The carriage creaked along the road slowly. Christina had pulled the drapes shut after the first hour. She sat perfectly straight, hands on her lap, poised and perfect. Her diary sat beside her, red leather cover the only colorful thing to be seen. Slowly her eyes drifted closed and she fell into a dreamless sleep only to wake with a start when the carriage jerked to a halt. Christina composed herself, pulling the drapes open to see what happened.
"Vampire scum!" the driver shouted.
Christina shot out of the carriage when she saw just who the driver had apprehended.
"Unhand him," she ordered.
"Unhand a thief?"
"That's no thief, that's my brother,"
Chase fell to the ground with a soft thud, scrambling to Christina excitedly. She quickly ushered him into the carriage despite the driver's protests.
"He's but a child and my brother, I will not abandon him,"
Once the two were alone, Chase hopped onto Christina's lap with a smile.
"Uncle Dracula will be displeased," she reprimanded him despite the smile spreading across her face.
He hugged her tightly, brow crinkling when he noticed the lack of color in Christina's clothing. Faint magic trailing across his fingers he touched the cloak she still wore, color spreading from his fingers turning it a gentle lavender.
"You've been practicing, is that how you snuck away?"
Chase shook his head no, wings twitching,
"You flew from your window and laid against the top of the carriage," Christina deduced, "Naughty boy,"
Nonetheless, Christina was happy to have her brother at her side again.
…...
Night has fallen. Though I'm tired I can't sleep. So, I'm writing by moonlight. Chase snuck away. The poor boy I should have seen this coming. He's sleeping next to me, holding onto my wrist again. A habit he developed as a baby. He used to curl up next to me and grab my finger. If only our parents could see him! We arrive tomorrow I can only hope we will be welcomed. Worry claws my heart, doubt whispers in my ear but I must do this! For the safety of my family, of the kingdom.
I can do this.
I must!
…...
"She's here," Sugie whispered as the carriage came around the corner.
Shaggy took a deep breath. He was about to come face to face with a vampire. Never in all his years had he pictured this ever happening! The horror stories he'd been told, the ones whispered by the staff at night when he crept to the kitchens for a snack. He was about to come face to face with one of them.
Slowly, the carriage lurched to a stop before them, the door opened and out came two vampires.The first, the one he'd been expecting, dressed in black, a lavender cloak pulled over her head. The second, a much younger boy, teal eyes full of uncertainty. Why was he there? His first thought which he quickly dismissed was that the boy was a servant. Regaining his composure he looked to his guest for an explanation.
When she pushed the hood of her cloak back his breath caught in his throat. Suddenly, nothing else mattered, they were the only two there. Shaggy was positive he was flying. Then she spoke, and he crashed to the earth once more.
"I'm Christina and this is my brother, Chase. I do apologize, he's never been apart from me,"
Sugie took the lead walking up to Chase.
"Hi! My name is Sugie! Welcome to our home! I hope you'll like it here, Chase", the young she-wolf smiled cheerfully, taking his hand. "You want to play? Come on! I'll show you my tree-house!"
Chase looked to Christina who nodded, despite her bewilderment. The two took off leaving Shaggy and Christina alone.
"Your sister?"
"Yes, and I'm Shaggy, allow me to show you around"
"Gladly,"
Christina fell silent after this, her mind still struggling to catch up with this momentous change. She followed Shaggy, taking notice of everything she saw. Although this manor was much smaller than her uncle's castle it felt cozy. She saw Chase through the window playing tag with Sugie who climbed the tree-house ladder to get away. She smiled at the sight.
"They like, seem to get along," Shaggy observed, joining her at the window.
"Yes," Christina nodded her agreement.
"I like, know this is a big change for you but I hope we can at least get along,"
Christina nodded again leading Shaggy to wonder if she was always so quiet. Without a word between then, he showed her to her room and left her to get settled.
He'd imprinted on a vampire! How was that even possible? It just couldn't be!
I'll have to ask Clawdeen about this.
For now, he'd focus on his parents' impending visit. Whenever that was.
…...
Christina kneeled before her trunks, glancing at the empty room before her. She fiddled with the lock on the first trunk, zapping it when it refused to open. Slowly she lifted the lid, smiling softly as the scent of dried roses tickled her nose. The first trunk was filled with her clothes, several dresses in many shades of purples and blacks. She ran her hand across them before shaking her head and closing the trunk. The next trunk was filled with her treasures. Digging through it, she lifted out the music box, unwrapping it and placing it on the vanity across from her bed.
The mirror had been flipped around so it faced the wall. Righting it, she studied her reflection with a shake of her head.
"Look she has a reflection!"
"How odd,"
Odd for a vampire but not a hybrid. Still, the whispers of others rattled around her head. Hybrids tended to be shunned. Christina had been angry about it when she was younger but had gotten used to it. Chase was another story. He wanted to play with others his age but was often ignored, told to go away. The mere thought of which made Christina's blood boil.
CRASH
Christina picked up her skirts and ran from the room, cloak flying behind her. She found Sugie and Chase standing before a shattered vase that had been sitting on the table behind them.
"Like, what happened-oh no," Shaggy gasped, sliding into the room frantically.
"We were playing tag and I bumped into the table,"
"Sugie, you know tag is an outside game," Shaggy scolded, "Mom's not going to be happy, that was like, her favorite vase!"
"I know, I'm sorry, Shaggy but it's raining now!"
While Shaggy continued to scold his sister, fretting the whole time, Christina stepped forward to inspect the vase. Nothing a little magic couldn't fix. The magic that flowed from her hands grabbed the attention of Shaggy and Sugie who watched, dumbfounded as the vase put itself back together, as if it had never been broke.
"Like, you can do magic?"
Christina nodded, "Our mother was a dark fairy,"
She unclasped her cloak letting it fall to the floor, wings fluttering against her back.
"Can you do magic too?" Sugie asked Chase.
He nodded.
"Nothing very big, he's still learning," Christina explained.
Chase nodded again.
"Sugie you need to go to your room," Shaggy quietly ordered.
"Why?"
"You broke the vase, that's why,"
"But, it's fixed now, Shaggy,"
"Like, you still broke it, you still like, have to go to your room and take a bath you're covered in mud,"
"Yes, Shaggy," Sugie mumbled, trudging away.
Christina looked at Chase who was also covered in mud. He grinned impishly.
"You need a bath too, Chase," Christina said, picking up her cloak and folding it over her arm, "Come on,"
…...
Shaggy paced across the dining room as he'd been doing for an hour. Scooby watched from under the table but didn't utter a word for which Shaggy was grateful. He needed time to process. He'd imprinted on a vampire, no a hybrid. Even though he should've been preparing for his parents who were due to arrive any day he just couldn't! Every idle thought, every moment he had his thoughts wandered to Christina. Quiet but there was a strength, a fire in her eyes that warned against crossing her.
"Shaggy!" Sugie burst through the doors Chase right on her heels, "Mom and Dad are here!"
"Already?" he blinked.
"Yes. Already,"
"Go greet them. I'll tell Christina,"
Scooby followed behind him as he hurried through the halls.
Composing himself he knocked, fretting what he was about to tell her. Christina opened the door slowly with a curious expression.
Shaggy felt the air leave his lungs once more. Christina had cleaned up, swapping the dress she arrived in for a deep violet gown. Her hair tumbled down her back clean and shining,
"Yes?"
if it weren't for Scooby, pinching his arm he might have been frozen forever.
"I like, don't mean to alarm you but my parents have arrived earlier than I expected. They like, want to meet you,"
She nodded, "I understand, "
…...
Christina walked into the parlor with her head held high, hoping to disguise the nerves that bubbled within her. Sugie was already there, Chase beside her looking nervous. While Sugie prattled on about the interesting things she had discovered around her tree-house Shaggy and Christina took a moment to compose themselves.
"Ahem," Shaggy coughed once he felt ready
The pair of werewolves turned toward them with smiles that lit up the room. Christina watched, homesickness clenching her heart as they embraced their son.
Then, they noticed her.
"Hello," she greeted softly.
"Mom, Dad, this is Christina," Shaggy introduced, "And that's her brother, Chase," he added when Chase raced over to Christina.
"I apologize, Chase stowed away," Christina quickly explained, "He's never been apart from me,"
"That's okay," Stacy smiled, "It looks like Sugie has found a friend,"
"Like, dinner should be ready by now," Shaggy said, glancing at the clock.
"Lead the way, Son wouldn't want to keep your stomach waiting," Sam chuckled.
…...
Christina was sure she had never seen this much food crammed onto a table before. Even a long table like this one and from the look of Shaggy's plate he was planning to eat it all. How? That's what she would have liked to know. It was a rude question to ask, however, so she tucked it into the back of her mind for further pondering later. Her thoughts were interrupted when Chase tugged on her sleeve to get her attention.
She looked at him questioningly. His face was twisted into disgust as he held his glass out for her to inspect. She smelt the blood and her expression morphed to match her brother's. Sending him back to his seat across the table, she pushed her glass away.
"I suppose I should have told you earlier but we don't drink blood of any kind," Christina sheepishly confessed, "We're vegetarians,"
Shaggy failed to mask his relief as he had the glasses taken away.
Chase looked to her pleadingly.
With a small smile, an apple fell into her hands perfectly cut in two, she passed one half to Chase making him grin. He nodded his thanks.
"How did you do that?" Stacy asked curiously.
"I inherited magic from my mother, so did Chase,"
Dinner passed quietly leaving Christina to her thoughts. Whether she was disliked or they were curious remained to be seen. After they'd eaten they moved to the main room. She sat beside Shaggy while Chase sat beside Sugie, Sam and Stacy across from them.
"So, Shaggy, Sugie, how do you like your guests? Er, I mean-"
"Like, it's okay, Mom, I know what you're like, trying to say," Shaggy saved his flustered mother, "I'd say today went well. Wouldn't you, Christina?"
"Yes, and I apologize again for Chase. He's shy and was born without a voice,"
"Oh, think nothing of it, dear," Stacy said kindly.
"Right, it's no problem. No one can blame him for not wanting to be parted from you," added Sam.
"You really can't speak?" Stacy asked gently.
Chase shook his head. Then, Sugie spoke up:
"That's okay, He's sweet and we had lots of fun! And he wasn't afraid to climb up to my tree-house. I'm so happy to finally have a friend my age who can keep up with me!"
Chase hid behind his wings in embarrassment.
"It was like magic when he came out of the carriage. When I looked into those teal eyes...I don't know, something inside me just went 'ZING!', and I just knew we would be best friends forever!"
Shaggy and their parents shared a surprised look, which confused Christina.
"That's...wonderful, Sweetie", Stacy said.
"What's wrong?", Christina whispered to Shaggy.
"Nothing, like, 'wrong' per-se", he replied softly. "Just, like, really surprising. I'll explain later."
They spoke late into the night, the conversation only ending when both Sugie and Chase had fallen fast asleep.
"Let them be," Stacy whispered, "I say we all turn in for the night,"
"Agreed,"
…...
"Are you going to tell me about that look earlier?" Christina whispered to Shaggy, their footsteps the only thing to be heard in the hall.
Shaggy scratched the back of his neck nervously, "Well, werewolves mate for life, like regular wolves. We imprint on our destined mates. There's no getting out of it. It like, appears that Sugie has-"
"Imprinted on my brother," Christina finished.
"Yes, Sugie's too young to understand it and imprinting usually occurs at an older age so this is surprising. I hope, this like, doesn't upset you,"
"No, no, not at all. As you said, they're too young to understand what's happened and Chase doesn't have friends his age so he's over the moon,"
"You're not upset?"
"No, never,"
They stood outside her bedroom door now. Shaggy longed to tell her the truth. That he had also imprinted on her but he didn't want to upset her. Even though Christina was kind, speaking warmly and respectfully to those around her there was a sadness that lingered. A somber cloud. He didn't wish to push her over the edge. Besides, he still had to speak with Clawdeen.
"Goodnight, Christina,"
"Goodnight, Shaggy"
…...
Shaggy found his parents waiting for him inside his room.
"Mom? Dad? I thought you were going to-"
"We will," Stacy interrupted, "As soon as you tell us what's wrong,"
"Wrong? Nothing's-"
"Out with it,"
Shaggy sank onto his bed between his parents, "Sugie isn't the only one who imprinted,"
"You imprinted on Christina," Sam deduced.
"What am I going to do?"
"The only thing you can, just go with it,"
"I don't want to upset her, I can't tell her,"
"You don't have to just yet, let it develop on its own,"
"She'll come around,"
"You're not upset?"
"Why would we be upset?"
"Because she's a vampire, er, vampire hybrid but-"
"But, nothing."
"What do I do?"
"Just be kind to her,"
…...
I'm slowly growing accustomed to life here no matter how different it might be. I'm still not used to waking up surrounded by rolling green hills. I miss the snow-covered mountains that towered around the castle. More than that, I miss my pet. Jade never stayed inside, she tended to wander the outdoors.
She disappeared a week before I left home. She seemed run down though I couldn't figure out why. I miss her.
Unable to write more she put her diary away. Walking to her window she watched Chase tumble around the lawn with Sugie.
He's so happy.
"Lunch," Shaggy called outside.
With a smile, Christina made her way to the dining room, her diary tucked in her pocket in case she felt like writing.
Sugie and Chase galloped into the room as she took her seat.
"Chase, no running, please,"
He rolled his eyes, crawling into the seat beside her.
As they were eating several owls came flying in through the window; each carrying a letter or small package. Two owls that she recognized dropped letters in front of Christina.
"Thank you, Gallileo, Capernicus", she told the Dracula family owls. They both hooted in reply before flying to the owlery for food and rest. They would check with her for any reply letters before they returned home. Christina saw that one letter was from Uncle Dracula and the other from Draculaura. She opened the letter from her uncle with a sigh, certain of the contents.
Christina! Please tell me that Chase is with you?! He locked himself in his room as soon as the carriage left the grounds. When he wouldn't come out, we used Crunch's head to ram the door, but he was GONE! And he has been missing ever since! And if he IS with you, tell him I am proud of his courage and loyalty to you, but he is in SO MUCH TROUBLE! No dessert for a week! And if he puts so much as a toe out of line, tie him up and put him on the first carriage home! And I'm counting on you to enforce that, Christina!
I am hoping you are well, my dear, and that your hosts are treating you well. From what I've been told, they are relatives of the Alpha herself. We got a letter from Draculaura. Her 'partner' is the twin brother of the Alpha, and she seems to be doing well.
Eternal Love, Your Uncle Dracula
With a bit of a giggle, Christina handed the letter to Chase, who face-palmed upon reading his punishment.
"You had to know that would happen, Chase", she giggled, making him pout adorably at her. She then opened the letter from her cousin:
Dear Christina,
Missing you so much! I hope everything is going well for you with your host/partner. My partner, Clawd Wolf, is the twin brother of the Alpha! I was scared when I arrived, but he was so sweet and kind. He seemed really surprised when he first meet me as I got out of the carriage. His parents and sister are all nice, too. Clawdeen, the new Alpha, is as young as I am! Can you believe it?! And she has a talent for fashion! It's so fun hanging with her. Clawd is handsome, but he seems awkward around me sometimes; it's kinda cute, but I can't figure out why he's like that? We've been welcoming werewolf troops home from the war. Seeing them, especially the ones who got hurt and the coffins of those who were...Well, now I understand how important what we're doing is.
Love you and Miss you!
Draculaura.
Christina wiped at her eyes quickly, brushing away the tears. It would do no good to cry but homesickness was squeezing her heart again.
Chase hugged her gently.
"You need to write Uncle Dracula and apologize for scaring him to life," she whispered, regaining her composure.
He nodded.
Looking up from his letter, Shaggy announced, "My friends are coming for a visit,"
Sugie squealed happily.
Nervousness shot through Christina. Meeting new people always made her nervous.
"When are they going to arrive?" Sugie demanded.
"Two weeks,"
She cheered.
…...
Dear, Draculaura,
I miss you more, even more than you miss me. I'm glad to hear you're being treated well and it pleases me to hear you've made a friend. Then again, that was never hard for you was it? My host, Shaggy is kind though he seems nervous around me. He has a sister too, just around Chase's age. Speaking of, Chase stowed away when I left so he's with me. It seems to be for the best as he's made friends with Shaggy's sister, Sugie. Day after day they tumble about the lawn, climbing trees and playing tag. As for me, I've been keeping to myself as always, watching from the windows.
Now, Shaggy's friends are coming in the next few weeks. My hands shake just thinking about it. Years of ridicule and questioning have taken its toll I'm afraid.
Please wish me luck.
Sending my love,
Christina.
Folding the letter, Christina put it in the waiting envelope and sealed it shut. A stray tear sliding down her cheek.
Chase burst in, grabbing her attention, giving her reason to squash the sadness bubbling within her. Sugie followed shyly behind him.
"You want to wind the music box?" Christina guessed.
"Chase was telling me about it," Sugie whispered, "May I see it?"
The two had been speaking through notes. Very long ones in most cases.
"Of course," Christina nodded, lifting it from her vanity.
The notes filled the room, light as air, happy, making the two children smile.
"It's very pretty," Sugie whispered, as the song came to an end, "Where did you get it?"
"My father, our father," Christina amended.
The door creaked, drawing their attention. Scooby stood just outside. He'd spent the last few days hiding, scared even more than Shaggy had initially been.
"Scooby," Sugie grinned, "Where have you been?"
"Hiding,"
"You don't need to be scared of us," Christina whispered, putting the music box away, "We won't hurt you,"
Scooby hesitantly entered the room, Chase smiled as Sugie dragged him to where the great dane sat.
"Go on," Christina prompted, softly, "Like you do with Jade,"
Chase patted Scooby on the head, earning a lick on the cheek. The trio left minutes later headed outside once more leaving Christina to herself.
She had just sat at the window when there was another knock at the door. Opening it, she found Shaggy on the other side.
"Would you uh, join me for a walk?"
"Sure," she nodded, "I'd love to,"