Vampire Nightlife

Did you need to know everything about someone?

Did you need to know about their past? Their achievements, failures and secrets?

Lukas knew that it was impossible to truly know someone.

Each and every moment, the person you knew might show a side that you've never known before.

And yet it was so easy to like someone.

Lukas only read the back of the Vampire Nightlife VR Game before he realized that he wanted to meet Lily, Chaerin and Serena and interact with them.

Maybe that was not the best example that he could think about now, but it didn't change the fact that while Lukas thought it was okay not to know too much about a person–it also meant that you were supposed to have a genuine interest in getting to know them.

Each relationship you had with someone was a chance for discovery.

It was discovering that Stacy got along well with her brother or that Lily was someone who cherished her family but would put her foot down if they were not giving her partner the benefit of the doubt.

Those things that you learned about someone you knew–they were important in their own way.

And yet maybe there were also some things that the other person wished to keep away from you. Privacy and perhaps not being completely ready to open up about everything.

Lukas stared at Chaerin's back as she walked in front with Junia.

The two cousins were not exactly having the most amicable conversations, but Chaerin tried.

'Did… did Chaerin ever tell me about her parents? It was mostly other people bringing it up and bringing her grief about it.' Lukas thought to himself.

He didn't have anyone to talk to.

Theodore, Stacy and Alexei were not with them–having chosen to focus on getting the van refueled and gathering more supplies for the road.

Maybe it was also the fact that Theodore didn't want to keep the two out of his sight.

Lukas had a feeling that things might escalate. Old movies never really recommended for groups to split up, but reality was different from fiction… this was efficient.

"Ahhh, there's so many people in this place. That entire building is filled with so many Vampires, and do you know how many of them are dreaming right now?" Rhea flickered into appearance, pointing at a condominium that stretched high and nearly touched the dome above them.

'How long have you been going around and doing your own business?' Lukas asked.

"I've been here and there. Tasting some napper's dreams." Rhea shrugged in the air and then eyed him back. "I'm not necessarily tied to your hip am I?"

'No, of course not.' Lukas valued his independence a lot and knew she did the same. 'But what do you think of trying to find the Aurelius House, or generally spying and gathering valuable intel for me?'

"That sounds like a lot of unnecessary work."

'For someone who's spent who knows how long trapped in that crystal, you're surprisingly lazy.' Lukas rolled his eyes. 'I figured you'd be more enthusiastic about being free.'

"And I am–tasting dreams! They're all so varied, and honestly more exciting than yours. Sometimes a Dream Eater just got to snack on some Vampire's wet dream rather than training with you."

Lukas wanted to try ordering her around–he had a connection with Drusilla of the Sanguise House. Someone who said that their noble bloodline was more related to controlling other beings, but there were two problems.

First, Lukas did not have the proper training.

Second, Lukas would rather have a far more cooperative relationship.

"What am I supposed to get if I do your work for you, anyway?" Rhea asked.

'... what are your thoughts on receiving some more of my blood?' Lukas offered.

It was something he said on a whim, a Dream Eater fed on more subtle substances, but he had some of his blood with her.

Rhea paused mid-air and stared at Lukas uncomprehendingly, before she hesitated.

"I suppose that isn't entirely unpleasant of a trade."

Lukas blinked, and then tried not to think too much about it. But did he just change the very essence of Rhea by giving her some of his blood?

The answer was a likely yes and he didn't know how to feel about it.

"I will come back later and find you again then." Rhea seriously said before she zipped away, vanishing before his eyes.

Lukas sighed and then continued walking after Chaerin and Junia.

"It seems like you're starting to follow in my tracks," Drusilla said.

'Is… is this really something that's supposed to happen?' Lukas frowned.

"In the past, there have been several incidents like this." Drusilla answered. "It is not only purer blood Vampires giving their blood to those ranked below them, but even… even those lesser kinds."

'You mean humans?' Lukas asked.

"Yes, I believe that we've had blood servants made with giving them some of our blood. It's a nasty affair sometimes because these folks are incapable of truly ingesting powerful substances and thus undergo through chances beyond their capacity."

"What?" This was the first time that Lukas was hearing of this.

"Oh yes, they become more like feral and mindless beasts that seek and thirst for blood. We've experimented on it in the past, trying to find a useful way to eliminate humans without spending too much resources."

'Well, you're talking about humans–Rhea's a Dream Eater, she probably will acclimate to it better.' Lukas hoped that was the case, otherwise he didn't know what kind of nightmare fuel he'd create by mixing his blood with a spirit's.

"... If I am to be truly honest, your case always baffles me. Not entirely Vampire, I can say that much and you've admitted it yourself. But even I had difficulty thinking of controlling someone whose substance is not similar to blood… the Dryad is a good example."

'Oh.' Lukas said, once again knowing that the System–or whoever actually placed him in this position had more answers than he could ever give.

Unfortunately for him, they've also arrived.

"We're here." Junia said.