Allen could feel that the air was getting colder. However, it didn't fool him; even if there's going to be a storm tonight, summer was just around the corner. He sighed long; he hated to wake up early, but he had to soon because early morning was the most bearable time during summer.
Unlike what that author claimed, vampires didn't hate sunlight because it made them sparkly or whatever—well, he guessed that sparkles came across as more romantic. Vampires hated strong sunlight simply because the venom, which substituted blood in their veins, killed off majority of their pigment thus causing them to be more likely to be sunburned. Of course, vampires who originally had darker skin tone didn't find sunlight as annoying as the ones with lighter skins. No sparkles.
Thankfully, adaptation made life more bearable despite the increasing temperature. That, and invention such as air-conditioner that Allen turned on 24/7 throughout summer—of course he didn't need to worry about the bills.
Allen figured he should make more frequent trips to the forest to gather enough supplies. Hopefully he didn't need to go out during summer although it was highly unlikely since the old man Dunhill would insist him to participate in festivals and there was nothing beating products made from newly-gathered materials.
Allen saw them during while he was heading to the forest; this was the third time this week. Despite the rough beginning, it seemed that the pinkette and the damned blond got along pretty well. Very well, even, considering that this pinkette was a human and this blond was… well… anti-social.
Well, humans are scientifically classified into Animalia kingdom… he thought to himself.
Just like the other two times, Allen decided to grace them with a curt greeting simply because he found the pinkette to be attractive—human, duh—and he just liked to annoy Neil. He knew Neil knew of his identity—thanks to the wolves in the forest—however, Neil didn't give off a werewolf vibe to him.
He loathed to admit it, but Neil's aura was more… dignified that those unruly monsters.
"Isn't the heat period ending soon?" he asked with a teasing tone. "Or is it just starting for the two of you?"
Neil glared at him. Allen bet some wolves reported him to this blond, but he didn't care—nature's calling.
Intentionally, Allen held out his hand to touch Reine's hair and brought it to his nose. He smirked when he noticed the young woman jerked at his action. "Hmmm… it seems that you are using my present to you."
The pinkette slapped his hand away lightly, her skin almost burned against his upon the touch. "Don't flatter yourself," she retorted. "I'm using it because I don't have anything else to wash my hair with."
"Why don't you just express your gratitude honestly?" Allen asked, still with a teasing tone. "We don't need another tsundere in the town, you know."
Reine rolled her eyes and turned on her heels. "I'm leaving."
She walked away from the two men. Allen glanced at Neil. "Aren't you going to escort her?" he made sure the emphasis on the word 'escort' got him; and it did.
"Listen, Allen," Neil practically growled. "She is different from the wild animals in this forest, or the ones I sold you before I knew better. If you touch her or her sister, Dunhill will take action against you."
"My, my, who are you to remind me of the town's rules? I have stayed here far longer than you are, perhaps even before you were born," Allen put a sassy hand on his hip and swept his fringe aside. "Be mindful of your place. Five years of residence worth hardly anything here, if there is any at all."
The rain came down hard, chasing each other to the ground, as if crying hard in farewell to the Spring. Reine watched it from the window, a mug of hot cocoa in her hands. Before this, she couldn't see herself settling down in a small town but it was happening now, and she would be lying to say she didn't enjoy it. She could really appreciate the change of pace.
"This is not a bad place, right?" Gwen asked as she sat down across her with her hot cocoa. Reine remembered Gwen used to like to put in a lot of sugars, but she had cut down her sugar consumption on doctor's orders and now their cocoa drink almost tasted the same.
Reine looked at her sister and suddenly was reminded of their redheaded neighbor. His creation—shampoo, conditioner, serum, whatever—worked for Gwen. There were numerous baby hairs sprouting off on her head. When Reine visited the salon, Allen had asked her to ask Gwen to come along some time later to try on some wigs so she could go out more confidently.
What makes him so kind to her? Reine thought. He doesn't seem to be the altruistic kind.
"Reine?" Gwen called softly, interrupting her thoughts.
"Y-Yes?"
"I was asking you about Neil."
Reine held her breath. "What about him?"
Gwen chuckled. "Never see a guy makes you hold your breath," she pointed out. "I said you seemed to be more comfortable around him nowadays."
"We're neighbors," Reine countered. "At work, too. Surely I have to get used to him somehow."
"Aw, you know that's not the kind of 'comfortable' that I meant," Gwen giggled. "Did he say anything about your hair, by the way?"
Reine touched her fringe. She did ask Allen to cut some of her fringe off so that it wouldn't cover her left eye too much, although it didn't change the side-sweep style. It didn't make much of a difference to her, of course, except the slightly ticklish feeling from the tip of her hair brushing against her upper eyelid.
"No," she replied. "Not that I care."
"Of course you don't," Gwen nodded slowly, clearly not buying Reine's words. "In any case, I'm happy for you."
"There's nothing between us, Gwen,"
A long howl interrupted their conversation. Reine and Gwen turned to the direction of the forest. This was their first time hearing such a loud, long howl. Gwen was clearly disturbed. "Is everything alright?"
"We shouldn't overthink it," Reine said, drinking some more of her hot cocoa.
They finished their drinks and washed the dishes. The two sisters were about to turn in for the day when Reine saw through the side window that Neil was outside with coat in his arms.
What kind of a fool not wearing a coat in the rain?! She thought. Nevertheless, she grabbed an umbrella and headed out.
"Hey!" she called. "Why aren't you wearing you coat, you dolt?!"
Neil looked up to see her, but didn't say anything. He simply hugged his coat even closer. Reine jogged towards him and shared her umbrella. It was then Reine saw what Neil was actually carrying.
She frowned. "A… wolf?"
"Yeah. He's hurt."
The wolf in Neil's arm was slightly bigger than the average wolves Reine knew. His fur had a light hint of golden—very unusual, but not at all repulsive.
"To be honest, I don't know where to put him after this," Neil said. "There are some sheep in my barn and they won't be pleased with a wolf."
Reine sighed. "Bring him to my house, then."
"What?"
"The nearest thing to a sheep in my house is Gwen but I assure you she's an animal lover—why do you think she tries to be a vegan, anyway?"
Reine pulled him to her house. Neil, not being able to think of any other option, followed.
Gwen, who had seen Reine running outside had prepared some drinks for their guest. As Reine had predicted, Gwen wasn't bothered at all to give a shelter to the wolf; in fact, she squealed at the sight of the predator.
"We don't have much time," Neil said.
The next thirty minutes, the three people worked to warm up the poor wolf and treat some of his injuries. "We have to bring him to Klaus tomorrow," Neil muttered.
"Klaus? Is he a vet, too?" Reine asked.
Neil blinked in surprise. "Oh, ehm… well, I guess you could say so," he replied. "Do you mind if I sleep on your couch?"
"Hey, have a little faith on us!" Reine snapped. "We can take care of this wolf just fine!"
Gwen nodded. "Keep him warm and comfortable, right? We can take turns doing that."
Neil looked at the two sisters, unconvinced for some reasons, but Reine turned his body around and pushed him to the door, but not before arming him with her umbrella. "Don't worry! Bye, nest hair!"
"Hey!"
Too late. Reine closed and locked the door.
Neil wondered whether he could actually sleep tonight.