"So onto our rooms." David grinned, taking Ruby's hand in his. "We'll start with Dwayne's."
"Okay." Ruby was led along a low tunnel into a wide cavern. A big brass bed in one corner, an oil drum in the opposite lit for warmth and light. A crude cinder block shelf held small carvings from driftwood.
"That's what he does in his spare time. Carves figures. They're quite well made. I'm sure he could make money off them, but he won't part with any." David explained. He picked one up of a black bear, standing on its hind legs, roaring.
"They're very beautiful." Ruby eyed all the carved figures. Eagles, other birds, coyotes, wolves, foxes, fish, bears, and other creatures lined the shelf.
"Tell Dwayne that. Even though he doesn't let on, he loves have his ego stroked." David smirked and led Ruby back out of the cavern. Up the tunnel a ways and into a cavern covered in spray paint graffiti and rock posters.
"Let me guess... Paul's room?" Ruby giggled. David sighed and shook his head.
"He was high for days off the paint fumes in here. So were the rest of us. That was a nightmare." He tried to be serious, but ended up chuckling. Paul had definitely made the place his own. Ruby walked around, reading the words painted on the walls. Some misspelled, others names of bands. Sayings, shouts of triumph. A beaten up oak desk was crammed with tapes, and she figured that's where his prized stereo sat. The bed was a wooden framed marvel; with spindles and urns hand carved from what she thought might be Ash.
"He took the bed from a room that's now caved in on itself. Smart move. I think this bed was in one of the grand suites. Royalty and wealth slept there before Paul." David grinned, running a hand over the footboard. "Oh well, shall we move on?"
Ruby followed David down the corridor and into the main cave. Paul and Dwayne had disappeared and Marko was still asleep. David headed up a set of stairs that was hidden by a rocky wall, and into what must have been a stateroom in the hotel.
The grand fireplace was across from the bed, and apparently was free of debris as a fire burned away in its belly. A huge Cherry wood four poster with velvet drapes towered over Ruby. Shelves and shelves of books and papers lined the walls and a massive roll top desk with an ornate Bishop's chair filled the room.
"My room." David said, pride in his voice.
"Very impressive." Ruby could only stare at the furniture.
"You like to read?" David asked, heading towards one of the bookcases.
"Yeah. I brought some of my books with me."
"Mmm, I'd like to see them." David fingered a few of the books before withdrawing one. "This should be a good read for you. Should explain some of our powers and things of that nature." He held it out to Ruby, who took the small, leather-bound book.
"Vampiric nature. I didn't think 'vampiric' was an actual word."
"It is." David smirked. "Now, I'll take you to our indoor swimming pool." Ruby carefully slipped the book into her coat pocket and followed David down into the depths of the cave.
After walking a good ten minutes, the tunnel opened up into a wide expansive ceiling and a small sandy beach. A huge pool of seawater spread before Ruby, lapping against the beach.
"The water comes in a tunnel that's underneath the cliff wall, and ends up here. Our own pool." David motioned with his arm in a flourish. "Private bath, also."
"Is it warm?" Ruby asked.
"Sometimes. If the day is especially hot, it gets a little less hotter then say bath water. But the cave holds the heat in, so it lasts longer. It wouldn't be now, since it's still pretty cold out."
"You've got your own little island over there." Ruby pointed at a few boulders that rose out of the water.
"Ah yes. Sometimes Paul and Dwayne go out there." David replied.
"Not Marko?"
"Hmm, well..." David seemed like he was avoiding something. Ruby arched a brow and looked up at the Lost Boy. "You're bound to find out anyway. And you'll need to know."
"Know what, David?" Ruby frowned.
"Each vampire has his own weakness, his own curse. Apart from the general curses that we all share." David explained.
"Like the asking for entrance to a house?"
"Yes, that's a species shared trait." David pursed his lips in thought. "For example purposes, my curse is garlic. And it really bites because I used to really like it."
"Garlic? I thought that was just in the movie?"
"It doesn't ward me off, deters me maybe. Makes me sick yes. Doesn't kill me."
"So what does this have to do with Marko?" Ruby asked.
"Marko's curse is running water. Fast or slow." David sighed, looking out at the pool. "He can sometimes cross water if it's stagnant or very slow moving. But not very often. It paralyzes him."
"Running water... like a stream? The ocean?"
"He never goes to the ocean. He barely can come down here." David sighed. "And what makes it sad was he loved to surf before we made him one of us. Broke his heart."
Ruby looked at the floor. Poor Marko. He had seemed the Californian type, but she'd never thought he was a surfer. She tried to picture him out in the waves.
"Perhaps you can help him work through it enough to get into the pool." David smiled sadly. "I know he loves the water still."
"Hopefully."
David took her hand. "Better get you back upstairs. Dinner time for Marko and I." Ruby looked over her shoulder at the pool as David took her back up to the main cave.
Marko was upstairs sitting on the couch when David returned with Ruby. Marko grinned and bounced over, tackling Ruby with a hug and kisses.
"Glad to see you too, Sugar." Ruby laughed. Marko just smiled and held tightly to her.
"Feeding time, Marko. She'll be here when you get back." David shook his head and headed up the stairs.
"We'll be back soon, Ruby." Marko kissed her again and hurried to follow David. Ruby watched them leave, then turned and went to her own room. Yawning, she laid down to rest, but ended up falling asleep. Who knew touring a cave could wear someone out so easily?