Orion left his meeting with Elenora feeling more hopeful than he had in a long time. With her knowledge of the vampire world, even without anything specific on Eric, he felt like he had a new lead—a deeper understanding of the vampire underworld and its complexities.
Though Orion had to say that he never spent money like he did today, every dollar he gave to that woman felt like small needles digging in his heart.
After that he was constantly on the move, keeping one ear on any whispers about Vampire activities and following up on any rumors of unusual vampire movements.
Days blurred into weeks and weeks into months. Orion's search continued with relentless focus. Every potential lead, though, ended up as another dead end, and his frustration grew. Elenora's information helped him navigate the world of vampires, but there were no traces of Eric—no sightings, no mention, nothing concrete. The vampire's elusiveness gnawed at Orion, pushing him to keep searching, hoping that every new lead would be the one that would finally bring him face to face with the vampire he'd sought for so long.
Just when Orion was beginning to feel throw an overcharged Hollow Purple at the entirety of America, his doorbell rang unexpectedly one afternoon.
Of course, after Credence was gone, he didn't say in the orphanage either. He rented a house later on.
He hadn't been expecting anyone, so he was surprised when he opened the door and found Elenora standing there, a slight smile on her face.
"Well, look who it is," Orion greeted, crossing his arms with a grin. "What brings the great Nora Mandragora to my doorstep? Couldn't you have just sent me a message if you had intel on my ever-stretching goal of finding that bastard vampire?"
Elena laughed and stepped inside, looking around casually. "You know, I something feel pity about this Vamprie when I wonder what will happen when you will really find him. And sometimes I just like to pop by you know, now its completely on me to prevent another dark lord from rising just because he couldn't find a vampire." She looked amused, glancing at him with a glint of mischief in her eyes.
Orion chuckled, shaking his head. "Sure, sure you do. But something tells me you're not just here to keep me from going to the dark side. So, why suddenly you are here ?"
She paused, her smile fading just a bit, and her expression grew more serious. "You're right, actually. There is something I came to tell you, and I didn't think a message would do it justice."
Orion tilted his head, curious. "Alright, spill it. What's going on?"
Elenora hesitated, looking almost uncertain—a rare expression on her face. Finally, she took a deep breath and looked him in the eye. "I'm… getting married."
Orion froze, caught off guard by her words. For a moment, he thought he hadn't heard her correctly. "Wait… you're getting married? Since when?"
Orion was completely taken a back by this, suddenly he remember that there are still two girl waiting for him back in his time... waiting for his answer...
Suddenly, a feeling spread across him, a feeling of lost, that he was losing out on something, something very important. He was losing out in life itself.
A small, sheepish smile appeared on her face as she shrugged. "It happened kind of suddenly. He's… well you know him, someone who understands my world, my work. My Time...."
Orion heard this and just nodded, not wanting to talk further about someone's love life but there was something in her words. Something which made him feel that she mean much more than just what he heard.
'your time ? what that suppose to mean ?'
Orion felt a strange tightening in his chest. A feeling that he was losing out on life, when it could be so easy to just go back and embrace the happiness he could have.
"So… who's the lucky guy?"
"Well," she smiled, a little dodgy in her words.
"Come on, tell it already" Orion had a dark face right now, feeling more frustrated the more he think about it.
"Credence." She spoke softly, though her gaze was still fixed on Orion, studying his reaction.
Blink...
"Credence..." Orion suddenly felt betrayed.
'I know he is older but... what the hail...'
Orion tried to mask both his surprise and frustration and forced a smile. "Credence, huh? Seems like he found the family he was looking for in the end after all. Congratulations, Elenora. I'm… happy for you. For both of you".
Her expression softened, and she nodded. "Thank you, John. I wanted to tell you in person because, well, you've been a big part of my life these past few months. Working together on this whole… Eric hunt. And even before that, you well you been important since I met you, like family."
Orion looked down, feeling a strange mix of emotions he couldn't quite place. "So… when's the wedding?"
"In a couple of weeks. We're keeping it small and quiet, just close friends and family. The kind of ceremony that doesn't draw attention... I," she said, a shy glint back in her eyes.
"I.. I was wondering if you will attent it from my side." She said with a small voice.
'Her side...'
" You see I don't have any family, So, I was wondering if you will ..."
Orion hearing this was frozen in his place.
Though he considers himself a good friend of her but this...
Maybe he didn't realise himself in his pursuit of that Bloody Vampire that how he has formed a bond here, a time where he doesn't belong...
Orion managed a bright smile on his face. "Consider it done" he replied, though his voice sounded almost distant to his own ears. "I'll be glad to do so..."
"Good to know. I'll probably still need your help from time to time. Just… try not to forget about wedding..okay."
She smirked, giving him a gentle punch on the shoulder.
*Twitch
"Brat, just tell me the time and place, I'll be there"
"..."
"Hahaha...
"Hahahaha...
For a moment, both laugh, each lost in thought. Orion finally looked up and met her gaze, a soft smile crossing his face. "Thanks, Elenora. You just remind me that there is someone back at home, waiting for me. Just like you, I too have to give a certain someone my answer, can't give this blood sucker all my life."
She didn't understood all but she saw a bright smile on John's face, a smile which she understood.
She nodded, a flicker of emotion crossing her face as she held his gaze.
"You are lucky if she's waiting for you, I certaintly wouldn't have with your personality." She smirked.
Orion knew it was just a joke but there was an intent feeling to reply her. But he held himself back.
Right now he wasn't in a mood to quarrel with her.
With that, she too turned and left, leaving him standing alone by the door, his mind whirling with unspoken thoughts and emotions. As he closed the door, Orion found himself wondering about the future. This news had hit him harder than he'd expected. He was happy for her, what shook him was his own situation.
How fast the time was moving... for him, it almost felt like he didn't even notice.
He instead of getting back to his training, decided to go out for a walk. Looking up at the sky he wondered.
'You know old man, its almost feels like it was yesterday that I lost you. Time could be scary sometimes. It passes by before once knows it...'
xxx
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