#arcelm

Currently, he paged through a retelling of the childhood of some long forgotten hero. Back when the continents still were united and ruled by a class of people that are no longer remembered. He’d spend months now to better understand how the Gods brought such ruin and destruction to their world and then simply left them for a century or two. Wars waged, civilizations rose and fell, and they simply watched.

No wonder that other presences tried to smuggle their way into the heart of mortal souls. 

An exasperated sigh echoed through the air and Veldarin took the volume with him to get back to the table that he shared with his the only other person in this vaste, private library. It truly never hurts to be on good terms with the courts and indulge in their politics and parties. 

Arcelm sat in a high chair, back hunched and glasses almost sliding from his nose. His hair was unusually messy and ink was splattered on his fingers. Strange to see him like this, because normally he took pride in looking polished and ready for wherever adventures might lead them. Veldarin understood the frustration. They followed a rather intricate puzzle and were not an inch closer to solving it. 

“I wish I could understand this better. It’s difficult to read.” He looked up and his eyes appeared red and swollen from the constant reading. They’d need to take a break from research soon and enjoy some of the markets. Indulging in some ripe fruits and souvenirs for the loved ones that had stayed behind in the normal plane. Not everyone seemed interested in setting foot back into the Feywild and the shenanigans that always happened. 

Veldarin kissed his forehead. "You're the smartest person I know."

“As if…” He poked out his tongue and looked a little less tired, but annoyed by Veldarin’s words.

That earned him an impressive display of rolling his eyes. “Ha-ha. Not sure if that will help us.”

“It’s not all about bookish knowledge. Empathy matters as well.” Shrugging, he took the seat right next to the half-elf.

“Not to mention seducing a handsome, older Drow gentleman, which is no small feat after all.”

“Probably not, but I like pointing it out.” Smiling, he took Arcelm’s hand and pulled him up. The sudden movement pushed him against his chest. 

Accompanied by an ever-present dread and fear of losing him. Not for the first time, probably not for the last, because loving a hero always offered surprises.

Dertona already proofed to be more than a simple, diplomatic mission with Jaro proudly declaring the peaceful words of King Alces. Instead, they faced vampires controlling fallen Paladins and a revived, ancient black Dragon.

Veldarin rubbed his head. He’d have a talk with some friends about the situation and what could be done about it.

But right now, he just missed his partner.

And he wanted to kiss him.

And tell him that he loved him.

So badly.

Veldarin didn’t understand why it seemed so hard for him to form these words. Love for a Drow had always been such a strange concept and out of his reach. Every thing that you loved would be taken away from you. And you’d get punished for showing affection. He’d spent so many years on the surface and in the Feywild and still he feared those three words.

“Ugh.”

He’d watch Arcelm speak and move and found himself considering just using teleportation magic to get there. With Amalthea at his side, he could. But should he? If the desire and need to kiss Arcelm silly became even stronger, he’d seriously consider it.

Veldarin stood up.

Better to find someone to be miserable together with. Alces had shared most of his emotions and still slept badly, because he’d felt his husband die. Their bond broken by death. He’d found him a shaky mess, face red from crying and ready to send a whole fleet toward their neighboring country.

“Alces?”

“Yes?” The voice came somewhere from the second floor.

“Ready for some wine?”

He sat hunched down in one of the comfy chairs, knees tucked close to his chest and a book on his lap. Strands of hair fell into his eyes and Veldarin bit his lip to suppress his urge of touching them.  

“Eh, yes? Should I go?” “No, it’s fine. Just exhausting to work with unprofessional suppliers of potion ingredients. Bought some bach flowers and valerian and delivery smashed them into a pulp. And I’d rather not talk about the rose petals.”

“So you can’t use them?” “Not for the true magic.” His rings dangled, as he dramatically moved his fingers to emphasize his words. “But for the mundane, surely.”

Veldarin pulled a chair and sat down close to Arcelm. “So, anything interesting?”

“So much. I don’t even know where to start. There is just a whole nother world, I mean, two if we want to be precise? Both separated by different laws and magic and physics and so many people living in them. I can’t begin to grasp the implications? How is any of this possible? How was I so blind?” Arcelm talked fast and animated and only stopped after looking up to see Veldarin’s face. ““I’m rambling again, ain’t I?” “Yes, but it’s rather endearing.” It was. Veldarin felt a bit jealous, watching someone as young and inexperienced stumbling into their world for the first time. He understood Taliyah’s decision to not involve Arcelm into the supernatural for 21 years of his life, but now he’d much to learn and discover. 

A new-born vampire in the midst of a century long mystery. How very alluring. Hopefully he wouldn’t start to indulge in the darker side of his powers. Many younglings had lost their mind drunk on blood. And he hadn’t even started talking about how crossing the wrong vampire or fae lord could potentially lead to your instant execution. Or how some werewolves were driven to insanity by the call of a full moon nor the cruel magics pixies used for fun. 

Arcelm’s new world offered many dangerous things. 

But right now, he was safe. Veldarin had always opened his store to everyone. A neutral ground to shop and talk and get some rest. Sometimes even help, like Arcelm needed a few months ago. 

Said vampire blushed right to the tips of his ears and tried to hide it with hair and glasses, to no avail. “Oh.”

Laughing, Veldarin stood up, took the book from Arcelm’s lap and placed it on a table. “Come, I’ll make you a tea and you can ramble as long as you like.” “Thanks.” The blushing intensified. Curious how a vampire could even a reach a shade as tomato as this one. 

Someone rang the bell on his front door. Veldarin didn’t want anyone coming in this early and his mood spoke of short hours and too many failed potions. Probably a bad cutting of herbs and other ingredients.  

Veldarin put his cup down and opened the door. Two overdressed young men, book in hand, smile too fake and bright. 

“Good morning, can we interest you in the teachings of Bahamut?”

“Not interested, thank you.” Veldarin quickly shut the door and heard their voices behind it. Stupid Bahamut clerics and their teachings about love and equality, while opressing most of the city with religious doctrine. 

Veldarin sat down with his tea and some light breakfast. They shouldn’t occupy too much of his headspace. 

It knocked again.

Driven by righteous furry, he opened his door again. “I said that I’m not interested…” “Ah, sorry. I can leave that here.” Arcelm put a basket on the ground. His cheeks reddened and he looked like a deer in the headlights. “And go away.”

Veldarin grabbed him by the shoulder. “No, wasn’t meant for you. Come in.”

“My mother wanted you to have this. As a little thank you, for you know, picking me up from the streets”

“How sweet of Taliyah.” He smiled and his stomach growled. She’d baked a bunch of cupcakes, red velvet. Veldarin raised a brow and imagined her smirking about the choice of pastry. 

He guided Arcelm towards his dining area on the second floor. “Want tea, coffee? Water?” “No, I’m okay.” Arcelm seemed shy and innocent compared to his mother and totally out of wits right now. Veldarin felt his protective senses tingling. A newborn vampire was nothing more than a small kitten out on the prowl and so easy to hurt and manipulate and he hoped that no dangerous entity would take notice of his friend’s son. 

Veldarin brewed another tea with a side of bach flowers. “Here, drink it. It’ll calm your nerves.”

“Thank you.” He took a small sip, cheeks still red and the rest of his skin pale and freckled. 

“You’re welcome.” Veldarin grabbed a cupcake, leaning back on his chair, legs stretched out beneath the table and watched Arcelm. He took a bite and his taste senses applauded Taliyah for another delicacy. 

His eyes tried to met Arcelm’s, though the younger men wouldn’t dare to look at him. “So, I guess Taliyah and you had a good talk about your family and its secrets?” “Yes, though it’s a lot to take in.” Arcelm’s chuckle sounded fake and a bit panicked. “I mean vampires, werewolves and warlocks? What else is out there?”

“I bet it is.” Veldarin put his free hand on Arcelm’s. “If you have any questions, you can also come and talk to me. I won’t judge you and I offer a vast library of books concerning our non human existence.”

“A library?” Finally Arcelm dared to look at him and his eyes were so bright it almost hurt. Deep and blue and like an entire ocean. 

Veldarin took a deep breath, putting any forbidden mental images aside. “Yes, I happen to own one.” “Can…” He chewed on his lip. “See it?” “Of course, but please finish your tea first.” “Of course!” It brought some color to his skin and flattened the edges of Arcelm’s anxiety. Watching him made Veldarin aware that he shouldn’t get too close or too involved in this vampire’s life. 

---

The bright neon signs of the various clubs were glowing in all kind of colours and the streets were full with people of various stages of drunkenness. Arcelm savoured all the different impressions of the night life of Ebrus City. It’s not that his parents wouldn’t let him party and go out with his friends, but - well - how shall he put it … his mother had a very peculiar way of not letting him leave the house on certain nights. Nights like this one. 

Arcelm loved his parents dearly, especially his mother, but sometimes he wished that she was more normal. In a more “down to earth” way. She had the habit of planning their life after a stupid calendar. With various moon cycles and even things like blood moons and eclipses. Arcelm looked up and wrinkled his nose. Heavy clouds were blocking the sky. He saw no stars and especially no full moon. Which apparently was today, at least according to his mother. Come to think of it, she was a bit nervous today and made extra sure that he took his medication on time and - oh shit! What time was it? He needed to take the last one before midnight! Arcelm searched his pockets but wasn’t able to find the familiar little case he always carried around. He must had forgotten it in one of the trousers he tried on and decided to change them for a more skinnier pair of jeans before he snuck out. He sighed and rubbed his nose. It wasn’t the end of the world if he forgot to take one. To be honest, it wasn’t real medication to begin with. Just a “natural supplement” which his mother also took from time to time. This shouldn’t ruin his plans for tonight! He’ll just have some fun for a couple of hours and then return a bit earlier than planned. Yeah, that should do it!

The most known and popular clubs already were too full and Arcelm’s cheerful mood slowly turned sour. With a bottle of alcopop in one hand and the other deep in the pocket of his jeans, he strolled down the street. There were some couples here and there and some of them were already kinda into it and as Arcelm caught himself staring a bit too long, he turned his heavy blushing face away. Maybe all of this wasn’t the best idea after all. Maybe he should go home and bury his face deep into his pillow and drown in self-pity for five minutes. Maybe he -

“Hey there handsome. Your face is way too pretty to be moping around. I’m guessing you’re alone too? My group just ditched me so - wanna hang?”

Arcelm froze. In front of him stood a drop dead gorgeous woman. Red curly shoulder length hair, deep green eyes, a short black dress which highlighted all of her curvy female features perfectly, black high heels and her voice! Arcelm blinked a couple of times and gathered all the courage he could muster in his half tipsy state: “Hi - hey! Wow, I mean, hey. Yeah sure - at least I think you are talking to me?” Arcelm quickly turned around to see if there was someone standing behind him. The woman giggled. “Aren’t you a cute and funny one? I must be so lucky tonight. Listen, I’ll show you the real deal. Those crowded clubs in the front? Only for losers. Come, follow me. Let’s have a good time tonight!” With that, she grabbed Arcelm’s hand and started walking towards the end of the main street. He looked down at their locked hands and felt a slight shiver running down his spine. Maybe he was just too nervous right now, but her hand felt so cold in his own. He cleared his throat : “My name’s Arcelm. Who do I spend the evening with?” The woman smiled and squeezed his hand. Then she took a turn right, leaving the busy main street. “It’s just around the corner. You’ll love it there.” Arcelm cleared his throat again: “O-okay. You got me curious you know. I mean, this is kinda like a mysterious adventure. You still didn’t tell me your name.” She looked over her shoulder and winked: “You’re curious indeed! And I want to stay mysterious for a bit longer. It’s fun!” He chuckled and tried to reply, hiding his rising insecurity: “If you say so!”

Arcelm looked around. While the main street was bright and flashy, this alley certainly had his own charme. He heard the dulled music coming from a few buildings. Mostly heavy metal music mixed with some heavy beats here and there. The woman lead him to a building with red wooden doors. There was no sign with a name above it. At least Arcelm didn’t find one. The man in the front, probably a security guy, just nodded towards Arcelm’s new acquaintance and opened the door. Without hesitation, she pulled Arcelm through and as the doors were closed behind them, it got dark. Really dark. The woman chuckled: “You have an unique name you know. You shouldn’t give it away so freely like that.” She pulled him closer to her and Arcelm could feel her breath on his neck and her knee between his thighs. “I promise you, this will be a night you’ll never forget, Arcelm.” And with that, she opened another door in front of them and suddenly the quietness of the small and dark entry room was replaced by loud music and Arcelm felt his body starting to vibrate to the deep bass in the huge dancing room. A sweet and metallic smell filled his lungs and without even noticing, his body started to move on its own. He looked into the green eyes of his new acquaintance and he suddenly felt so free, careless even. She smiled and they started dancing. He didn’t even know he could dance like that. She put his hands on her hips, encouraging him to explore. He felt her hands doing the same. And after a while, there was another pair of hands and a new face. And then another. Everything started to feel like a blur. Arcelm heard her voice calling his name over and over again. And he followed her through the dancing crowd. He saw her green eyes in front of him. Her beautiful face smiling and everything around him didn’t matter anymore. Because everything was just her. 

He wasn’t sure how much time had past since he entered the club. He wasn’t even sure how many people he had danced with. But he was pretty sure the pain he was feeling right now, was coming from his right arm. Arcelm blinked a couple of times and tried to focus. Where was he? This wasn’t the dance room from before. This room was so bright and it smelled heavily like disinfectant. And why was he lying on his back? Arcelm felt like he was hit by a truck. Slowly he tried to stand up and get on his feet but felt a yank at his right wrist. “What the fuck…?” He looked  down and saw that he was handcuffed to the surface he was lying on. With his free hand, he pulled up his sleeve to look for the source of the pain he felt in his right harm but everything seemed fine by the look of it. He moved his legs and was relieved that they weren’t cuffed either. He took a deep breath and sat up. No need to panic. There was a perfect - maybe not reasonable - but at least a reason, for him being in this … laboratory? He let his eyes wander and shuddered a bit. Surgical equipment, test tubes, white tiles as far as the eye could see and ... a crimson red blood trail leading out of the room. Arcelm felt a sudden pain in his chest. He tried to avert his gaze from the strains on the floor but something compelled him to look. To suck in the air which smelled so sweet. He started to sweat heavily and also started to hear whispers, voices - so many of them: 

Why did you bring him? Look what you did! I didn't’t know! How should I know? I’m sorry, I’m so sorry! Run, we have to run! It’s not too late! He can be killed! We must hurry! He has no power! Don’t be stupid or do you want to end like Allen?

“No, NO - I don’t want to die!” Arcelm started to drag on the handcuff. His right arm already felt sore from the pain, but he pulled with all the strength his body could muster in his moment. He didn’t want to die. He still was so young. Still had so much to see, so much to feed on. With a last tug, he broke the chain on the handcuff and got up. His feet didn’t touch ground though but something different. Something soft. Arcelm looked down and froze in shock. He stood in a pool of blood and shreds of something that cleary was human once. The pain in his chest returned and it was so much harder this time. Arcelm wanted to grab the table he was lying on not long ago for support but stumbled and fell backwards, knocking over some of the tables and racks in his way.

The next following moments happened in a flash. After hearing the loud noise in the room, the door opened and a couple of people entered the lab. Arcelm got on his feet and tried to run away. Someone grabbed him by the arm, but he managed to shake them off. One just backed down and let him run, but another one tackled him to the ground. Arcelm screamed for help while trying to get the hands of his attacker off him. “Let me go you sick fuck!” The man sitting on him started yelling: “Don’t just stand there! Help me you fucking coward or else we can’t finish him off!” Arcelms eyes widened in shock. No, no!

I don’t want to die. Please no! Someone please help me ...

You don’t need help. They are weak. You are superior. They don’t deserve the blood.

The blood? The blood … is mine. All is mine. 

---

This was certainly not what he expected from his 21th birthday. Arcelm opened his eyes and closed them again in an instant. His head hurt so much. He just wanted to have some fun. Did he overdo it yesterday? He tried to remember, but everything was black. He frowned. Why did his room smell like sandalwood and lilies? And was that a velvet bed sheet he was lying on? He made another effort to open his eyes and blinked a couple of times. He groaned.

“So, you finally decided to return to the living?”

Arcelm sat up in a jolt and instantly regretted his sudden movement. Slowly he moved his head to the direction where the unknown deep male voice came from. The room was dimly lit so he had to squint his eyes a bit to find out who was talking to him. The man closed the book in his hands, put it on a side table and got up from the armchair he was sitting on. He was tall, 5’9 or maybe even 6’, slender and his movement was smooth and elegant. He opened the curtains a bit more before heading towards the bed. 

Arcelm blinked a bit and … blushed. He had never seen a more beautiful and graceful man in his life before. His skin was like polished obsidian and his long thick white hair perfectly underlined his aristocratic face, his long nose, the curved brows and the full lips. But the most striking feature for Arcelm were his lilac eyes. Arcelm caught himself staring and his heart started to pound.

“Cat caught your tongue? I’m no healer, but I think I patched you up quite nicely. Do you remember what happened last night?” The stranger sat down on the bed, right next to Arcelm. Without knowing, Arcelm took a deep breath and his face got even redder. The man chuckled. “Okay. Let’s start slowly. My name is Veldarin. Right now, you are lying in my bed in a house near the marketplace of Ebrus. I found you just around the corner of my shop, covered in blood.” With that, all the color of Arcelm’s face faded away and the man put up a hand in defence. “Listen, I - I won’t judge. I just had the feeling that you needed the help and I must admit that I am intrigued. In a certain way. So, you don’t need to be afraid. I won’t call the police if you don’t want to. Would you be willing to share your name and story with me?”

Arcelm fumbled with the velvet blanket and was silent for a couple of minutes, trying to get his thoughts together. What … did happen though? He wet his lips before he started to speak: “I think I did something stupid. At least it wasn’t stupid in the beginning. I wanted to celebrate my birthday. You know, have some fun on the 21st one?” Veldarin nodded in agreement. “Happy belated birthday then.” Arcelm smiled for a second. “Thank you, uhm, anyway, I wasn’t allowed to leave the house and so I sneaked away from home and went down to Ebrus City, to the clubs - but I wasn’t able to enter the regular ones. A woman approached me, red hair, black clothes. She took me with her to a club she knew. Some metal club, I can’t remember anymore. We had some fun but then … everything’s a blur.” Arcelm bit on his lip. And frowned. “I remember a white room. And blood. So much blood.” He started to tremble. “I-I remember being afraid. I ran and something happened. But I can’t remember. I-I’m sorry, I can’t remember!” Arcelm didn’t remember the last time he cried in front of another person but right now, he couldn't stop the tears from forming in his eyes. He quickly wiped them away and looked down on his hands. The nails on his right hand were so much longer than those on his left. And since when could he literally see his blood pulsating in his veins? “My mother always made me take some kind of natural supplement. I always thought that they were just some fake vitamins, but I didn’t take them yesterday. And look what happened.” 

Big blue eyes met lilac ones and Veldarin crossed his arms in front of his chest, raising an eyebrow. “I’m sorry but I think I didn’t catch your name …?” Arcelm blinked a couple of times and looked down apologetically. “Where are my manners. My name’s Arcelm. My full name is kinda long but it’s Arcelm Aseir Emys von Irnamil. Thank you for helping me. I’m sure my family will be able to-” Arcelm couldn’t finish his sentence because Veldarin suddenly grabbed him by his shoulders and shook him slightly. “Y o u are Arcelm? That explains everything! I had my assumptions but I wasn’t sure.” Veldarin’s gaze suddenly changed from relieved to concerned and he let his hands slide down from the shoulders to the hands and took them into his. Arcelm started to blush again and shivered a bit. He felt goosebumps raising on his skin. “But at the same time, you were really careless. Do you even know how much time and energy your mother spends to keep you safe?” Veldarin sighed. “You-you know my mother?” The white haired man nodded and squeezed Arcelm’s hands before letting them go. He stood up again and went to one of the drawers in the far corner of the room. Arcelm already missed  the warmth of the older man’s hands and watched him opening the top drawer, cleary looking for something.

The world was a small place though. Who would have thought that someone his mother knew would help him out in the first place? The young man was getting curious now. She never told him about a man like Veldarin. How did she got to know him? Arcelm wriggled his toes. He occupied the bed long enough! It was time to stand up. He looked around the room again. Where were his clothes though? He slid to the edge of the bed and wrapped the blanket around his waist. A blush creeped into his cheeks again as he stood there. Next to him the king sized bed of an older man. This was certainly not the time to question his sexual interests but he always thought that he liked ... women. But then again, he never met someone like Veldarin in his life before. Arcelm sighed. This was uncalled for. He didn’t have the right to think about his savior like that. And this meeting properly was the last one anyway... 

Arcelm stretched his arms and legs before walking up to Veldarin. “I don’t want to sound rude, but do you know where my clothes are? I think I should head home now. Although I would love to avoid my punishment but it’s not my first time to be grounded for a longer time.” Veldarin finally closed the drawer with a quiet sound of accomplishment and turned around to face the young man. With a smile, he took Arcelm’s hand in his again and placed two red pills in it. “The agent in these two pills should suffice for the week. And don’t worry. I already contacted Taliyah. She’s furious but I think the feeling of relieve will be far greater than her anger.” The white haired man walked to the side table at the window and poured some water into a glas. 

“I’m sorry for asking, but these look exactly like the pills I take at home and ... how could you get in contact with my mother while being in the same room with me the whole time?” Veldarin smiled and handed the glass of water over to Arcelm who simply nodded in thanks and took the pills without further hesitation.