February 14th 1831
Valencia. Spain
Personal Journal of Leon Wagner.
12th Entry.
The change of scenery is admittedly quite nice.
I walked along the gravel path of the Spanish countryside. The warm sun hitting against my face with the scent of fresh cut vibrant flower bushes surrounding my path in every direction. Beautiful women walked by me, carrying food laughing and giggling with their friends. I watched impressed as well kempt mustached farmers tending to their crops and cattle efficiently and with much care waved to me as I walked by.
This place. This peaceful wonderful place is the exact opposite of that freezing hell I was sent to. But I know a beast lurks by these colorful lands and it's lively people, just waiting to bring it to ruin. And this time. I'll do right in protecting them properly.
I approached a local Cafe to resupply and quench my thirst from the intense heat. The sound of lively music filled the air and continued uninterrupted even as I entered. Clearly I was not the first huntsman to pass through these parts. Customers chatted and drank all the while as I walked by over to the counter. Ordering a drink of tequila and once again asking around for any information regarding the monster I had been assigned.
I heard a series of lumbering footsteps approach behind me slowly. I quietly began to reach for my pistol as a precaution but did not fire just yet. I wanted to be sure. The man slid next to me with a large grin. He was quite well dressed. A buttoned up blue suit and well kempt black sleek hair.
"Well well well." He said aloud smiling before taking another drink. "And here I thought there were enough of my guys taking this job." Let me guess? This is an initiation contract for you? Isn't it?
I nodded quietly. Immensely confused.
What beast you on? First?
"Second." I responded. Why do you ask?
"My my. You're still new at this. But to have made it past the first one is a tough accomplishment to say the least. To that I congratulate you!
The large well dressed man then took another shot of his drink and gasped aloud with a wicked grin. He then leaned over and whispered into my ear.
Name's Finnick. Finnick Addams. Huntsman graduate from Canada going on two years. At your service.
I looked at the man with much scrutiny who looked like he belonged in high society not in the muck with me hunting monsters. He must have taken notice of my skepticism.
Yeah Yeah. I know. I look like a right fancy prick in this getup. But it's all part of this rather unique contract I've been working on. He flashed me a quick glance of the familiar looking guild badge and my fears were put to rest. I released my grip of my pistol and drank beside him.
Sorry about taking the same contract as you. He spoke aloud with a slight of relief in his voice. "Just bad luck that you got assigned this one. But we can still help each other out if you get my meaning.
I told him sternly that I could and would not allow anyone to help in my initiation hunt nor would I interfere in his.
No no no. It's not like we'll be fighting this beast together. If anything we'll be dining with it.
I looked on appalled by what he was saying. And began to make for the door not wanting to stay here any longer and return back home for a fresh contract.
Wait wait! He said quickly as he stepped in front of me.
Look. They don't allow initiates to work with other initiates but they do allow huntsman to team up with other's once they leave the school out into the world for good.
Your point? I aske him rather bluntly.
There's nothing in the rule book about an initiate helping another huntsman along their journey. And trust me. You need my help as much as I need yours. This is a rather....difficult situation here. This monster is not something I can just stab or shoot this time. It's more of an...investigation. And I could help you in dealing with it. You have no Idea what you're walking into. I do. This one...oh boy it is crafty! You wouldn't last a second with her.
I turned.
"Her?"
Yep. He smiled a bit saddened. Folding his arms as he leaned against the corner of the wall. A vile temptress. She seduced all three of my buddies when we joined together to investigate her. Investigate mind you! We didn't even show our weapons and she tore right into them like pieces of cake. Haven't seen em since. Now I'm all that's left, and I don't back down until the job is done, as I'm sure you well know yourself. So here is my proposal for you...."
You help me deal with the ugly cunt. And you get to keep her head. I go on my merry way and no one knows the wiser. Sound good?
I turned to face the mysteriously well groomed huntsman before me. I had only one question left to ask.
What monster is she?
He smiled. "I think you know full well." What wonderful common monster that we know of controls others by it's gaze?
I rolled my fist into a ball in growing anger. Oh I was well familiar with this fanged beast. Far too familar.
How many? I asked in growing rage. "It's never just one bloodsucker."
"Lots." He replied. "The countess is hosting a dinner party tonight for all her fanged friends at her courtly manner. I've got a invitation as some governor from Madrid. That's why I'm in this ridiculous getup.
What? I asked astounded. Why would they let a human into their manor without going right for him? Better yet. Why would the Spanish government allow vampire's to have a party in these lands in the first place!!???
That's what I want to find out. He replied. "I arrived here ready to kill the beast, but the authorities told me not to harm her or her friends without proper evidence as crazy as it sounds. Disappearances have been reported of local villagers and many are starting to turn their eye toward her manor because they happen to coincidently coincided with her nightly escapades. If she's the culprit, I'll find the evidence and get the governors approval to take her and her buddies down. But I need to get inside first to see what she's up to or else it's my head that's rolling. I don't know why of all the crazy things in the world a vampire is allowed to live in peace right by people but we have to find out why. And I can't do it alone. Neither can you.
So...I'll ask you one last time. You up for the challenge?
I looked him squarely in the eye. Held out my hand. And spoke the words.
When do we leave?
He grinned and shook my glove. Suddenly he began to eye me up and down rubbing his chin and twirling his mustache keenly.
How do you look in a suit? He asked.