“I’ve given it much thought, prayed on it, and have reached a decision.” Minister Lowell sits at his desk and faces the two young women before him. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hesitant, but since Kei has been dispelling the evil within, you have shown that living amongst the others is possible. You’ve been attending school with the rest of the congregation, and you’ve barely fallen ill in the last several years. It honestly appears you’re entering a total remission, and it won’t be long before we purge the evil.”
Nadia leans forward expectantly. “So... does that mean you’re saying what I hope you are?”
He sighs. “I suppose I have no just cause to deny you, so yes, I give you my blessing. I deem you safe enough to attend university in the city and to pursue your desired future.”
“Yes!” She jumps out of her chair in excitement. “I’m going to go submit my application now!”
“Just a moment, don’t get yourself too excited yet. There is a condition.” She sits back down. “Naturally Kei will go with you, but as you haven’t lived outside our congregation since you came here, I won’t feel comfortable unless she’s with you at all times. So, I’ve submitted applications for you both in the General Studies track and arranged for an apartment nearby the campus. It’s all prepared for you. You simply just have to show up. I think that’s a blessing.”
“Wow, that’s great! Isn’t that exciting, Nadia? We’ll get to experience a fulfilling college life together.” Kei is full of excitement, but she notices Nadia isn’t smiling. “Or maybe it’s not so exciting.” She pouts slightly and looks at her sadly. “Do you...not want to go with me, Nadia?”
“It’s not that Kei. I’m happy to have you join me, I expected as much. I just...well, I was hoping to live in the dorms, independently. I also planned to apply for the medical track. You know I took an interest in it after being sick so often as a child. I’m sure Kei and I can attend the university together without having to be together all the time. I mean, we both deserve some independence, right? Aren’t you sick of me by now, Kei?” She laughs jokingly, but it’s obvious she’s hinting at wanting space. She’s looking forward, while Kei is still clinging to the present.
Kei looks away slightly. “I don’t...really mind.” She tries not to let her disappointment show. She’s never wanted to make it obvious that she wants to be with her all the time, but it’s hard.
Nadia rubs her head awkwardly. “I see....” She doesn’t know what to say to her in this case.
It’s silent between them until Minister Lowell interjects. “I understand your desire to spread your wings, Nadia, but let’s not push it too soon. I meant this to be a trial experience, to confirm that you can indeed live among the general population without incident. Don’t forget, it’s officially recognized that Kei is your executioner. She must monitor you at all times, and should you show signs of corruption beyond return, we'll allow her to use her power as a divine priestess to eliminate you. She can’t do that if you’re away from her. She can’t live in the dorms among vampires as a human, and the medical track requires far more work than she should have to endure if she’s not interested in it. You need to be more considerate to her feelings, Nadia.”
Kei quickly speaks up, hoping to clarify that she’s not trying to keep Nadia from living her dream. “I don’t mind Minister Josef. I’ll do the medical program if that’s what Nadia wants. I’ll live in the dorms. I know how to take precautions. No one here suspects that I’m human, and I’ve been here for over six years now. I’m sure I can make it work, so please let Nadia be free.”
“Kei, I appreciate your willingness to adjust, but I should admit something to you. Vampires have excellent senses and a keen sense of smell. If one were to pass you by for even a moment, they’d immediately realize you were human. No one has mentioned your humanity because I specifically instructed them not to. It’s forbidden to discuss it at any point, and they know better than to allow themselves to be tempted by their natural instincts. This can only happen because this is an exclusive congregation, open only to those that live here. I secluded this convent from the public, with a few exceptions, and residents know we will harshly punish them should they reveal a human has been living here. I believe you’ve had our laws explained to you?”
“Yes. Trespassing in vampire society is strictly forbidden unless given explicit permission by the Chancellor or the High Priest; that’d be you, of course. Any human who violates this law shall have their blood drained and be burned in the pyre. Any vampire found consorting or associating with a human in any way other than approved exceptions will end up tied to a post, left to burn with the sunrise and have their souls damned to hell.”
“Precisely. I can control what happens among my congregation, and the Chancellor can make an exception for classroom study at the public university, but neither of us can control the actions of citizens when they are in their personal living spaces. Nor can we infringe on their leisure.”
“Not to mention, it’ll be a disaster if it’s known that a human is living among us without a proper visa. This could lead to distrust and unrest throughout our communities. Therefore, we must handle this delicately, so you both have to be on board with this, as I say, or it cannot happen at all. Is that understood?” Nadia doesn’t answer immediately. “Have I made myself clear, Nadia?”
Kei glances at Nadia, who’s obviously upset from her tightly clenched fists beneath the desk. However, she maintains a neutral face as she says, “If those are the terms, then I’ll graciously accept, Minister Lowell.” There’s a slight bitterness in her tone, but Lowell pays it no mind.
“Very good. Then I’ll finish up the details and in a few weeks you can-.”
“I’ll become a vampire!” Kei’s sudden words bring the minister to an abrupt silence and shock.
“I beg your pardon? What did you just say, Kei?”
“I said I’ll become a vampire,” she nervously repeats. “If that’s the only reason Nadia can’t pursue her dream the way she wants, then I’ll become a vampire. Then it’ll be no problem, right?” She looks at him directly, thinking he’ll respond favorably, but that’s not the case.
She finds him with his finger pressed against his temple and a deeply disturbed expression. Looking over to Nadia, she can see her face in a state of frustration. Did I say something wrong? She wonders to herself. Then out loud she asks, “Did I…say something odd?”
“Nadia,” he starts. “Please tell me you haven’t been discussing such taboo topics with her.”
“No! I’ve never once mentioned that. I honestly don’t know what gave her the idea.” She won’t look at Kei. “That’s something she obviously came up with on her own. Her weird fantasy.”
Kei feels a little hurt by the way Nadia said that but doesn’t take offense. “Uh, please don’t get upset with her. She really has said nothing about it. I just assumed that there was a way to do it. I mean, in movies vampires could turn people by biting them or whatever, so I just thought-.”
“Keiko.” His voice is like ice, and he’s never used her full name since they met. He’s obviously infuriated. “It’s best if you don’t think too much about things you don’t understand, especially things relating to our kind. Such a topic is something that is never to be spoken of here or anywhere and it’s punishable to a degree far greater than simply harboring a human in our domain. Not to mention, it could very well upset the balance between our worlds. So, tread lightly into that topic, meaning don’t tread at all. Do you understand me, Keiko?”
“Yes Sir. I’ll never bring it up again.” Her voice is shaky and her hands tremble. She’s never once feared for her life since she’s been living here, not until this moment. She didn’t know that he could get so mad, or that Nadia could give her such a spiteful glare. She could break into tears at any moment, but she holds herself together, remaining silent. She won’t break down here.
“Alright then.” Suddenly his voice returns to normal. “So, you’ll study together at the university for a year and if everything goes as expected, then we can discuss your transition to the medical track. Doesn’t that sound fair, Nadia? I think I’m being rather generous here if I do say so.”
Kei nods, not daring to say another word. Nadia coldly replies, “Yes, thank you for your generosity, Sir. I will make the most of my education and hope you’ll consider me further.”
“Wonderful, then you two may go.” He ends the conversation so simply, yet it’s humiliating.
Nadia is the first to get up and stiffly walks out. Kei quickly follows her and once they’re in the hall, she calls out to Nadia and reaches for her. “Nadia, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to-.”
Nadia swats her hand away and shows her an angry scowl. “I know. You just wanted to help me. But you know Kei, sometimes the best way to help, is to say nothing and let things be. Try to remember that, will you?” She turns away from her bitterly. “Sorry, but I’d like to be alone for a while. I think I can manage that much, or can I?” There’s such spite in her voice, and Kei feels it.
She watches as she walks away, her tears finally breaking free. “I’m sorry Nadia.” She speaks in just barely a whisper, but she’s certain Nadia could hear it. Though she knew she wouldn’t get a response. This is their first real fight, and it hurt far more than Keiko could’ve ever imagined.
“I was afraid this. We can’t waste any more time, Keiko. Let’s end this and grant her mercy.”
“Shut up! No one asked for your opinion. I’ll do this my way. Just stay out of it!” She shouts at her angrily and stomps off to return to her room. She does her best to block her out as she goes.
“Very well, as you wish. However, when the Divine Priestess Kei offers her advice, misery is all that awaits those who refuse to listen. You have no idea the hell this situation can bring. Don’t say I didn’t warn you when it falls. I have time. I’ve always had time. But you Keiko...do not.”