III

'I guess all things are meant to change in time; passions, interests, relationships. It seems to be the way of the world. I guess life would be kind of dull without change. And we'd all still be infants at in our mothers' arms.'

Mina smiled ever so softly at her friend's silver laughter.

'How's the Professor's research coming?' Lucy asked to try to draw Mina into the conversation.

'Good,' she answered quietly.

'Any new revelations?'

She shrugged.

'Are you not talking to me?'

Mina's brow furrowed slightly and she looked at her hands. Lucy comforted Mina's embarrassment with a playful shove before jumping to her feet.

'Come on, girl,' she said, holding a hand out to her friend. 'Let's get some junk food.'

Mina took her hand and followed obediently as they left the campus gardens and walked to the nearby town. The sun was just beginning to lean toward the west as the two girls entered the outskirts of the 'downtown' area, Lucy chattering brightly about the events of the summer and the start of the new term.

Not much had changed in the quaint shopping strip, and even less that Mina cared about. The ice cream parlour still stood next to the used-book store and kiddy-corner from the café. The chocolate shop she had worked in during high school still sat quietly next to the bustling convenience store. Everywhere she and - Jonathan had frequented was unchanged, waiting for the pair to return. Or so it seemed to Mina.

She had not been particularly hungry when she and Lucy set out from the gardens, however, the long walk had activated her slowed metabolism. So when Lucy started handing her animal crackers, she did not object to eating them.

They wandered around the town for a bit before heading back to Mina's house, talking the shortcut past the old mansion. On the way, both of them forgetting where exactly the path lead them, they passed the cemetery, and Mina stopped. For a moment she stared longingly through the cast-iron gate.

'If you want, I can -' Lucy started, resting a gentle hand on Mina's shoulder.

Mina cut her off. 'No, let's just go home.'

Lucy looked surprised and fumbled around for words as they continued on their way. She decided, at last, to try a new conversation.

'Someone bought that old place,' she said, gesturing towards the castle-like mansion they were approaching.

Mina slowed her pace as they passed to observe the ominous building. She had always felt a sense of watching around that place. The night mist that had started to cover the grass and the long shadows cast by the setting sun deepened the eerie effect.

'Some nobleman, Duke or something. No one's seen him yet. Evidently he moved in during the storm. Beats me how,' Lucy continued over Mina's thoughts. 'It doesn't even look any different.'

Lucy continued walking as she munched on the last few crackers. Suddenly she laughed as if an amusing revelation had just come to her.

'Probably some old fat guy who doesn't have any teeth,' she ventured, laughing as she acted out her characterizations. 'You know, the kind that just sits in his old chair, smoking a pipe and drinking whiskey.'

Mina chuckled at the image as she twisted around to glance again at the mansion, just as the sun dipped below the horizon.

Diary Entry - Lucy Westenra 17 September

Mina seemed brighter today during our walk. I'm delighted, if surprised, that she was outside this afternoon. We had a good time. I know the sunlight helped her some. We sat in the gardens for a long time. And she actually laughed! I haven't gotten more than a small smile out of her 'till today.

I don't think this self-imposed isolation is good for her. She looked so lonely when we parted, much like she had the night of Jonathan's funeral. But when I offered to stay with her she just shook her head and went inside.

I'm going to throw a surprise party for her! That is what I will do. I wonder if she even knows it's her birthday on Monday... But I think a party would be just the thing to bring some life into that old house.

Oh, I had almost forgotten! On the way home I ran into someone. It was strange, he just sort of appeared next to the road. All of the sudden I heard this voice talking to me. He told me I was a good friend to her (he didn't say who). Anyway, at first I was really creeped out. I turned around to find whoever had spoken, but I couldn't see anyone. Then I saw this shadow move away from one of the trees, though it wasn't exactly a shadow. (Like that makes any sense. It looked like a shadow, there.) I guess I hadn't seen him at first because he was wearing a black cloak and the light was really dim, that and it was slightly foggy on that side of the road.

I was probably rude at first, be he startled me! Anyway, I demanded to know what it was to him. (Ok, so I was very rude at first.)

He just kept coming toward me and didn't speak. The cloak he had on made it look like he was almost gliding. I was afraid he would attack me when he continued to approach, but he stopped just as I was thinking 'run.' I feel bad writing this with Arthur sleeping in the next room, but I was really entranced by the man. Now, I'm not one for older guys, but I have to admit that he lacked very little in the looks department, except maybe a tan and a hair cut. He was very pale, and the long black hair didn't really help that effect. But his eyes! I've never seen such hypnotic, amazingly strong eyes. I couldn't really see what colour they were in the dark, but I could almost feel them looking right through me.

Oh my God, if Arthur ever reads this I'll just die! But I swear I couldn't have moved away if I had wanted to.

'Mina needs a friend like you,' he continued. He had the slightest trace of some exotic accent. (I'm guessing from the Balkans, but I could be wrong, it was very faint.)

'Excuse me, but do I know you?' I asked, not nearly as rude as before.

'I'm afraid I've only met one person as yet. I just moved here,' he explained. 'My name is Count Dracula.' Then he bowed. He was SO courteous! And people say chivalry is dead.

'Lucy Westenra,' I said by way of introduction. I held out my hand to shake his. He barely hesitated before taking my hand and bringing it to his lips. My heart seriously stopped. For a second I thought he'd actually kiss me. When he didn't (I really hope Arthur never sees this) I almost felt disappointed. Actually, the whole encounter left me feeling like a princess. To be stopped on the road by a mysterious Count. Wow.

Ok, now I'm just being silly. Well, we didn't talk long as he walked me home and it's only a short walk. Most of it was about my relationship with Mina. I hardly remember a word I said. But now I wonder when Mina could have met the Count. I thought she hadn't left her house until today. And the storm was yesterday... Whatever.

So we reached my house and I unlocked the door. (Arthur was home but upstairs.) I think I may have invited him in, because I know I was inside holding the door open. But he remained on the porch. At any rate, he resolved whatever was happening with a very romantic, 'This is where I leave you, Miss Westenra. It is a pleasure to have met you. Sleep well and good night.' And then he bowed, turned, and left, just like that.

I wonder if I should tell Arthur about him, but then he'd just start asking questions. He's not the jealous type, but I don't really think he'd appreciate the thought of me being walked home by a strange man at night. I think I'll invite the Count to Mina's party. He seems to know her quite well, and he doesn't strike me as a bad person. Besides, the more the merrier, right?

A/N: Soooooo. what do you think? Ok, Drac's intro was lame, but besides that.