—BREAD & BUTTERFLY,

“Good, because I wouldn’t ever want to know how it is to live my life without you guys. I can already imagine all the stuff that we will do, we will have so much fun” he had such amazing friends, and he was so glad for them, the two of them, cared so much about him, it was nice to have people like that in his life. “Good point, I never really kept a friend when they weren’t good, I always wanted to just have good friends, real friends” he never cared too much about popularity, so he just had a few friends, but they were real ones. “Insulting me is not going to help your case”

“Ah, I’m glad you’re seeing this positively. But you’re right, it’ll be quite the adventure. What would you want to do first, huh? Anywhere in the world you’d want to go? Anything you want to do specifically?” They questioned as a smile crossed their features. There was a silver lining to the whole living forever thing. And at least now Ileana had someone to spend it with. “Yeah, having something negative around isn’t really the best way to go. But don’t worry, I’ll help you steer clear of situations like that.” They assured. “I wouldn’t say it’s an insult per say. But alright, I’ll throw a compliment out there. You’re a very sweet... and caring, butthead.”

                  “Wonder why you can’t find the words around me. Do you try much of that when there is snow everywhere? Guess I’m the opposite — those barren trees in that part of the forest, they’re among my favorite. Yeah, and your sunny disposition doesn’t make the warm weather loving much of a surprise either, hippie.” 

“Town’s pretty dull when there’s no murders to talk about, eh?”

            “You can’t just declare something like that and expect me to say nothing. Pretty bold statement.” 

          “See — that’s the joke. No one’s here because I killed the bartender. And now, it’s free drinks on the house. You should thank me.”

For some reason, the fact that she pointed out how he didn’t know the first thing about her only made him angrier. Whose fault was that? “I’m not painting you like some bad guy”, the vampire said, tilting his head as he studied her features — such delicate, beautiful features he’d once been too afraid to look at for fear that he might offend her. Now his scrutinizing gaze took in every detail and his jaw tightened with the urge to attack, sink his teeth into her throat and watch her face contort into pain. See how she liked it. “I’m painting you as a hypocrite.” 

Henryk scoffed out a laugh and for a moment he considered pointing out that leaving was the opposite of caring, that he should know it because he was very good at it, but his anger grew colder again. It no longer burned through his senses, but settled within his ribs like a weapon, ice cold and sharp. “You’re right, it is pointless.” Cut it off before it kills you. “I don’t have time for this”, he said and pushed past her without even knowing where he was off to, just that he needed to get the hell away from her.

It was completely ridiculous of Ileana to try and fight him on any of this. He wasn’t going to see their side of things and they weren’t going to see his. So why they tried was completely beyond them. But did that stop the young imp? Not a chance. “A hypocrite? Really? Are you completely deluded? What have I done that makes me a hypocrite? Honestly, Henryk.” As the frustration grew, Ileana crossed their hands at their chest and huffed. They then waited for a moment, taking in the rest of their reaction to the conversation before letting our a small chuckle.

                “Because spring’s the better season. I think it beats summer, fall, and winter, despite the amount of rain we’ll get. As they all say, spring showers bring may flowers. No, it’s alright —- I know we all hope to get that.  Things have calmed down quite a bit, so maybe that’s a sign of normality?”

                  “Yeah, I can definitely agree with you on that one. It’s that time where you can go outside and enjoy the sun but not burn up like crazy. Though, I gotta argue that sometimes spring showers bring weekend snow storms that are followed up by heat, in random parts of Canada. Luckily, it hasn’t happened here yet. One can hope, right? Let’s just cross our fingers that we didn’t jinx it by saying that.”

                 “Fully aware of that fact and half of it at the moment is because you seem so put out because of it; its amusing me. Is it a known thing that Imps prefer hot weather or something or is that just you? And before you ask — I like the cold.”

“Let’s switch it up! What do you wanna sing? ‘Paradise by the Dashboard Light’?” 

“Hmm.. only if we’re really glowing like the metal on the edge of a knife, afterward.”

“I’m already used to it, and I don’t want that to change, you and Carlos are the only family I have left, I don’t know what I would do without you guys” his maker was like a brother to him, and she was like a sister, his family didn’t die, but he lost them nevertheless. He couldn’t talk to them, nor see them, so he lost them, even if they were still alive. “Good friends do, but not every friend, because there are some that aren’t exactly good, but that’s not your case, you’re a great friend” he smiled at her, he felt lucky he had such amazing friends in his life. “Hm… I guess, I can try to trust you”

“Well, don’t worry, you ever have to know what it’s like to be without us. We’ll get to do pretty exciting things, as well. Just imagine what the future holds and how we get to be a part of it all.” That was one of the decent things about being immortal. The chance of getting to really experience life. “If the friend isn’t exactly good, are you even able to call them a friend? That seems a little pointless to keep someone around as a quote-on-quote friend if they aren’t going to treat you right.” Something she knew a little too well, unfortunately. “You totally can, butt head.”

“I’d be happy to provide it, though I still don’t understand why you need it.” Being complimentary was in Cal’s nature, at least with people he liked, but he generally meant at least half the things he said. He couldn’t understand what Ileana had to be self-conscious about. “A good question, but I think first you need to understand why you don’t have it, or what worries you about doing it. I’m just guessing, of course, as a lack of confidence has never been my problem.” Cal smirked, as he usually did when he was cocky. “Now see, I think that nervousness is at the root of the problem. What do you have to be nervous about, I wonder? You’re actual royalty. People should be throwing themselves at your feet begging you to grant them the pleasure of licking your shoes.” That was maybe going a bit too far but Cal always had had a dramatic flair. 

“Yeah, I guess I’m just being whiney now. I should just learn to listen to what you have to say.” They just didn’t have it them to be like Cal was saying. Ileana, despite what they were of nature and all the years they had to get used to who they were, couldn’t find the confidence so many others found. “I’ll stop fussing so much over it, promise.” They assured, smiling softly in response. “That makes sense. Gotta find the real root of the problem. Which, I’ll definitely have to do one my own time. I’m not going to burden you with my crazy and obscure insecurities.” Running a hand through their hair, Ileana then shrugged. “Wow, the pleasure of licking my shoes... that’s... Yeah, definitely not. I don’t view myself as royalty, Cal. I know my family is royalty by a technicality in the supernatural world but is royalty meant to help with how one views themselves? It’s not like I can go around flaunting it.” Nor would they. “What would you do if you were in my position? Just out of curiosity.” 

            “That’s something we have in common then, because I have no desire to comment on what anyone is wearing. I’d rather we talk about the weather than how either of us might be doing, okay?”

                     “I’d be a fool not to enjoy the game and all the twist and turns that go along with them. I’ll be here long after everyone has turned to dust and the earth start’s to bleed; making my own enjoyment is the only way to keep my wits about me, love. These hands of mine adore getting messy, I’ll have you know. A minimum? I can try.”