BlackMN's Short Stories

[Rosemary Mori]

Part 2: The home of a master
This starts on page 2 of Making It As We Go and ends after the first post on page 3. Jacob arrives and Ma serves them tea. This part ends with Ma asking Jacob the purpose of his visit.

The next day Jacob headed to Jianshen’s. Though he could have teleported rather close to the location, he chose to ride a transport. He fidgeted some and for some reason made sure he still held the gift in his hands. The wrapping paper made up of a color of red with gold bordering shone with the passing lights. It was a small set of specialty organic blood bags in a less utilitarian basic shape and more pleasing aesthetically. Or so he hoped as it was not so much a basic sac of blood and flesh. The blood they were imbued with was special as well, being of particular mixes of tastes. He was anxious, nervous. He wanted the visit to go well. He desired some form of approval from Veni’s son. Veni didn’t come because he said Jianshen might not be as frank with him if both were there. Getting out of the transport he used to arrive at Jianshen’s place, he adjusted his shirt and started moving towards the door.

Meanwhile that night after his normal lessons, Jianshen and Githar were having a friendly spar in front of a small audience. The students who wanted to stay and could were allowed to stay and watch. A kick was blocked at the lower shin level attempted by Githar, followed up by several more blows. Both were of course careful not to actually hurt each other. Githar, being a heavyweight in comparison to the vampire, had the advantage of reach and Ma found it difficult to get in close to strike. He possibly could, but he was trying to match Githar in speed and strength and not use what he was over what he knew to his advantage.

Githar of course made use of what was natural to him, since it was part of his style, using swiftly made shields of energy from his arms to deflect blows, along with his forearms and hands. Ma had his braid tied low and tucked tightly away in his shirt to make it more difficult to grab because grabbing it was part of Githar’s style too as he had learned the hard way. Proper fighting etiquette was different here than he was used to and he still found himself learning to adapt. He also found himself frustrated he didn’t ask Githar if it was acceptable to use what was natural to him too. It was too late to ask now and he didn’t take Githar’s usage as cue for it being acceptable for him to use it because what was natural to him could hurt the other. Nor did he want to glamor him with his gaze because he found that cheating for these sort of practice matches. Instead he decided to start moving a little faster.

He did wonder if he should fight with everything as if he was defending his life like humans did in real matches. It was harder for him to judge what he could and couldn’t do for this. Trying this as a human was out of the question because his human body couldn’t handle the activity especially against someone like Githar. He tried it in private thanks to a disguise rune the realm offered. It was awkward to say the least going from his monster’s body to a frail one even for a human near his 50s. Once he got used to feeling his own movements and started practicing, he just could not do it long before it seized up and put him in a lot of pain. He might last a quick match. He would have to figure out some other style or techniques for that body to handle if he was to do it seriously. He’d only really want to do such a thing to prove that his talent wasn’t only because he was a vampire and just part of it at least like Rosemary’s sharp shooting was often scrutinized for. He was certain she could be one of the best as a human or as far as whatever eyesight she had would allow.

When next Githar came at him with a punch, Ma blocked it and kept his hand lightly touching as well as following that arm. Githar immediately followed with a low kick, which the vampire gladly took the follow up blow to his face to block the kick. Unfazed by the head blow, he performed the move he had set up with his hand on the others leg and arm; he did a motion with his wrists faster than any there could see and sent the reaper spiraling to the ground as he threw him off balance. Jianshen was on him before he hit the matt, slamming his shoulder into the floor as he brought a blow down at the other’s face and stopped before it hit. He then offered the reaper his hand to help him up with a pleasant smile that lacked immodesty as he rubbed the spot the reaper hit with his other one. Githar grinned with his eyes as he accepted the hand up.

After bowing to each other, Ma Jianshen then turned to his students to address them and told them in Cantonese that was all, thanks for staying, and that he’d see them in a couple days. Githar himself got an energy drink and saw Jacob coming out of the corner of his eye through one of the windows. “You seem to have a visitor…”

Ma looked to where Githar had indicated with a look of amusement in his eyes. He and Githar were at least amicable towards each other with respect as martial artists. “I’ll be back unless he kills me.” The vampire turned, headed out with some of his students, and soon vanished from anyone’s view becoming the darkness. Githar watched with interest.

Jacob had several people pass by him as he approached. When he reached the doors and was about to enter them, he felt two fingers pressing a spot on his back. Jacob came to a halt in his movements finally sensing the vampire behind him. Ma felt very satisfied that he could hide his presence long enough to sneak up on or potentially get away from someone so attuned to the dead. Speaking in the language he knew Jacob could understand he said, “Strike here correctly and lose use of legs. Not permanent.”

“Hello, Ma Sifu. I was hoping you wouldn’t mind a visit…” All things considered, like any undead, Jacob could just easily manipulate the vampire's skeleton and put an end to his undead life for seemingly threatening him which is what Jianshen had meant by unless he kills me. However, Jacob didn't even consider or think that; probably a good thing, seeing as how it would upset his lovers. No, Jacob seemed to trust that Ma Jianshen wouldn't do any actual serious harm to him. Still though.... He'd have to be careful if he didn't want to ruin the vampire's gift while still holding it.

He acted before the vampire could pull his hand away willingly. Suddenly, Jianshen felt his fingers repulsed from that spot on Jacob's back. Necrotic energies, possibly with the help of spirits, actually shoved Jianshen back a bit as Jacob swiftly turned around to face him. The vampire stared at him with amazement; always surprised to see what a necromancer could do. The sensation felt odd, a pleasing energy sensation, yet used against him without any allowance to resist at the same time. He hated this last part. Jacob still held his gift in his hands, but his fingertips glowed with the essence of a necromancer's magical ability. He wouldn't be so easily caught unaware a second time in case Jianshen decided to continue. If not, he would disarm of course...

"Merak bìxià, you can't teach me that,” said Ma Jianshen basically meaning you cheater, I can't learn that move. He resisted the impulse to shudder at the invisible wall he suddenly felt between them that he couldn’t pass and instead rubbed his hand and shook it a little. "If I going to strike, I would striking thing already. Your hands are full so I didn't.” He eyed the present as he heard a pulse come from it, but quickly pretended to not notice it.

“Heh, very good point,” Jacob said relaxing and lowering the wall he didn’t seem to be aware he built between he and the vampire.

“I teach properly later. Come in." Ma held the door open for Jacob who greeted the reaper upon seeing him. The reaper seemed slightly amused at their interactions, his eyes in the shape of a chuckle and his cheeks rose as if in smile since he lacked any real mouth. Ma shut the doors and locked them. He prepared to close up so no one else would enter and said in his native language, “I hope you’re prepared to teach that to my pupils who will no doubt ask me how to do it next time I see them. Also is using the energy shield an open invitation for me to use my special ability a little without asking?” His special was causing pain to those he touched which he often wasn’t sure if he should use in friendly spars. He actually hoped he could. He wanted to see if he could affect another’s energies if he pictured himself grabbing it with his own.

"I'll be glad to help teach a bit of energy manipulation. As for your own special ability, I suppose fair would only be fair. If I could use my energy skills within reason, I don't see why you couldn't use your own as well." Githar responded back in Cantonese as well though he didn’t need to. Jianshen found the English language more difficult for him to speak than he did to understand it. He had gotten to the point of being able to almost speak it fluently and like any native. He just preferred to not sound that way.

Ma Jianshen then said, "come I'll make us some tea." He lead them to what was obviously his office space and got out a device and handed it to Jacob who accepted it and thanked him. It was a translator. The vampire spoke in his native language to his students. Those who were unable to automatically learn a language from listening to it, like most reapers, had a device that translated what he said. "Please put on translating thing." As Jacob placed it on his person, the foreign language became instantly recognizable to Merak the moment he activated the thing. Idly, he thought and hoped Veni's vampiric kin would enjoy the gift of blood food he got him. He was desperate to make a good impression on him.

Ma led them down some stairs into the basement of the building, pulling his hair free from his collar as they walked. The kitchen and living room was the same room. He lacked most conveniences that normal places would have, but had a small food cooling unit, almost no kitchen utensils, little counter space, sink, some food and water heating device, and what food he had for creatures other than himself was of the kind that would last a while without spoiling. He was fairly adamant in checking their expiration dates so none of it was expired. There was a fully functional bathroom in another room for a human like Jacob. He had a couple plants in his house with lights set on them including a shrub like one. Jacob idly wondered what kind of plants they were as he looked around. Jianshen had several book boxes, wood carving books, and regular books most of them in Chinese (hanzi).

There were a couple of nice pieces of note like a china cabinet of Limbo origin because the materials were sturdy and harder to break into. The display had a couple of Ming tea sets and some matching china with others from that period. Also in the room was a wooden platform called a frame bed of about 10 or so feet in length with railings on three sides, pillows on it, and a kang table in the center. The table was easy to remove. The platform and table had matching designs carved into the legs and the railings had a simple design, but the base was smooth wood with a pad designed to go around the table that was added for comfort for guests. The vampire invited his guests to sit on it around the table, but requested the removal of shoes.

Githar sat down automatically, but Jacob offered Jianshen his gift before sitting. As expected the oriental vampire said he didn’t have to give him anything. Jacob insisted politely that he accept the gift and Ma eventually accepted it with both hands. Jacob wondered if the vampire could sense the scent of blood from his gift, despite their casing inside the giftwrap. It may not have been 100% airtight, he wasn't sure. Ma knew very well what was in the box being able to hear it, but he wouldn’t know it was of special type until he opened it. He sat it on the table and walked off to heat some water in a kettle. While it heated he got out a ceramic teapot and other dishes. He picked some tender flushes from the bush and put it in a small bowl/saucer (I don't know what they be called), added some dry pieces, and put them into the teapot.

Jacob had been thinking since planning his visit to Jianshen that maybe it would be a good idea to better acquaint himself with not only the Chinese vampire, but other children of Rosemary and Veni as well as those that were their kin. Building a good relationship with them all would be more beneficial to everyone, he thought, and build trust. Perhaps next he could spend time with Dan and Daisy a little more often. It made him realize that, subconsciously, he probably still held onto small habits of isolating himself just a little bit, although not nearly as much as he used to before being with Rosemary and Veni. He mused that he would always be a work in progress. He turned to Githar as Ma gathered items onto a circular tray. "So, how often have you two been sparring with each other, out of curiosity?"

Githar scratched the side of his forehead in thought for a moment, his blue glowing eyes dimming ever so slightly as he concentrated to remember. "I would say roughly six or so months ago, wouldn't you agree Ma Jianshen? It was partially on the advice of my old martial arts master, Fliner, to seek out more sparring partners so I wouldn't become rustic in my practice, but I very much suspect it was so I wouldn't spend so much time concerning myself over my merchant and store business. Which I don't mind. Between my son, Rosemary, and Jianshen now, it gets me out of my shop more often and obsessing less. We've been able to teach each other a few things here and there too."

"Ah, I didn't note the date... I thought it was longer. Though I am curious about this master of yours..." He also got out sugar cubes, creamer in those little cup packets and maybe things to put into tea like honey as he wasn't sure what Jacob liked in it, haw flakes, and some wrapped pastries and put them all on a circular tray.

"I think I can arrange a meeting with her tomorrow evening if you're free then," Githar offered.

"My evenings are typically busy. It is equivalent to the start of your day when you start work. I couldn't cancel a class on such short notice. My nights once I am done are mostly free, but many creatures are in bed by then." When the water was hot, he poured it on the leaves and brought the tray to the table and sat it down so that there was a cup in front of each of them instead of handing them out. He didn't feel like doing every proper step. Not that anyone there would know how to do a proper tea ceremony from his time anyways.

“Well, if it's closer to early morning, like around 4 or 5 in morning or later, she's usually awake by then. She doesn't mind visitors then either, she's very much a morning person."

“It’s a good thing I don’t mind staying up late,” he said with a light chuckle. Much time past 5AM was considered late depending on the time of the year for a vampire as the sun would soon be up. He took a seat next to Jacob, trapping him in. When he picked up the pot to serve the tea, he put his hand on the lid and poured tea to Githar and then Jacob. The tea smelled of jasmine; it was a green jasmine tea. As he was finishing pouring the necromancer's tea, Githar curiously asked Ma Jianshen what Jacob got him. Jacob also prompted him gently to open the gift so he would have something to drink as well then. He was certain Githar wouldn't be bothered by Jianshen feeding, as he'd been witness to Rosemary feeding off Galantros before, or other vampires feeding off "blood bags" as well. He hadn’t really flinched at the time or anything.

Jianshen set the pot down with the spout not pointing at anyone and left the cup in front of him empty save for the sugar cube he had put in it before bringing the tray over. He set the present in front of him and carefully undid the wrapping so as to barely rip it, looked at the gift and set it next to his cup. It looked slightly better than usual since it didn't have pulsating veins at the surface of the skin everywhere. It also smelt good. "Thank you for the gift. It seems a little different than what I'm used to."

Jacob was glad that Jianshen liked the gift as he took a small sip of his tea. " You're welcome for the gift, I hope you'll like it when you sample it."

A glint of red showed in his eyes as he picked up the teapot again and poured tea into the cup in front of him. It really did smell good, but he had already had plenty of blood before they arrived. He had a feeling tonight was going to really be uncomfortable for him and he wasn’t referring to what he was about to do. "I'm not sure if you knew since you didn't say anything or inquire about it when you looked at it. That is a tea plant. It can grow into a tree if I let it."

The necromancer looked at the plant again. “No, I didn't know that was a tea plant... what sort of tea plant is it?”

Once done pouring he put the teapot down and held the cup in his hands, giving them the impression he was using the hot beverage to warm them which was partially true. "As for what kind of plant it is, its scientific name is camellia sinensis. But what kind of tea plant? Many types of teas are made from it such as white tea, yellow tea, green tea, oolong, pu-erh tea, black tea, and many other teas around the world. How they're processed, climate, and soil types brings out different flavors. What I made is closer to an herbal green tea because green tea maintains almost all of the original leaf properties."

Jacob looked back at the tea plant with curiosity for a moment. He'd seen other tea plants, one or two, that were native more to Limbo or other realms, but never an "earth" type one. A variety of teas made, several that he liked, all from the same plant. "That's really interesting. I've seen maybe one or two tea plants in total, and they usually only make one or two types of tea."

"That kind is typically from a variety of earth planets," said Githar knowing this through his trading of goods from various realms.

While Jacob and Githar made their comments, Ma brought the cup in his hand to his lips and drank. It was like eating unprepared stinging nettle going down, but his face didn't show it. As the martial artist vampire took a sip of his own tea, Githar gave him a brief, curious look. If consuming regular things such as tea harmed him so, why do it? Tradition, customs? He could sense the extreme discomfort with his natural empathy sense that was innate to his kind. "Aren't you.."

"I thought you couldn't consume food and drink, Ma Sifu... Isn't that uncomfortable?" Jacob was as equally amazed as Githar that he actually drank the tea.

"Precisely what I was going to ask," said Githar.

The vampire finished his cup before he answered. "Indeed my body isn't designed for food at all or drink like this, however this one cup is nothing worth complaining about," he said which could mean just that or that he's felt a lot worse so he shouldn't complain about it or that this amount isn't as bad as larger amounts.

Githar finished his tea, sensing that the vampire felt ill from drinking the tea, and nodded a little towards Jianshen's gift as he sipped the last few drips quietly. "I'm not certain, but if it's due to not wanting to drink blood in front of company, I don't mind at all, and I'm certain Jacob doesn't mind either." Jacob nodded in agreement. It of course would make him feel better faster to mix it in his stomach. "If that's not the reason, then don't mind me. I just thought I'd throw that out there."

Oh tonight is really going to be uncomfortable, Ma Jianshen thought as he put his hand on his head and did a slicking of the hair back motion even though most of it was tightly braided. They must have missed that he said “us” and not “them” when he said he’d make the tea. It wasn’t that he thought they minded vampires drinking blood around them, but he was having a little more trouble than usual with his pain inducing ability when feeding and the blood bags had been writhing more than usual. The things weren’t meant to feel pain, but he was somehow causing them to. He already knew present company didn't mind him biting into those in theory, but did they really want to see that? He silently poured more tea for Githar and set it down so the spout wasn't pointed at anyone. He decided to try to change the subject. He could only take so much of their insistence that he try the more appealing ones before he could stand it no longer and do it especially after drinking the tea. "Is there any reason for your visit, Merak bìxià?"  

[Rosemary Mori]

Part 3: Pain, I can’t get enough

Part 3 is the main reason I even wanted to do this. All happens on page 3. It starts off with Jacob explaining what has been on his mind and why he is visiting. After receiving comfort from their words the topic goes into love. When asked if Ma has trouble with properly expressing love, he says that he isn’t sure and that it seems that it is different now than it used to. He admits at the end he’d rather have someone for dinner than as a girlfriend. Githar and Jacob offer to find him someone for that purpose as Jacob realized Veni and Rosemary seem overall better when feeding off of him over a blood bag. Githar suggests it might be alright for the vampire to feed from Jacob. Ma is horrified by the suggestion and demonstrates why it is a very bad idea….

With the translator in place Jacob finally realized what bìxià meant. The vampire had been saying ‘your majesty’ all this time and no one had told him. He shifted slightly and frowned at this realization. A certain blonde vampire would pay for this later. He wasn’t sure if the other one, Rosemary, knew what that word meant, but he sure knew Veni did. Who probably thought the whole thing funny. "Unless you insist, I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that title of bìxià."

Ma Jianshen smiled and started to chuckle hiding his mouth behind his hand. He soon calmed down a little and there was a lack of mirth in his voice when he continued, most likely due to Cantonese relying on tones over a variety of words and if he used the wrong tone, he could be saying a different word altogether. "Pardon me, it was rude. Did you finally figure out what bìxià meant due to that device?" He had been saying Merak bìxià to him for months now.

Jacob nodded a bit. "Yes, the device did help me figure that out finally. Honestly, I probably should have looked it up on my own though. If I only spent half as much time as I do in most other languages than I do in demonic and undead tongues and my various spells, I could probably do well in a career as a multi-translator.

"Anyways, I came for a couple of reasons... I did want to acquaint myself better with you, perhaps others also. Partly an effort not to close myself off to others like I have during the worse parts of my curse in the past, and also because I'm realizing I want to get to know people better." Jacob took another drink of tea. "As well, something came up, a sort of theory about some emotions regarding Veni and I. Some outsider opinions on the matter would be helpful... It came up that it may be that Veni could be reflecting my emotions for Rosemary and him when it came to how he feels about me. That may or may not be the case we thought, though it has me a little curious I do have to admit."

Githar mentally noted that while Jacob did seem slightly bothered by that notion of Veni's feelings only being a reflection, his empathy told him that it wasn't bothering him too severely, just that it seemed to be more of a nagging pest or annoyance in his mind. "Mind if I add in my two cents as well, having been around you all a few times and being a natural empath?"

"No, not at all. I think the more thoughts on the matter, the better."

"I'm not entirely sure what reflected feelings are supposed to.. well.. feel like empathetically, but from what I've sensed around you three seems pretty strong and natural to me. I'm sure Galantros would tell you the same if you asked him; he may be even able to tell better than me being part incubus. Interesting, speaking as an empath, you don't seem as troubled by this a great deal. Somewhat, I can sense, but it's as if you've been reassured somewhat already."

Jacob gave a slight smile and shrugged. "Even if they were reflections of my own emotions, Veni stated that he was sure his own would come into being if that were the case, and that he wasn't unhappy either."

The vampire was quiet as he pondered and actually found himself wishing Githar wasn’t there for a moment as he thought of a very personal question to ask Jacob. Did he think father would try to turn him into a vampire if he could? He wouldn’t have normally asked him such a question if the topic of Veni’s affections had not come up. Depending on how Jacob answered it, he would be able to figure out if Veni indeed loved him in some way at least. He would have to strive to remember to ask him that later. "What does it matter if his emotions are reflecting yours or not? He probably has some feelings for you, but they’re just intensified by your own. If they are your emotions masked as his, than he's letting it happen this time and not resisting it as he has done before.” Ma instantly regretted saying that as Githar raised an eyebrow, but continued without pause. “It really seems a trivial detail to me if you're both happy. At least you have what I assume to be a decent lover since I barely see him without you around anymore. I see Rosemary with you less. I'm actually surprised you came here without him.” What he actually meant was I'm surprised you got him to stop dangling off you long enough to get away from him.

Jacob listened carefully to what Ma Jianshen was saying as he finished the last of his tea. "You've got a very good point..." The necromancer relaxed even further a bit, setting his cup down and leaning against the pillows, more of his concerns put at rest.

The little detail of what was said didn't escape the necromancer, though Githar spoke of it out loud first. "Yes, though I noticed you said "...he's letting it happen this time..." I'm assuming something similar happened in the past that didn't go over as smoothly?"

Jacob just nodded in agreement to what Githar said... he had an inkling of what may have been thought of when Jianshen had said that, of Nefretiri, but he would let the vampire say what incident it was or was not, if he so choose. Jacob’s inkling was right of course as Ma had suspected Veni’s mother had unrequited feelings for him, but the vampire wasn’t sure as it was before his time. He was aware of some of his kids loving him like that, but once again Veni relented. The vampire did the same motion with his hand that he did earlier, running it through his hair, to indicate he wasn't comfortable with the question just asked and that he had said something he shouldn't have and was embarrassed by it now. Though another thing was also said, that Rosemary was seen with the necromancer less often? Perhaps he should take her out sometime soon. He didn't want either one of his loves to think he was taking them for granted.

Ma was quiet for a time before he spoke thinking carefully on what he could say on the matter. "You said it, but I am not sure how much I should say on it. Well other than that sister of mine,” he decided mentioning his grandmother was out of the question, “I at least suspect that some people with a connection to him like mine or Jacob's had feelings for him, but he never reflected it. With how certain time periods and various cultures viewed love, which often wasn't considered necessary to have for marriage, and the type of powers my family tends to have, many of us have difficulty grasping the concept of "love" and may confuse it with obsession or lustful fantasy or may even have love for someone but don't know how to express it correctly and end up with poor results.”

"Confusing it for obsession or lustful fantasy is what I'm fairly sure Galantros worries about himself, wouldn't you agree Jacob?" Githar inquired.

"Possibly, he doesn't seem to want to do that to anyone. I know for a while I probably had a semi-similar problem of not knowing how to express love I think, due to being shut off from everyone and everything for so many centuries... and some temporary, long-term loss of sanity. Do you have that same difficulty?"

"Possibly….” Ma wasn’t really sure anymore. Unlike Githar and Jacob he had no current romantic companion nor had he for many years. He thought he didn’t when he was alive so he spoke on that, but he wasn’t sure if he had that same difficulty now. “From a western perspective, yes. We see showing affection as a private matter. We don't hug, kiss, cuddle, or caress in public. Not even to children. I was married with a wife that was arranged by our parents that I grew to love over time, which was lucky and I believe the same happened to her. I recall being affectionate towards her when appropriate and she blessed me with healthy children. However as a vampire living mostly in the west, the hairy barbarian demons were mostly racist to a godless heathen like me. Being Chinese wasn't really a good thing to be in the centuries that I've lived until more recently as people have become more tolerant, so I haven't had many real girlfriends or love interests. I possibly would have trouble expressing love suitable for the times. Actually, most of the time I'd rather have someone for dinner, possibly multiple times, than as a girlfriend...and ever since my powers came to me I desire that more than ever since I deny myself that pleasure."

"If you want, I'm sure Minazi probably knows a few people from back before she broke up with her last boyfriend, he was also a vampire. She probably made some connections, so she might know some people willing to be fed off of, even despite you pain ability." Githar never seemed to have a problem knowing this about her past boyfriend. How and why that ended, it was never clear. Ma cocked his head towards Githar at this statement. Though Ma was intrigued, he wasn’t sure he liked that this conversation was going back to food though he opened it with his last comment. He had his doubts that such a person would easily be found.

Jacob nodded, wincing a bit as his curse took a slight effect on one part of his body, causing him some discomfort and pain. It was one of the less extremes, so he was able to ignore it, though he did place his hand over an area where a rib would be. The pain causer scooted closer to the edge of the platform away from the cursed man. He could sense it being so close. It was very tempting to reach over and make a minor nuisance to the necromancer worse or even to feel it and study it.

"Are you..." Githar started with concern not noticing Ma had moved. He was more concerned with Jacob’s pains.

"I'm fine, just the curse. Nothing unmanageable.” The cursed man waved his hand to brush away the trench coat clad reaper’s concern. “Anyway, I could probably help with that as well, if you don't mind a feeding partner being demonic. Some of them have high thresholds for pain, probably as good as me at least in some cases, heh."

What Jacob said had been too much for the vampire as small sudden surge of anger arose within him along with other conflicting emotions on their offer to help him find someone to feed on; his face miraculously retained its pleasant expression. He was ecstatic at the thought but also very angry. If it was that easy to get him a feeding partner, why hadn't anyone mentioned it before? He was sure he mentioned missing feeding on people or at least not doing it because it is painful before... Not to mention Rosemary, Veni, Dan, and Daisy have been blunt in stating that they like feeding off people more than the blood bags...had no one assumed he had the same problem since he did it all the time? He only hadn't pushed the matter because he didn't think anyone would let him do it and he really didn’t want to harm these people. It also wasn't proper to complain about a marvelous invention he should be grateful for.

Githar internally frowned a little at feeling Ma Jianshen's anger and other emotions... He couldn't blame him. If he guessed right, maybe subtle hints or something else had been dropped and they hadn't been paying attention that he would have needed or wanted a feeding partner. He politely kept his face normal and didn't comment or say anything about the emotions he felt, out of manners and respect for the vampire. It was partially reaper etiquette to not mention aloud another's minor negative feelings, especially if they weren't close to the other individual. He was acquainted with Jianshen, yes, but wasn't sure if he was considered a good enough friend or just someone likeable enough to spar with and such yet. He was though, but the vampire wouldn’t have wanted him to say anything in front of Jacob. The necromancer was oblivious to what the vampire momentarily felt as he wasn’t tuning into him. It was just as well. He didn’t need that worry on his mind.

Despite his initial anger, he was still very happy for the offer. The idea of even one feeding partner was like a dream come true, but the prospect of multiple... Ma didn’t pause more than a few seconds before he responded. "You don't know how deeply grateful I would be if you did. Jacob, can you sense the overall wellness of Veni and Rosemary normally? Do you notice a difference in satisfaction or something about them when they feed off you or someone else versus when they feed off a blood bag or from a cup a couple times?"

“If I can help, I'll do what I can... Ah, normally, yes, I can sense usually if they're either suffering or not and such things. Come to think of it, they do seem more refreshed after feeding off me, when compared to drinking from another, less living source.”

”If that's true, couldn't Ma Jianshen just feed off of yo...” Immediately, Githar clamped his metaphorical mouth shut, realizing what he said could be embarrassing. Then he paused for a moment, and thought. Ma stared at him feeling a tinge of fear rise in him at where he thought this conversation was going. Githar pressed on, unaware the reason of his anxiety. “Actually, since you're with Rosemary and Veni... and from what I understand from what Minazi's told me about some things, or what I can guess... And you're Veni's child, would it be so wrong if you were to feed off of Jacob?”

Jacob blinked. He hadn't considered that possibility. He was now considering it and Ma could tell. He must not. It wasn’t merely a matter of pain tolerance. “No!” He exclaimed in English and slammed his hand on the table causing them to jump before Jacob could respond to Githar’s proposal despite the question being directed at him. He couldn’t have Jacob consent to such a thing and make his refusal even ruder.

Jianshen looked at the two wide eyed with a gaze redder than usual. They looked back at him surprised at his reaction. He was already trying not to fantasize about having a feeding partner, but even to think about going for Jacob was unbearable. When the cursed man still had his constant open wounds, constant soreness, constant blood flow, the vampire had found it most difficult to be around him without wanting him…without wanting to do evil to him. Now that he wasn’t constantly sore and constantly bleeding it was more bearable. He knew they meant well, but now they were absolutely tormenting him. They didn’t understand that someone like Jacob, someone who he knew has endured more suffering than anyone else he knew and for thousands of years, would be worse than a drug to him; like using his power on Dieamos. He was still suffering from withdrawal symptoms and felt like he was walking on pins and needles around others at all times. He wanted to do it. This feeling even happened around his students. "I mustn't feed off Jacob even if father would allow it!”

“I…I don't think you quite understand my power... I don't just cause pain randomly or increase it from a current injury or just have my touch hurt on the spot. No, that is the result of brief contact or from someone who hasn’t experienced much in life if I do nothing... it is not merely a matter of a creature having a high pain tolerance, though it would help. I can also sense past pains when I touch someone long enough...and... have them experience it again. The more pain someone has experienced, the stronger I could be against them and the more tempting it is to do it. How to make you see...” He paused only momentarily as he thought rapidly. He scooted closer to Jacob and held up his palm as if to receive something. “May I have your hand? I won't bite it."

Jacob tentatively offered him his hand in which Ma clasped in both of his lightly rubbing it with his fingers. "In my family our powers are pleasurable to use and I desire…no… need to use it deep down. I think it's this way for all of us (children), even Rosemary. The darker the gift the darker the desires and I've been having trouble with mine as of late ever since I got a large taste of it with that accident with Dieamos. I've been taking it out on the blood bags though..." they’re not enough he finished the sentence with his thoughts knowing the way he worded it was deceptive.

He started to rub Jacob's hand against his cheek as he scanned untold years of aches, pains, injuries, and agonies. Even to bring out a millionth of that would be of great pleasure to him. Touching him for this long was almost too much for him to handle. It was a similar temptation to an accidental cut happening suddenly with the blood lightly flowing from it around a vampire who hadn’t fed. His eyes no longer held their darkness, but became as red as any other member of his family. He bent over bringing the Other’s wrist closer to his mouth, his nose and eyes never leaving what it held. The vampire seemed to become more intoxicated and something in his expression seemed more predatory than before as he held the wrist close to his lips.

The others started to worry he would sink his teeth into the flesh when he said he wouldn’t for it was apparent from his expression that he wanted to attack Jacob. The necromancer could feel the vampire’s desires as he felt for his pains. If he still had his open wounds and scent of exposed blood he knew that it would have been too much for his undead senses and that he probably would attack. The now hungry undead parted his lips, sharp teeth more visible than usual, as he continued to speak. "I didn't know your curse was a three month cycle; two months of almost randomized torture with some days much worse than others and almost a break for a month...oh and you’ve been injured quite gruesomely so many times.” His voice was low and full of want as he spoke and took in a shuddering breath.

“You're so desirable in more than one way. A human, necromancer, and you've experienced so much pain in your life it makes me ache with longing; accidental, self-inflicted, inflicted by others, and inflicted to others in self-defense. You're the most small and tender of tea leaves, the most fragrant of flowers, the juiciest of nectarines (note: nectarines are like ambrosia to the Greeks [ie. food of the gods]). I don't feed on pains but at the same time...what would I be unbearably tempted to do if I sank my teeth into someone as attractive as you? Yes... take the pain of at least one whole cycle and cause you to experience it all at once... and also," he brought his mouth down to the wrist, angling one of his hands so Githar wouldn’t see him rudely show his tongue as he licked the pulse on Jacob's wrist slowly, longingly, committing some of what he sensed to memory to do it later on one of those blood bags, and contemplated what he’d do... "Also combine it with the pain of regenerating yourself completely."

He then released the wrist suddenly and scooted as far away from Jacob as the platform would allow without getting off it, took a deep breath, worked at changing his focus from the delectable morsel’s pulse of whom he was now working to think of as friend and not food to that of the gift he brought, and tried to regain his normal demeanor. His cheeks were only slightly flushed, but would have been even redder had he fed more recently. Mercifully they didn’t immediately say anything to him. Jacob calmly took his hand back and nodded, better understanding Ma Jianshen's situation now, a bit of precarious one actually. "And if I were to feed off you, I may lose myself and do just that. So anyone I feed off can't have experienced too much torment or caused it within their life. I believe I could handle someone who has experienced pain and injury at the level of Githar."

Even if he said may do just that out loud, the necromancer knew he would do just that. Jacob knew that the vampire Ma did not have enough self-control not to do it; he barely was able to resist doing it while he held his hand and examined him. His connection to the dead allowed him to feel that when Ma touched him. Though he knew the predator normally had excellent self-control, this would overwhelm him. He must never let him do it unless there seemed to be no other option.

Githar sat where he was and seemed to contemplate something, his glowing eyes focusing in that unusual way that reapers tend to do by dimming ever so slightly when they were in thought. The reaper seemed to take a simulated breath of air as he contemplated what he was about to say and even offer. "Well, in that case... maybe until we can try and find you a few regular blood partners, Ma, I can offer myself then. I think you've explained the risks well enough, and if it's only once in a while, it shouldn't be too overwhelming. Of course, I don't do this lightly either, or consider it something to be handled as not serious. Anyway, I may be no Jacob, but..."  

[Rosemary Mori]

Part 8: The Test
Starts on page 9


By the time they were back he had finished his little drink, unlocked and opened the door letting Jacob in first. He shut the door behind him when he entered. He sat the still living pulsing food creature down, walked to the area with the matted floor, and took off his shoes. "Will you let me test if magic works like qi?"

Jacob nodded... "Sure, I suppose."

He was a little bothered however by how Ma seemed to take what he said. He guessed that saying you would intend to kill one's former head of the family if they posed a threat, even if it was under the reason of them causing harm and pain to the ones you cared for, it would still cause feelings of discomfort and unease. Certainly it wasn't his intent to upset the vampire, but he had to be honest... he would protect those close to him with everything he had. He decided he had to ask what was on Ma's mind then. "...May I ask what you're thinking?"

"Afterwards, unless you order me to do it now or refuse this experiment if I don't speak my mind," said Ma retracting his claws a little, looking at them as if they were offensive when in truth he didn’t normally mind them. He could withdraw them nowhere near as much or as quickly as Veni could. In truth he was afraid Jacob wouldn’t allow him to test his theory if he said what he was thinking. Really he knew no one else he could ask.

Jacob responded with, "alright, afterwards then. I'm not forcing you, but I do want to know what it is you're thinking."

Ma nodded. "This shouldn't hurt much." He stepped in front of Jacob, spread his arms on either side and struck Jacob in both arms at the same time. His hands moved with precision and a speed whose movements were hard to see, pushing in various spots. "This is what I do to myself when I feel like I am...ah… having an off day with my own abilities. Can you still focus your magic through your arms? If not, cast it like you normally would when you cannot."

Jacob observed his arms after being struck, flexing his hands out a bit as he prepared a spell. It actually stung quite a bit. What Ma had probably meant was that this shouldn’t hurt as much as many of the other things he had suffered. He found it took a good amount of effort just to make an obviously harmless necrotic "flame" of energy appear in his hands, having to put a good amount of his focus and will into it, and idly wondered out loud how much more it would have taken if he wanted to do anything more advanced just using his arms and hands. Just for curiosity's sake, he tried doing the same "fire energy in hands" spell using word of mouth and more mental will power and found it a bit easier, but since he was trying to still focus it onto his hands and subconsciously through his arms, it was still a touch tricky. "That's interesting. If I were relying only on my arms and hands to cast spells, especially important ones, I would be having a very difficult and trying time. In fact, I think larger spells would be completely interrupted or halted. As it is, it was tough just doing the little energy "flame"."

"Now do what you'd normally do when you can't cast from your hands." Ma observed not just what Jacob did with a studying gaze, but also at how his energy flowed as he did that; sort of like watching blood flow in the veins. "Can we see if I can make it difficult for you to cast a spell?" he asked and when Jacob agreed he said to cast it again and the vampire watched Jacob's movements again and tried to sense the energy and started to strike him in an attempt to block his ability to release that energy from his body.

Thinking ahead, Jacob decided to do a much fancier but still harmless version of his showy necro flame, just in case something went haywire, since Ma wanted something a bit more complex than the simple flame trick itself. When Ma struck him in just the right way, Jacob grunted slightly, feeling the magic energies within him react in such a peculiar way that it "hiccuped"... sending colorful flares of necro energy throughout the room for a brief moment before he could get it fully under control. It certainly did stop whatever spell he was casting, but the excess energy had to go somewhere. "Well... that could be useful in stopping something in an emergency. But I probably would use it carefully. More dangerous magics, especially if chaotic, could certainly have disastrous results."

The effect actually wasn’t what Ma hoped for and a look of thoughtful disappointment was on his face. He was trying to redirect it to go back within, but the energy still escaped. The vampire’s own tended to retreat inward when he did things like that. Magical energy must be different in some ways. An interrupted holy spell could still do some damage. "I will knock them out instead of what I just did. I wanted to know if keeping the energy inside the body could be done. Maybe I have to do something different, but another night."

Ma put his hand on his head and slid it back across his hair. "As promised my thoughts.... I don't think everyone would agree to you killing Nafretiri Bixia if she is still alive... She is no doubt going to be furious to find that Veni is willing to be ruled over by someone else, a human of all creatures, and would likely lash out as any ruler who returned found their direct subordinate following someone else, willingly for that matter, other than them when they expected them to carry out as usual while they were gone. I know he was doing his role of protecting us the best way he thought possible, but she may not know or accept that. Yes she can cause us pain and harm, but well... look at me and others in our family. Many of us have powers focused on causing pain and harm and several of us aren't like me or Veni or Rosemary with their abilities. It can affect them mentally I think… Nafretiri Bixia's power is similar to Rosemary's with the main difference being that she focused on feeding that aura over blood while Rosemary focuses on blood over the aura. This means she kept many of us in check with fear and mentally and physically painful punishments. I think some of them need it or else they'd go rogue and terrorize anyone and everyone. Her qualities weren't completely bad. She was adamant about protecting us from outsiders. She had a general suspicion against all Other vampires and she kept them away and protected us up till the last time I saw her.”

The last time Ma had seen her she was fighting off strange creatures, various demons from Hell he later learned, that appeared from somewhere within. They had not come from the outside, but within one of the rooms of their own home. No, not one of the rooms, they came from Nefretiri’s room. She had urged him to get out and, since he had made it to Dan and Daisy’s room successfully rescuing them, ordered him to protect them the best he could. He had done just that and got them to the surface where vile wholesome sunshine greeted them and the few others that escaped. “What I think is this; if you are just a family friend of mine I don't think most of what the queen does is any of your concern (business) especially if she is trying to get her subjects back unless she is at the point of trying to kill us. Your laws are not our laws."

Jacob frowned slightly. Was he only just a family friend then? He had to admit it... he was more than that, despite his reluctance to "boss around" the others in concerns that he would come off as domineering or overly controlling. It was probably something he needed to overcome slightly. He knew in his heart he wouldn't boss around the vampires for the sake of power lust. He just needed to get himself to accept that fully. "Perhaps.. I am more than just a family friend then. I've been reluctant to admit it at times, due to not wanting to gain a large head or anything."

“You have to show it more often because even I am confused as to what you are to me. Father still tells us to do things sometimes, including me. He has to keep an eye on some more than others. Father will always be father no matter what happens, but you…”

Wasn't he more now than "just a friend" to most of his demon rescues that he had saved over the years? In time, he'd almost become like family, or a fatherly figure to some. Idly he wondered if any had tried to show any slight romantic interest, then possibly realized at the time he may have been blind to any advances at him due to his poor social skills. Little that mattered now, he was very happy with who he was with currently. "What I said earlier, I don't necessarily mean as a threat. I would in all honestly rather find a peaceable solution. Or if she is going to lash out, have it be lashing out at me rather than anyone else. I suppose I can see the need to keep some in line, though."

Ma sat on one of the side benches lining the wall where parents of students usually sat and tapped his fingernails/claws together as he thought. "An emperor can make friends, but they still have duties to be an emperor above all even if they are benevolent and may have to command even their friends at times.”

Jacob scratched his head a little in thought as something idly came to mind. “Hmm. I sort of wonder, if it's possible to be in a situation where there's a pair of masters that those under them are allowed to choose which one to have. If there were an agreement of some sort in place, that is. I wonder what the consequences of that would be."

“I haven't heard of what you wonder about happening before. It is dividing a family. Veni would not be happy if any of his children chose her. But there is one thing you forget, she is Veni's mother, the one who changed him to what he is and that cannot be taken away from her. Veni still has influence on Rosemary even though you are her master does he not? Why would it be any different for Nafretiri Bixia?"

“Yes, Veni still does have influence on Rosemary. That's true. It might not be any different for Nafretiri." Jacob "hmm'ed" quietly as his mind thought about things a little. Idly he thought back to when he basically took "control" back from the Niearcim on Rosemary, control that was bleeding into Veni and the other vampires through Jiluzix's disturbingly powerful and horrendous magics. Ironic that it was only through those similar magics that he was able to somewhat undo that, because of his immortality curse and of being a necrotic mage. He shared this little tidbit with Ma, who had been staring at him now, wondering idly if the story had ever been revealed to him by Rosemary or Veni in some way or another... He assumed it had been in at least some minor form, but perhaps he should volunteer that bit of information. Perhaps this could have some form of effect on the master relationship issue at hand. "I find it so fortunate and unusual that because of that curse, we were able to keep Jiluzix from getting a powerful foothold in you. I detest what that demon does and stands for..."

Jacob had matured a bit with his last statement thought Ma because normally he'd say some profanity and that he outright hated the demon creature itself. He stared at Jacob with a questioning look. "Keep Jiluzix from getting a powerful foothold in me…in us? Ah I must not have understood that it was going to affect more than Rosemary even though she was mostly disconnected..." More like it wasn't really explained to him well as neither of them enjoyed bringing up that subject. And maybe Veni was too upset and injured at the time to understand it fully or be able to explain it well.

"All I knew was that she still had bad blood in her when she got back that someone could still summon her with.” Ma could sense it with his touch skill, but she had not been aware of what was happening. Jacob and Veni had suspected something already thus the vampire saw no point in saying anything at the time. “When the Niearcim took Rosemary in that other place, my master tried to hold onto her. But she was still pulled away very fast and violently. As a result he was very injured from it though not physically," Ma patted his chest area to indicate where as his eyes shifted downwards. "His qi was disrupted or damaged in a key place. He would have been slightly better off if he let go. This left him vulnerable though he couldn't admit it to anyone, but I knew. He was also very angry at this. Master Veni wasn't strong enough to fix it so you had to help her. I thought father accepted your help to be close to her still, to better protect us from Others since he was vulnerable, and to recover much faster. That's how I understood it. I did not know he was being infected despite losing a major connection to her. You 'nipped it in the bud' as they say fast enough that it probably didn't have the chance to trickle down much yet. What would have happened if you had not interfered?"

What would have happened if you had not interfered? Jacob shuddered slightly. Aside from what he KNEW what would've happened, he also had some very strong hunches and theories about what else would have happened as well, and they disturbed him. He took a moment to collect his thoughts.

“They... would have been soul trapped. Bound to Jiluzix. Possibly merged and made hybrids with the demon's corruptive essence so that he could more naturally control them and integrate them, and if they were to die, their souls, essences, would have been pulled back to Jiluzix by some very twisted and dark magics. Whether to power whatever foul works he does in his realm, or to reincarnate them into a new form, I couldn't say. That particular magic is a powerful one, and isn't often used, but I feel he would have used it. And this corruptible influence would have grown and spread throughout the others, faster and faster with each person it overtook I'm sure. To be honest, even at the time, I'm not 100% sure I was aware of the full implications of what Jiluzix could do... of what he could still do had he succeeded. I hate thinking it, but given enough time, he might have possibly made some even as blind as Coatli had been. Jiluzix would want absolute control and loyalty, and he would abuse it to the fullest extent.”

"So... if I understood that correctly... If she wasn't brought home quickly, in a matter of days or even hours with them working to enhance what they started she wouldn't have wanted to come home? And a whole line of vampires, and possibly someone in a position like Black, would have found themselves following a demon with no adverse opinion on it and adoration for it, as I've heard some mages described, and even if we didn't live to see that demon we would still find ourselves with it and in the end I am fortunate you were able to fix it?"

Jacob nodded. Ma's body stiffened looking much like a deer frozen in headlights. Slightly fearfully, Jacob shuddered to think... what if that demon had thought to use the immortality curse in some altered or twisted way on them? Whether to punish, or rather on the otherside of the coin, give them immense power. How many times has his curse of immortality been a boon to him, despite bringing him horrible suffering and torment in the past? He didn't want to voice this thought at all initially, but Ma could tell something disturbed the necromancer for a moment deeply as he watched bumps appear on the Other's skin as the hairs raised and body twitched...and even after speaking the man got more fearful and started to sweat a little and shudder again.

The vampire wiped at his forehead with the back of his hand and it came back with red tinted sweat. He didn’t acknowledge the necromancer who took a seat next to him as he stared at the sweat. Though he had been fortunate enough to have never met a mage, the stories and his elders fearing them were enough. He perceived them to be worse than the radical blind Christians who caused death believing it to be the will of God. They maimed themselves, killed for pleasure in the name of a demon god and not for food or in self-defense, and they ruined whole worlds, not just the intelligent population but everything, to name a few atrocities he couldn’t even imagine himself or even someone like BlackMN doing. He hadn't understood before that that was the reason Jacob, the Other, was there. "I am grateful for what you did Master... What disturbed you more after stating that?"

Jacob ran a hand through his own hair as he calmed himself. "The thought that... Well, my immortality curse. It's actually had its uses for me here and there when I've tried to save people, without worrying about my own wellbeing for the most part. I'd rather not say how many times I've been maimed horribly in the past, only to keep going. But the thought that Jiluzix might figure out that he could somehow tweak and alter that curse into a more beneficial dark spell to use on his own powerful minions is.. deeply disturbing. I don't think he's figured it out yet or hopefully hasn't even thought of it, since beings like Coatli and other potent mages have since passed on and haven't been heard from for some time."

I thought Coatli's death was an act of god, thought Ma remembering something he was told from one of their mutual friends whose reasoning is likely that God gives the angel's their powers. However as the vampire didn't know much about this god, he was unable to touch or read from the books on him, and lacked confidence in any knowledge he had of it, he didn't mention that.

Jacob pinched the bridge of his nose and gave a slight breath. "I've said it before... I'd rather nobody have to suffer under Jiluzix's reign."

Trying to change the subject a little Ma said, "is your immortality such a curse lately instead of a blessing? You now come home to loving arms even if they are cold... to creatures who I'm sure could have so much fun experimenting with a human that can't die. You consider yourself human don't you?"

Jacob mentally shook himself out of unpleasant thoughts to focus on what Ma was asking him. He simply coughed and cleared his throat slightly at the experimenting line aimed at him, his face reddening just a little bit. The vampire gained a satisfied wicked smile at the necromancer’s reaction confirming that he enjoyed it. "The aches and pains are still pretty horrible at times, I will admit. Even overall they've been lessened; I still wouldn't wish them on anyone. As to whether it's a curse or a blessing... It's hard to say. It's a blessing in disguise in part because of certain reasons, aside from being able to easily 'sacrifice' myself to keep loved ones safe without any long term consequences. Well, any that I've not already grown accustomed to." The first few times of getting smeared or blown apart were at least somewhat unsettling for the necromancer when they happened. "At any rate, even if it were fully a blessing for me, I still feel it's a duty on my part to find the way to remove the curse for others that are just as afflicted, if not more so. Who knows, maybe there's even more than one way to remove it, aside from divine intervention."

I thought you believed you would immediately die afterwards, so what good does that do anyone else with your curse? Veni had actually said something like that to him in a recent conversation. Knowing Jacob thought that way had upset his father.

"As for considering myself human... Well. I'd have to say yes, I do. One with immortality, but still a human that's had many years to learn many things, and with an innate sense for the dead since I was a child. Other than those things, I still breathe, eat, and function all the same."

"And that has been the concern... You saved and deeply involved yourself with people whose natural prey is humans. Father can’t say everything on your behalf; you have to let us know what you expect. Even I don’t know what to think of you. Several have asked me this that are afraid to ask you or Veni…” Ma's face was cautious. On the inside he was a little nervous to bring this up. "I don't really know how to ask properly... as you know we haven't spent most of our lives with substitutes readily available so we have a taste for hunting. It is what many of the others are used to, but no one is sure how you'd react to it so this has in part stopped many from doing what is natural to them... however many have grown restless and want to know if they can. Finding enough murderers isn't always easy."

"To be honest... I would rather prefer all of you stick to having to use willing partners, or go after those that would harm innocents. However, that's not exactly always feasible, is it?" Ma shook his head. They liked to play with their food like mice sometimes, but he didn’t vocalize this. Jacob thought for a moment, uncertain of what answer to provide to this question and problem. He wouldn't rather have the vampires starve, or go crazy with blood hunger or anything. He also would not rather have innocent people be killed if that could be avoided. However, he felt that if it couldn't be avoided for whatever reason, or if it somehow accidentally happen, perhaps that shouldn't be an issue then so much. And what did it harm an innocent person in the long run really if they were fed off of, willingly, or... unfortunately as it had to be done sometimes, unwillingly... they would not remember the incident however if done correctly. Jacob stretched slightly, and looked back towards Ma from his brief pondering and met his eyes. He felt a slight pull from them and realized that he was being scanned for sincerity in his words.

"I think feeding would be fine, just as long as the killing isn't done intentionally on innocent people. Murderers I'll let you all handle as you see fit. I can't very well take sustenance away from people. Anyway, yes, feeding on people in general is fine.

“I do have a slight concern that since this has only been recently brought to my awareness, that some may have grown a bit more restless than others, perhaps? I'd maybe suggest that those who are a little more in need of human blood have someone they trust if possible go with them so an accident might be avoided (though Jacob knew that it could still happen), or if they can go after a murderer first to take care of any hunger or craving issues."  

[Rosemary Mori]

Part 9: Uncharted Waters
I am out of source material save for what is taken from the last post. Thus from here on is not edited, but original. We’ll assume the year is 2013 for this one.

“That is reasonable,” said Ma relaxing some now, pulling his gaze away. He thought Jacob to be more of a hero type that would have had problems with it by finding such needs evil. He was more practical it seemed. “I think you do want the best for us.” Jacob smiled realizing that this child of Veni’s was starting to approve of him. “You’re keen on knowing how well Father and Rosemary are, but you need practice in sensing it for the rest of us.”

“You have a point,” said Jacob fidgeting. He was still reluctant to impose and be forceful. Ma laughed through his teeth. The necromancer inhaled. His hand shot outwards and scraped the vampire’s cheek who jumped several feet away, to the ceiling to be precise, in surprise. After beholding the other’s determined face, the vampire returned and leaned back into it; fingers resting on his temple, fleshy part on his cheek. He had a fierce look in his eyes.

“You can’t worry about abusing your power all the time. Not everyone will like you, some will not respect you if you hesitate in what needs to be done, not all are as sensible as I and you will have to deal with the more wild ones.” It was a similar statement to what Veni and Rosemary said; that they wanted to be ordered sometimes. “How old am I?”

“Hmm…” He wasn’t picking up a clear age like he normally did. He sensed something that said 397, but he sensed that he had been a vampire for 373. Was he picking up a birth year? No, it was Veni’s blood. That was when Ma had gotten a large dose of it, but he didn’t die until later. That was a large leap in time, but he didn’t appear to be physically older than Jacob. The necromancer doubted Veni would try to turn a toddler without reason. “You’ve been dead 373 years?”

Ma smiled. “That’s how long I have been a goeng-si.”

What else did he get from this? He started to feel deeper. How was the vampire’s wellbeing? Well he had no injuries to start with. What about stress? Well it had increased so much in recent months, why was that… He found a surge in energy. Ma had alluded to having trouble controlling his powers since the fight with Dieamos. What had happened there? His was more exposure and experience based. The more he was exposed to things that stimulate it, the more potent it became. Dieamos had been one of those exposures that surged it so much in the way of increased energy output which allowed him to send it through an entire body much more rapidly with minimal contact than he could before; it taking several seconds originally whereas now it was about one. When he was exposed to people who received terrible injury or he received such injuries it increased the painful experiences that he could put a victim through. Jacob now sensed that Ma was learning from his own horrid experiences and had learned quite a bit when he held his hand mere hours earlier. Consequently he sensed the vampires desire to test it on something and practice with it more often, but not knowing an appropriate outlet for it or a way to do it that fit his sense of morals or honor. He could sense the frustration of it all. Ma hadn’t adjusted fully to his exposure to Dieamos and would probably need an outlet soon. It was also tied in with his frustrations about feeding; he had less control of himself then. The vampire couldn’t fully relax around people.

So deep was he in his examination with his magic eye that he did not notice what was going on around him. Unexpectedly he felt a pang on his wrist. His eyes came back into focus and he looked at it. Ma had slashed his wrist with the edge of his talon. He saw that at some point the vampire had put his hand over Jacob’s, had turned his nose towards the pulse on the wrist and his lips were slightly parted. “Ma, what are you doing?! Stop it!”

The corner of Ma’s mouth went up. “You’re too late. You wouldn’t have noticed being bitten by anyone else.”

“Were you… testing me?” He was only slightly irked at the whole thing. It surprised the necromancer more than anything; though the cut stung a bit. Veni wasn’t kidding about Ma being more open to various topics when confronted alone. But why did he feel the need to test him?

“Yes…Ah… more like teaching you a lesson. Though you can normally trust me to not try something like this, you can’t trust several of the others to not try to get away with something; especially Dan and Daisy. One of them would have gotten away with a little drink without your notice. I warn you, don’t get too comfortable with my other relatives. They take advantage of you.” He saw why Father had suggested him first. He would teach unsavory things for the human to be prepared for, but he wouldn’t take advantage later should he fail the first try. His lips moved closer to the healing wrist.

The necromancer tried to jerk his hand away, but the vampire held onto it. That’s when he realized Ma’s predator instincts were stronger than Veni’s and Rosemary’s though he wasn’t sure the one before him perceived this about himself. He hadn’t been known to act on them really which was in part why he lived here without incident. The human took a deep breath and calmly said, “Ma, release my hand.”

The Chinese vampire immediately let go. He was relieved to have been stopped for he had not desired to go through with the test. Jacob slowly moved his hand away, though he almost jerked it away but had thought better of it. “Good. You didn’t seem like prey. You must never panic and never seem afraid if one of us tries to scare you otherwise you will give the impression of being prey because you are human. Never allow any vampire or any creature that drinks blood for that matter but Veni and Rosemary have your blood without your permission first.”

Jacob looked at his wrist which was already almost healed. It wasn’t a deep cut so his curse quickly restored him to normal save for the escaped blood on his skin. He held it out. “You may clean it.” He had made a similar offering to Veni and Rosemary once, but they had been growing thirsty from all their injuries.

The vampire leaned towards it as if he was going to. His lips drew closer, he could taste its scent. He suddenly covered the blood with a few tissues and started to wipe it clean. “Best not to develop craving for your blood as well.”

“Since you crave to torture me?” Jacob said thinking about his demonstration earlier that evening and what he sensed moments ago realizing too late that his wording was very poor.

Ma froze for a moment before continuing his work with a neutral expression. “I deserve that.” Translation to what he meant; that was a bit cruel. It stung a little too. “You do not deserve torture from me.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. What would you have done if I had failed?” Jacob stared at the top of Ma’s head who kept busy despite that the arm was clean.

“I would have taken your blood without your permission,” he said simply.

“Then what would have happened?” Jacob pressed.

“I don’t know what you would have done.” Ma said trying to dodge the topic, looking up at Jacob in the eyes. He didn’t like where he thought this discussion was going. This kept happening tonight. At least it wasn’t about his feeding needs. He crumpled the tissues in his hands.

“I mean what would have happened if you took my blood without permission?” The necromancer wasn’t going to back off. He had to learn more about their etiquette and how they dealt with things. He didn’t want to try to remember to ask Veni or Rosemary these things later. Plus they’d ask where the topic even came from.

“You mean other than enjoy the taste? Depends on who learn about it.” He caved slightly.

“Wha…what do you mean?”

“If only Father found out nothing would likely come of it. If Rosemary knowing possibly nothing or a hit to my head that would fling me into the wall.” Jacob could picture Rosemary easily doing that too and the ironic thing is Ma is the one who probably taught her to hit well too. The vampire started to juggle the tissue ball between his hands. “If anyone else found out, he’d be forced to address it and punish me. You’re theirs, but more importantly his. He is the master. He can’t very well allow anyone to do that even if my intention is to teach you not to allow it to happen. He couldn’t show favoritism. You also can’t let it happen either if you’re the master’s master.”

“What would Veni do?” He knew Veni dealt with his vampires in various ways, though he hadn’t been a direct witness to it before. He was curious.

“Probably hit me or scratch me multiple times while hanging upside down using his shadow to hold me. I doubt he’d lock me in a coffin for any length of time,” said the vampire with a matter-of-fact tone.

Jacob was aghast that Veni was capable of such punishments towards someone he seemed to think so highly of and love. He was surprised that Ma could sound so unemotional about it. He understood the reasoning though and pictured that Veni didn’t enjoy doing such things. “You’re fine with it?”

“He’s usually good at making it up to me in private depending on the reason for its occurrence. Father never had a taste for true torment,” Ma said simply and to Jacob’s slight relief to hear what he thought to be true from someone else. Veni preferred to play with people more like a cat, which was cruel in some ways but Ma never saw it as overly bad. Or he would be more of a boogeyman.

“Do you?” Immediately he regretted blurting that out. He already knew the answer to be no. He was aware that Ma had been feeding on the bloodbags because he didn’t mentally like the idea of tormenting people. The vampire was afraid of developing an addiction like need of it. So much so he was near the point of becoming desperate to near madness from resisting the other need for going after a human in general. The vampire in question was giving him a look of contempt. “Sorry, that was tactless. I know you don’t.”

… Ma was silent for a period of time long enough to be awkward. He finally inhaled and sighed. He nodded, but said nothing. Jacob’s movements continued to indicate that he was very uncomfortable from this particular silence so the vampire said, “you are forgiven.” He watched the man relax. “I wanted to review the kick I once gave you and properly teach you the strike I mentioned upon arrival, but this last lesson is good enough and it is late.” He stood and walked to a trash can to toss the crumpled tissue in.  

[Rosemary Mori]

Part 10: Ending

“Ah…There is one question I wanted to ask you,” Ma said as he walked back to where he was once sitting and where Jacob currently sat. “It is rather personal, but it is related to your concern of earlier. Have you ever been under the impression that Father would make you a vampire if he could?”

Jacob opened his mouth to say no, but then closed it. He remembered what he felt from Veni when the vampire had nearly cried from his own thoughts and that he had felt a similar feeling when the blood drinker had fed off him soon afterwards. Only the second time it had more of a possessive feeling to it. “I believe so… when he was feeding recently.”

Ma moved a chair so he could sit more directly in front of the necromancer to look at him better for this discussion without standing over him. “Veni told me that he gave you a large quantity of blood for the spell that fixed your body. That it was a component didn’t surprise me as our blood can be used to heal injuries and help ailments, but did you know it was potentially enough blood to make you my brother if your curse or possibly the spell itself hadn’t prevented it?” The man was injured enough that it might have worked, Ma thought. His injuries that he used to possess were fatal, but the curse kept him alive.

“I hadn’t thought of that,” he admitted.

“If Father has indeed had inkling to make you his child, than you can be confident in that he loves you. Father nonsense speaking. When you’re under the swoon and he’s in bliss from your blood you can glance his true feelings if you gently pry. But I think I need to continue to risk their anger by overstepping my bounds for you and father both love each other. You need to know this now rather than be shocked by it later. I don’t want your relationship type to continue too long if you can’t handle a decision you may not realize you need to make. If you knowingly love a vampire and the vampire loves you in return there is a chance you’ll end up like me. It seems like you are close to the last parts of curing the curse; I got that impression when I touched you. What seems to be left is breaking the endless cycle of pain.” Which might be what makes you immortal, Ma thought. “And what might occur when that happens? Will you start to age and die? For all we know you may cure your curse in mere months or it may take hundreds of years, but if they are still around, you might find yourself joining us whether you gave them permission or not.”

Jacob grew visibly more uncomfortable where the vampire was going with the topic. He began to fidget a ball of his energy between his fingers. The vampire’s gaze was immediately on the hand both fascinated by the energy he felt attracted to and somewhat weary he’d attack him with it. Jacob remembered fragments he’d get of Rosemary’s memory and knew Veni had done so without her consent or real knowledge of what he was. Either one of them could do it he realized with Veni the most likely to force him. As a necromancer he had the power to keep that from happening unless he was extremely weakened. Would he be willing to stop either of them from trying? If he did, he knew it would create a rift between them especially if he had horror in his reaction at what they attempted and then there was the dejection and frustration they’d feel. He could accidentally kill them too if he struggled and the very thought horrified him like the thought of someone or something else doing them in. He thought on the sturdier, altered rib cage he gave and maintains on Veni and other things he’d do to keep them alive. His companion waited patiently for his response. Would it be so bad to be a vampire? He could still die in that form. The thought of hungering for human blood unsettled him for he knew how much they relished in taking his blood and how he enjoyed giving it to them; the pleasure in them taking it. If he didn’t focus on the horror of the idea, there was something else to be realized. He tossed the energy at Ma who looked fearful and held up his arm in defense, but it was opposite from what he expected as he gripped his chair and doubled over as he shivered in pleasure. “I would do anything I can think of with my power to keep them alive and to protect those they love. I have already done things to that end that Veni isn’t always comfortable with. They’d be doing the same thing I do, but in the way that they can though more permanent.”

Ma smiled and chuckled as he recovered from what was done to him, quite happy that Jacob seemed to understand. He straightened still breathing heavily from his exposure to the magic. “But do you really accept that?" He continued to push. Ma could forgive the man for hurting Veni if he ended their romantic relationship soon by deciding he couldn't handle this. However if this relationship continued to deepen and he renounced it for these reasons, really hurting Father, Jianshen, would not forgive. "You must be confident in such a decision if you’d accept such a possibility so you don’t hurt them if it does happen. Does the thought that you may potentially end up like me some day horrify you more than the unbearable thought of disconnecting yourself from probably your greatest companions?”

Jacob seemed to flinch slightly in Ma’s eyes but it was really a jolt of realization. “Ma, you knew Veni was a vampire too when you were human didn’t you?”

The raven haired man nodded once. “I met Father when I was still a child and knew he wasn’t human when I met him. I had realized he might do it years after knowing him, when I felt it while swooned once. For me the thought of pushing Veni away was more unbearable than the thought that he might someday make me a monster as well if I didn’t. I can’t say I fully understood what he was, like you do, or fully comprehended his nature at the time, but I had decided to enjoy his friendship rather than worry about such a thing. In the end, when he did what I expected him to do and I became what I am when I died, I have never really been horrified at what I am even in the early days. I would still choose this. Which one is it for you? Risk to be cursed again as some view it?”

The necromancer grimaced at his word choice. “I don’t think I could bear pushing them away either…but… Would you tell me what it was like for you? How you met him?”

The vampire hmmed as he considered the request. “If it will help you decide one way or the other or ease your nerves if you’ve already decided, I will for Father’s sake, but it is too late for that tonight.”

Jacob glanced at a clock, it was nearing the time he knew to be sunrise, and got up. The vampire stood as well. “You’re right. I better go so you can get ready for the morning and that I may see them before they sleep.”

As Ma led him to the door he said, “you have an advantage in your thoughts for the decision I never did. It might be easier for you as you’d have more food options than I did. We never had alternatives for food like tame or what I like to think of the domesticated ones have here so you may never need be exposed to having to hunt. It is like city folk who buy food and then the wilder man who hunt for food all their life in other areas. If you bring the hunter into the city they still want to hunt sometimes… Come back in two nights if you can and I’ll tell you how I met him and what I thought. If you can’t come, have Father give you my number please.”

He held the door open for him and as Jacob walked out he asked for his translator back which were the final words he’d say in his native tongue to him for the night. The necromancer handed it back and Ma slowly closed the door, looking out as he did. Before he finished shutting it Jacob suddenly asked, “do you have anyone you’d turn to keep them with you?”

The raven haired vampire responded with a pointed smile and red eyes from the other side of the door that sent a chill down the other’s spine from the sudden change in his expression from pleasant to predator. “But I am tame goeng-si …ah vampire (while) living here.”  

[Rosemary Mori]

Afterwards

Jacob’s part
I just hope I chose the right form of the Latin words.

Upon entering his house he first saw a sinister shadow that started to grin the moment it saw him. It was from the side view; that grin. It moved across objects towards him and grabbed him. More precisely it grabbed his shadow and lifted it, and consequently him, in an embrace. The sensation sent a chill down his spine, though he was not afraid. This shadow had become more powerful and it seemed willful ever since the owner started practicing with it more with a group of shadow manipulators in Limbo. The shadow then rushed with its cargo to the one who this darkness belonged to.

The owner of the shadow had some pajama bottoms on and his shirt unbuttoned as he was in the middle of getting dressed for bed. He paused in his undressing and held open his arms with a grin full of sharp teeth for the one coming towards him. Once he reached him however his teeth appeared normal with only the two sharp teeth of a vampire in his smile. The necromancer was dipped suddenly and Veni bent his head down to kiss him.

Jacob eagerly took it having known the other’s intentions from his body language as he approached. They may have lacked the free flowing telepathic connection that the necromancer shared with Rosemary, but he had started to learn that if he paid attention his powers and connection could tell him things. It was a different type of gut feeling than his more premonition type ones. He realized this went beyond Veni while with Ma who was slightly afraid of him and a little distrustful, however he knew the man liked him a little better after tonight despite their relationship still being shaky. Right now it was telling him that only he mattered at this moment to Veni; even through the growing weariness the vampire felt as the time ticked closer to his absolute need for sleep. This knowledge that the vampire wasn’t merely trying to make him feel wanted, but actually did want him filled him with a happiness he had never felt before he opened up to him. He let the vampire hold all his weight, which was simple for him, and relaxed so completely that if the other were to let go he would fall. He cupped his hand on the vampire’s face feeling the slight point on the other’s ears as his lips worked with his. He realized he could hardly imagine that for a brief time in his companion’s existence he didn’t have ears like that, or crimson eyes, or the sharp teeth of which he had to execute caution of if he didn’t want to bleed when he kissed him in certain ways. He moved his fingers down to those teeth and pulled away from the kisses so that he could feel of them.

He could sense the undead man’s curiosity at what he was doing, but unlike Rosemary he knew Veni wouldn’t question him too much about it. Veni almost always allowed him to do as he pleased with him even to the point of altering his body a little. He was so compliant that he even opened his mouth slightly allowing him to feel all around the tooth. He put his finger on the tip. The beauty held very still, supporting him with ease despite the slightly awkward position, half closed his eyes, and released the low rumble of his purr when this was done. If he moved much the skin would break . The vampire loved that the human could touch his teeth without cringing. The human loved this inhuman sound he could do that was uniquely his as Rosemary couldn’t do it.

Slowly he removed his hand from the mouth and slid it across his cheek, using some of his energies to make his touch tingle all the more, Veni purring even louder for it, and pulled on the back of his head to bring him down to kiss him again. The vampire was a bit more passionate than he was earlier in response. Jacob for his part forgot about the things that had preoccupied his mind, finding it harder and harder to think clearly as he kissed him.

Rosemary entered at that point and growled in mock annoyance. She was dressed in a long satin gown that had spaghetti straps up top. Though considered modest today, Rosemary still felt the need to have a light robe over it until she went to bed since it wasn’t decent in her time.

Veni’s head snapped up as he looked at her and straightened the two of them back into a normal standing position, but lifted Jacob and tossed him slightly towards Rosemary. He landed in her arms and against her body. The two stared at each other in surprise, blinking a few seconds, before looking at Veni. The blonde one slid his shirt off his shoulders, pulled a pajama shirt on, and quickly buttoned it. So fast were his movements that Jacob barely saw him do it. “Kiss her you idiot,” he teased.

Jacob turned back around and did just that. Rosemary was a bit more reserved than Veni when it came to intimacy and required more coaxing to get more passionate kisses. He also knew from her thoughts that she was more interested in knowing how his evening went. He kept the last conversation to himself for the time being and thought on other parts of the night like Ma’s greeting, his impression on how the vampire handled an unexpected guest, and parts of their outing particularly that he thought Ma’s familiar would eventually be some lizard or snake. Rosemary shared some of the more interesting points of teaching, Muerte, a boy at heart trapped in a man’s body by some horrid experiments to make him a great warrior.

Veni could tell they were having a silent conversation and felt slightly jealous. Effort had to be put into it for one with him. He envied their ability to do that so easily between the two sometimes. But at the same time he didn’t because he wouldn’t want his thoughts to be an open book to anyone at all times like it was between the two. To sum it up he felt a little left out on occasion. Out of nowhere he appeared at their side and the two jerked back from one another a little. He kissed each of theirs’ cheek saying, “aeternus meus” when he kissed Jacob’s and “amores. Valete,” when he kissed Rosemary’s. He gave his impish smile, only slightly showing off his teeth, at Rosemary’s bewildered look.

His choice to emphasize the word “eternal” over “loves” or “my” as he normally did confused Rosemary. It sounded like he potentially meant “Eternally mine, loves/darlings. Farewell.” His usual statement could normally be taken as “my eternal loves/darlings. Farewell” with him emphasizing them being his (meus) or that they’re his great loves/darlings (amores). While she pondered the proper word order of his statement, Jacob scooped him up like a bride to be carried over the threshold and walked with him over to the bed. “You’re stealing me away,” said Veni. He was referring to the symbolism of stealing the girl and carrying her away. Jacob smiled, but said nothing. The vampire looked and felt tired to him, but he still tried to have conversation. “Did Jianshen treat you well?”

“Yes. I plan to see him again in a couple nights.”

“I’m glad.” Veni relaxed more and cuddled into him. The necromancer could tell that his body was starting to slowly die for his daily rest. “You were gone longer than I expected.”

“We had several conversations and had an outing of sorts in a nearby park.” It was too late tonight for him to go into many details and he knew it. Veni was satisfied with the answer for now.

“You’re so warm… I feel…cold,” the vampire said moments before he was set on the bed.

He put his warm-blooded hand to the colder one’s cheek. Veni stared back at him fighting to stay awake much like a dying creature resisting death. “It’s alright, Vennil, my love,” Jacob said softly. “Go to sleep.”

“Etiam in morte, superset amor,” he said quoting some old literature. Rosemary’s thoughts gave Jacob the translation in death, love survives. He knew a few Latin phrases thanks to Veni and mostly the sweet ones like; meus amor (my love/my darling), te amo (I love you), or te amo, mi angele (I love you, my angel). The last one he’d more often say to Rosemary. It was to Jacob’s understanding that he started using this phrase recently when Rosemary was somehow chosen to be an angel. She would have been offended or distraught by being called angel before that. The details of the incident he was never clear on as the vampire had been partially delusional from injuries when it happened. He just knew that some being had been involved that looked familiar, yet she didn’t recognize or remember meeting before.

The necromancer felt him stop resisting and slowly shut down. He could feel it and not merely witness it. Rosemary found it unsettling to see Veni fall into the darkness of his daily rest. In the past she would be gone first and never witness this herself. She now slept somewhere between like a human and vampire, some nights more like one over the other. When it was more like a human she’d often have horrible dreams, vampire nothing at all, but still stir slightly. The vampire finally closed his eyes right before his last breath and fell into oblivion. Not even a thought could be detected. Jacob removed his hand and went into the bathroom to prepare for bed. When he came back Rosemary had taken off her robe and settled in the middle of the bed. He took his place next to her and lay on his back. She moved into him with her head on his chest and arm across it. He kissed the top of her head and stroked her back as they began to doze off.

As Jacob relaxed, his mind began to ponder what had happened that night. While he dozed he thought of one of the last things Ma had said, “you might find yourself joining us whether you gave them permission or not.” He was startled and jolted alert by Rosemary's sudden loud voice of which he couldn't tell if it was in his head or if she said it out loud as she exclaimed, "He said what to you?!" And found himself holding her tightly having to quickly calm her before her emotions affected him as well.


Ma’s part

As soon as he was sure Jacob was some distance away or gone from the realm, Ma picked up the creature he bought earlier and had taken a sip from. He did to it what he said he would do to Jacob should he feed off him; one whole curse cycle with the pain of complete regeneration. He had not gotten far, a couple seconds, when several of the blood vessels burst internally, one externally, and the creature’s heart stopped from the stress. The blood freely flowed onto Ma’s hand and he quickly put the wounded area to his mouth so it wouldn’t drip and make a mess. His eyes looked vexed at the whole result. He hadn’t expected anything more, but it was still a disappointment. He removed the thing from his residence and took it to the outside burnable trash. He then quickly went to a sink and washed the blood from his hand. He took a deep breath, stretched a little, and calmed down some as he walked to his office like area.
He settled at his desk and pulled out his favorite writing set. It wasn’t so much a set in that everything matched for it was completely mismatched but the symbolism of each piece was more meaningful to him than a writing set that had all the same design. The largest piece had a dragon and a phoenix on it along with other designs. Both are divine creatures in mythology one meaning auspicious and the other eternal life. Many key events in his human life happened in a dragon year; he was born in one, met his vampire father in one, almost died in one, and finally became a vampire in one. He removed the top of this to reveal a slightly slanted surface to have a small well at one end. He added a little water from a ceramic dropper to this as well into a small brush washing pot with a horse carving. A horse was the meaning of the symbol used for his family name. A horse is seen as a sign of strength, vitality, speed, and beauty. It also is seen as a faithful and an unyielding spirit. So much symbolism associated with him that meant health and vitality when he was alive, yet he was not. It had always bothered him then; now he thought it ironic.
He took what appeared to be a small black stick and dipped the tip into the water he added to the first piece and dragged it up along the surface. He then twisted it in a circular manner on the stone. This process was repeated until the water became fairly black and at a consistency he seemed to be satisfied with. Finally his brush rested on a brush holder in the shape of a flame with a bat inscribed on it. Bats meant good fortune and it was the form he saw Veni in when he would hide in the shadows to sleep in his room some days. He had been surprised to find that the dragon and bats were symbols of the devil in the west; quite the opposite from where he lived. He found them to be backwards thinkers sometimes. The brush was dipped into the blackened water that was now ink in the inkstone and he began to read and sign some papers. When signing his name or in most writing he still preferred a brush over a pen. He also took out a journal in which he wrote down some of his thoughts and events of the day.
After writing for a time he cleaned and put the top back on the inkwell, washed his brush, and rubbed his eyes feeling the overwhelming need to sleep that he has never been able to conquer start to come upon him. The day’s light in Limbo had just appeared and it was becoming bright out having passed the morning part of twilight. The sound of a click came from his front door and he was on his feet and in the next room in an instant recognizing who it was before he saw him. His expression was soft at first before it hardened. “You knowing it is too late.”

Eztli smiled sheepishly at him. “My apologies. I know you don’t like me to arrive when you’re about to go to sleep Sifu, but I wanted to stay here today.”

The vampire gave a slight sigh. He loved the boy but he disliked it when he arrived so close to the daily slumber. “I can’t stand being awake much longer. You almost not making it.”

“A weakness you cannot conquer, I know.”

Ma smiled and had amusement in his eyes as he nodded. Instead of arguing playfully that he had only allowed him to stay with him till he finished school and could properly care for himself like he could now, the vampire said, “lock up.”

The young man did so and was soon following behind the vampire who was unbraiding his hair as he walked. The crinkles came out very easily when he ran his hand through it. This fascinated Eztli; how strait it became very quickly. From previous encounters of it brushing against his skin, he knew it was very silky too. But he also knew a lot of the Sifu’s habits from living there after his parents had died. He had relatives, but they weren’t in the area so he would have had to go to school in another district and he had wanted to finish it here. Ma had offered to have him to stay if his relatives would allow it and if he wanted to. Eztli did for a few years and now he is done with public schooling and considered an adult, but still desired to stay with Sifu sometimes; especially as of late.

He sensed something had been off with him lately. It wasn’t an empathy observation, maybe only slightly, but it was mostly from visual observations. He had seen the vampire strike himself at certain points, though his vision couldn’t catch the exact details of the blow as he moved too fast, noticed that he had more dead blood bags in his waste bin than he used to, and that his eyes seemed slightly more red at times for no apparent reason than they used to. Eztli was starting to worry that something happened to Ma and he was having difficulty recovering. He worried that the vampire might have an accident and attack someone. He knew his Sifu worried about this too from his observations of him over the years and how people have treated him sometimes; sneering at him for being some violent creature and trying to ward others away from him through slander. His record had been good all these years, but one slipup and they’d be proven right. Eztli didn’t like the thought. He’d rather be the one the slipup happened to. If it wasn’t bad enough to put him in sever condition, no one need know. The boy was given tranquilizers that the realm had developed to use on vampires to subdue them. His family had insisted on such a precaution when he was younger.

The vampire walked down the stairs with straight and smooth seeming stride and easily shut the heavy door at the bottom. Eztli knew it was show and Ma was focusing on not stumbling or slumping off to bed. It always amazed him that even when he was like this the vampire could still close and lock the heavy door, which he couldn’t open himself because it was too heavy, to his basement rooms. Once down, Ma made a quiet sigh at the dirty dishes he forgot he had. “I’ll do these tomorrow,” he said and removed the tray from the table and put them near the sink. He then took the kang table off the platform bed and put it underneath.

He walked off out of sight and changed into a colorful robe like garment. Eztli meanwhile began to clean the dishes. The vampire returned a brush in hand, and fluffed the pillows. He situated himself all the way to the back of it with back rail of the bed behind him, so he could face Eztli, and began to run the brush through his hair.

“Is everything alright, Sifu?” Eztli asked as he carefully handled the teapot.

“I feeling ill.” Ma meant more by it than he normally did. He normally began to feel ill when he was still up at this time, but tonight’s encounter with other recent exposures hadn’t left him feeling entirely well.

“No, I mean with the necromancer.” The boy was afraid that Jacob’s visit meant something was amiss since he hadn’t been there for lessons. “I know you start to feel sick when you stay up too long.”

“Yes…?” Ma made it sound like a question. He thought the visit went well as far as their relationship was concerned, so he wasn’t entirely sure what the boy meant…

“That necromancer is famous. He’s mentioned in the history books you know. For him, someone who deals in the dead, to be visiting you; are you alright?”

“His life is eventful enough to be written about, it not surprising me. You find it odd I knowing someone famous when I not knowing this realm thing till the last 10 years?”

Eztli nodded. “Yeah.”

“When family attacked by Niearchim things, Jacob came. Remember my Father?”

“That amusing shadow dude?” Eztli remembered him. He often wore an impish smile when he saw him and looked physically younger than Ma, but he knew that’s how it worked with vampires sometimes.

Ma nodded. “He spends much time with Father and Rosemary now. He wanted to knowing me better. I appreciating your concern.” He set the brush aside. His eyes slowly closed as he spoke and the boy knew that was the end of their conversation; he couldn’t reasonably keep himself up unless his life depended on it. “Thank you for cleaning thing. Go to bed soon… please…” He always said something like that when he went to sleep if Eztli was still up. Actually Eztli knew the vampire preferred him to be in his room when he went to sleep. Ma was then gone from his vision having quickly moved to wherever it was he hid when he went into a dark and usually dreamless sleep.