There weren't any servants working or wandering around. Vincent let out a sigh of contentment. 'When did this place feel like home?' The question lingered in his mind as he found himself in front of a room he had never seen. He knocked on the door, and it opened.
Richard was surprised, just as Vincent was. He thought it was Ryker who had come to see him. "Come in and have a seat, Vincent." Richard could see and feel the changes Vincent had gone through. "You must have something on your mind to be here."
Vincent took Richard up on his offer and sat down. He saw the books on the shelves, the subtle but expensive decor, and the paperwork Richard was in the middle of doing.
"I don't know how I ended up here. I was walking around after returning from training and found myself here."
Richard smiled and nodded his head in understanding. "That tends to happen more to old people rather than young. Are you trying to tell me that you are older than me?" Vincent chuckled at his response. "Do you want to talk about your training? Perhaps you need an ear to vent to."
Vincent told Richard everything. He told him about the nightmare he had about his siblings, he told him about the group of people that tried to kidnap him, and he finally told him about the hellish training Horton put him through.
Richard calmly listened to him. He didn't react once, not even when Vincent mentioned almost being kidnapped.
Vincent felt as if a weight had been taken off of his heart. He did not have anyone his age to speak to. His new siblings were older than him and had their own lives. The kids at the academy were worse; they made him feel like a piranha.
"Vincent, can you give me the list you got from the people? I can assure you they won't get away with this. They probably didn't recognize you because your appearance is drastically different."
Vincent took out the list and handed it over to Richard. He got up to leave since there was nothing else he wanted to talk about.
He reached the door and was about to open it when he heard Richard's voice. "Vincent. I have already put the word out, and our people are looking for your siblings, so it shouldn't be long before they are found. I do not want you to think that your actions towards those scum were not called for. There is no need for you to feel any guilt toward them."
Vincent looked back at Richard for the last time before leaving the room. "I think that is what scares me the most, Richard. I feel nothing. I feel no shame, guilt, or disgust. I fear I will wake up one morning and not like what I see." Richard sat in the quiet office and thought about Vincent's last words.
"I am afraid that is the curse of being a Grimm." He poured himself a drink and slowly drank it. Once he was finished, his eyes hardened. Gone were the eyes of understanding and empathy.
"Freddy, make sure the people on this list receive protection and then find the bastards who tried to kidnap Vincent. You have my permission to kill and torture who you must to find their base of operations."
Richard's shadow flickered and then became still again. Richard finished his paperwork and then went to bed. He crawled beside Patty and sighed. "Is something wrong?" Patty could feel Richard's restlessness. "I will tell you in the morning, my dear. I need you by my side tonight." Patty wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close.
The next morning.
Vincent woke up from a dreamless sleep and got ready for the day. He walked to the dining room and sat down. He spoke to Kandice and Lyla. He dug into the food before him, savoring every bite of the delicious pancakes, eggs, and bacon.
Patty chuckled at how he was eating, and she gestured to Kandice.
Kandice took the hint. "Vincent, are you cool with me showing you the city?" Vincent swallowed and wiped his mouth. "Sounds like fun." Kandice grinned and got up. "Meet me in front of the gates in ten." Vincent finished his breakfast and went to meet Kandice.
Kandice was standing by the gate near a car. She wore a beige dress, white sneakers, and some jewelry to pull the outfit together.
Vincent wore a blue and white shirt and jeans and rocked the earrings in plain view.
"Looking nice, baby brother." Vincent smiled at her antics and said the same to her.
They got in the car and started driving.
Kandice showed him the best shops for potions, gear, and weapons. Vincent was enjoying the time he was spending with Kandice. The last stop was the mall. Vincent got out first and opened her door.
"If only Ryker could take notes from you." They laughed with each other and walked to the entrance. Kandice saw a group of her friends and pulled Vincent along with her. Vincent wondered if this was how spending quality time with siblings felt.
"Casey, Peter, and Dessie!" Kandice hugged all of them and then introduced Vincent.
Casey was a 5'2 strawberry blonde with cherry red lips and a tail. Peter was 6'0, had brown locks, and had tattoos on his arms. His third eye was the only thing that made it clear that he wasn't human. Dessie was tall, she was 6'3. She had pink hair that matched her pink skin and freckles on her face in the perfect ratio.
Peter gave Vincent a look of pity and gratitude. Neither bought anything from the mall but carried all the bags. Vincent gave Peter a look of understanding. They hit it off and exchanged numbers before they all went their separate ways.
Vincent and Kandice arrived back home. Kandice had the servants bring the bags in. They called her boss instead of young lady Grimm. Kandice turned to Vincent and blindsided him with a question. "Dessie is your type, huh?" Vincent stumbled over himself.
"Where did that come from?" He was laughing and holding his stomach. "What made you even think that anyway?" Kandice felt like she made a mistake but told him her reasons.
"You kept looking at her the whole time, and you followed any time she went off somewhere."
"Well, duh. I am not from here, remember? On my old planet, seeing people with pink skin wasn't familiar. I followed her because she is a woman and pretty. Guys usually pester pretty women. When guys saw me with her, they left her alone."
Kandice thought it was weird not having her day interrupted by guys that wanted to get with one of them. When she went out with her friends or by herself, guys would stare and bother. She always displayed the Grimm family crest, but that seemed to stir the guys on. Kandice gave Vincent a big hug.
"You are so sweet! I will make sure to let Dessie know that you protected her." She ran off before Vincent could protest. Vincent could only shake his head. 'Dessie is quite a woman, but I have no intention of dating anyone now.' Vincent went back to his room and looked at his system.