Gelid
(Absolutely no way.)
Ana…
(Florence, I'm putting my foot down. Either you listen to me or you don't go.)
Daciana, you know that isn't fair!
(You are my sister! My responsibility! If something happens to you, it would fall upon me!)
You say that but it's supposed to be equal between us! We’re sisters, twins!
(Florence, I can't lose you! Not again! I-I don't know what I would do if you-)
Oh, Ana… Please don't get upset. I had no idea you felt this way still. What happened last time was an accident, you couldn't have foreseen that.
(Little Flower, I can't risk it. I'm nothing without you, don't you know that?)
Together then.
(Wha?)
Let's go together! You've been cooped up in this building for weeks now. I think we need a vacation.
(Ha-ha, where then?)
We should go to visit Dad.
(No ma'am, off the table. Try again.)
Finnnnee. Maybe somewhere like Peru? Oh, oh! Or someplace like South Africa!
(I thought you had business that needed to be taken care of. The whole reason for our argument?)
That’s old news now. I can do my work over the phone if I absolutely needed to, but I think a vacation is more important! C'mon Ana, please?
(Alright, alright! How about England? I hear the snow-covered mountains are lovely this time of year.)
Ooh, what a good idea! Shall we go by ship this time?
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The ship rocks and groans as the waves batter the sides. Jonathan curls into himself, his stomach turning more than the waves below. To his right, Mina rubs his shoulder soothingly and quietly coos at him. To the left Doctor Westenra and Sister Agatha sat together discussing a thick book that was opened in their conjoined laps. The sister had rid herself of the nun outfit for a simple button-down with brown slacks, showing off her lean figure. Mina still wore a dress, but Johnathan could see the imprint of her knives and other weapons in the dress's pockets. Swallowing heavily, he subtly moves away from Mina's calloused hands. Jonathan looked back at Dr. Westerna and had only glanced at the thick open book before the rocking of the boat forced him to tear his eyes away. "Do you need some water Johnny?" Mina asks sweetly.
Jonathan shakes his head. "I'm afraid that I can't hold anything down."
"That is natural especially in your condition," Doctor Westenra interjects. "You will experience nausea a little while yet."
Jonathan gives her a glare before the rocking of the ship makes him close his eyes again. "Can't you tell your friend to be more careful?"
Though Jonathan can't see it, he feels Doctor Westenra's gaze on him. "We need to move and move fast. Quincey is the fastest in these waters," The ship rocks dangerously to the left. "Regardless of his technique."
Jonathan scrambles to the edge of the ship and vomits, his whole body heaving with the motion. The salty sea air whips his face and Jonathan is forced to retreat back over the railing. "Y'all doin alright down there?" Jonathan glances up at the copper-skinned man at the helm of the ship.
Jonathan waves him off and covers his mouth before leaning over to vomit again. Quincey casts a worried look at the English man before beckoning Lucy over to the helm. Excusing herself, Lucy slips away to where her old friend stood poised as captain. While he stood majestic, Lucy knew Quincey like the back of her hand. The man was clearly worried from his fidgeting. "He's not going to make it like this Lucille." Quincey states plainly.
He flips the wheel of the ship, combating a large wave with sharp rocks hidden underneath it. Lucy leans against him to prevent herself from sliding down. "He'll have to. We need to get as far away from Dracula as possible."
The wind blows harshly against Lucy's face, once more showcasing the horrible scarring over her eye and cheek. The ship lurches dangerously and Quincey can see the bright red gemstone wrapped around her slender neck along with two small scars that never fully healed well. Quincey smacks his teeth and turns the wheel again. "He really did a number on ya, huh?"
Lucy looks down at Jonathan who was being fretted over by an overly concerned Mina. "I didn't make it this far being weak."
Quincey grabs her cold hand and presses it to his lips, his copper-colored skin like a beacon in the stormy weather. "It ain’t about ya bein weakly, it's about askin’ for help when ya need it. That is never a weakness, beautiful lady."
Lucy snorts and caresses his face, her eyes like jade and bright like the stars. "Why couldn't I have fallen in love with you Quin? Life would have been so much easier." The man ruefully smiles, drawing away from her touch, and continues to fight the waves, his heart just a little heavier.
✪✬✮✬✪
Quincey deserved better.
(For once we can agree, but the life of a vampire and those associated with them is full of sorrow and regrets.)
Don't we know? Hey look, the sun is rising.
(It's so lovely Florence. I forgot how beautiful England could be. Ever since…)
Ever since the incident. Yeah, I know Daciana, and I still believe it wasn't your fault.
…
No one could have seen how Reinfield was going to react. She was crazy.
(That wasn't her fault either. Life just handed her the bad cards.)
I get that, I really do but… she didn't have to go that far. If she had just listened to us….
(Enough. I don't wish to talk about her anymore.)
Ana…
(What's done is done. Let's just... enjoy this morning while it lasts, ok?)
…
Ok.
✪✬✮✬✪
Pain is what Jonathan awoke to. There was a sharp pain in his abdomen along with tightening of the skin. He opens his blue eyes to see his stomach distended and grotesque, bruising littered all around the surface. A tiny hand pushes from within and Jonathan can barely contain a scream of pain as it tries to scratch its way out. Rubbing the swollen skin, Jonathan pants as the skin contracts again. The pain revamps and this time he cannot hold back his screams. The door opens to the left and the sound of heavy footsteps fills the room. Jonathan gasps in pain and reaches out towards whoever had come in. "Please, help me..."
A low voice chuckles and grabs his clammy hand. "Of course my sweet bride," Jonathan looks up in horror at the smug face of Dracula.
The Devil himself stared back.
"Shall we begin, Jonathan?"