Crimson and Furs

Reprehended

Rodolfo Manor

The manor was dark and creepy, all the lamps within it turned off. The tall trees seemed to be painted in grotesque shades of grey, their shades extending like arms to the surrounding. Bats could be seen around the manor, proactive in the darkness. Some of them were flying about while some were hanging upside down on trees, observing the surrounding silently. Occasionally one would see shadows flash past the darkest parts of the manor, disappearing as if they never appeared. Moreover there were strange sounds coming from all parts of the manor. Sometimes one would hear the sound of people screaming, a monster growling or howling, an owl hooting and a ghost shrieking. It gave one the creeps.

This was the Rodolfo Manor where all members of the Rodolfo family resided. The Rodolfo family wasn't a big extended family with its very sparse family members which could be counted with both of your hands so it was normal all of them lived together in this manor without feeling clogged up or something.

The manor building stood deep in the manor, overlooking the lawns, gardens and swimming. It was made of red bricks but due to the eerieness of the surrounding it seemed to be also covered in a thin fog which gave the manor building an undescribable sense of creepiness. It was as if one was staring at a haunted house.

Orpheus approached the manor silently under the darkness, his eyes darting here and there as he moved. He was trying as much as possible to avoid the security guards stationed within the manor. He had always secretly left the manor and returned without anyone noticing and preferred it remained that way. He didn't want the guards to catch him and then send him to his father, Viscount Luther for questioning.

He entered into the manor, running along a lawn as quickly as he could to hide behind a tree. Although the guards were all just Vampires like him, he didn't dare to be careless. These guards were way more experienced than him and it wouldn't take them a long period of time to notice him. Like he always did in the night, he took out a bottle from his pocket and opened it. This bottle contained a potion which could hide the scent of someone, enabling the person to escape the strong smelling abilities of Vampires.

"After today I won't dare to step my leg out of the manor again," he told himself as he smeared the potion on himself. A blue gas was emitted from the potion, bearing a sweet fragrance which drilled into his nostrils. Due to his high sense of smell this made his nose to itch and he almost sneezed. Thankfully he covered his nose and mouth in time as he surveyed his surrounding.

Two Vampire guards were walking in his direction, both of them dressed in black leather trenchcoats and a pair of trousers and combat boots. They had red hats propped up against their heads, their red eyes glowing in the darkness. Revolvers were strapped to their sides, ready to be used anytime.

Orpheus recognized the two Vampire guards. They were Vlad and Diego. He could see there appearances from the darkness. Vlad had a long face while Diego had a round fade. As for the eyes and hair colour, a great population of Crimsones were known for having red hairs an eyes. Crimsones had two colours of hair an eyes only and they were black and red. No Crimsone would have another hair or eye colour apart from these.

"The night seems cold today," Vlad complains as he rubbed his hands. "I can't seem to survive this cold. It's seeping into my veins and bones."

Diego stared at him for some moments before saying, "You always complain like those weak humans. You're superior to them in terms of physical condition so the cold shouldn't be anything."

"Oh," Vlad seemed to realize something. "I forgot I'm a Crimsone."

Diego couldn't help but shoot him a scowl as he said, "Don't me that mingling with those bunch of homo sapiens has affected your thinking ability."

Vlad chuckled deeply beside raising his right hand to press his hat. He then said, "Just like humans would say, evil communication corrupts good manners."

"You should as well tell the Viscount to purge out the Crimsone essence from you," Diego scoffed. "That way you'd truly become the human you wish."

Vlad suddenly had an enlightened look as he asked, "Huh? That can be done?"

"You're so ignorant and dumb," Diego couldn't help but laugh.

Orpheus who was till hiding behind the tree couldn't help but pay attention to their conversation. One can purge out tbe Crimsone essence in him and become a normal human? How was that even possible?

"When one becomes a Viscount you'd possess magic based powers but that would be limited to creating potions," Diego explained, showing off his knowledge to his ignorant companion. Next time when I'm reading books you'd read with me, he scoffed inwardly.

"So Viscounts can create potions like that," Vlad said thoughtfully. Wouldn't it be nice becoming a normal human being? I don't have to fear the sun and drink that bitter potion to be able to survive it. I don't have to be bloodthirsty and yearn for blood after some time. I want to be normal.

"Don't tell me those bitches you wick every weekend has gotten into your head," Diego said with a frown. "You're not considering becoming a human, are you?"

Hearing this, Vlad had a look of shock on his face. How did Diego know he had been sleeping with women every weekend? It was supposed to be a secret!

He coughed as his cheeks turned purple with embarrassment, "How did you know?"

"Take me as your personal body guard," Diego chuckled.

"You!" Vlad yelled. Noticing that his voice was loud, he suppressed it into a whisper, "So you've been tailing me all this while."

"Why not?" Diego said. "You don't expect me to laze about when you're gone."

"You're so unbelievable," Vlad shook his head.

Seeing that they were beginning to talk nonsense, Orpheus calmly made his way towards the manor building. He used the trees around to conceal himself so that the guards wouldn't be able to see him. He soon neared the manor building and stopped beside the wall of his room. Looking around again he immediately dived through the open window into his room, landing on the ground silently before rolling to his feet.

Pheeew, Orpheus heaved a sigh of relief. Mission complete. He wanted to do some somersaults but thought against it. That was unbecoming of a Crimsone noble child like him. He had to maintain absolute etiquette.

He looked around his large room and saw that it was as he had left it. The large bed was still standing in the middle of the room, the red framed mirror was beside the bed and a red wooden wardrobe was standing across the other end of the room. There was a red study desk and chair standing near the wall at the other end, facing the window. The chandeliers hung up from the ceiling added a grandeur to the room but the bulbs were off, making the room to be utterly dark.

"Still as everything was," Orpheus said as he walked towards his bed, removing his flip-flops.

"And where do you think you're coming from?" a deep voice said from behind him, making him to shiver in fear.

Orpheus slowly turned around, his pupils shrinking as he knew who the person was. How was his secret uncovered?

A figure soon outlined itself in front of Orpheus, causing him to be more afraid. It was an elderly man who looked the same as Orpheus except that he had a more proud and arrogant bearing, as if everything was below him. He was dressed in a red pyjamas, his red long hair tied into a ponytail. Several rings made of precious stones adorned his left finger, giving it a sense of extravagance. This was Orpheus' father, Viscount Luther.

"Dad?" Orpheus was very shocked. How does he know I've been going out?

"To think that you think I wouldn't see through your very secret makes me feel at loss what to call you," Viscount Luther said. "A fool? Or a naive kid?"

Orpheus opened his mouth to talk but no word came out. So he chose to keep quiet.

"So where have you been?" Viscount Luther asked. "Where have you been going outside the manor every night when you should be in bed?"

"Crimsones don't sleep at night," Orpheus said as he narrowed his eyebrows.

"That statement is incorrect," Viscount Luther said. "Crimsones don't need sleep at night. Some Crimsones actually sleep to feel what humans feel and we're among those Crimsones."

Dad, why do I have this feeling that you have the same weird thoughts as Vlad? Orpheus thought. Don't tell me you want to be a human being like him?

Luckily for him Viscount Luther couldn't read minds and continued with his question, "So where have you been?"

"Taking a stroll around streets," Orpheus said. "Staying in the manor all day makes me sick."

"I remember you go to school every day," Viscount Luther was very much good at being sarcastic.

"Dad," Orpheus said. "That's not what I meant!"

Viscount Luther stared at him, his beautifully cut face having a hint of affection. Although Viscount Luther looked like a man who had just turned 50 or 60, he was way older than that. He was one hundred and five years old!

"I saw the news about people being killed every night," Viscount Luther said as he folded his hands behind his back.

"..."

Orpheus was momentarily speechless. It had already been broadcasted?

"The people are suspected of being attacked by some humanoid monster," Viscount Luther said. "People are asked to stay indoors from now henceforth. Tell me this had nothing to do with you."

He gave Orpheus a cold look, creeping him out. He then continued, "The cops have begun searching for the perpetrator who I know to be a Crimsone. A Vampire to be precise."

Orpheus couldn't hide the truth anymore as he blurted out, "Those people were criminals. They deserved to die as they had all killed other people."

"So what? What's your business with that?" Viscount Luther asked. "That's a problem for the cops and not you."

"Why?!" Orpheus asked angrily. "Why isn't it my business?"

Viscount Luther glared at him as he said, "Because you're a Crimsone noble! A Crimsone noble!"

"So that's it," Orpheus was becoming angry. He felt that the reason his father never allowed him to go out was because he needed to be protected. As the youngest member of the Rodolfo family everyone felt that he was naive and needed protection.

To hell with their protection! he thought as he continued, "I'm not a naive and powerless Vampire."

"Tell that to the Wolfman who spared you life tonight," Viscount Luther said, watching Orpheus' expression turn into an extremely shocked one.

"So you've been following me," Orpheus muttered.

"I don't need to follow you," Viscount Luther said. "As long as you have items on you I can see all what is happening to you."

So that's how it is, Orpheus was enlightened. He soon felt the need to get rid of all his father's magical items on him since he felt they were for the sole purpose of spying.

"You're so foolish and naive," Viscount Luther said. "Now those cops will have an inkling to what actually happened and seek the help of other Cursed. When that time comes, a Wizard or Witch would definitely track you for them. Congratulations, you're so smart."

"..."

So that's it, Orpheus didn't no whether he should continue being angry with his father. He deserved to be reprehended because he had behaved stupid.

"In no time the cops would know it's you," Viscount Luther said before pausing, making Orpheus shiver. He then said, "We're leaving this city next month to avoid suspicions."

Hearing this, Orpheus' heart sank. This was all his fault.