A/N: Whoa! Another chapter! I am on a roll lately! Just kidding these last three were all written in the space of 24 hours since I had nothing to do all day. But still, I'm keeping up with it now! Thank you to everyone that's been reading my story! In the past three days I've had over 250 views to the story, and even though there's been no comments or reviews, I still feel super motivated to keep going!
Enjoy!
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"In human years, I was centuries older than Tony, who was nine at the time that I met him. In vampire years, I was only a year or two older. After being a vampire for so long we began to lose count of our age. I couldn't honestly tell you how many years have passed, or how old my mother is. Anyways, Tony and I, we met in this very room, which he used to inhabit." Rudolph spoke, looking around the room. His eyes lingered on the fire place as what I assumed a thousand memories flashed through his mind. It felt weird to know that history was essentially repeating itself, down to the very room. A shiver ran through my spine as I imagined a nine year old experiencing the adventures I had with Rudolph. Such a young child…
"I had happened upon him by accident. I was flying, - trying to escape Rookery at the time - and very weak. I mistook him for a fellow vampire as he was playing in his room, and sought protection here. In fact, my meeting Tony occurred much like yours, though I made an attempt to eat Tony before he helped me. Of course, that didn't stop him from extending a generous hand. Perhaps you remember the wagon you transported me in? That was his as well. He pulled me in the very same wagon, though I fit significantly better in it at the time." Rudolph smiled sadly, as though it were a joke and memory he missed fondly. I could feel a peculiar pang in my heart. I didn't ever want to see such a sorrowful expression on Rudolph's face. He was beginning to mean a lot more to me than I ever could have imagined.
"Tony helped us find the amulet necessary to transform us into humans, and helped defeat Rookery. He was a dear friend to me, and my family. I almost did not remember him upon turning human, but he helped me then too. We remained friends for years. His parents eventually went their separate ways, and he chose to follow his mother back to America. He never contacted my family again." Rudolph's last words were so soft I nearly missed them. My mouth fell slightly open, and I could feel the familiar sting of tears threatening to form in my eyes. I swallowed, wiring my jaw shut in determination not to cry or make a fool of myself. How dare this Tony kid just leave Rudolph like that? Not even a follow up letter? Nothing? God I wanted to find him and punch him in the face.
"I'm sorry. Have I upset you?" Rudolph looked alarm, and it was then that I realized my emotions must be written clear across my face. I relaxed my jaw, working desperately to soften my expression. Such a sad story and Rudolph was worried about me. Ugh, I can melt later. We simply don't have the time for me to transform into a Trinity puddle.
"No, of course not. I just can't imagine someone being so awful after going through so much with you." I shook my head, still annoyed at the thought. Rudolph simply shrugged, smiling weakly. Silence filled the room for an agonizingly long while. I didn't know what to say, and Rudolph…well…he'd done plenty of talking already. I can't imagine he was too willing to keep going.
"Wait…I have a question. I know this is going to seem random, but if you were human for a few years recently, why do you guys still dress…" I didn't know how to finish that sentence without seeming insulting, but Rudolph seemed to understand what I meant. He chuckled and seemed to relax a great deal more.
"So old? Even as humans, we still had our preferences for older clothing. Except for Anna, obviously, and Gregory too preferred something a tad more modern. But for my parents and I, we couldn't very well go about dressed as we pleased. It would attract more attention than we felt comfortable with, so we conformed to the modern day styles. Once we were vampires again, we realized that it truly didn't matter. Who would see us and stare simply because of our clothing?" Rudolph explained. I was half tempted to raise my hand - as a joke of course - but I didn't think he'd get the humor.
"What did your mother mean by I can see? I understand she meant see beyond, but how?" The questions seemed to be popping up nonstop now, and I didn't know which to begin with. With the seriousness back in the conversation, Rudolph straightened up. Not that he ever had particularly bad posture to begin with.
"Humans tend to all…smell, for lack of better word…alike. There are a few, however, with special gifts. Their scent is much different, though it depends on what the gift is. Tony too could see beyond, and your scent is very similar to his. Tell me, have you had any nightmares that now feel more like de ja vu?" Rudolph asked, tilting his head though seeming to already know the answer. I pondered this for a moment. Most of my nightmares didn't provide faces, but they had begun to adapt a sense of familiarity.
"Tonight…in the cemetery….I'd been there before but it was…in a dream." I realized slowly. It wasn't much of "seeing" but hell it was something. I'd never been to Scotland in my life, much less the cemetery. I looked imploringly at Rudolph, hoping to find some answers buried somewhere in his face. His eyes perhaps? No, just a lot of red.
"Well, it certainly is a start isn't it?" Rudolph smiled softly. I felt my stomach do little flips. He was just sitting there, starring at me with a soft little smile on his lips. The air around me felt absolutely electric, and I felt a strange gravitational pull in the pit of my stomach, yearning to get closer to Rudolph. Oh god…oh god please tell me this is a kiss scene. Come on baby let this be a kiss scene!
Maybe it's just my over active imagination, but Rudolph's face seemed to be getting a lot closer. Am I moving closer or is he? Is the temperature rising in here or is that just me as well? I imagine his lips must be ice cold, but I wonder if I could possibly warm them up. His lips are so close, but his expression hasn't changed a bit. What is that loud pounding sound? Is that my heart? Am I dying? Oh my god.
Bam. Bam. Bam.
I would recognize my brother's knock anywhere, but it didn't stop me from nearly jumping three feet in the air. My head swiveled - painfully I might add - to the door, startled at the sudden noise. Why was he knocking so late? Now my heart was really pounding in my chest. I turned back to look at Rudolph, but he was gone. I felt something inside of me drop in disappointment, like a weight was dragging my heart into my stomach. Yet the balcony door was still shut tight and locked, so there was still a glimmer of hope.
Now I can focus on my anger properly. Rage boiled throughout my body. Why? Why now of all times? And to make matters worse, this is more cliche than the possibly almost kiss scene! I march over to the door, unlocking it and throwing it open with probably a tad more force than necessary. My brother, Ecko, stood on the other side, fist raised, eyes wide. For once, he looked shocked. Okay, maybe I opened the door with way more force than necessary.
"What?" I snapped, trying to keep my voice calm and controlled, and failing miserably. I swear I could hear a faint, ghost like chuckle echo somewhere in the depths of my room. A hot blush threatened to snake across my face, but now was certainly not the time for that. Ecko's fist moved to rub through his messy hair, and he glanced furtively down the hall. I assume Wyatt - his twin - was lurking somewhere out of sight, knowing better than to ever knock on my door.
"Your light was on, and it's never on this late. Thought you might be in trouble or something." Ecko muttered grumpily. I eyed him wearily. What was he up to? This wasn't like him.
"And you suddenly care, why?" I spoke slowly, distrust lacing each syllable. Ecko scowled, rolling his eyes and dropping his hand to his side.
"Believe it or not, you're still my sister. 'Sides, mom would probably kill Wyatt and me if anything happened to you this late at night, Princess." Ecko loaded the last word with such a mocking tone I really should have just slammed the door in his face, but beyond that I could see the sincerity. It wasn't like me to be up this late, as far as he knew. I may be a lover of the night, but I'm also a bigger lover of sleep, and the only times my light was on this late was if something was wrong. Beyond the routine sibling rivalry, I felt a surge of affection for my bigger brothers. They could be a pain in the ass, but they were my pain in the ass and I appreciated it.
"Yeah…well…thanks, but I'm fine. Just restless." I grumbled unwillingly, my attitude tapering off. Ecko gave a curt nod and turned on his heel. He walked down the hall, but spared a glance back at me before rounding the corner. It was the glance that nearly knocked me off my feet. It was so loaded. I saw worry, concern, love, fear, and protectiveness all mixed on his face. It was something I had never seen before. I mean, yes, they're my older brothers and no one ever messed with me too bad thanks to them, but I've never seen the protective, loving older brother side personally. I smiled softly, thankful to have a loving family. I wonder if Rudolph ever has these moments with Gregory. I can tell Anna and Rudolph must be very close, but Gregory seems much older, much more cut off from his siblings. But he must still love them, right?
I shut the door softly, lingering in front of it for a moment and taking a deep, settling breathe. I felt so at peace, so relaxed, and it was weird. There was so much chaos and madness happening in my life right now, and yet I've managed to find a bubble of peace floating along my room. I wanted to live in it for the rest of my life. I looked around my room, half expecting Rudolph to have reappeared already. Worried, I walked briskly over to the balcony doors. After double checking, I confirmed that they were still locked. He's got to be around here somewhere.
Just then, I heard feint music and pings coming from my closet. It was almost inaudible over the sound of my own breathing, but as I got closer to the closet door it because significantly louder. I cracked open the door curiously, and the sight that unfolded before me was both so hilarious and so adorable that I am fairly certain I died on the spot and was transported to an alternate universe where this scenario was very real and kept going. Rudolph sat on the floor of my closet, back pressed against the wall, DS in hand. His eyes, his entire being, was focused on whatever game he was playing on there. That is, until the closet door opened. Without moving his body, Rudolph's eyes traveled slowly up to meet mine, and an embarrassed smile slowly formed on his face. God this boy would be the death of me.
"Take it with you." I sighed, smirking and shaking my head. Rudolph stood up, trying to straighten back up into the formal vampire I'd come to know, but after this sight I don't think I'll ever be able to see him the same. He was just simply too adorable.
"I'll return soon, I promise, friend." Rudolph swore, placing a firm hand on my shoulder. There was that word again, friend. Yet somehow, it still made my knees a bit weak. Rudolph had such a hold on me and I genuinely think he does not realize it. In many ways, I love that about him. He's pure, innocent. Even when he is trying to eat me. No way is Alexander laying a hand on him.
I nodded, smiling, and stepped back to let him through. He opened my balcony doors, and leaped up onto the ledge. Rudolph turned back to look at me, smiling and waving me off before he flew into the sky. I closed the balcony doors, leaning my forehead against the frame. I took a deep breathe, letting less hormonal thoughts take over.
How are we going to stop Alexander, and turn the Sackville-Baggs back into humans?
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A/N: Hehehe, sorry about the fluff! ;3 It was fun to write though. Fun story, when I was writing it, right before the "almost kiss", my dad actually did bang on my door to ask a question. I decided to just use that as inspiration instead of an actual kiss.
As always, don't be afraid to tell me what you think of the story so far! All reviews are welcomed!