What Captain was strictly capable of doing their duty and keeping professional without getting distracted by the outfits in their closet that they could potentially wear on their anticipated date with Count Dracula? Certainly not Ericka Van Helsing.
Once the evening arose, and she threw on her Captain's uniform to begin another night, Ericka stared at each dress for ten minutes straight. She'd avoid the sunflower dress - no need to recall garlic memories - despite adoring that little sunflower in her hair. Yet, she couldn't lie. After she left the cabin that night, Ericka gazed at herself in the mirror and thought she looked pretty damn good for a date who she wanted to kill.
She judged each outfit with ease. What would her Zing adore seeing on her? A dress? Or maybe her one-suit? A white ribbon dress hung at the end of the rack, teasing Ericka's eye as she hadn't worn this dress before. Wear it for him, you know you want to.
As her finger trailed along the ribbon, Ericka smiled whilst imagining Drac's reaction. That goofy grin when they first met, and kept the habit of wearing around her, warmed her heart. That expression reminded how infatuated he was with her - something she'd never experienced in her lifetime. Maybe he'd stare agape, leaving her to close it with her finger. She giggled picturing the possibilities.
Until her great-grandfather screamed in her ear, "What do you think you're doing?!"
Crying out, Ericka jerked upward, her head colliding with the closet door. Groaning, she rubbed her head and glared at her great-grandfather. "Jesus, stop sneaking up on me! Can I have like, at least five seconds to myself, or something?"
Steam gouged from Van Helsing's machine-body, mirroring the rage in his clenched fists. "You should be looking over the cruise ship, like a Captain, but instead you're gazing at all of your dresses."
Avoiding her reply, Ericka snapped her sight away from Van Helsing before she could arise suspicion. Her fingers fiddled with her belt, which was already fastened securely but served as an excuse to sway the tension.
But, she should've learned that her great-grandfather wasn't foolish. Lies were spotted like hiding behind a lamppost. His neck rose up her height, making Ericka hunch her shoulders. Furrowing his eyes, Van Helsing asked, "What are you up to...?"
Ericka offered a beam as she consciously ran her fingers over each outfit. "N-Nothing! Just, figuring out which one I like best, that's all."
"What?" he scoffed, spotting her lies similar to through a transparent window. "To choose on a date, I presume?"
"D-Date?!" Although her voice jumped higher than expected - lying wasn't exactly her forte - Ericka cleared her throat and chuckled, "Date with who?"
"I'm not oblivious, Ericka!" Van Helsing growled, "You know who. I know exactly what you're doing, going behind my back again."
Her eyes clenched shut in frustration. His voice pricked at her mind. How she tolerated his excessive yelling for years, Ericka wouldn't understand. Yet, she found herself one-upping her great-grandfather from time to time - it felt satisfying to shout back for once.
Gritting her teeth, Ericka argued, "Why do you care if I wanna date him? I'm a strong, independent woman who can make her own choices!"
Her retort made Van Helsing's neck sink back into his body, almost resembling a tortoise returning to its shell.
"This is not a safe choice, Ericka." Van Helsing must've realised how vicious his great-granddaughter behaved once pushed to her limit, as his tone of voice quietened. "I'm just looking out for you. What if he turns monstrous, and bites you when you're not looking? Would you want that? To be turned into a Vampire?"
She opened her mouth, only to close it again. Never had she considered a life as a vampire - even with Dracula. Yet, all the possibilities of an immortal life with Drac and his family...they embraced her like a dream.
In the end, Ericka mumbled without paying attention, "I don't know."
"Excuse me?" Van Helsing almost choked, staring at his great-granddaughter like fangs had already grown within her teeth. "What do you mean you don't know?"
Ericka shrugged, glancing at herself in the mirror. A smile tugged on her lips as she daydreamed. "I mean, wouldn't living as a vampire be quite...awesome?"
Sure, her and Drac only knew each other for over a week, but Ericka found herself laughing and finding a meaning in life truly around him. Their little Tango of Death pinned down that reason, when she could place her entire life in his hands without regret. He made her smile, laugh, and most cherished of all...he made her Zing.
If he were to turn her into a Vampire, Ericka didn't imagine the pain. She imagined the benefits. They'd spend restless nights together, maybe flying around in the night as bats. Flying an infinite distance toward the stars, or carrying him into the sky like how Drac saved her from the Kraken almost swiping them into the ocean. Giggling at the thought of being able to save his life endless times, Ericka came to a solid decision.
Yeah, being turned into a Vampire would be awesome.
However, Van Helsing ripped those potential futures apart with only his seething voice. "Are you kidding me?! Why would it be awesome?"
Ericka rolled her eyes. "Why do you never stop asking me questions?"
Crossing her arms, Ericka frowned. What did he know, anyway? You never knew what living as a Vampire would feel like until you tried it, right? Yet, she couldn't easily hide from her great-grandfather. Van Helsing never allowed her to make her own choices - not until she was a grown adult, anyway.
Wait...she was an adult. If she wanted to date Dracula, she fucking well could.
Pretending to accept her failure, Ericka rolled her eyes. "Fine, I'll stay away from him."
Van Helsing quirked his brow, not as easily convinced. He watched Ericka remove her white dress from the hanger, holding it tight against her chest as she rushed into a separate room.
However, trying to hide her clothing didn't stop Van Helsing from scolding, "Where are you going with that dress?"
But, Ericka only replied behind her shoulder, "What, can't I wear nice things for a change?" before slamming the door.
Not a single answer was heard - just an irritated sigh. Hopefully, she convinced him. All of a sudden, Ericka never felt so excited to show off that dress in front of Dracula where her great-grandfather could spot them - his reaction would be priceless.
His shirt was perfectly tailored, the collar flicked upward, and his shoes shined brighter than a star. Oh yeah, Dracula was ready for this date.
However, before he thought about leaving his cabin, Drac observed himself in the mirror. A smile transformed into a frown, picturing Ericka's reaction to his clothing. Not that she'd detest his peacock shirt, but maybe that wouldn't be enough. That's when his eyes lit up with an idea.
Clearing his throat, Drac stared half-lidded at the mirror. He beamed, "So...are you a sunflower? Because you make me happy."
The silence was deafening. Drac shook his head. No, that wasn't powerful enough. Besides, he should've used that compliment with her sunflower outfit. He straightened his posture, then grinned, "Are you a camera, because every time I look at you, I-"
"Dad, what are you doing?"
"Mavis!"
Dracula leaped high enough that his scalp smacked against the ceiling. He stared bug-eyed at his daughter, who sneaked into the cabin with stealth. "You need to stop that, young lady. Scaring me like that? I won't tolerate it."
He crossed his arms with a childish frown.
Mavis cocked her brow, but then smirked as she glanced between her father and the mirror. "Were you just...flirting to yourself in the mirror?"
"No!" Drac cried, cringing at his high-pitched response. He cleared his throat. "No, no. Why would I do that? And anyway, even if I was, I was complimenting how great I look."
"To use them on Ericka?" Mavis crossed her arms, smirking at her father. "Dad, she loves you for who you are. Sure, use your awful compliments, but don't overdo it."
"Hey, that's quite hurtful." Drac frowned. "My impressive flirting managed to win her over, right?"
Her face creased. "Gross."
Drac's eagerness dropped once he noticed Mavis react negatively. He tilted his head. "Are you not okay with this...? Is it what I'm wearing? Is it..." he bowed his head, "because of the Zing?"
Mavis gaped. Noticing his crestfallen face, she grasped her father's hands. She chuckled, "What, no, I mean yes-I was only kidding!"
He mirrored her smile, silently relieved. Of course, Drac's main concern was Mavis' reaction to his new love. But, despite her undying love for Martha, she supported him ever since he revealed that he Zinged again.
"I want you to be happy," Mavis admitted. "And sure, Mom will always be in our heart, but sometimes you have to learn to move on and start something new when you've got the chance. And we both Zinged with humans, so Johnny and Ericka don't have to feel like they're alone."
Hot tears prickled in the corners of his eyes, so Drac wrapped his arms around Mavis and drew her in for a hug. He smiled once her arms mirrored his actions, hearing her chuckle in response.
He was the luckiest father in the world.
Less than half an hour passed, and Dracula couldn't reign his patience. He encountered Ericka's cabin again, gaped and grinned at her clothing - again - and began sputtering words of nonsense.
Again.
Yet, Ericka never found herself tired from this behaviour. She adored how soft he acted around her, whilst others described him as one of the most ruthless monsters known to mankind. A warm feeling squeezed her heart when she realised that she was one of the select few who could witness Dracula behave like this.
So, holding hands, Drac and Ericka strolled along the dock. It was impossible escaping the various comments from other monsters - no insults, just praising Drac for getting some action after a hundred years. The flush on his cheeks almost reached to his ears, which made Ericka chuckle and wrap her hands around his arm.
"So, what is Count Dracula up to these days?" Ericka asked, but then blabbered, "I'm referring to you, but in, like, a way that's...never mind. What do you do for a living that's not biting people?"
Ericka glanced sidewards, waiting for him to react, but Drac only smiled. He gave her enough time to relax; to realise that he wouldn't ever take offence.
"I..." Drac released a nervous chuckle, "I don't actually drink human blood."
"Oh, that's a surprise!" Ericka exclaimed, her eyes like beacons. Yet, thinking that wasn't the most appropriate response, she began to stumble, "N-Not that I just associate you with that, just-"
"It's okay, don't worry." Drac noticed her awkwardness; he remembered her words. Not everyone was acquainted with confidence in a relationship. But, he saw every reason for Ericka to understand that she was perfect.
And she adored his response. No impatience or forceful nudging into saying the right thing, only acceptance for her true-self.
Swaying her worries, Drac continued, "No, it's not as appetising as, let's say...animal blood."
Yet, Ericka found herself grinning. "So, you can manage to restrain yourself around things like this...?"
Alongside her cheeky laugh, Ericka tilted her head to the side, presenting her neck that was easily accessible for him to do whatever he wanted. Drac's eyes bulged, peering between her delicate skin and her gorgeous smile. God, he wasn't lying when he first complimented that her neck looked delicious - it was a dessert like no other. A ray of light seemed to illuminate the milky skin - he scolded himself for craving to taste something so pure, but fuck, it was difficult to resist.
"Y-Yes!" Dracula chuckled, ignoring the flush sweeping over his cheeks. Aware of his eyes trailing across her neck, he assured, "Of course I can, that's a delicious-I mean, that's not a problem."
Ericka smirked once Drac began twiddling his fingers, peering anywhere but her neck. Now she knew his weakness. They walked in silence for a moment, before Drac answered her previous question.
"I'm the owner of my own hotel in Transylvania," he explained, "where monsters can escape from others who are trying to hunt them down or just despise them."
"So...it's like the Legacy, but on land?" Ericka widened her eyes. It sounded like she never knew that hotels existed, but in reality, she'd never visited one before. Yet, she realised hat they both shared a career in giving people a relaxing vacation. "Wait, so you're an owner...do you ever, like, find yourself extremely obsessive with keeping things in order?"
"All the time." Drac beamed, "Do you?"
"Oh my god, everything has to be exactly as planned, otherwise I have a panic attack." Ericka admitted, almost having a seizure as she imagined an unorganised pile of notes. Gosh, no thank you.
His hands grasped her forearms, unable to contain the excitement coursing through their conversation. "That's exactly how I feel!"
Their laughter resembled a harmonious tune, which would've been blissful in the ears of passersby. Pausing at the rails beside the swimming pool, Ericka rested her head on his shoulder. Drac fought against that wobbly grin; instead, he closed his eyes and leaned into her hug.
Ericka sighed whilst gazing into the endless miles of the ocean. "It'd be nice to live on something that doesn't move for a change."
Side-glancing her, Drac lay his hand atop her palm. Ericka spent her entire life on the cruise ship - she deserved a thrilling difference. He licked his lips before managing to offer, "You're welcome to come and live with me."
Ericka widened her eyes, tearing her sight from the starry sky.
"What...? Really?" Ericka stared at Drac, dumbfounded. A little flutter inside her heart urged her to accept, but she stressed, "But, what about my great-grandfather? He'd stop at nothing to keep me from leaving this ship."
"He has to learn that you're not the young girl that he's raised anymore." Drac stated, "You're free to make your own choices, and he should respect that."
Ericka gulped to soothe her dry mouth. "And if not?"
"Then I'll sneak you off this ship myself."
Ericka almost gasped aloud at his cheeky wink. She bit her lip briefly. "That's pretty hot."
The truth is, Ericka wanted to run away with him. Freedom - that's all she ever wanted. Thinking about Dracula lifting her into the sky and zooming away from Van Helsing, now that was a dream. Escaping from the real monster in her life.
It seemed way too early, but, if someone frolicked into your life and managed to make you laugh for the first time since forever, wouldn't you want the same scenario?
"Anyway, I understand his protectiveness," Drac wrapped an arm around her waist, which she made her flinch at first, but soon relaxed into his touch. "I used to be the same with Mavis, but eventually I let her marry her Zing. And besides, you're too endearing to be seen hurt, so I would also do anything I can to keep you safe."
Ericka smirked, "Like getting crushed by a giant spike just to save my life?"
Before he could reply, Ericka grabbed his hand and led them both away from the dock. "Shit, I see him."
Following her glance, Drac felt as if someone staked his heart as soon as he spotted Van Helsing. Whilst he searched in another direction, he lifted Ericka and flew them both into the walkway underneath the top deck - beside the hidden entrance into the engine room.
Atop their deep breathing, Drac could faintly hear Van Helsing yell over the balcony, "Ericka? Ericka!"
Drac winced. If Van Helsing continued interrupting their moments, maybe Ericka wouldn't be as enthused to take this risk. What if he destroyed their Zing? His hands tightened their grip around Ericka, believing it'd prevent her from leaving him. However, there wasn't a single reason to worry.
Instead, she was giggling in a quiet tone, like a rebellious teenager who enjoyed causing trouble. "This is actually gonna be more fun than I expected."
Relief pooled into Drac's mind. Thank goodness, for he found himself in the mood to sneak around with Ericka, too.
