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Moonlight Flower	By : Mishizu Category: +A through F > CastleVania Views: 4480 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own CastleVania, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 3
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- 5
Shinigami Yumi

presents

Moonlight Flower

Summary: In his fight with a certain silver-haired vampire, Leon chose to save his enemy from fading away. The two become unlikely friends, and Joachim takes Leon as his Host. The years pass as Leon continues to hunt the night with Joachim's aid while searching for Mathias. Meanwhile, Joachim finds himself wanting far more than he already has. Possible JoachimLeon, MathiasLeon and MathiasLeonJoachim later. Implied WalterJoachim. Yes, it's YAOI. You have been warned.

A/N: At some point in the writing process, I found that worrying about writing in too modern a manner is pointless. Having done my research, I realized that if I wanted to be linguistically accurate, I'd need to be writing the dialogue in Middle English, Norman French and Old High German, which no one (including myself) would understand. Moreover, the game has them speaking modern Japanese. It was at that point that I headdesked at myself for the million times I stared at it and wondered if anyone said things in such a fashion back then. Let's all pretend this is a modern translation of 11th century events, shall we? XD" Please tell me what you all think of this chapter!

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Chapter 4: Aquarius

Leon pulled his fur-lined cloak more closely about himself where he stood leaning against the railing on the ship�s upper deck. This was �maybe� their fifth night at sea, and the sea breeze was chilly. The crescent moon shone brightly in the clear night sky, surrounded by several stars. He thought of Helena, whom he�d left in charge of the barony; she was a learned woman, rather adept at administrative matters, so his only real worry was the possibility that he might never see her or his son again. Of course, he hadn�t had the heart to tell her that he was probably going to his death and that there was a chance he would never return, but she would probably know when she found out that he had left Vampire Killer behind. She knew how precious that whip was to him.
Familiar slender but strong fingers squeezed his shoulders lightly, and he turned to face his nocturnal companion as the other moved to stand beside him. They had taken a carriage to a nearby port before boarding a cargo ship, opting for the most common means of travel to avoid drawing attention to themselves. It was times like these when Leon was truly thankful for his lack of public appearances over the years as a noble, since few people knew him on sight. In the few short hours of daylight there were in these parts at this time of the year, Joachim slept in their small windowless cabin on the lower deck. That aside, he usually slept whenever Leon did.

�You seem on edge,� the vampire remarked casually, inviting conversation.

Leon smiled ruefully. �In my circumstances, who wouldn�t be?�

�As long as you keep all that I have said in mind, things should work out fine until your old friend shows up. Then it is out of our hands.�

Joachim had spent the many nights of their journey together giving him a crash course on vampire culture and etiquette. They had even bought new apparel to avoid being recognized. Apparently, no matter what the real relationship dynamic was, Hosts always addressed vampires as Lords and Ladies, and it was actually considered impolite to feed in front of others at formal functions. Also, it was common for friends to swap Hosts, as well as for vampires to flirt with each other and any desirable humans present. Furthermore, it was deemed rude �for humans, in particular� to brush off their attentions; it was, however, not unlike vampires to be possessive, and equally, if not more, rude not to consult a vampire before fraternizing with his/her Host.

The vast majority of vampires were sexually promiscuous, and many were flexible in their preferences of partners, so he should show neither surprise nor disgust should he catch guests making out with other guests in any combination of the two genders. They also had a tendency to be wildly unconventional in dress and occasionally behaviour. Other than that, the Ball was like any other formal function for the nobility. There would be music for dancing �most, if not all, those attending were expected to know some basic steps� and even �normal� food, although one should not expect any meat served well-done, because while vampires no longer needed human food, many still enjoyed it as much as they had when alive.

�I guess I should avoid saying grace at meals as usual..?� he weakly attempted to joke.

The other laughed, a rich velvety sound just like his voice, and it warmed Leon�s heart just to hear it. �Here�s a tip on telepathy. It is easiest to detect thoughts that are in the forefront of your mind, so whatever it is that you do not want people to know, do not dwell on it. Think of anything but that.�

He nodded. �I�ll be sure to remember that.�

A long moment of silence passed before Joachim spoke again. �Leon.�

�Hm?�

�I�� He hesitated. �In order to� blend in�� He paused again. �I may� I may have to do some things, things that you might� consider inappropriate�� he trailed off uncertainly.

The blond turned to give him a quizzical yet patient look.

At length, he continued, �I would like to apologize� in advance. I mean, in case you feel offended by anything later.�

Now the former knight�s expression grew perplexed.

Before any question could be verbalized, the vampire sighed, realizing that he�d have to speak directly and somewhat dreading it. �Most Hosts�� he said slowly. ��are also their Masters� lovers.�

Time seemed to freeze for an instant as Leon blinked. Then, abruptly, understanding seemed to dawn, and the hunter blushed deeply and averted his eyes, clearly uncomfortable. �I� I understand,� he said, barely audible over the sound of the waves crashing against the ship�s bow.

Joachim looked away as well, unsure of what to say, do or even feel. While the lack of obvious revulsion in the other�s response was promising, his evident discomfiture was disheartening. The ambiguity was frustrating. Of course, he could always read Leon�s mind to find out; he wasn�t very good at telepathy yet, but he could already detect the surface thoughts of humans who could not shield their minds. However, it would be disrespectful towards his Host�s privacy, and he didn�t want to be that despicable. Finally, after some time had passed, he reached out to cover Leon�s hand on the ship�s wooden railing. His Host looked at him questioningly.

�Do you trust me?� he asked quietly, meeting that clear blue gaze.

There was a slight pause before Leon replied with some certainty, �Yes,� his eyes honest, not that Leon Belmont had ever lacked honesty.

He closed his eyes, fighting down the urge to press his lips to the human�s temptingly moist ones, and settled for simply squeezing the other�s hand lightly with a small smile on his face. He turned away. It was almost painful, this� this distant proximity, this feeling of being millimetres apart and yet simultaneously miles away. No, that was understating it; this was torture, slow bittersweet torment. He was longing desperately for what he could not have, and yet, here it lay already within his hands, only not in the form he needed it in. He bit his lip to hold in the choked sob that threatened to escape his chest and the suffocating whirl of emotions in it. How overjoyed he had been at the thought of so many days alone with his beloved hunter. He should have expected the nearly unbearable agony this prolonged closeness would cause him.

�You really shouldn�t,� he muttered bitterly, sorrowfully, under his breath.

�What?�

�Hm?� He opened his eyes, making sure they were carefully blank, and turned to the blond at the sudden query.

�You were saying something..?�

He blinked, feigning ignorance. �I� was..?�

Leon blinked at him as well. �No? Well, never mind then. Must be my imagination.� He turned back to gazing out over the seemingly endless expanse of water.

Joachim remained silent, suddenly frightened of what was to come. He feared for Leon, or rather, for what he himself might do to the former knight should his self-control fail him. Even if Leon believed it merely an act to avoid or dispel suspicion, he was afraid he wouldn�t be able to hold back once he�d known what he was missing. What would he do once the curtains had fallen on the show? He wasn�t sure he could simply return to the way things had been before. And if he ever overstepped his limits or if Leon ever realized the truth, he wouldn�t be able to bear it if the other fled from him in terror. He didn�t think whatever was left of his heart could take it, not after Walter had brutally shattered it over two centuries ago. He squeezed his eyes shut once more, steeling himself for the greatest test of his self-restraint, and prayed that, assuming God still heard the voices of the forsaken like himself, he would be granted the strength to last those six nights of battling temptation.

��===***===��

They ended up arriving at the castle by carriage the day before the Ball was due to commence, and were greeted at the door by their hostess, Countess Elune Lucienda. Her wavy golden tresses reached her knees and framed a fine-boned oval face. Surprisingly, her fair skin seemed less pale than was usual for vampires, and a hint of make-up added an additional touch of colour to the flawless white. Her lips and nails were blood red, and her luxurious black fur coat left only her hands and feet exposed. Leon wasn�t sure whether the colour of her lips was natural or painted on, but he sincerely hoped it wasn�t natural, since that probably meant many humans had lost a lot of blood, a theory which also explained the lack of the usual vampiric pallor.

�Greetings, Countess Lucienda. My sincere apologies at having to intrude upon your hospitality earlier than is expected,� Joachim greeted with a bow, pressing a kiss to the knuckles of a white hand adorned with several golden rings and bracelets.

The other vampire smiled warmly. She was beautiful and charming, but there was also a hardness to her golden eyes that marked her a woman not to be trifled with. �Not at all,� she replied in a heavily accented rich soprano. �The doors of my abode are always open to kinsmen, Lord..?�

�Ah, forgive me for neglecting to introduce myself. The cold must be getting to me. My name is Joachim Armster, and this is my new Host, Leon Blanchett.�

Leon bowed respectfully as he was introduced, pulling his fur-lined cloak more snugly about himself as he did so. �Milady,� he acknowledged softly.

�Ah, Lord Armster.� The countess stepped back. �Please do come in and make yourselves at home.�

They followed her into an opulently decorated castle and were immediately welcomed by a rush of warm air. Flames blazed in several fireplaces, and the main hall was lit by oil lamps at regular intervals on the walls and pillars and in a large crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The walls, pillars and floor were polished marble and granite, and the ceiling was a beautiful painting of several men and women playing with birds in a garden full of flowers. Everywhere, railings and awnings were adorned in ornate carvings, and servants bustled about their duties on the several floors Leon could see.

Before them, a polished marble staircase rose a few rounded steps before splitting into two curved flights that swept up to the second floor. Between the tops of both flights of stairs were a set of beautifully carved heavy wooden double doors with shiny golden handles. On either side of the doors, there was a small sculpture on a marble pedestal, one of a man entwined in the midst of thorny rose vines holding an apple in his raised hands, the other of a woman entwined in the coils of a large snake also with an apple in her raised hands; it was obviously a matching set meant to depict the fall of man. The castle was a welcoming and hospitable residence, much unlike Walter�s.

As they climbed the stairway, Joachim commented, �You have a lovely home, milady.�

�Thank you,� Elune returned with a gracious smile. �I seem to recall� Lord Armster, I do believe we have met.� She slid a crimson glance towards the younger Nosferatu. �It has been over a century, has it not? We were introduced briefly at the Ball in the palace of Lady Aisya Zulkarnain near the city of Byzantium. You were� in the company of the late Sir Walter Bernhard if memory serves, were you not?�

Behind her, Leon stiffened slightly at the mention of the redhead he�d defeated. Thankfully, she seemed not to notice.

�Your memory is impeccable, milady,� Joachim affirmed in a tone that neither encouraged nor declined further enquiry, inclining his head slightly. Leon did, however, get the impression that his companion was none too pleased to hear about his late Sire.

The blonde sighed. �If you ask me, I�d say Walter had it coming. I always told him he needed a less twisted hobby; pardon my language.� She led them down the corridor on the left and up the stairwell at the end to the third floor, the three-inch heels of her shoes clicking on the marble flooring, before finally halting at the second door from the stairwell. �You should find this room most comfortable, neither too close to where the musicians will be playing nor to the stairwell where the bustle of people will likely create some unpleasant rabble,� she said, turning the key in the brass lock and opening the heavy wooden door inwards.

The room their hostess showed them to was spacious and pleasant with its wooden flooring and furnishings. Thick wine red velvet curtains covered the single window and much of the room�s granite walls. Beside the window was a fireplace with a small pyramid of logs for it right next to it. The fireplace faced a large four-poster bed covered in wine-red silk sheets ready to be encircled by the same wine-red velvet curtains. A cream-coloured oval fur rug lay on the floor before both the hearth and the room�s other door. The lamps on the walls burned with a slightly purplish glow as was characteristic of magical flames and were the only distinctly abnormal objects in the room. The only other furniture to be seen were the dresser and cupboard beside each other to the right of the window and facing the other door, and the chest of drawers next to the bed.

Elune walked to the centre of the room and waved her hand at the fireplace, where several logs were already waiting to be lit; the wood burst into flame, and the room was instantly warmer with the blazing fire. �There are bathrobes in the armoire, and you should find anything you need for nights in the drawers by the bedside.� She opened the other door to show them the bathroom. Indicating the bathtub, which was large enough for two, she said, �I�ll have servants draw you a hot bath shortly and some refreshment served for your Host, Lord Armster.�

�Thank you, milady,� Joachim responded graciously, lowering the chest they carried between them to the floor as he bowed. He could well have carried it himself, but Leon had insisted on helping.

Leon bowed as well before pulling the chest with their belongings over to rest beside the cupboard and moving to sit on the rug before the fireplace.

�The double doors you saw on the second floor at the top of the stairs open to the main audience hall. You will find me there if you need anything. There will, of course, be servants around at all times, so you may also simply open the door and summon one of them to serve you as needed,� she added. �Now, if you would please excuse me, I must attend to the rest of the preparations.� The countess curtseyed. �Please make yourselves comfortable.� She turned to leave.

�Ah� Milady, we would not perchance happen to be the earliest guests, would we?� the younger vampire enquired tentatively, wondering if, perhaps, the one they sought had already arrived.

�Oh, no. Lady Aisya arrived yesterday in the company of Lady Svetlana Volodya from her castle just east of the Ural Mountains. Lord Michael Lavant also arrived yesterday from the Alps accompanied by Lady Arietta Alonso of Cordova, whom he met along the way. Earlier today, the esteemed Prince Seth Nefer arrived from Memphis with his companion, the venerable Princess Shang Li Lin from the Orient. Also earlier today, Lord Krishnan Gupta arrived from his home just north of the Ganges River with his Childe, Lord Amman Zakaria from Damascus. Including your good selves, ten guests now reside in this castle.�

�I see��

�Speaking of Lady Arietta, she brings news that a new vampire lord has recently taken up residence in her homeland of Wallachia, designating himself Dracula, Lord of Vampires and King of the Night. It seems he is this year�s discourse.�

Leon looked up at that, interest piqued. He remained silent, however, having been warned against speaking out of turn.

�A number of us are none too pleased about his insolent self-proclamations. Even the ones among us who have the right to be making such claims have not done so. He speaks as if we do not exist.�

�I hear he has the Crimson Stone,� Joachim said quietly, noticing his Host�s sudden attention and wisely pursuing the subject.

�Still, he is one, and we are many. Even if he is greater than any one of us, he is no match for our combined might even if only a fraction of us were to jointly rise against him. In any case, as long as he knows his boundaries, we are prepared to leave him be. We may even call a council over this matter, but that is left to be decided as yet.�

�His arrogance reminds me of Walter,� he nearly spat the words. �Damn that bastard,� he muttered vehemently through gritted teeth, blue-gray eyes growing unfocused. �Even dead, your shadow refuses to leave us alone. Curse you.�

The young vampire seemed to snap out of it when his elder laughed. �I see relations between you and your late Sire have all but frozen Hell over. Say, how did you escape the rumoured carnage at his castle? They say a young knight by the name of Belmont finally did him in.�

Leon tensed at the mention of his name. News travelled quickly, and he sincerely hoped no one would be able to recognize him on sight.

�Oh, my rebelliousness turned out to be a good thing for me after all. He locked me away in some isolated basement prison. I didn�t even know of the fighting until the castle crumbled at the very end, weakened as I was from so many years of not feeding,� his Master lied smoothly. �After the castle crumbled, the human probably left without checking for survivors; I was safe, and I was free. Later, I fled the ruins under the cover of night and met my Host camping out in a forest some distance away. He was injured, the sole survivor of an independent band of mercenaries fighting in the Crusades; I could smell his blood from afar even with my impaired senses. Feeling slightly faint from prolonged starvation, I did not wish to fight, so I struck a deal with him, and he is now my Host.� Joachim turned slightly to smile at him, the expression a perfect balance of satisfaction and warmth.

�How uncharacteristic of a human to agree so easily.�

His Master turned back to the countess. �Well, I told him I needed his blood, and he could either give it willingly or I could take it by force. The latter would either kill him, turn him or both, so I strongly recommended the former� I also promised I would make it worth his while�� Joachim glanced lasciviously in his direction at that, and the immodest suggestion in blue-gray eyes made Leon blush and look away uncomfortably despite knowing that it was merely an act. �Wisely enough, he agreed,� his Master finished with a smirk, returning his attention to his kinswoman.

�I see,� she acknowledged with an amused chuckle. �A proposition beyond refusal, I suppose. Where then do you presently reside, Lord Armster?�

�A small village in north-eastern Gaul, where he decided to remain after he quit his mercenary work. I spend my days asleep in the cellar of his house and my nights helping him guard the village against bandits and wild animals.� The Nosferatu shrugged his slim shoulders elegantly. �Hardly the luxury I�m accustomed to, naturally, but this simple and peaceful life is a pleasant change�and he makes a fine Host�in many ways.� The cadence of that velvety baritone heavily laced the last words with innuendo, and Leon rolled his eyes at the fire in fond exasperation; Joachim was really going all out with their act. �In any case, anything is better than Walter�s literal and metaphorical prison.�

The blonde inclined her head agreeably, a twinkle to crimson eyes. �As long as it pleases you, Lord Armster. And I really must take my leave of you now.� She curtseyed gracefully. �Do make yourselves at home, and do not hesitate to ask the servants if you should ever need anything.�

Elune Lucienda left the room as Joachim bowed respectfully, and the silver-haired vampire drew the velvet curtain over the door before crossing the room to his Host who sat on the fur rug in front of the fireplace, leaning against the wall with one leg outstretched and the other drawn up to his chest. The hunter turned his face away from the blazing embers to look up at his best friend and confidant as the other dropped onto one knee before him to begin tugging his soft leather boots off with the barest hint of a smug smile on pale lips.

�Such a beautiful story you have fabricated there,� Leon remarked softly as a boot was pulled off, a trace of chiding sarcasm to his words.

His companion chuckled. �I could always run after her right now and tell her the full truth to ease your honest heart, human.� The other boot was gently removed.

�I do not suppose that would go over too well,� he conceded with a sigh as the other moved to take his own shoes off. He paused, unfastening the bejewelled brooch holding his cloak in place and removing the garment to reveal the simple but elegant thick dark blue woollen tunic he wore over soft black silk breeches. �This place reminds me a little of Chateau Belreves� Elisabetha�s father�s castle, a lovely and hospitable home,� he commented, looking around him again.

Joachim�s smile was brief and rueful. �Unlike Walter Bernhard, most people �even the Nosferatu� build their residences as homes and not labyrinthine playgrounds for twisted games.� He sighed. �I suppose I really should have known better right from the start��

Unsure of how to react, Leon fell silent for several moments. Reaching out tentatively at length, he placed a hand on the vampire�s shoulders and squeezed briefly in an attempt to be comforting. �Walter� That monster� He can�t hurt you anymore��

A cold hand took his warm one to press it to a pale cheek affectionately. �Thanks to you.� Another brief smile accompanied the words; the usually distant and dismal nightwalker�s smiles had gradually grown more frequent over the last decade.

�He must have done such terrible things to you�� he murmured gloomily.

His companion averted his eyes at that. �Nothing deserving mention now,� came the evasive reply.

The hunter said nothing as his friend leaned into his touch. Till this day, the only matter Joachim Armster had always adamantly refused to discuss was his history and life with Walter Bernhard. Even now, he could only wonder what untold horrors the redhead had committed that the younger Nosferatu couldn�t even bear to speak of, but he could certainly grasp the extent of the cruelty that must have transpired to have caused the other such deep psychological trauma. Just as he contemplated enquiring after the issue, a knock came at the door. Joachim began to rise, but Leon stopped him with a gentle tug.

�You are still cold, aren�t you?�

Bewildered blue-gray eyes blinked at him.
�That�s why you haven�t removed your coat,� he reasoned with a slight smile. �Stay by the fire. I�ll get it.�

Leon drew the curtain aside and opened the room door to a young girl with wavy coppery red hair in a knee-length plain peach-coloured dress decorated with frills, a hint of white lace at the edges and a white sash at the waist. She carried a wooden tray laden with an assortment of delicious-looking food, and the homey scent of freshly baked bread permeated the air. From her slightly rosy cheeks, she seemed human and, while not especially pretty, pleasant-looking. She smiled slightly, a dimple in her left cheek, and bowed carefully.

�Good evening, sir. Your dinner is served,� she announced politely. �My name is Amberle. I will be among the servants assigned to the rooms in this wing of the third floor throughout the Ball beginning tomorrow. Please feel free to alert me or my co-workers if you need anything, sir.�

�Thank you,� he replied, stepping aside. �Please set that down on the dresser for now.�

The serving girl did as she was told before turning to bow respectfully to Joachim who now sat staring off into space on the rug with his knees pulled up to his chest. �My co-workers will be arriving with warm water for your bath shortly,� she added, backing out the door. �Please enjoy your meal, sir.�

�Wait,� Leon said, piquing Joachim�s curiosity.

Amberle paused midstep. �Yes, sir? Is there anything else I can do for you?�

The blond hesitated. �Not exactly� Pardon my asking, but I do believe you are human as well..?�

She blinked. �Why, yes, sir. All of us are. Myself and my co-workers, that is.�

�And�you do not mind�that your�employer�is not?� he asked tentatively.

The girl�s green eyes seemed confused, and slid a glance at the silver-haired vampire by the fireplace who looked at them with mild curiosity. �This seems a rather strange question coming from you, sir,� she responded, perplexed. Abruptly, she seemed to understand. �Ah�well, maybe it�s a bit different when there is a relationship,� she said softly with a small embarrassed chuckle.

Leon blushed rather furiously at the implication in her words and looked away, clearing his throat uncomfortably. Of course, he knew that it was the norm in the society he was currently in, but he couldn�t help feeling terribly disturbed at being thought by everyone to be in an illicit sexual relationship and with his closest friend no less. It wasn�t that Joachim was unattractive; he had to admit that the vampire was indeed very beautiful by most standards, but Joachim was also very male, and he certainly did not feel that way about his extraordinary companion.

Sensing his discomfiture, Amberle hastily bowed and apologized for her boldness, hoping that she had not offended her employer�s guests. �Well, about your question, sir� The answer is no, not at all. The countess is a good lady of excellent temperament, only fearsome in rare moments of displeasure as all employers are. Indeed Sir Joshua, her assistant, advisor and companion is fiercer than she is; he is a strict but fair man, only ever showing gentleness to Lady Lucienda herself. The mistress has ruled this county for a great many years, and although many people spread unpleasant rumours about her because she never ages, saying that she has sold her soul to the devil and such, I have never known or heard of her causing any problems or suffering among us. Her rule is just, her taxes reasonable and her power a potent source of security,� she explained matter-of-factly.

�I see��

�Some of the lords from the nearby cities are far worse. They pillage the surrounding villages and enslave the common folk to fund their petty wars. They are despicable even among the descendants of darkness,� she added more quietly, clearly discontented. As if suddenly realizing that she had allowed her mouth to run away with her complaints, she quickly apologized again for saying far too much.

�Not at all; it�s alright,� Leon stopped her reassuringly, somewhat fascinated by what he had heard. �You may go now. Thank you.�

The servant bowed once more and left, shutting the door behind her as Leon gradually made his way over to the dresser, digesting her words. Sitting on the dresser stool, he picked up a warm bun, spotting a small dish of butter and another of some kind of fruit preserve beside the basket. Feeling famished out of the blue, he spread some of each on the soft bread roll with the steel butter knife and dug in. All of a sudden, a cold hand closed around his own, and Joachim leaned over his shoulder to take a bite out the bun he was eating. He stared up at the other as his hand was released, watching as the mouthful of bread was thoroughly chewed and swallowed. Sometimes it frightened him how at ease he could be around the silver-haired vampire; he had not even heard him coming. Still, Joachim was a friend, one he trusted with his life, perhaps even more so than his wife, since the Nosferatu had had every opportunity to kill him in the last ten years and hadn�t taken any.

�Your question is rather strange here,� Joachim remarked quietly, bringing him out of his reverie to give his companion a questioning look in his confusion. �I just remembered� Elune Lucienda is one of that rare breed that neither needs nor craves blood and can walk in the light of day like any human,� the other clarified. �That�s why the only rumours the people spread about her concern her eternal life and youth. It is the only characteristic in which she differs markedly from humans, aside from her powers.�

�I see��

�I was told when we were first introduced that it is said that only one person�s blood has ever directly passed her lips, and that is of her companion, Joshua. Of him, in fact, there are even more outrageous rumours, although these only circulate among the Nosferatu.� Blue-gray eyes met his clear aquamarines. �They say he is of the legendary Nephilim, half angel and half human.�

Leon�s eyes widened at that revelation. �She is with a holy being? That's��

�Actually, most of the Nephilim are far from holy,� Joachim interjected coolly. �Many of them are more terrible than even the worst of the Nosferatu.�

The former knight seemed disappointed at this, but made no comment in favour of asking another question. �The countess mentioned a council earlier. What is it that she speaks of?�

�We are, in general, a rather divided and individualistic race by nature,� the Nosferatu began to explain calmly. �However, even we sometimes need to come together as a single community to deal with certain matters that pertain to the race as a whole. It is at such times that a handful of the most powerful and wisest among us gather to form a council to discuss such matters. It is by no means a common occurrence, since we all usually prefer to stay out of the affairs of others.�

The blond nodded slowly in understanding before pointing something else out. �How strange that a dresser should have no mirror.�

Joachim hesitated, then said, �You might find one face-down in the drawer.�

He backed away slightly as the hunter pulled open the drawer by its ornate golden handle. There was indeed a wooden hand mirror lying face-down in it. Leon picked it up and looked it over. It was decorated with a few simple carvings. �How�inconvenient,� he murmured.

His companion moved purposefully to stand behind him, leaning down to press their cheeks together so the mirror reflected them both. �This is why.�

At least, it should have reflected them both.

He gasped in shock and opened his mouth to say something, but no words came. Closing his mouth, he tried again. �You� No�reflection�� he managed in a hoarse whisper.

The other�s smile was rueful as he stepped away. �It is taboo to display mirrors among the Nosferatu. It is like�throwing in our faces that we should not be here.�

�Joachim�� Leon tucked the mirror back into the drawer hastily. �I apologize.� He turned to close his fingers around the vampire�s elbow and pulled his closest friend back towards him. �Come here and eat some of this.�

The look in blue-gray eyes seemed almost�affectionate as the nightwalker ate the spoonful of beef stew held out to him. �That is what you think though, is it not?� The gaze grew sad. ��that we should not exist..?�

Leon tried to deny it, but his conscience sealed his lips when he sensed doubt in his own words. Even he wasn�t sure what he thought in that instant, and the relief that flooded his system upon hearing the knock on the door felt shameful. As Joachim went to open the door, he shifted his gaze to the meat and vegetables submerged in thick gravy, looking into the stew as if it held all the answers in the universe. He absently took a spoonful, lost in thought. Joachim Armster was his best friend now, his constant companion and confidant throughout the best and worst of the last ten years. He was almost certain he didn�t want to lose Joachim ever. Yet, if he were given the power to vanquish all of the Nosferatu at once, would the thought of just one silver-haired vampire stay his hand? Suddenly now, he wasn�t so sure.

He�d always thought of the Nosferatu as monsters, dark creatures whose very existence was against God and His natural order of things, but Joachim and what he�d seen so far were beginning to inject doubt into that perception of them. All of a sudden, they were people�much like humans aside from their superior abilities and different, rather Bohemian lifestyle. And if some of them could coexist peacefully with humans, then there was no necessity for him to interfere in matters best left alone. If he believed everything he�d witnessed thus far, then the Nosferatu had their fair share of good and evil individuals, at least in a relative manner of speaking.

Of course, those who walked in terror and malice would have to be hunted and dealt with, but for those who lived lives of peace, perhaps he should just leave well enough alone. Still, he had several more nights here to observe and perpend his perspective on the matter. He looked up to find his companion watching ten servants, mostly well-built young men, taking turns to empty the large buckets of steaming water they carried into the single huge stone tub in the bathroom. The scent of herbs, spices and flowers permeated the air as Joachim turned to look at him, expression unreadable.

�I do believe�� his old friend said slowly. ��that we are expected to bathe together.�

Leon felt the colour rising in his cheeks unbidden for reasons he couldn�t identify, and chided himself for the peculiar reaction. They were both men; it wasn�t a big deal. Still, he averted his eyes, unable to help his discomfiture. It must be the implications that everyone was making; their misguided view of the relationship between his silver-haired companion and him must be the root of these disturbing ideas he�d never thought of before. He shook his head slightly; he needed to stop thinking about such things.

A/N: Please do review and tell me what you think. Thank you for reading.
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Moonlight Flower