Chapter 11 Weekend In Prigoria

It's Saturday in the Constantine manor and I'm in the dining room, being served like royalty yet again and getting myself prepared physically and mentally for what's to come for today, the usual and typical 'activity' that the Countess as set for us, me and Dmitri to undergo rigorous, curse-breaking and life threatening series of hustle and bustle for us to do.

Sadly enough, it's been a few days and nothing happened thus far but that didn't stop everyone from achieving that goal and I for one felt the sore and back-aching momentum we've been under forthcoming everyday. But, somehow today feels different and that feeling starts here in the dining room.

For some reason and in all punctuality, the only ones here in the dining hall are me, Dmitri and Lannister, taking our precious time eating our food while Eleanore out of all people is not here and must be joining us for breakfast. I've been here for days now to find and observe some quirks of everyone, including the hot-headed and always loud Eleanore.

She's not here, in her seat, even though her food is getting cold and for a fact Sebastian already replaced her plate thrice, meaning three times. Her fourth one is going to get cold and almost everyone will finish their food by the time she shows up. I look at Dmitri and I feel as though he knew something about it. I gave him a worried gaze, glancing at him and the empty Eleanore reserved seat, he got my drift and swallowed what he's chewing.

"If you're worried about my older sibling, she might be doing something important by the hour right now, hence why Eleanore is not here with us right now" Dmitri said, resuming on eating his food.

"Okay, it might so happen you know why or what she's busying herself with by any chance?" I asked him.

He grumbles at my response and replied, "Theodore, if I know what my sibling is doing, I already told you I know but if I know I wouldn't be telling you anyway but in all simpleton, I don't really recall or know of what she's been doing at this time of hour"

After his response, I glance at Lannister, hoping he might know the whereabouts of the Countess. But as I look at him, he only gave me a flirtatious wink and said;

"If you want to know the answer to your dilemma, then I would oblige and tell you but you should have something for me in return ... If you know what I mean" Lannister said, rather provocatively.

Dmitri stops what he's doing and aggressively narrows his eyes at Lannister, who kind of cowers at his glare. He clears his throat, holding his spoon up to almost at his lips and implied;

"I don't recall anything Eleanore-related at this time Theodore, so care to enjoy your human food and best not to give attention or interest to our older sister and her whatabouts and whereabouts ... It's better this way, she's not present here because after this, you know what will happen and I have to confess, I HATE using my other lesser hex by force ... It disgusts me" Lannister said and pushed the spoon in his mouth.

He continues eating again and leaving me confused and wanting answers. After a few more minutes, we finished our food and breakfast time was over. All of us three proceed to the usual garden, where all dangerous practices and life threatening activities emerge. And for that, she's not here with us, so we have to wait for her presence.

The three of us waited for a few minutes, then the hour came along and a few more hours of morning time had passed and still no sign of Eleanore anywhere. While we wait, a loud echoing sound resonates from the direction where the forest of Pin Mare resides. I glance at a bored Dmitri and asked;

"Did you hear that? What was that noise just now?" I said.

Dmitri overheard me and said, "It's probably some pesky humans trespassing the forest of Pin Mare again, I will check on it later so for now Theodore, you should assess your focus on the task at hand which is to wait for Eleanore rather than give attention and energy on a mistily little noise"

From what I heard that sound is not little, it's rather loud and echoed throughout the place. I just waited like the rest of the time for about an hour more then hours past came but she hasn't come yet. Lannister looking frustrated had enough and grunts, standing in front of us and going to address something.

"Alright, as everyone can see, our esteemed Countess is not here with us and I concur everyone's thoughts as same as mine and I've made a unilateral decision, as the second sibling of the family, I hereby declare that this joint activity is to be disbanded for the day and will resume tomorrow if and when Eleanore comes to terms and show her presence with us if so ever she choose to because unlike you two, I'm frustrated of waiting for hours in the gardens" Lannister declared.

Dmitri somehow nods in response, for the first time he agreed to his older brother, saying, "I have to say, for the first time I agree with you on the disbandment and finally so you used your encephalon to good use this time without causing verbal harm or any offensive remark to me whatsoever, I'm impressed" He said.

Lannister smiled and replied, "I just needed to address the right thing and this is the right approach to it, you're completely welcome brother, although your vigorous comment is somewhat offensive to my liking but I'll gladly take it anyways, as part of our reconnection that I solely promise to commit, benefiting our bond as compensation for my apology the other day being accepted" He said.

Dmitri shrugs and replies, "Sure, whatever you fancy telling yourself" He then leaves the gardens heading inside, he ushers me to follow him.

I said goodbye to Lannister as I caught up with Dmitri inside. At the Grand Kitchen, we're preparing ourselves some proper sandwiches that somehow Dmitri finds mine more scrumptious looking than his, the same two bread and one tomato slice combo he made this time his creation of a sandwich. I haven't seen Sebastian too this time around.

"I haven't seen Sebastian all this time too, what do you think is going on?" I said.

"By the looks of it, I know for a fact that he and Eleanore might be discussing private matters in the study if I'm correct, hence why he's not here with us, but I couldn't care less if there are not here, it only gives us more freedom to do whatever we desire to do" He said, glancing at my sandwich, copying it's look.

Since we're dismissed for today, Dmitri and I decided to hangout at the tower again to pass the time. We are discussing some things like how the Statue of Pyramid was constructed with the help of the first Vampirs and why Amelia Earhart disappeared. Much such information I needed to know. I grabbed some sodas which I hope Sebastian won't mind and Dmitri continued to prepare more sandwiches for us.

"Theodore, since you're done making some of the food for us, you can go on ahead first and wait for me at the door by the second floor, so we won't get any trouble hoarding food without supervision, I'll take care of this myself" Dmitri said, gesturing me to out of the room.

I shouted okay back and walked up the stairs heading to the second floor door he'd mentioned. Good thing too since we're leaving no traces behind of not taking food from the kitchen. I wonder how Dmitri will bring those up the tower without coming through here, how strange that is. As I headed up stairs, the loud noise erupted again, echoing to the walls of the foyer. It's the loud same sound I heard at the gardens, it's muffled yet rings vibration, like a guitar of some sorts, but I'm not sure.

I made it to the second floor where the flight of stairs is a chore to climb and while I walked by myself in the hall, I saw Eleanore come out of a nearby room, grunting at herself and rubbing her head, looking awfully stressed. I approached her and gave a greeting.

"Hey Eleanore, Good Morning!" I said.

My greeting somehow made her uneasy and surprised by my voice. She looked at me more displeased than before and said, "You surprised me! Ugh, why must you Theodore have a loud and deafening voice coming out of your puny mouth, why must you humans bother me at a very crucial and painful moment, clearly you're seeing me very stressed right now" She said.

I just 'Hello' and my voice is already deafening? Confused, I was about to respond when that loud noise resonated again, this time I can hear it louder than before and clearer, it's an electric guitar sound. The loud sound made Eleanore cry in discomfort. disliking the echoing sound from afar. He looks at me, frustration in her eyes and implied;

"WHY DOES EVERY YEAR THIS AWFUL, DISPLEASEFUL AND VERY ANNOYING SOUND keeps coming back at this time of year! ARGH! All because of this stupid and unworthy dead ancestry of that putrid little town beyond celebrates it, such a disgrace and a waste ... You humans know how to erupt a bad taste and a way of cultivating your past adversaries" Eleanore said, rubbing her forehead again.

"What celebration? What're you talking about Eleanore?" I asked, curious myself.

"What are you, a deaf elf? I'm referring to that gut-wrenching human town of Prigoria, the wretched place that always and every DAMN YEAR celebrates their moronic festival and it's today, hence why you and I and EVERYONE ELSE in the manor hear it! That town is celebrating the death of their past ancestry which is like I said, a WASTE! Moreover, the humans there don't celebrate quietly, OH NO, they have this loud music, laughing merriment and it goes on for TWO OR MORE DAYS! AND THOSE SCRITCHY instruments! It's driving me to insanity, dear High Caliph!" She said, pleading at the end for the noise to stop.

A festival huh? I had an idea, I didn't know or I must've forgotten, if this curse didn't let me stay here I might've travelled to Austria right now a few days ago and missed this epic yet Eleanore finds it an annoying festival held in Prigoria, I must go there!. Eleanore continues to rub her forehead and I slowly approach her and said;

"Eleanore, your courtesy, I know you're in a lot of stress but I have a suggestion for you to make the pain soothe away, a cold glass of blood juice from the kitchen can help those worrisome hours ... And a quiet relaxation by the balcony with that waterfall as scenery can calm the Vampir nerves down, those pesky humans didn't know how you're hurting from all that noise, wasting their hours of mindless shenanigans and how shameful they are to celebrate dead people by two or more days" I said nicely.

She smiled and nodded, replying, "I guess you're right about that, Sebastian won't be fetching my drink anytime soon since he's on 'reconnaissance' at the moment, but a soothing cold blood juice can't hurt and the breeze of the water isn't bad at all ... I must say, you Theodore is a strange human indeed, such an unusual character and negatively commenting on his own kind much like a Vampir would say, are you sure you're not a Vampir in a past life Theodore, I care to find out if it is" Eleanore complimented.

I scratch the back of my head, kind of confused and thankful for that she said. "I don't know if I'm a Vampir in a past life but I know I'm human so ... Thank you for the kind words" I said, shrugging.

"Ofcourse, now I must take my leave before the annoying loud sound of whatever it is, destroys my mood even more than it already is ... Such very annoying activity you humans do, a waste of time and resources" She angrily said.

Eleanore went on her way downstairs, going to get herself the blood juice she mentioned. I hope Dmitri is done by then because he'll get in so much trouble if she catches him still in the kitchen preparing and or taking human food outside. As she disappeared, I ran down the hall, Dmitri must already be there waiting for me by the door and right on time, he was already there. He commented I'm late and I briefly explained what happened earlier and spilled everything when we're at the tower.

I got a feeling what I'm going to reveal will blow Dmitri's mind off the tower or more likely get angry at me or both. I know this is a great idea, I just wish he'll give reason to at least listen. So here we go ...

At the tower, as Dmitri quietly eats his sandwich, I take a long sip of my soda, this is the time to relay my plan to Dmitri. He's looking at me as though he knows I'm about to say something.

"Theodore, I have to recall that you have something to say to me in regards to earlier about you and Eleanore's encounter, plus you have this great idea of yours that's surely will blow my encephalon away" He said to me.

Alright, here I go. "Okay, so remember how you deeply hated the human town of Prigoria and against going there by any means necessary ..." I said,

Dmitri slowly nods and chimes in, saying, "Yes, I did say that countless times to you, somehow bringing the human town up is giving me heightened suspicion about what's next of what you're going to say ..."

I continued on, "You're not wrong about your suspicions and with that said, I have good news to tell, so Eleanore spilled herself about the situation happening in Prigoria right? I know and you knew, you know about it since she mentioned it's been happening for years now so the idea is ... Why not we GO to Prigoria and CHECK the FESTIVAL out!" I said, finishing my revelation.

"No, I'm against this plan of yours and if you're paying attention or even care to listen about my negative stance about going to that human town, let alone go there physically then I should confess that I don't know what's happening to you ... So, my stance against this is constant no to as you humans say it, 'check the place out'" Dmitri said, shooting down my plan.

"But we technically went to Prigoria and enjoyed our time there, why not give this one a try? I mean, you changed your mind about traversing near the town's border, so why is this one shot down quickly?" I said, demanding an explanation.

"I only did that because of the situation we're in, you're homesick which is disrupting our activity to disarray and further damaging our chances of breaking this curse as much as possible, in doing so you cooperated and that's what I did what I did ..." He said, lowering his voice to the next bit, he's not done talking ...

"And I only agreed to allow it because I get pats from you which is kind of nice" He muttered quietly, his face getting all reddish.

I didn't hear much about the last bit, I noticed him blushing throughout and called that out, saying, "Are you okay, Dmitri? You're getting red faced" I said.

Dmitri scoffs and, clearing his throat and eating his sandwich with haste. Okay, what's his problem, this Vampirs are the worst chore that I ever come across.

He swallows what he's chewing and replied, "It's the sandwich's doing, the reason why I'm getting beat-red, a human food reaction thing, no need to worry yourself ... So my decision is final, we're not going to Prigoria and that's final, my mind is made up! We're NOT going to Prigoria" Dmitri stresses his point about the matter.

"Please consider, change your perception about the matter, going to Prigoria will be a good thing for us, I know it will ... Please change your mind about it" I pleaded, moving closer to him.

He didn't move away from me and instead he blushes, staring and replied, "No no, my answer is still final, we're not going to that human town and that's final so why not we enjoy the scenery here in the tower rather than acquaint ourselves outside with humans circling about"

Sigh. You leave me no choice Dmitri, you're being this stubborn then I have to reel in the big guns.

"Alright, if you say so ... then I guess I'll just approach Lannister to help me out with this situation" I said.

As I said, that made Dmitri quickly stand up, surprised and echoed a loud WHAT!?' in my direction, I was standing with my back turned as he did that, I'm hiding my smirk from him. I slowly walk towards the stairs, leaving a shocked Dmitri behind, unable to even spew another response.

"I got to say, I have Lannister for the entirety of the afternoon since I know he'll agree to come with me there, just the two of us and no one else ... Since he is outgoing by nature, unafraid to go beyond the boundaries and most of all he wants my company so I'm sure he'll gladly accompany me there, don't you agree?" I said followed by a fake sigh.

Dmitri stutters at my response, still trying to decide whether to go by my words or go against his. I continue to approach the way of the staircase, nearing the newel where the steps descend down. He grunts and shouted a statement, saying;

"T-Theodore, how dare you, I know for sure you wouldn't do that, YOU wouldn't do that stunt you're going to pull, it wouldn't work!" He stressed to imply.

"Oh really now, then you know better that even if you threaten me, my own word is final and I know you're not going to hurt me even if you wanted to so I best be going while the afternoon is still young" I said to him, as I hold the helm of the newel of the staircase.

He's still not cracking, I'll have to pull the ultimatum on him and said, "And oh, I almost forgot, I'm going to give Lannister the shoulder and back pats he deserved since he'll definitely accompany me to Prigoria when I ask him to do, since you don't want to come so enjoy your stay and see you later"

Dmitri deeply sighs, so loud it can be heard all over the room. I finally cracked him up, he's going to say the series of magical words and here he'll say it;

"Stop! Theodore ... Stop" He commanded.

I turned around and looked at him, leaning against the newel of the staircase, my arms crossed over my chest, waiting for his word.

"What is it, Dmitri? Is there something you wanted to say?" I said, I already knew it, he won't resist.

He hesitates for about a moment, then sighs in defeat and says, "Alright, fine! I'll tag along with you to Prigoria, we're going there or as the humans say, 'check the place out' interaction"

I smirk and lean a bit more, my ear and have a gesture of letting it be heard louder. "What was that? I couldn't hear you properly from over here" I said, teasing him.

"I said, loud and clear, I Dmitri will accompany you instead to Prigoria and take part in the festivities with you and as the humans calls it 'check the place out' metaphor, so in turn you'll not ask my other brother for assistance and strongly NOT gave him shoulder and back pats as a reward for coming along, which he won't because it's going to be me" He stressed his words out loud and clear, expressing seriousness.

AH! Music to my ears. I hate doing this but I'm not going to miss out on a festival when it's already just a few distance away, waiting to be uncovered. I ponder on his answer and I nod, telling;

"Alright alright, no need to get worked up over it, I'll not ask your brother for help you can calm down now, Pat Jock" I said, laughing at his serious face.

Dmitri scoffs, grunting at the side but doesn't reply back, seeing the slowly recovering relaxed expression of his face indicates he's on board with it and not letting Lannister get near to me.

"Theodore, you're such an insane human, you know that?" He said.

I smiled and replied, "Ofcourse, it's one of my many quirks and perks as a human" I said, boasting my prowess.

With that, we finish out sandwiches and drinks then we head out. I can't believe my excitement of attending my very first Romanian festival. And with Dmitri on board, nothing will go wrong with our trip there and possibly he might even enjoy himself there, which I feel he will.

Down the stairs we went, I glanced at Dmitri and said, "Thanks for agreeing to come, I can assure you, human festivals are a no regret scenario and I know you'll enjoy yourself there, I just knew it! Since I know by the likes of you, you'd never attended any human related festivities, so let's make this a good first impression for a first timer" I enthusiastically said.

"You hope I will enjoy myself and not immediately regret coming with you to Prigoria, the only reason I'm coming with you is because of you in particular so better this festival of theirs lives up to what you just said to me now and earlier" Dmitri said, very determined.

After choosing and changing our clothing for the festivities, descending more than three flights of stairs and leaving our dish out in the kitchen, hoping Sebastian won't mind, we came back to where we started, outside and in front of the grand entrance, where the bleak looking veranda is.

"Okay so how should we go there? By bus or ask Sebastian for the car, well not that one since he's not here yet, bringing that awesome ride with him" I commented, throwing out some ideas on how to go there.

Dmitri came up to me and pat his neck and left chest, saying, "Or why not just hold onto me like last time and we just go there by taking a shortcut to the forest of Pin Mare, the fastest way to get there rather than stress yourself with public transportation which I'm growing to hate just by thinking about it" He said.

"Alright, if you say so ... then, LET'S GO! Let's have the best SATURDAY of our lives!" I said and sling my arm over his neck and grab hold of his left side.

With that we headed through the depths of Pin Mare, traversing towards the town of Prigoria.

This is going to be epic, finally a chance to get out and have fun.

And most of all with Dmitri, who's somewhat into going there and fast.

Next stop, the Town Of Prigoria, here we come!