It was only an hour or so before the event that she tried on the outfit for the first time.
She didn't recall when exactly she had purchased it, or for what purpose exactly being that she only ever interchanged between using the captain's uniform and whatever other monster-hunting attire was required for her great-grandfather's training. But she found that she enjoyed the change in her wardrobe as of late. Moving into Hotel Transylvania not only freed her from the confines of the family legacy, but it had also freed her fashion sense. Ericka could admit that she was not the type to fawn over the latest trends of the season, but she did enjoy experimenting with different types of clothing. Default by choice was a white blazer set with a V-cut design at the front and matching slacks. Today however, she chose to shake things up a bit. It was, after all, the 124th anniversary of the hotel, and the celebration was to take place that very evening. With the snap of a few buttons, a quick spritz of floral perfume, and a deep breath, the woman gave herself a once over, nodded, and was off.
Navigating the corridors of the hotel was nothing too difficult, and soon she was outside on the pool grounds where the monsters were converged. She paused for a moment, beholding the sight before her with much awe. With the monsters still reeling from their experience onThe Legacyand the fun that was had, they decided on making the party a fun little luau, with a tropical theme akin to Hawaii. And, from the look of it, it was living up to the expectations quite well. Guests thronged about donned in colorful leis, straw hats, and full grass skirts. The skeletal mariachi band had taken their place atop a small stage, playing lively tunes from their instruments. To its side was a long buffet table laden with all kinds of delicious monster foods – bubonic moose nose omelets, scalloped scorpion, deep fried piranha, grilled mouse with Blood Beater garnish, and plenty more that had mouths salivating in anticipation of its flavors. She snickered as she already saw Frank having taken to the array of treats, stuffing his mouth with exotic fruits as a cross-armed Eunice looked on, rolling her eyes at his gluttonous behavior. In contrast, she spotted Mavis, Johnny, and Dennis eating a bit more calmly at the makeshift juice bar that was set a couple paces away. The family eagerly waved the woman over once they caught sight of her, and she hurried to join them.
"Yay, you made it!" Dennis cried out, leaping up out of his stool excitedly.
Ericka chuckled and ruffled the young boy's wild red curls. "Of course I did, sweetie." She gave a small wave to Mavis and Johnny and then gestured around her. "This all looksfantastic."
Johnny gave an excited squeal and clasped his hands together. "I'm so glad you think so! Drac actually let me help put some of it together!"
Ericka quirked an eyebrow. "Really?"
Mavis put a hand on her husband's shoulder, chuckling. "By 'some' he means just picking out what songs to have the band play."
"That's all?" Ericka asked.
Johnny shrugged. "Eh, it's a start. Next year though, hepromisedhe would let me handle things for the party."
Ericka was surprised. She had only known Drac and his family over the course of a few weeks, but already she could tell that Drac and Johnny's relationship was, in one word, a littlestrained.Not that he didn't like the redhead, but she could see that he found him a bit overwhelming with how easily carried away the boy could get sometimes. She shook her head. "How the heck did you manage to convince him?"
Suddenly, next to him, Mavis shapeshifted into a bat, putting on the largest most soulful eyes she could manage and sticking out her bottom lip in a pout. "Doesthisanswer your question?"
Mavis turned back, the three sharing a laugh.
"Drac's never been able to resist the pouty bat face!" Johnny said.
"I'm sure," Ericka giggled in agreement. "Speaking of your Dad, Mavis, where is he?" she asked.
Mavis opened her mouth to answer, but a familiar sing-songy voice answered. "Right here, my love…"
The chef at the grill behind the bar, which she hadn't paid much mind to before amongst the other gargoyles manning the station, was none other than Drac himself. He looked up from the slabs of meat he was frying with a charming grin, white toque sitting proudly atop his head and a red apron tied at his waist. Ericka scoffed in amusement and smirked.
"Well, well, well," she said. "Looking good, honeyfangs. Vampa, King of Room Service,andDark Prince of the Grill, huh?"
The vampire grinned a little wider. "Eh heh hehe, I'm just helping out, my love." Removing his cape, he used the sentient fabric to man the grill as he allowed Ericka to come behind the island so he could give her a proper hug. Mavis scrunched her nose, not really interested in seeing how far her father would take this display of affection, and used the opportunity to excuse herself, taking Johnny and Dennis along with her to mingle among the guests. Drac in the meantime embraced his woman, arms wrapped around Ericka for a moment more before he released his hold, letting her stand back just enough to get a good look. He paused short when he did, the vampire's eyes dilating and his jaw gaping slightly as he began to really examine his zing's outfit for that evening.
It was a beautifully embroidered cream-colored halter-top, with crisscrossing straps running across the top of her bosom and connecting at the back of her neck in a bow-like formation. A flowing skirt patterned with a plant frond and blossom design ran down from her curvy waist, a slit on the side of one of her legs showing off a perfectly toned thigh. At the bottom, a pair of sandals with delicate lace accents adorned her petite feet, the sea-shell-shaped buttons matching the sea-shell earrings by her face. Where lavender eyeshadow had once decorated her lids, there was now an elegant and carefully administered gradient of red, orange, and yellow intended to look like a lovely sunset. Topping it all off was her hairpiece, a brilliant yellow hibiscus that had swapped out the typical sunflower floret that she wore on dates with Drac.
Noticing his ogling, a blush dusted over Ericka's cheeks. "A little too over the top?" she asked.
"N-no!" Drac said. "It's great!" He paused, seemingly scrutinizing, his lips twitching with some unsaid thought. After an extended silence he raised a finger up in the air. "Buuut..." he trailed, "maybe I could make a teensy tiny little adjustment?" He motioned for her to come closer and Ericka obeyed, a bit unsure of where he was going with this but curious to find out. She shivered as he ran his palm over her cheek in a caressing move, skillfully tracing his fingers across her cheekbones, grazing up her jawline and playfully twirling a loose curl at her forehead. He continued until he reached for the hibiscus... and plucked it right out from behind her right ear. Ericka blinked in bewilderment.He doesn't like the flower?She watched as Drac brought the blossom up to his nose, inhaling its sweet aroma for a moment, and then moved in to tuck it neatly behind her left ear. He stepped back, admiring his handiwork with a smile.
"There we go," he said.
Ericka raised her eyebrows, thoroughly confused. "And the difference is…?"
At this Drac blushed, suddenly looking very shy and twiddling with his thumbs. "Ah, well… I thought it looked nicer on that side…"
He grew quiet again, but Ericka could still tell there was more to it. "Aaaand…?"
He sighed, relenting to her prompting and speaking slowly enough for his own comfort. "Aaand… in Hawaii… each side has a different meaning…"
This got Ericka interested. She listened as he continued to shyly explain. "You see, my love, if you wear the flower on the right side of your head, it means that you are available. But if you wear it on your left… it means you're, eh heh heh," – he broke off with a flustered chuckle before stating the last word - "…taken."
Available? Taken?Suddenly, it all made sense when he reached down and entwined their fingers together, squeezing gently. She peered around her, seeing Mavis, Wanda, and Eunice each with their husbands and with their flowers on the left side of their heads. Even little Winnie, ogling over Dennis, had her flower on the left side of her head.
"Oh!" Ericka gasped softly, feeling her heart begin to race. "Wow, I'm sorry... I didn't know..."
Drac chuckled softly. "There's no need to apologize, honeybat. You have nothing to be sorry about." Then he smiled slyly. "But, if you still want to make it up to me..." He gestured down to his apron, where Ericka took notice for the first time of the bright yellow lettering with the words 'Kiss the Count' on it.
She rolled her eyes and giggled. "Fine." Snatching him by the collar, she crushed their lips together. Ericka didn't think she needed a little flower to be the indicator of what her relationship status was. Anyone with eyes could see that the two zingers were madly in love with each other.
And if there was one thing everyone knew, it was that you don't get in the way of a zing.