Vampire Study

-----Kaede's POV

With everyone asleep, it was now just Fleur and I left awake. Mell ended up passing out, so I gently laid her beside Sicily and Lillian. And looking over at Neri, I could easily just kill them right here and now, but I won't let my intrusive thoughts win and just let them sleep in peace as I go back to sitting at the table with Fleur.

Fleur: "Is this how you've been feeling all this time?"

Kaede: "Hmm?

Fleur: "You were so calm carrying Mell like that... She smelled-"

Kaede: "Yeah... I've gotten used to it by now."

Fleur: "H-how long did it take you?"

Kaede: "To be honest? I'm not sure if I really have."

Even sitting back here with Fleur, I can still smell everyone in the room, besides Neri which only adds even more mystery to these masked people. Maybe their cloak as some kind of repellant that blocks away one's scent? Maybe if I get in good with them, maybe I could get some of those cloaks for Mell and everyone else.

Kaede: "Even now, I'm fully aware of how delicious Mell and everyone is. But I've learnt to just tolerate it. Your hearts beating incredibly fast, right?"

Fleur: "Y-yeah..."

Kaede: "Mhmm. Sometimes I do get like that, but only when I'm desperate. Other than that, I guess I only had issues when I was little."

Fleur: "...And I had you stay in the guild of all places... I'm sorry."

Kaede: "It's fine-"

Fleur: "So that's why you always went out every chance you got."

Kaede: "Now you understand my pain, hehe."

Fleur: "I'm so sorry."

Kaede: "Hey. I'm the one that was seeing everyone as a meal. You were just trying to help me, which you did, and still doing even now. Thank you for protecting Mell and everyone."

I realized now that I never actually thanked Fleur personally for what she did. Even going so far as to actually die to save them... Sure I did turn her into a vampire, but honestly, I'm not sure if waking up and discovering you're a vampire is a blessing.

Fleur: "I guess I can also say thank you as well."

Kaede: "For throwing you into this kind of life?"

Fleur: "It's definitely unpleasant, but... At least I can see my sister again, and everyone else."

Her soft smile helped calm me down somewhat as I feel just a little bit better about ruining Fleur's life.

Kaede: "About Faye... I'm sure she knows this and most likely will commit herself to do it, but you will need to feast fairly regularly. Maybe even daily."

Fleur: "What?"

Kaede: "You forgot? Faye let herself get consumed by you. It was when you woke up, remember?"

Fleur: "Was that what I was doing?"

Kaede: "Mhmm."

Fleur: "I have to apologize to her..."

Kaede: "But you do need to feed. So if your sister is willing to do that for you, then-"

Fleur: "No."

I saw that one coming. It's the same reaction I had when Yui was pushing all of this onto herself, acting as my portable blood bag. I'm fine with it now, but yeah, if I can, I'd like to find another way to deal with it. That's why I ended filling the wine bottles with blood-

Kaede: "Oh!"

Now that we're on this topic, I reach into my bag before pulling out a wine bottle that's filled with blood that I collected back during our escape.

Fleur: "Is that?"

Kaede: "Blood. Yes. I got them from dead soldiers when we were escaping. Here."

I pass the bottle to Fleur as she slowly grabs hold of it, staring at the bottle in her hands for a few moments before slowly undoing the cork. Almost instantly, I could see her scarlet red eyes begin to widen as the smell of the blood now fills the room. I may be comfortable with dealing with humans around me, but exposed blood like this still gets my heart pumping, almost like some sort of drug. I can only imagine how bad Fleur must be feeling it right now.

Kaede: "Take it slow. Try and moderate yourself."

I say it just in case if Fleur does accept Faye giving her blood. If she pounces onto Faye as she is now, she'd likely kill her. So we'll start with this, in other words... Vampire training.

Fleur: "I-I don't think I-"

Kaede: "Relax, just try and breathe slowly."

I cover the opening of the bottle, trying to block out the scent of the blood in hopes to calm Fleur down. Following my words, Fleur proceeds to breathe, but it's still quite awkward since I can feel her heart beating way too fast for her to calm down quickly.

Kaede: "How about this."

I grab the bottle off of Fleur while she continues to try and calm herself down. I doubt she can moderate herself as she is, so maybe I'll just moderate how much she drinks myself.

I proceed to gently pour a bit of blood into my palm, making sure not to spill a single drop. I put the bottle down on the table before moving my palm towards Fleur.

Kaede: "Drink like this for now."

Fleur: "O...O-okay."

I hear her heat beat louder and louder as she slowly moves her head closer to my hand, until suddenly, she closed the rest of the distance as she immediately began drinking. It only took a mater of seconds for the blood in my palm to disappear. Yeah, this was the best option. If I gave her the whole bottle, I can only imagine her downing the entire thing with no reservation.

Suddenly, I feel a stabbing pain in my palm. It wasn't that unpleasant, but I quickly realize what just happened, and with the sound of gulping coming from Fleur, it only confirms it.

Kaede: "Hey, it's quite rude to bite without consent."

I gently bonk Fleur over the top of her head, causing her to regain her consciousness and pulling away from my hand.

Fleur: "S-sorry!"

It was then that I noticed that Fleur does in fact have fangs, similar to mine. Yui doesn't have them so this came as quite a surprise. I heal my palm regardless while smiling towards Fleur.

Kaede: "It's fine. I more or less knew this was going to happen."

Fleur: "I-"

Kaede: "So? How did I taste?"

Fleur: "Huh? Erm... It was nice... It was calming. But I didn't realize how much of a difference it was from the blood in the bottle..."

Kaede: "Same as me then. Human blood is quite potent for me too. Luckily Faye is demi-human, so you might not have as much of a problem."

Fleur: "...I'd like to avoid hurting sis."

Kaede: "I think It's worth talking to her about it though. I mean, Yui and I was the same. It took me a while to fully accept it, but now she helps me whenever I need blood."

Fleur: "I see..."

.....

We ended up staying up all night just like I thought as the morning light broke through the window. Even though I gave Fleur blood from both the bottle and my hand, I can still tell she's quite uncomfortable being around everyone like this. It might be sad, but I think this could be a whole lot worse if we were to stay with everyone else. I think with this many people, Fleur might be able to manage.

Neri: "Hmm? I'm not dead after all."

Kaede: "What do you think of us as, monsters?"

Neri: "Yes, exactly that, haha."

It's reassuring knowing that this person is capable of laughing. And with our brief exchange, Mell, Sicily and Lillian all woke up as well.

Neri: "Everyone up. We need to leave. Don't want to lose daylight."

Unlike Neri, who quickly got up, the other three sluggishly crawled out of bed, as if they just wanted to stay in longer. But after rubbing her eyes, Mell notices me as she immediately comes up beside Fleur and I. I notice Fleur panic a little as Mell came closer, but I pay it no mind, she'll hopefully get used to it. And if not, I'm here if anything bad does happen. I'm honestly a little jealous of Fleur as I had no guidance when I had to deal with all of this, but I'll try and help her as much as I can.

Kaede: "Sleep well?"

Mell: "Mhmm."

Sicily: "Maybe coz you didn't need to sleep with these stupid collars..."

Lillian: "Pfft."

Seems like the same can't be said for Sicily as she attempts to pull the collar away from her neck. Red mark could be seen on her neck where the metal has dug into her skin.

Kaede: "How long do you think we'll be stuck with these collars?"

Neri: "For you, might not be too long. Same for you two elves. But as for you, it might be a while."

Fleur: "...I understand."

Kaede: "Well I don't accept. Free me only if you free Fleur as well."

Sicily: "I don't share that same sentiment."

Neri: "Well it's not like your supervision will end when the collars are off. It's mainly just for everyone's safety. That's all it is."

This makes it sound like this Neri person will be stuck as our supervisor for a long time. Are they going to supervise us for the entire time that we're in Yarene?

Soon, we make it outside as we arrive back at the caravans. I was worried about Yui, but it seems like she's fine as she waves out at us with Natalie by her side. I do notice a bandage around Natalie's hand, which makes me think that Natalie did end up giving her blood in the end. Thank you, Natalie...