Chapter Text
"...nd so, after that year, we begin to enter the Colonial period of vampiric species study, beginning with the ruin lying just outside of our very own Island Town, Melini. Very few early colonial vampiric lairs can be found in the Americas, because by that time vampires were considered an endangered species-"
Marcille Donato yawned as her monotone Monster Biological History teacher continued droning on and on in the background. She was already the teacher's pet to end all teacher's pets, and even SHE found this lecture boring. Hearing a professor drone about a now long extinct species of monster that had no influence on modern times wasn't exactly interesting for the half-elf.
The same could NOT be said for-
"Psst, Marcille," Laios Touden whispered into her ear, poking her shoulder with a pencil, "Did you catch what year Professor Floke said the Vampiric Colonial Era started?"
"Not really, Laios," Marcille mumbled.
"What was that, Ms. Donato?" Professor Floke asked, looking out towards the two students' direction, "I believe that I heard something, but I'm not sure."
"Nothing, ma'am," Marcille quickly replied, trying not to look too annoyed and present the ideal image of 'focused and learned scholar' she always strived for.
"Alright then," Professor Floke returned to her lecture, "Now, as I was saying, the Vampiric Colonial Era marks the beginning of the end for such a proud species, as the arrival to the new world marked an uptick in vampiric attacks but also in efforts to combat their spread..."
Marcille sighed as she once again began to zone out, unable to focus at all. She at the very least thought the topic of vampires would prove a little bit interesting, but biological history studies surrounding monsters did NOT interest Marcille in the slightest. Ecology majors shouldn't involve monsters, in her opinion.
How does one make vampires boring?!
"Man, how can vampires be so cool?" Laios mumbled to himself as he took extensive notes, "it's such a shame their species became extinct... I mean, how cool would it be to study a real, live vampire in person!"
"Probably more exciting than this..." Marcille huffed, "I thought Vampires were supposed to be..." She gestured vaguely, "I dunno, all about dramatic inter-clan rivalries, intrigue, dark masters and forbidden romances..."
She sighed as she began to recall the recent Vampiric Nightmare arc of her favorite romance drama series, The Daltian Clan, humming happily as she replayed its scenes in her head. She wondered if the upcoming anime adaptation would be nearly as good as the book series...
Then, she was brought back to reality, pouting, "But instead the professor talks about them like they're just another monster species! It's so... So boring!"
"But, they are another monster species," Laios explained it as if stating the obvious, "Actually, they're not even a species! Weren't you paying attention to the explanation of their biology?"
"Probably, I have it..." She looked down at the mess of papers in front of her, "... somewhere in my notes. It's just not something I have to remember at the moment. I can wait to study it properly when exams come around. When am I going to need to apply 'Vampire Biology' to the study of dungeon ecosystems? They're an extinct species...."
"I happen to think they're pretty cool..." Laios grumbled, before turning to look at his friend better, "Falin would think they're cool too."
Marcille felt her heart clench.
"-And as we can see by the nesting construction within the Island Town "Sang de Drac" Estate, we can clearly see the degradation of Vampire-afflicted victims' mental state once they reach the later stages of vampirism." Professor Floke finally took a break from her lecture to turn away from the powerpoint presentation and look at the time. "Oops! Looks like I ran a bit over time today, everyone! Class dismissed, see you next week!"
Marcille sighed as she finally was free to pack up her things, slipping her notebook and notes into her cute embroidered bag and slipping it on her shoulders. Laios stuffed all his papers into his dirt-covered bookbag and slung it over his, following the half-elf out as they exited the classroom.
"Wow, can you believe it?! A vampire nest, right on the outskirts of our town..." He giggled to himself, looking up as if to imagine all the goodies one could find in there. "I didn't even know that manor WAS a vampire nest! I thought it was just an old estate! I wonder if they offer tours?"
"Since it's a protected biological site, probably not."
"Aww, you WERE listening."
"I listen to everything we talk about in class Laios, I'm a good student." She sighed as she walked over to a water fountain, throat feeling parched, "I just don't share the same enthusiasm for every subject."
"I get that," Her friend leaned against the wall next to the fountain as Marcille drank her fill, "It does kinda suck that you have to take a class you're not interested in for your major."
Marcille shrugged, but internally, she couldn't help but smile. Laios' enthusiasm for all things monster-related would never be something she understood, but he was still an excellent friend to her. She really did like his company.
But not as much as she loved-
"Oh, Falin!" Laios shouted out suddenly.
Marcille quickly found out exactly which tube in her throat was the one not meant for water when she sucked in a breath at the same time she drank, coughing and sputtering whilst also accidentally splashing herself in the face. Laios seemed to pay no mind as he walked over to greet the approaching sibling.
Falin Touden. What could Marcille even say about Falin Touden? Despite the fact that she was crushing HARD on the cleric? She couldn't help but act completely clumsy and stupid whenever she was around.
"Hey Laios!" She greeted her brother with that same, lazy smile, wrapping him in a tight hug for a moment then stepping back, "How was Professor Floke's lecture today?"
"Amazing!" He exclaimed, hands waving in the air, "We're still focused on vampires this lesson! Oh, you're gonna LOVE her lecture tomorrow, it's great."
Marcille was still coughing all over herself.
Embarrassingly, Falin took notice and gasped, gently walking over to rub the half-elf's back. This only made her choking fit worse, as Marcille now had to contend with the sputtering coming from Falin's Real Actual Hand on the top of her back, rubbing small circles, whispering kind words...
God, she was utterly useless.
"There," Falin sighed as her friend's coughing fit ended, letting Marcille stand up straight again, "Better?"
"H- Hi, Falin." Marcille sighed, "How were Cleric classes?"
"Pretty okay," She shrugged, pouting a bit, "A lot of it is just relearning stuff I already knew in more complicated ways... Truth be told, I don't use any of the new methods I learn, I just stick with my own."
Marcille smiled, loving to hear ANYTHING coming out of Falin's mouth so long as it was from Falin. "That's great, hehehe....." She shook her head, trying to snap out of her stupor, "I- I mean, uh, well, y- you could probably teach the teacher handling that class, and I mean that! You've got a natural talent for helping people..."
"Aww," Falin cooed, blushing a little bit, "You don't have to say that EVERY time I talk about my cleric track."
"I say that every time...?" Marcille whimpered in embarrassment.
Luckily, Falin hadn't noticed, turning back to face her brother as he waved his crumpled up notes in her face. Ah, the Toudens. By far the weirdest friends she could've ever made, but one's she wouldn't trade for the world.
Especially Falin. After being friends since childhood, elementary school specifically, she felt like she couldn't live without her. Especially with how often Falin had stood up for her throughout their education journey. Would you believe it, being a massive nerd made Marcille a bit of a target for bullying.
Those years were a nightmare for the young half-elf. Not only was her heritage a target, but so was her stature, her know-it-all demeanor (which she didn't even know she had!), even something as simple as the shape of her ears.
The amount of therapy she had to get for those arduous years...
But Falin, wonderful Falin, always stood up for her, same for her brother.
For such a kind-hearted soul, Falin really did have a bit of a violent streak to her. Only in defense of course! She was certainly glad for that.
Now, Marcille was a changed person. More in-control of herself. Not easily distracted.
"-and it's right on the outskirts of town!"
"Really?!" Falin gasped, looking up from something on Laios' phone back to her brother, "We should try and book a tour!"
"Marcille says they probably won't offer tours..." Laios grumbled, before a smirk formed on his face, "Buuuut... that doesn't have to stop us from getting a peek inside?"
"Sneaking in? Oh, but... that sounds kind of dangerous..."
Marcille blinked, trying to retrace where exactly in this conversation she was. Sneak in where? Sneaking? No, Marcille Donato was not the kind for sneaking. "Wait, um... back up for a second?"
"Oh, come on, Falin! It'll be fun! You know, just like when you were a kid. I remember all the stories you told me about you and Marcille sneaking off to a micro-dungeon by your middle school..."
Marcille blushed, shrieking, "Falin! You told him about that?!"
Falin turned to her, confused, "Why wouldn't I? I share all of my favorite memories with Laios..."
"F- Favorite...?" Marcille felt like choking again.
"C'mooooon, you're as interested in monsters just as much as I am," Laios continued, wearing down Falin's resistance, "Seeing the natural habitat of a long extinct species doesn't sound like the coolest thing EVER to you?"
"It does..." Falin hummed.
"Nonono! Absolutely not!" Marcille shouted, standing between the two Toudens, "We are not breaking and entering what's probably a protected scientific site for your curiosity, Laios! Falin isn't that kind of person!"
"Says who?" Both Toudens asked at the same time.
"W- Well, I..." Marcille suddenly felt her words die in her mouth.
"I mean, if it's an extinct species, we really wouldn't be putting anyone in danger..." Falin tapped her chin, "It does sound kind of cool. Plus, Marcille, you're an ecologist! Studying monsters might not interest you, but isn't the idea of seeing a pre-modern habitat kiiiiinda cool to you?"
"Well, yeah- but, but..."
"Hey, I bet there's a TON of spirit readings you can record for your thesis in a place like that, Falin!" Laios added, "Vampires are a type of undead parasite, which means magic naturally coalesces around places they've been in often! Could be pretty good study material...."
They were parasites? No, she must’ve misheard. Or Laios was overexagerating.
Maybe.
"Mm, true."
"You're forgetting the fact that you're talking about BREAKING. AND. ENTERING." The half-elf hissed, "Illegal, bad, nuh-uh! You can be so impulsive, Laios! This is a horrible idea!"
"... Yeah." Laios sighed, looking entirely too forlorn. "You're right... I wouldn't want to get you in trouble, Marcille..."
Marcille nodded, proud that her friend saw reason.
"So we'll have to do it without her!" He suddenly exclaimed, throwing his arms around his sister, "You and me, Falin! A little sibling adventure!"
"WHAT?!" Marcille screamed. The idea of the two Toudens doing something completely idiotic and dangerous like that together was worse than having her involved! Surely Falin wasn't considering this?!
"Mmm... Sure, why not?" The cleric smiled, "I'm not busy tonight!"
Marcille's eyes darted around the hallway, wanting to make sure nobody else was actually listening to the two tallmen plan to ostensibly break into private property. "W- What, but... B- But..."
"It's okay, Marcille," Falin giggled, "You don't have to go if you don't want to! Though, I am kinda bummed about that..."
"Y- You are?!" Marcille's heart clenched again.
"Well, yeah." Falin's smile suddenly gained that warm, gentle undertone that made her insides do all sorts of flips and tricks, "It's been too long since we've been able to do something a bit more exciting like this, you and I. I love hanging out with you in our dorm and movie nights, but... I dunno, don't you miss doing some exciting things, too? I loved exploring that micro-dungeon with you..."
"Y- You did...?"
Falin's smile grew.
Marcille felt like her legs were going to give out.
Marcille sighed, turning to glare at Laios one final time before her own resolve broke, "Well... I suppose I better accompany you so you two don't get into any more trouble than necessary..."
"Really?! You're coming?!" Falin gasped, clapping her hands together, "Oh Marcille, I'm so glad! You'll see, this is gonna be a quick, harmless little night out."
She pressed a gentle hand to the half-elf's cheek.
"And I'm really glad I get to spend it with you, too!"
"Ohohooooo... Okay Falin, whatever you say..." Marcille mumbled happily.
Laios' voice came in like a cold bucket of water, "Man, this is gonna be AWESOME! Though... I'm a bit bummed we won't get a chance to see a real vampire...