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Apo stood at the entrance to the castle, fiddling with the rope held in her hands. What the hell was she even doing here? This was basically enemy territory! Their job was- is to protect the town, protect the people of Oakhurst. Fraternizing with the castle inhabitants went directly against that! Not to mention he was in there. She really didn't want to deal with that noble jerk of an elder vampire. They were contemplating turning back around and leaving, they shouldn't be here, this wasn't where they belonged. They were broken out of their contemplation by the feeling of a snout pressing into their hand. Right, the reason they came here. She sighed, giving Truffle a quick pet on the head, unable to resist smiling as the pig snuffed in contentment. Once Truffle was satisfied, she stood back up, staring at those giant wooden doors, gathering the courage to knock. Truffle snorted beside her, and she banged her fist on the door.
A short wait later, it opened and Shelby appeared, her eyes widening in surprise. "Apo? What are you doing here?"
"Well- I'm- Is Pyro around?" She cringed slightly as she stumbled over her words, a mix of emotions crossing the other girl's face as she mentioned the eldest fledgling, "I just haven’t seen him in a while and someone-" they held up the lead, "has been missing him."
Apo watched as Shelby's expression softened, smiling down at the animal, though their shoulder still held some tension.
"Awww, that's so cute! Of course they can visit!" She gently scratched at the top of the pig’s head, giggling as Truffle sniffed at her clothes in search of treats, "It actually might be just what we need right now. Come on inside, they're in the parlor."
Swallowing thickly, they stepped forward, following Shelby through the entryway. They passed through the meeting hall, the soldier clinging tightly to the lead in her hands as she looked around. The room was so drastically different from the last time she was here. There was a roof now, a large cathedral-like ceiling, red stained glass windows, and a large platform on the far end that housed the blood red beacon. It was well-built too, a far cry from the ruins of before. The architect in her didn't know whether to be impressed or pissed off. This place didn't deserve to look this good. This was the place where she stood months ago, watching that blue-haired jerk shake off death like he was above it, looking on in horror as he came back over and over again, the wounds from her axe stitching themselves back together before her very eyes. The bastard seeming more annoyed at the blackened blood staining his shirt than anything. The place where she had made that stupid, stupid deal, giving up her humanity in hopes that no one else would be turned. That hope being crushed within the hour, Cleo becoming a casualty in fight they could never had won. They think the worst part is how the castle's inhabitants were treating them. Shelby let her in so quickly, never second guessing her motive, if it could be a trick…
Then there was Pyro, her old roommate, one of the first people she could probably have called a friend in this place. A bright-eyed university student who was open to anything, who just wanted to learn. She had convinced herself that version of Pyro was dead. Replaced by something else, something who shushed her like she was a cornered animal, who was on board with Apo sacrificing another of the townsfolk, who left her behind to worship the man that did this to them.
Apo thought her friend was gone, until she found him again, crouching by a hidden animal pen, nearly crying tears of joy because Truffle didn't fear him.
She almost wished he was dead. Then they wouldn't have to face the fact that vampires didn't lose all their humanity after being turned, that vampires could still act human…that she didn't lose everything by joining them. That maybe she could go home…maybe Cherri would be okay with this…maybe-
"-po? Apo, are you coming?" They were dragged from their thoughts by Shelby calling for them. The girl was waiting by an archway that led out of the meeting room and into a hallway, looking over with concern.
"Yeah, sorry. Haven't seen this place since it was in ruins. I'm just…taking it in."
Shelby hummed as they caught up, waiting as they stopped halfway through to pick up Truffle who was straining against the lead, trying to reach under the table in search of snacks. "It was hard work, but we're proud of it. Scott even did some of the manual labor that he hates so much!" She laughed a bit to herself before starting to lead Apo down the hall, "The parlor is down this way, along with some other common rooms! I'll give you a bit of a tour as we make our way!"
Apo listened half-heartedly as Shelby went on about what laid behind the doors lining the hall. Explaining how Scott put in a couple extra studies for in anyone wanted one, but mainly she and Pyro would do their research in the library, which was at the far end.
Shelby stopped them about halfway down the doors just off to the side of an open archway. It was silent inside, which for some reason seemed to make the excitement that she always carried diminish. Still, she smiled when looking at Apo, trying to hide any nerves she might have.
"Wait here a moment, I'll let you know when to come in." Apo nodded, watching as they entered the room, conversation starting up with their arrival. She didn’t move as she listened in, even Truffle stopped squirming in her arms as she eavesdropped.
"Well you were gone for a bit, who was here?" Scott's voice echoed into the hall, Apo instinctively held Truffle closer to her chest. Of course he was in the room with Pyro. They had been secretly hoping to get through this without coming into contact with the elder vampire. No such luck, apparently.
"Actually, about that…" The fledgling's barely suppressed excitement was obvious as she tried to create suspense for the room's occupants. "We have visitors!"
Apo was then grabbed by the arm and dragged with almost surprising strength into the doorway. She froze as two pairs of red eyes locked onto her from opposing sides of the room.
It was clear now why Shelby thought their visit would be a good thing, the tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a silver blade. Scott lounged on the settee on one side of the room, his pose was relaxed, but his obviously sour mood was putting the soldier on edge. He looked annoyed, maybe even somewhat frustrated on a first glance, but Apo could feel the anger rolling off the elder vampire. She wasn't sure if knowing that was a product of being his fledgling—like some sort of instinct—or if he was just furious enough that anyone could sense it just from being within his presence.
Pyro, their reason for coming all the way here in the first place, was sitting curled in on himself in a chair on the other side of the parlor. Their emotions were clearer. Their old roommate was angry as well, though not as much as Scott, the frustration was much more prominent on his face as he picked at the sleeves of the fancy shirt he wore—a shirt that was definitely not from his own belongings, Apo had seen those when they were living together, his stuff was nowhere near that fancy—as well as a small amount of fear and- was that…guilt?
Apo had no time to dwell on the strange mix of emotions on either man's face as both expressions changed as Shelby dragged them into view. Scott simply quirked an eyebrow, seemingly more intrigued than surprised she was there. Like he had been expecting her to show up at his doorstep eventually. The thought made her own bit of rage stir in her chest. Pyro reacted with surprise, as expected. Sitting up more in their chair, a flicker of suspicion crossing his face as they look over at her. He's the first to speak, "A-Apo? What are you-"
At the sound of the scholar's voice, Truffle let out a squeal as they squirmed out of Apo's hold, dropping to the ground and running towards him. Pyro's eyes lit up as the pig scrambled in their direction, letting out a delighted, "Truffle!" as he slid out of their chair to the floor, scooping the animal into their arms. There was the Pyro she knew.
Shelby giggled as the oldest of the fledglings cooed over the small animal, even Scott's expression seemed to soften at their excitement. Apo crossed the room, sitting on the floor across from Pyro, Shelby not far behind. The pig happily darts between the three vampires, searching for any treats or affection they could find as Apo finally addresses her friend, "You hadn't been to visit in a while, they missed you."
The unhappy expressions from earlier flash across their face, settling on a sad smile as red and black eyes met hers, a quiet understanding of unspoken sentiment in them, "I missed them too. Sorry I've been…unable to come to the cave, things have gotten…complicated."
"What he means, is that the humans are getting more aggressive." Apo jumps slightly as Scott almost appears behind Pyro, his hands coming to rest on their shoulders," No matter how strong we feel," He glanced down at the younger man, who refused to meet his eyes, guilt clouding their expression again, "it is safer to act cautiously for the time being."
"Yeah, I- I heard about what happened with town…Martyn was really pissed about it."
"Well I hope he got his anger out when he killed me."
Apo froze when she heard the vitriol with which Pyro spit out the words. Martyn and M had told her about the attack the night after, when they were alone in the militia HQ . How easily they talked about it made her stomach twist, that they were so willing to just attack, even when the vampire wasn't fighting back. To be honest…it scared her. Would she be next? If the town found out about her own turning, would they also kill her without second thought? Drive a stake through her heart, stopping her from ever seeing Cherri again? Then what would happen to Truffle? The pig was innocent in all this, if she was killed…how long until Pyro found out? Would he get to the cave in time? What if he got hurt again too and they were left all alone in the cramped darkness of the cavern?
She took a shaky breath, still not use to the lack of necessity. "I think- I think I'm going to leave Truffle here. At the castle."
"What? Why?" The scholar blinked over at them in confusion, "Not that I wouldn't love having them here! I just- wouldn't they be better off hidden in the cave?"
"I don't want them alone if the town….turns on me."
"Okay. Yeah, okay, I'd be glad to-"
"Are you forgetting something, firelight?" Scott had leaned down, cutting Pyro off as he got closer, one of the hands on their shoulders moving to the back of their neck as he came into their view. "Shouldn't the rest of us get a say in whether or not we want a pig running around the castle?"
She could tell from his tone Scott did not truly care what Shelby and Owen's opinions were in the matter, he was more pointing out the fact Pyro hadn't asked for his permission to keep their pet on the grounds. Something Pyro confirmed as he turned his head to only make eye contact with the elder vampire, a light tremor in his voice as he attempts to plead his case. "I apologize, Sire, I got a bit caught up in the moment. May we please let Truffle stay here? I swear to be solely responsible for their care."
"Hmm, I dunno, darling. While I trust you," the other hand slipped from their shoulder, shifting to cup their cheek, keeping their gaze firmly on him, "it would be wise to remember not everyone has the same loyalties. How can we be sure this isn't a trap? That she isn't using this to gain our trust before turning around and spilling our plans to the enemy, using our own tactics against us?"
Apo feels herself bristle at the accusation, "I can hear you, you know. And- And I'm not doing that! I just wanted to check in on someone I consider a friend."
"And I should believe you because…?"
"Sire," Pyro speaks softly, regaining Scott's attention that had been turned on Apo. Once the noble's eyes were back on him, he shifted his head to press a kiss to the palm that was cupping his face, "my love, please?"
The elder's eyes soften at the action, a fond smile pulling at his lips, "You know flattery will get you everywhere with me. I really do spoil you, inferno…" He sighed, letting Pyro go and standing up straight as he looked over at Apo, Shelby holding Truffle behind her, "Fine, I'll allow the pig." He quickly kept talking before the trio of fledglings could get too excited, "But! Our little soldier here needs to prove she can be trusted. After all, I'm not having someone who is not a member of our coven spend so much time in our home."
Apo felt like she had ice water poured over them. Join the coven? Wouldn't that go against everything she stood for? She looked over as Pyro stood up, grabbing Scott's hand as he made the offer, they watched for her response with a hopeful look in their eyes. They recalled the nights the two of them had spent back in the cave, catching up. Talking about what they had missed—Apo moving into the tower to keep watch, Pyro's relationship with Scott—anything the other had missed out on. Every time he would prepare to leave he would remind them that he could get them into the coven, how he missed being roommates, how they could do this every day. But then, there was the town, the militia. Martyn and the others were also her friends…right? She did this, became this, to protect them all, not that it did any good. She couldn't just abandon the people in Oakhurst, she did have a job to do…but how long until she was discovered? How long until she was thrown out, or worse- killed? Truffle made a grunt behind them from Shelby's arms.
She sighed heavily, "The town doesn't know about me except Cleo and the Doctor. It would look strange if I suddenly stopped living in town."
Scott waved off her excuses with his unoccupied hand, "I'm not saying you have to spend every waking moment here, you could travel freely—like Shelby does. Pyro and I have targets on our backs, so understandably we're avoiding going out more than necessary, and gods know I have no control over where Owen goes. All I want to know, is that when push comes to shove, you're standing with us, not against us."
She glances back at the pig in Shelby's arms, then back at the vampires in front of her. "I can't believe I'm doing this again…" She mutters to herself before continuing louder, "Alright. If it keeps Truffle safe, I accept."
"This sure does feel familiar, doesn't it?" The elder smiles sardonically at them, having heard their muttering, "Welcome to our little family…both you and the pig."
Shelby gives a small cheer, handing Truffle back to Apo while Pyro beams, giving Scott a quick peck on the cheek. "Thank you, Sire," they commend, laying their head on his shoulder, "you won't regret this."
"Oh I know I won’t, because if she betrays us, the pig becomes dinner."
Silence falls over the room as Scott's words sink in. Blackmail. Apo knew it couldn't be as simple as just saying she's on their side. There was always another angle with the eldest of the vampires, a hidden reasoning behind every decision. Truffle could stay because he knew how much they meant to not only her, but Pyro as well. They couldn't go behind the castle's back and secretly work with the town, not if they didn't want to put Truffle's life—and their friendship with Pyro—at risk. The scholar would never forgive her if their shared pet got hurt because of her choices. She had to be fully on the castle's side, had to keep Truffle safe. They nod at Scott, letting him know they understood the terms of this new deal.
She won't mess this up.
This time, she won't fail.