When it came to spoiling, Drac was an expert.
The proof lay easily in the many occasions in which he had gone out of his way to indulge his darling daughter Mavis over the course of the years spent together at Hotel Transylvania. He was quick to get the popular Demented Debbie Doll for her that all young monsters enjoyed playing with in their fifties. He absolutely loved putting together the lavish birthday parties at the hotel every year, getting to decorate the place to Mavis's liking, inviting his friends, and setting up all sorts of fun activities for the girl. And, it was only after the said actions were fulfilled that Drac in turn had to reap the consequences. Sometimes they were good, other times, not so great. Demented Debbie, for example, had turned out to be a nightmarish plaything, constantly talking and not once quitting in its constant programmed need for Mavis's attention. When spoiling his grandson Dennis in his request for a puppy, Drac now often ended up exhausted in his ventures to try and train the giant dog - both in behavior, and in his wetting problem.
But this time, Drac did not foresee the aftermath of this next particular bout of spoiling to go wrong. Because the one he was spoiling was Ericka - his zing. And with what he planned to spoil her with, Drac knew she would be over the full blood moon for. At least he hoped. That's why, with much apprehension, Drac scoured the Atlantian casino that evening, desperate to find what he was looking for in those couple of hours left before they headed back to the ship and sailed away for good.
Monsters all around got their last bits of gambling and drinking enjoyment as Drac scampered about, craning his neck in search while also checking behind him to make sure his tag along was still there.
"Come on, Griffin," he groaned. "You must remember if it's around here somewhere."
"I'm looking, Drac, I'm looking," the Invisible Man replied, his glasses bobbing up and down as he moved across the see-through glass floor. He had a bit of a difficult time trying to keep up with the quicker vampire, who, in addition to his search, dodged and ducked the figure of Ericka. The woman was happily chatting away with Mavis and Johnny who were tasked with keeping her busy. Griffin ran smack into the back of his cape when Drac paused abruptly and proceeded to yank them underneath one of the gambling tables. The vampire watched nervously as Ericka's booted feet passed by along with the sneakers of his daughter and son-in-law, and then let out a sigh of relief. He turned to Griffin, anxious. "Come on, man, Mavy can't keep Ericka distracted forever! Now, is it to the left end of the casino or the right?"
Griffin swallowed, unsure of how to answer the vampire. He laughed shakily. "Heh heh heh… well, Drac, funny thing is… I may have been a little too tipsy that night to remember where I got it from…"
Drac narrowed his eyes further, scowling as Griffin added a little more quietly, "... and that I even got married in the first place..."
Exasperated, Drac stood up from under the casino table, causing it to fly up in the air, spilling chips and cards everywhere. He cried out angrily, flailing his arms. "UGHH, are you kidding me?!"
The vampire quickly shut his mouth again, realizing that all eyes in the casino now had their sights geared to him. Frank cried out in anguish. "NOOOO! I almost had it, Drac!" He whined in exasperation as the hydra - who still had his cards held tightly in his tail - gave a triumphant laugh.
"I win again!"
Frank whimpered, and then squealed as Eunice grabbed her husband by the ear, gritting her teeth. "Fraaaank," she growled. "What did I tell you about gambling?"
Drac grimaced, scurrying off to not be a witness to the beating his friend was about to receive and thankful that it served as a distraction to the circling crowd of monsters. The vampire shook his head incredulously. He didn't understand how Griffin could tie the knot andnot even remember.Sure he knew you could get carried away with the dazzle of Atlantis, but this was ridiculous! And yet that ring… Crystal couldn't stop flaunting it around, gushing over the big brilliant diamond that sat upon her finger. He had to know where Griff got it from. Who knew what other breathtaking gifts could possibly be awaiting for his selection?
"What's with the mopey face, boy?" an older voice said, breaking through Drac's musings. "Aren't you supposed to be in love, or something?"
Startled, the Count looked to his side, seeing Vlad standing there with a pensive look on his face. He was about to open his mouth to speak but stopped short when a shiny object caught his sights at the corner of his eye. Drac glanced down, jaw dropping when he saw the bling around his father's neck. Necklaces encrusted with expensive-looking gems and various sparkling rings adorned his aged blue fingers, all flawless and pristine, twinkling under the casino lights.
"Dad!" Drac exclaimed. "Wha - where - how?" he stammered, gesturing to the jewels.
Vlad grinned and posed with his arms stretched out to show off. "Heh heh, fancy shmancy, eh? I had some extra dough from the winnings here and decided to get a little something for myself… and for a few of my new lady friends…" He winked at the three witches standing nearby who practically fainted in admiration of his attention.
Drac raised an eyebrow, not sure why they acted as though his father was the pinnacle of attraction, but ultimately not questioning it. His interest was more on the jewelry. He grabbed his father by the shoulders. "Dad, please tell me you remember where you got this from."
Vlad gave him a disbelieving look. "Kid, I may be a couple thousand years old, but my brain ain't dead yet!" He gestured with his thumb behind him. "Go straight back and take two lefts. You should hit the shop there."
Drac breathed a sigh of relief and shook his hand roughly."Oh, thank you, thank you!"
Vlad tugged his hand away. "Ay, ay, easy there, boy! These rocks don't come cheap, you know." Then the vampire narrowed his eyes. "Why are you so excited for anyh - OOOW! HEY!" The vampire had his question interrupted midway when Drac tugged him roughly aside to shield themselves behind the three witches. They saw Ericka pass by with Mavis and Johnny. Vlad's face then turned to one of knowing as he eyed his son with a smirk. "So that's it, eh? Trying to impress your own lady friend?"
Drac chuckled sheepishly. "Eh heh, something like that."
Vlad nodded. "Uh-huh. Better make sure it's something good, though. She's gonna be wearing it for at least a few weeks until you get married."
Drac's eyes widened. "How did you know - "
" - that you're gonna pop the question?" Vlad finished with a laugh. "Your cabin's right next to mine, boy. I've heard you practicing it over and over evenbeforeshe zinged back! All about how you wanna take her to the hotel's rooftop, and get down on a knee and - "
Drac blushed heavily and hurriedly shushed him, enticing Vlad to snicker. He put a hand on the younger vampire's shoulder and began to shove him off. "Ah, well, but I won't keep you here any longer. Go off, do what you have to do and make it quick before they turn the ship around!"
Drac nodded and headed off quickly. Vlad stood up straight and looked down at the witches.
"Well, ladies, how'd you like to spend a little time with good old Vlad?" he asked, puffing out his chest.
Their eyes dilated and green-skinned hands clasped together in girlish excitement.
"Spreading the news, I mean," the vampire clarified.
Their faces fell.
"What? It's for my boy's sake," he explained. "...buuuuut maybe afterwards we can get to what you want."
Their faces lit up again, and Vlad whisked them off, tasking themselves with relaying the word of what the monsters were to be prepared for once they got back to Transylvania and up to the hotel's rooftop…
Drac in the meantime had managed to reach his destination, and he immediately got to work, scanning the array of jewels and attempting to decipher which would be the special one he would claim. But as he looked, he continued to grow anxious. The rings were nice, sure, with their glinting surfaces and special cuts. But Drac was very particular. He wanted something that Ericka wouldknow wasfrom him, something unique and monster-y. Something she deserved to be spoiled with. Something…
… like what the little display at the center of it all was holding within.
The vampire gasped, his breath taken away as he pressed his nose up against the glass to have a better look. It was an adorable little ring, a live spider with wide, curious eyes and the shiniest red gemstone on its back, carved ever so discreetly into the shape of a heart. It was cute and beautiful… just like his zing. And Drac was too happy with his find to care what he paid. He gladly slapped down more than enough cash - the Atlantean behind the counter smiling gratefully when told to keep the change - and ran off, tucking the precious object safely away in one of his pockets.
He came out just in time to find everyone being gathered up, whispering excitedly to one another about something but quickly stopping whenever Drac passed by. The vampire didn't notice, though. His sights were set on a woman in white just a hop skip and jump away. Approaching from behind, Drac swept in and swooped Ericka off her feet in a bridal carry, swinging her around in a joyful circle. She laughed at his antics.
"Draaac!" she cried out happily. "What's gotten into you?"
"Oh, nothing," he replied, sing-songy. "I just looove my zing so much, that's all!"
Ericka blushed at that. "Oh, well... I love you too." She averted her gaze, not used to this type of affection. She felt the blush grow even more when Drac leaned his head against hers, nuzzling his larger nose with her smaller one.
"Good," he whispered.
He loved that he loved her. He loved that she loved him. He loved the fact he knew she would no doubt say yes to being his bride. And he loved the little ring that would soon occupy her finger, claiming her to him in what could only be the most romantic of ways.