You’ve got to curse the day, it’s nothing but a merciless light, So open up your arms and then you get down on your knees. You suck in all the darkness and you’re ready now to seize ─ Seize   the   night!            Seize   the   night!

❝ I’m not that young, ❞ Levi protested, mostly out of instinct. He had to deflect any suggestion of weakness, even though it was painfully obvious that he was no match for any normal vampire–even the ones that were barely skilled in fighting with their own kind. Pudgy, short and cherubic, in a borderline ugly sort of way, he wasn’t sending chills down anyone’s spine. Although he was ensuring the hair on the inside of their nostrils was burnt to a crisp.

❝ I’m, uh…. forty six, ❞ he muttered, nonchalantly averting his gaze. Now that he had truthfully answered the other’s question he didn’t feel so confident in his ability to defend himself against any sudden attacks. 

❝ Bet it’s still a lot older than you expected though, right? ❞ he asked, almost hopefully.

           ❝ I didn’t expect anything, to be honest. I’m horrible at guessing someone’s age, ❞ he replied. He hesitated for a moment, not entirely sure if the boy trusted him in any way, even just a tiny little bit. But then he simply smiled and offered him his hand.

Gentle smile was offered at Alfred’s response, so humble that it pained  Mina to think of the horrors they would have to disclose to this boy. That  was what he was really, a boy who she had little doubt possessed great  prospects and knowledge regarding the subjects. But, to truly encounter  and endure what their family had, no amount of knowledge could protect  one from the unknown dangers that they could potentially become exposed  to. Or, be truly braced for the temptations that would be dangled  before them.  Yet, all attention was lost on the student for a brief moment as all thought  turned to her little boy. The sweet angel instantly parting from the older  boy’s side to run into her opened arms, little arms wrapping tightly around  her neck as he clung to her tight. Taking an equally tight hold upon him,  soothing palm rubbed softly at his back, delicate face turning into his  small cluster of brown curls. A moment was taken to dwell on his powdery  scent, dripping with the gentle perfume of the soap she had bathed him  in the night prior. It was such a sweet smell, so innocent, so pure.  Heart ached slightly as she reluctantly released her grip on him, the maid  bringing in the tray laden with biscuits and a steaming pot of tea for their  young guest. Smile curled rosy lips as his wide, bright little eyes met her  own, so full of the curiosity of youth, she longed to pull him back into  their small embrace. A loving kiss was pressed to his forehead, little  kiss being bestowed to her cheek in a return of the sweet gesture.  “Be good for Elizabeth, Quincey.” She reminded him softly, slender palm patting  his curls as she rose from her spot. A small nudge being given to his  shoulder to usher him over to the young maid waiting patiently by the  door.  “Goodbye, mummy.” The child cooed, reluctantly wandering over to  the maid at her guidance. “Goodbye, mister.” 

           As much as he wanted to, Alfred simply couldn’t look away as mother and son said goodbye to each other. He couldn’t quite recall the last time he had seen a family happy such as this, so loving and pure that his heart felt like bursting. His own mother had died years ago, and no matter how much love he and his sister Anna shared, it was not the same without a mother between them. And yet, seeing the privilege that Quincey got to grow up in an environment like this, surrounded by people who adored him and didn’t fear to show that ── seeing that truly made him happy for the child.

           ❝ I would already like to apologise for this conversation, ❞ he said softly. ❝ I know that what has happened must have been horrible for all of you, and if I could keep you from remembering any of this, I swear I would. I just ── I fear professor Abronsius and I will need all information that we can get. I promise you, though, that I will try to keep this as short as possible. ❞

   ❝ my great uncle was like that, according to my grandmother. the man had a passion for studying engkanto — spirits, although some would call them elves. he gave up his claim to the throne in order to travel & study these creatures. 

    ——— is this why you travel with him? are you passionate about this research of yours? ❞

           Her next words, however, manage to make him slightly uncomfortable. Is he passionate about these studies? Certainly. But barely in the same way as Abronsius is.

     Alfred’s reaction was exactly the reason why Herbert had hoped he could avoid this conversation all together. He did not have to justify his actions very often so he was far from good at making his point clear and arguing with others. Usually conversations like this simply ended with Herbert dropping the subject all together and ignoring it as long as he could before the argument came up once again. He hated to be talked to like that, with so much HOSTILITY. What was he even supposed to say in his defense? If Alfred did not care about how much influence his hunger had had on him, then what would he care for? In the end Herbert knew it didn’t matter what he said, Alfred would hate him no matter what so why should he keep arguing if it was pointless anyway?

           “ Fine, it is a big thing we can’t ignore! What do you want to hear from me? That I’m sorry? I’m not. I will never be sorry for something that is clearly not MY fault. ” He knew he was making things worse by claiming that he had nothing to do with this, that it was not his fault it had happened, that his nature was to be blamed instead of him. “ Do you blame Sarah for what she did? She did more than I ever had the chance to do and you still follow her everywhere like she’s a god damn saint! ”

           ❝ Look, I get it isn’t exactly your fault, alright? I just don’t see how I could ever get along with you if you truly think what you did was fine. Can’t you just stop behaving like a five year old for once and just admit you did something wrong? ❞