Chapter Text
201x, March 12, Early Evening
The silence returned to the church, after the people stood up from the pews and walked out the big wooden door. The Father, who was still standing behind the ambo; he ran a hand through his dirty blonde hair and took a big, deep sigh while closing his green eyes. Taking care of the church all by himself was tedious and exhausting work. Keeping the windows and floor clean, tending the garden and the graveyard behind, holding masses… He was tired. Noticeably less people visits the church regularly than a few years ago, most of them are elderly people. Here and there a few younger people shows up, but they don't hang around for too long. Still, it's better than nothing. On better days, the time went by so fast, he barely even noticed that it was already late in afternoon.
Today wasn't a day like that. It was raining almost all day, it stopped not long before the had to prepare for the mass. And he just watered the flowers and the plants in the garden… Let's hope the tomatoes won't mind it. Not like he can do anything about it. When he left to do a smaller grocery shopping at the local market, a car splashed so much water on him, his clothes got almost fully drenched. And it was none other than a police car… If that cop let his colourblind partner drive again, there will be much worse problem than people getting splashed. They are just trouble… He had to stick to the inner side of the road from then on, for his own safety. When arriving to the market, even if he walked through between the stalls, he couldn't find his favourite honey seller. Mr Harris has been sick since last week, he wasn't a young lad anymore, hopefully he will recover soon. Oh, how he craved the honey bread… But it had to wait a bit more. He spent talking with the other sellers than he originally wanted to, but it's always a pleasure to hear about how they're doing. What he didn't like, is how gossipy some of the older ladies became! Leaving the market was almost an eventful trip… except that the wind turned stronger and broke his only umbrella. His clothed was already pretty much wet everywhere from the car previously, but this certainly didn't help. Changing clothes and a big mug of tea helped him warm up, and he could quickly return to his chores around the church.
Opening his eyes, he mentally noted that the headache which been annoying him since before yesterday, still didn't want to disappear. When did he become so sensitive to the weather…? People tend to say "it comes with age" but he is only 32! Maybe a visit to Ms. Aureveil wouldn't be a bad idea… She always has something for even the smallest problems, but hanging around her too much could bring trouble. Oh, if he had headaches back then, when there was a front… He was sure that his grandfather would've been mad, that he was hindering them.
He finally stepped down from the ambo and went to the back to get his broom. He preferred to sweep the floor once in the morning and in the evening, and mopping it every once in a week. If someone brought in too much dirt, then more. This reminds him, he should wash and hang today's clothes tomorrow, and maybe the bedsheets too… If it won't rain tomorrow too. Let's hope not.
As he was sweeping between the pews, the church door opened with a loud creaking - great, he has to oil the hinges tomorrow. Probably one of the women left her bag here, this happened a few times already and they were always grateful to him for keeping it safe; not like he would've done anything with it. If they didn't pick up that day, usually tomorrow they were here for it.
- What a lovely view! This place as lovely as I remembered!~ - a young woman's voice exclaimed after she entered the hall.
This surely wasn't one of those who attended his mass not long ago. Putting down the broom he turned around to face the unknown visitor. His own eyes were meet with a deep orange, almost red pair. Her black hair passed her shoulders, which made a very strong contrast against her pale skin.
- Even though in my memory this church lived as "First Light", not as the "Last Light." But I suppose a name change every now and then can't hurt, hmm? Especially these times… Don't you agree with me, Father? - asked the lady with a bit of taunt in her voice.
Ahh, trouble. - he thought to himself as he nodded without a word. - What can I help you in this late?
- I was just looking for a place to rest, I had a veeery long journey and I became tired… Would you be so kind to let me stay for tonight? - there was something in her voice which was familiar. But then again, it's not his first time meeting someone like her, but others usually didn't seem this… harmless? Which would make make him question a few things, if he was younger. Now he just accepted it.
- If you wish to stay here, I can offer you a spare room. But before, I'd like to ask something, if you don't mind.
- Oh, how rude of me! My name is Beatriz Felstead. - she said it with a smile on her face.
- Ah… I'm Oliver, Oliver Wilkinson. I'm glad you told me your name, but my question is about a different matter… Say, Beatriz, are you a vampire?
