The Blood That Binds

“You ever heard the term ‘you’re a sight for sore eyes’? Well, you’re the exact opposite of that.” 

It was typical at first, but now it felt like a nuisance––the embarking and patrolling of her person––keeping her from venturing out and enjoying the last bit of sanity she had left. Poppy wasn’t surprised he’d found her; she frequented this bar quite a lot, enough for the patrons to know her pick of the litter. Despite her often irritated expressions she preferred light and.. fruity refreshments. She supposed this is what she got for sneaking off. When she tried to stand up, she found that her body only fidgeted in its seat. “No need to rough-house me, I got the memo. We’re crystal clear, here. Mind puttin’ the puppies away?” What decorative language he used, she thought. Maybe she’d come up with better wit if she weren’t so busy trying to figure out which of the two reflections was actually him.

“If you so despise me and my rules, perhaps you should abandon my place of residence; I’m sure the owners of this... establishment would be more than happy to give you a bar-stall as a home and serve you glass after glass of poison whilst you wither and age.”

Like for a starter from Ambrogio

“Stop.” Ambrogio swiped the glass from the mortal’s grasp, a single hand on their shoulder enough to keep them pinned to their seat. “I didn’t rescue you from a life of crime and poverty to watch you drink yourself to death. You will do better...” His fangs extended, kind eyes narrowing into slits. “You will be better or you will find your back in the gutters with the rest of the street trash.

“Do you understand me?”

“Forgive me. I don’t mean to intrude but...” Ambrogio tapped the screen of his phone with increasing frustration, “Have you any idea how to use one of these damned things?”

“Step down, young one. Put your fangs away.” Ambrogio scowled, “Before I pluck them from your mouth.”

“On your feet. Quickly now: you are free to leave.” Ambrogio pushed the celldoor open, accompanied by two uniformed police officers. He knew the mortal would be confused but there was no time to waste. “In all honesty, your arrest was a rather inconvenient development; if you are to kill somebody, at least try to not get caught.

“Come now. Keep up.” He swept through the hallways at an impressive pace, “If you don’t accompany me out of the station, you will be punished to the full extent of the law. You don’t want that... Do you?”

  She nodded a bit, when she was a magician she sometimes wondered if they went by that term to avoid the whole ‘witches are evil’ thing. Then again it was nice, no gender roles with that. “May I ask what would that be?” Julia asked, leaning back in her chair. She was relaxed, regardless of her words sounding rather odd. Although she could tell he wasn’t lying, maybe it came with leveling up. “Oh, so you have thought about who you would kill if it did come to it.”

   “Sounds like a romance novel.” She muttered, her lips turned upward only slightly. That tale ended, her voice rang in her mind. “No, not a witch.”

“Their sire’s blood, of course.” Ambrogio glanced again at the man in question. “Indeed, I have. Immortality is not without its sacrifices. A price must be paid, and our’s is at least one tribute - an offering - each and every night.” His brows furrowed. “He is a seller of poison. A collector of people. Look. His leg bounces, his shoulders hunched. And his hands. They cannot be still! Those hands. They are stained with the blood of so many. In truth, I feel a slow gathering desire to kill him myself.

 When he looked back at Julia, his curiosity was obvious. “You carry with you the scent of magic, yet you are not a witch. Nor are you a fairy. Were you a nymph, Hyacinth would surely have sought us out. I must admit. I’m at a loss.” His smile returned. “May I ask what you are, Julia?”

  “Have you ever seen a bad vampire movie?” She questioned raising an eyebrow. “But I’m glad to know they are… harmless.” Julia gave a small and quick smile. “Not opposed, just concerned for everyone. It’s a special talent of mine as of recent.” Her shoulders lifted casually.

         Julia glanced at his hand before shaking it. “Of the Silver Moon?” She repeated back. 

“I’ve never seen a good one.” Ambrogio stirred his tea and raised it to his lips to create the impression he was drinking it. “I understand now. You worry that they might lose control? Fear not. Something far stronger than mortal blood sustains them for now. Even if their hunger were to return, the damage would be limited to...” He pointed to a middle-aged man at the end of the bar. “Him, her-” This time he nodded to a woman at a nearby table. “Or the miscreant that’s been watching us this entire time.”

“Yes. The Silver Moon. It is a long story. One filled with misery, hope and love. All enduring, heart-wrenching, soul-destroying love.” His expression became serious. “Have I found myself in the company of a witch, Julia?”

   It took her a moment but eventually she turned her attention to him. Taking a moment to decide if she wanted to be in this situation.     She could leave, but then again somethings happen for a reason.       “I don’t mean to make anyone nervous.” She stated.  “You know young is possibly the last word I should hear right now.” 

                All the movies she’s seen, young vampires aren’t in control. Maybe OLU sent her here without Julia knowing. To keep an eye on them. The few vampires she’s met look rather crazy. At least the one in front of her had his hair brushed. Unable to help herself Julia laughed, dazzled. “Oh.” She replied, nodding slowly. “Julia, my name is Julia.”

           “And you would be?”

“Ah. But the young are the most harmless. Those that watch us are barely infants; they’re curious, fearless, yet ultimately still fragile.” Ambrogio mused, offering the barman a polite smile as they nudged a cup of steaming liquid in his direction. He lifted it to his nose; it smelled sweet and earthy. “Why, then, are you so opposed to their youth?

“As for me, I am Ambrogio.” He offered his hand. “Ambrogio Cruor of the Silver Moon.”

                               @ambrogiocruor | start.

  Morality points, the words bounced around in her head. She wasn’t sure if she enjoyed the              thought of doing good things for ‘points’ she did them because she’s been hurt and lost before, Julia couldn’t stand the thought of someone like Reynard, taking advantage of                                                innocents.

Her heart strained,  running her fingers along the glass in front of her. She answered a few                     prayers today but didn’t feel like returning to Iris.  The brunette missed the quietness, even though she sat in a busy place. People weren’t interested in her, or trying to get her to practice making worlds.                 They just were here.  A few souls stood out though, her eyes           scanned to the obvious creatures. Like all magical creatures, they rang energy.

                                                Vampire.

Ambrogio moved slowly through the crowd, delighting at the press of soft-warm flesh against his own cold and unyielding flesh. The vampires watched him carefully, their heads bowed out of respect as he took his seat next to the stranger.

“You discern them. The young ones. You make them nervous.” He stared straight ahead. “They are confused and dazzled by you, yet they don’t know why. In truth, you dazzle me too.” Ambrogio turned to examine the girl. “Who are you?”

He glanced at his Vampire Master over the young woman’s neck as he bit into here before he tossed her aside carelessly. “She had the sweetest blood I’ve ever tasted.” He wiped his mouth with his hand before getting to his feed. “Shall we hunt again soon?”

“Again?” Ambrogio scoffed. “What a greedy little glutton you are. Perhaps if you took more care when you fed, and focused on getting the blood in, not around, your mouth, you wouldn’t be so hungry.” He appeared before the fledgling in a heartbeat, reaching forward to swipe a stray drop of blood from the man’s chin. “Our intention here was to scare her. To drive her to give us the names of her accomplices.