The Theater

Arriving at the theater, James again felt out of place. The suit he had was the nicest thing he brought with him, and yet, he still looked very underdressed. Walking up the front steps, he made his way over to the ticket stand and pulled out his badge.

“Good evening, my name is James Granton and I’m here on official business,” he said plainly, holding out the badge.

The ticket seller looked up from his record book, his small reading glasses sliding down his nose slightly as he narrowed his eyes at the badge. “I wasn’t informed of any inspection tonight.”

“Well yes—because I am here doing a private case. If you need confirmation, you can always call the Vampire Investigation Bureau and speak with Stanley Shepperd. He will vouch for me,” James continued before pocketing his badge again and crossing his arms.

The ticket seller’s eyes widened in recognition at the mention of Stanley’s name and he shook his head. “Just go on in, but I expect you to be civilized. The only drama tonight will be held on the stage, you understand me?”

James merely nodded at the man. “Of course, sir. The Bureau thanks you for your cooperation.” He smiled and bowed his head slightly before heading through the large front doors of The Blue Elephant playhouse.

Walking along the floor seats, he found an empty spot near the back. Taking the playbill from the seat, he sat down and relaxed back into the red velvet chair and idly read the pamphlet in his hands.

Shakespeare never sat well with James; he always thought his words were too tragic and dark in nature, but he felt his eyes be drawn to the stage as he watched the opening scene.

And that’s when his right ear began to ring again. James winced as he covered it with his hand again, and he allowed his eyes to be drawn up and to the left. That’s when he saw him.

His pure white figure with piercing red eyes; a seemingly permanent soft smile played on his features as he observed the play happening below. James’s jaw dropped slightly at the sight of this beautiful man and he felt his heart rate pick up. He has never seen anyone like him before, but his attention was pulled away by the man sitting next to him.

“Pardon me sir, but your nose appears to be bleeding-” he said with a rather concerned tone.

James brought his hand to his nose and gently pressed underneath it before pulling it away. His eyes widened when they made contact with the red liquid coating his hand and he quickly retrieved a handkerchief from his pocket.

“Oh, apologies, thank you for telling me,” he said before standing to head to the washroom.

However, he suddenly stopped and turned back to the man. “Who is that up in that box seat?” he asked, pointing up to the elegant Albino.

The man’s eyes drew up towards the box seat and he raised a brow. “That would be the fabrics dealer, Lord Edwin Lavant.”

The ringing in James’s right ear intensified and he couldn’t help a small wince as he nodded. “Thank you.”

“Sir- are you alright? Perhaps you should-”

The man stood and went to put a hand on James’s shoulder, but James flinched away, “No- no, I’m fine. I can handle this. You enjoy the show,” he said before quickly rushing off towards the washroom with the handkerchief pressed tight to his nose.

Bursting into the toilets, he made his way to the sink and began to clean his hands and face. James splashed the water over his face as he braced himself over the basin of water, watching the red disappear down the drain. His heartbeat continued loudly in his ears.

He shook his head vigorously and splashed one more handful of water on his face before grabbing one of the disposable towels and patting himself dry, forcing his breathing to become more steady and even.

James then stood there in the washroom, looking at himself in the mirror, very confused and unsure of what that just was. Nosebleeds were not uncommon for him, but they are never that bad. His only thought was that the vampire must be at the theater, and that Lord had something to do with it.

Patting his face dry once more, he disposed of the towel and left the washroom. Hewalked up the stairs towards the box seats before finding Edwin’s. His hand hovered over the doorknob for a moment as he contemplated doing this. He didn’t want to scare Edwin, but he needed answers.

Opening the door quietly, he slipped inside of the box and silently shut the door once again. But his presence did not go unnoticed. A figure next to Edwin immediately perked up and looked towards James.

“Pardon me sir, but what are you doing here?”

James watched as the servant stood and his eyes flashed in recognition back to the photo of the man holding the groceries. “Pardon my intrusion, but I have some question for Lord Lavant that I—”

“My Lord is not taking any company or questions right now, so if you don’t mi—” Jamie had cut off James only for himself to be intruded upon by Edwin’s gentle voice.

“Oh nonsense, Jamie. You know I always love answering questions,” he said before smoothly turning in his seat to look behind him to James. His eyes widened a bit seeing the man. “Well hello. Please, come join me up here. Jamie, would you mind getting us some champagne?”

Jamie growled slightly before nodding. “Of course, my Lord,” he strained before eyeing James down, like a wolf stalking its prey.

James cleared his throat nervously. He tore his eyes away from the man he learned is Jamie before walking towards Edwin and taking the seat next to him. “Thank you, but I really shouldn’t drink while I am on duty.”

“Oh nonsense, a little champagne won’t hurt,” Edwin ushered before turning to face James. “Although, what is your job with me and what is your name? If you don’t mind me asking the first questions.”

James couldn’t help but stare at Edwin. His eyes traveled over every inch of the man in front of him. From the curls and waves of his dress to the way his hair intertwined with itself. He observed how his lips moved and his neck stretched with his words. His eyes were drawn back to Edwin’s lips again and he watched as they kept forming a single word, until his ears finally caught up.

“Hello? Hello? Sir, are you alright?” Edwin asked with a soft giggle ringing out with his voice.

James’s cheeks only got redder from both embarrassment and attraction. “A-Apologies, what did you ask me?”

Edwin laughed again and shook his head as he took a glass of champagne offered by Jamie and took a sip. “I asked what your job is with me and for your name.”

James took the other glass and nodded. “Ah- right. My apologies. My name is James Granton. I’m with the Vampire Investigation Bureau.” He flashed his badge. “I am a vampire hunter.”

He watches as both Edwin and Jamie tense up and freeze for a moment, and he raises his brow slightly. His hopes rose slightly as he believed this was the correct lead.

“A vampire hunter…how exciting,” Edwin said, taking another sip of the alcohol in his hand. “And how did you make your way towards me?” He shifted a little in his seat and crossed his legs, doing his best to act calm and collected.

“I was told to come and find you here by some noblewomen. They explained to me that you always have your nose in news about the strange and unusual. They also made comments about your appearance,” he said, motioning to his dress. “I’ve never seen a man dress so confidently in a dress.”

Edwin hummed. “I see. People always have a lot to say about my appearance. It doesn’t ever get to me because I know it is only their own jealousy getting the better of them,” he noted with a grin.

James chuckled in a deep tone that made Edwin’s cheeks go a little red. “Good, you should never have to feel ashamed about who you are. You’re beautiful, and if that’s what makes you happy, then you have the right to pursue that.”

Edwin’s soft grin turned into a genuine and pretty smile. “You are absolutely right…” he said, placing his hand gently over James’s. They were the softest hands James had ever felt. “You know, for being a man of the church, your mind works in such a different way. I’m used to people like you accusing me of being a witch by now.”

At the mention of witches though, it was James’s turn to freeze up slightly. The necklace around his neck grew warm over his chest. He didn’t feel threatened, but he was reminded once again of his mother.

“Yes, well I choose to think in a different way. It helps me to get more answers if I am friendly. Not to say this is all an act, I truly believe what I said.” He took another sip of his champagne, shaking the feeling of Jamie’s eyes drilling into his back.

“Either way, it is working.” Edwin said with another small laugh. “So, on the topic of vampires, what questions do you have for me?” His eyes shifted to Jamie to reassure him that he knew what he was doing. But all he got back was a nervous look, so his eyes returned to James’s, and he felt himself getting lost in them for a moment.

“Yes, right. Have you heard or seen anything suspicious or related to a vampire recently? My bureau was informed of a possible infestation, a vampire pretending to be a noble,” he said, going back into business mode, but he couldn’t help but let his eyes travel back to Edwin’s neck, watching it bow and sway as Edwin swallowed some more of the alcoholic liquid.

“An infestation you say… phrasing it like that makes it sound like a bad thing.” Edwin’s cheeks went a little red again watching where James’s eyes shifted along his body, and he allowed his bodice to slide down to expose a little more of his pale chest.

“Well yes, having a vampire around means people’s lives are in danger. And it’s my job as a hunter to exterminate the beast and make sure fine people like you are kept safe.” James’s eyes shifted towards Edwin’s chest and he swallowed down any sort of feelings that were starting to bubble up.

“I see… seems a shame to me. Perhaps this vampire just wants a normal life,” he said as he let one of his sleeves start to slide off his shoulder.

James’s eyes immediately drawn to the pale shoulder. “Perhaps, but I have been trained to believe that sacrificing the one for the many is worth more in the end.”

Edwin sighed softly and looked out of his box over the balcony. “Unfortunately I don’t have any information on this. This is actually the first I am hearing of this rumor.”

James’s eyes were drawn back up to Edwin’s face and he felt a wave of disappointment wash over him. “I see.” He set his champagne down on a table next to him and stood.

Edwin felt the same disappointment seeing James prepared to leave. “I apologize for not being much help… But if I hear or see anything, I will be sure to send word your way,” he said as he readjusted and fixed his outfit to cover himself back up again.

“It’s alright, thank you for your help and for your time.” James bowed his head to Edwin, giving him the smallest smile before exiting the booth with a huff. “Another dead end…” he whispered to himself before heading home. However, his mind was plagued with thoughts of Edwin and his beauty.

Edwin let out another sigh as the door closed and he looked at Jamie. “Guess those rumors were right…”

Jamie growled at the door before looking back to Edwin. “I told you we should not have come tonight. The vampire hunter knows who you are and he was looking at you so intently. He had to have noticed something that incriminated you!”

Edwin shook his head. “Jamie, please, keep your voice down—he doesn’t suspect it’s me. If he did, he would not have questioned me here. I said I didn’t know anything and he left. I’m safe.”

“You don’t know that, Edwin,” Jamie growled out again.

“Yes I do,” Edwin stated plainly. “Now please… I would like to watch the rest of the show in peace.” He turned back to face the stage again.

Jamie could only sigh and close his mouth. His head craned to face the door and he refused to pull his eyes away even once, standing guard for Edwin while he watched the remainder of the show.