A/N: I know, quick new chapter. Faster than I expected, but eh.


Chapter 4: Some Explaining to Do

The glass bottle was nothing particularly impressive to look at. There were far nicer looking bottles in Renfield's own kitchen, if it was simply something shiny that the children were looking for, something to distract themselves. It was the contents of the bottle that had both boys looking at it as though it were their most precious treasure. In some small way, perhaps that would be the correct description to give the contents.

"It's called Acrimonium," Pubert informed Wolfie with a sly grin. "Grandmama says it will show the true dark self of anyone," there was awe in his tone as he spoke. Wolfie's own eyes widened, looking at the small, dark, glass bottle that Pubert held. "Only the tiniest drop is needed to do it," there was gleeful malice in Pubert's tone, and Wolfie grinned widely at it. "One drop, and then no one can hide from who they really are, or the darkness inside them." There was a beat. "Isn't that just the coolest?"

"It really is!" Wolfie agreed, reaching out to touch the bottle with his fingertips. He bit his bottom lip, musing for a moment. "Vlad could use this." Off of Pubert's look, Wolfie gave a shrug. "He's too... He's not what Uncle Count thought his son would be like," he said finally. "Ingrid said he's a breather lover, but I don't think we're meant to love breathers." He worried the bottom lip some more. Frowning as he recalled his sister's description of their brother. "But then... he's not all that nice," Wolfie added. "He's sneaky like them, but I don't think they notice it."

"Acrimonium would help there," Pubert agreed, nodding. "It could show his true vampire side to your whole family," he explained further, "then they'd see he was as sneaky as them, right?" Wolfie pondered this for a moment, before giving a heavily shaking nod of his head. Pubert gave his own smart nod in return. "Then s'simple, isn't it?" Wolfie blinked. According to Uncle Count, he was smarter than your average pup, but he didn't seem to have Pubert's quick planning skills. Pubert laughed, and shook the bottle deliberately, nodding knowingly.

"Ooh," Wolfie gave a wide grin as it became clear to him. "Good plan."


"You proposed?" Erin's voice seemed to have a level of shriek that Vlad hadn't thought capable from breathers. The younger members of the current inhabitants of the Dracula quarters had quickly excused themselves after Wednesday's announcement Well, more to the point, Erin had bolted from the table, with Vlad following after a moment's pause. Wednesday had followed when he left, and amused, Ingrid tagged along. Erin was not pleased to see the hangers-on, but she was too irate to think about it properly. "You proposed to her?!" She gave a loud, hysterical laugh. "Might have escaped your notice, Vlad, but I'm meant to be your girlfriend. Me! Not some … Goth girl!"

"Eloquent," Wednesday commented dryly. Erin shot her a scathing look.

"Why don't you just shut up," she snapped at the other girl. "I was talking to myboyfriend, not to you," Erin growled the last, turning a furious glare on Vlad. For his part, Vlad seemed to be carefully ignoring the whole situation looking to the ground, and pulling at the sleeve on his suit jacket, and no, Erin wasn't happy he'd chosen to wear his best suit for this girl. She was justified in her anger today, she felt, after all, her boyfriend was going to marry someone else. "Vlad! She snapped again, moving forward to slap him only to be quailed by the seemingly non ending death stare that Wednesday had long perfected.

"If you would be quiet for long enough to allow the air to return to your brain, we could explain," Wednesday said in that monotone of hers that Erin was growing to detest. What did she even mean by 'explain'? Explain who she had seduced Erin's boyfriend away with dark witchy powers? Erin wouldn't put it past her. "I have no desire to marry," Wednesday said. "Be it to Vladimir," she gave him a respectful nod, which he returned, "or to anyone. He is well aware of this."

"And I'm not exactly rushing to find myself a bride," Vlad cut in. "But, if a betrothal is made..." he trailed off, giving a shrug of his shoulders. Ingrid looked impressed.

"Clever, little brother," she said, before glancing at Wednesday. "Though your work, I assume?" Wednesday nodded, and Ingrid gave her own nod of approval. "Well, it seems like you've put a lot of thought into it or," she paused, and gave a half shrug, "at least more thought than usual." She glanced backwards at Erin, then to Wednesday, before finally back at Vlad. "So, you know if this goes wrong – which, being your plan it might – she'll be killed?"

"If it goes wrong," Vlad said, "I'm willing to make sure she won't be."


By the time everyone came back to the dinner table, Erin's bad mood was still present. The plan, such as it was, had been explained to her, but that didn't mean she had to like any of this. It was entirely too risky, and as the only one of them who had actually carried through an entirely risky plan, she knew what she was talking about. But still, she took her seat and and bit her tongue. Though not literally. The Count was looking decidedly pleased.

"Well then," he clapped his hands together in a far too jovial manner. "This calls for a toast; our families will be joined at last! Renfield!" Renfield came bustling in, followed by Pubert and Wolfie, who both made a grand show of helping him out, much to Morticia's delight. Erin saw Wednesday roll her eyes at the boys antics and reminded herself that she wasn't allowed to stab the girl with her bread knife. Not while they were still at the table at any rate. Once everyone had received a glass of whatever vintage was at their tastes, the Count stood. "A toast!" He announced grandly, lifting his goblet in the direction of Vlad and Wednesday. "May their lives together be less than perfect. To the unhappy couple!"

"The unhappy couple!" was the repeat. Everyone drank, and the Count retook his seat.

"Really, Vladdy," he scolded his son in a good natured manner. "You should have told me you were planning this." He leant back grandly in his throne. "After all, what I am if not an expert of the female heart." Erin wasn't the only one who gave a disbelieving snort, but Ingrid managed to hide hers far better than Erin did. "Well, how did you do it, Vladdy my boy?" Vlad didn't respond. "Vladimir?"

Erin felt fear clutch at her stomach as the evil laugh that haunted her nightmares echoed forth from Vlad.

"Yes, Daddy?"