n i g h t m a r e !

The vampire breathed the frost and snow into his lungs as his legs carried him along; though of course his movements were slightly deterred by the petite noble that lie unconscious in his arms. White flecks from the ongoing flurry flew and tangled within his ebony locks, but Jean-Jacques did nothing about it in the moment. He was too focused on his current task to care.

He was desperately seeking the aid of Second Progenitor Urd Geales, the current ruler of Russia, to help care for the vampire noble he served, Chloé d’Apchier, who was currently in a coma. He could no longer seek help from his fellow vampires in France, so he took the initiative and made the trek all alone.

“Nii-chan, watch me! I can climb up this tree all by myself!”

AND LACIE started climbing up the zelkova, planning to reach the highest branch and perch herself up there like she usually did. However, the youth was distracted, and found herself slipping further and further, until—

“WAAAUGH—!!”

Vincent found himself looking down at the ground, his long hair falling in front of his face and covering his eyes. "Y-yeah,” He managed to force the words out, “but you’ve only shrunk, haven’t you Jack?” What was said may have been said through forced laughter, but really, he was trying to hide the fact his eyes only wanted to water.

“I really don’t appreciate you making fun of my height,” Jack scolded with a smile, “but it’s honestly really great to see you again.” 

TRUTH BE TOLD, Jack was close to tears himself because of this reunion, though he wouldn’t let his tears show. Not here. He smiled warmly, grasping at a gloved hand.

“So.. how’ve things been...? Where’s your darling brother? I thought the two of you were inseparable.”

Vincent looked away from Ada, hands still gently held by the woman’s own. At this rate there was no way he could speak to her if he maintained the uncomfortable eye contact from just moments before. He found himself uncharacteristically nervous to tell Ada that he had not slept good. Perhaps there was a part of him that was scared she’d ask why. “No, I… Yes, I got plenty of soundless rest. I’m sure that I’ll be fine as long as I can rest later on.” He returned his gaze to meet Ada’s, wondering if it was comfort or disgust he truly found in those emerald eyes of hers. “We should get going. Don’t want to miss the nice weather, now do we?” He deeply, dearly hoped that he had safely averted what could have been a disaster.

SHE FROWNED softly, noticing the way he spoke wasn’t truthful. She tightened her grip on Vincent’s hands, a look of determination coming across her face.

“Screw the date, Vincent-sama. You’re going to stay here and sleep. I will not rest until you rest. I’ll even sing for you, o-or even read you a story. Whatever it takes. Sleep is important.”

She dragged him towards the bed and made him sit down, glaring at him like she would a small child she was watching over.

“It’s nice to see you again on such a day, Ada. I hope I did not leave you waiting here too long.” The pretty words left his lips as if they tasted bitter. He directed his eyes down after the words fell and noticed that, indeed, the girl did seem to be trembling a little bit. “My, are you a bit cold out here? Do you need my coat by chance?” He hoped his expression was a pleasant one and not something far worse.

WHEN VINCENT waved to her, Ada smiled warmly, albeit a little nervously. She hoped he wouldn't notice her nerves as she rose to greet him, holding onto the box a little tighter.

She hadn't been waiting for long at all, thankfully, though she did wince visibly when asked if she needed his coat.

"N-No, I'm fine, thank you. Uh-Uhm.. I.. made you a gift. Sorry I couldn't give it to you yesterday.."

Vincent shifted himself onto his side, his blond hair messily strewn about the top of his pillow. It wasn’t the first time that Vincent had simply withdrawn himself from his “partner”, but this felt worse than normal, and the only thing on his mind was sleeping it away like everything else. “I do suppose that is true, Lottie,” he said, coolly. “At this hour, you should either fall asleep or take your leave. We can talk about other things in the morning or… something like that.” He let his eyes close shut, hoping that she would take the hint and head back to wherever it was that she stayed the night.

CLUTCHING THE bedsheets tight, Lottie sat up, giving Vincent a fake smile as she watched him turn to sleep. Soft laughter falling from her lips before she spoke, voice as sugarcoated as ever.

“Ara, but can’t we talk now?” Pale digits moved to entangle within blond locks. “It’s important to not leave a lady waiting, you know?”

Despite her tone being laced with innocence, carnation hues glared daggers at the man beside her. It didn’t matter how he acted towards her. It never mattered. None of it did. Charlotte was used to this behavior, and tonight was her first time insisting such a conversation couldn’t wait. If she hadn’t insisted, she knew the topic would never have been brought up again, and she didn’t want to risk it.

He laughed a little to himself — dragging a girl like this felt much like a smaller Echo. A part of him wondered a little bit if Echo would let him attempt to drag her around like a corpse. Perhaps he would “ask” her about it later. Vincent slid the girl onto the couch, carefully resting her head against the arm of it before leaving her to slump into herself as she slept. Vincent himself simply closed the door to his room, locked it from the inside, and went to sit on his bed while he waited for the girl to wake up.  He had no ulterior motives for once in a long while; he had simply locked the door so she wouldn’t be able to do any damage to the manor itself if she woke up in a panic. Vincent went back to stabbing his dolls in peace as he waited.

AWAKING WITH a start, Azure sat up, looking around. Tiny hands moved to place themselves over her erratic heart, attempting to ease her pulse to a calm pace. She looked over and saw Vincent upon the bed, rising and moving over to walk up to him. 

Without thinking, he moved forward towards the girl once more, his gloved hand grabbing and pulling at the front of her shirt. Even without being particularly strong he pulled her to her tip-toes, a look fouler than her own earlier smearing itself on his face. If Vincent himself had seen his own expression, surely the hatter’s words about his dear brother would have flooded his mind, but he dare not think about it.

Vincent’s fingers clenched the thin fabric tighter, not able to bring himself to hit her or yell at her, only stare into the child’s eyes in disgusted silence. He hardly knew why he was doing such a thing, but didn’t particularly care about the reasoning now.

SHE HADN’T expected to be grabbed by her shirt. and in a panic, emerald hues flickered white as her palm pressed itself upon the man’s back. Flames flickered beneath her hand, catching upon the cloth of Vincent’s shirt and burning a hole through the ebony fabric.