Chapter 9 Woebegone Countrymen

Since I landed in Romania, I've seen many things, unexpected and unreal affairs. Like encountering a murder, being chased after for my life, getting face planted on the ground countless of times and of course meeting the supernatural which is really cool still. They call themselves Vampirs even though they are vampires of how we distinguish them.

But most likely, the one most important thing that happened was being entangled to this unknown curse with an actual vampire and forced to live amongst them to break it, and that's what happened to me for the past three days since I arrived here and all just because I did a civic duty of not letting someone get hit by a speeding wheeler truck.

Days have passed and we're still trying our best luck to break this curse but alas it hasn't gotten that close to breaking it unfortunately, under Eleanore's instructions, hence why she's pretty stressed out all these past days. Despite it all, I've managed to survive the attempted carnage by the Countess and I'm getting a strange treat from Dmitri, who keeps coming to my room from time to time, having casual small talk. Lannister on the other hand, he's quiet most of the days past, keeping his distance away from us when he can and not much of a talker himself.

I'm kind of out of myself lately and the Vampirs have noticed it and today was no exception, which happened earlier when we're at the gardens, trying our best to get rid of the curse by attempting to rush myself out of danger ...

I tumble off the ground for the suramounts of time as Dmitri tries his best to accurately push me off of an incoming danger which is as Eleanore puts it, a hurtling wooden cabinet flinged towards me without warning. The Countess is shouting for us to try it again and do it properly this time while being tended by Sebastian. who's holding an umbrella to shade her from the non-existent sunny day. It was partly-cloudy actually so I don't see the point.

I was having an already bad day myself and being shouted at was getting on my nerves as we continued on. Eventually when we try and failed again I had enough and threw a fit by kicking the grass aggressively and said;

"I had ENOUGH OF THIS! I'm taking a BREAK!" I shouted.

Everybody was shocked to see me fuming in anger, it's unlike me to be this pissed but I can't take it anymore. I walked away and Eleanore was not having it, she stands and erupts with her own response by shouting;

"HOW DARE YOU!-- THEODORE, I command you to return back here and participate in our important activity ... I WILL NOT STAND THIS INSUBORDINATION and if don't turn back THIS INSTANT, You'll face my ultimatum immediately"

I turned back and replied, "THEN MAKE ME YOUR COURTESY! Or wait you can't because you're NOT THE boss here, then use your powers I don't care, kill me even if you wish to but you can't"

She was about to cast a hex on me but she's too uncomfortable to even approach the partially cloudy weather, so I left without repercussions. I descend the stairs, hearing their conversation above ...

"How dare he! That bastard of a human ... Can you believe this Sebastian? NO ONE HAS EVER STOOD their ground before me, using that liable excuse to upheld his reason for leaving, even though he disobeyed my order! I am a Vampir Countess! This is unacceptable ..." She retorted, slumping on her seat with a disappointing sigh afterwards.

"Eleanore, If I may know the reason why Theodore is being his unusual self, as a half human myself, I can reason to you that he is experiencing such emotion called, 'homesickness'. It's a negative trait, common in humans that's far off from their original origin ... Such perspective he'd displayed is referenced towards our activity being forced against him as well as lesser connections to people he's deemed closer to him, hence why he'd acted his way towards you" Sebastian said, giving reason.

"Is there a cure for this human illness ... This is a disaster! Why're humans make things complicated about themselves" Eleanore retorts.

I went inside, pulling out my phone to see if there's any signal along the very bounteous hallway, with ornaments of old and sets of deceased people. As I was trying to get a reception, I heard footsteps approaching me from the back and as I turned around, Dmitri surprised me, appearing on my right backside.

"Theodore, may I ask if you are alright?" He said, side-glancing at me.

"Can I be honest, I'm not alright and I don't want to talk about it ... Sorry, I best be going" I said and quickened my pace.

Turning to another corner, I was caught off guard when Lannister came out suddenly from another room, heading towards my direction. Luckily, I stopped just in time before we collided. Dmitri grimaces when he sees him, still following me when I already told I wanted to be left alone.

"Theodore, Dmitri ... Can I have a bit of your moment, I have something important to say" Lannister said.

"Lannister, If it's okay, can we discuss this later if it's okay with you?" I said.

"I promise, it will only take a moment of your time, it's just utterly important and good thing you have my young brother with you, he needs to hear it as well"

"I couldn't care less of what you said, brother ... And Theodore said he's not having this conversation with you, right Theodore?" Dmitri mentioned, looking at me.

I sigh at myself, I know for a fact I won't get out of it. These two are as persistent as they can get and I can't even get an alone time myself. And Lannister was looking for me, which means this might be serious that I anticipated. Better hear him out rather than be bugged later on.

I nod for Lannister to speak and he said, "I Lannister came here personally to both of you to issue my sincere apologies for what I've done, said and acted upon to you Theodore and to you Dmitri, I came to my senses and made a wrong spectacle of myself and to prove I'm earnest to my concession, I've made Eleanore be convinced to postpone today's session and she agrees on her behalf, in addition to Sebastian's impeccable persuasion ... Furthermore, what I did was horrific and I personally condone my actions and I understand if I'm not yet pardon for my mishaps, especially to you Dmitri, I regret the words I've said towards you and I'm putting myself down to apologize at the least but if I'm given pardon, then I'm fully grateful for the kind gesture and uphold to better myself towards both of you the best I can be, if you let me"

Seems he's really genuine as he spoke, I ponder to myself and glance at Dmitri who's doing the same. Well, he did apologize and I felt as though he had his pride toned down to officially admit himself and his mistakes for someone who has an ego for a knack. I looked at Lannister and gave him a smile but Dmitri had a different reaction, he got up and left the scene.

"Theodore, I'll come back with you later when my brother isn't in the vicinity and being an annoying individual of himself, I don't buy the whole façade he's showing ..." Dmitri implied, utterly displeased.

I chase after him and grab his shoulder, giving him a look. He glanced back at me, not showing any expression of dismay. "You should give him a chance Dmitri, I may not have a complete say on the matter but as a person who had siblings of his own, at least give him this to redeem himself, he did swear to hold his word which you guys are doing so give him a chance ... For both your sakes" I said to him, giving reason.

He then looks at his brother, sighing at himself then nods at me. We approach Lannister and gave him our words, I start first saying;

"Sure, if you're true to your words then we can start over and let bygones be bygones" I said, smiling.

Dmitri scoffs, not looking at his older brother and responding, "If what you say is true and Theodore gave his assurance you'll hold to your words of change then I'll accept your apology and expect slow recovery for both our relationships ... BUT if you cross me or Theodore again and disarray your own oath then foresee retribution that will never repair our relation, I don't like manipulating my sentiments" He said, turning around and slowly walking away.

Lannister was lost for words about our response and I just gave him a pat on the back. I was about to catch up with Dmitri again when he gestures to me to do so when Lannister calls me to stop, telling he has one last thing to offer me as proof of his apology being real.

"Wait, Theodore before you go, I have something for you, a gift shall you say before you leave ... You might happily appreciate what I'm about to give you" He said.

Steadily he goes raising his arm, Lannister radiates a purer glow, a much different vibe and spectacle then the last time and recently that he showed when he uses his hex. The luminous hex travels over, casting it towards me, making my entire body glow and feeling kind of warm and tingly inside. After a moment, it was finished and Lannister was smiling at me.

"What did you do Lannister? What was that exactly ..." I commented.

"Remember my other powers? I can't give you all the specific details of it but what I can reveal is that, I gave you a special rejuvenating hex as part of my other lesser known power ... In short, I just revitalize your body and improve it tenfold, recuperating it as if it's new and eradicating all of your known and future fatal symptoms and or as humans called it 'allergies' and 'diseases', prolonging your expected lifespan" Lannister said.

Wow, I can't believe he did that. And I do feel more fresh and rather healthier than normal. Even the starting cavity on my other tooth is gone, what a gift.

"I don't know what to say, thanks Lannister for that gift ... You've added more years to my life than I needed for" I expressed greatly.

"No need to thank me and of course, I expect a minimum surpassing a 100 or more years, I felt added to your lifespan by that hex or much higher ... Anyways, I am true to my words and hold it dearly so best be off before my little brother gets his temper" He said and saw Dmitri glancing back at him.

Dmitri grunts when they meet eye to eye and impatiently gestures to me to follow. I wave back, leaving Lannister by himself as I catch up with Dmitri in the hall. I excuse myself from Dmitri since I'm still kind of cheerless today, despite the Lannister apology tid bit earlier. I hate to admit, Sebastian is right about me being homesick, I've not been able to contact or even message my parents since I arrived here in Romania. They must've been worried sick from me not giving them a holler for that long, hoping they didn't send Interpol my way and deemed me missing or in some kind of ransom situation.

I left Dmitri by the archway of the kitchen and excuse myself, I ran back to my room and just mind myself for some alone time. Still no signal on my phone, SIGH. I've been staring at my phone for about a minute while I pace back and forth, trying to get a signal when someone knocks on the door. I want to come in which it's not locked. As it opened, it was Dmitri, holding a plate with a sandwich.

"Theodore, Hey ... Here, a sandwich for you, I made it since you're not your usual self and I heard you're having a bad time which I noticed earlier, so here" Dmitri said, handing me the plate of sandwich.

I weakly smiled, grabbing the sandwich and sat at the side of the bed nonchalantly. "Hey, Dmitri, thanks for the sandwich, it was nice" I said, looking at the sandwich when it's only two pieces of bread with only one lettuce stacked in the middle. Putting it aside, I checked my phone again, still no reception.

"That contraption you're holding, is that the reason why you're acting negatively lately?" Dmitri asked.

I nodded and said, "Yeah it's one of the reasons why out of a few and the contraption is called a smartphone, but I'll explain it to you in a later time" I put it away as I sigh deeply.

"You know Theodore, it was cool that you stormed off earlier, Eleanore was powerless to stop you from your defiance, which serves her right about having the title too much in her head ... But I heard Sebastian speaking it to Eleanore, is it true?" He asked.

"Yes, Dmitri, what you heard it's true, I'm homesick and frustrated, I can't get a signal for my phone and I haven't contacted my parents since I landed here ... I was not expecting the adventure like accidentally participating in a pact with you and meeting supernatural beings that I know don't exist nor fictitious but were real and do exist, that's why I'm acting grumpy" I explained.

"So this 'smartphone' is not acquiring any 'signal' to contact your kinfolk which in turn makes you feel an emotion called 'homesick'" Dmitri implied.

I nod at him as I glance back at my phone, still not getting any kind of reception whatsoever. He stands up, gesturing his hand to follow me, opening the door leading outside.

"Theodore, I have a solution to your plan, I insist you come with me" He said. I gave him a concerned look as he ushered me out, I wonder what that is. And just to my surprise, we're at the ...

"Grand Study, what are we doing in here Dmitri, Eleanore might catch us here and we'll get ourselves into so much trouble" I refrain from going further inside the study.

"Don't worry too much Theodore, I know where my older sibling is and she'll not be here in more or less than an hour or so and the reason why we're here is because your device is similar to the one we have here, a human contraption that can accomplish communication by using it" Dmitri said, wandering further inside.

The Grand Study wasn't part of the tour to be seen inside last time and I'm seeing it's grandeur contents for the first time. All the old paintings, mahogany-carved wooden shelves and everything furniture, very regal which is not too shocked by it's aesthetic. Dmitri calls me in to approach further inside, he did say there's a device that could help me communicate with my parents and he's offering so I'll see if this can help.

Looking around, I follow Dmitri through the room and he stops at a desk with a cloth covering something inside. lifting the cloth unveils an old telephone.

"This is as you can see the reason why we're here Theodore, this is also a communication device that can help you with your situation" Dmitri said, showing the phone to me with a flourish.

I don't know if this is going to work since the look of the telephone is old much like the stuff here inside the study. But I have to try and I'm being given help. I grab the phone handle and as I place it on my ear, silent, no long buzz. I try to maneuver it by pressing the reset button but it does not prevail. Dmitri was confused as I couldn't use it for my own purpose, he checks the phone while I follow the long cord. Further inspection, at the end of the cord, it was cut off clean. I present the problem to Dmitri and he scoffs at the situation. I told him to leave the place before Eleanore came back to where she may be.

Back at my room, I pace back and forth around my room, phone in hand and checking for a decent signal, if there is any. Dmitri thinks by himself near the corner as he looks at me pacing around the room.

"This is a risk but I know another solution I've thought about, we can go outside the manor grounds and get your contraption the signal it needs to communicate to your kinfolk" He said.

It gave me an idea if he meant going outside the manor grounds. "If that's the case then why not we go to Prigoria, that's a human town and for sure I'll get a signal there" I said.

Dmitri shook his head, not on board with the idea and replied, "I disagree, absolutely not, we are not going near that human town, it was never part of my help to bring you close there, just to attain contact with your parentage" He said.

"But we're not going there literally, we just have to get close to the town somehow and get the signal I need, consider going there Dmitri, nothing is going to happen" I explained.

He's still undetermined to pass it up and said, "No, my thoughts are final, we can find your device's signal without going forward with venturing even near to Prigoria. If you agree with it, then I'll help out but if you pursue on pushing to go there then consider my help null and void" He said, rather seriously.

I don't really have much choice and rather than stay in the manor and mope about not getting any reception, why not take this opportunity and consider his help. Even if it's the obvious choice to go near to the human town to get what I need but I feel as though the Vampirs are determined to let me stay away from Prigoria as they can since I am technically cut off to the rest of the world because of the curse I'm in with Dmitri.

I nodded and said, "Sure let's do it, let's go outside without going near to Prigoria, we'll go by your plan so keep yourself at ease" I said.

Dmitri smug smiled at me and nodded, telling, "Alright, then it's settled, we leave in a few minutes, we meet downstairs near the doorway at the Grand Main Foyer ... Better make sure you're aren't followed or seen by others, we keep our presence minimal so no one could suspect our whereabouts later" He said.

He left as he finished talking to me and I prepared myself for what's to come. We're going to explore the outside, I'm going to venture outside for the first time. Visiting Alessia's grave was only just a glimpse of the outside I've felt when we venture out of the open that time. Now we're literally going outside to find some reception and it was kind of nice of Dmitri to do so but what's his agenda of getting himself to my situation. Either way, I'm glad for the help and I'm prepared to venture outside.

I'm just hoping our trip outside goes smoothly and will not be a disaster.

Eleanore will kill us if she finds out we venture outside ...

Why is it hard to get some reception these days!