It had already been two weeks since Danny stepped over the threshold of the Masters Manor as a ward of Vlad Masters. He has already explored a beautiful garden outside and a greenhouse. He had been to the library, the cinema room and the kitchen. But, to be honest, the majority of his time, free from his lessons on ethics with Godfrey, was filled with reading books, watching movies and TV series and drawing. This way he could occupy himself and try not to think about his grief.
But most of the time it proved to be inefficient. The last photo of him and his family and friends, standing happily in the background of Fenton Woks, was right on his bed table, and every time he looked at it, his throat constricted and pain rose behind his eyes. Sometimes he thought that it would be much better just not to feel anything. Be emotionless and indifferent. But the problem was that he couldn't be like that. And even if he could, he wouldn't, because in his eyes it would be a huge disrespect to his loved ones' memory. Because if he doesn't feel pain or grief about them being gone, then he doesn't care for them at all. And wasn't what he wanted for them and for himself.
Huh… He always thinks about that. Like one cray-cray idiot. And Danny didn't really know anymore if it is a good thing that he considered his actions and thoughts by what it would do to his family's memory or if it was just a thing a psycho in training would do.
In these two weeks he has read the whole shelf of books and though some of them he has already read before, it was very helpful to think about someone else's problems, adventures and worries. It let him believe that he wasn't the only one in pain in this world.
You would think that Vlad must be as upset as Danny was about at least Maddie Fenton's death. But no… In the entire time that he was in the Masters Manor he hasn't seen a time when Vlad was depressive or mourning. No, he was always collected and even cheerful. He was always welcoming and nice with Danny, surely thinking that this way he could win him over, but in reality it just made Danny go back in his shell even further.
As he saw it, Vlad didn't mourn. He was absolutely content with what he had now. Maybe he even was just drowning in fact that Danny was finally his: dependent on him, forced into his custody and, in time, adoption.
It wasn't even close to what Danny wanted.
What he wanted now was to return to Amity Park, if only to visit his family and friends' graves… to say to them how he truly loved them… tell them again how sorry he was for what had happened… And how he desired to visit Sam, her grave, to tell her everything that he had in his heart and soul. To honor her if not by tearing apart those hideous disrespectful decorations on her gravestone, but at least by bringing her something she would like… For example, a pot with flowers, which she so loved… or a disk of her favourite goth music group… anything and everything that she might want…
"I was given a chance to say goodbye to her…" Danny thought, lying on his bed facing the enormous windows. "And I blew it."
"Master Daniel?" Sounded from the other side of the double doors of the room assigned to Danny.
"Again…" Danny sighed tiredly and sat up.
"It's time for dinner, young Master."
With one more sigh, Danny stood up and went to the door.
"Coming."
Vlad looked up from the books, when the knock on the doors of his private study sounded.
"Master, dinner is ready", said Godfrey's muffled voice from the hall.
"Please, enter, Godfrey", Vlad sighed, closing I Adopted A Child by Bruce Grayson. In a second the ghost-butler phased into the room. Vlad pinched the bridge of his nose tiredly. "Please, Godfrey, tell me: what am I doing wrong?"
"Sir?" Godfrey quirked a brow.
"With Daniel. What am I doing wrong? I mean… I…" Vlad wearily ran a hand over his face. "I've tried being nice with him, I've tried being stern also, I've let him wear what he wanted, excluding his school uniform, of course… I went with the pieces of advice from these books!" He gestured to the pile of opened books on his desk. "Here, Buckingham says about these terrible teen mood swings and that children want to be independent in this age — I've tried to give him his space. You agreed with me that it would be better to raise his self-esteem — I've praised him and supported him. I understood that I wasn't trustworthy for him — I held my temper so he wouldn't be that uncomfortable around me. I don't push him to be a Masters. But it's been two weeks and I get him going into himself more and more. I try to get him to open up, I speak to him, but he gets quieter and sadder with every passing day. And…" Vlad laid back in his chair. "I just can't stand seeing him so upset, Godfrey. I can't stand to see him like that... like he is now a shadow of what he has been before. And I don't know what to do so that he feels better… It is such a disappointment."
It was quiet for some time in the study, before the soft aged voice of the butler ringed the air:
"If you let me, sir, I must get to your attention the words you spoke yourself: it was only two weeks. You don't really think that he could adapt perfectly with such a small amount of time?"
"No, but… Godfrey, you should have seen him before. He was so energetic, curious, and defiant!.. He was so interested in life before! He was brave and bold, not scared to speak his mind! Even when he stayed here for the College Reunion he went to explore the outdoors, the nature of these grounds! Now… he has cooped himself up inside with those blasted books that I now wish to have already burned!"
"Now-now, sir, with all due respect, I can't tell that you live in such a crowded area."
"What?"
"I just say what else can he do here, sir? Here are only us and him, nobody his age. Nothing to interest him very much. He must want to see something new, but he really can't, because there is nothing in miles from here besides forests, rivers and fields, which he has already seen, as you say. And I must add, you also haven't been to your office for quite some time, sir."
"How can I? Daniel…"
"... doesn't need you with him every minute of the day. He is not a toddler. As I understood, he is quite capable of entertaining himself. Maybe if you both could get out into the city more, he wouldn't feel so… limited, you could say."
"Limited…" Vlad murmured. And then his eyes lit up with an idea. "Well, of course! You are right! It is summer, and from Monday on he will start his lessons with his tutor… But we have weekends till then…" Suddenly, he got up. "It is decided. Tomorrow we're going to the opera."
Godfrey's eyes widened a little, but his voice didn't waver.
"The opera, sir?"
"Yes! The Madison Opera now has a Zorro play running on. I'm sure Daniel will enjoy it!"
"But, sir, isn't this too… for adults? Are you certain the young Master will appreciate it?"
"Completely." Vlad was beaming with joy. "It is Zorro, after all. He is a hero. Daniel loves heroes!"
"Splendid logic, sir." Godfrey answered dryly. Vlad glared at him.
"Jacob Grand will be at the play tomorrow evening with his son Maxwell. The boy is Daniel's age and is also a student of the Goldsword Academy. They will become friends and some light will return to Daniel's eyes."
But Godfrey seemed unconvinced.
"And aren't you too positive that Master Daniel will be able to become friends with the Grand's boy? Haven't you mentioned that their family is a bit… prejudiced?"
"Prejudice has nothing to do with Daniel. His appearance doesn't let even the worst of the humans accuse him of something."
"As long as they don't know that he is adopted."
Vlad haltered in his stroll towards the doors of the study.
"Do you think this might be a problem?"
"At least you must be ready for it."
"No worries. This issue will not arise. Or at least, Daniel will not be aware of it if it does."
"Certainly. Should I go fetch Master Daniel for dinner then?"
"Yes, please. I will go ask Volfgang for some dessert. It will butter Daniel up a bit towards the upcoming news."
And with that they both left the study.
"Daniel! I am so glad you decided to join me for dinner!" Vlad exclaimed cheerfully, when Danny entered the dining room.
"It's not like I had a choice", Danny murmured under his breath, getting into his seat and rolling his eyes. "It was one of your rules for me not to skip a meal, wasn't it?"
"Yes, you got it right, Little Badger." Vlad said awkwardly. He really thought the boy would be less… quiet. "How did you spend your day?"
Danny shrugged.
"I read. Like always. You?"
Curiosity. Huh... Where that came from?
"I was occupied with some paper work. Also in a month there will be a dinner held here for my business associates. So I plan it as well."
"Cool."
At that moment Godfrey entered the room with two plates of spaghetti covered in fancy-looking sauce.
"Before staying here I never knew that sauces can even look fancy", Danny mused.
"Your dinner, sirs. Spaghetti The Rise, Volfgang's special recipe." He placed plates in front of Danny and Vlad and went to stand near the doors to the kitchen, as he often did.
After Vlad took his first bite, Danny did also. He was quiet, chewing softly, with his mouth closed and back straight, just as Godfrey taught him. By the pleased look on Vlad's face, Danny knew he was doing everything right. Great. Less talking and lecturing from the Frootloop then. It meant faster he could return to the room assigned to him and read even more.
"So you enjoy your room?" Vlad asked pleasantly, sipping his wine.
Danny shrugged again and thought he saw Vlad's eye twitching.
"It's cool."
"Do you… enjoy your PlayStation?"
He shrugged once more.
"Daniel! Please cease this shrugging!" Vlad said sternly and irritatingly, but not very loudly. He tried to hold back his temper for the boy's good.
Danny lowered his head and quietly picked at his food. He could feel his face reddening.
"Thank you. Now, maybe you would like to go shopping in the city tomorrow?"
"No, thanks." Danny answered. When he and Vlad went to the city last time to get his school uniform, Vlad took him to the grandiose shopping center, offering Danny brand clothes, technologies, toys and entertainment. But Danny only answered "Thank you, I don't need anything" at every turn. He noticed that Vlad was disappointed and upset with his answers, but didn't change his mind. He didn't need any of those things and, what is more important, he didn't deserve them.
"I see." Vlad sighed and disappointment was in his voice once more. It made Danny feel guilty. This man, no matter what trouble he was for him in the past, was now feeding him, educating him and giving him shelter… And now he was a nuisance for the man himself.
They finished their spaghetti quickly after that, and Danny was already preparing himself for asking to be excused from the table, when Godfrey entered the room with two silver platters in his hands. He placed them before Vlad and Danny and pompously lifted up the domes.
"Your dessert, sirs."
On the plate was an interesting piece of cake… Danny hadn't seen a cake like this before. It was all brown, atop of it was a big ball of plombir ice cream. Something black was flowing out of the cake.
"Brownie with a white plombir ice cream and the topping of the chocolate, sirs." Godfrey declared. A small smile was tugging on his lips.
Danny looked at the treat with puzzled eyes. A dessert? Vlad didn't really let him get a dessert in all the time he stayed here. The only time he let him eat something sweet was Danny's first morning here when he got a milkshake. And it was after they had a conflict. After that they didn't get into fights. Was this… some kind of preparation? A warning? Was Danny in trouble?
Or was Vlad already tired of his attitude and was just… kicking him out?
Danny didn't know why, but he got scared of this thought. Did he want to leave? Yes? No?.. Maybe?.. But… where will he go if he gets kicked out?
Your family's graves, said some voice in the back of his head. It's the only place you have left, where you are waited for.
"Daniel?" Danny looked up at Vlad hesitantly. He was smiling at him encouragingly. "What are you waiting for? Please, enjoy!"
Danny glanced at Godfrey questioningly. The butler looked at him back, apparently, waiting for what stunt he would pull now.
"Daniel?" Vlad called once more, now with a worry in voice.
Danny looked him in the eyes.
"What is the bad news?" He asked.
Vlad's impression changed into confusion.
"What are you talking about, dear boy?"
"Please, don't "dear-boy" me!" Danny exclaimed, not in anger, but in frustration, all the same trying to control his emotions and failing in it. He swallowed. "Why are you buttering me up?"
Vlad blinked. It would have been comical, if not the seriousness of the situation that Danny felt.
"Daniel, where did you get the idea?.."
"I'm dumb, not inattentive", Danny interrupted. "You don't let me eat sweets, because you think it is best for my health to eat only "normal" food. The only time you let me get a treat was when Volfgang made a milkshake for me, and that was after we had a fight the night before. So by my logic if you let me have a dessert then you are buttering me up to deliver some bad news so I would react better. Isn't it right? Because if it isn't, I will be very joyful."
Vlad didn't answer for a minute. He was just staring at the 14-year old boy, seated on his right, with an utter surprise. Daniel… has never shown him this... calculative side of him. Vlad didn't really think of Daniel as an unintelligent child, but not a genius also. He thought the boy would be just pleased to get a dessert and because of that wouldn't think anything of it, would assume that Vlad was just happy with his behavior and rewarded him this way. But now Daniel has broken all standards of his intellect that Vlad had in his brain.
"Well…" Vlad started. "Yes, you've… guessed right. I really wanted to please you a little before delivering… quite interesting news for you."
"I knew this couldn't go on forever." Danny thought. "He has gotten tired of me, because I wasn't the image of his perfect son that he so craved for. Two weeks… It only took two weeks after my arrival here for Vlad's patience to blow off."
Vlad cleared his throat.
"I… First, I wanted to tell you how pleased I am with your progress in studying manners and ethics." Danny incredulously glanced at him. He… was pleased? Then… It wasn't about kicking Danny out. What was the issue then? "Godfrey told me you already can have conversations on topics of art, environment and books by expressing your thoughts carefully and politely. Although your wits are incredibly useful in the world of high life, I am happy to know that now you are capable of delivering them in even more polite and infuriating to your foes ways."
Danny nodded in gratitude, but weariness never left his eyes.
"Second, I wanted to remind you that from Monday on you will have lessons with Ms. Juliets. I reconsidered the time that we were planning to give on your studies and understood that for summer it is too much. So we talked with Ms. Juliets and decided on lessons from 8 to 12 from Monday to Thursday. I know it's still not a dream for you, Daniel, but it'll really be better for you to be more prepared for your school year in the Goldsword Academy."
Danny nodded again. It was already better that Vlad cut his time on lessons. At least he will have more time for himself. Though, maybe, it was a bad thing. Less distraction to Danny. But it wasn't that big of a problem. When Danny gets his books, he will study by himself. It will be a win nonetheless. Danny will have a distraction and Vlad will be proud of him.
Danny's brows furrowed. Here is this thought again. Why exactly does he want Vlad to be proud of him? His ego needs once more?
"Third", Vlad's voice brought him back from his thoughts, "I've decided that you need to go out more and see other children your age…"
"Vlad, please…" Danny rolled his eyes.
"You need to socialize, Daniel!" Vlad said more harshly. "It is a very important part of your life and building of your personality. So if you don't want to help yourself overcome this fear of replacing your friends, I will help you."
Danny looked incredulously at Vlad.
"How?.."
"How did I find out?" Vlad quirked his brow. "Don't think that I don't understand what you are going through, my dear boy. I perfectly understand that you seem yourself, as you would love to say, unworthy of friendship, but I refuse to agree with your drown in grief imagination." Danny scoffed. "Because of that tomorrow evening we're going out to the Madison Opera."
Danny's eyes widened and mouth turned into a frown.
"The opera? But… But it's boring!"
"It can't be more boring than being cooped up in the Manor all day long."
Danny folded his hands against his chest.
"Sometimes I go to the garden."
"Yes, Godfrey told me. But that isn't the same. So it is settled. Tomorrow Godfrey will guide you through the ethics for opera. And also tomorrow we will meet my business associate, Jacob Grand. His son will also visit opera with him. I want you to be nice to him and give him a chance to become your friend."
The utensils which Danny held in his hands tightly, loudly clinged against the table.
"What?!" Danny shouted. "But I don't need new friends! Especially not one of those rich jerks!"
"And what would you call yourself now?"
"I am nothing like them! I know that not everyone who is rich is a bad person, Sam was rich and was great, but I am more than sure that anybody you have business with is some kind of a jerk!"
"Now, that was rude. If someone saw you like that they would think I don't give attention to your upbringing and manners, when that's completely untrue." Vlad answered calmly. Seeing Danny's angry face, he sighed. "I know you don't want to go, but I promise you, Daniel, that you would enjoy it. If you want, before the opera we can go to the arcade. I heard you liked games there. Or we can go any other place you would like."
Danny shook his head.
"I don't want to go anywhere." He stood up from his chair. "May I be excused?"
"But what's with the dessert, Daniel?" Vlad asked, surprised.
"I'm full, thank you."
Seeing Danny's upset face, Vlad sighed.
"Yes, Daniel, you may be excused."
Danny nodded.
"Please, pass Volfgang my apologies."
With that he quickly turned intangible and disappeared through the ceiling.
Vlad was pacing worriedly in the Green room, eyes darting towards the desk, where Daniel studied ethics in the mornings. Godfrey was watching him patiently. Thirty minutes passed in such a fashion, before finally the butler found himself bored.
"Master Masters, of course, watching you analyzing your parentage and your child's hard age is quite fascinating and… enlightening… and I am aware that I don't require sleep, but you must consider the size of this Manor and time I spent cleaning it as the only servant responsible for the tidiness of this household."
"Godfrey?" Vlad looked astonished at his butler. "You were here? I didn't notice you." And then he went back to his pacing.
Godfrey rolled his eyes.
"Yes, I figured, sir."
Vlad looked at the desk once more and stopped. His gaze was concerned and longing.
"Sir, if you let me", Godfrey started, "if you want to go check on young Master, then go. There is nothing wrong with visiting your child's room."
"Yes… But he gets irritated when I go to him."
"Every teenager does, but it doesn't mean that parents should not go see them. I understand you doubt every methodic you use with the boy, but trust me, if you want to bond with him, you should converse with him, interact with him, find some mutual hobbies you share and… perhaps, even try to… open up your deepest feelings…"
At that Vlad stilled. He glared at Godfrey furiously, his eyes ghostly red.
"Don't forget your place, butler. I won't mourn with the boy. He doesn't need me for that and he certainly doesn't need to see how I mourn."
"With all due respect, sir, but you should stop your mourning habit. It affects you badly and certainly doesn't pay off for your relationship with the boy."
"It is my way. It is easier for me that way."
"But it is not easier for the boy."
"You know what, butler?! Go do your business!"
With that Vlad stormed out of the room. He quickly went up the grand staircase and through the corridors.
"That butler!" He growled. "Always thinks he knows everything best! You need to mourn and be in pain together, bla-bla-bla!"
He didn't know how exactly, but he appeared in front of his study. Yes, that was what he needed! Going inside, he locked the door, took out of the desk drawers his books on raising a child, pulled out from under the table near the fireplace a bottle of wine and a glass and readjusted the photos on his desk so he would see them comfortably.
He laid back in his comfortable chair, poured himself a full glass of wine, opened the books and started to read through them.
An hour later he was already through half of the wine bottle, looking at the photos in front of them.
"I don't know what I'm doing wrong, my dear Maddie", he said softly, tongue staggering, tears in his eyes. "I just… I wanted to bring joy to him… But now he only sits in his room all by himself with those… blasted books!" He spitted the word out as if it was filthy and left a disgusting taste in his mouth. "Tomorrow we're going to the opera and he doesn't even want to think about attempting to find some new friends…"
He sipped once again from his glass, looking longingly at young Daniel's photo on his desk, positioned right next to Maddie's. It was a photo from the Casper Middle yearbook. In this photo a 13 year old Daniel was smiling shyly, his eyes with a nervous light. Vlad smiled fondly at the picture.
"Oh, little one… How can I help you?"
Getting no answer, Vlad sighed and sipped from the glass once more. He left the study on weak legs only at three o'clock. But that wasn't a problem. He knew that at seven a.m. sharp he would be sober and fine, ready to help Daniel to go through these hard times in his life with success.
The next day was awful in Danny's opinion. At breakfast Vlad was cheerful, like always these days. Then Godfrey, to Danny's annoyance, also much more joyfully than usual was guiding him through the manners for visiting opera. Danny wondered if these lessons will end some day.
During his free time, Danny read in his room. At lunch Vlad announced that their tuxedos were ready for the evening and here Danny completely lost it.
"But I don't want to wear a tuxedo!"
"Daniel, everyone in the Madison Opera wears tuxedos. Even the staff are assigned to be in suits."
"But, maybe, I can stay here…"
"You're going, Daniel. You need to go out." Danny stubbornly folded his hands. Vlad sighed. "Alright, let's do this: if you wear the tuxedo and at least try to be nice and befriend Grand's son, I will let you have any candy from the opera restaurant."
"I don't want some stupid candy."
"Okay, I'll show and try to teach you some advanced fighting techniques and ghost powers."
Danny scoffed.
"And who really wants it? Last time I checked I wanted to do nothing anymore with being a half-ghost."
Vlad sighed. He knew he could exploit this card, but he really didn't want to. But tonight was a chance for Daniel to make a friend. Taking in account how despondent Daniel was now, he really didn't want to miss such an opportunity.
"If you do as I ask, I will let you visit your family and friends' graves some time this summer."
That got Danny's attention. His eyebrow quirked in interest.
"Like… really visit? Not like the last time?.."
"We will wait until you are more stable, so it won't worsen your state. And once I'm sure you are ready, we will surely go to Amity Park to visit your loved ones' graves. But no matter what, I promise you that I will take you there this summer, of course, if you won't decline this trip yourself."
"I won't, make no mistake out of it." Danny grumbled. He looked at the ground in thought. He bit his lower lip, eyes darting from side to side trying to find the most adventurous way out. At last, he sighed tiredly. "Okay. Deal."
Danny held out a hand and Vlad shook it, a grateful smile craving its way on his face.
"Deal, Little Badger. And thank you for cooperation"
"It's not cooperation. I just want to visit my family."
Danny didn't miss the sorrowful look that appeared on Vlad's face, when he said that clearly he didn't consider Vlad his family. But he said nothing else when he left the dining room.
After that he read more. At about four thirty Godfrey brought Danny a black crisp tuxedo with a black bowtie and white dress shirt. Danny scrunched his face in dislike.
"Your suit, sir. Master Masters asked you to be ready in half an hour and wait for him in the grand hall."
Danny turned away from the butler and looked at the tuxedo with such hate that could totally put it on fire if the glare could destroy. Although… maybe he could take the ecto-rays and leave it in an accident.
"Please, don't lie to yourself, young Master. Burning down this suit won't do you anything good." Danny looked at the butler in awe. Was he that obvious? Or could the butler read minds? "Moreover, wasn't it a part of your agreement with Master Masters?"
Danny let out an irritated sigh.
"Yes, it was. Unfortunately."
"That's right. Cheer up, sir, tuxedos aren't that bad as you make out. Moreover, the play you are attending can be even worth your time. You can't know before trying."
"And what's a play? Like, the name of it?"
"I think it'll be better if you ask your father about it."
"He is not…"
"I advise you to take a shower and change into your attire right away, sir." Ignored him Godfrey. "Master Masters doesn't appreciate tardiness, as you well know."
With that the ghost-butler left Danny alone in the room. Danny stared grively at the tuxedo, then at the photo on his nightstand, and that painful constructing feeling in his chest returned.
"He is not my father… he could never replace Dad… Never."
But nonetheless in thirty minutes he was ready, wearing this uncomfortable tuxedo and fiddling with his bow tie in front of the mirror.
"Hah!" Danny growled. "Why are these tie-things so horrid and complicated?!"
The annoying knock on the doors to the hall was heard.
"Daniel, my boy? Are you ready?" Danny growled again.
"I see. May I come in?"
Danny tried to fix his bowtie one more time, but when that proved useless, he growled loudly again and spat angrily:
"Yes, come in!"
Vlad opened the door and entered the room with an impassive impression.
"No need to be so mad, Little Badger. Everything is not that bad."
"Yeah. For you." Danny turned to Vlad and gestured at his new uncomfortable tuxedo. "This thing is horrible! I look ridiculous in it and can't even move normally now. Just look, it's too tight for motion! I feel like some circus monkey!"
Vlad chuckled.
"Little Badger, it's just grouchiness speaking for you. And you don't look ridiculous. Here, let me fix this for you." Before Danny could object Vlad had already started to tie his bowtie, explaining Danny how to do it along the way. "And here you get a perfect knot."
Danny looked in the mirror. His bow tie now was perfect. He sighed.
"I'll never learn how to do it right."
"Of course, you will, Little Badger." Vlad ruffled Danny's hair in a fatherly manner, in some strange way making it look neater. Danny didn't flinch away. In these two weeks he got used to such touches, which were… weirdly comforting and not that unwanted. "You will have a lot of practice during the school year. You'll learn how to do a regular tie quickly, because it's a part of your uniform, and also there will be a lot of parties where the bow-tie is irreplaceable: homecoming and Christmas balls, the Thanksgiving charity event, the Scholarship gala, father-son dinners…" Vlad's voice and expression were dreamy and there was that happy look in his eyes, which Danny saw only once, when he tricked him into thinking he was eager and willing to be his son in the Rockies, and so Danny couldn't find it in himself to break this moment for Vlad, even though he was really surprised and some kind of disappointed in himself. "Oh, I'm sure you will not only get used to wearing suits and dress shoes and ties, but also will find that you like it."
"Hardly." Danny grumbled.
"You think like that only now." Vlad chuckled again. "Well, it doesn't matter. When young ladies start to give you attention, you'll understand."
"Vlaaaad!" Danny whined embarrassed.
Vlad chuckled again and once again casually ran a hand through Danny's hair.
"I'm just teasing you, Daniel, really. Now, let us depart. It's not becoming for us to be late."
He hugged Danny by the shoulders and guided him out of the room and outside the castle. In front of the staircase to the grand doors was parked the limousine and Clinton was waiting for them in his usual uniform and a smile on his face.
"Good evening, sirs." He said and opened the door for them.
"Good evening, Clinton." Vlad and Danny both answered. Clinton smiled at Danny friendly.
"How are you doing, young Master?"
"Oh no, he too?" Danny thought about that Master-part again.
"Thank you, sir, I'm trying to do my best."
"Good to hear, Master Daniel." He said sincerely. He helped Vlad and Danny into the limo and closed the door.
Soon the car drove away from the castle and through the sophisticated gates out on the road.
Vlad sat in front of Danny. To the untrained eye he would seem absolutely collected, but Danny had too much experience with him to know better. Danny saw a little nervousness in Vlad's posture. Danny shared it. He was often tugging on his collar, trying to make it not so tight around his throat.
"So, Daniel... have you been to the opera before?" Vlad asked, his eyes darting towards his palm. Danny raised an eyebrow.
"Ehhh… Well, I was at the theatre, maybe, five or six times with school excursions. You know, plays for kids. But the opera… It'll be my first time."
"I see." Vlad nodded.
Silence again filled the car.
"Um… and what's the name of this play we're going to watch?" Danny asked.
"Haven't I told you yet, dear boy?" Vlad was utterly surprised. Danny shook his head. "And I'm wondering why you are that upset with this trip. The play is called Zorro, Little Badger."
Danny's eyes momentarily lit up with interest that Danny was quick to get rid off. Although not quick enough for Vlad to miss this glint in the boy's eyes.
"It seems we are interested now, aren't we?" Vlad said teasingly.
Danny huffed and folded hands.
"Yeah, right." Vlad quirked a brow in doubt. "Okay, fine, Zorro is great. But I mean a character Zorro from the animated TV series The Legend of Zorro and the books. This opera, though, must be a big bust."
"Perhaps. But, maybe, you'll enjoy it. You can't know before trying."
Danny shrugged and looked out of the windows. The sun was setting beautifully behind the hills of Wisconsin.
"Have… you used that telescope in your room yet?" Vlad asked.
"Yeah. It's… It's great. Can even take shots of the pictures of the part of the sky I'm looking at."
"Fascinating, isn't it?" Vlad cheered up. "I remember picking it out for you. There was that one enormous telescope with a lot of panels that enabled you to do a lot of things for scientific research of the cosmos. But then I thought that you would love to see the other parts of the sky on other sides of the world, but won't be able to do it with that gigantic telescope. So I, with some help, upgraded the best portable telescope."
"Wait… you mean you made that telescope back in the Manor so cool?" Danny clarified, astonished.
"Of course! I wanted you to have only the best, and surely I wasn't lazy enough to stop at buying things."
"You… have done all of this for me?.." If Vlad upgraded the telescope, that meant he could have done that to a lot of stuff that he presented to Danny.
Vlad smiled warmly at the boy.
"Of course, Little Badger. I will spare no expense on making you happy. Because that's always been and is my greatest priority."
Danny was… very flattered by what Vlad was saying… And he felt comforted and wanted now… but…
"You do know that sounds kind of creepy, don't you?"
Vlad chuckled sadly.
"Unfortunately, yes, I do."
"Great." Danny sighed.
"But… me being creepy won't stop you from telling me a little about that… Zorro TV series?"
Danny smiled back a bit. They chatted all the way to the opera and Danny was surprised that Vlad wasn't only listening but asking also.
In a time that seemed short to Danny, Clinton's voice rant in the passenger area.
"We're in the city, sirs."
"What?" Danny looked out the window to find there… beautiful buildings and streets. Their yellow lights were blindingly fascinating and glorious, illuminating everything and making it glow magically.
Vlad watched Danny pressing his face against the window so childishly and couldn't help but chuckle warmly. Puting a hand on his shoulder Vlad declared:
"Welcome to Madison city, Little Badger."
They drove down the wide road, a lot of cars by the sides. People turned to the limo and ah-ed an oh-ed upon seeing it. But Danny was too hypnotized by the beauty of the city to really pay attention to them.
In some time the car parked in front of the big white building made in gothic style. The lights were shimmering above the grand staircase. The words on the building stated: Madison Grand Opera.
"We're here, Daniel", Vlad said, pleased with his ward's reaction to the city. But he frowned a bit when he saw the state of Danny's shirt. "Daniel, please, do fix your collar."
Danny looked down at his shirt with a frown and tried to fix the collar, which was messed up after his constant tugging. Vlad meanwhile rectifies Danny's bow-tie quickly.
When they were done, Clinton opened the door for them. Upon climbing out Danny saw that there were a lot of people in good clothes near the opera.
"Thank you, Clinton." Vlad said to the driver.
"Have a good evening, sirs." Clinton nodded and bowed respectfully before straightening his back.
Vlad advanced towards the entrance of the opera with hands behind his straight back. All his appearance screemed superiority, power and wealth. Danny saw women look Vlad's way with awe and, jogging after his guardian, couldn't help but roll his eyes in annoyance.
"Do you really need to behave like you own the place?" Danny asked, now going beside the man.
Vlad chuckled darkly.
"My dear boy, you can really say that I own this place. I donated so much money into it that I am seen almost as royalty here." Danny wasn't really surprised. Sometimes it seemed that Vlad had all the money in the world. "And about the women, well, now you have a good example of a behavior which attracts them. Not that confident about the ridiculousness of formal clothes now, aren't you?"
Danny shrugged, while they were climbing the stairs. The grand doors were open, guiding visitors to the light golden hall with two staircases, stairs of which were covered in red carpets, and a grandiose chandelier. It really reminded Danny of the Masters Manor.
"Wow…" Danny murmured and glanced at Vlad's smug face with a proud grin on it. "I really can see that you controlled the designer of this place."
"Well, have no doubts, I did. After all, I wanted to feel comfortable here."
Danny looked around. If he thought that people outside were looking nice, then here they would seem too regular. Everyone here was dressed expensively. All the men wore black tuxedos, just like Vlad and he did, and all the women were dressed in shiny dresses and didn't miss a chance to show off their brilliant jewellery. Danny marked out that servants' uniform consisted of the suit with black trousers, maroon dress jackets and black ties.
"Welcome to the high life, Daniel." Vlad smirked proudly at him.
"Too many welcomes today, don't you think?"
"Perhaps. But they will secure your future to be successful. Moreover, I'm sure you will not only fit in perfectly, but also enjoy it some day. Now, let's go. We have twenty minutes till the start of the play. I would like to introduce you to my colleague."
Vlad lightly pushed Danny forward, one hand on his back. They went through the hall,up the stairs. With his enhanced hearing, Danny could hear people whispering about them.
"This is Vlad Masters! But who's the kid?"
"There are rumors that Masters is about to be the wealthiest man in the world by The Forbes ratings!"
"Who is there with Vlad Masters?"
"Does he have a son? It complicates my situation."
And so, so many more rumors began to spread around the opera. Danny was already regretting ever coming here.
"Is everything alright, Little Badger?"
Danny's ears reddened from embarrassment.
"Vlad, please, don't call me that! Not here of all places! It's embarrassing!"
Vlad chuckled and smoothed Danny's hair.
"There is nothing embarrassing about a father having a term of endearment for his precious son."
"But I'm not your son!"
"Unfortunately, not by blood." They stopped near the double doors of dark wood with intriguing carvings on them. On the wall near the doors was a nameplate saying "The Opera Hall" on it. Vlad continued in an amused and teasing tone. "But, little one, I'm your foster father and I act as a substitute for your biological one. In a couple of days the adoption papers will be sent to me and then I will officially become your father and you will become my son. So there's nothing embarrassing in a nickname."
Danny angrily scowled.
"You're pushing it."
Vlad smiled.
"I'm just teasing you, Daniel. You're making it far too easy."
"Then don't tease. I don't like it."
"Oh, and here I thought that was exactly the reason for teasing."
"Shut up." Danny folded his hands.
Vlad immediately pushed his hands apart.
"Hey!"
"Don't do such a posture. It's unbecoming of you. Haven't Godfrey told you about that during your lessons?"
Danny huffed indignantly.
"I didn't listen to him on this part. It's stupid."
"Not at all. Now is not the time or place to give you a lecture on this topic, but, trust me, we will have it. Right now, fold your hands behind your back and keep it straight." Not waiting for Danny's permission he took his hands and positioned them himself. "Keep your chin a little bit up." He tilted his chin. "And try to hold a collected image. That will make others think that you are confident."
"Vlad, this is ridiculous! As is everything here!" He cried out, but not very loudly. He really didn't want to cause a scene, as didn't Vlad. "And why should I keep myself all utterly proper when we are supposedly here to relax?!"
Vlad sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Unfortunately, it's not the time or place for this lecture either." He looked at his wayward ward appraisingly. "It seems I myself will have to take care of your education on self-presenting. Well, I'll be more than delighted." He smiled fondly at the boy, but Danny only looked away with that annoyed scowl on his face. Vlad looked at his gold watch and seeing that they had ten more minutes, took out of the inner pocket of his jacket his wallet and fished out a twenty dollar bill. He held it out to Danny, who, surprised at seeing money, peeked up at Vlad confused. "Right down the hall is a vending machine. Go buy yourself anything you want."
Danny hesitantly took the bill, but his confusion didn't go.
"What about your rule about sweets?"
"Well, yesterday you didn't eat your dessert as you haven't today, so I can allow some sugar for you. Moreover, today is our evening of relaxation. I allow."
"Well… Okay…Thanks… I think..."
With that Danny started down the hall, hearing Vlad asking him to be back in five minutes.
"Yeah-yeah, alright."
Danny went through the hall and caught glances of some people. Some were looking at him in interest, some in confusion, and even one lady, as Danny thought, gave him a glance of disgust. That proved their hushed conversations, which were similar to those that he heard when they only arrived. Trying to make himself not to listen, Danny rushed to the vending machine that he already saw at the end of the hall.
For a minute or two he just stared at the candy, not knowing what he wanted. A lot of these sweets he hadn't tried yet.
"B9" said someone behind Danny. He turned to see a boy around his age, a little taller than him, with light-brown hair and hazel eyes. He was also wearing a black tuxedo, but unlike Danny with a small polite smile on his face. "B9 is very good. It's peanut in white chocolate and with chips of pistachio nuts. They're my favourite. Realyyy recommend."
Danny looked at the B9 and then smiled back at the boy.
"Thanks. I also like peanuts in chocolate. Though I've never tried them in white one."
"With pistachios, don't forget the pistachios", grinned the boy while Danny tapped B9 and took his treat and exchange. "You're also here for this Zorro opera?"
"Yeah." Danny admitted. "Don't really wanna go, but I have no choice."
"Same. I'm here with my father. He's such a conservanist. Likes stuff like this. You also here with a parent?"
"Well…" Danny stalled. "You can put it this way."
"Right. I'm Max." He offered Danny a hand and he shook it.
"Danny." He opened the pack of B9. "Wanna some?"
"Would never say no if I didn't have this buddy with me", he showed Danny a twenty dollar bill and quickly took B9 also.
"Daniel!" Was heard from the other side of the hall.
"Sorry, that call is for me." Danny said.
"No matter, the doors are all in that direction." They started back to the opera hall. "Are your seats in the loge?"
"I don't know. I didn't ask. But knowing my… em… he got us the most expensive seats."
"If it's right, it's great. Because my seat is in the loge where all the elite sit."
"Daniel!" Danny saw Vlad standing outside the door which was shimering like gold. He walked towards him with a quicker step.
"Is that you father?" Asked Max.
Danny didn't answer. Only when they approached Danny saw a tall man, a little bulkier than Vlad, also in a crisp tuxedo (now Danny was certain that rich people had no other clothes but formal suits), with brown-red hair and grey calculative eyes. His smirk unsettled Danny. When Vlad plotted he wore a similar one.
"Daniel", when he got close enough Vlad wrapped his arm around his shoulders in a fatherly manner. "Are you enjoying your treat?"
Danny nodded, feeling really awkward with Vlad treating him like a five-year-old in front of other people.
"Yes, thanks. Here's the change…"
"Save it. Consider it an addition to your allowance."
"I have an allowance?" Danny's brows frowned in his new discovery.
"Well, of course, you do." Vlad chuckled amused. "Now, Daniel, please, meet my business associate Jacob Grand." He gestured to the man nearby.
"Grand, this is Daniel, my son."
Danny nearly gagged and wanted to argue, but… in fact, he remained silent. He didn't know why, but something didn't let him say otherwise in front of Grand, who was attentively studying him from top to bottom. That made Danny nervous, but a little reassuring squeeze of shoulder by Vlad, and he felt safer.
"I wasn't informed you had a son, Masters." Grand said suspiciously.
"Well, I prefer to keep my family close and safe from paparazzi. I believe it helps to make children less dependent on fame and public attention, which is a very useful and needed quality in life." Vlad said smoothly.
"Agreed." Grand looked Danny right in the eye, and if he hadn't seen ghosts glaring at him in the similar way all the time in the past, he would have cringed away. But now he held his ground and looked back stubbornly. "Now I do see the great resemblance between the two of you. You have the eyes and stature of your father, young man. Masters, your son is a splitting image of yourself."
Danny blushed and peeked at Vlad's face. He was surprised to see how happy his guardian looked. His smile was wide and warm, he was practically shining with joy. It was like he was told the most pleasant thing in his entire life. He looked down at Danny, his eyes glancing fondly and proudly, and very gently ruffled his raven black hair.
"Thank you very much, Grand."
Somehow right now Danny felt so… loved. Like he was the only thing that mattered to Vlad. Like he was back with his parents, back at his home at the age of 10, when he still was a good student and his Mom and Dad were proud of him as much as they were of Jazz.
"T-Thank you…" Danny murmured, stunned and confused with his feelings. "N-Nice to meet you, Mr. Grand."
Grand raised an unimpressed brow at him.
"Yes, indeed."
Danny frowned in frustration. Right away he didn't like this man.
"I must say, young Maxwell has also taken some of your features, Grand."
Only now when Danny was more attentive, he saw that Max was standing near the Grand. He was wearing a polite smile, but glansed sadly from Danny and Vlad to his father. His fingers were holding his pack of B9 a little too tight.
"So he is Grand's son!" Danny realized.
"It's a pleasure to meet you again, Mr. Masters." Max smiled at Vlad and held out a hand, which Vlad shook.
"I'm pleased also, young Maxwell. How do you do these days?"
But before Max could reply, suddenly, a short melody rang through the hall and the female voice said:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the opera hall is open. Please, take your seats."
At that moment the golden door opened to reveal one of the opera workers. He bowed to the company.
"Your loge is ready, sirs."
"Thank you", said Vlad, but Grand only walked past the worker, not sparing him even a glance.
They all went through the door and up the stairs to the luxurious loge. It had two rows of comfortable red chairs and was positioned right in front of the stage, so the viewers could see every detail that was happening there.
"Welcome to the royal loge, Daniel." Vlad cheerfully told him and guided to the front seats.
Vlad sat to Danny's right and Max was on Danny's left. Max was looking at his father hopefully, but he passed him and took a chair on Vlad's right. If Danny wasn't forced to learn how to read faces while protecting Amity Park (this was necessary after Walker's raid on his city and his guards overshadowing Danny's classmates and town's power figures), he wouldn't even notice the change of Max's externally calm expression.
"So, Daniel, which school are you attending?" Asked Grand, readjusting his gold cufflinks.
"Um… I will be starting the…"
"The Goldsword Academy this semester", Vlad ended for Danny. "It will be Daniel's freshman year."
"As it will be Maxwell's. And was your son homeschooled before? I don't think you could send him to some... ah, public school." He said with contempt.
Danny frowned. No, he definitely doesn't like this Jacob Grand. There is nothing wrong with public schools, they are even cooler than the private ones, because they don't have a stupid school uniform!
"Don't mind him", Max whispered to Danny. "My dad is… extraordinary in his way, so to speak. Sometimes it's hard to get along with him."
"I know the feeling." Danny nodded. "The same situation."
"Your dad is also like that?"
Danny shook his head sadly.
"My dad was… is cool. He always will be."
Max frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Danny once again shook his head.
"So… how is this academy?"
"Goldsword? Oh, it's cool. There is always great food in the cafeteria and servants are well-mannered."
"Wait, servants?"
"Of course." Max looked at Danny with slight surprise. "Don't you know? In Goldsword, the cafeteria is like a restaurant. Servants serve you your food and beverages. Everything is of the highest standard."
"Cool." Danny murmured. So, that was what his life would be from now on. Only high life. No normality.
"Also if you don't understand something from the material, the teacher leaves you after the class and teaches you all over again on the theme and exercises. Well, like any other normal school."
Danny nearly scoffed. Like any other normal school... What a laugh!
The melody from earlier rang once more and the same female voice asked everybody to turn off mobile telephones. Danny took out his very old and scratched one, and Max whistled.
"Wow! What an old plebeian wrack is this?" In his own hands he held the phone of the newest model, shiny and expensive.
Vlad looked the boys' way and his eyes locked on Danny's phone. He shook his head in displeasure and said softly:
"Daniel, please, put your phone away, the play is about to begin."
Danny nodded and obeyed. His cheeks reddened when Max asked again about the phone, but Danny never answered.
The play was long. And boring. In some time from the powerful singing of performers Danny's ears began to hurt. Max wasn't listening and, taking advantage of being out of his father's sight, was surreptitiously playing on his phone. Sometimes Vlad and Grand were exchanging words about the play, some mutual business concerning the purchase of qualitative wood and the last business news. Nobody else was in their loge.
It was unnerving to sit in this expensive box with arrogant Mr. Grand and listen to this opera. It wasn't that bad, but gave Danny a headache. It seemed, opera just wasn't for him.
But nonetheless he endured it with a stone face. When the Zorro play was over, he felt like a decade of years was behind him. The four of them exited the opera all together and parted only when they saw their limousines.
Max took Danny's hand and shook it.
"It was nice to meet you, Danny. Hope we will meet once more."
"Yeah, me too." Danny nodded with little interest. He didn't really need new friends. Sam and Tucker would be his best friends forever and he didn't need anybody else in their positions. "Thanks for B9."
"You're welcome."
"Masters, it was a nice evening." Said Grand. "I think I will see you on Tuesday to secure that deal."
"Oh, I will be there." Vlad said, shaking Grand's hand. His smug smirk was with him, confidence and superiority around him was making Grand seem not that frightening. "Good night, Grand, young Maxwell."
"Good night, Masters." With a distasteful gaze towards Danny, Grand went to his limo, Max going after him, trying to copy his father's confident posture, but failing.
"Well, my boy, let's go home." Vlad said.
Clinton was already waiting for them near the car.
"How was your evening, sirs?" He opened the door of the limousine.
"It was alright, Clinton." Vlad got into the car.
"Thanks, sir", Danny said, Clinton nodded with a smile.
In a short time the car drove away from the opera and Danny looked out the window at pretty city lights.
"You did very well tonight." Vlad said. Danny looked up at him to see if he was joking. Vlad was smiling at him. "I'm serious. You've handled everything much better than I thought."
"Really?" Vlad nodded. "Wow. I thought I blew everything."
"Not at all, my boy. You were clearly bored, but you never showed a sign of it. You were respectful towards performers and tried to actually listen. I'm proud of you." Danny smiled shyly. "Though I'm quite surprised you haven't said anything… when I introduced you as my son. And when Grand said you look like me."
Danny shrugged and looked down at the ground.
"You said it was your business associate. I didn't want to disgrace you in front of him. You're going to make me your son no matter what, anyway. You won't miss your chance for my adoption. I can't do anything about it. Moreover, I have no reason to now, because even if I get out of your custody, I won't have any place to go but the system. And with that…" Danny sighed. "With that I will blow every chance to have a future… And my family wouldn't want that for me…"
Vlad nodded sadly.
"I am sorry you think like that, Daniel. Your adoption is…"
"Necessary so I wouldn't be sent to the detention center." Danny ended.
Vlad looked at him incredulously.
"How did you…"
Danny shook his head.
"This is not the point. The point is I am a temporary arrangement in your life, and this Grand man is not; he is involved in your business. I, on the other hand, will be around as long as you hold interest. After that… I'm on my own."
Vlad looked at Danny shocked.
"Little Badger… What are you talking about?"
"Vlad, I'm just being rational. Really, just think about it! For twenty years you plotted how to marry my mom. Then I came into view, and suddenly out of nowhere you decided you wanted me as your son. Especially when I remember quite well that you disliked me when we first met, because I supported my dad." Danny stopped to get some breath, but shortly continued. "You want me to be your son because of my ghost powers and only because of them. You may not understand it now, but one day you will and then I'll be out of your door. So, please, leave everything be. I…" Danny's face flushed out of embarrassment for himself. "I-I've said enough already as that is. I-I'm sorry. I didn't want to cause you a scene. Please… please, let's just pretend I never said that, okay?"
Danny curled into himself a little, feeling like the bow-tie was choking him.
"Little Badger, everything's alright." Vlad hurried to sit near the boy to be by his side. He hugged him by the shoulders and drawn him to his side. "Look, it's… it's not like you think. I agree that your powers were a huge starting push, but… I don't care about you being half-ghost like me anymore, I care about you, Daniel! If you don't ever want to use your ghost powers again, it will be okay with me! I will train you only for your health to be at its maximum, but you don't need to be Danny Phantom for me to care for you. Daniel, I… I already consider you my child! You do realize that you are the most precious and important person in my life, yes? That is forever. And that is never going to change."
Danny looked at Vlad trying to stay calm, but his eyes showed his conflicted feelings.
"You say it only now. But time will pass, I still won't call you dad or father and you will get tired of me."
"That is nonsense, you stupid boy!" He pulled Danny into a fierce hug. "I won't ever give up on you, Little Badger! Don't even count on it.
Danny nodded, but still held his doubts.
"Don't think like that of yourself, Daniel", Vlad asked, ending the hug. "Okay?" Danny nodded and looked out the window, showing that he wanted to end the conversation. "Maybe, you can tell me how drastically the opera differs from those Zorro TV series you told me about?"
One word followed another and the conversation started. When they were back at the mansion Danny was already not that upset.
"If Vlad didn't really care, he wouldn't listen to my chatter about some cartoon." Danny thought. "I'm just being dramatic. Well, the opera did its thing."
When they returned, it was already ten in the evening. Seeing that Danny was nearly suppressing his yawning, he said:
"I'll go to bed, okay?" Vlad nodded and ruffled Danny's hair a little.
"Have a good night, Little Badger."
Danny nodded.
"Good night."
He quickly got to his room, took a shower and changed into his new red pajamas. For a very long time he tried to go to sleep, but the events of the day didn't want to let him go. He managed to snooze a little, but at 3:47 a.m. he was still awake and thinking about what talk he had with Vlad in the limo.
"I can't really know what his true motivations are", thought Danny, but these suspicions were fading really quickly away from his mind. "Tonight he said I was the most important person in his life… and all this time he was acting like this was true. Like I really belonged here…" After a little more thinking, Danny determingly left his bed. "I never apologised for assuming and accusing him."
He went into the hall and stealthily went towards Vlad's study. Nobody was met by him on his way and Danny questioned himself what ghost-stuff was doing at night, when everyone they served was asleep?
Only when Danny was approaching Vlad's study, he remembered what time it was and that Vlad was most likely already sleeping in his bedroom.
"Well, I can't sleep. If he's not awake in his study now, then I'll go back to bed and apologize to him in the morning." Danny decided.
He was about to knock at the doors, because he knew for a fact that Vlad always locked his study, but… was really surprised to see that one of the doors was ajar. Danny hesitantly opened it wider and peeped into the study. The room was mostly dark and only the lamp on Vlad's desk was illuminating… his sleeping form. Sprawled on the desk was his head and hands, which were clutching some book.
Danny sighed. So Vlad was indeed a workaholic. Doesn't he know that this habit kills a lot of people every year? Now determined if to not wake him up (Danny knew that after that he would definitely get some penalty for disobeying one of the house grand rules — to not enter his study), at least switch off the lamp and try to lecture him on that subject in the morning (though he doubted that Vlad would actually listen).
He approached only for his eyes to widen.
"No way!.." he thought. His eyes darted across the desk. Here were two photos in beautiful golden frames: one of his mother in her casual clothes and one of Danny. He recognized this photo — it was the one from his 8-grade yearbook! He hated this photo, because he looked nervous in it, but his parents loved it for some reason.
But then the books… Danny hastily read the titles: I Adopted A Child, Single Parents Guide. Volume 1, Teenage Boys. Parental Guidance. A lot of small pieces of paper with notes lied across the table. Under one of the books were two papers with sketches: an astronaut, some music band, balloons and bowling alley with a title in bold 15th Birthday Party on the first one and a Christmas tree, a costume of Santa and some slide made out of ice with a title Christmas Surprise on the second one.
"No… It can't be…" thought Danny in shock. "Is he really… trying to learn parenting? Trying… to help me?"
It was so… so strange… so unusual and unsettling.
Before Danny could think anything else, Vlad started to stir.
"Oh, Maddie..." he murmured. Danny noticed a half finished glass of wine near his Mom's photo. He backed away and accidentally kicked something. He looked down — there lied one empty wine bottle and nearby it stood another, half finished one. Danny stilled. Has Vlad... mourned like that?.. Was he... washing away his pain and grief with wine?..
Vlad stirred once more. Instantly Danny turned invisible and darted from the study. He quickly flew to his room and fell on the bed.
Vlad… was reading books on raising children. He had a photo of him and Mom on his table. D-Dad always had photos of Mom, Danny and Jazz on his table down in the lab. Only the photos of people who you love or care about stand on one's desk. A-And then those books on parenting.. A-And those papers with sketches of surprises for Danny... Did it mean that… Vlad didn't lie to him?.. That he cared not about his powers, but… him? As a person...
Author's Note:
Finalyyyy, I finished this chapter! It took me waaaay more time to finish this than I thought. And also I notice that chapters keep growing in size... But now the fun part begins So now wait for real mysteries, flashbacks (oh, how I LOVE TO WRITE THEM!) and some dangerous adventures! Moreover, it seems Danny's about to have a friend and some diversity in his life! Well, you know how they say: rich children remain children We'll just have to see what they'll come with :)
Also I now must say Thank you to the amazing fricskadorka who has made spectacular comics on Vlad trying to be a good dad, first part of which inspired me on writing this story and gave me ideas for what should be on Vlad's desk :) So this chapter is dedicated to you, fricskadorka! Thank you for your amazing arts and inspiration they hold
Also, you can visit my blog on tumblr any time to see my drawings and arts on this story :
blog/aleks-norward
Love you all!
Till next time!