"She is an innocent victim that you
needlessly pulled into our troubles. If I could spare her of ever coming across us, I would—but now she's involved, at least while we stay in this motel. I hope that we leave her and others like her better than we found
them when all is said and done. That is all."
Vladira's claws slowly receded and she nodded her understanding. "Very well. I will make sure not to abuse her—so long as you keep your distance."
"I already said I would." Alaric eyed her crossly. "Honestly, Fiend, what is with this disturbing pattern of clingy behavior?"
Vladira grinned at him with the eyes of a predator. "Maybe I consider myself lucky—magically bound to a strapping warrior in another time, far from any other responsibilities or distractions. It sounds like the premise to an epic love story. Perhaps an unlikely romance will bloom between us,
Darling—what do you think?"
"I'd sooner gouge out my own eyes and eat my tongue than couple with the likes of you," he spat.
"Oh, really?" she teased. " I doubt you find me half as revolting as you say you do. I saw the look on your face and heard the thudding of your heart when I gave you a peek of my…assets."
Alaric decided it was high time to change the subject. "Which way is the nearest place where we can buy new clothing, anyway?"
Vladira gestured to the east, behind the motel. "Just over there, there's a large structure called a department store. This one is an establishment called W-Mart, wherein we can buy all manner of goods, from clothing, to tools, to food and drink. That is our destination."
"Lead the way, Fiend," he said nonchalantly, bowing in mockery, but Vladira apparently chose to take it for a chivalrous gesture.
"Why thank you, Darling," she cooed back and winked at him. "I was thinking—we should probably pose as a couple. For practical reasons, yes?"
"How do you figure?" Alaric asked, jerking his hand away when she tried to reach for it.
She shrugged. "I imagine we will be viewed with less suspicion, and neither of us will attract unwelcome or distracting attention. You wouldn't want me being courted by some random mortal, would you?"
"Why would I care about such a thing? I would only pity the man and pray that his oncoming end came quickly and without pain," Alaric said.
That was his official answer, but even as he spoke it, a rumbling in his gut told him his feelings on the subject were slightly more nuanced.
She was beautiful—and the idea of another man having access to that beauty on an intimate level…of her calling another man 'Darling' in that tone she reserved for him?
Something about it irked him. He shook his headviolently and shuddered as if casting off a sudden spell of nausea, but the wretched feelings didn't leave.
"What was that?" Vladira chuckled. "Aside from being a rather amusing outburst, I mean."
"Nothing. Perhaps I'm still adapting to this place," he said, though he knew his lie was obvious. Vladira smirked at him impishly and grabbed his hand again.
This time he didn't dodge—but he did scowl.
"I shall consent to your game if it makes you easier to deal with."
"Oh, Laric, Darling," she whispered in his ear breathily, "I think you'll find me very easy."
At that moment, Alaric's heroic member began to flop sporadically in his pants like a wounded beast clinging to life.
He feigned indifference, but feared the worst—feared that the Countess could smell his attraction, or sense the soft rustle of fabric from his expanding endowment.
"You're walking rather funny all of a sudden," Vladira noted with a smirk. "I haven't known you to be one for random cramps."
"Perhaps the portal has had an unwelcome effect on my mortal body," he muttered sheepishly. "No matter. Focus on the task at hand."
They arrived at W-Mart within five minutes, marveling at the sheer number of cars and empty spots for them in the parking lot.
"Civilization has come far in a short time," Vladira commented, squeezing Alaric's
hand and leaning against his shoulder.
"Humans really can be rather intriguing."
"You were human once," Alaric noted.
"Indeed I was—but I like to think I'm much more intriguing as a vampire. Don't you think so?" she asked, stealing some eye contact away from him to flutter her lashes wickedly.
Alaric smirked. "That is one way to describe it."
They got many strange looks as they entered the store—but not half as many as they expected. As they looked around, it gradually became clear why.
People in all states of undress could be found here—and with clothes far more bizarre than their own. One man walked around in denim pants that hung low on his hips, displaying a thong that flossed between his hairy buttcheeks.
Additionally, he wore something called a crop top which exposed his belly, and his hair was done up with wax in comically
exaggerated spikes.
One woman, who could only be described as dangerously corpulent, wore an outfit that was…distressingly similar to the man's.
Another woman, this one bone-thin, appeared to be under the influence of some foreign substance, with dilated pupils, wild twitches, and tics. She couldn't stop
scratching herself.
"The people of this W-Mart appear to be affected by some strange curse," Alaric whispered incredulously.
"I don't sense any black magic at play," Vladira noted as she nuzzled against his naked shoulder.
Even though she said this, Alaric noted that she didn't sound entirely convinced by her own words. "I get the feeling that this place is merely a beacon to whatever foul corruption has claimed these people's souls."
He nodded darkly. "Perhaps you are right. Let us acquire what we need and be on our way."
"Agreed," the Countess said, her eyebrow arching as a man dressed like a scabby freebooter limped toward the cereal aisle.
But then she brightened and bit her lip when she stared up at Alaric's face. "Well, Darling, are you ready to go shopping with me?"
Alaric growled and creased his brow. "I will endure what I must."