Prolog
Bara no Konrei ~ The Vampire's Prelude
C'est une imagination capricieuse comme la nuit. Elle est douce, la rencontre fatale
I watch you. You are sitting on a chair by the window, staring outside. Thunder and lightning break the silence of the night; as if night itself knew, that the time was near for my creator to pick up a new wife. It's like thunder was playing a prelude, as if lightning tried to imitate the human's celebrating fires.
I know your thoughts don't go with the weather. And yet I can guess, where your mind is wandering. Back to the past, when we used to be human. It seems you can not forget about it, maybe the girl reminds you of it. For my part, I haven't either, but I've sealed the memories deep within myself. I still have a task to fulfill, the duty I owe my master.
„Mana ...“ you speak in low voice, turning you head to me. „Why didnt' you let my take her?“
„I told you.“ I reply without emotion. „She's Lord Dracula's virgin bride.“
„And because he says, you'll play along?“
I notice your angry undertone. The same reproaches, again and again. It was you who once tried to save my life, in the end you lost me to the devil.
I raise from my own chair and put the bible aside. „Kouji, we talked about this so often. I do not treat you like my servant, nor do I intend to, although I'd be obliged to do so. That's why you're free. But I am not. The Lord's my creator, as long as he wishes for me to serve, I'll do.“
„As you served God, right?“ you ask, your voice getting bitter.
„I still serve God.“
„He bound you the cross.“
„Humans did.“
„He did not answer your prayers.“
„He did. Else I'be dead.“
„You are DEAD!“
I stare at you. Your chair has fallen as you got up suddenly. It's not surprising for me to hear you shout at me, it's always been like this when we discussed the very subject. And as every time before, once you've realised you had been shouting, you turn to me, embrace me and bury your face in my hair, that's neither pulled up in tail, nor hidden under a nun's robe. At times like this, I just let it fall as it does. You say you like it best this way.
I allow myself to be held by you, the only way of showing affection that's left for us. We used to be in love, but we lost the feeling. Memories are all we can cling to.
How ironic. You, the son of a noble family in town, I, a nun of the local church. Sad enough, that now I seem to be supposed to be a ceature of the devil's seed, although I've always been devoted to God, but believing the damend would allow us our love, while living among humans under God's rights did forbid the feelings we shared, was just as foolish. The demons didn't care, they took all emotions, so why should they bother? We don't even have a conscience.
You only wish you could have spared us from this. You don't regret, because you can't, but you cannot accept what has been done to us by my Lord Dracula, the one owns me rightfully for being my creator. And you? You were made by me.
I whisper to your ear, soothing.
„Kouji ... what can I do to ease your suffering?“
„You now it ...“ you say, your nimble fingers travelling up my back.
I close my eyes. We've done this so many times. The long dress falls off my shoulders, your cold hands touching my pale, bloodless body. All you do is touch and admire. You always tell me how beautiful I am. The only moments in which I see you in peace.
Your open your blouse, my eyes wander to your neck. I hardly leave the church, even less I leave this house. Chasing humans to satisfy my thirst has never been attracting to me, I only do if I cannot avoid drinking my blood directly from a human.
I peck your lips, the sign for you to get ready and I slide my lips down your chin to your neck. I set my long teeth in your dead skin, sucking the liquid of life from you. It makes you moan with pleasure. This is our privacy, our intimate time. And yet, it has nothing to do with love, it's simply necessary for me to be fed. Reason is a cruel companion, I sometimes even think it's wrong to judge your care with reason. Still, I cannot change it. I cannot even bring myself to appreciate your request, the only one you're asking of me. But I'm not yours, Kouji ...
After my lust for vampire's red whine is satisfied, you help me getting dressed again. The night is still howling for my master's sake, but soon sun will end the choirs of worshipping the count of darkness. For us, it means we've got to go to our coffins, at least I have to, if I want to rest some hours before I'll have to be back in the church again. Maybe the girl comes running to me again, seeking help from her nightmares. Poor girl, if she just knew, that even the sacred place is full of death and a hidehood for the monster that I am. Her faith is strong, but faith alone won't rescue her, now that she's chosen to be part of the foresaken. Not even the boy will achieve it to save her. It's nothing but my own painful experience.
