Kurda was sitting to his desk, going over the lines of a new map he was making. Seeth came through the door in a burst of cold air from out in the hall. Without looking up he said: "You've been to the princes." He smiled when she made an irritated noise and plonked herself down in his coffin. He never understood what she liked about it.
"I just don't understand why he dislikes me so much!" she exclaimed.
Kurda frowned. "Who? Larten?"
"No, Mika!"
"Oh."
"I mean, I understand that he wants nothing to do with witches, but I haven't ever assumed otherwise. Why does he always look at me like I'm going to ask him to lead the Solstice circle or something?"
Kurda turned round in his chair, smiling mockingly. "Maybe he's afraid of you," he teased. Seeth snorted.
"Highly unlikely."
Kurda shrugged and then peered at Seeth curiously. "What was it you came here for anyway?" he asked. Seeth shifted uncomfortably, smiling sheepishly.
"Well I...I wanted to tell you something." He laughed.
"You've come a long way just for that!"
"I know, but I knew that you were the person I should tell most of all, considering the circumstances. You're my best friend, Kurda."
Inside, Kurda swelled with a feeling almost like pride. Seeth looked most uncomfortable and he wondered what on earth she could have done to look so suspicious. "You know you can tell me anything, Seeth. What is it?" It was true, she could tell him everything, and usually she did. Kurda would never forget the time she gave him the horrific explanation of why human girls got stomach cramps every month.
Seeth had shut the lid of the coffin. Kurda laughed. "Come out with it! You can't leave me in suspense like this!"
She coughed and murmered, "Well, I've sort of met someone," she started.
"You mean you have a boyfriend? What's such a big deal about that?" he asked his coffin lid.
There was silence. "Seeth?" Kurda pressed, confused.
"His name is Leo Drakner."
"Er...OK. Seeth I still don't-"
"And he's a vampaneze."
Kurda blinked. Once, twice, three times. The coffin was silent. For a moment he took the time to shake himself off. Really, a vampaneze? He didn't have any moral objections, but really: a purple-skinned, red-eyed killer of the night? What could Seeth possibly see in someone who lived a life that way? Then Kurda remembered who, and what, Seeth was. Her life was hardly any different from those she protected and she'd certainly seen creatures more terrifying than the vampaneze.
The coffin lid lifted creakily-Kurda knew he should get that oiled-and Seeth sat up, facing his bemused expression.
"Well?" she sighed, searching him with her dark eyes.
"I don't quite know what to say," Kurda admitted. She made a face.
"I knew it, you're disgusted aren't you?"
"No!" he said earnestly. "It's just a little odd. I mean, I can see why, it would seem...well, weird. But you were right in thinking I'd understand. Although...there's no danger to you because of this is there?" She shook her head.
"The others don't really care. I have rules-I'm not allowed to pick sides in a fight for instance-but having a relationship with one of you isn't prohibited. I wouldn't be friends with you if that were the case." Kurda nodded. He sat on the ground next to her. He was genuinely curious to know more (he being so passionate about the befriending the vampaneze and all).
"So," he said, smiling interestedly, "tell me more about him. Is he affiliated with any vampaneze I would know?"
Seeth narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. "Well, he was blooded by a vampaneze called Gannen Harst, do you know him?" Kurda considered the name.
"I have heard of him a few times. He's very respected amongst the vampaneze. Have you met him?"
"Gannen? Yes, a few times. It was through him that I met Leo actually..."
"Go on," Kurda urged. Seeth smiled at the eagerness sparkling in his blue eyes.
"About six months ago, we were after some rogue Eurynome demons. Well somehow Gannen and Leo found them before we got to them and tried to kill them,"
"Oh dear," Kurda muttered.
"Exactly. Basically, Leo was injured, so we took him back to Thomas' house to recover. They made me look after him since...well you know why. We talked for a long time and got to know each other in the process."
"Sounds like a fairy tale." He grinned. Seeth climbed out of the coffin, feeling as though she'd just woken up from a very long sleep.
"Thanks for listening, Kurda," she sighed, stretching the stiffness out of her arms.
"Well, it'll be something for me to goad you with while you're here. At least I know it's not just me who's crazy. He lithely moved out of the way as she tried to punch his arm. She looked at him seriously.
"The only thing is, no one else here must ever find out. They'll see me as a traitor. They'll hate me. I really can't afford for that to happen, because that will make my superiors angry." Kurda nodded and put his hand on her shoulder.
"You know I won't tell a soul." He laughed suddenly. "It'll be like Romeo and Juliet!" Seeth shook her head.
"Romeo and Juliet died in the end, Kurda."
