Questioned & Answered [Hexamus/Ralin]

[Ralin O'Faerlun]

Night had settled on the city of London, turning it into a sleepy giant perched over the Thames. Wearing a dark green wool cloak, Ralin ducked into The Leaky Cauldron, ensuring no one was watching him (no muggles, that is). At the bar, he ordered two cups of hot cocoa and scones. With the mugs warming his hands, the young man made his way up the rickety stairs to the third floor. Stopping at the first door, he juggled things around so he could free up one hand.

It was several days since he'd met the mysterious being in the woods, a vampire named Hexamus Kryptr. He had seemed so calmly accepting of the fact that Ralin was supposed to be a werewolf, that he'd almost appeared disappointed when Ralin vehemently clung to the contrary. Ever since then, Ralin had gone over the conversation in his head, and felt very embarassed about how he'd handled the man's hospitality. Determined to make up for it, Ralin had finally decided to visit Kryptr at his home. It had also taken a great deal of courage for him to face the fact that yes, he needed help. There had to be another way of dealing with his condition, and perhaps, just maybe, Kryptr would be able to point him in the right direction.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Ralin rapped on the door, and then waited, tapping his toe nervously. Had he come at the right time? The card had stated night visits only, which wasn't too strange considering the man was a vampire.

[Deleted]

Hexamus regarded his pearly incisors carefully, using a delicate brush to polish his teeth to a beautiful, porcelain finish. The amber light of a dozen or so candles made them appear whiter than usual and they stood out in a room that was otherwise marked by dark accessories: an ebony coffin, an antique wardrobe and dressing table, a black-framed mirror, an iron chandelier, and multitudes of dancing shadows. It was such a pleasant abode for Hexamus and his live-in owl Vedenie that he often found himself lost in its abundant warmth. The only place that felt more at home was...home. But Romania was ever so far away these days.

Kryptr was about to draw the curtains of his paned loft windows to regard the phase of the moon when a hurried rapping at his door broke his concentration. Now that was odd. Hexamus and Vedenie shared a curious look before pausing and staring at the door. Normally, the Leaky Cauldron staff left little elf-sized letters at the entrance. Face-to-face contact was something entirely new for them. Oh goody.

Hexamus smiled before cheerfully announcing his presence-

"I am coming to the door, dear visitor! I do beg your pardon."

He had started towards the knock when Vedenie hooted a careful reminder about his manner of dress. Ah, yes. Hexamus had only just awoken minutes earlier and he was still merely attired in a pair of black satin sleep pants without any manner of shoes or shirt. The vampire could always count on his Great Horned companion to keep his decorum in check.

"Right you are," Hexamus whispered quietly, before reaching for a silver bracelet on his dressing table and believing himself entirely more presentable. "That's better."

A pale yet strong hand grabbed the door's handle and turned it swiftly to open the loft apartment to the guest in the hall. And there he was. The ginger-haired boy from the Forbidden Forest. The young man was wrapped in a handsome green cloak and carried carefully-balanced human food items in his arms. Hexamus couldn't help but feel a pang of adrenaline at the sight before him. How intriguing.

"Young master...this is a pleasant surprise." The vampire took a look down the hall in either direction before setting his hazel eyes back on the man. "While I do hope you have come to visit I do not wish to jump to conclusions. Are you lost or are you defying the fears of all those before you by daring to set foot in my lair? I won't be offended. You'd be surprised how many people mistake my door for a cloak closet."

[Ralin O'Faerlun]

"Your...lair?" The young man peered over Krpytr's shoulder, wondering if he'd find the inside of the flat draped in black velvet and ribbons, bleached skulls, barbed wire, or something blatantly occult (he was very ignorant of how vampires lived - he'd read too many muggle books about them). But...vampires weren't inherently occult or evil, just like werewolves...

"Um, I know it's late, but yer card said t' only come at night. I suppose 'tis 'cuz o'the sun disagreeing with ya or something. I brought hot cocoa..." His voice trailed off as Ralin held up the mugs, when the thought hit him - Idiot! What if vampires didn't enjoy hot cocoa? But everyone enjoys hot cocoa!.

Setting his shoulders, Ralin met the man's gaze. "I've actually come t'continue our discussion. Y'didn't give me much choice to reply, now did you? And none o' that nonsense of the 'Lure-thinger' or whatever you called it. I'm just mildly intrigued is all." He shrugged, nearly upsetting the items balanced in his arms. "Never met a vampire before, nor someone who's interested in my...condition. If this is a bad time...?"