For some reason Mina had assumed that the ship they were sailing on was going to be a cargo ship of some kind. Her mind instantly conjured images of them stowing away on some pirate ship when The Count had said he'd booked them passage to Transylvania. Surely, no luxury liners were leaving port so immediately and so conveniently for them. But no later than the day after Mina had sought refuge at the Count's manor home did they have passage back to his homeland.

The ship they were boarding was certainly no measly sail boat as Mina had envisioned. It was a large, beautiful liner that seemed more filled with the aristocracy than cargo crates. The boat was called The Behemoth and certainly lived up to its title. Mina had never seen anything so large in her entire life. She'd seen the ships at the docks before, but never one as large or grand as this one. Never had she even stepped foot onto a ship either.

She must've looked a great fool gaping up at the ship as she did. The Count graciously ushered her to the gangway, and Mina tried to act as though she belonged. In her own opinion, Dracula had dressed her up like a peacock. Her corset was much too tight, and her dress much to revealing. It was a most alarming shade of red as well, and Mina very much so noticed the lingering glances of gentlemen as she walked to board the vessel. The Count had insisted that everyone would be dressed similarly, but she had not believed him. He proved to be rather correct as Mina looked at all the other women she was going to have passage with.

"Names please, milady," said the footman at the door.

"Count and Countess Dracula," he answered before Mina could speak. The footman looked up at them, his doey eyes growing in worry for a just a moment. It was slight, but Mina saw a wave of panic flash over his face.

"Of course," He breathed. Flustered, he looked back to his clipboard and check off the name. In a jerky movement, he gestured to the door. "Right this way, milord."

As they passed the now stark white footman, Mina couldn't help but wonder his shock. Was it their late booking? Was it their name? Dracula had told her on the way there that he'd put her as his wife. They weren't allowed the same room if they were not married.

Mina whispered to The Count, "Why was he so frightened of us?"

Dracula leaned close to her, "I think you'll soon find, my love, that I am not thought highly of in Transylvania."

OOO

The sun began to eclipse the cloud and Dracula found himself needing to stay tucked away back in their room. He parted from Mina on their main deck, and went back into the corridors. Not wanting to hide away herself, Mina began exploring the ship on her own. After the insanity of the past few weeks, Mina found solace in her familiar activity of roaming. Exploring passages had always been a favorite activity of hers as a child. In fact, it had gotten her in trouble with many a governess. But it had eventually led her to The Count, so she couldn't say she regretted it.

As she walked, she could feel the moment the ship began to move. Mina nearly lost her footing, and was very grateful no one was around in the corridor to see her stumble. Once her legs were recovered, Mina made her way to the first class area, and found in a bustling parade of ladies going to tea. She felt a terrible wall of discomfort hit her as she gazed at all the gossiping ladies. Mina knew no one aboard this ship. Her sole companion was off in their room, a place Mina hardly knew how to get to. That horrible feeling of awkwardness poured into each orifice of her body as she tried to think of a way to not be noticed. Blast this dress, she thought of the red monstrosity that singled her out most loudly.

"Are you all right, dear?" Mina jumped at the unexpected voice. Turning, she heard a tinkle of laughter coming from a girl about her age who was standing behind her. She was very striking, with raven hair tucked into an elegant role. Her dress was a pale pink to Mina's deep red, but just a striking with many crystals.

Mina breathed, "Yes. I mean, I was just…"

"Are you looking for someone?" She asked. Mina couldn't help but notice a lilt in her voice very similar to that of Dracula's. She must also be from Transylvania.

Mina shook her head, "No, actually. I just realized that I don't know anyone here."

The girl's smile warmed her face, "I suspected as much. The very same thing happened to me not six weeks ago. I realized I knew no one on the ship but my own bunica." Mina nodded, having no idea what bunica meant. She assumed it was Romanian. Mina had heard The Count speak in his native tongue a few times, but not nearly enough to recognize any words.

"Please," the girl continued, "would you join us for tea?"

"Er…" For some reason, Mina instantly wished to refuse. But she figured it was rude to decline the girl's hospitality. Besides, now she'd have friends on the ship. Perhaps they would teach her about the country she was planning to live in. Perhaps they could teach her why Dracula was so unpopular. "Yes. That would be lovely, thank you."

Mina followed the girl to a small table next to a large window that overlooked the quickly moving-by water. A rather dour looking old woman sat at one side of the circular table, eyeing Mina as she walked over. A footman came and sat another chair at the table, pulling it out for Mina to sit. She did, feeling the beady eyes of the old lady watching her.

"Bunica, this is my friend…" She laughed, "I'm sorry!" The girl looked to Mina. "I do not know your name!"

Mina smiled, "It's Mina. Wilhelmina Murray."

"Miss Wilhelmina Murray," The girl continued. She gestured to the old lady, "This is my bunica, my grandmother, Lady Iliescu." She looked back to Mina, "My name is Dana." A server appear, almost out of nowhere, and placed served them all tea. A very colorful tower of sweets was placed upon the table, and Mina could feel her stomach churn in hunger. She'd hardly eaten in days.

Dana must've noticed Mina's focus on the petit fours, for she smile and said, "You're welcome to them, Miss Murray."

"Thank you," Mina reached out and took a small pink cake.

Dana sipped her tea, "What brings you to this ship, Miss Murray?" Forgetting herself, Mina had taken a large bite of the cake. Swallowing as quickly and as gracefully as she could, she turned to answer Dana's question.

"I'm traveling with my husband to Transylvania. He lives there, and we're going to stay at his estate." Mina instantly wished she had lied. Surely, she shouldn't be telling things to these strangers. They may ask questions. Certainly, there weren't any Murrays in Transylvania, and this family would know. They had to be some sort of nobility to be in the first class rooms.

Dana had a studied expression, "I don't know of any Murrays in Transylvania, but people are coming and going all the time." She tossed a hand in a lackadaisical fashion. "We are traveling back home from London. I was making arrangements with my fiancé for our wedding." Her grandmother humphed as if she wasn't a fan of this fiancé. Dana ever so slightly rolled her eyes then looked back to Mina. "Have you ever been to Transylvania?"

"No," Mina said, taking a sip of her tea. "I've never left London."

Dana sighed dreamily, "It is a most beautiful place. I very much do not wish to part it but, ach, marriage." Dana's grandmother said something very fast and passion-filled, to which Dana instantly responded. It was so interesting, yet slightly uncomfortable, to hear them speak a foreign tongue before her. Mina hadn't the slightest what they were talking about, but whatever it was seemed to be a very heated topic.

There was one word that stuck out towards the end. A very distinctive word Mina knew she couldn't have mistaken: vampir.

Mina felt herself flushing. Could they know about her? Did they know her connection to Dracula? Did they know her…relationship with Dracula? No. Of course not. They couldn't know that. They were probably just talking about that fact he was on the ship. Mina had no marks upon her that they could be suspicious of.

Dana looked back to Mina, "Ach, my bunica is being a suspicious old lady." Her grandmother said something else in Romanian and Dana responded dismissively. "She says it is my job to warn you."

"Warn me about what?" Mina hoped her acting was up to par. When she, John, and Lucy used to play make believe together, Mina was always faulted for not being a believable actress. She hoped that had no part to play now, as she lied to the two women.

God, playing make believe with her friends. It was another lifetime ago. It was another Mina.

Dana whispered dramatically, "Count Dracula. Rumor is he's aboard the ship."

"Who is that?" Mina felt just about as red as her dress.

Dana leaned closer, "It's silly old nonsense, if you ask me, but bunica says I must warn a girl 'as pretty as you wearing a dress like that.'" She rolled her eyes. Mina watched her, as she seemed to gather the words inside her head. "We are a very, ah, superstitious people, you see. And there is much superstition around Count Dracula." The grandmother muttered something at this to which Dana shushed her. She threw up a hand, "Ah, it would all sound silly to you. Just do be careful, Miss Murray. For bunica's sake at least."

OOO

"Ah, you're back."

Dracula was lying on their bed, reading some book Mina couldn't see the title of. It had taken a bit of exploring, but Mina had eventually found their room down the labyrinth of halls. Their room itself was rather large, and furnished as nicely as any room in Carfax. She felt this pang for home stab at her as she walked inside it. Mina had left her father a note, saying she was off to marry The Count. An elopement wasn't ideal, but at least she was marrying well.

It felt a betrayal to leave so suddenly, but what choice did she have?

Mina crossed to the bed, sitting ever so lightly on the corner. This ship was doing horrors to her stomach. The treats that she had stared at so hungrily now sat as regret inside of her. They only added to the horrors of seasickness.

"Feeling all right, love?" He asked, moving forward and rubbing her shoulders.

She sighed, "Sea sickness isn't much fun."

Mina could hear him smile, "You'll be fine soon."

"Do you promise?" Mina muttered, lying back into him. She sighed, "I met some people."

"Hmm?" He said as he continued his massage. Mina felt her eyes shut in spite of herself. She hadn't realized just how tired she was. She'd hardly slept in days, and now she could feel the full front of it overtaking her. Mina wished to just lie there, and not worry about dinner…she wasn't even hungry…

"Dana Iliescu and her grandmother," Mina said.

Dracula's grip seemed to grow harder, "Gossips if I even knew them."

Mina laughed, "Yes, that's true, but they weren't bad company." She turned around, sitting on her knees and facing him. "And I learned a lot about you."

"Did you?" He raised a brow.

Mina nodded in mock seriousness, "I got your entire backstory, Count Dracula."

"I'm sure it's 100% accurate." He countered.

"Of course," Mina grinned. "A perfect history." She sat back upon her heels, hearing her dress crinkle as she did so. It was a cumbersome thing, and she felt as though she were falling out of it. Mina very nearly was, and had noticed more looks than she was used to. Dracula's eyes flitted from her face down to her chest and back again. She could feel herself turning as red as her gown.

Why be bashful now? She asked herself. Mina thought of their night before when she had given into passion. That didn't even feel like her. It felt like some other person. She couldn't believe the things she had done…the way she had felt. It all felt so unlike her. It felt wicked, and it felt wonderful. She wanted to do it again. And they were on a bed…

"What did they tell you?" His voice called her out of her fantasies.

Mina shrugged, "Oh, the usual. Vampires and magic…virgin sacrifices…" She gave a smirk of a smile, tilting her head towards him.

"Of course," he said, though his smile seemed sad.

She moved closer, "I would like to know the real story."

"Would you?" Dracula would not meet her gaze.

"Yes," Mina cupped his face with her right hand. He looked at her for just a moment before casting his eyes away again. Undeterred, she simply moved closer, smiling it what she hoped was a flirtatious way. She still wasn't sure if she'd figured out how to be seductive yet.

He shook his head, "I'll tell you tomorrow, love." The Count took her hand from his cheek, and placed it on his lips. They were cold against glove, which he slowly began to remove. Somehow the small gesture sent a shiver down her spine. "It is not a pretty story," he kissed her bare palm, and continued as he spoke. "I'd rather have one more night of you not knowing it."

Mina tried to compose herself, as he began to take off her other glove. Her whole vision felt slightly blurry as he worked upon her hands. It was so little a thing, yet she could feel her control weakening. Mina wondered if this were a natural reaction, or if he was influencing her in some way. Probably both.

She spoke, "You can't scare me away." The words were hardly more than a breath as he began kissing further up her arms, nearing her chest.

"I know," he smirked, "but I don't feel like talking about it now. I have other things on my mind."

"What other things?" Mina asked bashfully as he kissed her neck. God, she felt wicked. A wicked girl playing lover to a man who was not her husband. It was wonderful.

"Like the fact that I despise this dress," he said, fingering the black lace lining with a look of disdain.

Mina raised a brow, "You despise my dress?"

"It's torturous," he leaned over her, causing her to lie upon her back. Mina's heart was pounding so much she thought it would tear out her chest. Her bare skin around her neck felt cold, and oddly over exposed as he leaned down upon her. That natural fear flooded her body as his face began to morph into his more vampiric form. Count Dracula was terrifying and beautiful all at once. And she was absolutely in his control.

"Seeing the way that men looked at you," he kissed her neck. She felt she couldn't even move. "Knowing what they were thinking…"

"Jealous?" Mina squeaked, as the kisses to her neck grew more intense. Oh my God, I cannot move. She wondered again if he was twisting her mind in some way, but knew deep down that he was not. This was some natural reaction. Some wonderful, strange, natural reaction.

"Of those fools? Never." The Count ran his hands down the sides of her body. "You're mine."

"Am I?" She smirked.

He grinned, "Yes, impertinent girl, you are." With his hands, he tore at the neckline of her dress.

"You're ripping my gown!" Mina breathed.

"We'll buy you a new one."