“Okay, sound off. Everyone's age. Now. I mean it.” Arias says. “Actually, don't answer that. Everyone here is underage, right? Let's just play it cool, and do it by the rulebook. The magic rulebook. By which I mean magic has rules for each step. For children, it means, stop and listen. To the sweet, sweet sound of silence.” He says before closing his eyes.

Violet raises her brow. “What the hell does that mean? Hey! I'm talking to you!” She exclaims.

Alice smiles. “Arias, tell her about that thing you did that one time.” She goads, amused. “That thing at the beach.” She says, waiting.

“Oh, you mean this.” Arias says before standing up and letting out a flaming fart.

Violet’s eyes widen. “Gross. Fart jokes are the worst.” She says, waving her hands to cover the smell.

Alice laughs. “Gross, now the whole carriage smells like farts.” She says with a cringe.

Arias smiles. “Anyways. That’s all the magic I know.” He says before closing his eyes once more.

“I’m sure you know a bit more magic?” Violet says as she looks to Alice.

Alice blinks. “Me? I know a little.” She says.

“Oh? What about body refinement?” Violet says as she moves closer to Alice.

“Body refinement? I don’t know much about that.” Alice says.

Violet smirks and leans in. “Want me to teach you?” She asks.

Alice gulps. Anxiety rises and she immediately stands up, and like anyone would, she let out a flaming fart.

“That’s all the magic I know!” She exclaims before hurriedly running out of the moving carriage.

Violet lets out a sigh and looks at the close-eyed Arias.

Arias waves his hand in front of his nose. “Damn. Who farted? That smells gross.” He says.

Violet frowns, then immediately stands to exit the carriage. She had to find her princess.

Arias takes a peak at the empty carriage and lets out a sigh. Freaking children. Need to calm down sometimes. It starts with eating and pooping, then suddenly, ‘why does my body feel this way?’ and ‘it feels nice when daddy hugs me.’ He thinks with a shake of his head. Arias looks up and bursts out into laughter. Damn, I crack myself up sometimes. He thinks, amused.

…

…

“How is it?” Arias asks.

Rodrick leans over and pukes.

Arias covers his nose. “Damn. That’s gross. What have you been eating, Rodrick?” He asks, amused.

“Ughh. It’s so bad. It’s so bad, Arias.” Rodrick says before standing up. “That potion is terrible. Some people are so terrible. And even worse, some people are nice. They’re so nice it makes me want to puke.” He says before gagging once more.

Arias smiles. “Yeah, it’s terrible. But they’re only nice because they’re not in a situation where they have to be anything else. Slowly, though. Life has a way of breaking you.” He says before laughing.

“Then why don’t they prepare, Arias? It’s like they’re all venison waiting to be eaten. Why aren’t they like me?” Rodrick says, looking despondent.

Arias raises an eyebrow. “What do you mean, like you? Rodrick, tell me.” He says.

Rodrick lets out a sigh. “Arias. I’m scared. I’m scared all the time. Of everything. Of the not knowing, of where I step; like I could fall at anytime. So I can’t… I can’t be nice, Arias. But when I see people who are… They bring out something terrible in me…” He says before frowning. It’s as if he had unlocked a door, and now emotions were flooding through. Rodrick covers his face as tears stream out of his eyes.

Arias frowns. He grabs Rodrick’s arms and brings him in for a hug. “Easy, sweet baby. Easy. Everything’s going to be alright. You’re still young… You can learn to control it…” He says before shaking his head. Not yet a vampire, but doomed to such a fate… He thinks, mourning the state of the world.