Quoted By:
<span class="mu-b">“I think you might have the wrong idea about something.”</span> the blue creature said with a laugh of his own, flashing his shiny white teeth at you. It was a surprisingly nice smile.
<span class="mu-b">“These guys only get rowdy with someone that they like. They're actually pretty excitable.”</span> he explained.
<span class="mu-s">“Well, they've got a funny way of showing it.”</span> you joked. <span class="mu-s">“Do you or these birds have a name?”</span>
<span class="mu-b">“People around here call <span class="mu-i">them</span> ‘Deathbirds’, and they call me ‘Big Blue’.”</span> he said, taking the reins from Ana and bringing the birds around so that they were all facing the way you came.
<span class="mu-s">“Yeah, and they call me ‘The Slayer’, but that doesn't make it my name.”</span> you shot back. <span class="mu-s">“I'm Cindy, by the way.”</span>
Big Blue let out a nervous chuckle.
<span class="mu-b">“I’m uh…James.”</span>
<span class="mu-s">“Nice to meet you, James. Grandma Young here tells me that you're trying to put me into early retirement.”</span>
He paused, and took a moment to glance between the two of you.
<span class="mu-b">“That wasn't my intention, but I think you might be long overdue for a vacation.”</span>
When you gave him a confused look, he reached up to point at the hair on his head.
<span class="mu-b">“Your hair's already going gray. Must be the stress getting to you.”</span>
Feeling a bit self-conscious, you almost reached up to touch your hair. But then you noticed the twinkle of amusement in James’ eyes. He was just messing with you.
You shook your head in disbelief.
<span class="mu-s">“What, am I not pulling off the ‘Silver Fox’ look?”</span> you said, casually running a hand through your hair and intentionally twitching your ears.
<span class="mu-b">“No, it suits you.”</span> he insisted. <span class="mu-b">“I guess I'm not in much of a place to judge, huh?”</span>
<span class="mu-s">“If you don't make fun of me for sharing a hair color with my grandma, then I won't make fun of you for looking like an extra in a James Cameron movie. Deal?”</span>
He laughed, paused for a moment to remember who and where he was, and then cleared his throat.
<span class="mu-b">“Deal. I'm gonna go, uh…park these now.”</span>
You all watched him as he left.
<span class="mu-b">“That guy was weirdly friendly, right?”</span> Ben said, narrowing his eyes at the man's back. <span class="mu-b">“I mean, how old is he anyway?”</span>
<span class="mu-g">“They seem to be around the same age, but I cannot say for sure.”</span> Ana said, looking to Young for confirmation.
<span class="mu-s">“He's just big for his age, I think. Feel free to ask him yourself on the way out.”</span> the old woman said in a brusk tone. <span class="mu-s">“Now, are you all ready?”</span>
They all turned to look at you, and you took another deep breath, before nodding.
<span class="mu-s">“I'm ready.”</span>
—------
Upon entering the council chamber, you were immediately met with stares from everyone in the room. The Nosferatu twins, a pair of pale-skinned creatures of the night that possessed the ghoulish features that most vampires lacked, were sitting together on the left, furthermost part of the round table.
(Cont.)
