Marx and Cherie trudge back to the inn and are greeted by the innkeeper, "Good morning, Sirs." he said, eyeing their weary faces. "Seems you've had quite the night."
Marx nods curtly, too tired to engage in small talk. Cherie manages a polite smile.
The innkeeper continued, "I'm afraid there's a bit of a problem, sirs. The money you gave me last night, after the deduction of the meal bill, the remainder only covers one room."
Marx's frustration bubbled over. He had left his belongings on the train, making him have to depend on Cherie. The thought of relying on someone else, makes his jaw clench.
"Oh, come on old man. We had known each other." Cherie complained like a thug.
The innkeeper laughed. "Sorry. We are doing business here." he insisted.
Cherie clicks his tongue on failing to persuade the innkeeper but means no harm, he just acts like his usually outgoing self.
Cherie can sense Marx is still upset but says nothing. Cherie cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence between both of them. "You take the room Marx, you need rest."
Marx didn't hesitate. "Fine" grabbing the key from the innkeeper and disappearing up the stairs like a gust of wind while Cherie watched on.
Hours later, in the mid afternoon, Marx awoke feeling somewhat refreshed. Especially he can stay alone without Cherie bothering him by his side. He makes his way downstairs, curious about how Cherie settles in, he finds his partner sprawled on a bench in the corner of the inn's common area.
Cherie's position is awkward and uncomfortable, completely at odds with his usual composed and elegant demeanor. Marx stepped closer, shaking his head at the sight.
"What kind of nobleman sleeps like a wild dog." he murmurs.
The innkeeper approached, "your friend there, won a good sum of money playing cards with some of the other guests. He was quite the happy chap when he finally fell asleep."
Marx raised an eyebrow, surprise. "He won money?"
The innkeeper chucked. "Indeed, quite a bit, actually. Enough to cover your stay and then some. He must be quite the card player."
Marx sighed, a mixture of relief and exasperation washing over him. Cherie had a knack for turning situations around, in the most unexpected way. Despite his frustration, Marx couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration for how Cherie handled things.
He gently shakes Cherie awake. "Wake up."
Cherrie stirred, blinking sleepily up at Marx, "Oh Marx, you are not angry anymore?"
"Who said I was angry?" Marx standing straight up stares at Cherie.
Cherie lifted up his head, "You are not? Then I should have followed along to sleep with you, what a shame."
"In your dream." Marx punched him in the face and turned to walk away. Before he climbs the stairs, he calls for the innkeeper, "I want my meal served in the room. Thanks"
Cherie snorted with laughter. "What a noble."
In the evening, Marx steps out of the inn, Cherie is already waiting outside, leaning casually against the wall. He straightens up when he sees Marx approach, a silver dagger gleaming in his hand.
"This is the best I could get right now." Cherie said, handing the dagger to Marx.
Marx takes the dagger, examining it briefly. "How do you get this?"
Cherie's heart skips a beat when he is asked by Marx. "Why do you want to know?" his voice swayed.
For a brief moment, Marx is imagining Cherie playing the cards like a thug trying to win some money to continue living. Anyways this is the first for Marx to experience a money crisis, probably he should do something as well.
Marx faintly smiled. "It's fine. Let's go"
As they walk side by side through the dimly lit street, Cherie start discussing about last time.
"About the vampire last night," he began. "I didn't get a chance to tell you, I think the other vampires might have seen us kill their comrade."
Marx glanced at Cherie, his brow furrow. "And?"
"And they might be wary of us now, keeping their guard up," Cherie continued. "But there's also a chance they could come at us head-on if they're crazy enough."
Cherie laughed at the thought, the sound echoing eerily at the quiet night. Marx didn't share in the humor, but the laughter lengthened the mood slightly.
"Either way, we need to be ready. We can't let our guard down."
Cherie stretches his arms by placing the hand on his neck and pulls back while letting out a long yawn.
"Well I do hope they could come at us head-on so we can move on from this place."
"Are you in a hurry?"
"Not particularly, my schedule is flexible. You?" Cherie takes a glance at Marx.
"Same. I just got a three month vacation and was ordered to head for Paris." Marx replied.
Cherie seems confused. "Order?"
Marx faced grim. "I refuse, and the head makes the order."
A laughter suddenly breaks from Cherie. "Of course," while holding his aching stomach. "You are the type that can't go against order."
"And you? Why do you want to go to Paris?" Marx asked.
Cherie's laughter quickly fades. "Fate guides me here to meet you, we are going to continue our date in Paris." he smiled at Marx.
Marx rolled his eyes annoyingly, and didn't believe anything that came from this insolent man's mouth.
A blood-curdling scream suddenly pierced the night air, coming from a block away. Both men tense up, their conversation forgotten as they sprint toward the source of the scream.
When they arrive, they find a young woman cornered in an alley by three vampires. Her back pressing against the wall, eye wide with terror as the vampires close in on her.
Without hesitation, Cherie leaps into action, launching himself at the three vampires with his usual agility and flair, meeting the snarling creature head-on.
"I've got these three!" He shouted at Marx.
Marx nods, quickly moving to the woman's side. "It's alright, you're safe now." he said, reaching out to pull her away from danger.
But as soon as he touched the woman's arm, the woman's terrifying expression twisted into a sinister grin. She spun around, moving with inhuman speed to grab him, her fang bared as she whispered in Marx's ear. "Fool!"
But the woman's gloating is cut short when she realizes Marx isn't struggling. Instead, he is calm, his grip on his silver dagger steady. The pointed edge of the dagger is pointed directly at the chest. Marx can take her life anytime.
"Checkmate," Marx said coldly, pressing the dagger's point into her skin.
The woman's eyes widened in shock, her winning smiles faltering as she realized her mistake. But before she could react, Cherie has finished off the remaining three vampires, waiting to be executed by Marx's silver dagger.
Cherie turns to Marx, who is still holding the female vampire at bay. "Nicely done," he said, stepping closer. "Your turn to finish these three."
While Marx drives the dagger into the three vampires heart in turn, Cherie grabs the female vampire by the neck, lifting her slightly off the feet.
"I was always gentle toward women, so for me this is kind of overly harsh." He said in a dangerously low voice, "you're going to tell us where you base is, or do you want to end up like the rest of your friends?"
The vampire sneered, through her eyes betrayed her fear. "I'm the last one left, You've already killed the other."
Cherie's grip tightened, and he leaned closer, his voice a whisper, "Don't lie to me. We know there's more—-someone I encountered last night, who got away. Now, tell us where they are."
The vampire is shaken in fear when she looks at Cherie's grim eyes. She knows she is corner , but she isn't ready to die just yet.
"I.. I'll take you to them. But you won't make it out alive." her voice trembling.
"We'll take our chance," Marx replied coldly.