Legend
*word* = denotes emphasis/prominence on a word
Bold = denotes existential occurrences
Bold-Italics - denotes extrasensory communication
Bold-Underline = denotes keyword/important name/location
(Parenthesis) = denotes foreign language being spoken
Italics = denotes character thoughts
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:O: A Special Moment With… :O:
:O:
—What's up, cats and kitties? Guess who's back…
…Yep! It's Prince Mycenae; formerly known as Back Door Man. Groovy, baby!
Sorry for the wait, but we're back and just as solid cool as ever.
You'll notice a few minor changes, but everything else is pretty much the same. For references on how to read the story, please, check the legend at any time.
Man…this announcement thing sure is a drag.
Hey, creator, could you spice it up a bit? The vibe is all *wrong*—can't have the readers going to sleep, ya know.
…Oh right, I almost forgot. I'm *his* recreation, so he calls all the shots… Well, that's lame. I've got some pretty groovy ideas, too: Action, drama, suspense, cool cats, sexy kitties, and… Oh, wait. That has the potential to happen.
I had better behave though. Since I'll only be involved in a subplot this this time around, I want to avoid upsetting the creator. He might have me killed off… Geez, creator. You don't have to be such a square.
—Alright, better start the announcements:
The second of April is World Autism Awareness Day: An internationally recognized day encouraging Member States of the United Nations to take measures to raise awareness about children with autism around the world.
Since its inception, autism awareness and research around the world has boomed as a result. World Autism Day is also one of only four official health-specific UN Days. The day itself unites individual autism organizations from around the globe to aid in research, diagnosis, treatment, and overall awareness for those with the disorder and looking for assistance.
Ooh, talk about a nice thing to do, huh. Caring for those in need is a great service, so I say "groovy" to that, baby!
Take it from your cat Prince Mycenae: Peace, love and freedom for all; that includes the misfortunate. It's best to share, right. So, if you're reading this before or after the observance, still take time out to show your support. It's for a good cause, and cats like me are a-l-l about love. You should be too, baby.
Hey, creator. Nice one! Solid cool, I love it!
My creator and his team aims to touch people with this fanfic, so expect more good vibes like this in future Moments. Phew! All I need is some *music*—this got a cat wanting to groove, baby. Oh, yea!
Mu, shushu! Sorry, I love to dance.
Also, if you didn't notice, I held back against Teddy. My existence is actually an Equip type, so, if I wanted to get serious with him, I would've geared up… Hey, a cat can't just walk around offing his buds. That's not cool, baby.
There *will* be a lot of character build in this volume, so, hey, we might even get to see what I can do. I'm cool with Dawny and Stu; maybe they'll give me a chance… Mu, shushu! But don't think a cat is all about mischief.
—I'm actually the "nicest free-spirit on the planet". Or so I've been told.
Feh. I'll let all of you be the final judges of that.
Anyway, my time is up. I'm under lockdown at the Mullen Institute, and…there's no telling what'll happen to me there. So, I'm a little nervous.
Be sweet on a cat: Protest for me? I'm not the criminal everyone's making me out to be here. I'm a peaceful gorgon; a pacifist, not a fighter or a killer.
…Bah! Who am I kidding? I probably deserve it for being so weak. But I'm not giving up hope. Good mojo's in the air and I'm feeling high, baby!
Mu, shushu. I'm out this piece, cats and kitties.
Until next time, stay solid, baby. See you later!
Opening Theme: Heaven in the Hell
Artist: Mizuki Nana
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:O: Stephen's Perspective :O:
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Mullen Institute, Dublin
9 May, 2011
05:26
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When a vampire sleeps, the only thing seen is the darkness of yesteryear.
They don't "dream," they don't even have nightmares. Vampires see memories in their sleep; visions of what can never be forgotten.
…My…everyone…
Stephen sees visions of his family, friends and loved ones; all of them...dying one by one. His soul cries "why them" and "for what reason," among other things. Answers he's been searching his soul for...for ages now. And still, to this very day, not a single person can answer his unheard pleas. Or mend his broken heart.
…No...stop… Leave them… So much despair, it's no wonder why he turned to medicine… Those that hurt the most, their hands will either heal or kill.
Stephen went from killing to healing. He became a doctor to prevent these horrible images from happening all over again. But sadly, the church is relentless; they'll stop at nothing to fill their bellies with human blood, bone and flesh.
A horrible image of his wife sacrificing herself—being eaten alive by monsters—awakens in him in a fright. "AAH—!"
He rises ignorant of his whereabouts, which furthers his trepidation.
When he fell asleep earlier, he was in his car with Stuart and Dawnavan. But now he seems to be in a bed, resting, recovering from centuries of insomnia… Unfortunately, his resting process has come to a saddening pause.
—Why did I have to see that?
He asks himself this as if attempting to deny what he saw; a terrible remembrance that recurs every time he falls asleep.
As a doctor, he knows the routine: When suffering a night terror, wait it out. Usually, the episode stops on its own.
A centuries-old traumatic experience coupled with a stressful work schedule: These are the makings of such visions. I really need to take a break.
—and, indeed, he does.
Stephen has serviced thousands of patients in his Infinity tenure. Most, if not all, of his operations were successes; some would even consider them to be "miracles". But the strain of success takes its toll on the mind.
Should he fall asleep again, nothing will be different.
It's still raining in Dublin. Local forecasts predict these showers will continue for a few days, which isn't too out of the ordinary.
Unfortunately, vampires don't like water. It weakens them, especially after an extensive battle. As a result, vampires *hate* rainy days.
It was also raining on "that day," when the church took everything from him.
No, I can't cry… If I do, I'll end up hurting people.
…That's not what I want… So, suck it up, paddy. Suck it up.
Keep a straight face, don't let the memories get to you...no matter how much you loved those people… Don't let your emotions show, especially when you don't have your pills handy.
To combat the side-effects of crying, vampires take a vitamin called B; a play on the word "blood" invented by the doctor himself. The vitamin is an antidote that reverses the persuasions of a vampire's bloodlust.
He forgot to bring a bottle this time around, which isn't like him. Then again, when you haven't slept in five centuries, memory loss isn't an unusual thing.
The doctor lifts his head and notices that he's alone in this dark room. No one else is in here; no life force, existential force, nothing at all.
Alone. It's best this way… Getting too close to me...gets people killed.
It's paining to feel this way, but he smiles nonetheless. Perhaps to hide the agony of realizing how much he locks his heart away.
Stephen remains alone to keep others alive.
After that day, frigidity became his greatest weapon. Though he has moments where he openly expresses himself to others, in the end, he keeps to himself.
Suddenly, he detects several quieted existential forces… They're here, my friends… I'd recognize their energies from miles away. So warm.
Having them around brings joy to my old heart. Even if for a moment… But still, I can't allow them to get too close.
…What Dawny said to me in the car— The sweet memory Dawnavan gave him: To hear that someone loves him, and values his friendship… That meant a lot to the old soul, giving him a good reason to finally rest his head.
Love is what the church despises; thus, love will defeat them. But during his church tenure, Stephen learned something: The clerics are *also* filled with love; however, their "love" is bred from a different mold. Enthusiasts of the old ways only know the feed; what they covet the most… Their one true love.
My duty isn't over yet. I must keep fighting the best way I know how.
For the ones who love me, I can't give up.
—Dawny, thank you. You and Stu… You're like sons to me, so that really set my spirit at ease. Before I go, I…I should thank you personally.
It may seem awkward at first, but…I'll mean it… I'll mean every word.
The rain continues to pour, as warmth returns to Stephen's heart.
He soon finds the strength to stand and approach his window, where he takes a moment to reflect on bygone days.
Trying to keep up with sprogs. This paddy has gotten old, but it never hurts to try… I really hope they accept my feelings.
—Heh. What to say, what to say… I was never good at these things. At least not like I used to be back then.
Oh well, no use thinking too hard about it. I've spouted miracles out the arse for years, so this shouldn't be too hard for a paddy.
