Chapter 3: Touch the Divine
After having a split second internal argument, I threw caution to the wind and simply turned around as if an ordinary person had called upon me.
He was standing there smiling playfully, hands on hips. He was wearing a chocolate colored leather jacket, finely tailored as usual, black gloves, pants, shirt, and waistcoat. If only his jacket had been black, he would have looked all the more iconic of a vampire.
"Near."
"Mello."
"I'm back."
"Yes, I know."
There was an awkward silence. Neither of us wanted to loose this foolish game and accept the other.
"Near, you do realize New Orleans is utterly devoid of blood drinkers except us two? And you were here first, which means I'm trespassing on your hunting grounds. Do you perhaps wish for me to leave?"
"Mello you are my Maker, and much stronger then me. I could not get myself killed over such purposes. New Orleans has plenty the Evil Doer for the both of us." The moment I had said the words I knew I had forfeited the game, and therefore, lost. Even if my words weren't exactly inviting. Very Fam.
After a moment or two of some serious staring Mello gave in. Gave in more then just my civil words. "Oh mon beau imbécile! You almost had me but I knew better then that!" He pulled me into a sweeping embrace, nuzzling the side of his face with mine.
"Je suis maligne." I muttered weakly.
"My darling, why are your words so cold?" He hurriedly kissed me on both cheeks, and then tilted my chin slightly upwards.
"You've never given a blood kiss of your own, darling. Bight your tongue..."
Out of habit of obeying Mello I quickly pierced the muscle, feeling the blood flow into my mouth.
Mello leaned down, kissing me tenderly. I shuddered slightly; his blood had grown more powerful then before.
We parted and I averted my eyes in shame. I truly thought I would have been less open to him.
"Near… Even if you no longer love me, I need to explain to you. I need to atone for my sins."
"Do not play with me, Mello." I said harshly, glaring at him.
Mello frowned almost comically, which annoyed me further. "Why Near," He paused to pout. "Playing with you is exactly what I want to do." He ran his hand down my jaw line, his eyes holding mine. I slowly brought up my hand to drag his away from my face.
"Mello, I'm sorry. Whatever you want, I can't give it to you." I fumbled with the proper words, but simply turned my back on him and began to walk away.
"You'll see Near! You will love me again, and I believe you love me still, but your pride is constricting you!" He called out, "Remember this, I am the only one who can keep you safe!" I didn't know what he meant at the time, but later I realized he was referring to the war. I soon came to realize that Mello was correct in saying that. I was too weak to live on my own. I could be killed or captured so easily. I needed someone stronger and more experienced to protect me. I just didn't know it at the time.
The next night Aurore and I went to some poor theatre to see some dark romance she was interested in. I had not mentioned to her that I had run in to Mello. I had kept it all hidden from her, from myself.
Before the theatre Aurore and I went shopping, so like the days in my boyhood when her kind and loving mother, so unlike mine, would give us some coin and let us go into town. This time of course we didn't spend our money on sweets or foolish trinkets but lavish dark clothes. For Crépuscule I chose a blood red silk gown which had tendrils of black sinewy lace weaving and intertwining so deep it seemed to darken the tone of the red. For her I purchased a thin gold necklace with a bright round ruby set in it. The flashings of it brought attention to her cleavage. I did this in knowing that she enjoyed the attention of well brought up and handsome strangers.
For me Crépuscule purchased fine black cotton pants with a black silk shirt to go with it. She bought a red waistcoat with black stitching, a red silk scarf, and a gold wristwatch.
All in all, our little shopping spree was rather amusing. We stepped out of the boutique in matching color coordinated outfits. We may have gotten some odd stares, since the fashion of the time dictated pastel colored clothing, but we didn't mind.
Upon arriving at the theatre Crépuscule led me to our seats, which were located directly in the middle, with still a good view. I sat myself in the red velvet chair with slight hesitancy, for I had heard great and garish squeaking noises trill as others sat down. It was no problem though.
Towards the second act I had finally relaxed. Only then had I forgotten the past evening's argument with Mello. The play itself was interesting, its plot peppered with various love triangles and deaths. I found it amusing how the young actors and actresses practically drenched themselves in white powder, almost looking like a blood drinker, only paint their lips and cheeks a ridiculous shade of red.
Our rich and eccentric appearance alone granted us entrance to the after party. Crépuscule was immediately the center of attention aside from the starring actors. I was content to sit in the shadows and watch her be flatted by men who smelled of cheep wine.
After a few minutes of contentedly watching Crépuscule seemingly flirt with dozens of possible suitors I saw something very unnerving. Towards the back of the hall was an area I had yet to venture in because the air was sluggishly thick with cigar smoke. I noticed that many of the pretty young women had turned their attention to a certain man at the back of the hall. Diving into the mind of one of those girls I saw who they were fawning over.
Mello. That damnable creature was making a game of my life in New Orleans, mocking everything I had not dared to do. Not only that, but what he was dazzling these girls with was tales of his journeys to France, Italy, Greece, and Russia. Of course he wasn't revealing the Secrets of the Dark Trick or even hinting he was not as he seemed. He was leaving something else out though- me. There was no mention of an ever faithful and loving companion with him on those journeys.
Aurore! I called with the Mind Gift, grabbing her attention by using her real name. I saw her go rigid momentarily as she talked, but she soon shook it off.
What is it, Near?
You see that man with all those girls, go over there and talk to him, then tell me what you think of him!
As you wish it, Near. Please do calm down though.
She was right. I was so angry I could not think properly. If I had said those words aloud to Crépuscule they would have come out in strangled hisses. I did not even know what I meant to do by sending her over there. I needed to control myself; my emotions were getting out of control.
I watched in silent fury as Crépuscule politely dismissed her men and enveloped herself in the throng of young girlish women who were giggling at Mello's every word, regardless as to whether he was being comedic or not.
However there was method to Mello's madness. Everything to Mello was a game, a game he would stop at nothing to win. He wanted things between us open and free as they once were, he wanted to tell me everything. And since the tactic of poetic compliments and kisses had not worked, Mello had moved on to the crude form of jealousy. Attention. And thus the act of ignoring me. Mello had been the highlight of the after party, calling it upon himself to use the Spell Gift to draw to people to him. Needless to say he did not need the aid of the Spell Gift to attract people, but he used it anyway. All the while knowing perfectly well I was there, he did not even acknowledge my existence.
There was another reason of course why Mello was following me around, he wanted to make sure I was safe from the Blood Drinkers who wished me harm. Of which there was a lot of those days.
Mello was perfectly content to entertain young women if it irritated me.
Mello was quick to notice the woman whose clothing matched mine stride confidently towards him. At first he thought not of her presence, his mind was focused on the girls who were hanging off his very word. That is, until she approached him directly.
"Near," There was heavy emphasis placed upon my name. "Does not approve of this what so ever."
Her tone was frigid and without even waiting for a reply she turned and stalked off, the heels of her shoes clicking loudly.
Mello was momentarily stunned. After the initial shock subsided Mello used the Mind Gift and hastily raped the woman's mind, a torrent of memories recent and old of her and me. He saw me when I was five years old and when I had been hunting just last night. He knew at once that she was and always was my mortal companion. Mello registered beyond her unwelcoming tone that she was giddy with excitement if there being another Child of Darkness in this very hall.
Most importantly Mello found what she knew of him. She knew that he was Mello, a vampire of Russian origin, Maker of Near, and two hundred sixty three years into the Blood and loving every moment of it. Most angering she knew of the Mother and Father, that they held the Sacred Core. Mello also knew that this woman was careless. Mello would not tolerate her knowing our secrets.
Crépuscule came back, her eyes lit, and smiling. "Near, I think it's your Maker! I think it's Mello, you should go to him!"
I struggled to stay calm and not shout at her. "Aurore I already knew this! He came to me last night. He offered his love and I declined. This is just another one of his childish games."
"Childish, Near? I think not." Mello appeared before us, for some reason a slight scowl on his face. "You may not approve of what I was doing just then, but what I do not approve of is much more serious."
"And what is that, Mello?" I asked harshly. Crépuscule was at a loss for words, apparently she had never imagined us arguing.
"Her, Near!" Mello pointed sharply at Crépuscule. "You cannot go around telling mortals of our true nature!"
Crépuscule looked guilty, and I retorted with, "I have known her my whole life, Mello. She is trustworthy."
"Trustworthy?! Trustworthy enough, no never. A vampire strong enough could be all the way in France and hear her thoughts! As a mortal she cannot protect her own mind!" Mello was practically shouting now, and drawing a few eyes towards us.
"We should step outside." I suggested quietly. We did so, and when outside I said, "And what of it, Mello? What does it matter?"
Mello ran a hand through his hair exasperatedly. "Near, if you had let me talk to your properly last night you would know that every single vampire save for me and one other desperately either wish you dead or captured."
Well that was new for me. "Je suis désolé."
"You should be." Mello snapped.
"And what of me in all this?" Crépuscule cried, distressed by our bickering.
Mello paused to look at her, then turned to me, his expression softer and almost sad. "Near, I'm afraid sacrifices half to be made to keep you safe."
Crépuscule squeaked. I felt empty and sick. I looked at Mello wide-eyed, trying to decipher his expression. "Surely there is a way around that?" My voice was hollow. Out of the corner of my eye I saw that Crépuscule had begun to weep.
"It has to be done, Near."
I watched open mouthed in horror as Mello reached and pulled Crépuscule into his arms forcefully. I saw his two fangs lean closer and closer to her neck. Crépuscule screamed. She was certainly not ready for death.
I felt the blood tears well in my eyes as I said in a choked voice, "If you're going to kill her please do it out of my sight. Tomorrow night, Mello, you may come to my dwelling. You had better tell me everything there."
"As you wish it." Came Mello's ominous voice.
I turned my back on them, walking in the direction of my house. I then heard Aurore shriek madly, "Have you no heart, Nate?!" Yes, I most definitely have a heart. Unfortunately for you, it firmly and unbendingly rests in Mello's powerful and unwavering clutches.
A/N: Wow, I didn't imagine Mello and Near's reuinion to be chapter-long argument. Oh well, that's just how it turned out I guess.
By the way, it may take me longer then usual to update because a wonderful idea for a MelloxNear oneshot came into my head last night, and it refuses to not be written. When it gets published, I suggest you read it to blow off steam at how pissed off you are at me for not will be titled Formal Dining, look for it!
Also, my new obsession is the Nintendo DS game My Japanese Coach. That's right Matt fans, I'm learning Japanese the same way he probably did. Through a video game.