Chapter 24: The Healed

Bambang walked into the bar, and it seemed all eyes went to him. He scanned the room, seeing a bunch of vampires. Bambang smiled calmly, walking to the main table. There was a man there, also staring at him. Bambang knew almost all of these people. But this person, he knew very well. Well, not person, vampire.

Bambang grinned, waving at the vampire. Chaoxiang has been a vampire for two years. Bambang knew about him for a while now. His hit was large, since he was definitely hard to find. Yet here he was, standing right in front of Bambang, smiling at him with a toothy grin, his fangs sharp. He stared at Bambang, like he was food. Twelve thousand, that was his hit.

He's been on the run once the council found out about his crime. What was the crime? "What is a fine person like you doing here?" Chaoxiang asked happily. Bambang shrugged, but before he could say anything, he felt someone's hand on his shoulder. Bambang looked around, seeing Chan behind him, a clever smile on his face.

Oh. How was Bambang supposed to kill Chaoxiang if Chan was right there. Also, he doesn't exactly have tools. "Chaoxiang froze, looking up at Chan. "I- what are you doing here?" Chaoxiang asked hesitantly, stepping back. Bambang looked between the two. Did they know each other? Chan shrugged. "Came with a friend." Chan pushed Bambang forward, as if Bambang needed to introduce himself.

Bambang quietly nodded to Chaoxiang, before looking at Chan. "Go hang out with your friends, I'll be okay by myself." Bambang smiled, giving Chan a pleading look. Chan looked up at Chaoxiang, before leaning to whisper in Bambang's ear. If you're going to do it, then be careful. And don't do it in here." Chan whispered, before stepping back.

So Chan did know about him. No one knew about vampires unless they were in the council. And Bambang would recognise Chan if he's in the council. Just like how he recognised Wei. Unless.. "Fine, but be careful." Chan shrugged, nodding once to Chaoxiang, before walking away. Bambang watched him leave for a moment, before walking towards Chaoxiang. He sat at the long, wooden bar table.

The bar was since, with a red glow flooding from a single light hooked to the ceiling. In the back were many different vampires, some in small groups, and others in larger ones. It was amazing how many vampires he knew on hit lists were here. Even though Bambang had the urge to call all of his vampire hunter friends, he didn't. Chan trusted him to not tell anyone about this spot. He called it 'a safe place for many different vampires', and though Bambang didn't trust vampires, he wouldn't hurt them like that. Even if they broke a rule.

Chaoxiang, however, was another story.

Bambang smiled at the vampire, he combed a hand through his hair, before leaning his head on the same hand. He looked up at Chaoxiang. "Sorry about him." Bambang apologized, his legs kicking calmly as Chaoxiang shrugged. His cool expression was back on, the worry that Chan had given him must have subsided once Chan left. Chaoxiang shrugged. "It's fine. Chan's just kinda scary." Chaoxiang shrugged. Bambang looked up curiously. "Really? Scary? How?" Chaoxiang sighed, leaning on the table.

"He's very…. Intimidating. But also really nice. It just depends on where you stand. He must work with the council or something, but I don't know how." Chaoxiang sighed. Bambang turned to look at Chan, seeing him sitting in a seat next to some vampires, all of which he didn't recognise. Chan must not hang around casses, hm. "Why do you think he works in Beau Mort?" Bambang asked, but Chaoxiang sighed.

"Let's stop talking about him, Love. How about I get you something to drink." Chaoxiang smiled, turning around towards the bar. Bambang frowned but quickly hid it with a smile. "Of course." Bambang smiled. He wouldn't drink it, not without looking at the drink. He watched intensely as Chaoxiang made the drink, mixing and stirring the cocktail. "What's your name?" Chaoxiang asked, glancing at Bambang as he stirred the drink. Bambang smiled. "Xiaowang." Bambang lied. It was the name that he would usually tell vampires who he planned on killing. Just in case someone was nearby. "Xiaowang.." Chaoxiang repeated quietly. Bambang nodded.

He placed the drink on the table in front of Bambang. "Here you go, Xiaowang." Chaoxiang smiled, holding his own drink. Bambang looked down at the drink, swirling it around. Slowly, a soft white powder began to lift up into the blue drink. Bambang scoffs quietly. Watching the white powder. Bambang couldn't tell what exactly the powder was, but he knew what he did.

He holds the cup up, placing it on the shelf opposite of him. He looked up, seeing Chaoxiang take a sip of his drink. Bambang watched him quietly, seeing Chaoxiang drink it. Chaoxiang's drink had a red tint, and Bambang knew exactly what made his drink red. "I'm bored." Chaoxiang sighed, combing a hand through his hair before looking up at Bambang. "Would you like to take a walk with me?" Chaoxiang smiled charismatically. Bambang smiled back. "Of course."

Chaoxiang smiled, standing up and walking from behind the counter. Bambang stood up as well, brushing off his pants before looking towards Chaoxiang, before placing his arm out for Bambang to hold. Bambang wrapped his arm around Chaoxiang, looking over to see Chan looking at him worriedly.

Bambang smirked, twisting the silver ring on his finger.