... I'm scared," she admitted, her voice wavering. Fear gnawed at her as she questioned whether he was truly near death, or if this was how vampires healed from grave injuries. The thought crossed her mind - if she gave him some of her blood, would it help him recover faster? But the risk was too great. That could be a death sentence for her, and she wasn’t ready to make that sacrifice. In truth, now that she knew the truth about her brother, he felt more like a stranger than family. The bond they once shared seemed distant, clouded by the revelation of who - what - he really was. "A group tried to rob our apartment, and he defended both of us... there are also some deceased bodies here," Addy confessed, the weight of her words settling in the air. She felt the need to tell the full, brutal truth of the situation, no matter how grotesque it sounded. The bodies on the floor were undeniable, a stark reminder of the violence that had unfolded. While she had no idea why they had been targeted, she had a feeling Arc knew more than he had let on. Still, she couldn't focus on that now - the urgency of the moment left no room for deeper questions.

Flashing lights illuminated the road, signaling the arrival of the paramedics. "They're here now, thank you so much for your help," Addy said hurriedly, cutting off the operator before any more questions could be asked. She ended the call swiftly, not wanting to leave room for further prying. It was already difficult enough to explain everything once - the team about to step into the blood-soaked scene would need the same grim details. But it had to be done, no matter how much she dreaded it.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Wᴏʀʟᴅ Aʀᴏᴜɴᴅ Mᴇ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 5:08
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Sᴏ ᴛᴇʟʟ ᴍᴇ ᴡʜᴀᴛ I ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ
I ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴡᴀɴɴᴀ ᴛᴇʟʟ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ
I ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴡᴀɴɴᴀ ʙᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʏᴏᴜ
I ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴡᴀɴɴᴀ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ɪᴛ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ...
I ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴡᴀɴɴᴀ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ɪᴛ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ᴛʜɪs ʟɪғᴇ...​

The ride to the hospital felt agonizingly longer than it actually was. Addy answered the paramedics’ questions in a daze, her eyes fixed on them as they worked on Arc with careful urgency. Despite her efforts to stay composed, she struggled to piece everything together - she barely knew what had truly happened herself. The paramedics seemed to recognize Arc, speaking of him with a level of respect that hinted at years of working together. Seeing him in this fragile state appeared to shake them, a silent testament to how formidable he once was. It made the entire situation feel even more surreal. Thankfully, they mentioned a Dr. Thorne, a familiar name among the team - someone who had treated Arc on several occasions after minor injuries from scuffles with competitive individuals. This small piece of information brought Addy some relief, knowing there was a doctor who not only knew Arc but might also understand the complexities of his true nature. Although she wasn’t a medical expert, she knew enough to understand that human anatomy and a vampire's physiology were vastly different. It made sense to assume that Dr. Thorne was likely aware of Arc's condition, and that knowledge might just be the key to saving him.

Soon, they reached the back entrance of the hospital, where ambulances typically parked. The medical team quickly unloaded him from the vehicle, guiding his stretcher toward the automatic double doors. Addy stayed nearby, careful to keep enough distance to avoid interfering with the staff as they worked, her eyes darting between Arc and their surroundings.

"What's the report?" A deep male voice with a distinct accent resonated in her ears. She turned to see a tall, slender man in a white coat, a clear symbol of his status in the hospital. Glasses rested on the bridge of his nose as he listened intently to the paramedic's rundown, his fingers tapping lightly on the iPad displaying the patient’s chart. A quick glance at his uniform revealed the name ‘Dr. Thorne’ embroidered beneath the hospital's logo, and her eyes widened in a mix of surprise and hope, as if fate had aligned in her and her brother's favor.

"Dr. Thorne, please speak with me when this is over," she said, her voice trembling as she tried to balance respect for his responsibilities with the urgency of her concerns. She understood that her brother likely needed immediate surgery to remove the bullets, possibly even a blood transfusion given the amount he had lost. But the way people like him were treated in this hospital weighed heavily on her mind, leaving her tense and fearful that this might be the last time she'd see him even remotely alive.

"I'll have one of the nurses escort you to the waiting room. Once the procedure is finished, we can talk. Adelaide, right?" he said, his eyes never leaving the device in his hands, speaking to her almost absentmindedly.

She swallowed hard, nodding in response before realizing she should say something aloud. "Yes, I'm his sister." She figured he likely already knew that, given her status as the emergency contact with her relationship, name, and number on file. "I just want to make sure you're aware of his... history, that's all." Addy chose her words carefully, trying to hint at her brother’s vampiric nature without openly stating it in front of everyone, putting extra weight on the word ‘history.’

Her words made him pause momentarily. He stopped mid-step and looked up at her over the frames of his thick glasses, his gaze piercing as if he already had all the answers. His expression remained serious, a silent acknowledgment that he understood exactly what she was referring to without needing her to say more. "I promise, I'm well aware of his medical history and will handle his condition with care," Dr. Thorne reassured her. The tension in her shoulders eased slightly as he straightened and continued toward the operating room. A nearby nurse gently touched Addy's shoulder, guiding her toward the waiting area.

In the waiting room, Addy did her best to remain composed, but exhaustion crept in. Her eyes grew heavy, and despite her nerves, she kept dozing off, her head bobbing forward before jerking back upright. The anxiety still gnawed at her, but the adrenaline that had once kept her alert was now fading, her body begging for rest as she waited, knowing he was finally in capable hands.

"Ms. Rosewood." The sound of her last name being spoken jolted Addy awake, her eyes snapping open as she tried to appear as though she hadn’t been dozing off. Glancing around, she quickly realized the voice was coming from directly in front of her - Dr. Thorne stood tall, looking down at her. "The procedure was a success. He's still asleep, though. Come with me," he said, his tone brisk and to the point, avoiding any unnecessary conversation. Addy rose quickly, wiping the remnants of sleep from her eyes as she followed him. "He'll likely remain asleep for a few more hours until his abilities kick in and start the healing process," Dr. Thorne whispered, ensuring no one else could overhear.

She nodded in silent understanding. While her mind raced with questions, she knew this wasn’t the time. Her brother would have to explain things when he was ready; it wasn’t fair to place that burden on the doctor. "Thank you for everything. I'll talk to Arc so he can explain and keep me updated now... I just found out about all of this tonight," Addy admitted, her voice soft with a mixture of exhaustion and uncertainty. Dr. Thorne didn’t respond verbally, but the look on his face suggested he had already gathered as much from her earlier behavior. Instead, they walked in silence, the atmosphere heavy but unspoken, as he led her to her brother’s room.

Once inside, Addy pulled a chair close to the bed, her eyes drifting over the monitors, IV bags, and the various lines connecting Arc to the machines. As she sat there, her eyes involuntarily drifted to his hospital gown. Some of the metal-like buttons were undone, revealing patches of his skin still bandaged from the procedure. But something caught her attention - peeking out from beneath the fabric was a tattoo. It was small but striking: a black cat delicately holding a white rose in its mouth. For a brief moment, despite the storm of emotions, a faint smile tugged at her lips. The black cat was a perfect representation of their beloved companion, Midnight, who had passed away long ago. The rose, likely a tribute to their shared last name, was a small but meaningful gesture. Even in the midst of everything, this tiny detail managed to touch her heart, a reminder of the bond they once had and the memories of what they’d lost - not just their parents, but the simpler, happier times as well.

She couldn’t stop herself from staring at him, waiting anxiously for any sign of movement or life, but it was as if time had frozen. It felt like watching paint dry, the minutes dragging on. Eventually, her exhaustion got the better of her, and she gently rested her head on his lap. Her eyes slowly closed, and before long, sleep claimed her once more.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Cᴀᴜɢʜᴛ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴀ ғʟʏ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 4:36
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Cᴀᴜɢʜᴛ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴀ ғʟʏ
Iɴ ᴀ ᴡᴇʙ ᴏғ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʟɪᴇs
Iᴛ's ᴛʀᴜᴛʜ ʙᴇ ᴛᴏʟᴅ ɴᴏᴡ
Oʀ ɪᴛ's ᴍᴇᴇᴛ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴅᴇᴍɪsᴇ
Sᴏ ʜᴏᴡ ᴅɪᴅ ɪᴛ ғᴇᴇʟ?
Wʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴇʟᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ᴋɴɪғᴇ
Tʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ sᴛᴜᴄᴋ ʀɪɢʜᴛ ɪɴ ᴍʏ ʙᴀᴄᴋ
A ᴛʜᴏᴜsᴀɴᴅ ᴛɪᴍᴇs
​

"Adelaide... Addy, I'm... I'm here."​

The sound of a distant yet familiar voice seeped into her dreams, gently pulling Addy from sleep. She slowly opened her eyes, feeling the comforting stroke of a familiar hand on her head, almost as if she were a cherished pet cat curled up on its owner’s lap. Blinking a few times to shake off the drowsiness, she realized her head had shifted to rest on his chest. Arc’s heartbeat was steady, though slower than usual, but she figured that was to be expected. Now that he was on the road to recovery, she also noticed his body was still cooler than normal. The coldness made sense, matching the slow yet steady rhythm of his heart as his healing process began. He wasn’t human, after all.

"Arc, please, you need to rest. It's okay... don't worry about me, just focus on yourself," she murmured in a soft, tired voice. Gently, she wrapped her arms around him, hugging him as if he had returned from the brink of death. It felt like a miracle that he was still alive, and she couldn’t stop thinking about how much she owed to Dr. Thorne for that. "If you'd told me the truth from the start, maybe I would've understood better, Arc... but we can't dwell on what could've or should've been. I know now, and that's what matters." Her words were meant to soothe him, but she could see the guilt etched across his face. It was clear he was struggling with more than just his near-death experience. Even though she now knew what he was, there was still something deeper, something heavier, weighing on him that he hadn’t yet shared.

"... I guess you must have seen the pictures, haven't you?"​

…Why is he bringing up our parents now? She thought, her confusion evident in the furrow of her brow. "I did, but I know you're an investigator, and it's hard to let go of them..." she responded, her tone uncertain as she gave him a perplexed look, one that silently asked, Why are you bringing this up now? Her expression mirrored the sudden shift in the conversation, unsure of why he would mention something so painful and out of place at a time like this.

"I'm tired of hiding who or what I am anymore from you. You deserve to know the truth."​

"Wait, Arc, what do you mean?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly as a chill ran down her spine. The tone in his voice had changed, sending a wave of unease through her, making her skin prickle. Her eyes widened as she stared at him, a sinking feeling growing in the pit of her stomach. She didn’t like where this was headed, and a sense of dread twisted inside her, anticipating that whatever he was about to reveal would change everything.

"I'm the vampire that killed our parents."​

BA DUM

...What did he just say? No... he must be lying. Why would he ever say something so absurd?

BA DUM

...If it’s true, then why? What could our parents have done to make him turn on them like that? Why did he hide this for so long?

BA DUM

I lived with him for years, and he never once tried to hurt me... so why did he kill our parents and not me too?
​

As Arc continued to speak, his words seemed to fade in and out, swallowed by the ringing in her ears as her thoughts spiraled. Her mind was drowning in disbelief, trying to grasp the gravity of what he had just confessed. Her body trembled against his, her eyes unfocused as they blinked rapidly. She could feel the forceful pounding of his heart beneath her, aware of his own anxiety, knowing that even saying the words out loud was tearing him apart.

But none of it made sense.

BA DUM

He was alive, sitting here, while their parents were buried six feet under.

BA DUM

It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair at all!​

"REVENGE WON'T BRING THEM BACK, ARC!" The words exploded from her, sharp and cutting, as she tried to shove herself away from him, slapping his hands in an attempt to get them to part aside when he tried to hold onto her tighter. She no longer had the strength to pull completely free, but the disgust at being so close to him after hearing the truth overwhelmed her. Despite her attempt to hold it together, hot tears burned in her eyes, spilling uncontrollably down her reddened cheeks.

Even as she felt his own tears fall onto her head, she didn’t care. His grief, his regret - it meant nothing to her now. He was pouring out his truth, but it didn’t absolve him in her eyes. "I don’t give a damn about your reasons! You STILL killed them, ARC! YOU were the one who ended their lives!" she sobbed, screaming into his chest, her voice breaking under the weight of her pain and fury. Her words should have echoed down the hall, but they were cocooned in the room’s privacy, the closed door shielding the rest of the hospital from hearing her anguished accusations. Arc was lucky they were alone - her screams could’ve easily shaken the entire floor with the truth of his crime.

"How do you think I’m supposed to handle you telling me they begged you not to kill them, but you did it anyway?" Her voice cracked as she struggled against him, her body trembling with the weight of her fury. "I don’t care what they did to you, who forced you - you should’ve never gone through with it!" She tried again to pull away, but despite his weakened state, he was still physically stronger, holding her in place.

"So, you think you can just play with fire and walk away like everything’s fine? Of course there are consequences, Arc! You can’t just live in this fantasy world you're trying to create. You ruined everything!" She knew her words cut deep, but she didn’t care. He needed to understand that his actions had consequences, that he had crossed a line he could never uncross. He had made his bed, and now he had to lie in it.

"And I bet if tonight hadn’t happened, you would’ve kept me in the dark, wouldn’t you?" Her voice wavered as she stared at him, her chest tightening with the thought. "Isn’t that right, Arc?" The realization was a fresh stab to her already broken heart. If tonight hadn’t unraveled the truth, she would still be living in a lie, unaware of the horror her brother had committed. It pained her even more to know she had been kept in the dark for so long, that this twisted reality was now her life because of him.

"You don't deserve to cry for them or wish for their company. They'd still be here if it weren’t for your merciless killing! And to think... you would've killed me too if I hadn’t been on that trip!" The words left her mouth with venom, but the horrifying realization struck her harder than anything else. If she hadn't gone on vacation with her friend, she might have been lying next to their parents, buried beneath the earth. The nausea twisted violently in her stomach, making her feel as though she could vomit at any moment.

When Arc’s grip finally loosened, she wasted no time. She sprang from her chair with such force that it tipped over, crashing to the floor with a loud, jarring noise. The sound echoed in the room, but she didn’t care. All she could feel was the overwhelming need to distance herself from him - the brother she once knew, who now felt like a stranger soaked in blood. "Yeah, maybe things will be better now that I'm removing myself from your life," she spat, the words tumbling out in a mess of hurt and anger. "I'll finally have my freedom, and you won't have me as the burden holding you back from whatever goals you have now."

At this point, she wasn’t sure what she was saying. Every word felt like a desperate attempt to sever the bond between them, to distance herself from the brother who had shattered her trust. She couldn't fathom being connected to someone who had taken their parents' lives and acted as if they could somehow move past it. It made her sick. Logic had no place in her mind right now, only the deep, festering wound of betrayal.

"If Mom and Dad were still here, we wouldn’t be going through this at all, Arc," she added bitterly, her voice shaking as the reality of their absence hit her again. The grief of losing them was one thing, but realizing it was at the hands of her own brother - her protector - was a cut far deeper than anything else.

"I should've died then. You would have been happier that way."​

Don’t say it, Addy. You know it’s wrong, even if you're hurting. At the end of the day, that’s still Arc, her conscience screamed, desperately trying to hold back the words she was dying to unleash. It’s too hurtful. You can’t say that, she reminded herself, her mind battling against her heart. But another voice quickly rose, drowning out her restraint.

Was it nice for him to kill our parents? No? Then who the hell cares what I say now?​

Her anger flared, and she planted her feet firmly on the ground, squaring her shoulders. She wasn’t going to hold back anymore. Whatever she wanted to say, she would say it and mean it. Logic, conscience - none of it mattered. All that mattered was that she had been lied to, betrayed, and she was done holding back her pain for his sake.

"You're right. You were the one who should've died. Too bad that didn’t happen." The words shot out of her like venom, and without waiting for a response, Addy pivoted on her heels and marched out of the room. Hot tears blurred her vision as she yanked the door open, letting it slam behind her with a thunderous bang. She didn’t care if the sound startled anyone - least of all Arc. Her thoughts swirled in rage, bitter and chaotic.

I should've unplugged everything and ripped out his IVs, she fumed, the anger boiling inside her as she stormed down the hall. Her pace quickened, turning into a jog as she reached the stairway, desperately wanting to disappear from the world entirely. The cold walls of the stairwell felt like they were closing in, matching the suffocating weight of her thoughts.

She had no one to turn to. No close friends, no other family. Nothing. Arc was all she had left, and now even that thread had snapped. He was supposed to be her brother, her protector, but instead, he had destroyed the last piece of family they had. Now, she was utterly alone.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Rᴇᴍɪɴᴅs ᴍᴇ ᴏғ ʏᴏᴜ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:16
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
Iᴄᴇ ᴄʀᴇᴀᴍ sᴏᴅᴀ
Tʜᴇ sᴍᴇʟʟ ᴏғ sʜᴀᴍᴘᴏᴏ
Sᴡᴇᴇᴛ ᴀʀᴏᴍᴀ
Oғ ғʟᴏᴡᴇʀs ɪɴ ʙʟᴏᴏᴍ
Gʀᴇᴇɴ ᴛᴇᴀ
Oʟᴅ ʙᴏᴏᴋs
Vᴀɴɪʟʟᴀ ᴘᴇʀғᴜᴍᴇ
Oʜ, ʀᴇᴍɪɴᴅs ᴍᴇ ᴏғ ʏᴏᴜ​

"It'll be alright. We've made it through worse before."​

In the warmth of his embrace, Twyla found herself cocooned within Val’s coat, his arms wrapped protectively around her. "Val, I’m supposed to be the one treating you like this, not the other way around!" she said through happy tears, her voice trembling with emotion. She couldn’t help the light sniffles that escaped as he continued to comfort her, his words gentle and reassuring. "You’re way too good to me," she added softly, lifting her head from his chest and wiping the tears from her cheeks. Her heart swelled with gratitude and love, feeling safe in his arms, like everything in the world would be alright as long as he was there.

“I mean, a vampire hero? Other than you? Ha, nonsense! No one could be as cool as you!"​

His flattery made her smile even wider, to the point where her cheeks ached in that familiar, happy way she always felt around Val. She laughed, swatting the air playfully as if batting away a pesky fly. "Stop that! You’re one to talk. You’re so much cooler - just look at all these beautiful creations you’ve made!" She waved her hand dramatically toward the paintings that adorned the walls, each one a testament to his talent. "I’d be lucky if I could draw a decent stick figure!" She nudged him with her elbow, teasing him and driving her point home, but in truth, she was in awe of his gift. Val had an incredible talent, and even though she loved joking with him, she couldn’t help but admire his work.

"And besides! What are the chances you're ever going to see him again?"​

"See… that’s the thing…" Twyla’s fingers fidgeted nervously as she looked down at her hands before forcing herself to meet Val’s eyes. "He’s going to be around campus more now, with all these attacks happening so frequently..." Poor Val, always trying to reassure her, to ease her mind, but this situation was far from easy. "These damn vampires think the campus is some kind of fast food joint, with all these students hanging around. Especially the ones who think it’s cool to stay out later than they should." Her frustration boiled over as she continued, her fists clenching tight enough that her knuckles turned white. "I try so hard to protect everyone without causing a scene, but sometimes they just piss me off so badly, y’know?" The anger was bubbling beneath the surface, her words shaking with barely-contained rage. Talking about it was enough to ignite her temper, and she found herself fighting to stay calm in front of him.

"How about you and I watch a crappy horror flick over drinks? Yeah?"​

As Val raised his glass, Twyla quickly grabbed her own, lifting it to meet his in a celebratory clink. She took a hearty sip, feeling the thick, rich liquid slide down her throat, instantly quenching her thirst. "It’s worthy of a pureblood, because my 'lil bro made such a delicious drink!" she grinned, finishing the last of the liquid in her glass and setting it down with a soft thud. Standing up, she made her way over to the couch and plopped down, sinking into the soft, cloud-like cushions that seemed to embrace her.

"Ughhh, it feels so good to be home," she sighed contentedly, grabbing the remote and flicking on the TV. Her thumb hovered over Netflix as she browsed for something to watch, enjoying the rare moment of relaxation. "Wait… You didn’t get to tell me about your day, Val. I’m sorry for hogging all the spotlight," Twyla said, her guilt creeping in as she realized she hadn’t even asked him how he was. She smiled, shifting her position to show she was fully engaged now. "I’m guessing you were working on your new piece? You want to show it off to me? I’d love to see it and hear how you got your inspiration!" She sat up, her eyes bright with genuine interest, eager to learn more about Val’s latest work. It wasn’t just polite curiosity - she was truly invested in her brother’s career and hobby, always amazed at how he could turn inspiration into art.

 

[Tenzai]

"You're right. You were the one who should've died. Too bad that didn't happen."

It was time for him to let go.
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʜɪɢʜ ᴡᴀᴛᴇʀ | ꜱʟᴇᴇᴘ ᴛᴏᴋᴇɴ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺

For the time being
I will still avoid my own questions
And we both bury that history deep
But you know, I can hold my breath forever

For the time being
You are still a perfect reminder of what
All of these scars on my arms are for
If I can hold myself together

Goodbyes were never meant to be easy, especially when you were the reason why. Watching his last semblance of hope slip away from his bedside had torched whatever remnants of humanity lay within his heart. Try as he might to resist the sting of her insults, he couldn't even muster a word to defend himself. Arc couldn't help himself but agree with his sister's verbal daggers. This man, no, this monster he became was the end of her family. Revenge wasn't going to bring them back. He already learned once before that fulfillment of his vendetta had not brought back the happiness or peace he hoped to regain. However, reveling in it had brought him purpose when he had none.

While Arc couldn't take back his past, the least he could do was find meaning in his future. There had to be a reason he was still alive... Right? The physical, mental, and emotional torture he had endured for his family must have had a reason for it to occur. Otherwise, he couldn't fathom why it had to be him. What gods have he insulted with his existence? Which deities has he sinned against by merely wishing to be the best he could for his family? Out of every other victim his dark goddess could have chosen to fulfill her apostle's destiny, why him? Why subject him to a fate worse than death? What made him special?

He grew quiet, unable to leave his bed. His legs lacked the strength to chase her down the hallway. Even if he did have the stamina to keep up, what would he do? What would he say? There was no known remedy to heal these non-physical wounds. Worst part was that she wasn't wrong. If not for them enduring the storm of lead that tore apart their veil of peace, he doubted he would've shared his truth. He hoped that through ignorance, they could find their happiness. Unfortunately, it seemed as though the opposite was true. In truth, he could not find redemption. In lies, he could not find peace. As Arc reached towards his heart to feel the beating of his chest, he could barely feel the motions. He was no longer human... So why did he act like he was?
​

"I see she found out about who you are, Arc. About what you did."​

"Its better this way. Let her go.
She's only going to waste your time."

And I choke myself on sacred vapour
Waiting on some holy favour
Basking in the solace of regret

And it seems my hell is your high water
Wash me clean again before I pull myself beneath the waves​

His doctor walked back inside their room after watching Adelaide run down the hallway, closing the door to offer them some privacy. In doing so, horns had appeared from behind his mask, revealing the demonic side of Thorne that Arc grew too familiar with. With the removal of his glasses, a shift in his skin tone, and the return of crimson strands where snow white ones once were, his transformation was complete. The vampire was silent, still processing all that happened. Within an instant flash of gunfire, his life was taken away again. Old traumas had resurfaced as sanguine ties bore into his image of a family like hooks, splitting the picture apart where his smile once stood. He didn't deserve happiness, not after what he did.

Thorne seeing his partner in such a sorry state had reminded him of what he himself lost to the vampiric menace. For a moment, he spared Arc his sympathy, wrapping his arms around the detective from behind. "I'm sorry you had to experience all that. But at least, she's still alive." He patted Arc on the shoulder. "You've seen what these vampires are capable of. Did you forget what they have taken away from us? Our peace! Our homes! Our future! Don't let them get to you, Arc! Be better than this! Be better than them." The demon was beginning to feed the flames which fed on his humanity; An icy rage directed at the goddess and her minions. "If you want to get revenge for what they've done to your parents... And to your sister. You have to let go of what's holding you back. Your humanity."

The doctor had placed his hand where Arc's was on his chest. "Your human methods don't work. Every strength you brought as a result of being "alive" is a limit that holds you back. Sympathy? Love? They're distractions. Poor excuses to be weaker." Wielding the right words, he was contorting Arc's messy thoughts towards his own agenda. "I've told you, being kind towards victims, relying on your humans, and building rapport with your coworkers is a waste of time. They're too slow to do anything meaningful. Then add your superiors requiring you to report everything too, ugh. The paperwork is a curse enough and these covens... They move faster than your police department could respond. They adapt quicker than you could put your formulated plans to action. You're fighting a losing war and I'm tired of watching you fumble when I know that you're more than this."
​

"Stop acting like you're still human, Arc."

"Use the powers she has given you."​

The demon pulled a chair to sit by his side, grabbing the hand that once held Adelaide with both of his own. The vampire was lost, in need of a purpose. Where his sister left a void, Thorne aimed to replace her. "Unlike Adelaide, I won't leave you alone. I know what its like, and I wouldn't wish that fate on someone like you. Please, Arc. Listen to me." He beckoned him, causing Arc's teary eyes to meet his demonic gaze. "Unless you want the sacrifices of your parents to go in vain, follow your true calling. We have a war to fight against the purebloods and I'll need you to be at your best."

"Fine." His voice was tired, exhausted from the turmoil his mind was subject to. At least, she won't have to worry about me anymore. His thoughts had searched for every reason leftover to maintain his own sense of self. It was hard to believe that all the effort he placed into this hidden war had gone for naught. The countless people he saved, the many vampires he put behind bars, none of that felt relevant when he couldn't even save his own sister. It was only by luck that she wasn't caught alongside the rest of her family. It was only by luck that they were able to coexist for so long. But all good things must come to an end. For as long as that damned profaned goddess would continue to bestow her accursed favor upon him, they were never going to come back. Perhaps this was the sign that he needed. His power had purpose. "If that's what it takes for things to go back to normal for her. So be it."

A crooked smile grew over Thorne's face once he heard Arc's affirmation. "There won't be anyone else but the gods to judge us, and I doubt their opinions mean anything if they won't help us now." His eyes had given off the intensity of a fiery inferno. His hope in Arc had reignited his thirst to rid the world of the same vampires that took his human lover away. If they were going to deny his daughter a mother; He was going to deny them their future. "Rest up. Once you're recovered. We have a lot of work to do. I'm sure your department could use a bit more of your influence, don't you think?" The doctor had lifted himself from the chair, leaving the vampire alone to rest in peace.
​

"I'm sorry. Mom. Dad."

​

"I don't think I'll be able to fulfill my promise."

When the mouth of infinity buries its teeth in me
I'll smile through the agony for you

And I know you still bear the weight of your own existence
And you'll never bear the weight of two​

The tattoo he got to remind him of his family had now become a painful memory. It was a permanent marker of the pact he failed to fulfill as their son and as her brother. Everything that he promised to be for them before he turned into a vampire, he failed to maintain despite his new powers. He couldn't be there for them when they needed him most, unable to defend against the vampires who surrounded their van during that family trip. He couldn't hear them when they screamed out his name, begging for their son to return back to his senses even as he feasted upon their bodies. He failed in keeping Adelaide happy in their new life together, taking away her freedom like his captors did to him. He couldn't even fulfill his promise of telling her the truth no matter how hurtful it could be. All that had made up Arc in this second life was a lie. The memories of their embraces which kept him warm had now restricted him, acting as chains that kept him locked to the past, forcing him to go through more unnecessary torment. He had ceased to be the moment he took their blood.

As his tear ducts had dried out, he wiped away the rivers that flowed in Adelaide's absence. It was a waste. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that there was little more that he could have done. There was never a happy ending to reach for; It was an impossible fantasy. The murder of his parents may have had genuine reasons for it to occur, but it was still his sin to bear. A stain on his soul that couldn't be washed away, even if the goddess herself was dethroned. Nothing could change that and Adelaide was bound to find out the truth sooner or later. It was his selfish desires that kept him attached to her. His obsession with his own humanity that made him the target of his own tragedy. It was ironic. By being as human as he could, he became everything that a pureblood was known to be: Obsessed, selfish, and prideful. Arc quietly laughed at himself, finally understanding how broken he truly was. He needed to become new. He needed to become different.

Left alone, Arc looked down at his phone, scrolling through his contact list until he found Alora's number. 'A pureblood vampire trying to protect the world?' He thought to himself, recalling back to their conversation earlier that day. 'Wouldn't that be nice?' He lifted his phone up for a moment, wondering whether now was the time to reach out. However, his body was too exhausted to act or think further. Without a reason to be awake, his eyes had felt heavy. His wounds needed time and energy to recover. As a result of his rapid regeneration, his stamina reserves had depleted just as fast. 'Maybe that's where my fate lies. Not with Adelaide, but with them.'

And I choke myself on sacred vapour
Waiting on some holy favour
Basking in the solace of regret

And it seems my hell is your high water
Wash me clean again before I pull myself beneath the waves

"I'm sorry, Addy. I was wrong."

"Arc is dead... I killed him...
And it's all my fault that we'll never be together again."

For the time being
I will admit my defeat again
I will accept that I can't pretend
We will ever be together

I can't hold myself together​

---

"What the fuck do you mean, you dumbasses attacked Arc at his home?!"

"You fucking idiots! You know what this means?"​

Vega had cursed at the vampires across his table. Inside a private booth in a nightclub, he sat with a local coven that rose to prominence once their pureblood vampire had met his early demise at the hands of the angel of death. Instead of congratulating them for a job well done, the detective's assistant had berated them for ruining all the work he and other bribed officials had put in motion to slow the police force down. "They're going to take us seriously! They're gonna think we're a dangerous threat that needs to be eradicated and declare war!" He slammed his hand against the table, standing up even to the new gang leader himself. "This city is going to go on lockdown because of you! They're gonna be paranoid of us!"

"Shut up. You're ruining the mood." The boss puffed smoke in Vega's face. "I don't care if you're working with her and her apostles. You don't fucking talk to me like that." He flicked some ashes towards his direction, showing the disrespect he held towards Vega. "That detective was a problem... And like all problems, they deserve to be taken care of." He dragged his cig across his ashtray, putting it out. "We dealt with him. Simple as that. I don't care about the opinion of some sort of paper pushing vamps like you. Either you help us or this thing we got going on between us isn't gonna work out. Besides, he's just a human. I sent a couple of my boys to him so don't worry. He's not coming out of his house alive. Besides, what are a bunch of humans going to do to us anyways?"

"That's not the issue you dumbass." Vega wiped the ashes off his face. "You don't think something as openly violent as this isn't going to have consequences? You should have left him to us. At least, he was manageable. Now look at what you've done." Before he was able to get anymore rowdy, the vamps that surrounded their boss had drew their guns. "I don't think you understand who you're talking to, dog. This is our turf and you're not the goddess. If she has an issue, she'd send someone more important than you. Leave. You're testing my patience."

The pink haired vampire cursed, before picking up his things. "Whatever fallout comes next. I'm not going to help you. Don't blame me if someone comes after your head in revenge." As he readied himself to leave, the vampiric boss spoke up. "Didn't you say before that you didn't care about what happened to him? What happened? Start growing a fucking heart for a human?" He mocked Vega, taunting him with his past words. "Think of it as we're doing you a favor. Opening a little spot for you to get your well-deserved promotion."

'That fucking human is worth thirty of you street leeches.'​

---

"Wait… You didn't get to tell me about your day, Val. I'm sorry for hogging all the spotlight,

I'm guessing you were working on your new piece? You want to show it off to me? I'd love to see it and hear how you got your inspiration!"

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ɢᴏɪɴɢ ʜᴏᴍᴇ | ᴘᴏᴛꜱᴜ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

"Oh? What I've been working on?" Val smiled. Whenever Twyla took interest in his work, he beamed. There was nothing that could make him prouder of himself than seeing his sister's genuine reactions to the masterpieces he made or was in the process of making. While she was special herself, always being the center of adrenaline and excitement, it was Val that introduced a sense of normal into her life. He didn't venture much in the realm of humans, preferring to settle his obsessions in his artwork rather than the lives of others.

Hopping up from the relaxing cushions below, he wandered himself over to the small gallery designated as his space. Pulling out a picture, he revealed his most recent work. "I call it the Midnight Sonata. Got inspired from a scene I've seen in my dreams recently." With his hands on the painting, the elements inside began to move as though he was holding a window to a different realm. The subject in the center of the picture was growing more clear with each passing second he held the canvas between his arms. "A little sad piece, I won't lie. About a hero lost in the dark searching for his light."

The character had brown hair though his face was staring away from the painting's perspective, hinting at a familiar detective. The setting took place in a pier at night as he stood looking down at the water with tears appearing in his blurred reflection. Despite the strokes of his brush giving a surreal effect to the scene, it was realistic enough in its interpretation to suggest a real life place. Without really understanding his gift, Val had a way with predicting the future through his artwork. While never giving him the full picture or explanation for the scene, oftentimes she would find him painting sites of future battles or events without knowing any better. Though, regardless of his ability, he was talented enough to make a living that could support them both. It was his way of being there for her, even if he couldn't fight.

"I don't know why I've been stuck on this scene for a while now. The more I look at him, the more I feel... Familiar. Like I understand how he feels losing someone important." Val shook his head before looking too deeply into his own artwork. The piece was yet to be complete; A splotch of red appearing near the edge of his painting had hinted at a sinister detail. "Well, what do you think? Think this would sell well?" He tilted his head, curious to her thoughts. "Maybe with the extra money I get from this, I could take you out somewhere! I heard there's a nice cafe that opened up nearby recently! I'd like to try it out sometime with you whenever you have the time!"

Val spoke in his typical demeanor, seeking to cheer up Twyla after a long day. It was usually after her battles where he would find her second guessing herself. Though unnecessary, he took pride in ensuring that her night went better than her day whenever she came into the house with a certain look on her face. Her heart was his battlefield. He intended for their home being her ultimate place of comfort and recovery. It was for this reason why he worked so hard in his art. To be able to afford the luxuries of life where she could feel at ease in all else, that was his purpose.

The artist had given their rented house its own character too. Other than his efforts in ensuring that it was clean and orderly in all rooms that weren't his own, he placed his energy into making it feel alive. The candles that sat around had embraced her whenever she was within its midst. The temperature was perfectly warm when the snow made its entrance into the world outside, yet wonderfully cool when the sun was at its apex. The sheets and cushions were all soft, welcoming Twyla back after a long day outside. Every fixture had its purpose. Every decoration had its meaning. Val had a talent for seeing meaningful symbolism in even the smallest of things, ensuring that every piece of their home had a special place in their family.

Eventually Val returned back to her side, relaxing on the cushions as watched movies throughout the course of the night. It wasn't long before he ended up falling asleep on her shoulder, drooling over the thought of trying other recipes for special drinks in dreams. His breathing was deep and quiet, feeling at peace when he slept by her side. Though as the moon had made its course, the painting had continued to warp the closer whatever event depicted on it got to the present.

The man on the front was finally revealed with full detail: Arc. His clothing had given him away. He was standing in front of a popular night club on the pier staring out towards the moon. A university jacket similar to her own rested on his arm covered in blood. Whatever scene this depicted had shown him to be bleeding, though another interesting detail had made its presence known. On an incomplete corner of the painting sat an alleyway with white strands of hair followed by a hand with a unique pattern decorating its fingernails. It was Twyla's. Whichever event that was going to occur there was going to bind the two of them together somehow.

A vibration to break the silence.

One new notification: A text from Arc.​

From: Mr. Detective ​

---

Hello Alora. Its Arc. You don't have to respond if you're not ready, but I need your help. Its urgent. Please text me back when you can or meet me at the hospital on Belmont Ave. I need to find the pureblood that saved you and I can't do it without you.​

​

---

A digital prayer.

If there was someone like him out there, he needed to meet them.​

Arc gave a quiet prayer as the text was sent out, asking for whatever gods that were still willing to listen for their blessing. If there was a white-haired pureblood that could make even the dark goddess fear them, he needed to find out what made them special and work with them. They were a boon unlike any other and he doubted that he himself was enough to make a dent in all she built after his failure to care of Adelaide. Without a life to concern himself over, even if whoever this angel of death decided to turn against him, at the least, he'd be able to give them a better chance at bringing down the woman that took everything from him.

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Lɪғᴇʟɪɴᴇ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:22
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
I ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ɢᴏ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴀᴠᴇs
'Cᴀᴜsᴇ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴄʀᴀsʜ I ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ғᴇᴇʟ sᴀғᴇ
Yᴇᴀʜ, I'ᴍ ᴀ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ sᴄᴀʀᴇᴅ
I'ᴅ ᴘᴜᴛ ᴍʏ ʟɪғᴇ ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪɴᴇ
I ᴡᴀs ᴋɪɴᴅ ᴏғ ʜᴏᴘɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ᴀ
Lɪғᴇʟɪɴᴇ​

Earlier, when the ambulance arrived, the police followed closely behind to gather information from the crime scene. Despite Arc's connection with the force, they were still required to conduct a thorough investigation, collecting evidence from the grisly scene and following the same protocols as they would with any other case.

With the aftermath rendering her apartment uninhabitable, they would have to relocate while repairs were underway. Addy assumed that even after the renovations, they'd need to find a new place to live now that Arc had been targeted by someone with malicious intent. She still didn’t know all the details - and hadn’t bothered to ask at the hospital earlier - but she had a sinking feeling that staying there would only bring more danger. Not that it mattered much anymore; after everything that had happened, she no longer wanted to live with Arc.

To help with the situation, Addy was provided with funds to stay at a nearby hotel, but she knew she had to act quickly, as it was only for a few weeks. The police, with her consent, had kindly gathered her belongings and placed them in storage, doing their best to ease her burden while she dealt with everything else. Even though a few concerns had been lifted, her emotions continued to churn.

The night had fallen, and snowflakes drifted gently from the sky. Addy walked away from the hospital without a coat, still stained with Arc's blood, too consumed by the moment when everything happened to care about cleaning herself up. Tears stung her wind-chilled cheeks, and her soft sobs mingled with the bitter wind, the only sound on the empty sidewalk. She crossed her arms tightly over her shoulders, trying in vain to ward off the cold. With trembling hands, she reached into her pant pocket, pulling out her phone, her fingers shaking as she fumbled to bring the screen to life and scroll through her contacts.

Ethan.​

The name glowed on the screen, reflecting in her tear-filled eyes as her fingertips hovered over the call button. Ethan - unknown to Arc - was her boyfriend, someone she’d met in her college English class. They had been dating for a few months, though their time together was limited to school since Arc’s overprotectiveness kept her from going out. She had always been careful not to share too much about her brother with Ethan, and even now, despite everything falling apart, she couldn’t bring herself to expose his secret. Was it because, in spite of the hatred she now harbored, Arc was still her only family? Either way, it was something she wasn’t ready to reveal - not yet.
With a hesitant tap on the 'Call' option, Addy pressed the phone to her ear, watching as her breath formed small clouds in the frigid air, only to dissipate as if they had never been there. The phone rang a few times before Ethan's voice broke through.

"Hey, Addy, is everything okay?" he asked right away, concern clear in his voice. It wasn’t like her to call this late, and he could tell something was wrong.

"Yes and no…” she confessed quickly, rushing to explain before he could bombard her with questions. “Someone broke into our apartment, and my brother’s in the hospital. I’m fine, and the blood on me - it’s not mine.” She knew that would be the first thing he’d notice when he saw her and wanted to get it out of the way. “I’m not on good terms with Arc right now, and I’d rather not get into that, but... can you please pick me up at the hospital? I don’t have anywhere else to go…”

Without missing a beat, and respecting her reluctance to explain further, Ethan responded, “I’ll be there right away. Please wait inside - I can tell you're standing out in the cold, okay? I love you.” He ended the call swiftly, not wanting to waste any time. Addy sniffled, holding back the tears that threatened to spill over, feeling a surge of gratitude for Ethan when everything else felt like it was crumbling.

Not wanting to cause him more worry, she made her way back to the hospital entrance, finding a quiet spot by the door as she waited for him to pick her up.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Nᴇᴠᴇʀ Gᴏɴɴᴀ Cᴀᴛᴄʜ Mᴇ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:19
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I ᴀɪɴ'ᴛ ɢᴏɪɴɢ ɪɴ ғᴏʀ ᴍᴜʀᴅᴇʀ
Oʜ, ᴘᴀʏ ᴀᴛᴛᴇɴᴛɪᴏɴ Mʀ. Oғғɪᴄᴇʀ
ɴᴇᴠᴀ ɢᴏɴɴᴀ ᴄᴀᴛᴄʜ ᴍᴇ
Yᴏᴜ'ʀᴇ ɴᴇᴠᴀ ɢᴏɴɴᴀ ᴄᴀᴛᴄʜ ᴍᴇ
Nᴏ ɴᴏ ɴᴏ ɴᴏ ɴᴏ ɴᴏ
N-N-Nᴏ
Yᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ɢᴏɴɴᴀ ᴡᴀsᴛᴇ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴛɪᴍᴇ​

"Oh? What I've been working on?"​

With childlike excitement, Twy eagerly shook her head, her enthusiasm as clear as if she'd just been offered her favorite candy. As he stood up to retrieve the painting, she shifted forward, settling on the edge of the couch, her eyes bright with anticipation as she watched him intently.

"I call it the Midnight Sonata. Got inspired from a scene I've seen in my dreams recently."​

Twy had always been captivated by Val’s paintings, growing aware of his uncanny ability to foreshadow the future. His talent was undeniable, and she was genuinely awed by his gift. But over the years, a pattern emerged - each of his artworks seemed to manifest in reality, almost as if the brushstrokes themselves held glimpses of the future. What once seemed like mere coincidence became unmistakable, and Twy soon realized that his artistry was more than just skill - it was his own extraordinary ability unique to him.

"I don't know why I've been stuck on this scene for a while now. The more I look at him, the more I feel... Familiar. Like I understand how he feels losing someone important. Well, what do you think? Think this would sell well? Maybe with the extra money I get from this, I could take you out somewhere! I heard there's a nice cafe that opened up nearby recently! I'd like to try it out sometime with you whenever you have the time!"​

His words barely registered as they drifted in one ear and stayed there, lost in the background of Twy's thoughts. Her attention was entirely consumed by the shifting painting before her, something about it stirring a sense of déjà vu. She squinted, scrutinizing every detail, every brushstroke, as she mentally dissected the artwork. The pier looked strangely like the one from their town, and the tall figure seemed oddly familiar too, though the painting was still incomplete, leaving the image unclear. After a few more moments of silent observation, it finally dawned on her that he was waiting for her response.

“Oh! I’m so sorry, Val. It’s just so beautiful - I couldn’t help but get lost in it,” Twy quickly said, trying to brush off her distraction. “I can feel the emotion in it, the pain... It made me hold my breath for a moment.” She tried to sound casual, not wanting to raise any suspicions or make Val worry, though an uneasy feeling lingered. Deep down, she couldn’t shake the sense that this scene would soon be more than just paint on a canvas - that it would come to life, just like the others.

“It’ll definitely sell,” she added, shifting the conversation, “but I can’t think about cafés right now…” Remembering the drink from earlier, Twy suddenly felt her stomach churn, and without a second thought, she bolted to the kitchen, barely making it in time to throw up the contents of both the coffee and the drink Val had made. Wiping her mouth, she sighed in frustration. “I knew this was coming sooner or later... I really wish we could just enjoy human food,” she muttered, her voice tinged with defeat as she slumped back onto the couch. “I even forced myself to drink coffee earlier just to seem normal in front of that detective. Ugh. Never again,” she groaned, pressing the remote and scrolling through movie options. After a moment, she glanced over at Val with a smile. “But hey, we can still go to the café! I’d love to spend time with you.”

As the night wore on and the movie played softly in the background, Twy could feel Val subtly scooting closer, until he eventually slumped against her shoulder, dozing off like he always did. She wasn’t bothered by it, knowing how hard he worked all day, tending to his hobbies and making sure the house was perfect for them. Glancing down at her slumbering brother, she smiled tenderly and placed a soft kiss on his forehead. Resting her cheek atop his head, she felt her own eyes growing heavy, the peaceful moment lulling her toward sleep as well.

VRMM VRMM​

…How long had she been asleep? It felt like hours, yet somehow only minutes. Her eyes fluttered open, momentarily disoriented, before noticing the gentle vibration coming from her phone on the coffee table in front of the couch. With a sigh, Twyla realized she’d have to move Val to check the notification. Feeling a bit guilty, she carefully shifted him off her shoulder, trying not to wake him. He stirred slightly but remained fast asleep, even as she ignored the drool that had soaked into her shirt. Gently, she rested him against the couch's pillow, making sure he was comfortable before reaching for her phone.

The text was from someone she least expected, especially so soon, and certainly not at this late hour. Glancing at the clock on her phone, she realized she'd only been asleep for around forty-five minutes, but still felt rested. Curiosity piqued, she carefully opened the message. Her eyes widened when she saw the word ‘hospital' glaring back at her.

...What happened? Is everything okay? she wondered silently, her mind racing. She doubted he was the one in the hospital - more likely he was there for a patient or involved in a new case that had just unfolded. Still, the suddenness of it all sent a chill through her, her thoughts immediately jumping to worst-case scenarios.

Glancing behind her, Twyla saw Val still sleeping peacefully, his face relaxed in a deep slumber. Biting her lower lip in thought, she quietly reached for a nearby sticky note and pen. She scribbled a quick message and placed it on the coffee table where he’d see it when he woke up.

Val, I had to step out. I'll explain everything later. Everything’s okay. I love you.
♡
Luv, Twy

​

After quickly shooting off her text message, Twyla gave one last look at her sleeping brother, a soft pang of worry tugging at her as she stood up, grabbed her things, and slipped out of the house as quietly as she could. The uneasy feeling gnawed at her, and Twyla knew the situation was more urgent than she'd hoped. Trusting her instincts, she decided to hurry. The hospital was only ten minutes away by foot, but if she took to the rooftops, she could cut that time in half. The night was still and quiet, perfect for moving unseen.

Exhaling, despite the chilled air, no vapor escaped her mouth - a familiar reminder of her nature. Gazing up at the nearest roof, she crouched low before propelling herself upward in one swift movement, landing gracefully on the structure.

She wasted no time, swiftly leaping from rooftop to rooftop, thankful that the buildings were close enough to make her escape through the night effortless. As the hospital finally came into view, she made one last jump, landing softly in a shadowed alleyway. Before stepping out into the public, Twyla made sure to shift back into her human appearance. Her chestnut locks replaced the striking white tresses, though tiny flakes of snow still clung to her hair.. Her once-vibrant purple eyes softened into a warm golden hue, completing the transformation. Composing herself, she stepped out as if nothing unusual had happened, blending into the quiet night.

Entering the hospital, her eyes were immediately drawn to a girl in the waiting area, trembling and covered in blood that was not her own just by scent alone. The girl's wide, haunted eyes were fixed on the entrance, as though anxiously waiting for someone. Alora’s heart clenched at the sight, and she instinctively wondered what had happened to leave the girl in such a state. The air around them felt thick with tension, and she knew something serious had just unfolded.

"Excuse me," Alora spoke softly, her voice gentle but enough to startle the girl, who jolted at the unexpected sound. "I'm sorry if it's not my place... but here." Alora slipped her bookbag off her shoulder and rummaged through it, pulling out a pair of sweatpants and a shirt. "I always carry extra clothes, and you look about my size. Please, just take them."

She extended the clothes toward the girl, whose wide eyes flicked from the offered garments to Alora's face, her expression wordlessly asking, Why are you helping me? Despite her hesitation, the girl, Addy, slowly reached out and took the clothes. She bowed her head in quiet thanks, her trembling hands clutching the bundle tightly, still unsure but visibly grateful.

"T-thank you. Do you want me to pay you back for these?" Addy asked hesitantly, her voice shaky but sincere.

Alora quickly shook her head, her expression gentle. "No, it's fine, I promise. Just be well, okay?" she replied with a soft smile, her eyes warm with understanding. Addy’s eyes stung, tears threatening to fall, but she held them back, determined not to shed any more tonight. She had already cried more than enough for a lifetime.

The real reason Alora always carried extra clothes, though, was a lesson hard-learned after her scuffle with the vampire Arc had been involved with. Ever since that incident, she made sure to stay prepared, knowing another encounter with a vampire could happen at any time. The extra clothes were her quiet insurance, ready for any unexpected clash with danger.

Without saying another word to the girl - unaware that she was Arc's cherished sister - Alora quietly made her way to the front desk. The technician stationed there locked eyes with her as she approached. "Hi, I'm here to see Arc," Alora said, her voice steady and hushed for no one else to hear asides from the man before her, though she realized she didn't know his full name, or even if Arc was a nickname or his actual name.

The technician hesitated for a moment, clearly uncertain due to the lack of specific information. But then, as if remembering something, his expression shifted. Dr. Thorne had mentioned that a young woman might come by after hours asking for Arc, and she had full permission to visit him.

With a nod, the technician smiled. "Of course. He's in room 306," he said, gesturing toward the hallway leading to the elevators, his demeanor softening as he pointed Alora in the right direction. She gave a quiet nod of thanks before stepping into the elevator, her heart sinking as the realization hit her: Arc was the patient she had feared. As the elevator ascended, her mind raced. How did he end up in this predicament? She couldn't help but wonder what had happened to land him here, and whether it was tied to the dangerous world they both inhabited. The hospital lights above her flickered softly as the elevator moved upward, her thoughts growing heavier with every floor.

The soft chime of the elevator echoed, signaling her arrival on the third floor. Alora stepped out quickly, her heart racing as she made her way down the hall toward room 306. Reaching the closed door, she hesitated only for a moment before knocking three times, the sound sharp in the quiet hallway. She waited, resisting the urge to simply push the door open. If a nurse or doctor was inside, she didn't want to intrude. As the seconds stretched, her nerves grew tighter, wondering if this would be the night she was caught in her lie.

 

[Tenzai]

ᴇᴠᴇʀʏ ɴᴇᴡ ʙᴇɢɪɴɴɪɴɢ ᴄᴏᴍᴇꜱ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ᴀɴᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ʙᴇɢɪɴɴɪɴɢ'ꜱ ᴇɴᴅ
- ꜱᴇɴᴇᴄᴀ

---

What comes after the end of everything?

What other beginnings are there to be had when there's nothing left?

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʟᴇᴛᴛᴇʀꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ʀᴇᴀᴄʜᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜ | ᴊᴀᴢᴢɪɴᴜꜰ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

After sending his text, the vampire had sat quietly in the isolating silence, his mind buried underneath an avalanche of regret. 'Was telling the truth not the right thing to do?' Arc thought to himself, turning towards the empty, fallen folding chair, staring at where his sister once sat just hours before. Her hero for just a moment; Her brother had now felt as though he existed as a ghost of his former self, jealous of the past him that took her presence for granted in exchange for a veil of safety.

Gone was the chance to return home to her smile. Too far out of reach was the opportunity to experience the happy life they once led again. To live without a purpose was a fate he fought so hard against, yet by being his true self around her, Arc realized just how much he came to embody his greatest fears. He didn't choose to live as he did for himself. He did so over his obsession to fulfill a promise to his dead family. To call it living was to do a disservice to the idea of being alive.

He sacrificed everything for them; Pouring his time and energy into ensuring that this world was just a little bit safer for Addy to roam in. However, in pursuing that promise, he lost his own way. The warm and kind smile she once loved was hidden under a false mask in a vain attempt to protect her from the dangers of the world outside. Little did he know just how much that mask had torn apart his relationship... Until now. There was no trust left to be had. No kindling between them to offer warmth. However, by being left behind, his chest had oddly felt lighter.

She was now free to pursue her own happiness separate from him.​

Arc doubted that he'd ever see his beloved sister again. As much as it pained him, he was beginning to soften towards the idea of distance. The vampires that chased him were only after him, not the human he lived beside. If they saw him as a threat, merely being around her would subject her to risks he never wished upon her in the first place. After having his home be attacked, he understood that she was a valid target. If she was ever taken hostage, he would come to save her regardless of the dangers it would have posed himself. He wasn't going to let her die at the hands of another vampire, even if she'd hate him for doing so. However, now was not the time to remain focused on his family. They weren't here to shift his judgment any longer. His parents were dead and his sister wanted nothing to do with him anymore. The least he could do was be warm to the people who still had a positive rapport of him. His reputation was all he had left.

VRMM VRMM

One new text from Alora​

'I'll be there shortly. I hope everything is okay.' The vampire gave a quiet thank you to the kami for answering his prayers. This was a lead he could work with and a powerful one at that. If his dark goddess had voiced her fears of this unknown, white-haired adversary, it gave substance to the idea that his freedom lied through them. Quickly, his fingers had tapped on his screen, typing out a response that read:

From: Mr. Detective ​

---

For now, I think everything is fine. Thanks for your concern but please do be safe on your way here, Alora. This city is dangerous around this time of night. I can't afford to lose you too.​

Before sending the message out, he quickly deleted the final part. Desperation was a dangerous image that would destroy the facade he worked so hard to build. Right now, Alora had seen him holding a composed demeanor. To shift away from that now as a result of his rather serious injuries due to the attack was to risk cutting short their discussion out of fear that she might experience the same. It didn't help that he appeared badly wounded already. While the blood transfusion did well to heal his wounds, their marks still remained. Cursing himself in the moment, the vampire pulled out his IVs before donning his suit once again. Even if he was weak, he had rested well enough to hold a half decent portrayal of his past self. He hoped that with this enough, that she could find herself at ease.

---

"And who might you be?"

Another obstacle stood in between their paths.​

Before Alora had the chance to knock on his door, Thorne grabbed her wrist. While the vampire was recovering, he was keeping surveillance of the outside hallway in case any vampires were to follow him. The demon refused to let go of his vampiric ally, finding his use to be too valuable to ignore. If this was the one vampire that his wife's captors had sought out this far, he would be perfect bait to draw them into a trap. "I'm afraid, you must be mistaken, miss." He wore his typical doctor mask, adjusting his eyeglasses to get a better look at the panting human. Whoever she was, she appeared to be enrolled in the local university. Her breathing was rapid, her heartbeat was too. 'She must have ran here.' Thorne thought to himself, examining her further.

"My patient isn't receiving any visitors at the moment." Thorne reached into his lab coat, placing his hand on a hidden pistol that held no outline on the surface of his clothes. Seated inside the magazine were rounds that were capable of denying vampires any quick regeneration from wounds his weapon dealt. "And besides, this is the intensive care unit. A ward where only those on death's door would be sent for treatment. Perhaps your friend is in a different ward entirely. Please be kind and courteous to the others here and return back to the lobby. I'm sure the tech was mistaken. You don't look related to my patient in the first place."

His eyes inspected her for any signs of vampirism, noting little off about her. Whoever she was, she wasn't like one of the typical vampires that were sent his way. She lacked the pride that was easy to prod at which most vampires he knew had. She also lacked the same monstrous thirst in her eyes. It was likely that she was human or something else. However, before he had a chance to dissuade her any further, the door opened from behind Thorne's back. Behind him stood Arc dressed in his usual garb, addressing them both with his usual habits.

"Thank you for your concern doctor, but it's not necessary. I invited her myself." Arc gave Thorne a plausible out of the conversation. To corner anyone was to expose a potential risk for danger. Relenting, the doctor gave Arc a polite nod in response. "Fine. But do be mindful of the other patients and doctors." He gave Arc a knowing look, scanning his eyes for any sign of nervousness only to find none. Arc was set on her. "I wouldn't want you both to be thrown out over a noise complaint." He left them both alone in the hallway.

"Apologies, Alora. After what occurred earlier today, my doctor is naturally a bit more cautious. Lets just say that I got into an altercation with a few unfriendly faces. But, you shouldn't have to worry about that here. Please, come in. We have lots to talk about." The vampire invited her in, closing the door before sitting on a chair opposite of her. His movements were a little slower than normal, though his bandages were well hidden underneath layers of cotton and cloth. "I'm sorry for calling you up so late this evening, but you've brought up something I could not ignore during our interview."

His path to salvation. His goddess' anathema.

"Your white-haired savior."

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴜ & ᴍᴇ @ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴛɪᴍᴇ | ꜱᴛʀᴇᴀᴍ_ᴇʀʀᴏʀ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

The vampire wouldn't leave without answers. Though, instead of implementing his harshest methods first like other detectives within his division, he hoped he could extract information out of Alora consensually. Even now, Arc wanted to be better than the monsters, drawing a line between himself and sadists both human and sanguine. Especially with his witness being around Addy's age, he couldn't help himself but care more about her.

"Before you hold any concerns over their safety being a vampire, I have... Something I should reveal to you." Arc gave a moment to think about his following words. While the truth was hard to voice, he doubted she would feel at ease otherwise, especially after knowing of her opinion that not all vampires were bad. While the promises of safety as a human towards a vampire might have been seen with a degree of skepticism, the promises of a vampire known for working against other vampires was another thing entirely.

"I myself am not a human." Arc took a deep breath, doubling down on his convictions. If lying had caused his life with Adelaide to end, then he wished to forge a new life in truth despite the consequences. Death was not a fear any longer. There were no living people left around him for him to care about his own wellbeing. Without a thirst for his own survival, he was going to do all he could to spite the vampires that took his family away. If Arc had died long ago, he was going to enact his revenge but he needed allies to do it.

"I'm... More than that, unfortunately." His eyes began to glow with the same allure as the crimson moon. "Alora... I am a vampire. The same as your savior." The detective did his best to avoid showing any signs of ill-intentions. Though to prove that his words were not a lie, he pulled his lips lower to reveal the fangs underneath. "And I was hunted by other vampires from a local gang, not for who I was but what I've done." He lifted his sleeve, revealing the extent of the bloodied bandages.

"I understand if you're scared of me. You have every right to... To be honest, I'm scared of me too."

"But I want to save everyone I can with whatever I have left."​

Arc cursed himself for going against his previous plans of lying to her, though her azure orbs seemed to be searching for his truth. She saw him as a hero and he had little doubts that finding out what he became would change the weight of his actions for the good of the city otherwise. Though, through his confession, his convictions had helped him maintain his composed demeanor. He wasn't shaky with his words nor was he scared of revealing his truth. In fact, the idea that there were ordinary people that could consider some vampires as heroes had brought his heart to ease as he confessed. Maybe one day, Adelaide would become fond of him again. Even if that one day came after making his own sacrifice.

"So please, Alora. If you managed to get any information that could help me find that vampire who saved you, I would really appreciate it." The vampire detective gave her some space to think, keeping his hands open and on the table to make it clear that he held no ill will towards her. While the potential to manipulate her into speaking the truth was always an option, he refused to use his own powers against someone he deemed as truly innocent, especially someone that reminded him of his sister.

From the fond way she spoke with her friend to how she acted with kindness towards him at the cafe, he couldn't find it within his heart to compel her to agree. Even if he agreed to forcefully draw the intel from her in preparation of her visit, actually doing so was a separate thing entirely. Her gaze was much too soft to defile with his sanguine taint. Like Adelaide, Alora deserved to live a life free from the fear of those that stalk the night. It was people like her that gave him another reason to fight the vampires beyond revenge.

"I can't find her without you."​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Lɪᴏɴs!
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:18
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
Lɪᴏɴs ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ʙʀᴀᴠᴇ
Gɪᴀɴᴛs ɢɪᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ғᴀɪᴛʜ
Dᴇᴀᴛʜ ɪs ᴀ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴅᴇ
Yᴏᴜ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ғᴇᴇʟ sᴀғᴇ
ᴛᴏ ғᴇᴇʟ ᴜɴᴀғʀᴀɪᴅ​

Alora stood there, awkwardly shifting her weight from one foot to the other, a nervous habit she’d noticed she did whenever she was stuck standing for too long. A figure approached, his white coat marking him as a doctor, unmistakable in its formality and status within the hospital grounds. The sight of it alone demanded attention, but what truly jolted Alora was the way he grabbed her wrist, seizing it as if she were a criminal caught in the act. His grip was firm, almost defensive, as though he was expecting resistance, and the suddenness of it left her momentarily stunned. Her breath hitched as she instinctively tensed, the encounter feeling far more aggressive than it needed to be.

"I'm afraid, you must be mistaken, miss. My patient isn't receiving any visitors at the moment.”​

Alora's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Arc had personally asked her to come, so why was the doctor so insistent on turning her away? The technician downstairs had said the doctor had granted her permission, or at least that’s what she remembered. Was that a lie? She didn’t want to make a scene, but standing there with her wrist gripped, she felt out of place and unfairly treated, as if she’d been branded a liar from the moment she knocked on Arcs door.

A quiet frustration bubbled within her, though she tried to keep her composure, unsure of how to navigate the situation. Her golden eyes flicked over the embroidered name on his lab coat: "Doctor Thorne." She made a mental note to remember it, especially now that he was giving her such a hard time for seemingly no reason. If she had to deal with this doctor again, she would remember how dismissive he had been, and she silently vowed not to let him stand in her way in the future.

“Please be kind and courteous to the others here and return back to the lobby. I'm sure the tech was mistaken. You don't look related to my patient in the first place.”​

"Doctor Thorne, I assure you, I didn’t just show up because I was nearby. Arc personally texted me and asked me to come see him," Alora said, her voice laced with an urgency to tell him the truth as she fumbled through her pocket to retrieve her phone. Just as she pulled it out, she heard a deep, hoarse voice from behind the door - unmistakable. It was Arc.

"Thank you for your concern doctor, but it's not necessary. I invited her myself."​

“See?” Frustration boiled over, and Alora blurted out, "Now, if you will excuse me," her voice sharp with impatience. She was silently grateful that Arc had intervened, even though the door had separated them. In one swift motion, she yanked her wrist free from Doctor Thorne's grasp, clearly displeased with his earlier attempt to physically steer her away.

Without another word, she opened the door, slipping inside and closing it firmly behind her, leaving the doctor standing alone in the hallway. Now, it was just the two of them - Alora and Arc - finally alone, away from the obstacles and unwelcome interference. Her eyes quickly scanned Arc's figure, trying to assess how badly he was injured. Confusion flickered across her face - why isn't he in the typical hospital gown? Instead, he was dressed in a suit, which seemed wildly out of place for someone in the Intensive Care Unit. He should have been resting in bed, not walking around like nothing was wrong. Her mind raced with questions. Was he hiding the severity of his condition? Was something more going on that she wasn't aware of? His appearance only deepened her concern, and her instincts told her something wasn't right.

Not wanting to overwhelm him with a flood of questions right away, Alora followed his lead and quietly sat in the chair across from him. As soon as she settled in, a familiar scent hit her, quickly filling her senses. Someone else had been here recently. The smell was unmistakable - it was the girl she had crossed paths with earlier on her way inside of the hospital. Her thoughts raced as the scent, mixed with the faint odor of blood, pulled her back to that moment. The crimson that had soaked into the fabric of the girl’s clothes wasn’t hers - Alora knew this with an odd certainty.

Her eyes darted around the room, and the blood lingering in her memory felt eerily connected to this place. It gnawed at her, a growing suspicion in the back of her mind. Whoever that girl was, she had to be connected to Arc. The scent was too similar, too close. Alora couldn't shake the feeling that the girl shared some deeper bond with him - something she hadn’t quite uncovered yet.

"Apologies, Alora. After what occurred earlier today, my doctor is naturally a bit more cautious."​

"No, please don't apologize. You have no reason to," Alora said softly, offering a reassuring smile. "I'm just happy to see you're well enough to walk around and... not have to wear a gown." Her words held a hint of suspicion, subtly questioning the situation, but she didn't want to dwell on it. The fact that he was in the hospital meant he had been hurt, and her main concern was his well-being. Despite the strange circumstances, she cared too much to confront him bluntly or be gruff without reason. It wasn't her nature. For now, she just wanted to make sure he was alright and give him the space to share anything he felt ready to reveal.

"Before you hold any concerns over their safety being a vampire, I have... Something I should reveal to you."​

His tone, his posture - everything about Arc revealed an unmistakable burden pressing down on him, and Alora could almost feel the weight of it herself, suffocating him. She shifted slightly in her seat, her entire focus now on him. Every gesture, every word he was about to say mattered, and she could sense his inner conflict. The tension in the air was thick, and as she watched him carefully choose his words, it became clear he was struggling with something deeply troubling. Alora's heart softened further as she grasped the depth of Arc's struggle. She could sense that whatever burdened him wasn't something he could easily put into words. Her gentle smile remained, an unspoken gesture of support. Leaning in just enough to show she was fully present, she silently encouraged him to speak without fear or hesitation.

"I myself am not a human. I'm... More than that, unfortunately."​

Alora's heart either raced uncontrollably or stopped altogether - she couldn't tell. His words echoed in her mind: he wasn't human. Her once warm and reassuring smile faded, replaced by a look of genuine fear. To him, it might seem like she was terrified of discovering she had been speaking to something other than a human all along. But the truth was far more unsettling.

She wasn't afraid of him. She was afraid of herself - of her inability to sense the truth from the start.​

Alora took great pride in her ability to read people, to see beyond the surface and recognize different species or hidden motives. But this… this had completely blindsided her. The thought gnawed at her, making her wonder just how many others she had crossed paths with who lived behind a brilliant mask, deceiving her without her ever noticing. If Alora thought she had been blindsided before, she was about to be completely shaken to her core. Arc's lips pressed together for a moment before parting, the weight of what he was about to say hanging heavily between them. She could feel the tension radiating off him, a silent acknowledgment that whatever truth he was about to reveal would change everything.

"Alora... I am a vampire. The same as your savior."​

As Arc filled the silence, his words revealed more than Alora had expected. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of his protruding fangs, a clear sign of what he truly was. Her gaze then shifted to the soaked bandages wrapping his body, wounds that hadn't yet healed, a testament to the severity of his injuries. Damn. The realization hit her hard - the vampires who had been after him must have inflicted such damage that even his supernatural healing couldn't keep up, landing him in the hospital, a rarity for someone like him.

She wasn't scared - far from it. Instead, something inside her ignited, fueling a fire she hadn't realized was there. Her expression shifted without her even noticing, her jawline tightening as her teeth clenched together. A deep exhale escaped her lips, the only response she could muster in that moment.

Fuck, what should I do?​

Arc had just been raw and honest with her, revealing his truth with vulnerability, while she held back her own. She had the answers to the questions he had long sought, but fear had kept her from sharing them. There was so much at stake for her - too much, if she were ever to tell him her secret. Yet, the way his eyes glistened with emotion, the genuine expression of trust and desperation in his gaze, caused her heart to ache unexpectedly. It stirred something deep within her that made her want to reach out, to tear down the walls she'd built around her own truth.

But could she? Could she really risk it all?​

The weight of his confession sank deeper into Alora's mind as she processed the full extent of it - Arc, a detective hunting vampires, was hunting his own kind. They were the same, bound by a shared nature that neither had fully admitted until now. Her thoughts spun, imagining how his mind must have raced when she had mentioned earlier about a vampire who swore to protect others - humans at that. He must have felt something profound in that moment; seen, heard, no longer alone in his fight.

"So please, Alora. If you managed to get any information that could help me find that vampire who saved you, I would really appreciate it. I can't find her without you.”
​

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Tᴏ Pʟᴀʏ Hɪᴅᴇ Aɴᴅ Sᴇᴇᴋ Wɪᴛʜ Jᴇᴀʟᴏᴜsʏ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:36
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Cᴜᴛ, sʟɪᴄᴇ, ᴅɪɢ ᴀs ᴅᴇᴇᴘ ᴀs ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ
Lᴏᴏᴋ ɪɴᴛᴏ ʜᴇʀ ʜᴀɴᴅs ᴀɴᴅ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ʜɪs ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ ɪs ᴏɴ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʜᴀɴᴅs
Mʏ ʟᴇᴀᴅ ɪs ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴘᴇʀ
Aɴᴅ ᴍʏ ᴀɴɢᴇʀ ɪs ᴍʏ sᴄʏᴛʜᴇ
Tᴏɢᴇᴛʜᴇʀ ᴡᴇ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴛʜɪs ʟɪғᴇ​

​

Alora's mind raced with fear for Val and her adoptive parents. If she revealed their secret, it could mean a death sentence for them all. The thought of exposing their true identity to Arc, a detective who was still practically a stranger, sent chills down her spine. What would Val think? Would he even approve of Alora risking everything by admitting the truth? A voice deep within her consciousness whispered that it was okay, though it offered no explanation - just an insistence to trust her gut. There was something about this desperate man before her, something genuine in the way he had laid bare his soul. But still, the stakes were high. Could she really bring herself to reveal her secret to him, knowing it could change everything? The pull between protecting her family and trusting this moment tore at her heart. But the voice inside her, quiet yet persistent, urged her forward.

"You're looking right at her." She didn't hesitate, the words spilling from her lips as if they had a will of their own, startling her with their suddenness. Her chair scraped against the floor as she pushed it back, standing tall before him while he remained seated. She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply and letting the breath slowly escape, giving her mind a moment to process what was happening.

Then, like a gentle wave, the change began. Her chestnut hair, starting at the roots, transformed into a snowy white cascade, flowing down to the tips with a graceful shimmer. Her eyes snapped open, no longer their usual hue but an intense violet, her irises now resembling delicate lilac petals. She stood before Arc, no longer hiding, her true form unveiled. The room seemed to hum with the weight of her revelation, and the air around them felt charged. For the first time, Alora allowed herself to be seen for who she really was, trusting the moment, trusting Arc. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she felt an odd sense of peace wash over her, as if some unspoken truth had finally come to light.

Shrugging off her coat with a quick shimmy, she revealed her tank top underneath that exposed the bruises and rough patches across her skin that wasn't covered in fabric - marks eerily similar to Arc's, though hers were less severe. She caught his gaze, knowing that this moment would reveal more than just her physical form.

"I've gotten into my own scuffles," she began, her voice steady but weighted. "The most recent one… it was because of the university incident. He was going to attack a student, and I couldn't let him do that." Her words came out calmly, yet with an undeniable gravity as she unfolded the events of that night. While she didn't delve into every detail, she revealed the most important truth - Arc's suspicion had been correct all along. She was the target he had been hunting, the one he had been searching for, though perhaps neither of them knew it until now. "My real name is Twyla, but in the human world I am Alora. Please call me Alora in public..."

The air in the room felt heavier now, an almost palpable awkwardness settling between them. Twyla's mind raced with doubt. Was this a trap? Had I fallen into it so easily? The potential consequences of her admission clawed at her, flooding her with panic at the worst possible moment - after she had already revealed everything. Her heart pounded as the weight of what she'd done finally hit her. For a fleeting second, she felt the urge to retreat, to lose herself in panic, just as she had back in the coffee shop. But she forced herself to stop, clenching her hands into tight fists, her resolve hardening. There was no going back now, no undoing what had been said. Whatever awaited her in the uncertain future, she would face it head-on.

She lifted her chin, meeting Arc's eyes with a steady gaze. "So, Arc, what's the plan now?" she asked, her voice firm, even though anxiety still thrummed beneath her calm facade.

 

[Tenzai]

"You're looking right at her."

The Answer to His Prayers.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴛʀᴀɴQᴜɪʟɪᴛʏ ʙᴀꜱᴇ | ᴄᴜʀᴛɪꜱ ꜱᴄʜᴡᴇɪᴛᴢᴇʀ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺​

Gone was the earthly mask of which she donned for her own protection. In its place came the epitome of sanguine perfection; a sanguine zenith that many vampires had sought to achieve. Her strands were unlike any color he had seen of another. Her hair had shifted to the hues of the heavens above, revealing the shade of color that drew fear from his dark goddess. Her eyes had stared back into his own with its unique shade of violet. Combined with the light of the moon reflecting off of nearby snow, Twyla had an ethereal visage. She seemed so unreal and yet, she stood in front of him, defying his expectations of the monster his goddess warned the apostles so fervently about.

However, the shedding of her coat had revealed that there was more to her than he once imagined. Alora was not perfect. She was not some god nor some sort of immutable being far beyond comprehension. Bruises from past fights were scattered across her arms, all symbols of the sacrifices she made to protect humans from the vampires that sought to prey on them. They were more alike than he imagined. "I've gotten into my own scuffles, the most recent one… it was because of the university incident. He was going to attack a student, and I couldn't let him do that." As she spoke, his mind immediately noticed the sudden shift in her voice. She was nervous. Revealing herself must have been a leap of faith. Even if his suspicions were revealed to be true, the sheer gravity of finding out just how involved she was had caught him by surprise.

"So that fight at the building close to the university... The one I was investigating. That was you? You've done quite a good job protecting the student, Alora. Thank you for that. By the time an officer would arrive, I doubt they would have been breathing, let alone in one piece." Arc composed himself well enough to mask the disarray in his mind, though his eyes flickered between a sense of awe and fear. Was he afraid of the vampire bane that stood in front of him? Was he grateful that he finally had a chance to speak with her? As he attempted to navigate his thoughts, he could feel his fingers tremble. A vampire that strong was enough to put him down. He had seen the extent of what she was capable of. The damage to the structures she fought within was severe, much more than he was ever capable of. If she truly wished, she could even be his end. Though, as if she knew what to say, she spoke again. "My real name is Twyla, but in the human world I am Alora. Please call me Alora in public..."

"Twyla... You have quite the beautiful name."

"It suits you."​

'Vampires who look at prey never ask for their names. Nor would they ever willingly give their own to a victim.' Arc thought to himself. Instead of thinking that she saw him as beneath her, it felt as though she saw him as an equal. If those bruises truly came from the vampires she fought against, then their goals were aligned. As he continued to navigate his thoughts, he noticed her fists tensing. She was stressed. "Twyla, please be at ease. I assure you, I'm not here to arrest you or anything like that. I'm not going to hurt you." He found ease in seeing just how alike they were. Despite the massive difference in their apparent power, he wasn't alone anymore. He had someone else to believe in that would come to defend Adelaide should he ever fall in his fight.

"You and I share the same purpose. From the looks of it too, it seems like we're both willing to go to the same lengths to protect others." Following in her footsteps, he unbuttoned and shed his suit jacket, revealing the extent of the wounds that covered his body. His inner shirt was ripped in several regions, the bloodstains hinting at the many wounds his body sustained. Any gash too severe was stitched by Thorne, all else bound in bloody bandages to aid in the healing process. "I do understand your concern for your identity though. The police force doesn't know about this side of me either and I've seen firsthand what they do to vampires. They wouldn't grant me leniency if they found out. Try and think of this as our shared secret, yeah?" Arc pointed towards the door. "The only other people who know about me are Dr. Thorne... And my sister... Unfortunately." Arc's tone dropped the moment he thought of his sister outside.

"That's who I've been doing all this for." Arc reached into his ruined dress shirt, drawing a necklace given to him as a birthday gift by her when they were both children. "She's my reason why I fight so hard... Why I choose to put myself at risk. I do it all for her safety." He looked at it fondly, remembering the happy memories of an era long passed. His eyes would soften at the sight of it whenever it was in view. "Ever since I became this thing, I couldn't tell whether my obsessions over her health and happiness were a result of my vampirism... Or if they existed within me all along. Ha... To think, I'd obsess over what makes me feel human." He shook his head, returning back to the reality at hand. "Sorry. Just... She just left me recently but that's neither here nor there. You didn't come here to hear my sob story."

"Thank you for coming so quickly though. I don't think I'm strong enough alone to keep her safe."

"At least... Not anymore."​

Arc gripped his wrist, looking down at the hands that failed in their promise to keep her safe. His house was no longer a bastion. It was a risk too grand for him to subject Adelaide to any longer. It was neither the source of fond memories or happiness anymore, just a pit of lonely despair to remind him of what he lost. "So, Arc, what's the plan now?" She spoke up, bringing the conversation back to the task at hand. With their true identities revealed, now was the time to plan ahead. Once the vampires would have learned of their failure, he had little doubt that they would come after him again. That being said, if they had the audacity to target the lead detective himself, it was likely that they would also have the courage to pull bigger schemes against larger groups of people; Namely, the university.

"The plan right now is for us to rest and recuperate." He looked at her bruises before staring at his own. "I doubt we'd be anywhere near as effective as we are currently. But, that doesn't mean we have to be idle while we recover either." Arc reached over to one of her hands, tracing his fingers across her palms with both fingers. As he did so, a gentle crimson hue appeared right where he touched, linking his thoughts and feelings to her while connected. Unlike the powers of most other vampires, his own didn't seem to break others down nor take advantage of another's weakness. Instead, whatever he was doing was soothing the pain of her bruises, replacing aches and strains with warmth. Arc thrived on understanding and compassion. Through others, he had found his strength. For others, he was key in bringing out their own.

"When searching through the bodies of the vampires who attacked my home, I found connections to some club on the port by the beach. The vampires over there are pulling some sort of scheme at the university." A vision of a phone's text log appeared in her head, revealing what Arc found while digging for answers after the fighting ended. While the perspective was focused on the phone, Twyla was able to tell how badly damaged his body was from his sense of sight as well as the sounds of the girl from earlier whimpering in fear from his memories of the sound.

"I'll go and ask around for info about the place in the meantime... Maybe stake it out from the outside to see the types of faces that frequent the club or... I could also investigate the club myself as a guest." He scratched his chin, still holding her hand with one of his to keep himself connected. "But depending on whether it's suspicious for someone like me to go on my own... I might need an accomplice. Perhaps..." He turned towards her. "...If you wouldn't mind. I could take you there myself. It shouldn't be hard to act as my friend or a date. The least we could do if we're working together is to scout out the place together. See where the exits are and who to worry about before the fighting starts."

"That being said though, before we do anything else, I have to ask."

"How much do you know about the Goddess?"​

If Twyla fought against other vampires before, it was likely she knew something about his biggest adversary. Given how vehemently his goddess spoke against her, it was likely that they have fought in the past in some form. "I don't know how aware you are of your own reputation but there are many vampires that are scared of you, Twyla." He examined her snow white strands of hair. "Tell me, have you ever heard the words "Angel of Death" before?" He tilted his head, curious of her response. "It's a nickname they call the vampire with hair like yours. Though, to think that person would be someone motivated by protecting humanity; You really are something special... I wish I found you sooner."

Pulling down his collar to reveal his skin, he revealed another secret about him. On his neck was a branded symbol of the apostles; The number one inscribed in the center of his circle told which sin was meant to represent: The sin of pride. "I was forced into servitude back when I was converted into a vampire unwillingly." The vampire clicked his tongue, cursing his circumstances. "The goddess who brought this fate upon me by making me drink her blood has an influence that spans as far as wherever the moon's light could reach. Or at least, that's what she claims. Unfortunately..." Arc looked outside the window towards passing cars driving on the streets nearby. "From what I've seen around here and in my last city, she might be right. I tried running away from her, hiding states away to avoid the vampires back home. Yet... Even here, on the other side of the country... I'm sure you know already. There are vampires."

He lifted his collar, concealing the mark once again. "I fear she's getting stronger by the day, Twyla. For every bloodthirsty vampire or violent coven I put down, it feels like three more come out to haunt the night." Arc sighed, understanding how meaningless his fight was in the grand scheme of things. He was Sisyphus, trapped within a fate with no end in sight. "The only conceivable way I could see a future where we won't have to fight anymore is if she is put down. But with you... I feel like it's possible." His eyes continued to glow with the same warmth of his hands as he stared into her eyes. Instead of contorting her emotions or manipulating her mind, it was an unconscious display of his own feelings. Hope irradiated from his eyes.

"I won't force you to fight alongside me. That was never my intention in the first place." Arc reached for her hand once again, both of their own being bruised from their nights spent fighting against the dark. "I only wished to speak with you to see whether someone like me could fight on without losing his humanity." He gave her a gentle smile, feeling the strength in his heart be renewed by her convictions. Finally seeing the Alora at the cafe and the Twyla in front of him as the same woman, he found himself seeing a path through the darkness. As perilous as the journey was, he wasn't alone anymore. Someone understood him.

"And looking at you... Finally speaking with you... I think I found my answer. I could."

"Thank you for trusting me enough to share your truth, Twyla. That's all I needed."​

Arc reached out to shake her hand, grateful for all she's done for him so far. "While I'd appreciate it if you would come with me, I'm sure you have loved ones of your own that you care just as deeply for as I do my sister. Val and Mia to name a few." His memory had served him well, recalling the details of their conversation earlier that day despite all that happened to him afterwards. "Given how you spoke about your younger brother and how Mia looks at you and treats you, I could imagine that they wouldn't want you to get involved with someone like me. I'm not the safest guy to be around after all." He sighed, thinking of the risks he would put her through if they worked together. "Do yourself a favor and treasure the time you have with them, alright? Sometimes you just don't know when they'll leave."

"However, if you still wish to fight alongside me despite that, I promise I'll give you my best." Reinvigorated, Arc's demeanor returned to the way he was in the cafe. By speaking like this and planning accordingly, he was making steps towards his purpose: Dismantling the empire of the goddess that took everything away from him. "There's nothing more that I want to see other than the downfall of the woman that stole everything from me. Once the world is free of her, I can finally move on."

"So... Are you still willing to work with me?"​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Tᴏ Dɪᴇ Aʟᴏɴᴇ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:13
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

As the stranger walked away, Addy tightened her grip on the clothes in her hands and headed toward the bathroom to change. It wasn’t until she undressed that she noticed just how much blood covered her. Gently, she washed the stains from her skin in the small sink, using thin paper towels to clean herself as best she could. She avoided looking at her reflection, unwilling to confront her own image in that moment. A fleeting thought crossed her mind - how could the hospital leave her in this state? But with Arc being their priority and no one around to witness her disarray, it hardly seemed to matter.

Once she felt satisfied with how clean she’d managed to get, Addy slipped into the clothes given to her by the nameless girl. An unfamiliar scent greeted her immediately - likely from a different detergent and the distinct smell of the girl's home - but it was refreshing. Addy inhaled deeply, finding comfort in the new fragrance. Spotting the trash bin nearby, she decided to throw away her old clothes, not wanting any reminder of the terrible night she’d endured, or of Arc.
Hoping she hadn’t lost too much time, Addy quickly left the restroom and stood by the door, scanning the street for Ethan’s car. He wasn’t there yet, but she knew he’d arrive soon. Glancing over her shoulder, she noticed the girl had already disappeared, sparking her curiosity about who she might have been visiting. The girl had seemed in a rush, and Addy couldn’t help but hope that whoever she was there for was alright.

The bright headlights of Ethan’s black Toyota Camry cut through the night as it pulled up to the sidewalk. Without hesitation, Addy pushed through the revolving doors and jogged to the passenger side, slipping into the seat and closing the door with a soft thud. As soon as she was inside, she turned toward him and hugged him tightly, unable to hold back the tears that instantly began streaming down her cheeks. She clung to him as if her life depended on it, and Ethan responded by wrapping his arms around her just as firmly, pressing her face against his chest. His thick sweatshirt felt soft and comforting, the cushion-like fabric inviting her to stay there. Her tears soaked into the grey material, but he didn’t seem to care.

"It's okay, Addy... I'm here. You don’t have to talk about it right now. Let’s get you to my place," Ethan whispered softly in her ear, his embrace steady and reassuring. He held her close, determined to provide comfort during her obvious struggle. Addy sniffled as she slowly pulled away, her hands hurriedly trying to catch the tears that had spilled unexpectedly.

“I’m sorry... I didn’t mean to cry more tonight. Thank you for understanding, really,” she said, attempting to force a smile, though it was hard to pretend she was fine. Ethan gently reached up, catching a tear with his thumb before softly brushing the dampness from beneath her eyes.

"Don't be sorry, love," he said warmly, "it's alright, I promise."

"I know... but I’m sorry if I smell like blood. I’ll shower when we get to your place to wash it off. I tried to clean up in the bathroom, and some kind girl gave me these clothes. She must have known just by looking at me that I needed them,” Addy explained, glancing down at her borrowed outfit. She’d mentioned earlier that she might still be covered in blood when they talked, and it weighed on her now.

"Well, I’m glad she helped you a little. That was really kind of her. You can wear my clothes until we get to the storage unit and grab your stuff tomorrow," Ethan reassured her as he shifted the car into drive, his free hand resting gently on her knee, giving her the comfort he couldn’t offer through a hug while driving. The warmth of his gesture made her heart swell, and she placed her hand over his, holding it tightly to show her appreciation.

"I didn’t expect this would be the first time we hung out outside of class," Addy said, breaking the silence with a small giggle at the unexpected turn of events.

Ethan chuckled too, trying to lighten the mood. "Yeah, not exactly what I had in mind either. We’ll need to plan a formal date after this, don’t you think?"

"Yes, we do, don’t we?" Addy agreed, smiling at the thought. Ethan gave her knee another gentle squeeze, his thumb tracing light circles on her skin as he continued driving, the simple touch grounding her as they headed to his apartment, where she’d be staying for the time being.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Wʜᴏ I ᴀᴍ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:31
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
Hᴇᴀᴅ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʟᴏᴜᴅs
I ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ғɪᴛ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʀᴏᴡᴅ
Bᴀʙʏ, ɪᴛ's ᴀʟʟ ᴍᴀᴋɪɴɢ ᴘᴇʀғᴇᴄᴛ sᴇɴsᴇ
'Cᴀᴜsᴇ ᴛʜɪs ɪs ᴡʜᴏ I ᴀᴍ, ᴡʜᴏ I ᴀᴍ​

"Twyla... You have quite the beautiful name. It suits you."​

Without meaning to, she felt her cheeks warm, a soft blush spreading across her face. Very few people knew her true identity - she could count them on one hand. Hearing someone say her name was beautiful stirred something unfamiliar in her chest, an odd mix of emotions. Part of her felt she should have been repulsed by the compliment, yet instead, a quiet warmth blossomed inside her. "Thank you..." was all she could manage, her voice barely above a whisper. She quickly turned her head to the side, avoiding his gaze, too flustered to meet his eyes. But after a moment, she gathered herself, slowly regaining the confidence to lock eyes with him again.

She remained silent as he began to open up, the formalities shedding away and secrets unfurling like a flower in bloom. Twyla’s purple eyes scanned his face, trying to read him before his words could give voice to his thoughts. He looks nervous, worried, yet relieved, she observed, noticing the way the vein in his neck throbbed as his muscles tensed under the weight of his emotions.

It was as if he could sense her own discomfort, reassuring her that no harm would come to her after revealing her true identity. With a deep sigh of relief, her shoulders finally relaxed, and she felt visibly more at ease, knowing she wouldn’t be taken away. Why would he, anyway? Twyla knew she could handle him in a fight if it came to that, though the thought of escalation wasn’t something she wanted. But if it meant protecting her family and the friends she held close to her heart, she wouldn’t hesitate to act against anything that threatened her peace or the safety of her world.

Arc was stating facts - truths that didn't really need to be spoken, yet somehow, saying them aloud made everything feel more tangible. The long, grueling battle they faced in their own isolated world seemed endless, a dark tunnel with no visible cracks. But voicing it gave the faintest hope that maybe, just maybe, there was light ahead. Even though Val always stood by her side, supporting her decisions, he never directly participated in ending the vampire conflict - and she never blamed him for that. He had his own vital role behind the scenes, and that alone meant everything to her.

It was ironic - now that he was unbuttoning his shirt to reveal his wounds, Twyla felt an unexpected wave of unease wash over her. She didn't want to look, as if it were an invasion of his privacy, or worse, a moment more intimate than it was intended to be. She blinked a few times, turning her head away briefly to steady herself before refocusing on him. The sight that greeted her caused an audible gasp to escape her lips, so loud that she had to clamp her hands over her mouth to stifle it. The wounds were horrific, and she was shocked he had even survived to recount the tale of whatever nightmarish encounter had left him like this.

The severity of his injuries only deepened her resolve to end this conflict. Whatever he had faced, it was far more dangerous than she had imagined. His point about maintaining his anonymity, especially within the police force, struck her as valid - there was no way they would have allowed him to remain if they knew the truth. He must have found a way to pass those blood tests, she thought, her curiosity piqued by how he had managed to secure such a high-ranking position in a division sworn to eliminate vampires, whether good or bad. His situation, she realized, was far more perilous than she had initially grasped, and the gravity of it drew her in, deepening her trust in him. He had so much at stake too.

Now that he mentioned it, Dr. Throne must have been one of the few who knew the full truth, given his deep involvement in understanding Arc's body, how to treat it, and much more. It made Twyla wonder how Arc ever got that kind of luck - crossing paths with a doctor willing to treat a vampire. How did he manage to gain the trust of someone in such a delicate position, and what was Dr. Throne's motivation? That question, however, would have to wait. There were more pressing matters on the table right now. The time for answers would come, especially since it was becoming clear they'd be spending more time together, working closely on this project. She knew that with their paths now entwined, the truth behind his connections would reveal itself eventually.

Still, she remained quiet, offering subtle nods and soft "mhm's" to assure him she was listening. Her eyes, however, were drawn to the necklace he absentmindedly lifted from his neck, the delicate chain swaying between his fingers. It was clear how much it meant to him, a treasure beyond its appearance. She recalled a moment during their investigation when he'd taken time to speak on the phone - now, connecting the dots, she realized it must have been his sister. Even without words, it was obvious she meant the world to him.

But when he mentioned they weren't on good terms, Twyla's expression visibly fell. She tried to imagine what it must feel like, to be estranged from someone so important, and her mind wandered to Val. The thought of not being on good terms with him was unbearable; she couldn't fathom a world where he wasn't a constant presence in her life. Twyla wanted to apologize, to tell Arc she was there if he ever needed to vent, but he'd already admitted it wasn't the time for a sob story. Even so, her heart ached for him, and she silently vowed to offer her support when the moment was right.

But she would bring it up eventually, when the time felt right, to help him release some of those burdens he carried. Sometimes, all someone needed was to know that at least one person was on their side, and Twyla wanted to be that person for him - his teammate in this chaotic battle they were facing. Besides, they both needed to be in a clear mental state if they had any hope of pulling this off. The stakes were too high for anything less, and she was determined to be the steady force by his side, ensuring they faced whatever came their way together.

"The plan right now is for us to rest and recuperate."​

"I agree. We need to rest. We've both been through a lot, and we need to be kind to ourselves. At least, that’s what Val would’ve said right now," She said softly, a smile tugging at her lips. Val’s comforting voice echoed in her mind, those familiar words wrapping around her like a warm blanket. For a brief moment, she was lost in that sweet thought, until she jolted back to reality when she felt Arc’s hand suddenly grip hers.

"What are you doing?" she asked, trying to keep her tone light and genuine, without a hint of accusation, though curiosity flickered behind her words. Arc didn’t respond verbally. Instead, he let his actions speak. His calloused fingertips traced softly against her palm, and in an instant, a brilliant cerise glow bloomed across her skin where their hands touched. Twyla’s eyes widened in fascination, but before she could react, a flood of memories - memories that didn’t belong to her - rushed through her mind. She felt a sudden mental connection to Arc, as if they were one person in that moment, bound by something far deeper than mere physical contact. Her gaze shifted to him, and the look in her eyes showed that she understood now, and any fear she might have had was gone. This was no ordinary ability, but it wasn't his primary one either, she realized. Still, it was a powerful skill, one that could be invaluable - especially when they needed to exchange information in public without saying a single word.

Twyla could immediately feel the depth of Arc’s sadness, the weight pressing heavily on his chest, and the undercurrent of anxiety he kept hidden, though its raw intensity pulsed through their connection. She tried to push the overwhelming emotions aside, focusing instead on the images forming in her mind as his memories flooded in. Closing her eyes, she sought clarity, allowing the scene to sharpen.

She saw contorted bodies of vampires, blood splattered everywhere, the glow of a phone casting an eerie light as read messages loomed on the screen. The violent scene abruptly shifted, and now Arc lay on his back, a dark-haired girl crying over him, her hot tears falling onto his chest and face as she desperately tried to keep him conscious. The intensity of the moment was almost too much for Twyla. She shook her head, trying to distance herself from the raw emotion, but the scene had already tugged deeply at her heart.

She didn’t know Arc well, but seeing this glimpse of his pain - this tragedy that weighed so heavily on him - made her feel a pang of sympathy she hadn’t expected. Despite everything, she felt sorry for him, realizing just how much he carried, alone and in silence.

"I'll go and ask around for info about the place in the meantime..."​

"Actually... if you haven’t already connected the dots, my brother is also a pureblood," Twyla admitted, her voice heavy with immediate guilt. She felt a pang in her chest for revealing Val’s secret without his permission. It felt wrong, but deep down, her instincts told her it was the right thing to do. "His ability involves painting images from his dreams - images that foreshadow the future." Regret sank further into her, like a stone in her chest, as she continued, feeling as if she was revealing too much. But something about Arc made her feel it was important for him to know. "Earlier, I noticed one of his recent paintings. It was of a man who looked familiar, but now, thinking back, I believe it was you." Her mind raced as she began connecting the pieces, her free hand lifting to rest a thoughtful finger against her cheek as she tapped lightly. "I didn’t get to see it finished, but it should be now. The painting showed a pier, and there’s only one close to this area. Perhaps we should check there?" she suggested, the idea coming together as the realization settled in.

"I might need an accomplice, perhaps... If you wouldn't mind."​

"I figured we'd be teammates from here on out, honestly," Twyla chimed in quickly, her tone light yet resolute. She wanted Arc to know that she already trusted his leadership, willing to be a part of whatever plans he had in mind to destroy anything that threatened their world. There was no hesitation in her words - just a clear readiness to stand beside him, no matter what lay ahead.

"It shouldn't be hard to act as my friend or a date. The least we could do if we're working together is to scout out the place together."​

...Right. Twyla's mind raced as she considered the situation. Normally, dates went to nightclubs, and girls partied with their friends - it made sense for them to act like a couple for the occasion. Standing before Arc, her cheeks flushed a deep, vibrant red, the warmth spreading across her face despite the coolness of her skin due to her naturally low body temperature. "Uh... I'll try my best to play the role," she mumbled, feeling the familiar nervous urge to look away. Her eyes darted toward the window as she tried to regain her composure before glancing back at Arc. "Today is Thursday, December 1st, 12:05 AM, so the club will probably have something going on tomorrow, with the weekend starting. How about we try to go then?" She suggested, knowing this situation could be time-sensitive. She was eager to get a handle on it, for both Arc’s sake and her own.

"I have some clothes that’ll work for blending in at the club, and of course, I’ll wear my disguise," she added, trying to work out some details so he wouldn’t have to carry the burden alone. Though she had been thrust into this situation with little direction, she wanted to contribute and be part of the plan.

"How much do you know about the Goddess?"​

"The Goddess?" Her brows knitted together in confusion, unsure of who or what he was referring to. "A few of the vampires I’ve killed mentioned something about the Goddess making me pay… but I have no idea what they meant." She confessed, having never crossed paths with anyone who claimed to be a Goddess or was referred to as one.

"I don't know how aware you are of your own reputation but there are many vampires that are scared of you Twyla."​

"Scared? Of me?" Twyla was genuinely perplexed. Every vampire she had encountered had fallen by her hands, leaving no one alive to spread word of her deeds - unless, of course, there had been unseen witnesses lurking nearby, spreading the tales. "This is all news to me. I had no idea..." she admitted, though the thought didn’t entirely surprise her. "But I suppose it makes sense, considering the chaos I've caused in their world."

She’d lost count of how many vampires she had slain, never caring to keep track of her kills. It was never about numbers - it was simply about survival, and perhaps, in some way, justice.

"Tell me, have you ever heard of the words 'Angels of Death' before? It's a nickname they call the vampire with hair like yours."​

"No! This is all new to me." Twyla’s voice carried an unexpected defensiveness, as if she were being interrogated again, like back in the coffee shop. Unlike then, she didn’t shy away from the questions now. Realizing her tone, she quickly cleared her throat, trying to rein in her emotions before they got out of hand. "Sorry," she added, more softly. "I’m just so shocked. I live a pretty mundane life, so hearing all of this is really unsettling... it makes me realize how much I’ve been hiding from reality."

She paused, knowing that Arc was well-versed in all of this - it was his job, after all. But Twyla? She was a Pureblood, and yet she felt completely disconnected from the very world she belonged to. "My parents died when I was young, and poor Val was even younger," she said, her voice softening as she opened up, her mind flashing to memories she hadn’t visited in a long time. A thought struck her. "Hey, does this ability let you see into my thoughts too, or is it just yours?" she asked, genuinely curious. If he could see into her mind, perhaps she could share her world with him in a deeper way, something that might help them work together. Regardless of his answer, she concentrated hard on the memory of her parents - their snow-white hair, their lilac eyes full of love as they smiled at her, their sharp canines only a faint reminder of their vampiric nature.

"I remember one day they were here, and then they weren’t," Twyla began, her voice faltering slightly. "My mother had an ability to erase memories, and I think she made me forget a lot about the day they died - or disappeared. But my heart tells me they’re no longer alive." She bit her lower lip, surprised by how difficult it was to talk about. Maybe it was because Arc was the first person outside of Val and her adoptive parents to truly hear her story. A single tear slipped down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away with her free hand, letting out a small, embarrassed laugh. "I'm sorry, I don’t normally do that," she admitted, sniffling slightly as she fought to hold back more tears.

"The reason I bring them up," Twyla continued, "is because I wonder if they had any connection to this 'Goddess,' or if they played a part in creating the 'Angel of Darkness' name." She was grasping for answers, trying to piece together the fragments of her past, even though she had been so out of touch with the vampire world. If her parents had been involved, it would make sense that she’d be drawn into it too.

As Arc pulled down his collar, Twyla’s eyes immediately locked onto the branded mark etched into his skin, noticing the faint outline of a possible tattoo beneath it. But the brand itself held her focus, its intricate design drawing her in as she unconsciously leaned closer to get a better look. Her breath grazed his skin as she carefully examined the symbol, pulling back only when she was satisfied with her inspection.

"Wow, Arc... I had no idea how much you’ve been through," she said softly, her voice filled with genuine empathy. The sight of the mark twisted her stomach - it was more than just a physical scar. The thought of him enduring such pain and torment for the sake of pleasing some so-called Goddess made her feel gutted for him. She could only imagine the weight of seeing that brand every day, a constant reminder of someone’s obsessive control over his life.

"She really won’t let you go, will she?" Twyla’s expression darkened with agitation as she thought about the Goddess’s relentless pursuit. It was clear now that this journey would be a brutal one for Arc, especially now that she was involved. But there was no way Twyla could learn all of this and simply walk away. She was in this, fully committed to standing by his side, no matter how rough the road ahead became.

"I fear she's getting stronger by the day, Twyla. The only conceivable way I could see a future where we won't have to right anymore is if she is put down."​

"I think so too," Twyla agreed, her voice steady with determination. "I’m sure she has a large following to do her dirty work, so we’ll have to fight through countless of her minions to even get close." The realization of how tedious and grueling the task ahead would be settled over her, but it didn’t shake her resolve. Now that she knew someone was pulling the strings behind this chaos, she was fully committed. "We will put her down, Arc," she vowed, her eyes meeting his with fierce resolve. "Even if it’s just you and me against this hellish world, we’ll find a way. Or die trying." There was no turning back now. They would face whatever came their way together, no matter the cost.

"I won't force you to fight alongside me. That was never my intention in the first place."​

"No, please, I want to join this fight," Twyla said firmly, her voice unwavering as she locked eyes with Arc, making sure he understood the sincerity in her words. "Our goals align, and we both need each other to handle this. I promise, I never once thought you were using me to fill a role I didn’t want." She meant every word, her gaze piercing as if willing him to see the truth in her. Through their connection, she could sense the hope he carried deep down, even if he tried to bury it. Their fingers, still linked by his ability, let her feel the faint optimism he hadn’t fully voiced - that together, they might actually stand a chance at disrupting the Goddess’s plans. Twyla wasn’t about to let him carry the burden alone, not when she believed just as strongly that they could make a difference, however small.

"And looking at you... Finally speaking with you.. I think I found my answer. I could. Thank you for trusting me enough to share your truth, Twyla. That's all I needed."​

"Hey, you shared your truth too, Arc. That's just as commendable," She said, her tone warm and genuine. "I’m grateful you felt comfortable enough to trust me with such a deep secret." She tightened her fingers gently against the back of his hand as they shook hands, sealing their mutual understanding and commitment to the fight ahead. "We both have so much at stake, and it would be foolish to walk away from this. Together, we’re strong, and we will find a way to get through this." If Arc could sense her emotions through their connection, he would feel the quiet happiness that blossomed within her. For the first time, Twyla felt she had a true purpose - something greater than herself, something that went beyond just surviving. She had a real reason to put an end to the vampires’ reign.

"You’ve got a good memory," she teased with a playful grin. "I’ll have to watch what I say around you." His casual mention of Val’s name hadn’t gone unnoticed, and it made her smile. "It means a lot that you paid attention, even just a little, to my life. So, thank you for that." There was an undeniable bond forming between them, one built on shared truths, respect, and a shared mission.

"Given how you spoke about your younger brother and how Mia looks at you and treats you, I could imagine that they wouldn't want you to get involved with someone like me. I'm not the safest guy to be around after all."​

"Are you even listening to the words coming out of your mouth?" Twyla waved her hand dramatically in front of Arc’s face, as if she were swatting away an invisible annoyance. "I’m a pureblood - trouble is all I’ve ever known. Besides, you should’ve seen some of the idiots Mia tried to pair me up with. You’re fine, I promise. Don’t be so hard on yourself, alright?" With that same hand, she patted his back a few times, her touch light yet comforting, trying to ease whatever weight he was carrying. He must have had some serious self-doubt to be able to say that so freely about himself, and Twyla silently vowed to lift him up whenever she could.

"I always make sure to treasure my time with the people I care about. You’re never guaranteed tomorrow," she added softly, her lips curling into a gentle smile. She hoped her positivity was infectious enough to brighten his mood, even if just a little. Arc had more to offer than he realized, and she wanted him to see that too.

"So... Are you still willing to work with me?"​

"Yes!" Twyla responded without hesitation. "We're in this until the bitter end. You have my full support, yeah?" She stretched her limbs, the weight of the long day finally catching up to her. "But you need to get your bandages changed and some rest yourself. I should head back home - Val's probably worried since I kind of left without giving him a reason. Hopefully, he's still asleep though." She leaned down to pick up the coat she had tossed aside earlier, slipping it back on before adjusting her backpack and gripping the straps in front of her shoulders. "Text me when you wake up, and I can come visit again - unless you're getting discharged in the morning?" she asked, curious. She figured Arc might be good to go in a few hours, at least enough to function. He still had a week or so to fully heal, but given Dr. Thorne’s knowledge of his secret, he might’ve given Arc something to help speed up the process - if such meds even existed.

"We can talk more about our plan and get ready for Friday. Luckily, I don’t have classes today or tomorrow because of the investigation on campus, so I’m free," Twyla said with a smile before heading toward the door. She gave Arc a wave. "And please, get your rest. We’re going to need it," she reiterated, emphasizing the importance of recovery.

Before stepping out, she quickly changed her hair color and eyes once more, making sure her disguise was in place before opening the door to leave.

 

[Tenzai]

"Yes! We're in this until the bitter end. You have my full support, yeah?"

"To the end and after, I promise you my best, Twyla."

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴛʜᴇ ɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴅᴏᴇꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ʙᴇʟᴏɴɢ ᴛᴏ ɢᴏᴅ | ꜱʟᴇᴇᴘ ᴛᴏᴋᴇɴ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

When you live, by daylight
With angels at your side
In order now, bestowed by
The light of the sunrise​

"Let's win this fight together." Twyla was more than anything he expected. Not only was she a kind soul to the ones she loved and to those she deemed innocent, she was understanding of his circumstances and fearless enough to share her own. Not only was she genuine with her words and honest with her allies, she was thoughtful of them too. She was patient enough to listen to a broken man yet empathetic enough to show compassion even when faced with the dire circumstances of his reality. She was everything he could have ever wanted in a friend, let alone a companion to fight alongside. The strength of her convictions towards her bonds and relationships had blessed her with unique insight as to the motivations that drove the detective himself. Despite her being a pureblooded vampire, to Archimedes, she felt more human than any other. She was a hidden treasure.

Reading into her mind had given credence to the value he attached to her. By the strength of his connection to the person he wished to read, Arc was able to see their memory through visions with clarity. Usually when he would interrogate vampiric prisoners caught during a sting operation, the fog in his visions prevented him from getting a clear picture of their motivations and their connections. However, when met with chemistry and rapport, those fogs dissipated, giving Arc a window into his target's soul. It was by this very reason why he always treated others with respect, not only to limit his enemies and to gain allies, but to also collect information in the process. When fighting against a foe that thrived in the unknown, every tactic that could dispel the fugue was an essential boon, especially so if he didn't need to sacrifice his humanity in order to use it.

As Arc read her mind, recent memories had shown just how kindly she treated her brother. It made his heart flutter in his chest, quaking in response to a pain that stemmed from his regret. All he wanted for himself was to enjoy a peaceful life like the one she did at home. With no need to fight against some enemy that wished to steal him back against his will and no concern for the life of his sibling being at constant risk. However, that wasn't the hand he was dealt. Though, instead of harboring his own loss, he continued to investigate her past history. However, after a certain point, he found nothing.

Blank spaces existed during vast swathes of time, reaffirming her hypothesis that someone or something had influenced her memory. It was Arc's first time seeing anything like this. With every past ally he read the mind of, never had he found such vast voids that existed in their heads. Only with those that suffered from memory loss did he find small lapses in their history, but nothing like this. Quietly, he took a mental note to find out more of her past. Even if nothing particularly necessitated it, he hoped that helping her find the pieces could act as his form of giving back to the woman that did so much for him already.

"But you need to get your bandages changed and some rest yourself."

"Big words coming from you, don't you think?"​

Finally given a break from the despair, a glint of Arc's past had made itself known to Twyla: His humor. "Given how often you fight even when you're bruised..." He chuckled, unaware of the easing in his heart when he was in her proximity. "I'm surprised Val doesn't lock you up at home. I doubt he'd want you to leave with anything as little as a mosquito bite, let alone something as vast as your bruises." The intensity of the vampire's wounds had softened in her presence. The weight of his exhausted body had felt lighter. Her sudden enthusiasm towards helping him had loosened the chains tightly bound around his heart, opening him to experiencing emotions other than vitriol towards his own shortcomings and despair at his situation. He was free to feel, at least, for the moment.

"I should head back home - Val's probably worried since I kind of left without giving him a reason. Hopefully, he's still asleep though." Arc lifted himself from his chair, wandering steadily towards her side as she disguised herself again. "How about I walk you to the front door. At the least, I can't have the doctor harassing you again just because I'm absent." Refusing to let her deny him an opportunity to be beside her for a little longer, he walked beside her through familiar halls, surprising the nurses that passed nearby with the speed of his recovery. Even without Adelaide by his side, his protective habits prevented him from doing any less.

"Here's some advice that works on the overprotective brother types like me." He grabbed a pen from a nearby cup, gesturing in the air as though he was drawing. "If he asks why you were gone and he's suspicious, tell him you wanted to surprise him with a little present. Here." Arc put the pen on a desk before drawing some cash of his own to give. "This should be enough to get something nice but not too fancy for him and yourself. Consider this my little thank you for all you did for me tonight... And for what he did for you too. I'll have to thank him for being crucial in bringing out this side of you." The detective gave Val his warmest regards, valuing her brother nearly as much as Twyla did herself. "Never deny the value of someone you could treat as your rock. People like that only come around a few times in a lifetime. I would know. As you said, you're never guaranteed tomorrow."

As they approached the front door to the building, he could already feel the coolness of the breeze outside.

It was nearly time to say their second goodbyes; Their first as friends.​

"Text me when you wake up, and I can come visit again - unless you're getting discharged in the morning?" Arc slowed his footsteps to a halt, standing beside the hospital's rotating doors. "Dr. Thorne said I should be fine once his medicine starts taking full effect in my body. Depending on whenever he's finished with his other patients, I could be fine later this morning or the afternoon at latest. Whatever that time may be, I'll be sure to let you know..." His wounds were sealing as they spoke, still vicious in their mark. "But I should be back to fighting condition by tomorrow night. Besides, it would be disrespectful if I stood you up and we can't have that now, can we?" His tone lightened the more he thought of their soon-to-be investigation.

It's been a while since he last took control over his own operation with some semblance of personal agency. Before, he used to trudge through administration and walls of red tape for government approval and backing. However, after finding himself near death once again with his sister gone from his life, the same pull of bureaucracy had lost its grip on his mind. If they were too slow to respond to the swift schemes of his enemies, he preferred to fight this war alone. Though, with Twyla and Thorne by his side, the idea of victory had felt possible. He still intended on using his position within law enforcement to his utmost advantage. It was too great a boon to discard. But to rely on it solely, Arc wasn't going to make that same mistake again. With hope by his side, he intended on being the best partner Twyla could ever meet. She was his ticket to freedom, his new light in the darkness.

"We can talk more about our plan and get ready for Friday. Luckily, I don't have classes today or tomorrow because of the investigation on campus, so I'm free," She turned to wave at him. "And please, get your rest. We're going to need it." Arc waved goodbye to his newfound friend. "Of course, Alora. You too. I can't wait to see you again under much better circumstances than this. Goodnight. Stay safe on your way home." As she left, the vampire turned to walk towards his room. Though, something caught his eye before he proceeded any further. It was a familiar jacket covered in blood, a gift he bought for Adelaide on her last birthday sitting in the trash. Upon seeing it, he heard her voice utter her final words to him.

You're right. You were the one who should've died. Too bad that didn't happen.

REVENGE WON'T BRING THEM BACK, ARC!

Her echoes screamed louder than gunfire.​

It was meant to be a jacket to protect her from the cold. A gift to keep her warm in an unfamiliar environment. Back in their home state, snow was a rarity; A sight exclusive to the tallest mountain peaks. Moving to their new home had brought along its own fair share of new experiences and challenges, among them being snowy winters. To see a product of his love discarded and covered in the turmoil he chose to engage in for her on a regular basis, it was heart-wrenching. This wasn't a life Adelaide had ever asked for, yet Arc selfishly chose to be her protector day in and day out. He decided to make himself an enemy to the vampires that took their ordinary life away from them, and in choosing vengeance as a way to make amends to his late parents, put his beloved sister in the crosshairs. This was his fault. This fate was only his own to bear.

Surprisingly, as he picked up the remains of his present from the garbage bin, he didn't feel anger towards her reaction. He didn't feel regret at his choices nor did he feel as sad as he did hearing her reaction to his confession hours before. Instead, as if the new bond between him and Twyla had produced a protective barrier around his sensitive heart, he felt something else spark within him. It was a controlled fire, unlike the wild raging inferno that came from wrath alone. What he felt wasn't blind rage at the gods or a hatred towards vampires as a species, it was determination. Even if he couldn't deny himself or Adelaide his fate, he was able to prevent others from suffering the same. Twyla had a family to come back home to. She had friends that cared about her just as much as he did his sister. To protect the life of the girl that was willing to give so much was a purpose he had yet to fail. The night did not belong to god. This was their moment; A redemption chosen for himself.

Holding her jacket close, he brought it back to his room. Though, before he entered his place of rest, his doctor walked towards him from another room. "Done distracting yourself, Arc?" The vampire shook his head, refusing to see Twyla as any less. "No. Distraction isn't the right word, doctor. I think... What's more fitting to say is that I've been inspired." Noticing the sudden change in his energy, Thorne opened the door for the both of them to speak in private. Alora's intrusion at such a volatile time must have done something to him. In his eyes was hope. His focus had returned to him. The glint of life that once escaped him had returned, though this time, it seemed more vibrant. Arc was smiling.

"What did she do to you, Arc? What magic did she pull on you? Tell me."

"Doctor. She gave me hope."​

Try as Thorne might to find any trace of mana in his system, there was none foreign to be found. He was able to detect trace amounts of Arc's lingering mana on his hands and eyes, suggesting that he himself might have done something to her. "Hope? This isn't some sort of fairytale story, Arc. Hope isn't going to change your situation. It isn't going to bring your family back." The doctor understood that his careful manipulations were at risk. He needed Arc to be hopeless in order to be loyal; He was supposed to be a sacrifice meant to bait those vampires towards him. He couldn't afford him going against his directions now, not after all the time he spent waiting, hoping an opportunity like this would happen. "Its a waste of time. What you need is logic and reason. How are we going to deal the most amount of damage to those fiends that took our loved ones away. Not foolish dreams."

"Unless... You want someone else to suffer like you did."​

Targeting the vampire's most sensitive fears, he hoped to straighten his direction. However, instead of snuffing out the flames Twyla sparked within him, Thorne's words emboldened him. "I don't intend on it." Arc's presence began to rise, overtaking the doctor's own. Through kindness, he was finding strength. Through hope, he was rediscovering himself. He wasn't a human Arc anymore, that man died with his family. Instead of fighting who he became, Arc was beginning to accept himself for what Twyla saw him as: A vampire worth fighting for. Someone who deserves to find the same happiness after all he has been through for others. "Hope might not change what happened to me. You're right. But it's more than powerful enough to prevent that same fate from happening to anyone else."

"Hope is what distinguishes me from our enemies, Thorne."
​

"Be mindful to remember that." Arc stood his ground, grounded in his beliefs. "Love is what makes us strong. Its what makes us different from monsters, both human and vampire. Besides..." He reached a hand out towards Thorne's own, gesturing him to take it. "Aren't you fighting for revenge too? For those who took away your wife?" The doctor's eyes grew wide, glaring daggers into his image. "What the fuck do you know about me, Arc? You don't know what its like to lose someone that important. At least your sister is alive." Arc shook his head. "Unfortunately, I very much do know what its like." Taking a deep breath, he readied the same confession he told Adelaide. If this new life would come about only as the result of him speaking his truth, he was going to move forward with no fear.

"I killed my parents. Took the lives of the people who mattered most to me and ruined it." He pressed his other hand towards his chest. "I know EXACTLY what its like to lose everything. Don't think you're alone there, friend." Moving forward, he continued to hold out his hand for Thorne to take while the demon began to back up. It wasn't right for him to take the deals of another. He was meant to be the one to be in control of his own contracts. "We're fighting this war together but we shouldn't force ourselves to become monsters in order to win it."

"We're better than that..."

"...I'm sure your wife wouldn't want you to change either."​

The grip in Thorne's hands began to falter the more he listened. Arc's words were reaching him, touching his heart the same way his wife's words did. "She must have fallen in love with a side of you that could treat her right." The vampire didn't wait any longer. Instead of idly hoping for Thorne to reach out, he pushed ahead and grabbed his hand, injecting the same compassionate energy that he did to Twyla before. "Don't lose that, Thorne. If you're willing to go to such great lengths to avenge her memory, she must have really loved you. No victory is ever worth sacrificing those best parts of you that love her back too." He thought back to the short period of time where he and Adelaide were the closest they've ever been. "Come on. Let's win this war together. I promise, we'll avenge your wife." Finally relenting in his fruitless struggle, Thorne took Arc's hand.

"Then prove me wrong. Show me how strong your hope really is and don't disappoint me, Arc."

"I never planned on it, doctor. Have faith in me."

Like lovers entwined
I know for the last time
You will not be mine
So give me the night, the night, the night​

---

A new home. A better home.​

The rest of the drive back home to Ethan's flat was short and quiet. He lived nearby the campus which was only a few minutes away from the hospital where he picked her up. As he drove, he had a lot on his mind. From hearing the news about that accursed detective getting what he deserved coming to him to having Adelaide move into his home for the time being, there was a nervous understanding that he would have to go to great lengths to hide his vampiric nature, especially with what storms were to come next.

Addy was too good a source of agony for him to let go of. By being around her, he was more than able to quench his blood thirst. She was a source of power. Her turmoil was delectable. Her despair was delicious. Though, after having a vampiric crime so public be committed so close to home, he was well aware that there was going to be hints of paranoia within her and around his social circles. He couldn't afford to screw up now. Not when his master's schemes had yet to be fulfilled.

As they parked, Ethan gave Addy's knee a gentle squeeze. "It'll be a bit of a walk from here to the garage but it should be fine. Here." He unzipped his jacket to wrap around her. "This should keep you warm on the way there. I'm sorry for what happened between you and your brother tonight..." He gave her a reaffirming smile to mask his internal depravities. "But I assure you, you won't have to worry about him anymore while you're here. I'll keep you safe. Promise." Walking around towards the passenger's side, he opened the door for her before taking her hand in his. "So about our date. Maybe a diner would be nice. A nightclub could work too if you love dancing." Her boyfriend began to toss out ideas that worked for him before. "There also is the beach if you just want to walk and take in the ocean breeze. Even if its cold, at night there's no view like it around Riverview."

"...I think you'd love the stars."

'I think you'd love the stars.'

His echoes screamed louder than gunfire.
A memory of an invitation left in her voicemail a year ago.​

While he spoke, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. A quick glance had revealed his boss summoning him over to the nightclub to discuss some potential issues that might need ironing out later on. Sighing at the notification, he continued onward, leading Adelaide over to his front door. "Welcome home, Addy. Feel free to stay here for as long as you like." He pushed his keys inside the lock, turning his wrists to introduce her to the room inside. Immediately, she was greeted with the sight of an ordinary living room with a polished wooden floor, a bar counter that led to the kitchen combined with the dining room, and a couple doors that appeared to lead to a bedroom and a bathroom. "My bed has space for two if you want to sleep there, but the couch is always open too. I could take either or depending on whatever you want in the meantime."

He walked over to the bar counter, reaching for a bottle to pour for her. "I'll probably be too busy to date tomorrow night. Boss called in for me to work... Well, that is., unless you want to visit me there. I work at the club by the pier. Wouldn't mind you swinging by during one of my breaks to hang out for a little bit." Ethan placed ice cubes into her glass, pouring in a crimson fluid to ease her nerves. "Other than that, I'm free for whichever place you want to try out for a date." While her eyes were turned away examining the rest of his flat, he snuck in an additional component into her drink: A powdered drug meant to enhance the strength of her emotions, whatever they may be.

"Here. For you, Addy."

"Something to drink to calm yourself.
Maybe make your night feel a little easier after all you went through."​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Sɴᴏᴡғᴀʟʟ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 2:03
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

"How about I walk you to the front door. At the least, I can't have the doctor harassing you again just because I'm absent."​

"Alright, if you insist." Twyla offered him a warm smile as she stepped to the left, making space for him to walk comfortably at her side. Their footsteps barely made a sound on the hard floor, a soft rhythm that was nearly drowned out by the distant beeping of machines and the quiet shuffle of nurses and doctors. Arc’s low voice cut through the subtle noise as he spoke, prompting Twyla to tilt her head slightly, her gaze lifting to meet his.

"If he asks why you were gone and he's suspicious, tell him you wanted to surprise him with a little present. Here,"​

Her eyes widened as she watched him reach into his pocket and pull out his hard-earned money, offering her a generous amount. She hesitated, shaking her head in refusal, but his insistence was undeniable, as if he was trying to relive his bond with his sister through her and Val. That somber thought crept into her mind, and she clenched her teeth before reluctantly accepting the money, though a part of her still resisted. She couldn't bring herself to explain why. "Arc, this is too much. You've already been through so much," she murmured, feeling uneasy about taking his money. But she knew it gave him joy - a chance to repay, even in a small way, the kindness she had shown by helping him. Despite everything he'd endured, his unwavering optimism was infectious, and it left her with no choice but to smile in return. "I'll remember this - thank you," she added softly.

"Goodnight. Stay safe on your way home."​

“You too, Arc. Rest well!” With a gentle wave of her right hand, she tucked the money safely into a pouch inside her backpack before stepping into the biting chill of the night air. The cold barely registered, doing little to cool her. What a kind man... she murmured to herself, oblivious to the slight blush spreading across her cheeks. The warmth there felt unfamiliar, but she didn’t mind it. "Now, what to get for Val..." she mused aloud. It was late, and most shops were already closed, leaving her with limited options. Val couldn’t enjoy typical gifts - food wasn't an option unless it was blood or raw meat. Still, she wanted to choose something more thoughtful, especially after Arc had been so generous.

Walking along the sidewalk, hands tucked into the pockets of her coat, Twyla scanned the quiet streets, searching for any place still open at this late hour. To her relief, a convenience store just a short walk from the hospital remained open until 2 AM. Her eyes brightened, and she quickened her pace, eager to escape the biting chill of the wind. As she stepped through the sliding glass doors, the warmth of the building immediately enveloped her. The store clerk, looking weary and ready for the night to end, offered only a brief glance and a nod before returning to organizing the shelves. Undeterred, Twyla began her search, her mind already racing with ideas for Val’s gift.

Twyla didn’t want to waste any time, so she hurried to the arts and crafts aisle, her eyes scanning the shelves. "Hmm... let's see..." she mumbled under her breath, kneeling down to inspect a set of blank canvases that happened to be on sale. Without hesitation, she grabbed four, then spotted a sketchpad on the shelf beside them and added it to her growing collection. She quickly selected new brushes and a few essential paints, choosing colors she knew Val would appreciate and use often - black, white, and red.

It wasn’t much, but she knew it would mean the world to him. Val always lit up whenever he got a new canvas or sketchbook, so she felt certain she had made the right choice. The thought of his radiant smile filled her with warmth, and a small, satisfied grin spread across her face. She couldn’t wait to give him the simple, yet heartfelt gift.

Her heart ached slightly, knowing that this sweet gesture wouldn’t have been possible without Arc’s generosity. She was grateful for his kindness, but a part of her felt it was better to keep his involvement a secret, even though she wanted to tell Val the truth. Pushing that thought aside, she made her way to the checkout. Just as she was about to pay, a display of lollipops near the register caught her eye.

Lollipops were sugary and not exactly healthy, but they were a rare treat Val could enjoy in moderation. Gum too. "I'll take a few of these as well," she said, grabbing four and setting them on the conveyor belt. After paying for everything, she collected her bag of goodies and hurried out of the store, eager to get back home.

As Twyla quietly entered their apartment, the soft hum of the TV was still playing in the background, casting a warm, dim glow over the room. It gently illuminated Val’s sleeping figure, who had barely shifted from where she left him, simply settling deeper into the couch. She let out a quiet sigh of relief, glad that her two-hour absence hadn’t disturbed his rest. With careful movements, she pulled the gifts from her bag and arranged them neatly on the coffee table in front of the couch. Her excitement nearly bubbled over as the thought of waking him to see his reaction briefly crossed her mind. No... Leave him be, she whispered to herself, shaking her head.

Her eyes drifted down to the canvas Val had been working on earlier that evening. Squinting, she noticed something had changed. Curiosity pulled her closer, her feet quietly shuffling as she moved to get a better look. Something new had emerged on the painting, and it made her pause.

There he was - Arc, as clear as day on the canvas. Twyla could see him at a club, possibly the very one they'd talked about earlier. In the background, her white tresses were visible, caught in the wind. Arc’s figure was marked with blood, his arms cradling a university jacket - almost the same one she had torn just days ago. Her brow furrowed at the strange, unsettling scene. She desperately hoped she could somehow change the outcome, prevent whatever harm seemed to befall him. But deep down, she knew Val’s visions always had a way of becoming reality, no matter how much she tried to stop them.

With a heavy sigh, she turned off the TV, casting the room into near silence. Gently, she wrapped Val in a blanket, careful not to disturb his sleep. Before retreating for the night, she pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, a loving gesture of comfort. She needed time to process the vision, but exhaustion weighed on her. Heading into the shower, she let the warm water wash over her, hoping it would clear her mind before bed.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Wᴏʟғ ɪɴ Sʜᴇᴇᴘs ᴄʟᴏᴛʜɪɴɢ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:06
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
Bᴇᴡᴀʀᴇ, ʙᴇᴡᴀʀᴇ ʙᴇ sᴋᴇᴘᴛɪᴄᴀʟ,
Oғ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ sᴍɪʟᴇs, ᴛʜᴇɪʀ sᴍɪʟᴇs ᴏғ ᴘʟᴀᴛᴇᴅ ɢᴏʟᴅ.
Dᴇᴄᴇɪᴛ, sᴏ ɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴀʟ,
Bᴜᴛ ᴀ ᴡᴏʟғ ɪɴ sʜᴇᴇᴘ's ᴄʟᴏᴛʜɪɴɢ ɪs ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴ ᴀ ᴡᴀʀɴɪɴɢ​

"This should keep you warm on the way there. I'm sorry for what happened between you and your brother tonight..."​

“T-thanks...” she murmured softly, taking Ethan’s jacket and holding it close to her chest. The moment she inhaled, his familiar scent filled her senses, almost intoxicating in its warmth and comfort. Embarrassed, she quickly wrapped it around herself, hoping he wouldn't catch her savoring his scent. As Ethan politely opened the door for her, she shuffled out of the vehicle, the door closing with a gentle thud behind her. She glanced back at him, her heart swelling with gratitude. "I’d be so lost without you, Ethan," she said quietly, a sincere smile tugging at her lips. "I’ll have to repay you somehow, in any way I can."

The possibilities for a romantic night out with Ethan flooded her mind, causing her cheeks to flush at the thought of exploring new adventures with him. But beneath the excitement, a pang of regret settled in her heart. She could have shared these experiences with her family - if only Arc hadn’t destroyed that chance. Biting the inside of her cheek, she forced a smile, pushing aside the darker thoughts as she tried to focus on the positives of Ethan’s suggestions. "They all sound so lovely," she said, her voice soft but steady. "I can't wait to go." Despite the lingering ache, she was determined to embrace this new chapter and enjoy what the night had to offer.

"...I think you'd love the stars."​

"O-oh..." Her eyes lingered on him, as if his words had sent a shock through her. For a moment, she felt her eyes misting, the tears threatening to spill over, but she bit her lower lip and swallowed hard, forcing down the flood of emotions. "I think I’d like to wait on the stars, if that's okay? It's just... too much right now," she admitted quietly, her words vague but heavy. Wrapping her right arm over her left, she looked down, ashamed to show the depth of her pain.

"Of course, I didn’t mean to reopen any wounds for you, Addy," he whispered, placing a careful arm around her shoulders. He led the way toward his home, his touch gentle but calculated. Inside, he savored the rich dismay his words had unintentionally caused her, relishing the depth of her despair. It was intoxicating - the remorse and longing that would never be fulfilled for her, yet it completely satisfied him, feeding his dark hunger.

She chose to remain silent, walking alongside him as they entered his home. Her eyes darted around the room, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings, knowing she’d be here for a while. The space felt foreign, yet she tried to find comfort in it. "I could never make you sleep on the couch in your own home, Ethan," she said softly, her voice uncertain. "I wouldn't mind sleeping on the couch... or, if you prefer, we could share the bed." Her words trailed off, and her cheeks flushed a soft pink as the thought made her feel self-conscious. She quickly looked away, the warmth spreading across her face as the suggestion lingered between them.

"I'll probably be too busy to date tomorrow night."​

"That's alright, I honestly didn’t expect us to go out anytime soon," Addy smiled softly at him, her hands resting awkwardly at her sides. She remained standing, unsure if it was okay to move around on her own just yet. The unfamiliarity of the space made her hesitant to explore, so she stayed close, her eyes occasionally flicking around the room as she tried to settle into the moment.

"I work at the club by the pier,. Wouldn't mind you swinging by during one of my breaks to hang out for a little bit."​

"That actually sounds fun," Addy chimed in, her eyes lighting up with unintentional excitement. She had never been to his workplace before, and the thought of exploring it, even briefly, made her smile. She imagined spending some time looking around while he took care of things, then easily returning to his place once she'd satisfied her curiosity. "I’d love to see where you work. I’m looking forward to it, even though I know you weren’t planning on working tomorrow."

She walked over to him and took a seat on the stool at the bar counter, watching as he mixed her a drink. It was neat that he had a bar in his home, and as she swiveled in her chair, her gaze wandered around the room once more, taking in the details. When she turned back around, there was a glass waiting for her, and she smiled softly, impressed by the casual elegance of it all.

"For me?" She asked, though she already knew the answer. She gently took the chilled glass into her hands, lifting it to her nose to take in the scent. After swirling the drink a little, she brought it to her lips for a sip. Her eyes widened in delight. "Oh wow, this is wonderful, Ethan!" she exclaimed, savoring the way the flavors danced on her tongue. She quickly took another sip, her admiration clear. "You're quite talented - are you a bartender at work?" she asked, her gaze still fixed on the glass as she took yet another sip.

Ethan gave a casual shrug, brushing off the compliment. "I have before, yes. That's actually where I got my skills," he said modestly, though he didn’t seem eager to take credit. But Addy couldn’t help but be impressed, completely enamored with his ability to craft such a perfect drink so effortlessly.
"If you keep making drinks like this, I’m going to be asking for them all the time!" Addy exclaimed excitedly before taking another sip. But as the liquid slid down her throat, an unexpected wave of dread washed over her. The voice in her mind whispered harshly, You have no family now. You're all alone. Her heart tightened, and mid-gulp, she froze, the weight of that cruel reminder suffocating her. In a sudden burst of emotion, she downed the rest of the drink and slammed the glass onto the counter - not enough to break it, but enough to send a sharp cling through the room. "Oh dear, I’m sorry, Ethan..." she murmured, her voice trembling slightly.

Ethan chuckled lightly, trying to keep the mood light. "I didn’t realize how much you enjoyed your liquor, Addy!" But as his gaze lingered on her, he noticed the subtle shift in her expression - the heaviness in her eyes that hadn’t been there before. His voice softened, concern creeping in. "Hey, are you okay?" His eyes searched hers, hoping to understand the sudden change, albeit he knew the truth.

Addy forced a smile, wiping the corners of her lips as she met Ethan's concerned gaze. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just realized how filthy I am... Do you mind if I take a shower and borrow some of your clothes? I think a hot shower will help clear my head," she admitted, though with each passing moment, the emotions swirling inside her seemed to intensify. Her heart pounded, and she wondered if the alcohol was amplifying everything. She had experienced that before, though this time didn’t feel nearly as severe as in the past.

"Of course, take your time. I'll get it ready for you," Ethan said softly, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before heading off to prepare the bathroom.

Addy sat there, alone with her thoughts, her heart heavy. The silence in the room seemed to amplify the turmoil in her mind, as old wounds and new worries mingled, tormenting her in the quiet moments before her shower. I should've died. Maybe Arc would've preferred it if he had killed me... The whirlwind of dark thoughts swirled relentlessly in Addy's mind. Arc lied to me - after everything we’ve been through. He doesn't need me...

The spiral consumed her, making her unaware of Ethan's quiet approach. She flinched as his hand gently touched her shoulder, pulling her abruptly out of her turmoil. "It's ready... You sure you're okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern, his brows knitting together as he searched her face for answers.

Addy quickly turned her head away, stifling a sniffle. "Yeah, I’m fine," she lied, her voice shaky as she slid off the bar stool. Without looking back, she made her way toward the bathroom, trying to escape the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. But as she walked, the weight of her thoughts followed her, each step heavier than the last.

"I'll be okay, I think the events of the night are just catching up with me... Just give me a moment, please," Addy said, forcing a small smile in an attempt to reassure Ethan. Without waiting for a response, she turned her back on him and entered the bathroom, closing the door quickly behind her. As soon as she was alone, her breaths grew shallow and ragged, and she felt the panic rising within her.

She turned the shower on, adjusting it to the hottest temperature, hoping the sound of the rushing water would drown out her sobs. As steam began to fill the room, she stripped off her clothes and stood in front of the fogging mirror, staring at her reflection. Her eyes were hollow, dark circles etched beneath them, making her feel as if she was looking at a stranger.
I'm worthless. I don't deserve love, her mind whispered cruelly. Everything I love gets taken from me anyway. Who will save me? Ethan can't always save me. I need to grow up. I need a job. I need a place to live. I'm useless.

Unable to stand the sight of herself any longer, she stepped inside of the shower. The weight of those thoughts pressed down on her like an invisible hand, suffocating her. She felt tears spill down her cheeks, mixing with the steam as she stood still in the shower, hoping the scalding water would wash away the heaviness. But no matter how hard she scrubbed or how hot the water became, the ache in her chest refused to disappear. Addy gasped for air, her chest tightening as her emotions spiraled out of control. Despite the heat biting at her skin, she welcomed it - feeling as though the water was pulling her into its embrace, drowning her pain, even if only for a moment.

Her trembling hand pressed against the shower wall as she bowed her head, letting the water cascade over her face and soak her long, dark brown hair. The steady flow of hot water mixed with her tears, the pressure against her scalp somehow grounding her. But the ache inside was too much to contain. Her lip quivered as sobs began to escape, her body giving in to the overwhelming sadness that had been building for so long.

She slowly sank to the floor of the shower, drawing her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them. Her hands gripped her legs tightly, as if holding on to something - anything - amidst the storm inside her. The sobs came unrelentingly now, her entire body shaking as she wept uncontrollably. The pounding water masked the sound of her cries, and for that, she was grateful. She knew that if the water pressure hadn't been so strong, Ethan would have heard her all the way from the kitchen. And she wasn’t ready for anyone to see just how broken she felt in that moment.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Mᴏʀɴɪɴɢ Lᴏғɪ Mɪx
0:00 ㅇ──────── 22:54
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

Stretching beneath the warm covers, Twyla slowly awoke, her eyes blinking groggily as she stared up at the ceiling. Her hair was a tangled mess, and her eyelids felt heavy as she groaned at the unwelcome realization that she was awake - despite the fact she could have slept longer. After a few more slow blinks, she rubbed the sleep from the corners of her eyes, trying to shake off the haze of morning. But as the memories of last night crept back into her mind, her heart skipped a beat. Curiosity flickered through her, and she quickly rolled onto her side, reaching for her phone on the nightstand. Her fingers skated over her phone screen, unlocking it as she hastily typed a message to Arc.

After sending the text to Arc, Twyla jumped out of bed, her feet hitting the soft carpet as she dashed toward the living room. Val was still fast asleep on the couch, completely undisturbed. She smiled to herself, thinking, He must’ve really worn himself out. He deserves it, though.

Unable to contain her excitement any longer, she pounced on him, her hands grabbing his shoulders as she shook him awake. "Vaaallll! Wake up! I got you presents!" she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm as she rocked him back and forth. Val groaned, still half-asleep, but she was relentless, knowing he had gotten way more rest than she had. "C'mon, sleepyhead! You’ve gotta see what I got for you!" Her energy was contagious, and despite his grogginess, she could see Val slowly starting to stir.

 

[Tenzai]

The purest delight any vampire could taste.

An endless buffet of torment right in the palm of my hand.
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴅɪꜱᴀᴘᴘᴇᴀʀ | 1ɴᴏɴʟʏ ꜰᴛ. ꜱʜᴀᴅʏ ᴍᴏᴏɴ & ᴊᴜɴʏᴀ ꜱʜɪɪ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

It's funny how all I see is faces
'Be if I go away, I could disappear with no traces

If I disappear from this world, would you think about me?
And I know that it's selfish, but it's so funny
That you never get the hints that I'll leave when I'm gone
What's the cost, am I helpless?​

Adelaide's boyfriend stood at the other end of the door, the few inches of wood separating them doing little to hide the sounds of her sobbing. The water had only offered ambience to his dinner, her wails and cries of pain overflowing his empty vessel. Ethan's phone lay in his hand recording her sounds of hell just so he could relive her pained essence over and over again. Even if it could only capture a portion of the quality of her experience, it was enough. Whatever agony was her reality was more than enough to beat even the taste of pureblood.

As he continued to record, his temptation to intrude and get a better angle for his mic had grown too powerful for him to resist. 'What was the likelihood of her ever experiencing the same pain again anyways?' Treating this opportunity as one in a lifetime, Ethan reached for some towels to give him an excuse to breach the barrier before knocking and coming in. "Adelaide, I'm coming in to drop off some towels. I forgot to restock and it would be a shame if you were left cold after your bath." Acting nonchalant, he turned his face away from the bathtub while the curtains were drawn as he entered the bathroom. Closing his phone and leaving it behind a nearby basket, he restocked the towel holder before leaving her and closing the door behind him. "Let me know if you need something to eat by the way. I could prepare you anything when you get out of the bath. Name it, whatever you like. Consider it your moving-in present from me."

Donning his apron, the vampire had licked his fangs. By being in so close of a proximity to someone being in genuine suffering was an addictive delight like any other. However, unlike the poor souls that remained trapped within the confines of his nightclub for the vampires to feed off of, Adelaide was a willing host. That made her flavor unique to her, seeing that she trusted him enough to move in. When she looked at him, she saw him as a rock of which she could rely on. A boyfriend that deserved to see her at her most genuine even if that included the worst of her. It was this that caused him to fall in love, not with Adelaide as a soul searching for another, but as a craving monster and his meal. She was his special treat. He would stop at nothing to unravel her to her core and relish in her deepest traumas.

"Got it. Just relax as long as you need to. It'll be ready in half an hour."​

Hearing her words, Ethan began to prepare her order. Usually, the act of food preparation itself was disgusting to the monster who's hunger could only be sated through the suffering of others. However, Adelaide's throes of misery had made the scent of ordinary food palatable. He needed to keep up appearances for now until he knew whether he was the only one left in her life where she could run to. Only then would he bind her and break her. If no one was to come and save her, he would know for certain that he could have her at her most vulnerable. The moment he could be her everything, he would drop her and reveal the truth. The mere idea of how intense her pain would be was enough to make his mouth water.

By binding her hands, he would be able to prevent her from escaping her fate, no matter how grim the method could be. The capture of a willing prisoner was a task he grew experienced in over the course of his short sanguine life. Adelaide may not have been the first, but she would definitely be the last. Unlike the previous, she tasted all the more delicious. Her trust was the seasoning that made her agony perfect. They were a match made in heaven and he would be damned to ever take her for granted. No matter how much she would beg him, he would never let her go. As he cut into the tomato, he thought about her needs. Should they ever prove troublesome, he could always convert her and make her torment eternal. Distracted, he cut his own finger. However, the pain quickly went away as the wound healed. "Shit." He whispered to himself.

He couldn't afford to be careless. Not when his prey was fearful of vampires already.
​

Unlike how he was with his previous victims, Ethan had done his research on Adelaide. He learned about where she lived, who she was, the people she associated herself with, and her fears. He had to act the role of student in order to get into her life in the first place. Even if he didn't take the classes seriously, the mere fact that they shared a similar environment with similar issues had given him access to her life where other vampires weren't able to. In the one place Arc didn't accompany her was where he found his prey.

Finally seeing her leave with one of her towels wrapped around her body and the other around her hair, Ethan waved her over to the dinner table. "Don't worry too hard about me." He gave her a smile to ease her concerns. "I've already eaten before picking you up. Please, go ahead. No rush alright? You have all night." Sitting across from her, he poured himself a glass of a special blood his club serves as a drink to appear normal. "If you want to talk about what happened with someone, I'm here. Okay?" The vampire placed his cool hand on hers, noticing the feeling of heat emitted from her skin. She used scalding hot water to bathe with. "I won't judge you if you're not ready to share, but I want to let you know, you're not alone. I won't leave you alone."

The first step to being her everything...

... Was to replace Arc.​

Encapsulated in a dark haze, Ethan's ability allowed him to visibly see just how intense her emotions were. She was a shadow of her former self. Whatever happened the previous day must have shaken her to her core. While acting coy, he knew that the drug he snuck in her had allowed her overwhelming emotions to replace her sense of logic. If it worked, it would loosen her lips enough for her to share how she was broken like this in the first place. "Unlike your brother," Her eyes are watering. Now's the time to add a little bit of pressure to her frail heart. "... I'm not going to abandon you while you're suffering. Tell me what troubles you. Nothing is worse than fighting your demons alone."

"You can trust me, love. There's nowhere else I'd rather be than by your side while you're hurting."

Mixed signals which stemmed from truth. The manipulation of facts was Ethan's forte.

But I would never let you go
'Cause you steady runnin' in my mind
Can you tell me why it's always cold?
It's 'cause you not right here by my side

But I would never let you go
'Cause you steady runnin' in my mind
Can you tell me why it's always cold?
It's 'cause you not right here by my side​

---

"Vaaallll! Wake up! I got you presents!"

"GAH! TWY I'M AWAKE! I'M AWAKE! YOU'RE CRUSHING ME!"
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʜᴜɢɢɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ (Qᴜɪᴇᴛʟʏ) | ᴊᴀᴢᴢɪɴᴜꜰ

↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺​

Twyla's love was relentless whenever she wanted to spoil her brother. While endearing, it was her vampiric strength that made her dangerous sometimes. Feeling his bones crack, he was jolted awake by her hugging over his shoulders. "C'mon, sleepyhead! You've gotta see what I got for you!" Once she finally relented in her grip, he took a deep breath. "Oh, fu-rick Twy." He barely held himself back from cursing in front of his sister. Even though he was grown up, he understood that she took comfort in his general purity. Even if it was unnecessary, seeing her smile had made his efforts into maintaining the ideal image worth it, especially after seeing her come back from a long night. "You're strong, you know?" He sighed in relief, feeling his bruises with his fingers as he cracked his body back into place. "At least, I know without out a doubt that there's no vampire out there that could beat you in a fist fight!" Once the pain escaped him, he gave her the smile that brought her heart relief. It was another morning where he could wake up with his sister. That alone had made it a good one.

"What did you get me?" His hair was messy as he yawned and rubbed his eyes, the room being filled with the light of the morning sun. Turning to the coffee table in front of him, he saw several blank canvases of varying sizes, a sketchbook, some paints, and his favorite flavors of sweets. "For me?" His eyes glowed like glimmering agates, immediately reaching for the closest of the lollipops. As soon as he picked it up, he took off its wrapping and placed it into his mouth. Lemons were his favorite flavor of candy. While it might have given him many odd looks from his peers who were usually more than happy enough to give him their least favorite flavor, it was his little spice of life. "You shouldn't have, Twy." His voice was muffled as his cheeks were full. "Thank you."

Being much more careful to avoid being crushed, he wrapped his arms around her slowly to hug her.

"You're the best sister I could ever ask for."​

"But where did you get all this money from, Twy?" While the two were fairly well off compared to their student counterparts, it wasn't like her to suddenly buy so many gifts out of nowhere. If it were just a single canvas or a sketchbook, it was one thing. However, to see some premium paints that he had on his wish list as well as name brand brushes, it brought him to question. "Did you win some tournament or something?" He began to hazard guesses. "Hmm... No... You always invite me to those." He scratched his chin, still hugging her close with her head at his shoulder. Even if he was taller than her, she held all the strength in the family. It was often that he would ask her to bring the groceries in. He was the more dexterous of the two however. Compared to Twy, his ability to write and wield chopsticks was unparalleled.

"Was it a gift from some date? If so, you didn't have to get me all these things." Little did he realize the note she wrote which explained that she disappeared last night. Val was asleep the whole time. Usually, he would wake in the early afternoon to go to classes before finishing on his paintings at night. However all it took was one sniff of her scent to notice that a late night date was unlikely. After living with her for so long, he could recognize what she was up to based on the shampoo and perfumes she'd use. Whatever Mia recommended to Alora as the perfume of the season that could win any guy, would usually be on her person. Though today, it was the same typical shampoo she'd typically use for everyday use. "Hm... No, it's not that either."

Val kept going and on, not giving her a chance to answer as though this was a game. It wasn't until held her closer where he could smell the familiar aromas of juniper where he realized just where she came back from. Twyla met with that detective again. His eyes furrowing, he pulled back without letting his sister go to meet her gaze with his own much more serious one. "The detective? Is that who gave you the money?" HIs arms held her tighter, afraid of what was to come. If he came back for her again, it must mean she's a person of interest; Potentially a suspect or a witness to a crime.

"Twy! You should have said something about it! Is he harassing you? Bribing you? Is he suspicious of you or just Alora?" Going from guessing where she was, her caring brother started barraging her with questions. His heart cared deeply for her. To lose her or have her get hurt as the result of some lucky detective's investigations was a fear come true. Ignoring the gifts for the moment, he focused on her. Everything else paled in comparison to the endangerment of her wellbeing. "Just what did he need you for? If he let you go, it means you're not guilty of whatever he thinks of you..."

"...Right?"​

---

​

ᴀʙᴏᴠᴇ ᴀʟʟ ᴇʟꜱᴇ, ɢᴜᴀʀᴅ ʏᴏᴜʀ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ, ꜰᴏʀ ᴇᴠᴇʀʏᴛʜɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ ᴅᴏ ꜰʟᴏᴡꜱ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ɪᴛ.
- ᴘʀᴏᴠᴇʀʙꜱ 4:23​

---

"Arc! Are you alright? You seem different."

His first morning without her.
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴜɴᴛɪᴛʟᴇᴅ | ᴛʜᴇ ɢʀᴇᴇɴ ᴋɪɴɢᴅᴏᴍ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺​

Standing outside the hospital's doors, the two vampire detectives were greeted with the view of the sunrise. While Vega might have expected to come to a human that was shaken after the events of last night, Arc wore a different face than what he assumed was normal; The man in front of him seemed content and full of hope. The shadowy aura that came from him every morning he spent with his sister was gone. In solitude, he found freedom. In Twyla, he saw his future. "I'm fine, Vega. Thanks for worrying." The lead detective walked over to his friend, taking his hand and shaking it firmly. "The doctors here saved me. Honestly, I feel like I've been reborn oddly enough."

"I feel like I've been offered a second chance."​

Vega rolled his eyes, finding Arc's words too soft for even him to believe. "You sure? From the sounds of it, they have you on some drugs. No fucking way you're feeling like this after all you've been through! I've heard that your place got shot up by some vamps last night. I'm... Sorry you and your sister had to go through all of that." Sympathy. Despite him seeing Arc as his ultimate rival, there was something in Vega's heart that caused him to respect the survivor in front of him. Out of every human he has ever met before, this one seemed the most human out of them all. Whether it was due to a love of his family or his desire to embrace the best sides of himself, Vega didn't know. However, he felt too good to be real sometimes; More alive than the rest of the humans in his department. "That shouldn't have happened." He clicked his tongue, looking away as he felt a pang of guilt. They weren't supposed to attack the face of the force. "How do you feel? You could be honest. I'm... not gonna judge you. You've been through a lot already. What happened?"

"I've learned what matters to me. What's worth protecting."​

"After my sister left, once I revealed the truth to her, I was left alone. It's probably for the best. I'm not the safest to be around anyways." He gave a pained but warm smile illuminated by the rising sun. "Realized then what I've lost when protecting her, but also realized just how far I've come too." His eyes lifted towards the golden seas, watching as the reflection of a plane landed in the distance. "Monsters don't sacrifice themselves for the people they love, Vega. They're only capable of thinking for themselves." Thinking of his meeting with Twyla and Thorne, he was able to conclude that he wasn't the only non-human that fought for the people he loved. That thought alone had given him peace. This wasn't a fight he had to contend with alone. He was understood.

"That's what makes us different."

"The reasons why we fight. The reasons why we risk ourselves daily."​

Arc's eyes didn't glow as he spoke, but his human heart was winning Vega over. He didn't need vampiric strength to convince others of why he acted the way he did. All he needed to be was genuine. This was an Arc, Vega never seen before. Usually, Arc spoke with a self-sacrificial attitude and acted as though it was punishment for past misgivings. Now however, he seemed to be taking steps of his own away from the past. This was the first time he spoke from his heart beyond the chains that bound him. This was Arc.

"I'm going to put an end to the vampiric threat. To every vampire that would seek to hurt others for their own selfish gain. No more and no less." Different from before, he didn't see every other vampire as a threat. Good existed in all forms, both human and sanguine. Likewise, monsters existed on both sides of the battlefield as well. Many humans were just as revolting if not worse than the vampires. Violent crime wasn't something new to humanity once the sanguine threat had made themselves known. All it did was unite much of humanity, both good and evil, against an unknown foe they believed to be a threat. The thought made him wonder whether Twyla, her brother, and himself were the only good vampires or not. It was growing increasingly likely that there were others who sought the same.

"And I aim to unite those that feel the same." Arc lifted his hand towards Vega. "If you're here after all this time, Vega, through thick and thin. You must have something that matters to you that you're willing to risk yourself for too, don't you?" Offering an invitation, instead of seeing Vega as a potential rival, the lead detective had seen him as a friend. "I'd like to help you achieve whatever you're looking for. It's only right after you've fought alongside me." The pink-haired vampire grew hesitant to take his hand. Arc was supposed to be his enemy. Yet here he was treating him better than his own allies; His own friends. Stepping back, he gave himself some pause. If he took Arc's hand now, he might turn against him later on. Seeing his hesitance, Arc lowered his hand. "The offer is always there. If you don't wish to be by my side, I won't blame you. But I want you to know that even if you refuse, you'd always be my friend."

In spite of the wind and rain.

Arc blossomed through the storm.​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Sᴘɪʟʟᴡᴀʏs
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:23
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
Yᴏᴜʀ ᴅᴇsᴏʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ʟᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴛʜɪs
Vɪʟᴇ ɪɴᴄᴀʀɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏғ ᴄᴏɴsᴜᴍᴍᴀᴛᴇᴅ ʙʟɪss
I ᴋɴᴏᴡ ʏᴏᴜ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ɪᴛ ɴᴏᴡ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ғᴇᴇʟ ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ​

"Adelaide, I'm coming in to drop off some towels. I forgot to restock and it would be a shame if you were left cold after your bath."​

Addy heard the door creak open, the sound leaving her with barely any time to brace herself. She inhaled sharply, trying to quiet the whirlwind of emotions churning in her chest and stomach. Pressing her hand over her mouth for extra precaution, she tried to steady her breathing, hoping to keep herself as silent and composed as possible.

"Let me know if you need something to eat by the way. I could prepare you anything when you get out of the bath. Name it, whatever you like. Consider it your moving-in present from me."​

“T-thank y-you, just make whatever you w-want…” Addy stammered, her voice cracking under the weight of her efforts to maintain composure. But as soon as the door clicked shut behind him, the flood of emotions surged back, unchecked and overwhelming, as though nothing had interrupted them in the first place. It was strange - the intensity that consumed her was unlike anything she’d felt before, faster and fiercer than any flame. It was as if a dam inside her had finally broken, the cracks long hidden until now, and she wondered just how long it had been weakening, slowly giving way to this inevitable collapse.

For several more minutes, Addy let herself cry, giving in to the release of sobs and muttered words that only made sense to her and her situation. When she finally turned off the water, the room fell silent, save for the occasional drip from the faucet as the excess water swirled down the drain. She smelled of Ethan's shampoo and body wash - he hadn't been prepared for a guest, and she hadn't brought her own products. Her eyes were puffy and red, a clear sign that she had been crying, though she knew she would brush it off casually as soap in her eyes or irritation from the water.

Wrapping a towel snugly around her body and another around her damp hair, Addy noticed that no clothes had been left out for her - a small oversight, but one she didn't mind. She opened the bathroom door, releasing a wave of steam that rolled into the bedroom as she made her way toward the kitchen. The comforting aroma of Ethan's cooking filled the air, and despite the emotional turmoil still simmering within her, her stomach growled, betraying just how hungry she really was. The scent alone made her realize just how much she needed something warm and grounding.

Sitting at the bar stool, Addy gazed at the plate of tomato pasta in front of her, the rising steam teasing her senses and making her mouth water. She picked up the fork, twirling the noodles carefully before taking her first grateful bite. As she ate, she noticed Ethan pouring himself a drink. A slight wave of discomfort rolled through her, remembering how quickly she had downed the drink he'd prepared earlier - letting her emotions get the better of her in the moment. "This is delicious, Ethan. Thank you so much," she complimented, her voice soft as she took another bite, all while her ears perked up to listen for his response.

"I won't judge you if you're not ready to share, but I want to let you know, you're not alone. I won't leave you alone. Unlike your brother ...I'm not going to abandon you while you're suffering. Tell me what troubles you. Nothing is worse than fighting your demons alone."​

Addy froze mid-chew, her gaze slowly lifting to Ethan, her demeanor shifting as if she were on the verge of being asked something forbidden. She knew deep down that Ethan only wanted to support her, that his intentions were pure. But the truth of what really happened tonight weighed heavily on her, a truth she could never reveal - not fully. Instead, she decided to twist the narrative, a small fabrication to protect Arc's secret. It was too dangerous to let even a whisper of that truth fall into the wrong hands, knowing how quickly things could spiral. As much as she loathed Arc and the trouble he caused, she didn't want him dead - not yet, anyway. She just couldn't afford for anyone else to know the full extent of the night's events, especially Ethan, who she trusted but couldn't involve in this tangled web.

Taking a deep breath, Addy gently set her fork down beside the plate. She leaned forward, her elbows resting on the countertop as she folded her hands and let her chin rest on the back of them. "I found out about a secret Arc's been hiding from me," she said bluntly, her jaw tightening at the memory. "It completely shattered the way I see him." Her mind raced back to the truth she'd uncovered - what he had done to their parents and the revelation that he had been a vampire all along. "I'd rather not go into details," she continued, her tone firm but measured. "Unlike him, I still have some respect left for him, and I'll be the bigger person." She wanted to end the conversation there, hoping her words would be enough to stop Ethan from digging any further. She needed him to understand without needing to pry, without getting too close to the truth she was determined to protect.

"I didn't see any clothes laid out for me… mind if I borrow some sweatpants and a shirt? Unless you prefer I sleep like this," Addy teased, gesturing playfully at the towels wrapped around her body. A soft giggle escaped her lips as a smile curved on her face, the drink loosening her up and making her feel a touch more flirtatious than usual. She could feel a light buzz swirling in her head, the subtle intoxication creeping in and giving her words a mischievous edge.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Mʏsᴇʟғ & I
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:23
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
Tʜᴇʀᴇ’s ᴍᴏɴsᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ ᴘʟᴀʏ
Tʜᴇʏ’ʀᴇ ᴀʟʟ ɪɴ ᴅɪsɢᴜɪsᴇ
Iᴛ’s ᴋɪʟʟ ᴏʀ ʙᴇ ᴘʀᴇʏ ᴀɴᴅ I ᴡɪʟʟ ғɪɢʜᴛ​

“Oh, fu-rick Twy. You’re strong, you know?”​

Twyla quickly loosened her vice-like grip on her brother, scooting back to give him some much-needed breathing room after nearly crushing him. “Yeah... I’m sorry, Val. I just couldn’t hold in my excitement!” She clasped her hands to her chest, eyes still glowing with enthusiasm, while Val twisted around, cracking his joints back into place and soothing the aches that came from her enthusiastic hug.

“What did you get me?”​

"You’ll just have to find out for yourself, silly!" she teased, scooting closer and glancing between the gifts and him, her excitement contagious, like it was Christmas morning. It wasn’t often she could surprise him with gifts - not because she didn’t want to, but because college life made it hard to manage a job. Val had always done everything he could to support her, but she found ways to earn a little extra cash with odd jobs when they needed it. "Of course it's for you, who else would it be for?" she laughed, watching his eyes light up with childlike glee as he eagerly reached to pick up the gifts. The sweet scent of lemon filled the air, and her heart swelled with love and adoration, watching him savor the simple joys of life.

"But where did you get all this money from, Twy?"​

The smile that had once lit up her face quietly faded, her body giving a slight twitch as if his words had struck her like a blow. Oh, no… Twyla swallowed hard, fully aware that Val would be curious about how she had come up with the money for these extravagant gifts. “Well, I—” she started, but her explanation was abruptly cut off as Val began guessing on his own, turning it into a game, throwing out random ideas one after another. She sighed, lips twisting into a crooked smile, watching him as he rattled off every possibility that came to mind, leaving her words hanging unspoken in the air.

“Did you win some tournament or something?"
"Hmm... No... You always invite me to those."
"Was it a gift from some date? If so, you didn't have to get me all these things."
"Hm... No, it's not that either."​

"Val, if you just let me explain, I can tell you," Twyla tried to interject, her voice strained as she struggled to break through his stream of endless guesses. Each one felt like a blow to her conscience, guilt steadily rising within her, making her regret everything that had happened less than twelve hours ago. She watched as his nostrils flared, sniffing the air, determined to rule out any possibility. But the last time he inhaled, a look of disgust flickered across his face, twisting his expression as he turned to her. The weight of his gaze made her heart sink, her chest tightening with the same fear she had as a child, feeling like she was on the verge of being scolded by a parent.

"The detective? Is that who gave you the money? Twy! You should have said something about it! Is he harassing you? Bribing you? Is he suspicious of you or just Alora? Just what did he need you for? If he let you go, it means you're not guilty of whatever he thinks of you... right?"​

"Val, I was trying to tell you, but you just had to keep playing that guessing game!" Twyla sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose between her thumb and index finger, her head shaking - not in frustration with him, but with herself. She looked down at her lap, disappointment gnawing at her. "Alright, just... please just stay calm, because I've got a lot to explain, okay?" It wasn't as if she intended to keep it from him or hide the truth. She had just been waiting for the right moment, and it had come far sooner than she'd expected. She inwardly cursed herself for not being more careful, knowing full well that Val would have sniffed things out faster than anyone else. He always did. Maybe he should've been working with the investigators, with how sharp he was at piecing things together - and his dreamsight would certainly be a powerful asset. But now, with his gaze heavy on her, all she could do was come clean.

"So… I got a message from the detective after we passed out," Twyla began, her voice quiet but steady as she fidgeted with her pajama bottoms, reaching for her phone. "He asked if I'd be willing to help him out and to meet him at the hospital." As she spoke, she pulled up the message on her phone, showing the text as proof. Twyla wasn't one to lie, but she wanted to have everything laid out, just in case Val needed reassurance. "Honestly, I thought he called me there because something terrible had happened to another student on campus," she continued, her eyes glancing up at Val before dropping back to her phone. "But when I got there, it wasn't a student in the hospital bed - it was him." Twyla's voice faltered slightly as she recalled her assumptions and how the reality had hit her the moment she stepped into the ICU room. The scene she walked into was nothing like what she'd imagined, and now she had to explain it all to Val, piece by piece.

"After I sat there and listened to the full story..." Twyla hesitated, debating whether to reveal his secret, though she had shared hers and Val's without a second thought. "He's a vampire." She let the words linger in the air, pausing to give him time to fully grasp who they were dealing with. She swallowed hard, the weight of the truth pressing on her. "After his confession, I couldn't stop myself - I told him about us too, Val..." Regret seeped into her voice, shame heavy in her chest. She had acted without his permission, without even giving him a warning, and it felt like she had betrayed him, though she hadn't meant to. "After hearing his story, I couldn't let him feel alone. Especially since he's on our side!" She was desperate to justify what she had done, speaking nothing but the truth, trying to make amends for her mistake.

"What would you have done in my situation, Val?" she asked, her grip tightening on his shoulders, her fingers curling with the intensity of her urgency. She needed him to understand, to see things from her perspective. "Was I wrong to tell him? My gut told me it was the right thing to do, and I still believe that." Her eyes searched his, hoping to find reassurance or at least some clarity. Twyla wanted to know how Val, with his calm and measured approach, would have handled the situation. He always seemed to possess a clearer head - able to think things through just enough before acting, never rushing, but never letting a moment feel awkward or unresolved.

Realizing how tightly she was gripping his shoulders, Twyla quickly loosened her hold, letting her hands fall limply to her sides. She looked down, shame weighing heavy in her chest as she fought back the urge to cry over her possible mistake. "Val, I swear, I had the best intentions when I told him everything. I just really hope you don't think I acted recklessly…" Her voice was small, filled with uncertainty. In her mind, she hadn't overthought it - she had acted on instinct, trusting in her good heart and belief in seeing the best in people. But now, in hindsight, maybe she had been foolish. As she glanced at her phone, at the receipts she had shown Val, a wave of anxiety washed over her. She quickly typed out a message to Arc, her nerves getting the better of her.

 

[Tenzai]

"Unlike him, I still have some respect left for him, and I'll be the bigger person."​

'Stubborn little flower, aren't you?'
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴅᴇꜱᴄᴇɴᴅɪɴɢ | ꜱʟᴇᴇᴘ ᴛᴏᴋᴇɴ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

Until I let you fall
I've been left no choice
Don't you see that?

You come crawling back to me
But I'm already on the ground
And we all know that talk is cheap
So come on and save me now

And you wonder what I believe
But you don't wanna be around
So what would you do for me?
Yeah, what would you do for me?​

Finding hesitation in Adelaide's lips, Ethan came to realize just how deep her love ran for her brother. It was near impossible for anyone to resist the temptation of emotional spillage his drug had induced unless their heart had deemed whoever they were protecting as irreplaceable. While It was clear to the vampire that she was severely hurt over whatever discovery she made, her resilience had proven that her hate had a limit. Something within her was still clinging on to him stubbornly, refusing to let go of memories that seemed distant in the present. However, despite his annoyance at her heart's unyielding grip on her brother's image, he knew that with time, even that too would decay. Nothing was beyond the grasp of the abyssal prince. All waiting did was make his dream of ruining her and shattering whatever remained of her heart and mind more delectable.

"I suppose, that's the right way to handle it right?" Instead of revealing his hand now, he kept his truth sealed, agreeing with her decision to bring her to ease. "The best way to respond to someone who hurt you like that is to be better than them. To forget them and move on." Ethan used the words he found in one of her books when studying with her. When researching her background and hobbies, he made sure to cling on to some of even the smallest details. To know someone truly would open opportunity into hidden windows into their lives. "It'll get easier with time to let go of them. But for now, don't forget that I'm here for you. We'll both be better than him together." He ran his hands over hers, smiling as his eyes scanned down her form veiled only by her towel.

"I didn't see any clothes laid out for me… mind if I borrow some sweatpants and a shirt? Unless you prefer I sleep like this," A mischievous smile grew over his lips, enjoying the idea of what she was insinuating. "Whatever you're comfortable in, I'm fine with. Though I have to admit, I do prefer you in just the towels." Ethan returned her energy, flirting back to arouse her feelings towards him. "Would it be wrong to say that I think your skin looks lovely? It's the first time I ever got to see you like this, Addy. I hope it won't be the last either." His words came out perfectly, well-practiced on his previous victims. "You smell good with my scent too. Hope I could get used to it." Taking in her being with all of his senses, from the soft feeling of her hands on his to the sight of her increasingly red cheeks, he inscribed her to memory. "If you'd like, I'm sure my bed has space for two. Usually, I'd say it would be a tight fit, but I doubt it would be if we got a little closer." His voice dropped to a whisper, watching as the droplets on her skin sparkled when reflecting his candle's flame.

Staring into her eyes, Ethan hoped to embolden her.

As he attempted to swallow her into his darkness however, her guardian's light had blinded him.​

Something stopped him from pursuing her any further. There was the glow of powerful vampiric mana, one too specific and memorable for him to forget; The mark of the apostle, Pride. Those that brought him into this sanguine lifestyle had warned him of the goddess and her apostle's strengths. Among them was the one they nicknamed Lucifer, the child that turned against God. 'Wait, that couldn't be...' Caught off guard for a moment, the flirty facade he wore towards her had shattered, his charismatic visage unveiled. Revealing hints of genuine worry, he pulled his hands back, afraid of what he didn't know.

How was this not something he'd seen before, he wondered. After spending all this time with Adelaide, he imagined he knew everything about her. From her life to her circles, her family and her background, he originally assumed that nothing was left to uncover. Though in spite of his thorough investigation, the casting of her brother's magic had left its residue on her body, hinting to Ethan that there was more to her brother than some mundane family politics. To protect her, Arc was willing to unveil his own secret to those around her, including his enemies. "...Adelaide, what is this?" He didn't call her by her nickname, speaking to her not as her passionate boyfriend but instead as his ordinary self separate from her.

"Did someone... Did a vampire cast their magic on you?" His hands gripped her shoulders, concerned as to what spell he used. While the vampire could tell that something was casted, he couldn't tell what its particular effects were. Given the powerful nature of the apostles, it could be anything. To him and many others around him, the Apostle of Pride was a monster who's abilities were left unknown; The only people who knew the extent of his abilities being the goddess and the apostle of pride themselves. "...Don't tell me... Your brother got involved with them, didn't he? Is that why you're afraid of sharing more about him?" Her reaction was enough to give credence to his guess. "No wonder why he was able to survive against them as a detective for so long. He must have cut a deal with them. Don't worry, your secret's safe with me, Addy. You're safe from them and him here. I won't let another vampire touch you."

"That's a promise."

'I won't let anyone steal you from me after all I've gone through to find someone like you.'​

Standing up from his seat, Ethan walked around the corner, making it appear to Adelaide that he was heading to his bedroom. "I'll be right back, Addy. I have to make a few texts real quick. Call up a few favors. Don't worry, I won't be far." Once he disappeared behind the wall, he made his way into the bathroom to grab his phone. Shooting a text into a group chat with some friends, he called a favor, bringing up a potential lead in the process. Quickly others within had begun to chime, responding fast as a result of recent events.

Hey, I think I just found a lead on Pride. I'm gonna need some help though. We'll need to nab someone.

This better not be another guy stealing your girlfriend again. Who is it, Ethan?

Guy named Arc. Lead detective of the vampire division in Riverview. I think he might have ties with Pride.

Oh? The boss sent some guys to his place earlier for a hit. I don't know how but fucker got away.

THE BOSS PLACED A HIT ON HIM?!

Well, it looks like you're lucky then. Once we find him again to capture him. He's all yours if the boss is feeling nice enough to care. But from the sounds of it, he's fucking pissed. He might have a meeting sometime later tonight if not tomorrow. Be grateful that you weren't one of the poor guys assigned to killing him in the first place.

Oh! I heard that Arc guy had a sister. You think the boss would care if we nab her too?

Well, he did say to avoid leaving witnesses. I don't think having a girl going missing is going to change much around here.​

Reading the text logs, Ethan began to piece together what occurred over the course of the past day. 'Those fucking idiots nearly killed my meal.' The vampire thought to himself, grabbing his phone tightly. Slowly, he put his phone back into his pocket, holding onto the sink as he leaned over to take a few breaths in silence. 'Calm down, Ethan. Its not like she knows. She'll never have to know either.' Lifting his face to his own reflection, he glared at himself. 'We'll just make his death look like a suicide. That'll break her.'

Finally relaxing enough to avoid revealing his malevolence, Ethan turned back to the doorway to head back to Adelaide. With his mood now taking a dive, sating his hunger came second to the chaos that was soon to come. "I'm gonna... Take a smoke break outside real quick. Calm my nerves after a long night. I'll meet you back here in a bit." The vampire gave his beloved a kiss on the lips before heading to the door. "If you're still down to make up for some lost time, I hope I'll catch you in bed when I get back~" He attempted to flirt in a vain attempt to keep up appearances, before escaping her proximity.

'Out of all the things I'd rather be doing right now. I'm out here trying to calm my nerves.'

'Why the fuck did you have to get involved with him, Adelaide?'​

---

"Val, I was trying to tell you, but you just had to keep playing that guessing game!"

Silence at the End of Peace. Unexpected Rain.
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴄᴏɴᴠᴇʀꜱᴀᴛɪᴏɴꜱ | ᴊᴀᴢᴢɪɴᴜꜰ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺​

The moment Twyla had yelled to break apart his game, the room grew silent. Whatever happened when Val was asleep was enough to rock her being, shifting the very soul he nurtured and loved all his life. Finding her head gaze down towards her lap, instead of continuing with his interrogation, he wrapped an arm around her and pulled her close. Despite how kind he was to her, he knew he wasn't perfect either. Though he was never below apologizing for his mistakes. "I'm sorry, Twy. I care about you lots. Sometimes... I get a little overwhelmed when I think about you whenever you leave, you know? Sometimes, I just love hearing about your little ordinary adventures with Mia. Other times, I get worried about what happens when you're protecting other students too." He pulled her closer into his arms, offering her comfort to compensate for the ill-timed questioning. Regardless of who was right or wrong, Val always aimed to be with Twyla through it all. She was all he had left in this world to care about.

"Alright, just... please just stay calm, because I've got a lot to explain, okay?" Val nodded his head in agreement. "Okay. I'll stay calm. What happened?" He rested his caring gaze on her, listening to every word with understanding and compassion. No matter what sin she could commit, he was going to accept her. "So… I got a message from the detective after we passed out, he asked if I'd be willing to help him out and to meet him at the hospital." Val's face illuminated as he read the messages on her screen, from him reaching out to her the night before to the good morning text of today. "Honestly, I thought he called me there because something terrible had happened to another student on campus, but when I got there, it wasn't a student in the hospital bed - it was him."

Her brother continued to remain in silence, putting together what she said into a collage in his head. 'So he got hurt in the line of duty. Surprising that he survived as an ordinary human against other vampires.' He kept assumptions to himself, listening onward to all that Twyla had to reveal. "After I sat there and listened to the full story..." Twyla stalled, showing hesitation. Yet the power of the trust she held in her familial bonds had broken through the concern for whatever judgment Val could place upon her. Throughout all the years they spent together surviving and fighting against foes both sanguine and human, he was still by her side through it all. He was a constant source of happiness amidst the chaos; A smile she could always return back home to. It was only right to speak the truth. It was what their relationship was founded on. Honesty above all things.

"He's a vampire."

"A vampire? So... The lead detective of the division against vampires... Is a vampire?"​

'How ironic.' The more Val thought about it however, the more it began to make sense. It took a vampire to know one and unlike all other previous detectives that came before him, Arc was a consistent force against the same enemies that Twyla would end up fighting. He persisted despite their attempts at sabotaging him or putting him down. As a result of Val's interest in true crime and the attention he'd put into the environment Twyla usually ended up in, Val would often find himself reading local news. It was here where he read up on the endeavors of the face of the police force. His expectations for what he once assumed was a human detective was constantly being exceeded. "I'm surprised he was able to keep it a secret for so long! But that does make me wonder, why turn against his own kind?"

Originally, Val thought they were the only ones who could resist the call to blood. Most other vampires would seek to indulge themselves in the fiery passion of bloodthirst instead of seeking to extinguish it entirely. Usually, its this very act of resisting thirst that would, by itself, out the vampire experiencing it. "How was he able to hide it from people specifically trained to detect vampires?" Val scratched his head. Even if they were purebloods, there were lengths that both he and Twy had to go in order to mask their identity. Food was a given but wounds were another. If not for the long sleeves that covered their arms and the gloves he'd often wear, the nicks he gave himself when sculpting would have been enough for him to be executed as a child already. "Either he must be incredibly lucky... Or smart."

"After his confession, I couldn't stop myself - I told him about us too, Val... After hearing his story, I couldn't let him feel alone. Especially since he's on our side!" Val's mouth dropped upon her revelation. Though it was her reaction that kept his mood stable. Was this the worst they ever went through before? No. Even if Twyla was imperfect, Val also trusted her judgement. If she saw Arc as someone she could trust, he believed he was worth a shot too. Anything to keep her from being alone in her fight, he was open to. As long as whoever was working with her was her choice entirely. "What would you have done in my situation, Val? Was I wrong to tell him? My gut told me it was the right thing to do, and I still believe that." Seeing how regretful she was over her own confession, Val refused to criticize her acts or punish her for her loose lips. Instead, his arms pulled her closer to his chest, drawing her head where she felt safest: His heart. "Val, I swear, I had the best intentions when I told him everything. I just really hope you don't think I acted recklessly…"

"Twyla, if you felt like this was right. I'm not going to be mad at you. Why would I be angry at the heart that chose to protect me when I needed you most?" Val pulled back, greeting her teary eyes with his own smile. "We're a team, through and through. Even if I can't fight as well as you... Or hell, even if I can't fight at all. I try my best where I know I could do good..." He looked towards the paintings that surrounded him, each one that wasn't meant to be sold acting as another memory they shared together. "Here, where I could take care of you for all you've done for me and you will do. Making sure you never have to worry about rent or food is the least I could do." Hugging her as tight as he could, he could only muster a portion of the strength she could. However weak it was, he hoped he could show her just how much she meant to him.

"There's only one Twy out there for me and that's you."

"Regardless of whatever choice you choose to make. I'll be here to support you."​

Though as much as he would shower her with love, Val wouldn't let Arc step all over her. "But just because I trust your decision, doesn't mean I trust him!" Val stroked her head, seeing her as the same kid he grew up alongside. "At least... Introduce him to me first. I want to see the vampire that managed to win you over and ask him questions." He smirked, appearing proud of himself to set her mind to ease. "Don't think his charm, good looks, or wallet are going to sway me! That's for sure! If he wants to earn my trust, he has to prove that he's more than handsome, charismatic, and wealthy!" Standing stalwart against her failed dates, he prided himself in being able to tell who was good and who wasn't. It was less of a science and more of a vibe check for him, though it was through this that he became comfortable around Mia. "Besides, no guy that good should exist. It'd be unfair otherwise." He muttered quietly to himself.

"He better not be willing to work with you because you're cute!" He scrunched his fist, shaking it towards the door. "Unless he wants to end up in the hospital again! I mean, if he's a detective, he should be able to read beyond surface level right?" Val scratched his chin, curious as to the vampire she spoke with at the hospital. "So... He has money... Does he have kids? Pets? Family?" After hearing her spiel, her brother returned back to his interrogative state. Unlike before, this time his questions were catered moreover to treating Arc as a prospective partner. "What's his horoscope? His body count? Does he like long walks on the beaches? Does he have a degree? Is he... Single? ...Is he your type? Be honest."

Underneath the lighthearted comedy, Val's mind still held concerns over her safety. Vampires were a danger. Those that were an enemy to many would most likely bring threats to her doorstep. But on the other hand, he hated the idea of Twyla being alone. With no one else to rely on when push came to shove, he held an underlying fear that one day, she'd fall prey to their schemes with no one to save her. If she ever got captured, there was little he could do to help. He was powerless compared to the vampires she would fight on a weekly basis. If this Arc was capable of winning his sister over, he was going to give him a chance. "So, when are you planning on bringing him around, Twy? If you trust him, I'm not against having him visit us here or somewhere nearby. Oh! Do you think he'd like my drinks?"

---

"Friend? But we're rivals, Arc. What I want is what you have. Your position. Your fame. Your reputation. All of it."

"Then you can inherit it when I'm done. I never wanted any of that in the first place."
ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʟɪɢʜᴛʙʀɪɴɢᴇʀ (ᴀᴄᴏᴜꜱᴛɪᴄ) | ᴘᴇɴᴛᴀᴋɪʟʟ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

Call down the reckoning
To bring back hope and peace,
Restore our gloria
To live forever

Bring down the dark regime
I know how to unleash eternal power
Lead us to order​

"None of that matters when you lose everything that makes you... You." Vega could find no lie in his words, each syllable echoing his convictions. All Arc wanted to have was a family and a life in peace. The money, the reputation, and the fame that came with being the lead detective of the police division that was known for its success against the vampires mattered little when his home was in shambles. His sister was gone, his parents were dead, and the place he once considered safe was ripped apart despite his best intentions. Worst of all, his dedication to protecting her was in part to blame. All the confession of his truth did was speed up his fate, not change it. "I pray you'll never understand what I've had to sacrifice to realize that, Vega."

"You... Don't care? What the hell happened to you?" Vega crossed his arms, leaning back against a nearby rail to put some distance in between the two. It would take more than a single speech to win the vampire over, even if his heart was swayed in the middle of it. "What happened to the guy who only signed up for the police force to get back at the vampires? You're talking differently now, Arc. Actually asking for help isn't like you."

Arc shook his head. Back when he first joined and he was assigned to the same task force as Vega, he was a lone wolf. He refused help from the others, believing that they would hamper his progress or find out his sanguine secret. However, after enough time spent with them, he learned how to appear normal. He learned to lean on others where he struggled most. It was through this change, this adapting to his new environment, that he quickly promoted up the ranks. "I used to think this was a fight that I was meant to handle alone. Something that I should do to atone for past mistakes. I realized now that atonement doesn't mean anything. It's selfish to live for that alone and it won't lead me any closer to what I want."

"Then what do you want? If you're willing to give up everything you built and just... Hand it over me, there must be something that's driving you." Vega pressed this opportunity to question him further. If Arc was sharing his truth now, he doubted his lead detective would choose to lie. "I want my home back, Vega. I don't want to be seen as a monster anymore and I don't want to have to worry about being a monster to protect the ones I love. That's all. Everything else is extra and unnecessary." Arc gave a warm smile, a change from the cold one he would often wear to keep others at ease when around him. Twyla's influence was beginning to show outwardly. "I've found someone who proved to me that it was possible. That I don't have to be a monster to do what I have to."

Bzzzt. A gentle chime signaling another text from his new companion.

[I haven't heard back, is everything ok?]​

Finding Twyla's concern for him sweet, his face softened as he prepared to text back. Catching the sudden shift in his attitude, Vega smirked, changing the topic of their conversation. "A cute ringtone and a smile? Did someone get a girlfriend?" The vampire nudged him, finding this side of him to be more human than anything he'd seen before. It was as clear as day that Arc had a soft spot for whoever was texting him on the other side. "You never give your phone that look when your sister is texting. Not even the baddies in the force either. Let me guess... You met a pretty nurse and had some fun in your hospital room, didn't you?" He gave a devilish chuckle the more he followed his lewd lines of thinking, treating Arc as a friend rather than a boss. "I could see some doc or assistant digging the whole bloody detective in a suit look. It's not like the bottom half of you is injured or anything."

[Everything is fine. Was just catching up with a friend.] Holding his phone with both hands, his fingers tapped quickly to respond back. Arc didn't want to worry her needlessly when they had their night club rendezvous coming up. [Oh, would it be fine if I could come over to meet you before we make it to the nightclub. I was released early from the hospital and my place isn't safe for now. Maybe we could try to both shop for fitting clothes beforehand so we could blend in better. On me of course.] Thinking about it, he added another line to his text before hitting send. [If you don't feel safe with me around, I understand. We don't have to meet at your place. But I think we should take the time to meet somewhere before tonight.] Tapping send, the two heard the sound effect.

"And it looks like you have a lot to talk about already~ So, who's the lucky girl... Or guy, Arc?" Vega teased. "Come onnnn. If you don't share, I'm going to find out another way you know? Maybe ask around a little. You don't want the others in our department to start getting curious about your love life do you?" Threatening Arc by getting his coworkers involved, the vampire had finally relented. "I met a really nice girl yesterday. Talked to her again later last night but we're not like that. We had something in common and she told me things I needed to hear." Arc sighed contently, feeling the warmth of hope in his empty heart. "I'm grateful for her, really. But I don't want you getting confused and thinking it's anything deeper than that." His cheeks blushed unknowingly.

"You suck at hiding your feelings, you know? You're blushing, Arc. Bet you think she's pretty, don't you?"

"I'll admit. She has sparkling eyes and a beautiful smile. But I doubt she'd see me the same."​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Mᴀssᴀᴄʜᴜsᴇᴛᴛs
0:00 ㅇ──────── 2:57
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
Sʜᴇ'ʟʟ ғᴀɴᴛᴀsɪᴢᴇ ᴀʙᴏᴜᴛ ɪᴛ
Eᴠᴇʀʏ sɪɴɢʟᴇ ᴅᴀʏ
Bᴜᴛ sʜᴇ ᴄᴀɴ'ᴛ ғɪɴᴅ ɪᴛ ɪɴ ʜᴇʀ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ
Tᴏ ʀᴜɴ ᴀᴡᴀʏ​

"Would it be wrong to say that I think your skin looks lovely?"
"You smell good with my scent too. Hope I could get used to it."
"If you'd like, I'm sure my best has space for two."​

A soft pink hue colored her cheeks as warmth spread across her face; Addy wasn’t used to him being so playfully flirtatious, but she couldn’t deny how it made her heart flutter. “Yes... I’d like that,” she replied, unaware of the breathiness in her voice, almost sounding desperate as his suggestion lingered in her thoughts. Her eyes held a sultry haze as she gazed back at Ethan, but the sudden change in his expression made her pause, confusion widening her eyes.

Had her flirting really been so terrible that it broke his mood? “Ethan, are you alright? Was I that bad?” she asked with an awkward laugh, noticing his sudden conflict, as if he were wrestling with thoughts she couldn’t quite hear.

"Adelaide, what is this?"​

She flinched, her name sounding almost like a curse as it fell from his lips, lacking the warmth that 'Addy' usually carried. Instead, it came out rougher, as though he were scolding her for some unseen transgression. “What are you talking about?” she whispered, her voice barely audible, genuinely confused by what had provoked him so suddenly, revealing a side of him she had never seen before.

"Did someone... Did a vampire cast their magic on you?"
"...Don't tell me... Your brother got involved with them, didn't he?"
"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me, Addy."​

Confusion clouded her expression, quickly giving way to fear as Ethan’s grip tightened on her shoulders, his fingers pressing firmly enough to leave faint indents, making her skin ache beneath his hold. “Ethan, I have no idea what you’re talking about… your grip is hurting me…” Addy tried her best to feign ignorance about his accusation of vampirism, though his mention of Arc’s “magic” stirred something in her memory. Could he mean that moment back at the apartment, when Arc’s command had compelled her to hide as if she had no choice? Still, that was her secret to tell, and after seeing Ethan’s reaction, she knew now wasn’t the time, perhaps not ever.

“What’s gotten into you? Are you not feeling well?” she asked, trying to shift the focus away from herself, both to escape his interrogation and because, truthfully, he was beginning to scare her.

But how had he guessed so accurately, hitting the nail on the head from a single hunch? And if he suspected magic, how could he possibly know enough to recognize it?

Despite her curiosity, she held back from asking any questions, knowing it would only fan the flames of his anger or make him more suspicious of what she might be hiding.

Fortunately, Ethan didn’t push for more or catch onto her bluff. Instead, he chose to drop it entirely, stepping out to calm himself. “O-okay… I’m just going to head to bed,” she murmured, looking down, still wrapped in her towel as he silently closed the door behind him on his way outside.

Left alone, Addy sat staring at the countertop, lost in thought. A sliver of doubt crept in, making her question why she chose to stay with him, uncertain about the episode he’d just experienced. But he’s all you have right now, a voice whispered in her mind, urging her to stay, even as that doubt lingered.

With a sigh, she rose from her seat, pushing her unfinished meal aside before heading to the couch, losing her appetite completely. Fortunately, a pillow and blanket were already there, and Addy quickly nestled beneath the covers, resting her head on the pillow. The silence around her seemed almost loud, ringing in her ears as it filled the room. She must have been more exhausted than she’d realized; her eyes grew heavy, and soon she drifted off to sleep, leaving herself vulnerable.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Rᴀɪɴʙᴏᴡ Vᴇɪɴs
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:23
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
Cʜᴇᴇʀ ᴜᴘ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅʀʏ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴅᴀᴍᴘ ᴇʏᴇs
Aɴᴅ ᴛᴇʟʟ ᴍᴇ ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪᴛ ʀᴀɪɴs
ᴀɴᴅ ɪ'ʟʟ ʙʟᴇɴᴅ ᴜᴘ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʀᴀɪɴʙᴏᴡ ᴀʙᴏᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜ
ᴀɴᴅ sʜᴏᴏᴛ ɪᴛ ᴛʜʀᴏᴜɢʜ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴠᴇɪɴs​

"Twyla, if you felt like this was right, I'm not going to be mad at you."​

It felt as though an invisible, crushing weight on her shoulders was finally beginning to lift, his tender smile dissolving any chaos she’d held within. Val had every right to be upset, to even scold her, yet he chose kindness and compassion instead. Though she had no real reason to feel sad, tears slipped freely from her lilac eyes, her lower lip trembling as she sniffled, marveling at how lucky she was to have a brother like him.

"We're a team, through and through."​

Nodding in agreement, she continued to listen to his words of encouragement, his voice a steady anchor as he guided her through her turmoil. Somehow, he always seemed to find exactly the right thing to say, no matter how tangled her emotions had left her. "You take care of me in ways even I can’t," she murmured, using the back of her hand to messily wipe away her tears, her lips curving into a small smile to show he was helping - though that came as no surprise. He always did. By now, Val should have known the effect he had on her; he could turn any dark cloud into the brightest, most vivid rainbow she’d ever seen.

"Regardless of whatever choice you choose to make. I'll be here to support you."​

"Thank you, Val… You know I feel the same about you. I love you so much." She hugged him tightly, but as she realized just how firm her embrace was becoming, she loosened her grip, not wanting a repeat of earlier when she'd almost squeezed him to death - though he could always heal himself again if necessary. "You know I’d never act on a whim. I always trust my heart and instincts, and they usually guide me well… with a little help from your advice too, of course." She let out a small laugh as she released him, shifting back slightly to give him some breathing room.

What came next was something she never could have anticipated. Val started speaking so quickly that she could barely keep up, spilling out a string of assumptions based on her time helping Arc and spending a few hours within the night with him at the hospital. Twyla could only stare, wide-eyed, as he seemed to be talking more to himself, voicing his theories and speculations aloud, piecing together ideas in a whirlwind of thoughts.

"Don't think his charm, good looks, or wallet are going to sway me!"
"He better not be willing to work with you because you're cute!"
"Unless he wants to end up in the hospital again!"
"So... He has money... Does he have kids? Pets? Family?"
"What's his horoscope? His body count? Does he like long walks on the beaches?"
"Is he... Single? ... Is he your type?"
"Be honest."​

"Val!" Twyla’s voice rose in an exasperated shriek as she slapped her palms against her cheeks hard enough to leave them red. "You’re going a million miles an hour!" she exclaimed, springing to her feet and gripping his shoulders, giving him a firm shake as if to dislodge the nonsense from his mind. "You’re acting like I just told you this man is my boyfriend." She continued to shake him lightly, just enough to get her point across without throwing him off balance or chasing dizziness. "He’s a detective who asked for my help with his case. Nothing more, nothing less." Though she stopped shaking him, her hands remained on his shoulders, her grip tightening as she looked away, struggling with a few conflicting thoughts swirling in her mind.

"Honestly, I don’t know much about him beyond that he’s a detective and has a sister. We literally just met; I can’t know everything about him from one conversation - well, I suppose you could, but ours was strictly business." Despite the unofficial nature of the work, she knew it was no less serious. "I’d like you to meet him because I want you to know the person I’ll be working with, just in case anything happens." Twyla believed in covering her bases, especially since she didn’t know how deeply involved she’d eventually become - or the potential risks ahead. She trusted her own abilities, but that didn’t mean she was immune to danger, and she wanted Val to have everything he needed to look out for her if necessary.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed her phone screen light up - Arc had replied. She sighed in relief, reassured that he was well enough to respond. “Speak of the devil; he got back to me.” Letting go of Val, she reached down to pick up her phone, unlocking it and scanning the message in silence as her eyes darted from left to right. After a moment, she turned the screen toward Val so he could read it himself. “Looks like he wants to come over. Our first mission is to go undercover at a nightclub on Friday, posing as a couple to investigate the building.”

Before Val could react, Twyla leaned in close, her brows furrowing. “This is strictly business. It is not a date. Got it?” Once she saw his expression shift to understanding, she leaned back, casting him a side-eye just to be sure. “See? He even checked to make sure I was comfortable and said I could decline if I wanted. He’s a gentleman.” She shrugged, brushing it off, though she suspected Val might still have other ideas simmering in his mind.

From : Twyla

---

I'm glad you’re discharged and doing as well as you can! I told my brother about you, and he’s pretty adamant about meeting you, so feel free to stop by. We live at 225 Maplewood Lane, Apt. 3B, Riverview, OH 33777.

Twyla’s thumbs tapped quickly over her screen, and she hit ‘send,’ the swoosh of her message echoing softly from her phone’s speaker. “Well, there you have it. You’ll finally get your wish and meet the face behind the words.” She wiped her hands together, as if completing a successful task, and looked up with a satisfied smile. “If you’d like, you can get one of your drinks ready for him to try, yeah?”

 

[Tenzai]

Unforeseen Consequences.

Everything has a price.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴛᴏxɪᴄ | ᴅ'ᴀꜰʀɪᴄᴀɴ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

I can feel you inside my soul
Addiction that I just can't let go

You're what I see when I close my eyes
You're what I hear when I'm all alone

The reason why it's so hard to trust
You hit my buttons and I erupt

Can't get enough, cause even with everything that you do I still love you​

His beloved craving was awaiting him, laying there perfectly prepared as a meal for him to devour, yet Ethan could not muster the focus to return inside. From hearing about what happened earlier to her and her brother at home to discovering the potential lead on Pride through Adelaide's eyes, he had several reasons to be distracted. Everything didn't make sense. 'Why would Pride choose to come here out of all places?' He wondered to himself, taking another puff of his cig. 'And why would he involve himself with someone like her and her brother? Ordinary humans? It just doesn't make sense.'

Last the vampire heard about the lost apostle was when Arc still waged his guerilla war against his goddess, rebelling through schemes and turning her own children against each other to deal a devastating blow. If not for the bounty placed on his head and the sudden seriousness on his bosses' faces when his name was brought up, he wouldn't have believed the other vampires over the damage he had caused. To have someone so dangerous end up in a place so close to his own feeding grounds had made him nervous.

Then there was the issue of his boss' public attack on the face of the police force. To schedule a hit in broad daylight in a place considered safe had contorted Ethan's opinion of his master. Foolishly confident, he placed his organization's integrity at risk. There was no doubt in his mind that somehow, they would face repercussions. Whether his coven was prepared for it or not, Ethan did not know. However, he knew that he was going to get involved whether he wanted to or not. War was on the horizon. The mere thought of it alone was enough to ruin his appetite. 'Another day, Ethan.' He told himself, rolling his eyes at his current situation. 'Just my luck... To be cockblocked by a fucking drive by.'

'At least, she has no one to turn to now. There's no rush.'

'With time, she will be mine to break.'

I know deep down inside, that we'll always have to lie
Just to keep you by my side
Can't get enough, cause even with everything that you do I still love you​

Taking a moment to finish the rest of his cig off, Ethan leaned over his apartment's outer railing to take in the cool breeze of Riverview. Once a quiet city, the vampires within were corrupting it into a hub of sanguine activity. From the university itself to the police force, the city's government, the night clubs, and even the crime-filled alleys, most of what people believed was a safe harbor where one could live their life in peace was within his goddess' influence.

Knowing this, Ethan took a deep breath to calm himself down as he basked in the moon's rays. He didn't have to live in fear of monsters when he was one of them himself. He was working for powers that defied imagination, among the same entities that drew fear in their wake. There was nothing to be afraid about. The humans who fought them were at a disadvantage. It would be soon when he could embrace the light as he was. Until then, he sought peace in his newfound strength. Clearing his mind, he turned towards his door before stopping in his tracks. Someone was approaching.

Click. Click. Click. Click. The sound of heels tapped from across the apartment's hallway. With every footstep, he could hear another click, each louder than the last. Turning past the corner, Ethan found a woman dressed in a black with shades covering her eyes. She appeared far richer than the other, more ordinary residents of the building. Behind her were a couple of men dressed in similar attire, both following her closely. It was an odd sight. Most people avoided being outside around this time of night. With the news abuzz over the vampire drive by, he assumed that most would seek shelter to avoid experiencing the same fate. To find someone like her walking towards him without fear had brought question to his mind. Returning to his human persona, he spoke up. "Excuse me? Are you lost?"

Reaching over to his face, she grabbed him by the chin and gave a flirty smile.

"I am. Me and my friends here are looking for an old friend. We'd love to reunite with him again."

Road trip, I hit the bowl while you hold to the wheel
You are more like my best friend, this is more than the sex appeal
Still my friends say you're bad for me but they don't know just how good you feel
They tell me you'll be the death of me
It must be why you're always dressed to kill​

"If you could help us, I'd really appreciate it." Upon closer examination, Ethan noticed a familiar insignia bound around her neck with a silver chain. It was the symbol bore by a sect of mercenary vampire hunters known as the Crimson Dawn. Reputed to be ruthless and relentless, unlike the police that was sent to capture vampires through legal means, these well-trained hunters cared little about legality and public opinion. To them, the only good vampire is a dead one and it was a goal worth pursuing regardless of the cost and means. Those who weren't human were meant to be eradicated and made examples of. Those who sympathized with them were no better.

In Ethan's mind, if they were here, it meant that the local government deemed the vampiric threat too serious for the police to handle alone. It was the city's way of declaring war against the sanguine tumors that swelled in their lapse in attention, a punishment fitting for vampiric overconfidence. To the Crimson Dawn, they saw themselves as humanity's way of cleansing the world from the most impure, purifying toxins through violence. It didn't matter whether vampirism was their choice or not, for victims to choose to live with vampire blood was to choose to forgo humanity. As long as they existed in one form or another, their war was never meant to come to an end.

"Room 133B." She asked for the room of one of his associates. For a moment, the vampire thought about lying to her. However, once she realized he knew a little more than he let on, the grip she held on his chin grew painful as she dug her digits into his flesh. "Where? And don't lie to me now. If you waste my time, you and I are going to have issues. We both know you don't want that, now do we?" Ethan gestured to the room right above his upstairs. Seeking his own safety, he threw his vampiric acquaintance under the bus, sacrificing him to appear innocent. "You could find him there in the evenings."

"Thanks doll. Looks like I owe you. I'll be around for a while because of my job, so, if you do see me around. Feel free to say hi~ Name's Sheori. Yours?" Ethan gave a gulped response. "Ethan." The vampire hunter licked her lips. "Ethan. Handsome name for a handsome face. Hope to see more of you around~" She teased him, before moving past him towards the stairwell.

"Come now, everyone. It would be a shame if we kept our friend waiting."

'I'll be damned if we don't make those monsters pay.'​

---

"Val! You're going a million miles an hour!"

"You're acting like I just told you this man is my boyfriend."

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ꜱᴜɴᴋɪꜱꜱᴇᴅ | ᴋʜᴀɪ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍꜱ
↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

'Cause you're so lovely
You're so lovely
I can't help but fall for you, love
When you love me
It's so lovely loving you, oh, oh​

"He's a detective who asked for my help with his case. Nothing more, nothing less." Shaken once again, Val got dizzy as his head rattled back and forth. Though despite her attempts to tune her physicality down, Val loved being held and treated like this by Twyla. He loved seeing her experience every emotion, from happiness to embarrassment. Still, he understood when he was wrong and he wasn't so prideful as to believe apologies were beyond him, especially when it came to his beloved sister. "Oh- Oops. I just thought-.... You know."

He pressed his two pointer fingers together as he looked away, stuttering while embarrassed with his wrong assumption about her romantic life. "Seeing you take this much interest in another boy, getting his number and texting him often- And with how Mia described him! It was hard not to think you two were having some sort of complicated relationship. Especially with you sneaking out at night and coming back with his money for gifts." Turning back to her with his face red, it didn't take long for Twyla to realize just how much Mia might have spilled about Arc and his interactions as well as Twy's reactions. "I heard he has a lot in common with you too!"

"Honestly, I don't know much about him beyond that he's a detective and has a sister. We literally just met; I can't know everything about him from one conversation - well, I suppose you could, but ours was strictly business. I'd like you to meet him because I want you to know the person I'll be working with, just in case anything happens."

Val's eyes squinted her for a moment, suspicious of Arc's intentions. "A strictly business conversation in a cafe where he paid for your food and got your number? You sure it was just business Twy?" To him, what Twyla was experiencing was similar to several romantic light novels and mangas he would binge in her absence. Even if he didn't find most women in real life particularly interesting, there was something about fictional women and their romances which kept drawing him back towards the pages. His imagination had granted her brother an interesting perspective on those stories, easily finding himself invested for hours in the lives of those who had their drama played up for the reader's entertainment. Finding out that his sister was experiencing the beginnings of a love story the same, it gave rise to a torrent of questions, many made manifest in the barrages she experienced.

"At least, he sounds a lot better than the other guys Mia set you up with." He muttered. "Regardless, I'd really like to meet him too. If he's working with you, I want to vet him and make sure he's the type of guy you say he is and not someone who's just trying to get lucky." Val proudly smirked, placing his hands on his waist proudly. "If there's anything I've gotten good at besides drawing, it's being able to weed out the bad romance options-!" Her brother froze in his sentence, realizing just how dorky he was sounding. Quickly, he corrected himself. "I mean- Being able to weed out bad guys! Yeah! That's what I meant."

"Speak of the devil; he got back to me."

"Looks like he wants to come over."​

Val gave Twyla the look of shock. Just earlier, she mentioned that Arc was in the hospital as one of the patients. To have him already be ready to meet the two at home was either a testament to his resilience or a sign of his stubbornness when it came to ensuring his plans would work. Whatever it was, he didn't think too hard about it. He was a guest. Regardless of his preconceived notions of the detective, he didn't want to make his sister look bad in front of anyone. "Oh! Right now? Let me get ready!" He hurried into his bedroom, throwing out clothes that would fit the particular environment.

As he browsed through his options, he commented on every piece that wasn't appropriate. "No... Too sporty. I don't want him to get the wrong idea of me." He tossed his athletic wear to the side. "Hmm... Too formal. It'll look weird if I dress too well for home." Right beside his athletic wear, he placed down his suit jacket. "But this? No. Too casual. It's the morning. I don't want to think I'm lazy either." Above the ever-growing pile of clothes, he tossed his pajamas. Eventually, he settled on something casual but not too casual, formal enough without showing that he was trying too hard, and complicated but not so much as to distract Arc's attention from Twy: A bomber jacket, a white tee, and some khakis. "Hey, Twy. Why is he coming here anyways? You forgot to mention it-"

"Our first mission is to go undercover at a nightclub on Friday, posing as a couple to investigate the building." Her brother squinted at her once again, suspicious as to his true intentions. "Reall-" However, before he was able to respond with a snide remark, Twy already planned ahead. "This is strictly business. It is not a date. Got it?" Finding her defensive posturing amusing, as though she was the main character of one of his rom-com novels, he playfully rolled his eyes and hugged her, offering a sarcastic response. "Sure Twy. And he's only meeting your family on business, visiting your apartment on business, taking your number and treating you to a cafe on business, and now he wants you to pose as a couple... For business." He chuckled. "See? He even checked to make sure I was comfortable and said I could decline if I wanted. He's a gentleman."

"Well, I'll give him that. It's the least he could do." Walking towards the kitchen and adorning his apron, Val prepared to make more of the special concoction that worked with Twy. Turning around to see her text, he nodded as he grabbed some wine glasses from a nearby shelf. "Sure thing. I'll be sure to make him something he won't forget!" Her brother took pride in his work. All he was able to accomplish was a byproduct of the sacrifice his sister put in to make sure he could live a life in peace. To be able to share her effort and his talent with someone else was an opportunity he refused to waste.

"I wanna show him just how lucky he was to find someone like you."​

---

From: Mr. Detective

---

Just parked in. I think I'm outside your door, Twyla.

A quaint apartment befitting of a pureblood that sought the joys of humanity.

With a press of a button, the vampire had made his presence known.​

Buzz. The ring might not have been the most flattering, though it did bring a smile to his face. It was the same buzzer as the home he shared with Adelaide for several years. After a few seconds of wait, the door had finally opened. However, instead of seeing Twyla on the other side, he saw a new face. "Hello, is this Twyla's apartment?" Val nodded his head. "And I'm assuming you're Arc?" Scanning up and down his figure, he found Arc to be a little taller than he was. His outfit had suggested he had a taste for formalwear and his demeanor revealed just how comfortable he was. Whoever this detective was, he was comfortable here. "Oh, good. You must be her brother." He politely bowed before pulling a vase with flowers that tastefully matched Twyla's hair, eyes, and attitude from behind his back. Usually, Arc offered gifts upon visiting anyone's house for the first time, especially if he believed he would become a frequent face.

"It's a pleasure meeting you. My name is Arc, short for Archimedes Rosewood." He placed the vase in Val's hand, revealing his eye for gifts to be quite extraordinary. Building rapport was Arc's art, well refined in the fire of rebellion over the course of his time working as an apostle. In order to survive as the weakest apostle and inflict wounds unlike any other, he needed to make friends with those who lacked grace. "What's your name?"

"Valor Bardot, but you can me Val." Taking a whiff of the flowers, immediately, her brother had felt his heart stumble. This man had surpassed the expectations set from Mia's observations. Instead of treating him with hostility, Val opened the door wide for him. "Twy has spoken a lot about you. Thanks for being so kind to her." He chirped, inviting Arc into their flat.

"Of course. It's only right that I treat her well after all she's done for me already. She's a friend, and I aim to make you my friend too." Arc took off his shoes, hanging his suit jacket on a nearby hook next to the door. "I hope I lived up to all she spoke about me." Looking around, the detective made notes of his surroundings. From the paintings nearby, he deduced that her brother was an artist who was keen on appearance and abstract emotions. The choice in clothes appeared deliberate as did the color scheme and positions of the furniture. While he was quite adept at making his home feel comfy, it was nowhere near the same quality as how Val assorted their household arrangements. "Wow, I love what you two have done with the place. It really feels like home." Breathing a sigh of relief, Val's guest had walked over to the nearby table where he saw the chairs arranged for three. Atop of it were three wine glasses.

"Oh, thank you but I don't drink myself, Val." Arc politely refused. However, Val would not let him go without trying out his delicious work. He was far kinder than any vampire he met before other than Twyla. "No, please Arc. I insist. Twyla and I really like it." Placing his trust in Twyla's words over how much Arc knew, Val bore his fangs as he opened his mouth, taking a sip of the drink and swallowing it. "I've made something special that people like us could drink. It's nothing crazy, really. Just something that could make us feel normal." Val sat across from him, gesturing to Arc to take a taste himself. "There's more to vampire life than drinking blood, I'm sure you could tell yourself." Grabbing the vase and putting it alongside the candles on their table, the glasses were lit up underneath a gentle golden veil.

Taking faith in her brother's words after watching his lack of a troubling reaction, Arc lifted his glass and clinked it against Val's. "Well, I suppose it would be rude to deny a gift from you, especially after all you've done to make it for me. Cheers." Placing the glass in his mouth, he took a smell first to determine whether there was something potent inside. Finding no influence of drugs, he partook in Val's drink, swallowing it before greeting him with a smile. "... May I... Ask for another?" Seeing Arc's positive reaction, Val gave the brightest smile he could. Not only was it flattering to see someone like Arc take a chance for him, but to have him ask for another was something else entirely. It was the biggest compliment he ever received for his culinary work. "Of course, Arc. You're welcome to a drink anytime!" Beaming, he ran back to the kitchen to fix Arc up another, before spotting Twyla leave her room.

"Twy! Arc loved my drink! He really loved it!" He whispered excitedly.

"He even asked for another!"​

"Thanks for inviting him here! I uh... Really like him a lot, admittedly." He coughed, trying to look cool. "I mean- I think he's cool.... and I hope I get to see him again." Val moved quickly past her to avoid keeping the detective waiting. Seeing Twy leave her room, Arc waved her over, pulling a seat back for her to sit in. "Evening Twyla, glad to see you again so soon." Pushing her chair in once she sat down, he sat across from her. "Your brother's really kind. Do me a favor and treasure him, okay?" Speaking behind back, Arc shared his genuine thoughts of Val. He couldn't help himself but see his mannerisms as pure. "You never know what you have until it's gone."

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Cᴏʟᴅ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:06
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
I ɢᴏᴛ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜɪɴɢs ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ, ᴘɪᴄᴋɪɴɢ ғᴀᴛᴇ ɴᴏᴡ
I ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴡᴀɴɴᴀ ʙᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇsᴛ, ᴄᴀʟʟ ᴍᴇ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛ ɴᴏᴡ
I ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ɪғ I'ᴍ ᴏᴋᴀʏ ᴏʀ ɪɴsᴀɴᴇ ɴᴏᴡ
I ʀᴇᴍᴇᴍʙᴇʀ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ᴅᴀʏs ᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʟᴀʏɢʀᴏᴜɴᴅ​

Sitting proudly at the center of the dining room table, Addy wore a whimsical party hat, her eyes bright with anticipation. Arc approached with a warm smile, carefully carrying a homemade cake, each step bringing a new spark of excitement. Their parents stood across the table, beaming with joy, their happiness radiating through the room. Addy met their gaze with an adoring smile, soaking in the love surrounding her.

“I hope you like it, Addy! I made it from scratch!” Arc said, setting the cake down in front of her. Addy gasped, her face lighting up with delight as she took in the beautifully decorated cake - a sweet masterpiece made just for her.

"I had no idea you enjoyed baking!" Addy laughed, covering her mouth as she shook her head in disbelief, never imagining he'd surprise her with a cake like this.

Arc wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a warm embrace as he looked down at her with a proud smile. "I promise to always keep you safe," he whispered, his words leaving a lingering warmth in the air. Addy raised an eyebrow, puzzled by his sudden, serious tone. It seemed out of place - there was no reason for him to make such a promise, especially not now. But she simply smiled back, brushing off the odd moment, content to enjoy the warmth of the celebration.

Arc stepped back to join their parents, leaning down to light the candles, watching as the flames flickered and danced, their soft glow inviting a wish to be made.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Adelaide, happy birthday to you!"​

Their voices filled the kitchen, warm and joyful, while Addy shyly dipped her head, shoulders rising as she blushed. She'd never enjoyed being the center of attention, especially during the birthday song every year. Taking a deep breath, she glanced at the candles, their warm light reflecting in her eyes. But as she leaned forward to blow them out, the flames suddenly surged upward, twisting and curling into the shapes of sharp fangs. The heat grew intense, radiating against her skin, daring to scorch her. She squinted, shielding herself from the searing warmth as the fiery shapes loomed closer, transforming the once comforting glow into something menacing.

Arc's face began to shift, his smile stretching unnaturally wide as sharp fangs emerged, glinting with a chilling, predatory glimmer - he looked at her as though she were prey. Her parents faded into shadows, melting into the darkness, leaving her utterly alone with him. Panic surged through her, and she whipped her head around, desperately searching for them, but Arc moved closer, each step slow and deliberate, a calculated predator.

"Make a wish…" he whispered, his voice dripping with a haunting mockery that sent a shiver down her spine. Not daring to defy him, she pursed her lips, leaning forward to blow out the candles. But as she glanced up, she froze.

Her parents' faces hovered in the flickering candlelight, drained of color, lifeless and silent. Their vacant expressions watched her, flickering ghost-like in the shadows, a hollow reminder of the warmth that once was.

"Ah!" Addy jolted upright, drenched in sweat, her body trembling uncontrollably. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to steady the shaking that still clung to her from the remnants of the nightmare. For a disorienting moment, she didn’t recognize her surroundings, her eyes darting around the unfamiliar room in a mix of panic and confusion. But then, slowly, she remembered - she was staying over at Ethan’s.

“It was only a dream…” she whispered to herself, drawing in shaky breaths as her heart began to ease its frantic rhythm. With each exhale, she felt a little of the fear melt away, the chilling memory of Arc’s twisted smile and her parents’ hollow faces fading into the darkness. Her eyes flickered to the digital clock nearby: 5:22 AM. There was still time before morning fully arrived, but after that nightmare, sleep was out of the question. As she sat up, the towel she'd wrapped herself in slipped, leaving her exposed. Blushing, she quickly pulled the nearby blanket around her shoulders, clutching it tightly as she rose to her feet. Her legs carried her quietly down the hallway to Ethan's bedroom, where the door was already cracked open. She nudged it gently, relieved it didn't make a sound as she stepped inside, seeking the comfort of his presence in the early morning dimness.

Ethan lay on his side, his back to her, lost in deep sleep. Addy slipped onto the empty space beside him, her hand reaching out hesitantly before she gave him a gentle tap. A pang of guilt tugged at her - she hated to disturb him, but the lingering shadows of her nightmare left her too shaken to be alone.

"Ethan… can I sleep with you? I had a bad dream… can you hold me?" she whispered softly, her voice barely audible. The fear still clung to her, and all she wanted was the warmth and safety of his embrace. Her heart pounded as she waited, hoping he'd wake and pull her close, grounding her in his familiar touch and the calm she desperately needed.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Sᴀʟᴛᴡᴀᴛᴇʀ Rᴏᴏᴍ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 4:55
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I ᴏᴘᴇɴᴇᴅ ᴍʏ ᴇʏᴇs ʟᴀsᴛ ɴɪɢʜᴛ
Aɴᴅ sᴀᴡ ʏᴏᴜ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʟᴏᴡ ʟɪɢʜᴛ
Wᴀʟᴋɪɴɢ ᴅᴏᴡɴ ʙʏ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴀʏ
Oɴ ᴛʜᴇ sʜᴏʀᴇ
Sᴛᴀʀɪɴɢ ᴜᴘ ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴀʀs
Tʜᴀᴛ ᴀʀᴇɴ'ᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀɴʏᴍᴏʀᴇ​

"Sure Twy. And he's only meeting your family on business, visiting your apartment on business, taking your number and treating you to a cafe on business..."​

"La la la, I can’t hear you!" Twyla jammed her index fingers into her ears, spinning on her bare heels as her hair whipped around, trying to shake off Val's teasing. "Val, honestly, you're reading way too much into this." She pulled her fingers free, giving him a half-smile, hoping he’d drop the idea. "We went to the cafe because that's where he was questioning Mia and me. He bought us drinks since we were giving him our time on campus. He gave me money because he felt guilty for keeping me out so late, leaving you here alone - not that you can’t handle yourself." She folded her arms, her foot tapping, finding a logical reason for every one of Val’s suspicions, insisting it was nothing more than common courtesy.

"I can't blame him for wanting to meet you too - you’re a pureblood, after all, and we're a rarity. Two under one roof? Practically unheard of." She wasn’t wrong; who wouldn’t be curious enough to take a look for themselves? "Since we’ll be working together, it makes sense he knows where I live, just for drop-offs and things like that. Nothing more." She shrugged, placing her left hand on her hip and inspecting her nails with the other. "Besides," she added, "we’re posing as a couple at the nightclub to blend in better for his investigation. Realistically, would a guy and a girl go clubbing alone just as friends? Unless it’s with a group, that seems far-fetched." She had a reason for everything, neatly dismantling all of Val’s suspicions.

Watching as Val slipped on his cute apron, Twyla turned to head toward her room, a smile tugging at her lips. "I’m going to get ready; I have a good feeling he’ll love your drink. If not, well… I’ll just beat him to a bloody pulp." She let out a small laugh that lingered in the air as she disappeared into her room, leaving Val to his preparations while she got ready for their guest.

It wasn’t a special occasion or anything fancy, but anything was better than staying in her pajamas. She started by combing through her long, snowy hair, untangling the knots, then brushed her teeth. Strolling over to her closet, she opened the double doors and scanned her options, wondering what would suit the occasion best. All of Val’s nonsense has got me thinking I need to dress to impress… she sighed, realizing she was overthinking it. Her fingers sifted through the clothes with less precision now, focused instead on finding something comfortable.

She grabbed a pair of denim shorts, some transparent black stockings, and a long-sleeved black shirt adorned with a purple butterfly at the center. Simple but still cute, she murmured, holding it up to herself as she checked her reflection in the full-length mirror. Her phone lay forgotten on the kitchen table, making her miss the text from Arc. The sound of the door opening and Val’s voice greeting him snapped her out of her leisurely pace, prompting her to hurry.

Shit! she muttered under her breath, fumbling as she rushed to change, nearly tripping while sliding a foot into her shorts before steadying herself. I didn’t expect him to get here so fast! she mumbled, pulling on her shirt and smoothing out her outfit with her palms. Taking a deep breath, she opened her bedroom door and stepped out, only to be met with an eager Val beaming at her like a happy golden retriever just praised for being a good boy.

"Twy! Arc loved my drink! He really loved it! He even asked for another!"​

“Oh, really now?” Surprised by his enthusiasm, she couldn’t help but give him a warm grin. She placed her hand atop his head, playfully ruffling his hair without actually messing it up, as he thanked her for inviting Arc and confessed his approval. She listened quietly, pleased to see him so genuinely happy. "You barely even know the man yet, you goofball." She laughed, pulling her hand away and sighing, though her smile lingered. "I’m glad you made a new friend, especially after all that teasing you threw my way a moment ago." She stuck her tongue out playfully at him before walking past, not wanting to be rude by keeping their guest waiting without a proper greeting.

"Evening Twyla, glad to see you again so soon."
​

“And to you as well, Arc. Good evening!” Twyla greeted as she took her seat, only to feel the chair gliding in smoothly without her assistance. She glanced back, catching Arc as he gently pushed her in. “No need to be so formal, but I appreciate it.” She laughed, touched by his thoughtful gesture - it warmed her heart, especially seeing how kindly he treated Val. Her gaze wandered to the vase of flowers he had brought, their fragrance filling the air as she inhaled deeply. "These are beautiful, and they smell just as lovely. Thank you, but really, there’s no need to go out of your way like this." A faint blush dusted her cheeks, a subtle warmth spreading through her as she turned her attention back to him, her eyes lingering a moment longer than expected.

"Your brother's really kind. Do me a favor and treasure him, okay? You never know what you have until it's gone."​

Twyla’s teeth clenched as she fought back the urge to tell him she already knew, all too well, the pain of losing someone dear, only to wake up to a world without them. She understood Arc’s intentions came from a place of sensitivity, especially given that he was barely a day into grieving his sister who was ironically still alive. “I’ll make sure to do that. Val is one of a kind and means well. He’s my gem.” She glanced over at Val, who was busy crafting another set of drinks, reminding her to reach for the one he had placed before her earlier. She lifted it to her lips, savoring a sip, careful not to linger too long on Val’s praise, though he certainly deserved it. She didn’t want to unintentionally add to Arc’s hurt by gushing too much, mindful of his recent heartache.

"So, to business." Twyla quickly shifted to the main topic - the reason for Arc’s visit. "I had some time to think it over when I got home, and I couldn’t help but get excited to pick an outfit for the nightclub." She reached for her phone on the table, unlocking it and navigating to her saved bookmarks. After a moment, she placed the phone on the table and slid it over to Arc, letting him take a look at the outfit she had chosen.

As Arc examined the images of the outfit Twyla had bookmarked, a notification popped up at the top of the screen, alerting him to a new text message she’d just received.

From: MiaBear

---

UHM HELLO?!? ALORA!!

Why did Val tell me that someone was coming over, a GUY, who is the DETECTIVE, and you didn't tell me????

I am HURT girl! You gotta tell me all of the details!!!!

---

The soft ping of her text notification made Twyla’s ears perk up. She glanced down, catching a brief glimpse of Mia’s message, and gasped, snatching her phone as if her life depended on it. Quickly, she switched it to Do Not Disturb mode, determined to prevent any more interruptions. “I am SO sorry…” She facepalmed, her embarrassment evident. “Please pretend you didn’t see that, matter of fact, don’t even comment on it…” Not waiting for his response, she cleared her throat, regaining her composure as she showed him the image again, this time with a sense of relief.

“This would be your outfit, and if you scroll down, there’s a matching set for me. I think getting them together would be perfect, especially for the role we’re playing. It would leave no room for anyone to second-guess us.” She waited for him to take a closer look at each image, giving him time to form an opinion. “The store’s just down the street, it's called Rave, and it’s pretty popular. I’ve picked up a few things from there before, but nothing like this, so I’m really excited to try something new.” Her eyes sparkled with excitement, as if tiny stars were shimmering in her irises. “I’ve never been to a nightclub before, and even though it’s for business, I think it’ll be fun to finally check one out.”

She bit her lower lip, her gaze drifting downward as she thought. "You mentioned the vampires that raided your home are laying low at the club, but what’s the plan beyond walking in and hoping to spot a familiar face?" Twyla asked, wanting to gather as much information as possible to make the operation go smoothly, especially for his sake. "Aside from playing my role as your partner, is there anything specific you need me to do? I could investigate on my own, maybe use a bit of feminine charm and decision to draw some guys in and see what I can find out."

The thought of flaunting herself, especially around men with hungry, lustful eyes, wasn’t something she enjoyed, but if it meant bringing justice and protecting those she cared about - Val and her adoptive parents - she’d do whatever it took to make the world safer.