Conversations.

The vampire nodded, making Loki smile as he added,

“Well…thank you…for that. I mean, you really saved my ass heh heh…eh…”

He looked at the vampire trying his hardest to sound friendly and calm. He knew he would be able to sense his nervousness…and Cid’s fear…and on top of waking up in a strange place he must be really confused. He held himself back a bit so as not to get too close and frighten the other vampire, still trying to remain calm as he requested,

“Would you please come in and sit down? Talking like this is very awkward.”

Loki smiled as he asked this, a smile that only grew larger when he saw the vampire nod and enter the room…but as soon as he took a step forward Cid took a step back. Both vampires looked at him,

“It’s ok Cid…really.”

Loki reassured him again but, seeing the fear in Cid’s eyes he turned back to the other vampire.

“I’m sorry about this please, take a seat. I wont be a second.”

The vampire bowed his head in acceptance and moved towards the couch. Loki however, moved towards Cid, dragging him to the side and whispering,

“Don’t be scared of him Cid, you’re making him uneasy.”

Cid frowned.

“I can’t help it! He’s a vampire!”

“So? I’m a vampire and you’re fine with me.”

“That’s different! I’ve known you since we were kids!”

“How is that different?”

“It’s just I know how you work and…”



Dontas came over to the couch, his eyes wandering over the objects on the coffee table; nothing of great note, a few random pieces of paper, an envelope and an empty mug that had been used not that long ago. The more Dontas stared at the mug he could sense the touch of the human on it…‘Cid‘…that’s what the other vampire said…this was ‘Cid’s’ cup then. He pondered for a moment, taking a seat on the couch as a small piece of paper sitting under the envelope caught his attention. He reached over and touched it, feeling his curiosity getting the better of him as always…feeling a strange tug…something pulling him towards this piece of paper. As he got closer he could hear whispering, a voice he didn’t recognise. A vampire. It was a vampire who had used this piece of paper…he ran the tip of his finger over the surface…tying to pin point this vampire in his mind…just as another scent came to his attention. A familiar scent. A sensation he hadn’t felt in years. He probed this other vampire’s presence for a moment before it hit him.

His eyes widened. His blood chilled. As soon as he saw the vampire’s face in his mind he jumped, taking his fingers away from the paper, as though it had just delivered him a shock. His mouth dried as his lips whispered the name,

‘Tsule.’

“Sorry about him.”

Loki said as he sat back down in the chair across the coffee table, smiling at Dontas who blinked heavily, being dragged back to reality by the sound of voice.

“He’s not used to other vampires so excuse him for being skittish.”

Dontas looked round at Cid; he was standing over at the far wall, resting against it with his arms crossed as he watched the pair of them…overseeing their conversation and readying himself to step in whenever he was needed.  Loki smiled,

“What’s your name?”

He asked as he observed the other vampire, brimming with questions and a curiosity that Dontas could feel oozing from him from across the table. Dontas watched him, those young eyes staring at him with that bile yellow hue that shone oddly in his direction…like a child who sought joy in ripping the wings of captured insects. He felt like he was about to be subject to an interrogation of sorts…however, his manner got the better of him as he bowed his head again and replied,

“Dontas. Dontas Tenebrae.”

“Dontas?”

Loki asked sounding even more curious than he looked,

“Sounds old. I’ve never heard of a name like that before.”

His eyes twinkled with a wicked excitement, had he actually found one of those really old vampires that he had only read about until now?

“I don’t know how old it is.”

Dontas replied, watching Loki…almost hearing his mind race a mile a minute.

“Well…how old are you?”

Dontas frowned slightly, making Loki add quickly,

“It’s ok…if you don’t want to say…”

“It’s not that I don’t want to say.”

Dontas sat back in the couch, still managing to remain sitting upright; his posture making him seem taller than Loki as they sat facing each other, even though Loki was a good inch and a half taller in height.

“I just don’t understand the relevance in the question. Why do you want to know?”

Loki sat back a bit too, trying to justify himself.

“Eh….well…I just…haven’t really met another vampire properly like this. Urm…I was left when I was made…”

He scowled as he said this, this topic still having an obvious effect on him even after the five years since it happened. Dontas listened to him, not just the words he spoke but the energy he gave off, sensing his awkwardness and his need for answers intrigued him somewhat. He had a few questions of his own he needed answered by this ’boy’…that piece of paper in his table…he must know who sent it to him…

“…I’m sorry I’m not very good at this.”

Loki blushed slightly as he apologised, seeing Dontas stare at him with those penetrating eyes. He ruffled his hair and made to leave when Dontas stopped him, his voice low and dark, almost void of emotion,

“No. please. Ask your questions.”

Loki looked at him as he added,

“Then I shall ask my own.”

“urr…ok then…”

Loki glanced at Cid who motioned him to carry on, starting to look a bit intrigued himself at the character that sat on Loki’s couch. Loki looked back to Dontas, taking a moment to decide on his first question.

“…so…how old are you?”

He tried his luck again, watching as the vampire thought for a moment, then answered.

“That depends.”

Loki scowled again,

“Depends? Depends on what?”

Dontas stroked his chin as he thought for another moment, choosing his explanations carefully.

“On your point of view. From my point of view I’m 20.”

He paused, longer than a standard pause indicating a break in a sentence…causing Loki to think he was finished and ask,

“20? You’re only 20?”

The vampire nodded,

“Technically.”

“…?”

Loki squinted.